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White lights approved for use by contractors in road work zones

News

December 16th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Transportation Commission has approved rules to allow vehicles not owned and operated by the state to use flashing white warning lights in work zones. The D-O-T’s Dave Lorenzen, says state law governs the color of lights used. “The reason is they want to make sure that the public is given kind of a consistent pattern of what this color of light means with this type of vehicle. We all know when there is a blue and a red light flashing on a light bar that it is either a fire, E-M-S, or law enforcement vehicle,” Lorenzen says.

He says the law was changed to allow the D-O-T vehicles to use the flashing white lights and the rule change expands that to non-D-O-T vehicles. He says the white will be used by the D-O-T on the back of special trailers towed in work zones to warn drivers they are getting into a dangerous situation. They won’t be on all the time. “We don’t want to create a lackadaisical view where everything looks the same all the time. We need to be able to draw the motorist’s attention to the fact that these are flashing for a reason — you need to slow down, you are getting in the wrong lane or whatever,” he says.

Lorenzen says the lights will give contractors another tool to use to try and keep them safe. “We’re constantly looking at ways we can make our vehicles more identifiable, people can react in a reasonable manner and distance so we don’t have those incidents,” Lorenzen says. He says it’s unfortunate they have to keep spending money on safety features when drivers could easily do it.”The best solution for us would be is if folks would put their phones down and really pay close attention when they are approaching and driving those work zones — because it is not a normal flow of traffic,” according to Lorenzen. “That traffic queue and speeds can change very quickly, and quite frankly those secondary crashes sometimes are more severe than the intial crash.”

Lorenzen says the contractors will be able to decide how they can use the lights to make their work zones safer.

Posted in News |

A CPA’s tips to Iowans for year-end donations and next year’s tax returns

News

December 16th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – As 2021 draws to a close, some Iowans are dusting off those shoeboxes or file folders with the past year’s worth of receipts, bank statements and financial papers in preparation for the annual tax chore. Des Moines C-P-A Jeff Strawhacker says there are a few changes this year that will impact many thousands of Iowans. “There’s this provision called the Advanced Child Tax Credit and many people were getting advance payments on that. That all has to be reconciled when they file the return to see if they qualified for those advance payments, if they qualified for the full credits, etcetera,” Strawhacker says, “so that will be a little change for them.”

CPA Jeff Strawhacker

Many Iowans got three pandemic-related economic stimulus checks from the federal government over the past two years, though only one of those three checks is a concern on our latest tax returns.  “If they remember, in 2020 we had two rebate checks that came out that had to be reconciled on the tax return to see if maybe you qualified for an additional rebate,” Strawhacker says. “There was a third one in the spring of 2021 and the same process will have to happen on the 2021 returns.”

Some Iowans traditionally make their charitable contributions at year’s end, however, Strawhacker says recent tax law changes have made those donations something people now do more out of the goodness of their hearts — and less as a tax write-off. “A couple of years ago they increased the standard deduction levels to a fairly high amount so that took away a lot of the benefit of charitable donations,” Strawhacker says. “Depending on where they are on that itemized versus standard deductions scheme, the deductions may not benefit them from the federal but still may from the state.”

If making a big year-end deduction to charity isn’t good from a tax standpoint, he suggests you consider putting more toward your retirement plan instead. For many Iowans, those W-2s should be arriving in our mailboxes or via email in a little over a month, so those who are eager for a refund check will be able to get to work. “Returns should be ready to be processed by end of January-early February,” Strawhacker says. “If they have some investment income, those statements might be delayed a little bit to allow the investment companies to do their accounting and send out correct statements, so those may be pushed back to even late February/early part of March.”

He reminds, its vital to always be aware of your tax situation, employer contributions, retirement plans, mortgage rates and new legislation — to make sure you’re doing things efficiently and to your best financial advantage.

Posted in News |

Storms claim life a motorist in eastern Iowa

News

December 16th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Cedar Rapids) – One person died during a storm-related accident Wednesday night in eastern Iowa’s Benton County. According to the State Patrol, a 2020 Freightliner semi was traveling south on Highway 151 at around 8:30-p.m., when it was struck by a strong gust of wind and went out of control. The vehicle rolled onto its side and came to rest in the east ditch. The driver – who was not wearing a seat belt – died at the scene. The victim’s name was being withheld pending notification of family.

The accident remains under investigation.

Posted in News |

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area: Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021

Weather

December 16th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Today: Partly cloudy & windy. High 41. NW @ 15-30 mph.

Tonight: P/Cldy. Low 17. Winds light & variable.

Tomorrow: P/Cldy to cloudy. High 41. W @ 5-10.

