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Reminder: Host Needed for Lake Anita State Park

News

February 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The opportunity to spend the summer in Lake Anita State Park is available for individuals who serve as a campground host. Campground hosts receive free camping at a designated site while they help state parks staff by assisting campers, explaining park rules, helping with registration and serving as an impromptu local tour guide. Hosts help park staff to keep the park clean and with light maintenance.The camping season is April 1 to October 31.

Applications are available online at www.iowadnr.gov/volunteer then click on the campground hosts link in the column on the left. Or, call 515-242-5704 to have an application mailed. Applicants will have a federal criminal history and drivers’ license check as part of the process.

“We would like to get the host placed by mid-March so they are ready to go in April,” said Linda King, with the DNR’s office of volunteer services.

 

 

New website provides guidance on college borrowing

News

February 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – College-bound Iowa students can get advice about career options and student debt using a new web tool.  Officials from the Iowa Student Loan Board officially launched the new tool Monday on www.studentloan.org. It’s called the “ROCI Reality Check,” meaning a reality check on the return on college investment.

Christine Hensley, the board chairwoman, says the tool provides students with information about the starting salaries for careers in their chosen majors, as well as the likelihood they may get a job. She says it is designed to help students think about how much money to borrow for college. Gov. Terry Branstad says students need this kind of information to make smart decisions.

Iowa Student Loan is a nonprofit that doesn’t receive state funding.

Mills County Sheriff’s report 2/3/14

News

February 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report the arrest on Sunday of a Malvern woman. 33-year old Angela Danielle Neil was being held without bond after being arrested at 4-p.m. for Violating a Protection Order.

And, a Maryville, MO. man was taken to the Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs following an accident that occurred Sunday afternoon on Interstate 29 in Mills County. Authorities say Timothy Babcock was traveling north on 180th Street at around 2:20-p.m., when his 2008 Chevy went off the road and into a field, where it continued north for about one-mile before coming to rest near the 37.25-mile marker of I-29. The vehicle sustained major damage. Officials say Babcock appeared to be intoxicated and was found walking aimlessly on I-29.

The Sheriff’s Office reports also, Hailey Murphy, of Glenwood, was transported to the hospital by Glenwood Rescue Saturday afternoon, when the 2002 Mazda she was driving left northbound 237th Street at Galaxy Court, and struck a tree in the front yard of a residence, causing the airbags to deploy.

Details released on fatal Pott. Co crash

News

February 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office has released details about a crash over the weekend that claimed the life of an Oakland man and resulted in injuries to three other persons. Pott. County Sheriff Jeff Danker says the accident took place on 360th Street, just south of Iowa Highway 92, at around 12:45-p.m., Saturday.

Danker says 31-year-old Joshua Fritz of Oakland was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident just east of Treynor. He said Fritz’s vehicle was northbound on 360th, which is a B-level road, when it collided with a southbound vehicle driven by 19-year-old Jordan Easton of rural Council Bluffs. The vehicles met nearly head-on at the crest of the hill.

None of the occupants of the vehicles, other than a child, were wearing their seatbelts. A passenger in Fritz’s pickup, 4-year-old Clayton Fritz of Oakland, was taken by Macedonia Rescue to Council Bluffs Mercy Hospital. Easton was taken by Carson Rescue to Mercy Hospital, while a passenger in his pickup, 22-year-old Brendan Jones of Omaha, was transported by Macedonia Rescue to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha. The sheriff says none of the injuries were believed to be life threatening.

Danker says the two vehicles were part of a coyote-hunting party. He says the accident remainsl under investigation.

An announcement from the Rieken-Vieth Funeral Home says Fritz graduated from Riverside High School with the class of 2000. Afterward, he enlisted in the National Guard where he served until 2008. While in the Guard he was stationed in Afghanistan from 2004-2005 during Operation Enduring Freedom. On February 14, 2008 he was married to Melissa Ann Miller. The couple has one son.

Trading WIC benefits on social media? Stop it!

News

February 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Public Health is asking for citizens to stop selling and trading WIC benefits on social media sites. In a press release, the IDPH says WIC local agencies continue to inform the department that they personally have identified advertisements or have received information from the public regarding advertisements on social media sites for the sale of WIC benefits, particularly infant formula. The continued report of these actions indicates to the state WIC office and to USDA that this illegal activity is ongoing.

WIC benefits are issued to pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children who have been certified as eligible to participate in the program in accordance to federal regulations. WIC food instruments and cash value vouchers may only be used by a WIC participant, a caregiver, or a designated proxy to purchase WIC eligible food items for the participant’s use. Any other use of WIC benefits, including the posting of WIC benefits for sale on the internet, is evidence that the participant committed a violation and is therefore subject to program sanctions.

The USDA has consulted with their office of general counsel and requested that all national social media sites post a notice regarding the illegality of selling WIC benefits, particularly infant formula on its website and that WIC food and benefits be added to its list of prohibited items. The state WIC office in the Iowa Department of Public Health is now requesting the same actions from local social media sites. If you have seen someone posting WIC benefits, contact the IDPH office by calling 515-281-7095 or by email at jill.lange@idph.iowa.gov.

