United Group Insurance

Omaha woman sentenced in SW Iowa meth conspiracy

News

November 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – An Omaha, Neb., woman has been sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for her role in an Iowa-based conspiracy to make methamphetamine. The U.S. attorney’s office says 35-year-old Jennifer Biggerstaff was sentenced on Nov. 4 in U.S. District Court. She pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. Prosecutors say she participated in a scheme in which 5 1/2 pounds of methamphetamine was made at a farm in rural Mills County between February 2003 and May 2011. They say Biggerstaff and others involved in the conspiracy bought pseudoephedrine from stores in Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri, with the popular decongestant being used to make methamphetamine. Others also stole anhydrous ammonia in southwest Iowa. Three others have already been sentenced in connection with the case. Three others await sentencing.

Slushy roads causes college class delays

News

November 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Officials with Southwestern Community College (SWCC) in Creston say classes will not start until 9:40-a.m. today (Wed.), due to the slushy and slippery road conditions. The offices will open at 9-a.m.

Summary of some area election results (updated 10:43-a.m. w/corrected Cumberland results)

News

November 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

There were some surprises, some expected results, some delays, and even some corrections in the results of Tuesday’s General Election, in the listening area. Here in Atlantic, a glitch in a machine at the Cass County Auditor’s Office caused a delay in getting the results of the Cass County District Two Board of Supervisor’s race out to the media. When they finally came in at around 10:25-p.m., they indicated Gaylord Schelling had won the election, with 170 votes. Don Lappe came in second, with 150. The three other candidates each had under 100 votes. The results can be seen on our webpage, at kjan.com, under the “News” tab.

Elsewhere in the county….
In Anita: Tim Miller, a write-in candidate, defeated other write-ins to become Mayor, and Jeff Bohnsack along with Thomas Harris, were elected to the city council. In Cumberland: Nancy Virginia Coughlin was elected Mayor, with 32 votes (The Cass County Auditor’s Office had an incorrect number of votes in their report last night). Sandra Armstrong, and Sandy Eversole, a write-in, where elected to the Cumberland City Council.

It was a very close race for Mayor in the City of Griswold, where write-in candidate Lee Wyman, garnered one vote more than Victoria Jones to get the job, 115-to 114. Elected to the Griswold City Council Tuesday, was Lisa Cook, Larry Mundorf and Ryan Askeland. And a Public Measure on the ballot calling for the establishment of Capital Improvements Reserve Fund to deal with future flood mitigation efforts, passed by a vote of 127-to 103.
In Lewis, incumbent Don Cohrs won re-election unopposed, while newcomers Bethany Nichols and Ryan Archibald, along with incumbent Duane Scott Anderson, were elected to the city council. In Marne, incumbent Randall Baxter was re-elected Mayor over two write-in candidates. Incumbent City Council persons Angela Redler, Dennis Preister and Lanny Kite were re-elected, along with newcomers Alan Cranston and Randy Henningsen. In Massena, Donald McCunn was elected as Mayor, with incumbent councilperson Linda Reineke, re-elected. Joining her will be Adam McCunn and Gloria Waters.
In Wiota, Ford Lillard defeated Kathryn Havens in the Mayoral race, and incumbent Lamar Spies was booted off the city council by the voters. Joining the council instead, will be newcomers Erik J. Johnson and Jon Schwarte.

In Adair County, Dennis Weigel was elected as Mayor of Adair, while the City Council At Large seats went to James Snyder, Larry Ludwig, and Craig Wedemeyer. And, Donald Eggen and Jim Zimmerline were elected to fill two council vacancies. In Bridgewater, Gary Firch was the write-in winner for Mayor. Joining the city council, are write-ins Kristi Burg, Steve Frese and Leo Marnin. In Fontanelle, R. Scott Homan was elected Mayor. Mark Homan, Linda Shafer and Patricia Glassell were elected to the city council. In Orient, a write-in, Louis Cruz defeated his write-in opponent Cecilia McGinnis by 10 votes, to become Mayor. Two other write-in’s, Shawn Subert and Gary Parman were elected to the city council in Orient.

