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Temperatures to climb after the weekend

News, Weather

July 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Enjoy the weekend weather as the forecast calls for a return to unseasonably hot conditions to start the new week. National Weather Service Meteorologist Andrew Ansorge says temperatures will return to less comfortable levels. “We’re looking at you again temperatures being into the 90s there were parts of the state starting really Monday Tuesday into Wednesday,” he says.

The humidity will make it seem worse. “Humidity will combine to create heat indices that will probably be above 100 at times in portions of the state. That probably won’t be until sometime Monday afternoon will be the first time that maybe occurs and that could then continue on Tuesday as well as into Wednesday,” Ansorge says. That’s going to be around ten degrees above average. “Anywhere from the low to middle 80s is kind of a typical late July temperature,” he says.

Ansorge says there is the possibility of some storms being generated by the warmer conditions.

Wet spring could impact pheasant numbers

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The wet spring could lead to a drop in the number of pheasants in Iowa. Iowa D-N-R wildlife research biologist Todd Bogenschutz says the switch in the weather pattern can really impact pheasant. “We went from major drought to major flooding in a pretty short time frame, and unfortunately it coincided with peak in nesting,” he says. Bogenschutz says several factors make wet springs tough on nesting pheasants. “We’re just not sure if the hens aren’t quite as attentive, maybe less of the eggs are fertile if they get chilled. You know and then we think in wet years you know, obviously predators,most to predation occurs by smell and when you have wetter conditions, scenting conditions are better, and so that could be part of it,” he says.

Bogenschutz says the wet spring can also cut back the food source for young birds. “Wetter cooler springs could impact the number of insects that are out there too, probably maybe suppresses it a little bit. So maybe the chicks don’t have as much forage base as they do and we tend to have our good years which tend to be warm and dry,” Bogenschutz says. He says hunters had their best harvest last year since 2007. The relatively mild winter helped more pheasants survive, so it’s hard to tell what their fall pheasant survey will show. “It was a really good fall last year. So I think people were thinking, holy cow, we could be phenomenal if everything lined up,” he says. “but you know that didn’t quite come to fruition. The roadside counts will be interesting, I expect we will maybe show some small increases in some areas, but I think especially up in northwest and north central where we got that heavy rain, that our counts are probably going to be lower.”

Bogenschutz says lower counts doesn’t mean hunters won’t find pheasants. “We’re still gonna have birds out there. You know, we had reports of broods early and actually fairly large, a little bit earlier than I normally get them. We definitely did have some early hatch because of I think the mild winter and how quickly it went away this year,” he says.

The annual roadside pheasant surveys are held in August and the results on pheasant numbers will be released in September.

Iowa firefighters deploy to western states to lend a hand, and a shovel

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) About a dozen Iowa firefighters are helping battle wildfires in other states — across the Rocky Mountains, on the West Coast, and in the Pacific Northwest. Ryan Harr, supervisor of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Fire Program, says they’ve dispatched Iowans to help extinguish dangerous flareups in California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming — and one crew just returned from fighting wildfires in South Dakota. “A number of folks are on hand crews where they’re just working on the fire line, preparing new lines, helping burnout, those sorts of things,” Harr says. “We have several people who are attached to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fire engines, so they’re actively out doing the initial attack, catching those smoke reports when they come in, and out chasing the fires.”

Iowa is also dispatching E-M-Ts and logistical planners to points west. Most of their assignments are for two weeks and Harr says it can be both grueling and rewarding. “They will spend a lot of time just out on the line working 10-, 12-, 14-hour days. Other folks, like some of our EMTs, are supporting firefighters on the line. Other folks are just on patrol and those sorts of things,” Harr says. “So they’re long, hot days. They do train for it. There is a rigorous national standard of physical fitness that folks have to meet to be deployed on a national assignment.” While Iowa has gotten a reprieve from several years of drought with heavy rain in recent months, Harr says the western U-S has seen just the opposite.

A mixed Iowa DNR and US Fish & Wildlife Service crew works a hand line in Wyoming last week. (Photo from Iowa DNR)

After a year or two of generally wet conditions, he says much of the region is drying out rapidly this summer. “The national need for firefighters across the nation varies from year to year,” Harr says. “The last two seasons haven’t been too busy in the western, southwestern and southern United States. Previous to that, it was quite busy, so we do send firefighters every year, but the number ebbs and flows over time.” Harr says the D-N-R will continue to support its federal partners by providing firefighters and support staff throughout the summer and early fall. “The folks we’re deploying are gaining valuable skills, training in different states, in different areas, with different government agencies, and they bring those skills back home to Iowa, back to the Iowa DNR, back to their local counties, their local volunteer fire departments,” Harr says. “From prescribed burning to volunteer departments doing wildfire suppression and brush fires, we know they’re important skills for folks to go out and bring back to Iowa.”

Every year, Harr says the D-N-R certifies about ten of its own staff and another 35 Iowans from partner agencies, volunteer fire departments, and other organizations to be available for national fire incident assignments.

Pellett crowned 2024 Cass County Fair Queen

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Royalty was crowned Thursday evening during the 75th Cass County Fair, in Atlantic, wrapping-up day one of the Fair. Atlantic High School graduate Claire Pellett was crowned Queen of the 2024 Fair. She one was of eight young ladies vying for the title. Claire is a member of the Pymosa 4H club and the daughter of Brad and Kristy Pellett. She also won the title of Miss Congeniality. As Fair Queen, Pellett will represent Cass County at the Iowa State Fair in August.

