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Iowa cancels bird shows at Iowa State Fair, county fairs

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — There will be no chickens or ducks at the Iowa State Fair this summer and no poultry shows at county fairs in Iowa this year as the bird flu continues to infect birds. Iowa Department of Agriculture officials on Thursday prohibited all live bird exhibitions at fairs and live bird sales at livestock auctions and swap meets. The order lasts through the end of the year.

Iowa has more than 25 million birds and more than 60 farms infected with the H5N2 virus. Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says the scale of the current outbreak is unprecedented and it’s important to take every step possible to limit the spread of the disease.

Other states to take similar steps include Minnesota, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Iowa early News Headlines: Friday, May 22nd 2015

News

May 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A farm equipment manufacturer in Sioux City is shutting down its two plants, eliminating more than 50 jobs in the area. The Sioux City Journal reports Soo Tractor, which has been doing business as Radius Steel Fabrication, will shut down production at its two Sioux City plants between the end of May and the end of June.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Another chicken farm in Buena Vista County has tested positive for bird flu, the 17th farm in that northwest Iowa county to get the virus. Iowa Department of Agriculture officials on Thursday did not have an immediate count on the number of chickens housed at the egg-laying facility. Across the Midwest, the U.S. Department of Agriculture puts the bird loss at nearly 39 million.

RENVILLE, Minn. (AP) — The largest Minnesota farm to be hit by bird flu is temporarily laying off 39 full-time employees. The outbreak at the Rembrandt Enterprises egg farm in Renville was confirmed last week. All 2 million chickens there will have to be killed to ensure the complete eradication of the H5N2 virus. The Spirit Lake, Iowa-based company said Thursday that layoffs will start around June 1st.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A kennel club in western Iowa has donated pet oxygen mask kits to help cats and dogs in fire emergencies. The Daily Nonpareil reports the Council Bluffs Kennel Club’s seven kits will go to the local fire department.

Grab for a cup lid causes Crawford Co. accident

News

May 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A woman who became distracted when a lid fell off her cup while driving, ended-up in an accident Thursday afternoon, in Crawford County. The Iowa State Patrol reports 49-year old Michele Renae Ertz, of Manilla, was injured when the 2006 Chevy Cobalt she was driving, rear-ended a 2013 GMC Acadia SUV. Ertz, who was wearing her seat belt, was transported by ambulance to the Crawford County Hospital for treatment of her injuries.

The driver of the SUV, 36-year old Sara Kay Gaul, of Earling, was not hurt. Officials say the accident happened at around 4:15-p.m. at Highway 59 and Crestview Drive. The driver of a non-contact vehicle was waiting for traffic to clear so she could turn. Gaul’s SUV stopped behind the first vehicle. As Ertz was traveling south on Highway 59, she reached down to grab a drink lid and looked up to see the vehicle in front of hers, had stopped. She slammed on the brakes but was unable to stop in-time.

Her car was disabled at the scene, while Gaul managed to move her vehicle onto the shoulder of the road.

Ernst wants to cut perks to former presidents

News

May 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is touting legislation to reform the system for providing former presidents with certain perks and benefits.”Taxpayers should not be on the hook for subsidizing former presidents’ lives to the tune of millions of dollars,” Ernst said in a conference call with Iowa reporters today (Thursday). The perks for former presidents include office space, staff, and travel expenses. Ernst noted in fiscal year 2015, former U.S. presidents cost taxpayers more than $2.4 million in travel, office space, communications, personnel, and other expenses. The Presidential Allowance Modernization Act would reduce those benefits.

“The bill sets former presidents’ monetary allowance and pension at $200,000 each per year,” Ernst said. “It also places reductions on perks if the former president earns more than $400,000 per year in income.” A similar measure was approved by the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday.

“At a time when we are more than $18 trillion in debt, it is critical that we stop talking and start cutting wasteful spending,” Ernst said. Congress approved benefits for former presidents in 1958. Ernst said there’s nothing in the proposed legislation that would cut the funding of the security or protection of a former president. According to a Congressional Research Service report last year, taxpayers spent over $420,000 on a more than 8,200-square-foot office in Dallas for George W. Bush. Former President Bill Clinton’s office in New York cost taxpayers $415,000.