In Audubon County, three candidates were elected to the Exira City Council:  Mike Huegrich, Kevin Petty and write-in Rob Jessen. Brian Olson, a write-in, was elected Mayor of Gray.

Here’s a summary of results from Pottawattamie County, as well…
In Avoca: Jennie Maassen defeated write-in candidate Allen Irlbeck for mayor. Newcomer Sandy Petersen won a City Council seat, while incumbent Fred Miller was re-elected. In Neola: Mayor Lon Ring will serve another term. Incumbent Joe Munch led a four-person race for three City Council seats. In Oakland: Mayor Betsy Moniz retained her office, defeating write-in candidate Joe Wede. In Carson: Eric Weave is the new mayor, defeating William Heitert. Five candidates were up for two council seats, with Troy Graves and Callie Kallsen the winners. In Macedonia: The City Council race featured five candidates for three seats, with Daniel Lajko, Mitchell Eason and Bradley Swope the winners. In Minden: Mayor Richard Armstrong won re-election.

Other election results are available on available for viewing on a separate KJAN.com News page.

Winter Storm pushed further east than expected, in Iowa

News, Weather

November 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The National Weather Service has dropped portions of the KJAN listening area out of the Winter Weather Advisory it issued Tuesday. The Advisory remains in effect until 9-a.m., otherwise removed, for: Adair, Adams, Guthrie, Dallas, Madison, Union, Taylor and Ringgold Counties.

* TIMING…SNOW IS EXPECTED THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS…MIXED AT TIMES WITH RAIN. EXPECT THE HIGHEST SNOWFALL RATES AND ACCUMULATION FROM THROUGH 6 AM CST…BEFORE TAPERING OFF BY MID MORNING WEDNESDAY MORNING.

* STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS…A BAND OF 3 TO 5 INCHES OF HEAVY WET SNOW IS EXPECTED…WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE IN SOME LOCATIONS…UP TO 6 INCHES. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED FROM NEAR CRESTON TO NEAR DES MOINES TO NEAR  MARSHALLTOWN IN THE EAST.

* WINDS/VISIBILITY…STRONG NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS OF 15 TO 25  MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS OVER 30 MPH MAY LEAD TO VISIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AT TIMES…MAINLY WHILE SNOW IS FALLING  OVERNIGHT.

* IMPACTS…ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLICK IN SPOTS AND WILL LEAD TO HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. PARTICULAR CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED WITH THIS BEING THE FIRST SNOW OF THE SEASON. THE MORNING COMMUTE MAY BE IMPACTED BY THE  SNOWFALL.

ELMER STENSTROM, 85, of Coon Rapids (11-12-11)

Obituaries

November 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

ELMER STENSTROM, 85, of Coon Rapids, died Tue., Nov. 8th, in Coon Rapids.  Funeral services for ELMER STENSTROM will be held on Saturday, November 12 at 10:00 am at the United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids.  Ohde Funeral Home in Coon Rapids has the arrangements.

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Visitation will be held on Saturday after 9:00 am until the time of the service at the church.

Burial in the Orange Township Cemetery near Coon Rapids.

Elmer Stenstrom is survived by:

Wife: Jean

2 Daughters: Phyllis Garnant of New Jersey, Helen Schlegel of Indiana

1 Brother: Ed Stenstrom of Coon Rapids

3 Grandchildren

2 Great Grandchildren

DR. JOHN HENNESSEY, 93, of Manilla (11-11-11)

Obituaries

November 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DR. JOHN HENNESSEY, 93, of Manilla, died Tue., Nov. 8th, in Denison. Mass of christian burial for DR. JOHN HENNESSEY will be held on Friday, November 11 at 2:00 pm at the Sacred Heart Church in Manilla.  Ohde Funeral Home in Manilla has the arrangements.

