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Random power outages in Cumberland & Massena blamed on a substation

News

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – A spokesperson for Alliant Energy, today (Thursday), said residents in Cumberland and Massena who have experience numerous, seemingly random outages of power for two or more hours, since Sunday, shouldn’t have to worry about that much longer.

Alliant Senior Communications Director Melissa McCarville tells KJAN News, “There was an equipment issue at the substation in the area. Our crews isolated the situation and are resolving it. We do not expect any further issues.”

McCarville added, “As always, we encourage our customers to contact us and report if they experience an outage. Alliant Energy Help Center can be reached by calling 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) or online at alliantenergy.com/outage.”

Iowa’s drought conditions continue to recede

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The latest report out today shows the amount of drought in Iowa continues to shrink.

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly 53% of the state is now drought free. That compares to September when the entire state was in some sort of drought, and the start of this year when only about three percent of the state had no drought conditions.

The driest conditions remain in a line from Mitchell County at the northern border down through 23 other counties in northeast and central Iowa. Those counties all have some level of severe drought.

With bird flu hitting cattle, Grassley calls for agencies to better communicate

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The recent crossover outbreaks of avian influenza in cattle in several states have Iowa beef and dairy producers on alert and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley is calling for better communication from multiple federal agencies on the topic.

Grassley says with bird flu outbreaks in cattle in Kansas, New Mexico and Texas, he wants to ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture. is working hand-in-hand with the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in sharing information with each other and with the public.

“It’s fair to assume we could have the same bureaucratic problems that we have throughout government on any issue, not just avian flu,” Grassley says, “and that is, each department operates like a silo. There’s not the proper cooperation on any issue.”

Back in 2015, a widespread outbreak of avian flu forced the slaughter of more that 43-million birds in 15 states, including nearly 30-million just in Iowa, the nation’s top egg producer. Egg prices bounded some 120-percent over the course of just a few weeks.

“In 2015, when the avian flu first hit birds in Iowa, there weren’t any protocols in place,” Grassley says. “And now when we have break out in poultry, we don’t worry too much about it. We know that the Iowa Department of Agriculture knows what steps to date.”

Grassley and several colleagues from both parties have sent a letter to the three agencies, urging them “to strengthen and coordinate public information-sharing” to ensure producers — and the public — are being fully informed about outbreaks.

“Now, I’m not saying that that isn’t happening in the case of avian flu and the three agencies that we wrote to,” Grassley says, “but we want to make sure that we’re on top of it, so we don’t be in the same place with dairy cattle that we were with poultry in 2015.”

In their letter, lawmakers said previous outbreaks have benefited from a “consortium strategy” where the USDA brought together experts in epidemiology and animal health research to lessen the potential economic and societal cost of the spread.

Hearing impaired pedestrian struck and killed Thu. morning in Burlington (IA)

News

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Burlington, Iowa) – A man who authorities say was hearing impaired, was struck and killed by a garbage truck this (Thursday) morning, in eastern Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2016 International garbage truck driven by 65-year-old Dale Deitrick, of Mediapolis, was backing southbound on Isabell Avenue, in Burlington.

49-year-old Brian Whittaker, of Burlington, was crossing the street, when he was hit by the truck. The accident happened at around 10:08-a.m.

Whittaker was transported by Burlington Fire/Rescue to a hospital in Burlington, where he died from his injuries.

The accident remains under investigation.

JoANN MARIE HASKINS, 78, of Newell (& formerly of Audubon) – Svcs. 5/20/24

Obituaries

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JoANN MARIE HASKINS, 78, of Newell (& formerly of Audubon), died Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Methodist Manor in Storm Lake. Funeral service for JoANN HASKINS will be held 10:30-a.m. Monday, May 20th, at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon. Schmidt-Kessler Funeral Home of Audubon has the arrangements.

Public visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Audubon.

Following the funeral, interment will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. A luncheon will be held following the committal in the reception hall of the First United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be directed to the JoAnn Haskins Family to be designated at a later date to many of her favorite local organizations and charities and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.

JoANN HASKINS is survived by:

Her daughter – Shelly (Mike) Jensen.

Her sisters – Jan (LaVern) Jensen; Dee Knight; Bev (Terri) Richter; James (Joy) Anderson, and Nancy (Dwight) Huffman.

2 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter, in-laws and other relatives.