Saturday: P/Cldy to cldy. High 32.

Sunday: P/Cldy. High 35.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic of 72 broke the record of 64 set in 2002. Our Low this morning, was 25. We received .16″ of rain yesterday. Last year on this date the High in Atlantic was 23 and the Low was 11. The Record High on this date was 54 in 1962. The Record Low was -22 in 1951.

Posted in Weather |

Smokey air? Yeah…it’s from Kansas

News

December 15th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

If you live in Cass and surrounding counties, you may wonder where the smokey air is coming from. According to the Cass County Communications Center and local fire officials, the smoke is from a wildfire in Kansas. However, if you think the smoke is from a local structure fire and can see flames or more dense smoke, don’t hesitate to call 911.
Local firefighters will be glad to investigate. (Per Brad Penton, Cumberland Fire Chief)

Posted in News |

500 customers reported to be without power from AMU

News

December 15th, 2021 by admin

AMU officials report that about 500 customers are without power following storms that rolled through on Wednesday evening. Officials were working on a plan to fix the outage at about 5:30 p.m.

That outage includes the KJAN studios and others on the north side of town.

Posted in News |

Storm reports (12/15/21

Weather

December 15th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest storm report compiled by the National Weather Service and KJAN, for the severe storms/wind event on Wed., Dec. 15 2021

Time of event/type of event/location/County/source of information

7:45-p.m. Cass County Communications reports Olive Street is closed north of Atlantic from Great River Road to Chicago Road, due to downed power lines. Barricades are in-place.

7:35-p.m. 66 mph thunderstorm wind gust 3 miles south of Creston.

7:15-p.m 59 mph gust 1 mile S/SE of Clarinda

5:56-p.m.  Thunderstorm wind damage 1 mile N/NE of Creston: Tree fell on a house (Time estimated)

5:55-p.m.  70 mph thunderstorm wind gust 3 miles south of Creston. (MesoNet)

5:48-p.m. Accident w/minor injuries, I-80 mm59 wb

5:35-p.m. Thunderstorm wind damage: Outbuilding destroyed at 240th & Timber Ave; Carroll County.

Power lines down north of Atlantic Wed. night (Photo courtesy Ashley Skow)

5:34-p.m.  Power lines down north of Atlantic on Troublesome Creek between Olive Street & Great River RD. (KJAN listener report)

534-p.m. Semi rollover on I-29 miles N/NW of Pacific Junction at mm 35.

5:34-p.m. Thunderstorm wind damage in Neola: Out buildings blown over, houses damaged, power lines down, gas leak.

5:32-p.m. Tstrm wind damage: Outbuilding destroyed near Yale (Guthrie County)

5:31-p.m. 70 mph wind gust in Ralston (Carroll County)

5:30-p.m. rollover accident on I-80 wb between 60-61mm; Atlantic Fire & Rescue/Cass EMS dispatched

517-p.m.  1/2″ diameter hail, tstrm winds up to 65 mph 8 miles W. of Guthrie Center; EMA

515-p.m. estimated 80 mph gust 2 miles S. of Adair; Zero visibility south of Adair.

5:15-p.m. semi rollover near 71968 630th St. in Cass County, near Muller Livestock.

5:15-p.m. 61 mph tstrm wind gust 1 mile S/SE of Clarinda.

5:02-p.m. Tornado on the ground 1 mile NW of Atlantic (storm chase & video confirmed)

5:02-p.m. Weather spotters confirm a tornado crossing I-80 north of Atlantic

5:02-p.m. Semi rolled over 3 miles W. of McClelland on I-80 mm

5:01-p.m. Tornado confirmed 3 miles S/SW of Brayton; Storm spotter reported flipped semi’s and power flashes.

5:00-p.m. Trees blocking one lane of 570th in the area of Whitepole Road.

4:55-p.m.  Rollover accident 590th and Tucson in Cass County.

4:55-p.m. 72 mph tstrm gust at the Harlan Airport.

4:53-p.m. Semi on I-80 WB near Shelby (Twitter photo)

4:53-p.m. Tstrm wind damage 2 miles S. of Woodbine: Trees uprooted or snapped; Roof blown off

4:38-p.m. Tstrm wind damage 1 mile NE of Underwood: Large garage doors on a city building were blown-in.

4:38-p.m. Tstrm wind gust of 80 mph 2 miles SE of Underwood.

4:36-p.m. Tstrm wind gust of 79 mph 5 miles E/NE of Council Bluffs.

4:29-p.m. Tstrm wind damage 4 miles W. of Underwood: roof blown off a home on L-34.