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Friends may call after 4:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.

Rosary and prayer service will be held Thursday at 7:00 pm at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the Mount Olivet Cemetery neat Manilla.

Dr. John Hennessey is survived by:

Wife: Lu

6 Children: Terry O’Neill of St. Paul, MN; Kate Hennessey of Boulder, CO; Michael Hennessey of San Francisco, CA; Buff Hennesey of Zumbro Falls, MN; Meg Seifreit of Lake Tapawingo, MO; Dr. Shawn Hennessey of Vallejo, CA

11 Grandchildren

5 Great Grandchildren

General election results from Tue., Nov. 8th (updated 10:49-a.m. 11/9)

News

November 8th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

(wi=write-in vote);  (I) = incumbent; * Denotes winner(s)

ADAIR COUNTY

City of Adair: Mayor – *Dennis Weigel, 89; Kelby Harris, 72; Danny Claussen, 18,

City Council At Large (3) – *James Snyder, 141; *Larry Ludwig, 117; *Craig Wedemeyer, 92; Rich Kennedy, Sr., 75′ Kathleen Ann Avey, 61.

City Council/To fill vacancies (2) – *Donald Eggen, 155; *Jim Zimmerline, 94; Armond Harris, 73.

City of Bridgewater: Mayor – wi Gary Firch, 21.

City Council (3) – wi Kristi Burg, 19;  wi Steve Frese, 18; wi Leo Marnin, 19.

City of Fontanelle: Mayor – *R. Scott Homan, 124; Lynn Eddy, 38; Gregory S. Jackson, 8.

City Council (3) – *Mark Homan, 101; *Linda Shafer, 81; *Patricia Glassell, 76; Dallas Sickels, 67; Dixie Dukes, 61; Amanda Sickels, 50; Debrea Jo Dukes, 19; Chance Phillippi, 14; Roger Young, 3.

City of Greenfield: Mayor – Ron Smith, 100;    City Council (2) – Carol Woosley, 105; Brian Eisbach, 102.

Park Board – wi Bill Raasch, 16.   Park Board to fill vacancy – Bill Raasch, 6; Willard Olson, 3.

City of Orient: Mayor – wi *Louis Cruz, 32; wi Cecilia McGinnis, 22.  City Council (2)- wi *Shawn Subert, 28; wi *Gary Parman, 23; wi Marvin McGinnis, 15; wi Jack Davis, 1.

ADAMS COUNTY

City of Carbon: Mayor – Brian Corpe, 7 votes.  City Council (5) – Donna Rochau, 7; Dwight Sunderman, 7; Jauson King, 5; Ricardo Avila, 4; wi Kathy Jones, 6.

City of Corning: Mayor – (I) Guy Brace 198; Janet E. Scheilz-Wood, 80; Judith Butcher, 78.

City of Nodaway: City Council (5) – Christine Wiechman, Becky Poen & Christine Dunn each received 16 votes; Hartford Cooper, 14; wi Gary Poen, 13.

City of Prescott: Mayor – *Jerry Loghry, 18; Bob Hendricks & Sherry Gray each received 5 votes; Greg Wilkinson 4.   City Council (2) – *Billy Preston 8; *Greg Wilkinson, 7; Kim Reed, 4.

AUDUBON COUNTY –

City of Audubon: Mayor – Clark A. Kauffman, 201; wi Andy Griffifth, 39; scattering wi 1.

City Council (2) – John L. Whetzall III, 215; Robert A. Jacobsen, 178. scattering wi, 3.

Exira: Mayor – Randy Thompson 44 votes.

City Council (3 seats) – Mike Huegrich 39, Kevin Petty 43, wi Rob Jessen, 13 votes.

City of Gray: Mayor – wi Brian Olson, 7; scattering wi 1.

City Council (3) – Jared S.  Olson, 10; John Lee Hansen III, 4; Penny Schmidt, 2; scattering wi, 3.

