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REAP city parks and open spaces Grants Approved

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 15th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Natural Resource Commission of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has approved Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grants to 24 cities for use in parks and open spaces during its October meeting. The projects were awarded nearly $2.4 million. The REAP City Parks and Open Space competitive grants help cities establish natural areas, encouraging outdoor recreation and resource management. Cities were separated into three categories: population under 2,000, population 2,000 – 25,000 and population over 25,000.

For cities with a population of under 2000:

The City of Avoca received $71,078 for the Old Nishnabotna Riverbed Wetland Preservation and Trail Project, which involves construction of a 1,900 Linear Foot trail, wetland and wildlife habitat conservation and installation of interpretive aids for public education. The project has a positive relationship to and compliments, the Nishnabotna River Trail. It also satisfies local and statewide goals for outdoor recreation by providing a wellness opportunity (trail), restoring and protecting a wetland area and habitat that is threatened and providing public educational opportunities.

And, the City of Manning received $45,811 for the Manning Hospital/Parks Connector Trail Bridge. Officials say this is the final phase in the City’s portion of the Hospital-Parks Connector Trail. Previous phases paved trail from the hospital to the West Nishnabotna River on the west and from the downtown and City Park to the river on the east. The project will build the bridge and the bridge approaches between the two dead-end trails. It will literally bridge the gap between the heart of the community, the hospital and the county park.

In the cities larger than 25,000 category:

Council BluffsFairmount Park Woodland Restoration Phase Two, received $200,000. The project includes land restoration, trail development, neighborhood connection and directional signage. Invasive plant species will be removed, chipped for trail surfacing and placed on the trails. The trails developed will be 5400 feet in length. Signs will be installed to direct park users to the trails and destination points in the park.

Big 12 Men’s Basketball preseason poll released

Sports

October 15th, 2015 by admin

The Big 12 Conference released their preseason coaches poll on Thursday, ahead of next week media days in Kansas City.  Kansas was a unanimous selection to win their 14th consecutive regular season title.  Iowa State has won the last two postseason tournament titles and the Cyclones received the other first place vote and came in third overall in the poll just 2 points behind Oklahoma.

2015-16 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll

Team (First-place votes)     Points
1. Kansas (9)* 81
2. Oklahoma 70
3. Iowa State (1) 68
4. Texas 51
5. Baylor 49
6. West Virginia 47
7. Oklahoma State 33
8. Kansas State 18
TCU 18
10. Texas Tech 15


Nine points were awarded for first place, eight for second, etc.

Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team.

Drug and other arrests in Harlan

News

October 15th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Harlan Police Department has issued a report on recent arrests. Officials say on Wednesday, 19-year old Gage Johnston, of Harlan, was taken into custody when officers were dispatched to the Casey’s parking lot for subjects using drugs. Johnston was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Oct. 6th, 24-year old Michael Tremayne, of Harlan, was arrested when officers were called to the 700 block of 9th Street for a family disturbance. Tremayne was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with trespass, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of contraband inside a secured facility.

The following day (Oct. 7th), three subjects were charged in the theft of a cell phone and protective case from the Abundant Life Fellowship. 19-year old Cassie Swensen and 18-year old Joshua Hytrek, both of Harlan, were arrested and taken to the Shelby County Jail where they were both charged with aiding and abetting to theft in the 3rd degree. 16-year old Becca Dirks was referred to juvenile court for the same charge.

On Oct. 10th, 22-year old Samuel Schwery, of Harlan, was taken into custody following a traffic stop. Schwery was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. He was also cited for failure to obey stop or yield sign.

On Oct. 12th, 38-year old Clinton Gardner, of Oakland, was arrested following a traffic stop. Gardner was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with driving under suspension. And, on Oct. 13th, 41-year old Darline Bothwell, of Portsmouth, was arrested following a traffic stop. Bothwell was cited for driving under suspension, given a court date and released.

Business development discussion held in Atlantic

News

October 15th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce officials met recently with Cass Atlantic Economic Development Corporation and the City of Atlantic, to discuss next steps for overall business development in Atlantic. Mayor Dave Jones said at the meeting, “We have had several stores close on Main Street over the past six months and the community and businesses are concerned. We need a retail recruitment committee in place, to fill the needs.”

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says it is working to coordinate efforts to create an economic restructuring/business development committee. The group’s focus will be assessments of the current community and downtown district. It’s hoped this will help Atlantic know and better understand the community and downtown district’s needs. The group will also focus on business retention, expansion, property development within the business district and recruitment.

Dawn Marnin, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce President, said “We are a business based organization and we want to work together to be a resource to our current businesses. Also, we need to have the right tools and implementation steps for existing and potential new businesses to be successful. “We are all sitting at the table for the same reason, to grow Atlantic.”

Officials say Atlantic continues to move forward and grow. Within the last 18 months five new businesses – just within the Chamber Membership – have been established in Atlantic. They include: The Bike Farm, Eastside Salon, Megan Roberts – State Farm, Robinson Landscaping & Patio Design LLC, and TS Bank.  Several other businesses have made Atlantic home as well, including: Atlantic Lock Smith, Simply Skin Care, 712 Lounge, A-Town Smoke Shake and mostly recently, Picker’s Parlor.