(Radio Iowa)

Big days for deGrom, Duda lead Mets over Cardinals 5-0

Sports

May 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

NEW YORK (AP) — Jacob deGrom retired his final 23 batters following a first-inning single, and Lucas Duda hit two long homers to nearly the same spot Thursday during the New York Mets’ 5-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. In his latest stingy start at Citi Field, deGrom struck out 11 over eight dominant innings. His only blemish was Matt Carpenter’s clean single with one out in the first.

Michael Cuddyer had his first three-hit game of the season and also walked for a perfect day at the plate. John Mayberry Jr. put the slumping Mets lineup on the scoreboard with an RBI single in the fourth. Besides the single by Carpenter, the lone Cardinals hitter to reach base was Kolten Wong with a two-out single off Jeurys Familia in the ninth. The lack of offense left Jaime Garcia little chance to win his first major league start since last June.

 

Cass County men plead guilty to illegal possession of deer remains

News

May 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Two Cass County men have pleaded guilty to illegally harvesting deer. The Daily NonPareil reports 47-year old John Chamberlin Jr., of Atlantic, and his son, 23-year old Sean Chamberlin, pled guilty to one count each of restriction of taking game. Both men originally faced 111 charges of illegal possession of deer remains, with the son facing additional charges, though the rest were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea.

The Cass County Attorney’s Office said both men filed guilty pleas Wednesday and are scheduled for sentencing June 25th. According to Iowa State Code, a person convicted of unlawfully harvesting antlered deer – a simple misdemeanor – must pay a fine of between $2,000 and $20,000 and/or serve a maximum of 80 hours of community service.

On Dec. 29, 2014, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call about animal hides that had been dumped on the side of a road outside Atlantic. After investigating the trash, which was identified as four deer hides, a raccoon and a badger carcass, authorities traced the remains to a house in rural Atlantic. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant of the property on Dec. 30 and said they found piles upon piles of deer antlers.

In and around the home, authorities seized parts from more than 111 deer, including untagged deer. A raccoon and badger carcass were also found at the property.

Kennel club in western Iowa donates pet oxygen mask kits

News

May 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A kennel club in western Iowa has donated pet oxygen mask kits to help cats and dogs in fire emergencies. The Council Bluffs Kennel Club’s seven kits will go to the local fire department. The masks can be used on pets of various sizes.

The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil reports the donation will allow each station and most fire trucks under the department’s jurisdiction to have masks. Curtis McKeon with the Council Bluffs Fire Marshal’s Office estimates about 80 percent of the roughly 1,000 fire calls received last year involved pets.

 

Thursday Class 1-A/4-A State Track Results

Sports

May 21st, 2015 by admin

Boys Shuttle Hurdles (Prelim)

1-A:

  • Audubon- qualified 3rd 1:01.21
  • Griswold- DNQ 1:02.27
  • Fremont-Mills- DNQ 1:02.50

4-A:

  • Lewis Central- DNQ 1:02.67

 

Girls 3000 (Final)

1-A:

  • Rebekah Topham, Griswold- placed 1st 10:30.80 (3-Time Winner)
  • Megan Maaske, Woodbine- placed 3rd 11:03.19
  • Alyx Flippin, Griswold- placed 4th 11:03.77
  • Destiny Scar, Nodaway Valley- placed 5th 11:12.85
  • Caitlyn Casey, Logan-Magnolia- placed 18th 12:01.12

4-A:

  • Kye Madsen, Lewis Central- placed 16th 11:00.11

 

Boys 3200 (Final)

1-A:

  • Shane Breheny, Nodaway Valley- placed 13th 10:30.34
  • Evan Wilson, Exira/EHK- placed 15th 10:33.05
  • Max Ross, St. Albert- placed 21st 10:54.23
  • David Thompson, Griswold- placed 24th 11:37.98

 

Girls 100 (Prelim)

