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Deere announces layoffs at several Iowa locations

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) — Iconic Iowa brand John Deere announced this week layoffs at several of its locations, confirming plans in a May 31 email to employees. The layoffs, according to Iowa Workforce Development, will affect the following sites:

  • John Deere Waterloo Works: 192 workers on June 21
  • John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny: 16 workers on June 6
  • John Deere Intelligent Solutions in Urbandale: 58 workers on June 6
  • John Deere Waterloo Works: 49 workers on June 6

Matthew Mitchell, a Drake University professor of strategy says the global company employs 70,000 worldwide, so the Iowa numbers represent a small part of the entire workforce. John Deere reported net income of $2.370 billion in its second-quarter earnings in May. The company forecasted net income for fiscal 2024 to be about $7 billion. The construction industry remains consistent while global ag and turf demands are not as strong, the company said.

The layoffs come after the company announced 190 workers would lose their jobs later this month. The company also announced more than 300 layoffs in April.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Heavy rain soaks part of central and northern Iowa on Tuesday

News

June 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCi/National Weather Service] — Strong storms that blew across Iowa Tuesday produced heavy rainfall and large hail in some areas. The heavy rainfall led to an extended flash flood warning in the Algona area, where reports say between 3-to 5-inches fell, and led to street flooding in Des Moines, including portions of Merle Hay Road and East University.  In Dallas County, rainfall near Waukee measured fell at at rate of more than 3-inches per hour over a two-hour period, with a total of anywhere from 3-to nearly 3.3-inches,

The National Weather Service reminded drivers: “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.” The Weather Service says funnel clouds were reported in Poweshiek and Tama Counties. One-inch diameter hail was reported in Greene County, near Dana. Thunderstorm wind damage was reported near Boone, where a flag pole was slightly bent over by storm winds, and tree limbs or branches had fallen, taking down some power lines.

MidAmerican Energy had reported more than 1,500 customers without power around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday after storms blew through Des Moines.

Posted in News |

Premiere conference to teach about Iowa’s history, bring about a better future

News

June 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) –  The state’s first-ever Iowa History Conference is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) at the State Historical Society headquarters in Des Moines. It’s a free event that’s open to everyone. University of Iowa Professor Kristy Nabhan-Warren says the agenda includes three sessions with four subjects per session, on topics ranging from the environment to education and from religion to warfare. A total of 46 panelists will present talks during the day. “We’ve got some tenure-track faculty. We’ve got some instructional track. We’ve got grad students, undergrads, museum curators, some retired authors, independent scholars,” Nabhan-Warren says, “and then we also have tribal members, Jonathan and Suzanne Buffalo, so we’re really excited about that.”

Organizers are hoping a wide range of people will to attend, including parents, teachers, students, retirees — anyone with an interest in Iowa’s history. “We’re really wanting to make Iowa history accessible, to get beyond any jargon that academics sometimes tend to use,” she says. “Let’s tell our stories, whether it’s Iowa’s Civil War history, or African Americans in Iowa, or telling the story of Danish Americans. We want to make this exciting for Iowans and we want Iowans to feel good about their history.” There’s an old adage about how those who don’t remember the past are condemned to repeat it, and Nabhan-Warren agrees. She says one of the goals is to learn about our state’s history in order to pave the way for a better future.

“Sometimes we just don’t talk to each other. We talk past each other and we get behind our computer screens,” Nabhan-Warren says. “I think one of the ways that we can start improving our civil discourse and actually have conversations is having in-person events like this.” While a dozen main topics are on the agenda, she notes there will be discussions about the more difficult times in Iowa’s past, including subjects like slavery and immigration. “We’re not talking about that to make people feel badly, but this is an actual part of our history. How do we deal with it? How do we learn from the past? How do we make Iowa’s future better for everyone?” she says. “How can we show care and concern for everyone who lives here and how can we learn from past mistakes — without feeling like white shame and guilt, but literally learning lessons.”

