3 arrests in Atlantic

January 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department says three people were arrested over the past week. On Sunday, 21-year old Morgan Hansen, of Omaha, was arrested for Theft in the 4th Degree (shoplifting) and Theft in the 5th Degree (shoplifting). Hansen was booked into the Cass County Jail. That same day, 19-year old Brandan Troyer, of Atlantic, was arrested for Simple Assault. Troyer was cited into court, and released.

And, on Jan. 4th, 26-year old James Howard, of Atlantic, was arrested on Cass County warrants for a Pre-Trial release violation and Failure to Appear on a Providing False Information, charge. Howard was booked into the Cass County Jail.

Posted in News |

Backyard & Beyond 1-12-2017

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

January 12th, 2017 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Kenner Baxter about events in Marne.

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Posted in Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts |

Pott. County Law Enforcement raises $10k for cancer awareness

News

January 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker says on January 12th, members of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office and Council Bluffs Police Department will be at CHI Health Mercy Hospital at 2-p.m., to deliver money collected from last year’s Law Enforcement Cancer Awareness T-shirt campaign. Danker says it will be the largest donation they have ever presented to CHI Health Mercy Hospital.

A little background: In September of 2011, an idea was brought to Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker to help promote Cancer Awareness by creating and selling a Law Enforcement version of the popular pink shirt. With his approval, a design was created to include local area Law Enforcement. This shirt depicted a patrol car and an SUV surrounded by Law Enforcement patches. Of course, the shirt wouldn’t have been an awareness shirt without the well-known ‘pink ribbon’ and the slogan “LAW ENFORCEMENT – CARE ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK”.

In 2014 it was decided to change from a pink ribbon to a LAVANDER ribbon to bring
cancer awareness to ‘ALL CANCERS’. The lavender ribbon coincided with the Sheriff’s Department’s goal of bringing awareness to all cancers, and was so popular we chose to continue with the LAVANDER color. From its original concept, Danker says the shirts were to promote all Cancer Awareness with money raised being donated to the Oncology Center at CHI Health Mercy Hospital Council Bluffs.

Officials say the success of this program wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Council Bluffs Police Chief Tim Carmody, Sheriff Danker, and the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors. Danker says they more than doubled last year’s donation and are very excited to be delivering a check of over $10,000 to help benefit cancer patients.

The local Law Enforcement Community he says, hopes to continue their fundraising efforts and continue to raise Awareness for Cancer Research. Officials want to THANK the public for making this donation possible.

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Northey: Grants available to help promote specialty crops

Ag/Outdoor

January 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is accepting applications for grant funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The grants are available to support projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Iowa.

The final funding level for the 2017 Iowa Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is yet to be announced by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service that administer the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, but is expected to be similar to last years $244,352.23 funding.

“The Specialty Crop Block Grant funds can support food safety, research and marketing efforts that encourage Iowans to choose the products that are produced right here in our state,” Northey said. “Specialty crops are a very important part of Iowa agriculture as they allow farmers to diversify and give customers access to locally grown products.”

Grant funds shall be used for projects that benefit the specialty crop industry as a whole and will not be awarded for projects that directly benefit a particular product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual.

Iowa agencies, universities, institutions, and producer, industry, and community based organizations are all eligible to apply for funding. In addition, organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners.

Grant awards will be considered up to a maximum of $24,000 and projects can have a duration of up to 30 months (2 ½ years). “Specialty Crops” that are eligible under this program are fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Both fresh and processed specialty crops are eligible.

Proposals must be received by IDALS on or before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2017. For more information visit the IDALS Specialty Crop Block Grant program at the Department’s web site at www.IowaAgriculture.gov/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/specialtyCropGrant.asp.

The Department is also again establishing a Review Committee to help review, evaluate, and make recommendations on grant proposals submitted to the Department. Those interested in participating in the Review Committee should have knowledge of specialty crops, and/or grant writing or grant management experience, and the ability to devote the necessary time to complete the review process. Additional information about reviewer responsibilities, meeting dates and an application form can also be found at www.IowaAgriculture.gov/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/specialtyCropGrant.asp.

Applications to participate in the Reviewer Committee are due Friday, March 17, 2017 by 4 p.m. To ensure that funds are used in the most efficient manner possible, the Department is asking specialty crop stakeholders and organizations to submit public comments on program priorities. The comments will help the Department identify priorities; establish the criteria used to evaluate the projects proposed for funding, and to determine how the reviews are conducted.

Iowans interested in submitting comments about the program can do so online by emailing HorticultureAndFarmersMarkets@IowaAgriculture.gov or by mail to Horticulture and Farmers Market Bureau, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, 502 East 9th, Des Moines, Iowa, 50319. Comments received by April 3, 2017 will be presented to the review committee to assist in prioritizing projects.

“The Specialty Crop Block Grant program has been a tremendous benefit to Iowa and it is important we understand the priorities of the specialty crop producers as we consider this year’s applications,” Northey said. “The public comments will allow us to hear from all segments of Iowa’s specialty crop industries and give them a means to participate in the decisions surrounding this program.”

