United Group Insurance

2 arrests in Montgomery County overnight

News

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report an arrest and a citation overnight Thursday into early this (Friday) morning. A traffic stop in Red Oak at around 1:42-a.m. today (Friday) resulted in a citation for 35-year old Benjamin Robert Murphy, of Bedford. Authorities say Murphy was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over for an equipment violation in Red Oak. He was cited by Red Oak Police for Possessing an open container of alcohol, and released.

And, at around 9:10-p.m. Thursday, a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy arrested Jason  Leon Latham, of Grant. Latham was taken into custody on a valid Nodaway County, Missouri, warrant for Failure to Appear on charges of Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia. He was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, pending extradition to Missouri.

Bluffs care facility has 5 residents more than 100-years old

News

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A care facility in Council Bluffs has the unique distinction of being home to nearly a half-dozen  Centenarians, those who are 100 or older. The Omaha World-Herald says the Bethany Lutheran Home has five of them, all of whom are women. Current residents who are 100 or older are Ethel Torneten, 101; Genevieve Winger, 102; Helen Clem, 102; Leota Heinrich, 105; and Alice Steers, 106.

The ladies told the paper hard work, “clean living,” being honest and staying true to their friends are part of their longevity.  One of the women worked until she was 92. Her employment included working in a doctor’s office, and waiting on tables for many years. Another taught at a country school in Hazel Dell Township. One of the ladies say her hobby of antiquing is what kept her going for so long.

None of them complained about their hardships and the fact technology was not as advanced as it is today.

NWS Forecast for the KJAN listening area: Fri., 5/16/2014

Weather

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

**FROST ADVISORIES ARE IN EFFECT THIS MORNING**

Today: Patchy frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 59. North northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
Tonight :Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Light and variable wind becoming south southwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. South wind 5 to 7 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Breezy, with a south wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Breezy.

Frost Advisories remain in effect this morning

Weather

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

349 AM CDT FRI MAY 16 2014

FROST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM FOR THE FOLLOWING AREA COUNTIES: SAC-CRAWFORD-CARROLL- AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR AND RINGGOLD.

AND A FROST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8AM FOR: HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT-PAGE COUNTIES.

* TEMPERATURE…LOWS OF 30 TO 35 DEGREES ARE EXPECTED.

* IMPACTS…SENSITIVE OUTDOOR VEGETATION COULD BE DAMAGED OR KILLED IF LEFT UNPROTECTED…ESPECIALLY IN SHELTERED OR LOW LYING AREAS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FROST ADVISORY MEANS THAT FROST IS POSSIBLE. SENSITIVE OUTDOOR PLANTS MAY BE KILLED IF LEFT UNCOVERED.

Incentives package may determine fate of Bluffs business

News

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Iowa economic development officials today are expected to approve tax benefits that will determine whether or not a longtime Council Bluffs business stays on the east side of the Missouri River. The Omaha World-Herald reports in an application for incentives worth more than $4.5 million, Interstate Electric Supply Co. indicated it would move 108 employees from its existing facilities near 35th Street and U.S. Highway 6 to Nebraska if it did not receive adequate financial incentives from the State of Iowa.

With the incentives, Interstate Electric Supply Co. plans to spend about $10.7 million to move its wholesale facility and other operations to a 13-acre parcel at the intersection of 24th Street and U.S. 275/Highway 92 in Council Bluffs. Plans call for 190,000 square feet of warehouse space in addition to a training center and a storage yard for equipment. IES says in its incentives application that it was “strongly considering” a site in Sarpy County, where property taxes on a comparable project would be half of what the company will spend in Iowa.

The Council Bluffs City Council in late April gave unanimous approval to the company’s application for benefits under the High Quality Jobs Program, which is administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. That organization’s board meets in Des Moines at 10 a.m. today and is expected to approve the project.

The proposed deal includes a partial property tax abatement worth more than $2.8 million over 15 years in addition to state tax credits including sales tax refunds on building materials and investment tax credits. The company expects to finish the project in spring 2016 and will create eight new jobs.

Vietnam Vets pull out of Bluffs parade over Tiger Cage controversy

News

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A parade scheduled to take place Saturday in Council Bluffs will feature several floats and participants, but a local veterans group has pulled out after they were asked not to display a replica of a cell designed to hold Prisoners of War. The Council Bluffs Daily NonPareil reports members of the local Vietnam Vets of America group will not be participating because parade officials oppose their “tiger cage,” which the group president said is simply a loose representation of what Vietnam prisoners of war endured. One of the parade’s emcees has also threatened to pull out of the parade unless event officials change their minds.