Nabhan-Warren says the conference is “one small way that we can show Iowans that we care about Iowa’s stories…bringing together a variety people who care deeply about telling Iowa’s stories in authentic and compelling ways.” The conference opens at 9 A-M Thursday at the State Historical Society of Iowa at 600 East Locust Street in Des Moines. Registration is not required and there is no admission fee.

Posted in News |

High School Baseball Scores from Tuesday

Sports

June 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Hawkeye Ten 

Kuemper Catholic 11, St. Albert 1
St. Albert 12, Kuemper Catholic 1
Lewis Central 6, Denison-Schleswig 4
Harlan 13, Atlantic 0
Shenandoah 15, Fremont-Mills 3

Western Iowa Conference

Logan-Magnolia 11, AHSTW 4
IKM-Manning 14, Audubon 4
Tri-Center 8, Missouri Valley 5

Rolling Valley Conference 

Carroll 18, Glidden-Ralston 0
Earlham 15, Exira-EHK 2
Boyer Valley 7 West Monona 2
CAM 17, Ar-We-Va 4

West Central Activities Conference 

West Central Valley 10, ACGC 5
Interstate-35 4, Pleasantville 3
Ogden 7, Panorama 1

Posted in Sports |

Man Charged In Monticello Murder pleads Guilty

News

June 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The man charged in the shooting death of a grocery store worker in Monticello in November of 2023 changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.

KCRG TV was in the courtroom Tuesday as Nathan Russell withdrew his not guilty plea and admitted to shooting 48-year-old Aaron McAtee outside the Fareway store where McAttee worked. “I had an AR-15 in my car and I shot Aaron McAtee,” Russell said. The judge heard from McAtee’s family members how the shooting had changed their lives.

Victim advocate Penny Galvin read three letters from family members, including one from McAtee’s brother. “At least you’ll be getting what you deserve with a life in prison,” she said. She also read a letter from McAtee’s mother.  “Our son touched many lives, but he would’ve been the first person to welcome you,” Galvin read.

Aaron McAtee. (KCRG TV photo)

Russell’s change in plea was against the advice of his lawyers, who had planned to argue he had been intoxicated at the time of the shooting. Court records obtained by KCRG TV show Russell was arrested in September 2022 on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and possession of methamphetamine. Russell was also ordered pay $150,000 in restitution to McAtee’s estate.

Posted in News |

High School Softball Scores from Tuesday

Sports

June 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Hawkeye Ten 

Kuemper Catholic 5, St. Albert 0
Kuemper Catholic 6, St. Albert 5
Shenandoah 6, Fremont-Mills 1
Lewis Central 4, Denison-Schleswig 3
#10 Atlantic 10, Harlan 0

Western Iowa Conference

Audubon 8, IKM-Manning 0
Treynor 10, Underwood 1
#5 Missouri Valley 14, Tri-Center 0

Rolling Valley Conference 

#4 West Monona 13, Boyer Valley 3
CAM 13, Ar-We-Va 1

Corner Conference 

Shenandoah 6, Fremont-Mills 1

West Central Activities Conference 

Ogden 13, Panorama 1
ACGC 3, West Central Valley
#1 Van Meter 15, Des Moines Christian 0
Madrid 4, Woodward-Granger 0
Pleasantville 5, #7 Interstate-35 1

Posted in Sports |

IWD director testifies before House sub committee

News

June 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Workforce Development director Beth Townsend testified before a U-S House committee Tuesday on the revamp of the state’s unemployment system. Townsend says Iowa modeled its Reemployment Case Management (RCM) program after a similar federal program, but it offers those who’ve lost their jobs help faster. “Unemployment claimants in Iowa now are contacted about R-C-M during the first week after they file for benefits career planner scheduled one on one appointments,” she says.

