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House fire reported in Stuart

News

January 17th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Stuart are investigating the cause of a house fire which occurred early this morning in Stuart.  Stuart Police Chief Dave Reha told KJAN News the fire took place at a residence in the 600 block of North Western Street. Reha said the home appears to be a total loss. No injuries were reported. Additional details about the blaze are currently not available.

High winds can cause travel hazards on Iowa’s roadways today

News, Weather

January 17th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa – Jan. 17, 2012 – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is advising motorists that sustained wind speeds of up to 25 mph are expected across a majority of the state today. Drivers on Iowa roadways should be alert to the effects of these winds on high-profile vehicles and vehicles towing trailers. For road weather information in Iowa, visit Iowa DOT’s website http://weatherview.iowadot.gov/. WeatherView offers helpful information to travelers, including current wind speed, direction and gusts. Information is collected from road and aviation weather observation reporting sites throughout the state.

If you are driving:

  • Keep a firm grip on the wheel and be prepared to slow down.
  • Tune in to local weather forecasts and bulletins issued by the National Weather Service on local radio stations.
  • Watch for objects blowing across the roadway and into your path.
  • Keep a safe distance from vehicles in adjacent lanes as strong gusts can push a vehicle or trailer outside its lane of travel.
  • Take extra care if driving a high-profile vehicle, such as a truck, van, SUV or recreational vehicle or when towing a trailer, as these vehicles are more prone to be pushed or even flipped by high wind gusts.
  • If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving, move your vehicle onto the shoulder of the road and stop, making sure you are away from trees or other tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle. Stay in the vehicle and turn on the hazard lights until the wind subsides.
  • Never cross a downed power line.
  • Approach all intersections with caution. If there is a power outage, the traffic signals may not be operating properly. Remember, nonfunctioning traffic signals are to be treated as a four-way stop.
  • Check the latest weather conditions by accessing the information kiosks located at any of the interstate rest areas.

8AM Newscast 01-17-2012

News, Podcasts

January 17th, 2012 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

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Heartbeat Today 01-17-2012

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

January 17th, 2012 by admin

Jim Field speaks with  Tom Hamilton about the River City Hunting, Fishing, RV, and Boat Expo on Jan. 20-22 at the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs.

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7AM Newscast 01-17-2012

News, Podcasts

January 17th, 2012 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

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O’Henry Bars (1-17-12)

Mom's Tips

January 17th, 2012 by Jim Field

  • 2 cups oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup margarine
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup light Karo

Topping:

  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter

Combine in glass dish 3 to 4 minutes oatmeal and margarine.  Microwave 3 to 4 minutes.  Add brown sugar and Karo; microwave 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes.  Put into greased pan (10 x 6 inch glass dish).  Put topping in microwave 2 minutes and put on top of bars.  Refrigerate until set.

Wild Rice Soup (1-17-12)

Mom's Tips

January 17th, 2012 by Jim Field

  • 1/2 cup wild rice
  • 1/2 lb. bacon
  • 1/2 cup chopped ham
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup grated carrots
  • 1 (4 oz.) can mushrooms
  • 2 (14.5 oz.) cans chicken broth (or use chicken bullion cubes and water)
  • 2 cans cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

Wash rice.  Boil rice for 15 minutes.  Drain and set aside.  Fry bacon until crisp.  Remove from pan, drain and crumble.  Use 3 tablespoons drippings.  Saute celery and onion until tender.  Blend in flour; gradually add broth.  Stir in rice and mushrooms, grated carrots, chopped ham, bacon and mushroom soup.  Dilute with some milk, if you desire.

 

Atlantic Parks and Rec Board approves Capital Improvement Program Plan

News

January 17th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors Monday evening approved a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) plan for Fiscal Year 2013, which begins on July 1st, amounting to about $556,500. The funds would come mostly from bonds and the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST), along with other sources, such as grants. Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring provided a break-down of the costs and related projects.  The most expensive part of the CIP is a new $246,000, 4,000 square foot Park Maintenance Building, which would tentatively be situated south the of skate park, but the location itself has not been finalized.

