United Group Insurance

THURSDAY, JUNE 25th

Trading Post

June 25th, 2015 by Jim Field

FOR SALE:  Coleman kerosene lantern & Coleman kerosene heater $40 for the pair.  Also, a 16ft fiberglass canoe (bill of sale) $150.  SOLD!

GARAGE SALE:  @ 1008 3rd street place, Atlantic. Friday June 26 from 1-5 p.m. And Saturday from 8-11 a.m.  Name brand clothing, shoes, and outerwear of all sizes. Twin size bed, dinette table, console table. Home decor items, bedding, tablecloths. Little tykes sandbox, easel. Pottery Barn dollhouse and accessories. Kids life jacket and golf clubs. Toys, Books and movies, Onkyo receiver, DVD player.  Don’t miss it!!!!

GARAGE SALE: Multi-family garage sale at the Wiota Community Building today (June 25th) until 4 pm and Friday, June 26th from 8–4. Maternity clothing to 5T clothing, baby items and more.

Man reaching for his cell phone while driving hits parked SUV

News

June 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

An accident in Creston this (Thursday) morning occurred when the driver of a vehicle dropped his cell phone and reached down to pick it up. The Union County Sheriff’s Office says 25-year old Joshua Winebrenner, of Afton,  was driving east on Howard Street in Creston, when his 1998 Chevy Cavalier hit the rear of a parked 2001 Ford Escape. The accident happened at around 7:10-a.m.

Winebrenner was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. Damage from the collision amounted to $3,500.

TRAFFIC ALERT/ROAD CLOSURE

News

June 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Transportation reports the right lane of westbound I-80 at the 112 mile marker (Racoon River near Van Meter/Desoto) has been closed by the Iowa State Patrol. Troopers continue to monitor the rising waters in that area and will make further closures if need be. Drivers need to use caution in that area or plan an alternative route.

Mother of alleged child sexual assault victim arrested in Council Bluffs

News

June 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

As Council Bluffs Police search for the suspect in sexual assault of a child, they have arrested the victim’s mother. The Daily NonPareil reports 42-year old Marta Zaporowska was arrested Wednesday morning for neglect of a dependent person, a class C felony. She remains in custody at the Pottawattamie County Jail on $10,000 bond.

According to court documents, Zaporowska’s daughter, who is under the age of 12, was allegedly sexually assaulted by Zaporowska’s boyfriend, Charles McNeal. Despite issuance of an arrest warrant charging four counts of second-degree sexual abuse, McNeal remains at large.

On May 15, the daughter told an Omaha-based child protection agency that McNeal, for more than a year, sexually assaulted her at several locations, including the Featherstone Apartments in Council Bluffs and at a residence in Anderson in Fremont County. The alleged assaults started when the girl was in third grade and living at the Indian Hills Terrace Apartments in Omaha.

On June 12, authorities told Zaporowska that McNeal could have no contact with the victim. When Council Bluffs police learned Zaporowska left the victim with McNeal, court documents said, Zaporowska told police she had nowhere else to leave her two children when she went to work. Police informed McNeal on June 17th that he was named in an arrest warrant charging four counts of second-degree sexual assault.

He allegedly told police at that time that he was not moving and that they could come and arrest him, though he has yet to be arrested on the charges. Court documents indicated McNeal had mentioned a relocation to Kansas City in previous conversations with child protection and law enforcement officials.

McNeal, who denied the sexual assault claims, also told authorities that he has cancer and takes a lot of medication to control the illness. He uses marijuana to help with his appetite, he said. According to court documents, he told authorities that if he tried to assault the victim, she would hit him because she was a strong girl.

Police say McNeal originally agreed to take a polygraph test but has since backed off as he looks to hire a lawyer. According to court documents, McNeal said he believes the victim may be lying to avoid relocation to Sidney.

After investigation, Iowa State Patrol official gets new job

News

June 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – One of three veteran Iowa State Patrol officials who were on leave during an internal investigation has been transferred to a new job. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says Maj. Todd Misel is no longer in charge of field operations for the patrol. Instead, he has been moved into a position in the commissioner’s office overseeing the department’s compliance with national law enforcement accreditation standards.

Misel and two other patrol officials were placed on paid leave in April while the department investigated whether they mishandled a state contract to purchase handguns. The department announced earlier this month they had returned to work without discipline. The department has refused to release the findings of multiple investigations but says the three didn’t commit any crimes or violate any policies.

