United Group Insurance

Farmers donating food are eligible for a tax credit

Ag/Outdoor

November 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today (Wednesday) highlighted the Farm
to Food Donation Tax Credit and encouraged eligible farmers to consider applying.  Iowa farmers who donate self-produced food commodities to food banks and food pantries can now qualify for the credit on state taxes, which is equal to 15% of the value of the commodities donated during the tax year or $5,000 whichever is less.

“Iowa farmers care deeply about their communities and this new tax credit program may provide some additional tax benefit to farmers who donate food to a food bank or food pantry,” Northey said. “As we see more farmers raising fresh produce, this new tax credit program is something they should be aware of as they consider food donations.”

The program was created by the Iowa Legislature in 2013 and is effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. To qualify for the tax credit, producers:

* must produce the donated food commodity
* must transfer title to the donated food commodity to an Iowa food bank or Iowa
emergency feeding organization registered with the Iowa Department of Revenue
(https://tax.iowa.gov/sites/files/idr/documents/FarmToFoodOrganizations.pdf)
* shall not receive compensation for the transfer
* shall not donate a food commodity that is damaged or unfit for human consumption
* shall donate a food commodity that meets the requirements of the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Producers will receive an authorized receipt from the Registered Iowa Food Bank or Iowa emergency feeding organization for the donation. All authorized receipts for a calendar year should be sent together to the Iowa Department of Revenue by January 15th. The Department will issue the producer a tax credit certificate which must be included with the producer’s tax return.

Tax credits are not refundable, but can be credited ahead to the tax liability for the following five years. The value of the food commodity is self-assessed but must be determined in the same manner as a charitable contribution of food for federal tax purposes. Donation evaluation worksheets are available on at https://tax.iowa.gov/farm-food-donation-tax-credit.

Atty. for former Shelby Co. physician files to dismiss charges

News

November 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The attorney for a former Harlan doctor facing sexual abuse charges has filed a motion with the court to have the charges dismissed, because he says the incident occurred outside of Iowa’s statute of limitations. The Daily NonPareil reports Matthew Boles of Des Moines, argued 82-year old Wing Tai Fung‘s legal rights were violated, and was he the subject prejudice because of the sexual abuse allegations.

Fung, of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, was charged May 21 with second-degree sexual abuse, a Class B felony, for an alleged incident in January 1999 – or about 15 years ago. A criminal complaint filed against Fung alleges he molested a 10-year-old girl he was treating for a knee sprain at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan. Chicago police arrested Fung on April 28 at O’Hare Airport after he returned from Canada. He waived his extradition so the case could be tried in Shelby County.

If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison. Fung entered a written not guilty plea in Shelby County District Court in May. He posted his $100,000 bond in April. While the alleged crime occurred 15 years ago, Iowa law states that sex abuse victims have 10 years to report the incident once they turn 18 years of age. The victim turned 18 in Oct. 2006, which is only eight years after the incident.

Boles said Fung, a life-long physician in Harlan, does not remember or have documentation for every patient visit. Boles argued because the of the doctor’s “failing memory,” Fung could not present a defense as guaranteed by both Iowa and U.S. constitutions. In order to dismiss the charge, Boles will have to prove there was an unreasonable delay between the alleged incident and the criminal charge.

KS earthquake reportedly felt in Council Bluffs

News

November 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

CONWAY SPRINGS, Kan. (AP) — An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 that shook parts of Kansas and Oklahoma, Wednesday, was apparently also felt as far away as Omaha and Council Bluffs. The Daily NonPareil reports employees at the paper’s office building felt their chairs shake and watched as a hanging sign in the newsroom swayed without prompting. The Pottawattamie County Courthouse also reported feeling the aftershock. Omaha, Clarinda and Denison residents also said they felt the tremors.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake struck around 3:40 p.m. Wednesday. It had an epicenter about 8 miles south of Conway Springs, which is a town of about 1,200 people about 30 miles southwest of Wichita. It wasn’t immediately clear how much damage the quake may have caused.