Officials say the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Cass Atlantic Economic Development Corporation (CADCO) and City of Atlantic, will continue to work together to grow Atlantic and have agreed that their next action will be to meet with Jim Thompson, Business Consultant, Iowa Economic Development Authority, to discuss the best next steps.  The goal of a Market Analysis Study is to create implementation steps to improve the current economic and business climate through redevelopment and revitalization.

Atlantic School looks to business partners for Construction Tech course

News

October 15th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic School District is looking to team-up with local businesses involved in the trade industry, to offer a Construction Technology class for the 2016-17 School Year. Derek Bair, Industrial Technology Instructor with the Atlantic High School, made a special presentation about the program during Wednesday evening’s meeting of the Atlantic School Board. Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein said the program is in the formulative stages right now. Amstein says they’re working with local experts to establish an advisory committee to guide the program.

Amstein said the Construction Tech program will be different than an trades program that was offered a few years ago. The previous course offered concurrent college credits students who had a hands-on work experience building homes in Atlantic. The Construction Tech class would be for High School credit, only. There will also be a math component so students can earn math credit, as well. Amstein says the Construction Tech program will involve much more than focusing on the carpentry aspect of construction. He says they will also look at having hands-on experience with electrical, plumbing, HVAC and Masonry work, to provide a wider variety of experience.

In other business, Dr. Amstein said the Board discussed the District’s Athletic facilities, after receiving a brief overview on the condition of those facilities from Matt Alexander, Assistant High School Principal and Activities Director. He said “There’s not been very much work done on any of them in a long time, and he [Alexander] wanted to bring to the board’s attention that we really need to address that. Hopefully, we’ll put together an RFP [Request for Proposal] for the board to consider, to have somebody do a study on our athletic facilities.” He said one of the areas that need attention is the Trojan Bowl.

And, Amstein told the Board, Wednesday the Districts Certified Annual Enrollment is down this year by about 52 students this year. He says the decline was not unexpected. That’s because this year’s Senior Class is small, only 90, as compared to 127 last Fall. He said also, there were 14 Fourth grade students who either left the district after the numbers were compiled last year, or who left over the summer, which was kind of unusual. Amstein said “If our numbers hold pretty steady in kindergarten for the upcoming year, or at least pretty close to what they’ve done, we’ll make up the lion’s share of those kids, coming into next year.”

Rollover accident Wed. afternoon in Page County blamed on blown tire

News

October 15th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A tire blowout was the apparent cause of a single-vehicle rollover accident Wednesday afternoon in Page County, that resulted in one person being injured. The Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened at around 1:15-p.m. on Highway 2, just west of the intersection with A Avenue.

An investigation revealed 66-year old Steven Max Petty, of Clarinda, was driving a 1993 Ford straight truck owned by Brad Thomas of Coin, westbound on Highway 2. Witness said that the truck appeared to blow a front driver’s side tire which caused it to lose control. The vehicle then swerved to the left, then right, then left again. The action caused the truck to reverse ends and roll at least one time before coming to rest on its wheels in the south ditch facing east.

Petty was extricated from the vehicle by Shenandoah Fire Department personnel and the Shenandoah Ambulance service. He was then transported to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. The straight truck was hauling grain, which spilled over the highway and into a ditch. The grain was later removed from the traveled portion of the road. The highway was closed for about three-hours and traffic re-routed while the accident scene was being investigated and cleaned-up.

The straight truck is considered a total loss. Damage estimates are near $20,000.00 for the truck and grain. Assisting the Page County Sheriff’s Office at the scene were the Shenandoah Police Department, Shenandoah Fire Department, and the Shenandoah Ambulance service. No charges were issued in connection with the investigation.

Backyard and Beyond 10-15-2015

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

October 15th, 2015 by admin

Lavon Eblen talks about Wire Worms and other fall critters trying to make their way indoors and what to do with plants as the cool weather arrives.

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Cass County phone scams target diabetic supplies

News

October 15th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a reminder to the public about the variety of phone scams that continue to make the rounds. Officials says they recently received a report of callers who insisted they were selling diabetic supplies but who hung up once the citizen started asking questions.PhoneScam1

The Sheriff’s Office says the callers contacted the same citizen several times within the period of a day, sometimes from different phone numbers. Authorities say if you receive a call from uncooperative individuals, hang up. Remember: never, ever give any of your personal information to a caller in a call which you did not initiate. Be Safe!

KELLY FISCUS, 64, of Kirkman (Svcs. 10-19-2015)

Obituaries

October 15th, 2015 by admin

KELLY LANE FISCUS, 64, of Kirkman died Thursday, October 15th at his home in Kirkman.  Funeral services for KELLY FISCUS will be held 10:30-a.m. Monday, October 19th, at Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.

Visitation will be held Sunday, October 18th from 1:00pm-8:00pm with family greeting friends from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Kirkman.

KELLY LANE FISCUS is survived by:

Mother: Violet (Swensen) Fiscus in Harlan.

Daughter: Shilo (Jeff) Bladt of Harlan.

Son: Seth Fiscus of Harlan.

Brother: Terry Fiscus of Kirkman.

2 Grandchildren.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 10/15/2015

News, Podcasts

October 15th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

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

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