1 injured in a crash Thursday afternoon in Creston

News

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – A crash this (Thursday) afternoon in Creston resulted in one person being transported to the hospital. Creston Police report a 1999 Cadillac Deville was driven to the park by a male passenger. The male driver and female passenger then changed positions in the vehicle, so the female – who had just received her permit – could practice driving.

The woman – identified as 73-year-old Clarina P. Lee, of Creston – told police the male told her to “go.”  He then told her to press the brake, but she got flustered and was said to have stepped on the accelerator pedal instead. The vehicle went out of control and crashed, causing about $4,000 damage to the car. The accident happened at around 12:30-p.m.

Lee was transported to the hospital by law enforcement, after she complained of pain and unknown/possible injuries. No citations were issued.

JASON EDWARD GARDNER, 45, of Oakland (Celebration of Life 5/20/24)

Obituaries

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JASON EDWARD GARDNER, 45, of Oakland, died May 12, 2024, at home in Oakland. A Celebration of Life visitation for JASON GARDNER will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024, from 4-until 7-p.m., at the Oakland Community Building. Rieken-Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family.

A time of sharing will be held at 6-p.m. Monday, at the Oakland Community Bldg.

A private family interment will be held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the family.

JASON GARDNER is survived by:

His wife – Sonya Gardner, of Oakland.

His son – Slade, of Oakland.

His mother – Bonnie Bringleson, of Oakland.

His sisters – Mary (Chad) Bornhoft, of Omaha, NE; and Rachel (Randy) Comstock, of Oakland.

His brother – Bubba Bringleson, of Oakland.

His grandma: Mary Gardner, and grandpa: Bob Bringleson

In law’s other relatives and friends.

Iowa DOT employee struck and killed in a Pott. County crash

News

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – A man working for the Iowa Department of Transportation was struck and killed in a Pottawattamie County construction zone this (Thursday) morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports 36-year-old Matthew Dickerson, of Neola, died in the crash that happened northeast of Council Bluffs at around 9:15-a.m. on Interstate 80 eastbound.

The Patrol says a 2024 International tractor-trailer registered to UPS and driven by 41-year-old Clifford Miller, of Millerstown, PA, was traveling on I-80 eastbound in a line of traffic, as two lanes merged into one. Two DOT maintenance crash attenuator (with illuminated arrow sign) vehicles notified traffic of the left lane closure.

Matthew Dickerson was at the rear of one of the DOT vehicles conducting patch work in the left closed lane, when the semi changed lanes between the DOT crash attenuator and a DOT 2021 Dodge RAM 3500 pickup, in order to pass other traffic. The semi struck Dickerson and the pickup truck. The driver of the pickup, 45-year-old Jordan Hargens, of Council Bluffs, was injured in the accident. He was transported by private vehicle to a hospital.

Jim Mayer, Senior Director of UPS Media Relations, told KETV in a statement, “”We’re aware of an accident on I-80 this morning involving one of our vehicles. We are saddened to learn of the death of a highway worker and our thoughts are with his family. We are cooperating with authorities as they investigate and are referring any additional questions to them.”

2024 State Track and Field Meet – Day 1 – Class 1A and 4A Session 05/16/2024

Sports

May 16th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

*Place is listed at beginning for events that have completed, Place winners and qualifiers in bold. Listed times for other events are qualifying times.

Boys 1A Shuttle Hurdle Relay Prelims

1st- Lenox (Donald Bashor, Jordan Martin-England, Dawson Evans, Gabe Funk) 59.79 Qualified

9th- Griswold (Peyton Cook, Wyatt Silk, Bode Wyman, Nollan Smith) 1:03.77

13th- Audubon (Aaron Olsen, Brody Schultes, Gabe Jensen, Mason Steckler) 1:04.29

Girls 1A 3000M

1st- Lili Denton, St. Albert, 10:18.00

8th- Adyson Lapel, Woodbine, 11:02.87

12th- Allysen Johnsen, Logan-Magnolia, 11:27.43

14th- Kylie Rochholz, Panorama, 11:28.