Conceptual drawing of the proposed Park & Rec Maintenance Bldg.

The building, according to Herring would be larger than the current building, and last some 20-to 30-years. He said it would not be “luxurious,” but functional and handicapped accessible. He says it would house the Park Director’s office, a uni-sex restroom, a climate-controlled shop, four-garage doors, and storage area. The building would also be connected to water and electricity, which is something the current building does not have. A majority of the funding for the building would come from the Capital Improvements fund (i.e. bonding). Approximately $10,000 would come from the Local Option Sales Tax fund.

Another part of the CIP plan calls for a new fence around the Sunnyside Park softball field, along with fabric for a backstop. That, along with regrading of the infields, would cost about about $23,000 altogether. Herring said there may be opportunities for cost-sharing with Frederickson Foundation, as well.  The CIP plan also includes reconstruction of the tennis courts at Sunnyside Park. Herring says at least two of the courts are “unplayable”, as far as tournament play is concerned, due to hazardous cracks. Herring says he will meet with Atlantic School District officials next week to discuss cost-sharing on the project. The projected cost of the project is $235,00. The City of Atlantic, according to Herring will likely bond for $92,000. He hopes the district is willing to pay an equal share. An additional $50,000 is available from the U-S Tennis Association. The tennis court project would not include work on the restrooms.

Other projects the Park and Rec Board approved as part of their Capital Improvement Plan, include replacement, grading and widening of a full length section of sidewalk in the Atlantic City Park, along Poplar Street, and the repair of a portion of the “spoke” sidewalk from the northwest corner of the park toward the center of the park. The project is expected to cost $25,000, and would be included in the bond package. The CIP also includes work on a walkway and shelter at Holt Park, which is located between 17th and 14th Streets, on Olive Street. The $4,000 pricetag would be paid for using LOST monies.  And finally, Herring said he wants to include in the CIP, the repair and enclosing of the ends to the half-pipe at the Sunnyside Park skateboard area. It’s expected that will cost about $7,000, which will come from the Local Option Sales Tax fund.

The Board will present its CIP to the City Council during its meeting Wednesday evening.  In other business, the Parks and Rec Board approved renewing a contract with the Nishna Valley YMCA, for their various parks and rec programs. The annual fee of $10,300 is unchanged from last year. Part of that money is used to pay the Sunnyside Pool Manager. Speaking of the Sunnyside Pool, Herring said the CIP includes $16,500 for improvements such as new chairs and/or lounge chairs, umbrellas for tables around the pool, and for the life guard stands, new lighting in the shower areas, and upgrades to the locker rooms. Herring says $5,000 would come from bonds to pay for the project, while the remaining $11,500 would come out of the LOST.

Tonight (Jan. 17th) on KJAN – Iowa vs. Purdue in Men’s Hoops

Sports

January 17th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Hawkeyes are looking for their third Big Ten road victory in four tries when they take on Purdue this evening at Mackey Arena. The Hawks have won at Wisconsin and Minnesota. Tonight’s game will be their first return game with a conference opponent this season. Purdue won 79-76 in Iowa City in the Big Ten opener on Dec. 28th, with Robbie Hummel leading the way with 16-points and 11-rebounds. Purdue swept the season series with Iowa three times in the last four years. The Boilermakers have lost two of their last three games, the latest a 67-62 setback to Wisconsin at home. Iowa has defended the three-point line well in its three Big Ten victories, holding opponents to 15 of 82 (18.3%) from long range in those games.

Pre-game coverage on the Hawkeye Radio Network begins at 6-p.m., with the tip-off at 7, here on KJAN.

(Podcast) Skyscan Forecast for Tue., Jan. 17, 2012

Podcasts, Weather

January 17th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Here’s the forecast for the KJAN listening area, and the weather stats for Atlantic….

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