United Group Insurance

Winter Weather Advisory issued (replaces Winter Storm Watch)

Weather

March 23rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

COUNTIES IN THE KJAN LISTENING AREA: CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD-
359 AM CDT SAT MAR 23 2013

…LONG DURATION SNOW EVENT EXPECTED FOR SOUTHERN IOWA THIS WEEKEND… .LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPING OVER THE SOUTHERN ROCKIES EARLY THIS MORNING WILL MOVE INTO TEXAS LATE SATURDAY AND THEN LIFT NORTHEAST INTO THE OHIO RIVER VALLEY SUNDAY. SNOW OF VARIED INTENSITIES WILL BEGIN EARLY THIS EVENING…AND CONTINUE ACROSS THE AREA INTO SUNDAY EVENING. DUE TO THE PROLONGED NATURE OF THE LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW…A LARGE AREA OF MODERATE ACCUMULATION IS EXPECTED WITH THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL LIKELY TO REMAIN SOUTH OF IOWA.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM CDT SUNDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM CDT SUNDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH PREVIOUSLY ISSUED IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING...SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP BY LATE THIS AFTERNOON OR EARLY EVENING…SPREADING INTO MUCH OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN IOWA INTO THE NIGHT. ALTHOUGH THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL BE TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY MORNING…LIGHTER AMOUNTS OR FLURRIES MAY LINGER INTO SUNDAY EVENING.

* STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS…SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 4 INCHES ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE ADVISORY AREA BY THE TIME THE SNOW DIMINISHES TO LIGHT SNOW OR FLURRIES EARLY SUNDAY EVENING.

* WINDS/VISIBILITY...ALTHOUGH THESE CONDITIONS WILL NOT BE CONTINUOUS…VISIBILITIES MAY DIP TO A HALF MILE TONIGHT AND SUNDAY DURING THE PERIODS OF MODERATE SNOW. WINDS WILL ALSO INCREASE TO 10 TO 20 MPH BY SUNDAY WITH A FEW HIGHER GUSTS RESULTING IN SOME MINOR BLOWING AND DRIFTING ACROSS THE REGION.

* IMPACTS…SNOW COVERED ROADS WILL LEAD TO HAZARDOUS TRAVEL TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY. SOME COMPACTION OF SNOW EARLY MAY LEAD TO ICY PATCHES AND SLICK TRAVEL AS WELL. DURING THE DAY SUNDAY…THE COMBINATION OF TEMPERATURES NEAR OR A LITTLE ABOVE FREEZING BY AFTERNOON AND FILTERED SUNSHINE THROUGH THE CLOUDINESS WILL LIKELY RESULT IN THE MELT OFF OF MOST OF THE SNOW ON MAIN ROADS BY AFTERNOON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITY…AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

Posted in Weather |

NWS Forecast for Cass & area Counties in Iowa: Sat., March 23rd 2013

Weather

March 23rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

344 AM CDT SAT MAR 23 2013

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM CDT SUNDAY…

TODAY…CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN AND SNOW EARLY IN THE AFTERNOON. LIGHT RAIN AND SNOW LIKELY LATE IN THE AFTERNOON. LITTLE OR NO SNOW ACCUMULATION. HIGH IN THE UPPER 30S. NORTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 70 PERCENT.

TONIGHT…SNOW. SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 2 TO 3 INCHES. LOW IN THE MID 20S. NORTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH. CHANCE OF SNOW 90 PERCENT.

SUNDAY…LIGHT SNOW LIKELY. BREEZY. SNOW ACCUMULATION AROUND 1 INCH. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION 3 TO 4 INCHES. HIGH IN THE MID 30S. NORTH WIND 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH. CHANCE OF SNOW 70 PERCENT.

SUNDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY WITH A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW. LOW IN THE MID 20S. NORTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH THROUGH MIDNIGHT.

MONDAY…CLOUDY. SCATTERED FLURRIES. HIGH IN THE LOWER 30S. NORTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE LOWER 20S.

TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGH IN THE MID 30S. LOW IN THE LOWER 20S.

Posted in Weather |

Record crop insurance payout stirs subsidy debate

Ag/Outdoor

March 23rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farmers are filing a record $16 billion in crop insurance claims for 2012 because of widespread drought, and the staggering amount has critics calling for changes in the federal crop insurance program. Farmers buy crop insurance, but the federal government pays 62 percent of their premiums and picks up the tab for losses over a certain amount. One analyst estimates the federal tab for 2012 will come to about $11 billion.

It’s the second consecutive year of record crop insurance payments, with flooding and drought in 2011 followed by an even worse drought. The Federal Crop Insurance Corp. puts the total losses so far at $15.91 billion, with some claims still pending. That’s at least a 47 percent increase from the $10.8 billion in losses in 2011.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Iowa early News Headlines: Sat., March 23rd 2013

News

March 23rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad is ordering flags to fly at half-staff next week to honor an Iowa soldier killed in Afghanistan. Branstad has ordered all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to honor U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Steven Blass. The 27-year-old from Estherville in northwest Iowa died on March 11th when a helicopter crashed in Kandahar province.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A panel of budget experts says overall state revenue will come in slightly higher than expected for the current fiscal year. The Revenue Estimating Conference met yesterday to project state revenue numbers. The three-member panel includes the governor’s top budget adviser, the financial adviser to the Legislature and an independent member, Mason City economist David Underwood.