Boys 1A Long Jump

14th- Trevor Lane, Earlham, 19-10.75

16th- Tri-Center, Carter Kunze, 19-07.00

17th- Wyatt Ragaller, Ar-We-Va, 19-06.75

24th- Aaron Smith, Riverside, 17-07.25

Boys 1A Shot Put

5th- Trenton Warner, Nodaway Valley, 50-10.25

19th- Cooper Marvel, Fremont-Mills, 44-11.75

Boys 1A 3200M 

1st- Landon Bendgen, Woodbine, 9:15.47

3rd- Gunner Wagner, Woodbine, 9.36.76

7th- Andrew Mahaffey, ACGC, 9:49.95

13th- Noah Goldberg, Panorama, 10:04.85

Girls 1A 200M Prelims

1st- Jaidyn Sellers, Panorama, 26.68 Qualified

12th- Emma Cooper, Southwest Valley, 26.53

18th- Katy Pryor, Woodbine, 26.78

20th- Emma Lundy, Nodaway Valley, 26.92

21st- Morgan Hast, Boyer Valley, 27.06

Boys 1A 200M Prelims

3rd– Cash Emgarten, Exira-EHK, 22.02 Qualified 

19th- Eli Madsen, ACGC, 22.93

Girls 1A 4×800

4th- Riverside (Carly Henderson, Bently Rone, Sophia Fenner, Elly Henderson) 9:49.80

8th- Boyer Valley (Hailey Cue, Clara Gorham, Jessica O’Day, Lauren Malone) 10:04.61

19th- Panorama (Mary Fett, Laicey Lutz, Maddy Lutz, Kylie Rochholz) 10:29.57

20th- Woodbine (Reagan Cogdill, Charlotte Placek, Adyson Lapel, Izabelle Seda) 10:30.84

Girls 1A Shot Put 

5th- Amanda Newton, Woodbine, 36-09.25

8th- Sophia Fenner, Riverside, 36-03.

11th- Macy Mitchell, Fremont-Mills, 34-06. 25

18th- Sophia Taylor, Riverside, 34-01.75

24th- Jenna Mitchell, Boyer Valley, 30-01.50

Boys 1A 4×800

4th- Riverside (Dawson Henderson, Brody Henderson, Grady Jeppesen, Mason McCready) 8:08.52

8th- Woodbine (Brody Pryor, Adam Barry, Gunner Wagner, Landon Blum) 8:20.56

12th- ACGC (Gavin Sloss, Jarrett McClain, Easton Stringham, Andrew Mahaffey) 8:26.47

Girls 1A 100M Prelims

1st- Jaidyn Sellers, Panorama, 12.05 Qualified

8th– Maddie Weston, Nodaway Valley, 12.72 Qualified 

12th- Morgan Hast, Boyer Valley, 12.79

Girls 1A Long Jump

2nd- Emma Cooper, Southwest Valley, 16-06.50

4th- Lauren Johnson, Stanton, 16-04. 25

9th- Josie Payne, Tri-Center, 16-01.00

Boys 1A 100M Prelims

4th- Cash Emgarten, Exira-EHK, 10.89 Qualified 

6th- William Anderson, Logan Magnolia, 10.93 Qualified 

7th- Donald Bashor, Lenox, 11.05 Qualified 

17th- Aaron Olsen, Audubon, 11.33

Girls 1A 400M

1st- Jaidyn Sellers, Panorama, 55.44

8th- Tess Casey, Tri-Center, 59.41

9th- Katy Pryor, Woodbine, 59.45

12th- Sadie Cox, Lenox, 1:01.47

Boys 1A 400M 

15th- Braylon Dawes, Panorama, 51.29

18th- Brody Pryor, Woodbine, 52.04

Girls 1A Shuttle Hurdle Relays Prelims

2nd- Fremont Mills (Bella Gute, Izzy Weldon, Lana Alley, Emily Madison) 1:07.56 Qualified

4th- Stanton (Kyla Hart, Lauren Johnson, Elly McDonald, Hannah Olson) 1:07.78 Qualified

6th- Tri-Center (Layla Meador, Cassidy Cunningham, Avilyn Killpack, Quincey Schneckloth) 1:09.67 Qualified 

10th- Griswold (Reese Laverty, Brystol Wyman, Addison Adams, Carsyn Adams) 1:11.27

15th- Logan-Magnolia (Kaiya Knauss, Addyson Monico, Ava Sloan, Abby Czarnecki) 1:12.61

18th- CAM (Ada Hansen, Brookelyn Steffen, Bailey Lillard, Ruthie Rich) 1:13.13

Fairfield’s Zillman wins boy’s 3A high jump

Sports

May 16th, 2024 by admin

Eli Zillman of Fairfield cleared six-nine to win the boy’s class 3A high jump.

After clinching the win Zillman came up short in a bid to clear a meet record seven-feet.