(Press Release)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Coyote hunting picks up this time of year

Ag/Outdoor, Sports

January 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

As we get deeper into January, some Iowan’s thoughts are turning to coyotes. Iowa Department of Natural Resources state furbearer biologist Vince Evelsizer says there’s a continual season on coyotes — but these winter days tend to get more hunters seeking the animal. “There’s more focus this time of year because there’s typically snow cover, a lot of the other hunting seasons are closing down after January 10th, and so some of the outdoors folks devote their time and attention to the coyote,” Evelsizer explains.

Another draw is the price paid for the fur of the animals. “Pelt value has remain decent for coyotes,” Evelsizer says, “mostly because of the trim trade where the coyote pelts are utilized in the hood of coats and jackets and that sort of thing.”

IA DNR photo

He says Iowa pelts can bring between 15 and 25 dollars, depending on their quality. In Iowa you can trap coyotes during the trapping season, or you can hunt them with a gun. Evelsizer says the method used to catch a coyote varies based on personal preference. “Some guys do very well calling in coyotes. Other guys do well working together in groups of hunters and getting them that way. Whereas some trappers do well trapping them, so it just kind of depends,” he says.

Evelsizer says the state population of coyotes has been steady to increasing, with the western and southwestern areas seeing more of the animals than in the eastern part of the state. “For the past couple of years we’ve had record harvests. It varies from year-to-year, but lately it’s been from 12 to 15-thousand coyotes harvested annually,” Evelsizer says.

There are fewer rules in hunting these animals. You can use predator calls, hunt day or night, use high powered rifles, hunt over bait and use groups of hunters and or hounds to round them up. There is no bag limit and coyotes. Evelsizer says the rules are more liberal for hunting coyotes because they are very good at avoiding detection. And they are very resilient in adapting to their habitat.

“Coyotes have the ability to compensate with liter size. Meaning that, in years when their numbers are down, the average litter size is typically higher because there is more food available. It’s sort of their way of rebuilding their numbers,” according to Evelsizer. “In years when coyote numbers are higher, the average liter size may be lower.”

While there are fewer regulations to hunt coyotes — Evelsizer says hunters need to take some precautions. “An adult coyote typically weighs around 35 to 40 pounds — but that can vary a little bit — so they are typically about the size of a dog,” Evelsizer says. “The number one thing for hunters is to be sure of their target so that they don’t mistake it for some sort of hybrid dog, coyote or a wolf for that matter. So, we just encourage hunters be sure of their target.”

He says there has been an increase in the number of reported wolf sightings over the years as they may’ve migrated in from Wisconsin or Minnesota. There have been at least four wolves shot by coyote hunters during the last two years. Wolves are protected in Iowa and there is no open season You can tell the difference between the two, as coyotes have a pointed snout and their ears are larger proportionally to their body. Wolves are taller than coyotes and have long front legs and a heavier, squarer frame. You can find out more about coyote hunting on the D-N-R’s website, http://www.iowadnr.gov/ .

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, Sports |

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 1/12/2017

News, Podcasts

January 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

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

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Posted in News, Podcasts |

Marne Community Club Chili Contest and Men’s Pie Contest, Jan. 15th

News

January 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Sunday, January 15th is the date of the Annual Chili Contest sponsored by the Marne Community Club. At the same time, the Annual Men’s Pie Baking Contest will be held. Judging for both contests will be “people’s choice.”

Anyone interested in entering the Chili Contest should bring a gallon crock pot of chili to the Marne Community Center by 6:00 p.m. on the day of the contest. The same goes for entering the Men’s Pie Contest. There are no fees for entering. Trophies for both chili and pie winners are on display at the Marne Community Center, and the 1st place winners’ names will be added to their respective trophy.

Everyone is welcome to join the fun, either as a participant or a judge! Come to Marne and share a meal. The main course will be, of course, chili. Please bring a potluck salad to share. Pie for dessert! Beverages will be provided.

Posted in News |

Slight decline in new vehicle sales in Iowa last year

News

January 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Iowans bought a lot of new vehicles last year, but sales were down compared to 2015. Bruce Anderson, president of the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association, says there were 138,001 new cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in Iowa in 2016. “Which was a dip of about 4,000 total units, but the sales are at a really high level. It’s the first dip that we’ve experienced since 2009,” Anderson says. The decline in new vehicle sales may be an indicator of an economic slowdown, but Anderson says there are other factors.

“Some of the dip is attributable to supply issues,” Anderson says. “Late in the year, some of the plants close down and getting just exactly the right car or truck ordered and delivered is sometimes difficult.” Anderson’s group keeps track of the top-selling vehicles by manufacturer.

“The number one selling brand in Iowa last year was Chevrolet at 29,605. Ford came in right behind that at 24,638,” Anderson says. The third most popular new vehicle manufacturer in Iowa, behind Chevy and Ford, is Toyota. The Iowa Automobile Dealers Association does not track sales in terms of specific models, but Anderson says Chevy and Ford pickups are clearly the top sellers across the state.

“The Silverado and the F-150 are consistently the top selling units in Iowa. Iowans love their pickup trucks,” Anderson says. Nearly half of the new vehicles being driven in Iowa are trucks, according to Anderson. Nationally, the percentage of trucks on the road is close to 20-percent. The Iowa Automobile Dealers Association includes SUVs as part of truck sales.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News |