City Council Member/vacancy – Marilyn Newell, 8.

Kimballton: Mayor – Randy Poldberg, 22 votes.

City Council (2) – Jeffrey Albert, 21 votes; Michael D. Jensen, 20 votes.

CASS COUNTY

Board of Supervisors/District 2 – vacancy term ending 2014: *Gaylord Schelling, 170; Don Lappe, 150; Pat McCurdy, 99; Kathy Somers, 77; Jeff Richter, 16.

City Council/At Large  – Dana Halder, 765; wi 22.

1st Ward – Chris Jimmerson, 75; wi 2.          3rd Ward – Ashley K. Hayes, 276; wi 5;    4th Ward – (I) Linda Hartkopf, 143; wi 2.

Parks & Rec Board (2) – (I) Mary E. Strong, 643; Jolene M. Smith, 646. wi 7.   

City of Anita

Mayor – wi *Tim Miller, 53; wi Kenny Harrison, 32, wi David Dennis, 28; wi scattering, 69.

City Council (2) – *Jeff Bohnsack, 138; *Thomas Harris, 136; Angel Lea McCollough, 42; wi scattering 13.

City of Cumberland:

Mayor- *Nancy Virginia Coughlin, 32 (earlier # of votes was incorrect for Coughlin. Auditor’s error); wi Erik Schrier, 2 votes; wi Ed Carter, 1 vote.

City Council (2) – *Sandra Armstrong, 15; wi *Sandy Eversole, 12; wi Lela Lank, 4; wi Steve Porter, 3; wi Vicki Adams, 3.

City of Griswold: Mayor – wi *Lee Wyman, 115; Victoria Jones, 114; wi scattering 12.

City Council (3) – *Lisa Cook, 124; *Larry Mundorf, 120; wi *Ryan Askeland, 100; wi Andy Steffens, 94; wi Carol Hogueison, 84; wi Barry Moore, 33.

Public Measure: Establishment of Capital Improvements Reserve Fund: Yes – 127; No – 103.   Measure PASSED.

City of Lewis : Mayor – (I) Don Cohrs, 57; wi scattering, 25.

City Council (3) – Bethany Nichols, 73; wi Ryan Archibald, 69; (I) Duane Scott Anderson, 59; Sara Cohrs, 28; wi scattering, 22.

City of Marne: Mayor – (I) *Randall Baxter, 27; wi James Blake, 11; wi Barb Fischer, 2.

City Council (5) – (I) *Angela Redler, 42; (I) *Dennis Preister, 39; *Alan Cranston, 38; *Randy Henningsen, 33; (I)* Lanny Kite, 31; James Hoffman, 19.

City of Massena

Mayor – *Donald McCunn, 18; Linda Reineke, 5, wi scattered 12.

City Council (3) – (I) Linda Reineke, 37; Adam McCunn,41; Gloria Waters, 27; scattered wi, 23.

City of Wiota

Mayor – *Ford Lillard, 26; Kathryn Havens, 17

City Council (2) – *Erik J. Johnson, 28; *Jon Schwarte, 27; Raymond Zeller, 23; (I) Lamar Spies, 10.

GUTHRIE COUNTY

City of Bagley: Mayor – Don Mole, 45.    City Council (2) – *Taber Lincoln, 39; *Vickie Sellers, 28; Mark Edgington, 14.

City Council to fill vacancy (1) – *Donna Berhow, 23; Ruth Riley, 21.

City of Bayard: Mayor – Gary Haverman, 66; wi scattered 21. City Council (2) – Kathy Carstens, 69; Lance Kraft, 73.  Vacancy – William Schmidt, 45.

Public Measure B – 27-cent per 1,000 tax levy for support of a public library: Yes 63; No 41  PASSED.

City of Casey: Mayor Foorest P. Schnobrich, 26; wi scattered 7.  City Council (3) – Cris Ketchum, 34; Rick Richter, 35; Bruce Vorm, 35.

