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JAMES “JIM” JOHNSON, 83, of Oakland (Svcs. 7/30/15)

Obituaries

July 28th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

JAMES “Jim” JOHNSON, 83, of Oakland, died Mon. July 27th, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital, in Council Bluffs. Funeral services for JIM JOHNSON will be held 1:30-p.m. Thu., July 30th, at the Oakland United Methodist Church. Rieken-Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland has the arrangements.

Masonic services will be held at the Oakland United Methodist Church on Wednesday at 5:00 PM followed by visitation with the family until 7:00 PM.

Interment will be at the Oaklawn Cemetery.

JAMES “Jim” JOHNSON is survived by:

His wife – Joretta, of Oakland

His children – Carey James (Missy) Johnson, of Council Bluffs, and Tami Jo Johnson of Des Moines.

4 grandchildren and many friends.

Villisca woman arrested on Theft warrant

News

July 27th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Officers with the Red Oak Police Department, Monday, arrested a woman at the Mills County Jail, on a warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. 49-year old Stephanie Lee Hightshoe, of Villisca, was taken into custody at around 2:45-p.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where her bond was set at $300.

Iowa Homes Selling Fast, Sales Climbing in June and Second Quarter

News

July 27th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The good news just keeps getting better if you are selling your home in Iowa. According to the Iowa Association of Realtors (IAR), sale prices and number of homes sold continue their upward trend. Sales increased almost 10 percent and average days on market reached a new 3 year low. Homes continue to sell at a fast pace in most communities. Days on market dropped to 69 in June, which is the fastest rate in over 3 years. That’s a 14.8 percent improvement from June of 2014.

Sales increased 9.7 percent from a year ago. 4,749 homes were sold last month as compared to 4,329 homes that sold in June 2014. Active listings were up 3.7 percent and Pending listings were up 7.6 percent when compared to last June. The IAR’s 2015 June Housing Trends Report shows the median sale price rose 6.0 percent. In June 2014 the median sale price was $143,900 while the median price last month was $152,500. The days on market of 77 days hit a new low when comparing second quarter performance of this year to the past eight years.

IAR President Jon Yocum said “The second quarter statistics demonstrate the strong housing market we have had in Iowa this year. In fact, the second quarter of 2015 shows a higher number of sold properties than we have had in the last eight years. We’ve had a 10 percent increase in sold properties when comparing to the second quarter of last year. Buyers are realizing that it is still a good time to buy with relatively low interest rates. Homeowners are hearing that homes are selling fast with low inventory levels. It is a great time for them to put their homes on the market.”

IA Ag Sec Northey comments on latest crops report

Ag/Outdoor

July 27th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today (Monday), commented on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through October. Northey said “The continued pattern of rain showers and storms moving across the state means crops generally have plenty of moisture, which is not usually the case in late July. While there are certainly areas that have seen some crop damage due to the weather, in general both corn and beans are in good condition across much of the state.”

A dry start with rain near the end of the week allowed Iowa farmers 5 days suitable for corn fieldwork for the week ending July 26, 2015, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were reports of crop stress due to the hot, dry weather, as well as weed problems in soybeans. Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 6 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus.

Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 5 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Northwest Iowa was the driest area of the State with one-quarter rated very short to short on topsoil moisture. Eighty-three percent of the corn crop had reached the silking stage or beyond, with 11 percent reaching the dough stage. Corn condition rated 83 percent good to excellent.

Soybeans blooming or beyond reached 78 percent. Thirty-seven percent of soybeans were setting pods, slightly ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 76 percent good to excellent this week. Oat acreage turning color or beyond reached 96 percent, with 57 percent of the oat crop harvested for grain or seed, 5 days ahead of last year. Oat crop condition rating increased to 81 percent good to excellent.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay neared completion, while the second cutting reached 68 percent, one day behind last year, and nearly a week behind the average. The third cutting of alfalfa hay got underway this week. Hay condition was rated at 68 percent good to excellent, while pasture condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Livestock saw some stress during the day, but generally recovered at night.

5 arrests in Atlantic

News

July 27th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest of five people over the past week. On Sunday, 32-year old Bryan Kirby, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Violation of Probation. And, 36-year old Michael Trotter, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree.