1-A:

  • Lexy Larsen, Sidney- DNQ 12.97
  • Aurora Arevalo, Lenox- DNQ 12.95
  • Daiton Martin, Essex- DNQ 13.31

4-A:

  • Merzedes Hart, Abraham Lincoln- DNQ 12.91

 

Boys 100 (Prelim)

1-A:

  • Emmitt Wheatley, Adair-Casey- qualified 1st 10.86
  • Derek Kirchhoff, Griswold- qualified 7th 11.21
  • Chad Blank, Nishnabotna- qualified 3rd 11.19
  • Trevor Smith, Audubon- DNQ 11.54

4-A:

  • Conner Hanafan, Lewis Central- DNQ 11.44

 

Girls 4 x 800 (Final)

1-A:

  • Sidney- placed 8th 10:13.59
  • Griswold-placed 16th 10:31.95
  • Exira/EHK- placed 17th 10:35.64
  • Audubon- placed 20th 10:46.16

 

Boys 4 x 800 (Final)

1-A:

  • Tri-Center- placed 9th 8:30.22
  • Nodaway Valley- placed 15th 8:36.38
  • St. Albert- placed 22nd 8:45.00

4-A:

  • Thomas Jefferson- placed 20th 8:16.86

 

Girls 200 (Prelim)

1-A:

  • Kelsey Hurley, Fremont-Mills- qualified 7th 26.57
  • Rachel Rummelhart, Guthrie Center- qualified 8th 26.79
  • Aurora Arevalo, Lenox- DNQ 27.13
  • Lexy Larsen, Sidney- DNQ 27.01

4-A:

  • Merzedes Hart, Abraham Lincoln- DNQ 26.59
  • Delaney Coffeldt, Lewis Central- DNQ 27.59

 

Boys 200 (Prelim)

1-A:

  • Emmitt Wheatley, Adair-Casey- qualified 2nd 22.06
  • Chad Blank, Nishnabotna- qualified 7th 22.88
  • Marcus Mumm, Tri-Center- DNQ 23.40

4-A:

  • Lenneth McMahan, Lewis Central- DNQ 22.86

 

Girls 400 (Final)

1-A:

  • Kelsey Hurley, Fremont-Mills- placed 3rd 59.21
  • Mackenzie Daffer, Sidney- placed 5th 1:00.53
  • Rose Andersen, Exira/EHK- placed 14th 1:03.23
  • Clara Schaaf, Fremont-Mills- placed 19th 1:03.91

 

Boys 400 (Final)

1-A:

  • Emmtt Wheatley, Adair-Casey- placed 5th 50.80
  • Glen Bertlesen, St. Albert- placed 6th 51.24
  • Trevor Smith, Audubon- placed 8th 51.56
  • Hikaru Hotta, Woodbine- placed 19th 53.08

 

Girls Shuttle Hurdle (Prelim)

1-A:

  • Fremont-Mills- qualified 4th 1:09.16
  • Logan-Magnolia- qualified 2nd 1:07.54
  • Audubon- DNQ 1:12.51
  • Griswold- DNQ 1:13.01
  • Nodaway Valley- DNQ 1:11.02
  • Stanton- DNQ 1:12.87
  • Guthrie Center- DNQ 1:11.54

4-A:

  • Abraham Lincoln- DNQ 1:12.21

 

Girls Shot Put (1-A)

  • Kelsey Winnett, Coon Rapids-Bayard- placed 7th 35’2”
  • Delaney Ettelman, Logan-Magnolia- placed 8th 34’11”
  • Jackie Rush, Griswold- placed 12th 33’10”
  • Aurora Arevalo, Lenox- placed 24th 28’8.5”

 

Girls Discus (4-A)

  • Josey Starner, Thomas Jefferson- placed 16th 110’4”
  • Kayla Stottlemyer, Abraham Lincoln- placed 23rd 93’8”

 

Boys Long Jump (1-A)