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) — An attorney for an eastern Iowa school superintendent accused of drunken driving wants evidence collected during his arrest to be inadmissible at trial. Robert Bembridge says neither a witness nor officer saw Jeff Corkery (KORK’-ur-ree) turn on his car or drive it when he was arrested in November. A Buchanan County judge has pushed Corkery’s trial to May.

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Freshman Georges Niang matched a season high with 19 points and Iowa State dismantled Notre Dame 76-58 last night in Dayton, Ohio. The 10th-seeded Cyclones will play Number 2 seed Ohio State tomorrow in the NCAA tournament.

Posted in News |

Red Cross to talk with families in fire risk Council Bluffs neighborhoods

News

March 23rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter is undertaking an unusual outreach program today (Saturday). Red Cross spokesperson, Liz Dorland, says volunteers are teaming with the Council Buffs Fire Department and community partners to knock on doors in several “high-risk” neighborhoods to talk about fire prevention. “We will begin by knocking on your door just to hand you some fire safety information. In that bag will be some preparedness tips,” Dorland says. She says they will also ask if people have a working smoke detector and if the batteries need to be changes. If the batteries need to be changed, the fire department will send someone to check the smoke detector.

Red Cross volunteers will talk with residents about the importance of having a preparedness plan in case a fire does happen. Dorland says the event is part of what’s called “Project Alex.””It was started after seven-year-old Alex Pezeta died after a fire in 2010. The fire department is really partnering and working well with the American Red Cross to prevent such tragedies from happening again,” Dorland explained.

The Nebraska/ southwest Iowa Region Red Cross volunteers responded to more than 600 families in 2012 who were in need after a devastating fire. The fire canvassing event is from eight a-m until one p-m. The American Red Cross responds to a fire every eight minutes nationwide.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News |

Penn State takes 20.5-point lead into finals

Sports

March 23rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Penn State holds a commanding 20.5-point lead over Oklahoma State heading into Saturday’s finals of the NCAA wrestling championships. The Nittany Lions also have five wrestlers qualified to compete for a titles, including David Taylor at 165 pounds. He and Cornell’s Kyle Dake — who is one win away from becoming the third four-time NCAA champion, will meet up at 165 pounds in one of the most anticipated championship matches in recent memory.

Minnesota is third in the team race with 86 points, followed by Iowa with 68.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa fights off Stony Brook 75-63 for NIT win

Sports

March 23rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Roy Devyn Marble scored 28 points to help Iowa beat Stony Brook 75-63 on Friday night in the second round of the NIT. Aaron White added 13 points and seven rebounds for Iowa (23-12), which advances to a quarterfinal matchup against the winner of Sunday’s game between Virginia and St. John’s.

Iowa went on a 13-3 run to build a 10-point lead after the game was tied 41-41 early in the second half. Guard Mike Gesell, who did not start because of a foot injury, came off the bench to spark the run with a 3-pointer and an assist. Jameel Warney scored 17 for the Seawolves (25-8), who finished with their most wins under eighth-year coach Steve Pikiell.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa State rolls to 76-58 win over Notre Dame

Sports

March 23rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Freshman Georges Niang matched a season high with 19 points and Iowa State, showing it can do much more than just fire away from outside the 3-point line, dismantled Notre Dame 76-58 on Friday night in the NCAA tournament. The 10th-seeded Cyclones (23-11) will play No. 2 seed Ohio State on Sunday. The Buckeyes advanced with a 95-70 thrashing of Iona.

Iowa State led the nation in 3-pointers this season, but the Cyclones were just as effective from short range in ousting the Fighting Irish (25-10), who played their final game as a member of the Big East and will join the Atlantic Coast Conference next season. Melvin Ejim added 17 points for Iowa State, which shot better than 70 percent for much of the second half. Tom Knight scored 14 to lead the Fighting Irish.

Posted in Sports |

Economic Development Board Approves Financial Assistance for 14 Companies

News

March 22nd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board today (Friday), awarded direct financial assistance and tax benefits to 14 companies for job creation, expansion and small business development projects. The awards will assist in the creation of 271 jobs, retention of 13 jobs and will result in over $85 million in new capital investment for the state. The board approved assistance for planned or proposed projects located in 12 communities, including Council Bluffs, where scrap processor Alter Trading was awarded tax benefits for a $20 million capital investment that is set to create 15 jobs. The project entails the building of a new non-ferrous plant that will help Alter grow in the central region of the United States as well as make their current operations more efficient.

Founded in 1898, Alter Trading – a privately owned, fourth generation company – is one of the largest scrap processors in the country with trading offices and processing plants across the central United States.

Posted in News |

Iowa town loses bid to save impromptu levee

News

March 22nd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

HAMBURG, Iowa (AP) – The southwest  Iowa town of Hamburg has lost its bid to keep an earthen levee erected in 2011 to save the town from the river’s floodwaters. The city had needed to raise nearly $5 million to keep the top eight feet of the levee, which was raised to 19 feet from its original 11 feet. The money would have been used to bring the raised part of the levee within federal regulations.

Mayor Cathy Crain even created an Internet site that included a video of townspeople dancing to a revamped version of Credence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary” in the hopes of gathering donations.  But Crain says the effort raised only $52,000.

The Hamburg City Council voted today (Friday), to take down the extended levee.

Posted in News |