Jack Brahms was crowned 2024 Cass County Fair King. Jack is a member of the Union Leaders 4H Club, and a CAM High School graduate. He is the son of Steve and Diane Brahms, and one of five candidates for the title.

Other royalty announced during the Fair, include:

  • Jace Thomsen – Cass County Fair Prince. Jace is the son of Jeff and Rana Thomsen
  • Makayla Atkinson – Cass County Fair Princess.
  • The title of Little Miss went to Molly Schuler, daughter of Josh and Cecilia Schuler.
  • Oliver Zellmer was named Little Mister.
  • Jace Thomson won the title of Mr. Congeniality.

Following the King & Queen Contest, Thursday, was Senior Recognition and a Youth Dance. The Cass County Fair continues through Tuesday, July 30th.

Check-out the complete schedule HERE.

Red Oak restaurant among a dozen establishments cited for food safety violations in recent weeks

News

July 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – A restaurant in Montgomery County is among a dozen establishments in Iowa that were cited for food safety violations in recent weeks. That’s according to a report from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (IDALS). The Iowa Capital Dispatch says the state inspections department reminds the public that their reports are a “snapshot” in time, and violations are often corrected on the spot before the inspector leaves the establishment. You can read a complete report about some of the most serious violations and the establishments that were cited by IDALS, HERE.

In southwest Iowa, IDALS reported that at the Bucksnort (322 E. Coolbaugh St., in Red Oak), during a July 12th visit by inspectors, imitation crab meat was found. The meat was “visibly spoiled with a sour smell” inside one of the coolers. The inspector also reported watching the staff handle ready-to-eat foods with their bare hands, and reported finding multiple unspecified foods that had no date markings to ensure freshness and safety.

In the past month, state and county food inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants and grocery stores for hundreds of food-safety violations. (Photo by Clark Kauffman/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

In addition, the staff was thawing food in the basin of the handwashing sink. The inspector also reported, without elaboration, “missing” flooring and “a large hole outside of kitchen entrance.”

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Friday, July 26, 2024

Weather

July 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow: Sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tom. Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. S/SE winds 10-20 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 91.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy w/a 40% chance of showers & thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Low around 70.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 94.

Thursday’s High in Atlantic was 89. Our Low this morning was 69. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 95 & the Low was 67. The All-time Record High here, on July 26th, was 109 in 1936. The Record Low was 43, in 1962. Sunrise: 6:09. Sunset: 8:44.

Property damage accident in Creston Thursday evening

News

July 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – A collision in Creston Thursday evening caused a police estimated, $5,500 damage, but there were no injuries. Authorities say a 2020 Chevy Equinox driven by 19-year-old Lucas Rushing, of Creston, was traveling east on Townline Street at around 6:20-p.m., and attempting to turn right onto N. Vine Street, when the SUV failed to stay in its own lane.

The vehicle struck the driver’s side of a 2003 Chevy pickup, that was stopped at a posted stop-sign at the intersection, facing north on Vine Street. The pickup was being driven by 50-year-old Adan Vega, of Creston.

Vega told police he thought the SUV was traveling faster than it should have been, before it rounded the corner and hit his pickup. No citations were issued, but the police report stated Rushing made an improper turn and failed to keep in the proper lane.

Both vehicles were driven away from the scene, following the investigation.

Phil Steele tabs Ohio State and Oregon as favorites in Big

Sports

July 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Of the four Big Ten newcomers one college football preview magazine believes Oregon will make a serious run at the title. Phil Steele’s College Football Preview says the Ducks are loaded even with the loss of star quarterback Bo Nix.*

And Steele says they are the biggest threat to an Ohio State team that may be ranked one or two in the preseason AP Poll.

Big Ten Media Days wrapped up Thursday in Indianapolis

Shenandoah couple arrested Thursday on felony Neglect/abandonment of a dependent person charges

News

July 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope, Thursday night, said two people were taken into custody on felony charges of Neglect or Abandonment of a Dependent Person, and Aggravated Misdemeanor charges of Child Endangerment. 26-year-old Dustin Carl Lee Perry, and 26-year-old Lindsey Barbara Marie Hamilton, both of Shenandoah, were being held without bond in the Fremont County Jail, pending an initial appearance before a Magistrate Judge. Additional charges are pending.

Their arrests followed an investigation into a report the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office received at around 8:55-a.m. Thursday, about a small child who was standing alone, near the roadway in the 1700 block of Washington Street, in Hamburg. Deputies discovered a 4-year-old child, with reported developmental disabilities, covered in filth and a mixture of both human and animal feces outside the residence. Deputies located another child inside the home. Both children were taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

Dustin Perry

Lindsey Hamilton

Deputies allege that the boy’s parents, Dustin Perry and Lindsey Hamilton, left the children in the care of relatives with the direction to keep the 4-year-old in a makeshift cage. Deputies located the cage in the home constructed out of a pack and play, a baby gate roof, and zip ties. Deputies allege that the child was able to escape from the device and left the home without waking the occupants. Deputies discovered a second homemade cage where it is alleged that the child was kept in a walk-in closet in a home in Shenandoah, Iowa.
Hamburg Rescue, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and the Shenandoah Police Department assisted with the investigation.
Disclaimer: A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

State High School Softball Scores from Thursday

Sports

July 25th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Class 5-A Championship:

Pleasant Valley 14, WDM Valley 11

Class 5-A Consolation:

Urbandale 6, Ankeny 5

Class 4-A Championship:

Carlisle 7, ADM 6

Class 4-A Consolation:

North Scott 6, North Polk 2