4:27-p.m. Tstrm wind damage 1 mile NW of Treynor: Powerlines down.  P

425-p.m. Tstrm wind damage 3 miles N/NW of McClelland; Major home damage in Weston.

4:24-p.m. Tstrm wind damage 5 miles W of McClelland: Fire Chief reports power lines and power poles down for about 1.4 of a mile, from Homestead to L-34 along Railroad Hwy.

4:22-p.m. Tstrm wind damage 2 miles N. of Malvern: power lines down across Hwy 34.

4:22-p.m. 81 mph gust at Offutt AFB in NE

4:22-p.m. 83 mph gust near Missouri Valley

4:22-p.m. Tstrms wind gust of 83 mph 8 miles W/SW of Sidney at I-29/Hwy 2 (MesoNet station)

4:21-p.m. Nine loaded coal cars rolled off the tracks 1 mile E/NE of Council Bluffs.

Posted in Weather |

IAwrestle Rankings 12/15/2021

Sports

December 15th, 2021 by admin

IAwrestle has released their latest team and individual rankings for the 2021 season. Here is a look at area ranked teams and individuals.

Class 1A Teams

3. Underwood
8. Logan-Magnolia

Class 1A Individuals

113
1 Eli Beccerra, Missouri Valley
6. Brayden Maeder, Southwest Valley
8. Corbin Reisz, Logan-Magnolia
9. Lucas Bone, Underwood

120
4. Jace Rose, Riverside
7. Blake Allen, Underwood
11. Payton Harger, Earlham

126
5. Westin Allen, Underwood
11. Kai Carritt, Logan-Magnolia

132
2. Gable Porter
6. Ellitor Cooney, Nodaway Valley

138
2. Stevie Barnes, Underwood
12. Sean Thompson, Logan-Magnolia

145
1 Hagen Heistand, Underwood

152
1. Wyatt Reisz, Logan-Magnolia
4. Shea Parkis, Kuemper Catholic
8. Nolan Moore, Riverside
12. Blaise Beane, West Central Valley

160
5. Gavin Maguire, Logan-Magnolia
7. Garrison Gettler, AHSTW

182
8. Brecken Freeberg, Tri-Center
11. Sendeska Kalskett, West Monona
12. Gage Clausen, Missouri Valley

195
7. Cooper Nielsen, Audubon

220
4. Cooper Andersen, Panorama
9. Cal Wanninger, Kuemper Catholic

285
4. Devin Whipple, Bedford-Lenox
7. Megaeska Kalskett, West Monona
9. Rex Johnson, Logan-Magnolia
11. Daniel Gregory, Treynor
12. Connor Murray, Missouri Valley

Class 2A Teams

6. Glenwood

Class 2A Indviduals

106
2. Kaden Whipp, Clarinda
5. Aiden Smith, Atlantic/CAM

113
5. Vinny Mayberry, Glenwood
12. Christian Ahrens, Creston

120
4. Matthew Beam, Glenwood
11. Cael Nelson, Carroll

126
7. Luke Freund, Harlan

132
5. Luke Musich, Harlan
6. Ethan Follmann, Atlantic/CAM

138
11. Carter Drake, Carroll

145
6. Kale Downey, Clarinda
10. Jireh Gallegos, Carroll

152
11. Dawson Bond, Red Oak

170
2. Kadin Stutzman, Atlantic/CAM
11. Streling Rodman, Carroll

182
6. Mitch Mayberry, Glenwood
7. Zane Bendorf, Harlan

195
3. CJ Carter, Glenwood
8. Jase Wilmes, Clarinda

220
11. Trent Patton, Glenwood

285
9. Logan Green, Clarinda

Class 3A Indviduals

170
11. Braylon Kammrad, Lewis Central

285
11. Gabe Daniels, CB Abraham Lincoln

Posted in Sports |

Iowa State signs highest-rated class in school history

Sports

December 15th, 2021 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell has placed the Cyclone football program on the national radar with yearly appearances in the national rankings and five-straight bowl berths.

The fruits of his labor have paid off on the recruiting trail, as the Cyclones announced their early signees of the 2022 class today.

This year’s class is the highest-rated in school history, and it’s not even close. Campbell and his staff have completed a December signing period class ranked in the top-30 in all three major recruiting services. The 2022 Cyclone class is rated No. 22 nationally and third-best in the Big 12 by Rivals, and 247Sports rates it as the third-best class in the Big 12 and 24th overall.

Campbell is excited to bring this talented group to Ames.

“We could not be more thrilled to welcome this 2022 class into our football program,” Campbell said. “This group has believed in our program and the vision we have. We are grateful to continue to build with them leading the way. It is a well-balanced, talented class that we believe can make an impact on our program immediately and over the next five years. We have always believed in recruiting high-character young men who have a passion for academics, and a genuine love for the game of football. This group embodies those values and we are thrilled to build our future around them.”

