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Federal Budget Means $27 Billion a Year in Iowa

News

October 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa – The latest analysis of state impacts of the federal budget by the National Priorities Project finds that Iowa receives about $27 billion from the federal budget over the course of a year.

Becky Sweger, director of data and technology for the advocacy group, says the figure in its State Smart project is calculated through direct federal assistance to individuals, federal grants and contracts to business and governments, and the salaries of the federal employees in the state.

And Sweger says it works out to about $8,700 per capita, which is a little bit lower than the U.S. per capita. On the other end, the study found that Iowa residents and businesses paid about $18 billion in federal taxes in 2013, most of that by or on behalf of individuals in the form of income taxes, self-employment taxes and payroll taxes.

While the inflow to Iowa is billions of dollars a year more than the total federal taxes paid, Sweger notes that the figures aren’t expected to be equal. “It’s just not how the federal budget works,” she says. “People shouldn’t expect to get sort of a one-for-one, I give you a dollar and I get a dollar back.”

(Iowa News Service)

USDA plans to survey Iowa corn farmers about chemical use

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A sample of Iowa corn growers will soon be asked to report on their use of pesticides and fertilizer. The Agricultural Resource Management Survey is conducted on different crops each year and 2014 is a corn year. Greg Thessen, regional director of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, says once the data is compiled and released to the public, it’s a tool policymakers can use to evaluate proposed changes. Thessen says, “This provides a good source of information for them to take a look at see, okay, if they change a policy what impact is that going to have on farmers and how they grow crops or corn in particular.”

Thessen says about 10-percent of the farmers polled for this year’s corn survey will be in Iowa. The information gathered will be released in public reports beginning next May. Thessen says the survey gives farmers a chance to tell the government how they grow their crops. He says, “What kind of inputs it takes as far as fertilizer and pesticides go, as well as any pest management practices, and really show other people that may not be involved with agriculture how they are good stewards of the land.”

Thessen says selected farmers will receive a notice in the mail and then a U-S-D-A employee will visit the farmer to record detailed information about the use of chemical inputs. Thessen says one use is for the U-S Environmental Protection Agency to see whether products are being used according to their labels.

(Radio Iowa)

KJAN Listening area weather forecast: Mon., 10/20/2014

Weather

October 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

(Updated 4:04-a.m/NWS Des Moines)

Early This Morning – Clear. Northwest wind near 5 mph.
Today – Sunny. High in the upper 60s. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight – Clear. Low in the lower 40’s. Northwest wind near 5 mph shifting to the northeast after midnight.
Tuesday – Sunny. High in the upper 60s. Southeast wind near 10 mph.
Tuesday Night – Mostly clear. Low in the lower 40s. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday – Mostly sunny. High in the mid 60s. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Wednesday Night – Cloudy with a chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms. Low in the lower 50s. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
Thursday – Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. High in the lower 60s.

 

Red Oak man arrested on drug charges Sunday

News

October 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak say a local man was arrested at around 7:20-p.m. Sunday, on a couple of drug-related charges. 52-year-old James Scott Malmquist, of Red Oak, taken into custody at the intersection of Highway 34 and 48. He was charged with felony Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine/3rd offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor. Malmquist was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on a $5,000 cash bond.

Red Oak Police report also, the arrest Sunday evening of 26-year old Jason Rolfe Aherns. The Red Oak man was taken into custody at around 6:10-p.m.  on a warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of 5th degree Theft. Aherns was being held on the Montgomery County LEC on $300 bond.

Iowa early News Headlines: Monday, Oct. 20th 2014

News

October 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Hospitals and doctors’ offices in Iowa are preparing for the unlikely possibility of a case of Ebola in the state. The Des Moines Register reports clinics have started asking whether patients have visited the countries where the Ebola outbreak is based West Africa. Doctor Daniel Gervich with Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines says it’s important for hospitals to have a plan in place.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Senator Elizabeth Warren focused on stumping for Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Braley during a campaign stop in Iowa yesterday, but some liberal activists made it clear they want her to run for the White House. Warren drew enthusiastic applause from several hundred supporters gathered at the Hotel Fort Des Moines Sunday afternoon.