  • Emmitt Wheatley, Adair-Casey- placed 2nd 21’7.25”
  • Sam Obert, Coon Rapids-Bayard- placed 9th 20’4”
  • Riley Wohlers, Logan-Magnolia- placed 22nd 18’7.25”
  • Chad Blank, Nishnabotna- placed 23rd 18’7.25”

 

Boys Shot Put (1-A)

  • Alex Bechtold, Stanton- placed 16th 45’5”
  • Zach Kliefoth, Exira/EHK- placed 14th 46’

 

Boys Discus (4-A)

  • Mitchell Brinkman, Lewis Central- placed 14th 139’2”

 

Girls Long Jump (1-A)

  • Callie Calfee, Bedford-placed 6th 16’5.25”
  • Kylan Straight, Logan-Magnolia- placed 8th 16’0.5”
  • Kaitlin Pearce, St. Albert- placed 10th 15’8.75”
  • Chelsea Weis, Stanton- placed 11th 15’8”
  • Mika Weaver, Lenox- placed 14th 15’3.5”
  • Rachel Armstrong, Bedford- placed 19th 15’0.75”
  • Kaitlin Schultes, Audubon- placed 20th 14’10”

DNR’s “Derelict Building Grant program awards funds to 20 rural communities

News

May 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said today (Thursday), the DNR’s Derelict Building Grant Program will award grants to 22 small, rural Iowa communities to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures, remove asbestos and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill.

Among the area cities whose projects are sharing slightly less than $400,000 in the form of reimbursement grants, is:

  • The City of Adair — Which is receiving $20,000, to complete mothball and renovation activities on abandoned commercial building, including roof and floor stabilization, exterior tuck-pointing and installation of temporary internal air ventilation to prevent further moisture damage inside the building. These measures will provide time for the city to decide what to do with building in the future by securing the building envelope and preventing environmental deterioration.
  • The City of Bedford — Will receive $49,750, to abate asbestos and deconstruct two abandoned commercial buildings. The city plans to market the vacated sites to interested commercial entities.
  • The City of Coon Rapids — is getting $500, to complete asbestos inspection at an abandoned commercial building. The city plans to prepare site for expansion of neighboring business.
  • The City of Imogene— is receiving $25,000, to renovate an abandoned commercial building by completing tuck-pointing and stabilization measures. The city plans to sell building to an interested buyer who wishes to locate their business in Imogene.
  • The City of Mapleton — will receive $20,000, to renovate an abandoned commercial property by completing external tuck-pointing and repair/replacement of roof. The city plans to sell the renovated building to local business interests.
  • The City of Mount Ayr — $5,000 to abate asbestos from the abandoned water treatment building. City plans to remove the building and develop the site into a camping/park development.
  • The City of Randolph — $6,800 to inspect and abate asbestos from an abandoned commercial building. The city plans on removing the building and pairing the site to the neighboring community center.
  • The City of Sac City— $11,500 to inspect and abate asbestos from two connected abandoned commercial buildings. The city plans to remove the buildings and develop the site for community development.
  • The City of Sidney — $21,750 to remove asbestos and deconstruct an abandoned church building. The city plans to build a new fire station on site which will feature living quarters and a community room. This will allow for 24-hour fire and rescue support to the city and its neighboring communities.

The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program was instituted by statute to help rural communities with populations of 5,000 or less. Funding is awarded annually on a competitive basis with cash matches required. Applications for the next funding round will be due in the spring of 2016. For more information about the grant program, application forms and resources, visit: www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/LandStewardship/WasteManagement/DerelictBuildingProgram.aspx.

Omaha mayor orders flags at half-staff for slain officer

News

May 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert has ordered flags in city to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Officer Kerrie Orozco, who was killed Wednesday in the line of duty.  Stothert says flags should remain at half-staff until dusk Monday on Memorial Day. Stothert said Thursday the move is a sign of respect for Orozco and her service to the city.

The city also plans to turn lights at the Heartland of America Fountain and on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge blue beginning tonight (Thursday night) through Memorial Day. Stothert is in Florida for her son’s wedding on Friday. She will return to Omaha on Sunday, ahead of schedule, to participate in services for Orozco.