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Ft. Dodge man dies in Audubon County rollover accident

News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A single-vehicle accident Monday morning in Audubon County has claimed the life of a man from northern Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports 27-year old Lucas D. Degen, of Ft. Dodge, who was wearing a seat belt, died when the 2001 Jeep Cherokee he was driving, failed to negotiate a curve north of Brayton, on Highway 71.

The southbound SUV went out of control and rolled over into the ditch before coming to rest against some trees. Speed and alcohol were believed to be factors in the crash that happened at around 7:30-a.m., Monday.

Bluffs man arrested for striking Police motorcycle and an SUV

News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs, Monday, arrested a man for Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, warrants and other charges. Officials say at around 11:45-a.m., Officer Mark Archibald from the Council Bluffs Police Department had initiated a traffic stop in the parking lot of the Bucky’s Gas station at 16th and Broadway in Council Bluffs. The Officer was on a department motorcycle and was in the process of dismounting the motorcycle when he noticed the driver looking at him. The driver – later identified as 30-year old Jesse Baker, of Council Bluffs — put the vehicle into reverse and accelerated.

Officer Archibald jump out of the way and the vehicle struck the motorcycle, pushing the motorcycle onto its side for about 30 feet. Baker then fled the scene at a high rate of speed. As officers were responding to the area, witnesses and bystanders were directing officers in the direction of the suspect vehicle. A short time later, Baker ran the stop sign at N. 25th and Ave H striking a 1999 Chevy Tahoe that was being driven by Brianna Johnson of Council Bluffs. Johnson suffered minor injuries and advised officers she would drive herself to the hospital later if needed.

Baker fled the scene after the accident on foot. As officers arrived at the scene, they were directed by neighbors of the location of the suspect. Baker was taken into custody without incident. Baker was taken to the hospital for evaluation as he complained of a previous injury and injuries related to the crash. After evaluation Baker was booked into corrections without incident.

Jesse Baker was charged with Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer and Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree. He also had warrants for Probation Violation and Escape from Custody as he had walked away from the Residential Correction Facility. The Iowa State Patrol is investigating the accident at 25th and Ave H and after review with the County Attorney’s Office and will pursue charges if necessary.

‘Fight for 15’ rallies in Iowa; workers on strike at Burger King near capitol

News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Pickets and walk-outs are being held in nearly 350 cities across the country, including a few in Iowa, on this Labor Day to show support for raising the minimum wage. Workers at a Burger King that’s a couple of blocks from the state capitol in Des Moines went on strike at midnight, a crowd of over 200 was there at sunrise and the store is closed.

Cathy Glasson, a Democrat who formed an exploratory committee for governor in May, posted video of this morning’s (Monday’s) rally on Twitter. Glasson also rallied with workers at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. She’s a nurse who has been president of her local union at the University of Iowa Hospitals. Other Democratic candidates for governor have been traveling the state yesterday and today (Monday), to attend Labor Day weekend parades, picnics and other events.

(Radio Iowa)

ISU study: detection of a concealed weapon or threat isn’t easy

News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A study conducted at Iowa State University suggests a police officer’s ability to identify someone carrying a gun or bomb is only slightly better than chance. Lead author Dawn Sweet directs ISU’s Body Language and Facial Expressions Lab. She says police need more tools and evidence based training to identify someone might may be concealing a weapon.

“It’s an inherently difficult task and we’re not giving it enough attention,” Sweet said. Reading nonverbal communication is “context dependent,” according to Sweet. She’s now work to develop a standardized approach to evaluating behaviors that predict if someone is concealing a weapon or dangerous device, and therein poses a threat.

“It’s our hope as we continue this line of research we’ll be able to ultimately deliver systematic, evidence-based training to law enforcement officers,” Sweet said. “Because ultimately, it’s not just the law enforcement officers who are going to benefit from that, but it’s us as a society.” Sweet’s study is published in the journal Law and Human Behavior.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Sarah Boden, Iowa Public Radio)

Cities not yet paying Sioux City’s overlooked service charge

News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Three neighboring cities are resisting paying Sioux City’s long-overlooked wastewater service charge. The Sioux City Journal reports that the city discovered the neglected charge during an audit and notified officials in Sergeant Bluff, in North Sioux City, South Dakota; and South Sioux City, Nebraska, that it would begin imposing the 7 percent charge on July 1.

Those cities’ officials worry about having to pass along the cost to their residents, so the officials want to talk over the charge with Sioux City officials.

The agreements with each city for sewage treatment at the Sioux City plant have been overlooked for at least the past two years and potentially longer. Sioux City utilities director Mark Simms says the charge essentially covers administrative costs, and he isn’t sure why it’s been overlooked.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 9/4/2017

News, Podcasts

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Pott. County Reserve Deputy dies after being hit on I-70 near KC, MO

News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A man from Iowa died late Saturday night southeast of Kansas City after being struck by numerous vehicles. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 39-year old Jeffrey M. Koontz, of Council Bluffs, a Reserve Deputy with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, died at the scene.

The incident happened at around 10:55 p.m. on I-70 eastbound, just east of Woods Chapel Road. Authorities said the man was walking on the roadway along I-70 when he was struck by an unknown tractor-trailer. That vehicle fled the scene. Koontz was subsequently struck by an SUV and a sedan. Both of those drivers remained at the scene to speak with police.

The incident remains under investigation. Police are working to identify the driver of the semi that fled the scene.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 9/4/2017

Podcasts, Sports

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Ric Hanson.

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(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & funeral report, 9/4/2017

News, Podcasts

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Construction update on $240 million Prestage Foods plant coming to Iowa

Ag/Outdoor

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The president of the North Carolina based company that’s building a pork processing plant in north-central Iowa is providing an update on the $240 million project. Ron Prestage says a lot of work this summer was done “below ground” on the site in southern Wright County. “We’ve already dug one of the two wells,” Prestage said. “That well is almost 2,000 feet deep and will produce 2,000 gallons of water a minute. So, it’s a big well. We’re going to do another one this winter, primarily as a backup.”

Just over a year ago, the Prestage Foods project near Eagle Grove was awarded $11.5 million in state tax credits. Construction of the actual buildings on the site is now underway. Prestage expects the buildings will be done and equipment installed by NEXT fall, but the processing of animals won’t happen right away. “As you can imagine, having to train a new workforce, get all the equipment fine tuned – there’s a lot of computerization that’s going to be in this plant,” Prestage said. “It’s going to take a lot of work and coordination to get all of those things operating smoothly.”

The first hogs to be killed in the plant will likely come in November of 2018, according to Prestage. The facility will be one of the larger employers in the area. “There are going to be 1,000 employees working directly for us, but that doesn’t include a lot of other supportive roles that’ll be played by truck drivers and a lot of other people,” Prestage said.

Prestage chose to locate the pork plant near Eagle Grove after Mason City officials rejected plans for the plant in their city.

(Radio Iowa)