An event spokesperson said the parade entry submitted by the veterans group doesn’t reflect the theme of the parade, which is “CB Better Together.” Celebrate CB is a private event organized by a group of local volunteers. It is not affiliated with the city of Council Bluffs and has not been affiliated with Council Bluffs schools since 1978.

The local veterans group’s representation of the “tiger cage,” was constructed out of the same bamboo material that held Vietnam-era POW’s, and features with a captain’s flight suit inside representing a soldier. A parade official said the float was detrimental to children and refused its showing during the parade. The same float was in the parade last year, according to a veterans representative, and there were no complaints.

Ben Wiese said he believes only one or two people complained about the float to parade officials, who then decided to pull the plug. Parade committee member Lynne Branigan said the parade committee monitors every float each year to ensure the parade theme is followed. She admitted the float should not have been allowed last year, and said the committee reserves the right to accept or deny requests to participate in any of their 10 days of events, including the parade, if the entries don’t reflect the theme.

Chiefs sign draft pick Gaines to contract

Sports

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have signed third-round draft pick Phillip Gaines. The cornerback out of Rice became the third of the Chiefs’ six draft picks to sign their contracts when he agreed to a deal Thursday. Sixth-round picks Zach Fulton and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, both offensive lineman, had already signed their contracts. Terms of the contracts have not been disclosed.

That leaves only defensive end Dee Ford, the No. 23 overall pick, fourth-rounder De’Anthony Thomas and fifth-round pick Aaron Murray to sign their contracts. Gaines played in 52 games for Rice, intercepting four passes and piling up a school-record 38 passes defensed. He served as a captain for the Owls his final two seasons.

Iowa early News Headlines: Friday, May 16th 2014

News

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy appears to be gaining strength in rural parts of Nebraska, Iowa and eight other Midwest states. The overall economic index for the region improved to 55.6 in May from April’s 53.2, suggesting growth in the months ahead across the rural Midwest.

BETTENDORF, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a convicted sex offender faces felony charges after he was found hiding under a child’s bed in Bettendorf. The Quad-City Times reports the two charges were filed Tuesday for 33-year-old Julien Skipper. He remains at the Scott County Jail. Police say Skipper was found April 19th hiding at a neighbor’s apartment as officers investigated a disturbance call. He was arrested at the time and charged with possession with intent to deliver and a parole violation.

FAIRFIELD, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say they have discovered a marijuana growing operation at a home near a southeast Iowa high school. The Fairfield Police Department tells the Ottumwa Courier it executed a search warrant Wednesday at a home close to Fairfield High School owned by 63-year-old Campbell Hair.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Loras College in Dubuque has received a $1 million donation for its business education program. The private college announced Tuesday that Andrew and Mary Pat Studdert had contributed the $1 million to fund the Andrew P. Studdert Endowed Chair in Business Ethics and Crisis Leadership. The contribution is part of a $75 million fundraising campaign at Loras, a Catholic college with about 1,600 students.

ROBERT GREGG, 73, of Linden (Svcs. 05-17-2014)

Obituaries

May 15th, 2014 by admin

ROBERT GREGG, 73, of Linden died Thursday, December 19th at Panora Nursing and Rehab.  Graveside services for ROBERT GREGG will be held on Saturday, May 17th at 11:00am in the West Linn Cemetery in rural Linden.  Twigg Funeral Home in Panora has the arrangements.

No visitation is planned.

Wacha sparks Cardinals in win over Cubs

Sports

May 15th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Michael Wacha pitched seven innings and drove in two runs, helping the Cardinals to a 5-3 victory Thursday afternoon over the Chicago Cubs. The 6-foot-6 Wacha (3-3) had lost his last three decisions since an April 13 win over the Cubs. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed seven hits, including a homer, but did not walk a batter. He struck out five.

Trevor Rosenthal pitched 1 2-3 innings for his 11th save. Rosenthal, who blew a save Tuesday, inherited a one-out, bases-loaded situation and gave up a sacrifice fly, but closed out the inning and retired the side in the ninth.

The Cubs have lost nine of their last 11 and are off to the worst start in 39 games (13-26) since 2002.