This class features five players who earned four-star status through the various recruiting services. Eight players are ranked in the top-600 by 247Sports, including four-star pickups DT Hunter Deyo (Council Bluffs, Iowa) and WR Greg Gaines III (Tampa, Fla.), who are both top-325 players nationally.

Gaines III led his Tampa Bay Tech team to an undefeated record and a state championship game appearance on Friday. A top-40 wide receiver nationally, Gaines III has 32 touchdown catches in his career.

Deyo, a four-star recruit by Rivals, 247Sports and On3, headlines a group of four Iowans in this class in TE Gabe Burkle (Cedar Rapids), LB Jacob Imming (Sergeant Bluff) and Will McLaughlin (Defiance). Deyo was a Des Moines Register Elite Team All-State member and Imming and McLaughlin were both first-team all-state selections and ranked as the No. 5 and No. 6 players in Iowa, respectively, according to 247Sports.

Campbell has always placed a priority on recruiting players out of winning programs, and this year’s class features 10 players who have won or are currently competing for a state championship. McLaughlin (Harlan) and Deyo (Lewis Central) led their programs to state titles in Iowa, while Andrew Keller (Waunakee, Wis.) played a huge role in leading Waunakee H.S. to an undefeated (14-0) championship season.

Quaron Adams (Chandler H.S., Chandler, Ariz.) won state titles in 2019 and 2020. Trevon Howard won the 2020 national championship for IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and James Neal won a state title in 2020 (Grayson H.S., Loganville, Ga.) and Tommy Hamann (Wayzata H.S., Minneapolis, Minn.) was a 2019 state champion. The two four-year college transfers in this class, MJ Anderson (Christian Brothers H.S., St. Louis, Mo.) and Colby Reeder (Salesianum H.S., Hockessin, Del.), were also state champions as preps.

Posted in Sports |

Kolar, Purdy repeat as CoSIDA Academic All-Americans

Sports

December 15th, 2021 by admin

AMES, Iowa – The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced its 2021 Academic All-America Football Team today, recognizing the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performance on the field and in the classroom.

For the second season in a row a pair of Cyclones were named to the distinguished team in seniors Charlie Kolar (TE) and Brock Purdy (QB). Kolar was named to the first team and Purdy was a second-teamer.

Kolar, who is ISU’s first three-time first team CoSIDA Academic All-American in school history, also received the top honor by being named CoSIDA Academic All-America Division I Football Team Member of the Year.  For Division I football, Kolar is the 16th FBS player in the history of the award to earn three first team honors.

Kolar is the third Cyclone athlete to be the top scholar-athlete in a sport from CoSIDA (Lisa Koll, WTF&CC in 2008-09; Christina Hillman, WTF&CC in 2015-16).

It’s been an award-winning season for Kolar. The only All-American and Academic All-American in school history was recently named the winner of the William V. Campbell Trophy, given annually to the nation’s best scholar-athlete football player.

Kolar, who earned All-Big 12 First Team honors for the third-straight season, owns all of ISU’s tight end school records in his fabulous career, including career receiving yards (2,148), career receptions (164) and career touchdowns (22). He is the only three-time All-American in Cyclone football history.

Kolar, who has caught a pass in 35-straight games, the second-longest streak in school history and the nation’s fifth-best active streak, finished off his career with another fantastic season.

The Norman, Okla., native is second on the team in receptions (58) and receiving yards (723), both single-season school marks by a tight end. His 5.2 catches per game ranks fourth nationally among FBS tight ends.

Kolar graduated in the fall of 2020 with a 3.99 cumulative GPA in mechanical engineering. In March of 2021, Kolar received the prestigious Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award, honoring outstanding seniors who display high character, outstanding achievement in academics and university/community activities.

A two-time CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-American and four-time All-Big 12 quarterback, Purdy is the greatest signal-caller in school history, owning or sharing 32 school records.

Purdy ranks in the Big 12 career Top 10 in completions (7th, 970), passing yards (8th, 11,966) and total offense (8th, 13,129), all school records. He finished off his career with a 16-1 record as a starter vs. Big 12 teams at Jack Trice Stadium.

A native of Gilbert, Ariz., Purdy led the Big 12 in passing yardage (248.7), total offense (267.3) and completion percentage (73.1), the fourth-best clip in the NCAA. His four games completing 80 percent or more of his passes (min. 15) attempts ties for first in the nation.

A communications studies major, Purdy holds a cumulative 3.66 GPA and is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection.

Posted in Sports |