TAMA, Iowa (AP) — A long-idle beef processing plant is getting ready to reopen in Tama later this month. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports Iowa Premium Beef officials recently took reporters on a tour of the plant that had been closed since 2004. CEO Jeffrey Johnson says the company has already received more than 1,000 applications to work at the plant.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Law enforcement policies on the use of stun guns vary greatly across Iowa’s 99 counties, and civil rights experts who recently reviewed the policies say many of them are inadequate. The Des Moines Register obtained a new American Civil Liberties Union report that identifies several deficiencies in the stun gun policies.

MILDRED SEARS, 98, of Fontanelle (Svcs. 10/23/14)

Obituaries

October 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

MILDRED SEARS, 98, of Fontanelle, died Sun., Oct. 19th, at the Greenfield Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Greenfield. Funeral services for MILDRED SEARS will be held 10:30-a.m. Thu., Oct. 23rd, at the Fontanelle United Methodist Church. Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22nd, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle, where the family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Burial will be in the Fontanelle Cemetery, with a luncheon will be held at the church following the committal services at the cemetery.

Memorials: To the Fontanelle United Methodist Church or to the Fontanelle Public Library.

MILDRED SEARS is survived by:

Her children – Cynthia (Steve) Campbell, of Greenfield, and Nancy (Jack) Burk, of Athens, Georgia.

4 grandchildren; 2 special great grandsons, several who called her “Aunt Midge”; other relatives and friends.

Santos’ 48-yard field goal lifts Chiefs over Bolts

Sports

October 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Cairo Santos kicked a 48-yard field goal field goal with 21 seconds left and the Kansas City Chiefs beat San Diego 23-20 Sunday, snapping the Chargers’ five-game winning streak. The Chiefs moved into field goal range thanks to Alex Smith, who completed three straight passes on the drive for 43 yards, including a 29-yarder to Dwayne Bowe.

Smith was playing on the same field where he led Helix High to consecutive San Diego Section championships. Coming off their bye, the Chiefs (3-3) made the AFC West a three-team race, pulling within 1 ½ games of San Diego (5-2). The Denver Broncos (4-1) hosted San Francisco on Sunday night.

The Chargers flunked their sternest test in a month and lost for the first time since a defeat at Arizona in the season opener.

CAM School Board regular meeting set for Monday

News

October 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Members of the CAM School District’s Board of Education will hold their regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening in the Media Center at the high school, in Anita. During the 6:30-p.m. session, the Board will discuss and possibly act on: A School Resource Officer (SRO) report; any resignations and contracts to come before them, along with open enrollment applications.

They will also consider a quote for repair of the high school roof, and discuss a Connections Academy agreement, a Drill Team sponsor and weight room improvements.

Atlantic Parks & Rec Board to meet Monday evening

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors will meet Monday evening beginning at 5:15 in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. During the session, the Board will receive a presentation from Eagle Scout Grant Podhasky on the Camblin Fire Pit project.

Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring will discuss progress as well, on the Sunnyside Park Senior Activity Area, during which he’s expected to report on the completion of a retaining wall, fine grading and erosion control measures. Herring will also talk about the completed purchase of equipment for Pickle Ball, Croquet, Bocce Ball, Badminton, the Horseshoe pit, Ladder Toss and Bean Bag Toss.

Herring will also report on progress with the Bike Rack installation at the Courthouse and City Park, and that the  Schildberg Quarry Rec Area dock is closed for repairs due to regular wear and tear. The Board will also hear an update on the Bull Creek Walking/Biking Pathway.

Exira-EHK School Board to meet Monday

News

October 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Exira-Elk Horn/Kimballton School Board will meet Monday night at the high school in Elk Horn. During the 7-p.m. session, the Board will hold a public hearing on a Resolution for the sale of land associated with the former elementary school in Exira.

On June 1st, the nearly century old elementary school was destroyed during a controlled burn that was also used as a training exercise for area firefighters. During the Exira-EHK School Board meeting last month, the Board agreed to sell the property for $5,000, but the purchase can only be approved following a public hearing. The land was purchased by area resident Marvin Jorgenson. Superintendent Dean Schnoes says tentative plans call for the land to be used for a retirement home/assisted living facility, and/or a medical facility. Later on during Monday’s meeting, the Board will act on approving a Resolution to sell the land, along with approving a Quit Claim Deed.

In other business, the school board will act on: Open Enrollments; a contract for Pre-School Para-educator Catherine Menter; Possibly changing the date and/or time for the November Board meeting; and, on approving a contract with the Atlantic Community School District with regard to the Cass County Educational Opportunity Center (CCEOC).