City of Guthrie Center: Mayor – *Dennis Kunkle, 145; Jimmie Robson, 128; Douglas Calley, 19.

City Council (3) – *Roger Underwood, 228; *Craig Heckman, 216; *Carolyn Masters, 184; Duane Norgart, 162.

City of Jamaica: Mayor – LaDonna Kennedy, 33; scattered wi 25.  

City Council (2) – *Tim McDermott, 46; *Jayanna Corbin, 24; Jal Meinecke, 19; Trevor Wager, 15.

City of Menlo: Mayor Doug O’Brien, 27; scattered wi 4.  City Council (3) – Rick Colbert, 35; Troy Miller, 32; Kim Olson, 29.

Public Measure A: Library Board Authority to appoint a Library Board Treasurer?  Yes – 36.   No 0.

City of Panora: Mayor – *Pat Parker, 87; Steven L. Baker, 85.   City Council (2) – *Andy Carson, 83; *Stu Firebaugh, 82; David Beidelman, 77; Mark S. Humphreys, 77.

City of Stuart: City Council (2) James Morgan, 43; Wade Chafa, 40. 

City of Yale: Mayor – Steve Stanton, 46.   City Council (2) – *Kevin Kirtley, 36; *Brandon Ray Godwin, 31; James Vaughan, 18; Gene Pohl, 8.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

City of Red Oak: Mayor – *Bill Billings, 735; Larry Branstetter, 347; James A. Johnson, 154; Bill Haufle, 76; Jeff Van Scoy, 17.

City Council/Ward 1 (1) – *Scott Keith, 149; Roger Waggener, 117; John F. Haidsaik, 84.

City Council/Ward 3 (1) – *Larry D. Barnett, 442; Steve Fenn, 111.

At Large (1) – *Jeanice A. Lester, 791; Dennis Jones, 361; Russell Williams, 125.

Coburg City Council (3) – wi Tammi Redd, 4; wi Amy Eggleston, 4; wi Julianna Schooling, 4; wi Calvin Myers, 4; wi Sandy Gray, 3.  (Since there was a 4-way tie for votes, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will choose the three candidates out of the 4 tied write-ins when they canvas the election results. The canvas date will be set at their meeting on Thursday)

Villisca – Mayor: Andy Crussell, 94; Adam Wainwright, 88; Larry E. Figgins, 77.

City Council (3) – Lee Haidsaik, 225; Marilyn Halda, 190; Marsha Shepherd, 153; Rex Galloway, 120.

Grant – Mayor: Andrea Jeannette Holldord, 41; wi 6.

City Council  (5) – Nancy Taylor, 41; Lyn Sliger, 37; Michael Bradley Amos, 36; Greg Lightner, 34; Michael Austin Ford, 26.

Elliott – Mayor: Stephen C. Howell, 36.  City Council (2) – Michael Carson, 39; George Petty, 37.

Stanton – Mayor: Kirk Requist, 57; wi 9.  City Council (2) – Ray Guffey, 66; Kelvin Wenberg, 58.

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY

City of Avoca: Mayor – *Jennie Maassen, 375; wi Allen Irlbeck, 224.  

City Council (2) – (I) *Fred Miller, 328; *Sandy Petersen, 418; Tim Gubbels, 216; Marcella Marcy Deschamp, 163; Deanna Scroggie, 119.

City of Carson: Mayor – *Eric Weave, 170; William Heitert, 55.

City Council (2) – *Troy Graves, 179; *Callie Kallsen, 101; Richelle Alff, 98; Clifford Pracht, 44l Victor Ayers, 18.

City of Hancock: Mayor – *Jeff Gress, 64; (I) Wayne M. Bivens, 5; John Hayes, Sr., 3.

City of Macedonia: City Council (3) – *Daniel Lajka, 43; *Mitchell Easton, 39; *Bradley Swope, 38; Donald Tye, 26; Terry Franks, 12.