Des Moines, other Polk County cities prepare for flooding

News, Weather

June 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) – West Des Moines and other Polk County cities are preparing for flooding as rivers and creeks rise past flood stages following heavy rains. The National Weather Service says the Raccoon River is expected to top out at least a half foot above the record level later Thursday. Polk County authorities say floodwater at that West Des Moines spot could wash over Interstate 35, close Iowa Highway 28 and spill into Raccoon River Park.

This is the Middle River, east of Casey this morning. (Photo from Adair-Guthrie County EMA)

This is the Middle River, east of Casey this morning. (Photo from Adair-Guthrie County EMA)

The Des Moines River is expected to crest nearly 7 feet above flood stage but nearly 5 feet under its Des Moines location record. An apartment complex in Clive was evacuated early Thursday morning as water spilled from North Walnut Creek.

The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for several Iowa counties.

Backyard and Beyond 06-25-2015

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

June 25th, 2015 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Sara Nelson with Cass County Health System about their latest Healthy U program today.

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Near-record river flooding occurring in Des Moines this morning

News, Weather

June 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The National Weather Service reports near-record level flooding was occurring this morning, in Des Moines. Due to widespread rainfall of 3 to 5 inches overnight, with some places receiving over 6 inches of rain, water levels along the Raccoon River, the Des Moines River, and Walnut Creek are reaching near-historic levels.

Water has already covered Grand Avenue and has impacted nearby residences and businesses. There have been numerous reports of road closures, water rescues, and evacuations across parts of the Des Moines metro.

The latest river forecasts across the rest of central Iowa can be found at:
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=DMX

Please note that river forecasts will be changing over the next few hours. Please continue to monitor these forecasts if you live near these flooded areas!!!

Remember that if you come across water and can’t tell how deep it is, TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN!!! weather.gov.desmoines

Grant Reminder for Audubon County Nonprofit Organizations

News

June 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Brett Irlmeier, Chair of the Audubon County Community Foundation, a countywide community foundation, reminds Audubon County nonprofit organizations that the fall grant program is now beginning. The deadline to apply for funds through a grant application process is September 1st. Irlmeier says they have $41,170 allocated for the fall grant cycle.

From the grant funds, $2,500 is available for the Exira area, from the Leon and Iva Milliman Endowed Fund, $2,900 from the Charles T. and Kathleen K. Manatt Endowed Fund, $690 from the Audubon State Bank/Stephen Garst Endowed Fund, $1,200 is available for the City of Audubon area from the Audubon Masonic Association Endowed Fund, $490 is available for the City of Audubon from the Fred and Evelyn Nissen Endowed Fund for Audubon, and $490 for the City of Audubon from the Merle and Norma Petersen Endowed Fund.

The Audubon County Community Foundation grant dollars are awarded for a single year.The ACCF’s grants and program Mission is to participate in funding community betterment projects and nonprofit organizations that have similar objectives. Only organizations providing services in Audubon County are eligible. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and supply a copy of their 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter. Requests for general operational funds will not be considered.

Application procedures and grant guidelines can be obtained online at www.iowacommunityfoundations.org/auduboncef. Detailed instructions are provided in a downloadable form, as well as a link to the online application. Only online applications will be considered.

These grant funds are made possible by the generosity of the Audubon County Community Foundation donors. To inquire about donating to the ACCF, please contact a Board member. Board members of the Audubon County Community Foundation are Chair, Brett Irlmeier of Audubon, 563-2644; Vice Chair, Jonnie Meislahn of Audubon, 563-2009; Secretary/Treasurer, Barbara Johnson of Audubon, 773-5732; Genelle Deist of Audubon, 563-2651; Jay Nelson of Atlantic, 549-2277; Daryl Olsen, DVM of Audubon, 563-2080; and Joseph T. Rasmussen, Esq. of Exira, 268-5357,

Community Foundations in Southwest Iowa are particularly attractive charities because donations to these funds may be eligible for a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

You may contact Dennis Nissen at 800-794-3458 (dennis@omahafoundation.org) or Denise Cardos at (denise@omahafoundation.org) with grant application specific questions. All completed applications will be considered at the October board meeting with notification of results the end of October.

Heartbeat Today 06-25-2015

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

June 25th, 2015 by admin

Jim Field discusses a recent consumer fraud settlement with a company that was mailing psychic scam letters to older Iowans.

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