On Friday, Atlantic Police arrested 27-year old William Seffron, and 37-year old Richard D. Smith, both of Atlantic, were both arrested on a Cass County warrants for Violation of Probation.

And, on July 23rd, 49-year old Richard Lewis, of Atlantic, was arrested by Atlantic Police for Domestic Abuse Assault, 3rd or Subsequent offense. All five subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail.

Reward grows in connection with chainsaw carving thefts

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 27th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

IMG_7491

Photos provided to the Atlantic Police Dept. courtesy Laura Bacon with the Atlantic News Telegraph.

A group of concerned area citizens is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the return of two chainsaw carvings taken sometime Sunday night from the Cass County Fairgrounds.  The pig and goat head carvings were created over the last couple of days by Doyle Chainsaw Artist and are to be auctioned off tonight (Monday) at the fair as part of a fund raising effort for the fair.IMG_7494

A reward is being offered for information leading to the return of the carvings. Anyone who might have any information about the theft is asked to contact the Atlantic Police Department, the Cass County Extension Office, or any Fair Board member. Anyone wanting to contribute to the reward fund can contact Bill Simons (249-9503) or Allen Zellmer.

3 arrested on drug charges in Mills County

News

July 27th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Three people were arrested on drug charges over the weekend, in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Department reports Mathew Jessy Jo Davis, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Saturday night for Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug paraphernalia and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug. His bond was set at $2,600.

Sunday night, deputies in Mills County arrested 45-year old Mark Douglas Berggren, of Red Oak, for Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,300.  That same night, 39-year old Steven Wayne Thomson, of Harlan, was arrested for being a Felon in Possession of Firearm, Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $6,300.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning updates

Weather

July 27th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

1118 AM CDT MON JUL 27 2015

…THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EASTERN AUDUBON COUNTY IS CANCELLED…THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT OF THE WARNED AREA. THEREFORE THE WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1145 AM CDT FOR WESTERN DALLAS…GUTHRIE AND SOUTHWESTERN GREENE COUNTIES…AT 1117 AM CDT…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER LAKE PANORAMA…OR 4 MILES NORTHEAST OF GUTHRIE CENTER…MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS AND QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning – Audubon-Dallas-Greene Counties

Weather

July 27th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
1058 AM CDT MON JUL 27 2015

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
EASTERN AUDUBON COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA…
WESTERN DALLAS COUNTY IN CENTRAL IOWA…
GUTHRIE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA…
SOUTHWESTERN GREENE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA…

* UNTIL 1145 AM CDT

* AT 1057 AM CDT…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 8 MILES WEST OF
GUTHRIE CENTER…MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS AND QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED.

IMPACT…HAIL DAMAGE TO VEHICLES IS EXPECTED. EXPECT WIND DAMAGE
TO ROOFS…SIDING AND TREES.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…
GUTHRIE CENTER…STUART…PANORA…LAKE PANORAMA…REDFIELD…
DEXTER…BAYARD…CASEY…DIAMONDHEAD LAKE…MENLO…BAGLEY…
YALE…JAMAICA…LINDEN…LAKIN SLOUGH GAME MANAGEMENT AREA AND
SPRINGBROOK STATE PARK.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 80 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 99 AND 100.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
BUILDING.

LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS AND CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY.
LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES LEADING KILLERS. REMEMBER…IF YOU CAN
HEAR THUNDER…YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning – Audubon-Guthrie-Carroll Counties

Weather

July 27th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
1035 AM CDT MON JUL 27 2015

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
SOUTHEASTERN CARROLL COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA…
AUDUBON COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA…
NORTHWESTERN GUTHRIE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA…
SOUTHWESTERN GREENE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA…

* UNTIL 1100 AM CDT

* AT 1035 AM CDT…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 7 MILES
NORTHEAST OF AUDUBON…MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS AND QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED.

IMPACT…HAIL DAMAGE TO VEHICLES IS EXPECTED. EXPECT WIND DAMAGE
TO ROOFS…SIDING AND TREES.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…
AUDUBON…GUTHRIE CENTER…COON RAPIDS…EXIRA…BAYARD…DEDHAM…
GRAY AND AUDUBON COUNTY AIRPORT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
BUILDING.

LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS AND CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY.
LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES LEADING KILLERS. REMEMBER…IF YOU CAN
HEAR THUNDER…YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.