City of Minden: Mayor – *Richard Armstrong, 97;  O. Dean Olson, 46.

City of Neola: Mayor – *Lon Ring, 99; Jason Zaborowski, 40.   

City Council (3) – (I) *Joe Munch, 122; *Pete Sorenson, 99;  (I) *John Herbert Brich, 91; (I) Aaron Wellman, 69.

City of Oakland: Public Measure 78-C    No 121    Yes 79.  Measure FAILS.

SHELBY COUNTY

City of Harlan: Mayor – *Gene Gettys, Jr., 420; Jesse A. Andersen, 177; David Tyrrel, 157.

City Council /4th Ward (1) – *Daniel J. Schumacher, 97; Eric Glover, 25.    

City of Defiance: Mayor – * Alan Wilwerding, 38; Bob Kloewer, 26.  City Council (2) – *Jeff Theulen, 56; *Wes Walker, 35; Ron Weihs, 33; Bob Kloewer, 27.

City of Panama: City Council (2) – *Steve Wegner, 20; *Bernard Hermanson, 9; Cory Freund, 6; Alan Bruck 5.

City of Kirkman: City Council (3) – *Arlyn Oman, 6; *Phil Nielsen, 5; Larry Gustason, 4; Terry Fiscus, 4; Clint Kienast, 4; Matt Nielsen, 3; Michelle Anderson, 3; Gary Bacon, 3; Sonny Goans, 3; Brandi Bacon, 2.

City of Portsmouth: City Council (2) – Larry Wendt, Sr., 22; receiving 1 vote each: Gerald Kohles, Connie Johl, Gale Tarkington, Tim Blum, Craig Rau & Michael Stoll.

City of Shelby: City Council (3) – *Sheila Rihner, 83; *Shawn Osbahr, 80; *Robert Richmond, 60; Doyle Gilland, 49; Ron Kroll, 47; Rick Kiesel, 45; Christopher Evans, 41.

City of Tennant: City Council (3) – *Ronald Peters, 28; *Ralph Heese & *Dana Tuma received 24 votes each; Betty Brantner, 6.

RALPH (CHIS) JONES, 94, of Audubon (Svcs 11-12-11)

Obituaries

November 8th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

RALPH (CHIS) JONES, 94, of Audubon, died Oct. 17th, in Des Moines. Celebration of Life Services for CHIS JONES will be held 2-p.m. Sat., Nov. 12th, in the Audubon High School Auditorium. Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.

Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

RALPH (CHIS) JONES is survived by:

His sister – Helen Mense, of St. Peters, MO.

Other relatives, and many friends.

MILDRED M. SCHWAB, 91, of Exira & formerly of Brayton (Svcs 11-10-11)

Obituaries

November 8th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

MILDRED M. SCHWAB, 91, of Exira (& formerly of Brayton), died Mon., Nov. 7th, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. Funeral services for MILDRED SCHWAB will be held 10-a.m. Thu., Nov. 10th, at the Exira Lutheran Church. Kessler Funeral Home in Exira has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home, where the family visitation is at 6-p.m. Wed., Nov. 9th.

Burial will be in the Exira Cemetery.

MILDRED SCHWAB is survived by:

Her children – Larry (Marlene) Schwab, and Marcia Lowers & friend Larry Smith, all of Atlantic.

Her sister – Irene Moller, of Audubon.

9 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, in-laws, other relatives, and friends.

WALTER B. PETERSEN, JR., 86, of Audubon (Svcs 11-10-11)

Obituaries

November 8th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

WALTER B. PETERSEN, JR., 86, of Audubon, died Mon., Nov. 7th, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital. Funeral services for WALTER PETERSEN, JR., will be held 1:30-p.m. Thu., Nov. 10th, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home, where family visitation is at 7-p.m. Wed., Nov. 9th.

Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

WALTER PETERSEN, JR.,  is survived by several cousins.