The southern part of Kansas has been experiencing an upsurge in earthquakes this year. A panel commissioned by Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback found there wasn’t enough evidence to link the temblors to oil and gas exploration. The panel is recommending more study and the installation of more monitoring stations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency claims the largest reported earthquake in Kansas – a 5.5-magnitude earthquake in 1867 – could be felt in Dubuque.

ZAIDYN SMITH of Atlantic (Svcs. 11/18/14)

Obituaries

November 12th, 2014 by admin

ZAIDYN SMITH, of Atlantic, was born and passed away Sun. Nov. 9th, at Methodist Women’s Hospital in Omaha. Services for ZAIDYN SMITH will be held 11-a.m. Tue., Nov. 18th, at the Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Zaidyn Smith is survived by:

His parents-  James and Brittany Smith, of Atlantic.

His sibling – Gary Smith, Kaisen Baker, Mercaideze Marr and Talon Westover, all of Atlantic.

His grandparents-  Gary Baker, and Dawn Beauchamp (and her significant other, Scott Lockard), all of Atlantic, and Edna (William) Howell, of Des Moines.

His great-grandmother, Diane Knutsen; other relatives and friends.

School board approves Wi-Fi plan in Council Bluffs

News

November 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The city of Council Bluffs and school district are pursuing citywide free wireless Internet services. The school board of the Council Bluffs Community School District approved a partnership agreement with the city Monday. The agreement establishes the Council Bluffs Area Wi-Fi Consortium, which will study the feasibility of expanding Wi-Fi around the southwestern Iowa city.

The plan calls for the city and school district to create public Wi-Fi hotspots that can be used by computers, tablets, smartphones and any other Internet-ready device. The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil  reports the partnership will last for at least five years.

The City Council also unanimously approved the partnership with the district Monday.

Wednesday’s State Volleyball Matches – Results

Sports

November 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Class 3-A First Round
(3-0) Red Oak 26-26-25, Sioux Center 24-24-18
(3-0) Nevada 25-25-25, West Liberty 21-21-20

Class 2-A First Round
(3-2) Unity Christian 25-24-27-19-15, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 19-26-25-25-11
(3-0) Western Christian 25-25-25, South Central Calhoun 11-16-10
(3-0) Dike-New Hartford 25-25-25, West Branch 21-19-18
(3-2) Sumner-Fredericksburg 25-25-19-23-15, Grundy Center 18-14-25-25-8

Class 1-A First Round
(3-0) Holy Trinity Catholic 25-25-25, Le Mars Gehlen Catholic 15-13-17
(3-1) Central Lyon 25-25-28-25, Marquette Catholic 13-12-30-23
(3-0) Tripoli 25-25-25, New London 13-11-21
(3-0) Janesville 25-25-25 Grand View Christian 17-18-13

Iowa State Women Sign Top-15 Recruiting Class

Sports

November 12th, 2014 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State women’s basketball program and head coach Bill Fennelly announced Wednesday that three prep standouts have signed their letters of intent. The three players have signed to play for the Cyclones starting in 2015-16.

The 2015 class was ranked 15th nationally by ProspectsNation.com making it the highest-rated class in program history. Iowa State’s three-member class included the No. 1 player in Canada and two top-45 standouts.

“I am very excited about the three players we are adding to the Iowa State family,” Fennelly said. “My staff worked very hard to evaluate these kids and I could not be more pleased with our class. They and their families are great additions to Iowa State.”

Bridget Carleton, a 6-1 guard who hails from Chatham, Ontario, Canada, is a starter on Canada’s U18 Junior National team. Carleton was also a captain in Canada’s U16 and U17 squads. She earned first and second-team nods in 2013 and 2014 and earned first-team honors at the Canadian National Championship. At John McGregor Secondary school, Carleton has helped the Panthers to a current 27-2 record during her senior year, averaging 26.5 points, 10.0 rebounds 4.0 assists and 4.0 steals while shooting 51 percent from the field. Carleton is rated as the top 2015 prospect in Canada by Crown Scout Recruiting Service and is the Cyclones first player from Canada.