(Update) Winter Storm Watch continues for Cass & area Counties

Weather

February 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

1005 AM CST MON FEB 3 2014

WINTER STORM TO IMPACT THE AREA TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT…

SNOW WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE SOUTHERN HALF OF IOWA ON TUESDAY
MORNING AND CONTINUE TUESDAY NIGHT WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY
ACCUMULATIONS. IN ADDITION… INCREASING NORTH WINDS BY TUESDAY
NIGHT WILL RESULT IN SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW THAT WILL
CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS.
GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD COUNTIES…

…WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE TUESDAY NIGHT…

* TIMING…SNOW WILL BEGIN TO FALL ON TUESDAY MORNING ACROSS
WESTERN IOWA…THEN SPREAD AND ACCUMULATE MORE HEAVILY TUESDAY
AFTERNOON AND EVENING…FINALLY TAPERING OFF BY EARLY
WEDNESDAY MORNING.

* STORM TOTAL SNOW…5 TO 8 INCHES POSSIBLE WITH THE HIGHEST
AMOUNTS TOWARD THE MISSOURI BORDER.

* WINDS/VISIBILITY…NORTHEAST WINDS OF 10 TO 15 MPH TUESDAY
MORNING…BECOMING NORTH 15 TO 20 WITH HIGHER GUSTS BY TUESDAY
NIGHT. VISIBILITIES MAY BE REDUCED TO ONE HALF OF A MILE OR
LESS AT TIMES DUE TO FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW.

* IMPACTS…BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IS EXPECTED BY TUESDAY
NIGHT AS THE WIND INCREASES. ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED
MAKING TRAVEL HAZARDOUS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW…SLEET…OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

Adair County Supervisors set to finalize FY 2015 budget

News

February 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Board of Supervisors in Adair County will finalize their Fiscal Year 2015 budget, Tuesday morning. The action comes during their regular meeting that begins at 9-a.m., and will be followed by the setting of a date for a Public Hearing on the budget.

In other business, the Board will hear from County Treasurer Brenda Wallace, with regard to a tax abatement request/resolution, and County Engineer Nick Kauffman, with regard to a Motor Grader purchase and other Secondary Roads Department matters.

Cass and Shelby County Cattlemen hold banquets Saturday night

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Shelby County Cattlemen had a successful night on Saturday during their annual banquet. This year the banquet was held inside the new St. Mary’s Hall in Panama in front of a packed crowd. Before handing out their annual awards, the cattlemen gave out 18 $1,000 scholarships to area youth.

Kevin Goshorn, member of the cattlemen’s association, told the crowd over the last two years, the association has given out $84,000 between their scholarships and heifer programs. Steve Leinen then handed out the awards starting with the friends of the industry. Normally, this award would be handed out to a certain individual but this year the Shelby County Cattlemen recognized several local banks in the area.

The banks were Shelby County State, Farmer’s Trust and Savings, United Bank of Iowa, Farm Service Credit of America, Midstates, Defiance State, Landmands, Community Bank, Town and Country Credit Union, Templeton Bank and Bank of the West. The award for beef backer of the year was Mike Thraen and then the biggest award was presented to Bob Schechinger of rural Panama. Schechinger was surprised with the cattlemen of the year award. He said “I really didn’t catch on what they were saying, something about Korea and seven kids and Jeff was right there so I figured I better get out there. I didn’t think it would be anything. I was surprised put it that way.”

Bob and wife Norene have been farming northwest of Panama for 40 years and have raised cattle as well. Schechinger is a veteran who fought in Korea has since helped with area youth and participates at the Shelby County Fair each year. Together they have seven kids, five of whom were in attendance to congratulate Schechinger on the award. He thanked his wife for always being there and said he would not be the man he is today without her.

And, here in Atlantic approximately 250-people attended the annual Cass County Cattleman’s Banquet, Saturday night. One of the highlights of the even held at the Cass County Community Center was the presentation of awards. Jim Pellett, of Atlantic, received the “Hall of Fame” award. Randy Euken, of Lewis was named “Producer of the Year,” and Cullen and Associates, of Atlantic received the “Business of the Year Award.” It was also announced that the Cass County Cattleman’s group grilled over 5,500 units of meat during this past year at various events throughout the area.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

Clarinda Police Chief re-issues Snow Ordinance reminder

News

February 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

With the chance of accumulating snowfall to occur in Clarinda this week the Clarinda Police Department is reminding citizens of the community about the emergency snow ordinance. The ordinance says: “No person shall park any motor vehicle or other apparatus upon any street of the city that will obstruct the removal of snow when there has been an accumulation of two (2) inches or more.”

“Any vehicle left parked on any street in violation of this ordinance may be impounded, and the registered owner of the vehicle will be subject to a $15.00 parking fine, and payment of all applicable towing and storage fees in order for the vehicle to be released.”

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd

Trading Post

February 3rd, 2014 by Jim Field

FOR SALE: maple 9 drawer dresser with lighted mirror on top. Good condition. $40 cash only. I have pictures I can email or send by phone. Call 402-659-1151 or e-mail bsgoettsch@gmail.com.

FOR SALE: 2 TIRES – LT 225 75r16, 8-PLY mud tires with 80% tread. $75 each or $100 each w/16-inch standard rims. Call after 6-pm, 712-268-2861.