The federal program waited five weeks before working with those who lost their jobs. Townsend says they help the unemployed through the process of finding a new job, or training for something different. She says that gets them back working quicker. “We have saved approximately 250 million dollars in unemployment benefits in the last two years paid out, which results in a in a reduction in unemployment taxes to our employers,” Townsend says. Through this program we’ve been very successful in helping Iowans get back to work faster and helping Iowa employers find the workforce that they need.”

Townsend told the House panel that she’s heard from a lot of people who like the help that is available in finding another job. “I have received daily success stories from individuals who when they lose their job they’re frustrated, they’re hopeless, they’re anxious and they’re not sure where they’re going to go,” she says. Townsend says having a person in their corner to say “you can do this” and help them through the process has proved successful. “We’re helping Iowans get jobs that are beyond what they expect it to get they’re getting really good paying jobs and they’re getting those careers,” she says.

Townsend testified before the U-S House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Work and Welfare.

Posted in News |

JOAN JOHNSON, 79, of Avoca (Memorial Svc. 6/7/24)

Obituaries

June 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JOAN JOHNSON, 79, of Avoca, died May 30, 2024, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan. A Memorial service for JOAN JOHNSON will be held 1-p.m. Friday, June 7th, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca has the arrangements.

JOAN JOHNSON is survived by:

Her husband – Duane Johnson, of Avoca.

Her sons – Mike Johnson, and James (Rachel) Johnson, all of Avoca.

Her daughter – Lori Tiarks, of Avoca.

Her sister – Ginny (David) Alftine, of Bettendorf.

7 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and her sister-in-law.

Posted in Obituaries |

The stage is now set for the November General Election

News

June 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – With Tuesday’s Primary Election ended, the focus shifts now to the November 5th General Election. In Cass and adjacent counties, there will be a few races to keep an eye on.

In Cass County, the 5th District Board of Supervisors race will pit incumbent Republican Bernard Pettinger against Democrat Phyllis Stakey. Pettinger triumphed 85-to 31 votes over his opponent, J Ford Lillard, and earned the right to have his name on the ballot.

In Montgomery County, incumbent 3rd District Supervisor Randy Cooper lost his bid to move on to November, when he was defeated 57-to 45 Tuesday, by his Republican challenger Bryant Amos. In Montgomery County District 5, where Republican Jill Cooper withdrew from the race prior to the election due to health issues and threw her support behind Alex Burton (but still garnered 15 votes), Burton is unopposed in November. He received 92 votes in Tuesday’s election.

In Pottawattamie County, there were five Republican candidates competing in Tuesday’s election for the Board of Supervisors. The top two candidates who move on to November, were incumbents Brian Shea (with 1,117 votes) and Tim Wichman (with 1,139 votes). There were no Democrat candidates running. And, incumbent Republican Pott. County Auditor Melyvn J. Houser was upset in his bid for re-election, when he was defeated by fellow Republican Mary Ann Hanusa, 1,708 to 831 votes.

And in Shelby County, Mike Kolbe and incumbent Charles Parkhurst won two seats in the Board of Supervisors race on the Republican ballot, Tuesday. Kolbe received 692 votes. Parkhurst won 470. Republican Alexis Carter received 392 votes. Also in Shelby County, Taryn Napp won the Republican party’s vote for County Auditor, by 504-to 380 votes over Melissa Arkfeld.

County-by-County results from Tuesday’s Primary Election can be found on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.

Posted in News |

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Wed., June 5th, 2024

Weather

June 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny & breezy. High near 84. West winds @ 10-to 25 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear & breezy. Just a slight chance of showers this evening. Low around 53.
Tomorrow: Sunny & breezy. High near 77. NW @ 15-30 mph.
Tom. Night: Clear, with a low around 53.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Friday Night: A slight chance of showers & thunderstorms developing late, otherwise partly cloudy. Low around 57.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Tuesday’s High in Atlantic was 84. Our Low this morning was 52. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 90 and the Low was 60. The record High for June 5th was 104 in 1933. The record Low was 40 in 1897 & 1935. Sunrise: 5:47. Sunset: 8:50.

Posted in Weather |