“Bridget is our first player from Canada and we could not be more excited,” Fennelly said. “She has all the tools needed to be a very good player in the Big 12. Bridget already has played at a high level as she has represented Canada in numerous international competitions.”

Meredith Burkhall, a 6-3 forward from Urbandale, Iowa, is a three-year starter at Roosevelt High School. Burkhall was named first-team all-conference her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons with the Rough Riders. In her junior year, she averaged 18.6 points and 9.6 rebounds. At Roosevelt, Burkhall is just eight points away from reaching the 1,000-point mark. Burkhall is also rated the top prospect out of the state of Iowa and is rated 45th nationally on ProspectsNation.com.

“Mere is the best player in our state,” Fennelly said. “She is long and athletic in the post where we need some added depth. Mere has good skills and hands and has a great upside. She has an infectious personality that I know our fans will love.”

T’Aire Starks (TeeTee), a 5-11 guard out of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, is a two-time all-conference selection who averaged 9.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists her junior season in just 19 games played due to injury. Starks led Hopkins High School to back-to-back state championships her freshman and sophomore seasons with records of 30-2 and 31-1. Starks is rated the No. 39 prospect on ProspectsNation.com and is the top prospect in Minnesota according to 5 State Hoops.

“TeeTee is a winner! She comes out of a great high school program (Hopkins HS) and AAU program (North Tartan) so she has played a high level for a long time,” Fennelly said. “She is a great defender and can play any guard position. Her versatility and toughness will help our team.”

Kiel Moore, a national recruiting analyst for ProspectsNation.com com called Iowa State’s 2015 class one of the top in the country.

“With a three-player class of Bridget Carleton, Meredith Burkhall, and TeeTee Starks, Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly and his staff have again landed one of the top-25 recruiting classes in the country,” said Keil Moore, a national recruiting analyst for ProspectsNation.com. “All three players have the ability to bring something different to the program while also being able to contribute early in their careers in their area of strength. There is talent, potential, and that little something special about this trio of prospects and it could be a fun four years in Ames with them on campus.”

Cyclones Sign Darien Williams

Sports

November 12th, 2014 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg announced the signing of junior college player Darien Williams to a national letter of intent for the 2015-16 season.

Williams (6-8, F, So., San Francisco, Calif.), widely considered to be one of the top freshman junior college players a year ago, will enroll at Iowa State with three seasons of eligibility left. He played the 2013-14 season at Iowa Western Community College and is currently attending City College of San Francisco. Williams is sitting out the 2014-15 after having shoulder surgery last summer.

Iowa State Men’s Basketball 2015-16 Recruits
Darien Williams, F, 6-8, So., San Francisco, Calif. (City College of San Francisco/St. John Bosco)

Darien Williams
F, 6-8, San Francisco, Calif., So.
(City College of San Fransisco/St. John Bosco)
Played one season at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa before transferring to City College of San Francisco…averaged 16.1 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Reivers…shot 51 percent from the field in his only season at IWCC…also connected on 41.1 percent of his three-point attempts…earned All-Region XI honors as well as ICCAC Academic All-Region XI honors…scored in double figures in 21 games, including a season-high 37 points against State Fair Community College…played his high school ball at St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California.

 

STEP program Nov. 24-30: Officers looking for seat belt violators & more

News

November 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) and the law enforcement officers across our state wish everyone a safe Thanksgiving holiday. To ensure safety, please take the time to buckle up, slow down and drive defensively in your travels around the state.DPS_2011_150

Those who choose to not buckle up or drive aggressively have a higher chance of being stopped by law enforcement. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, along with local, county, and state law enforcement officers , are once again teaming up through the Special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP) during the Thanksgiving holiday to save lives and reduce crashes. Beginning November 24 , 2014 , and running through November 30, 2014, there will be an increased presence of law enforcement officers on Iowa roadways.

Seventy-seven percent of all occupants ejected from a vehicle during a crash are killed. In 2013, Iowa had 317 traffic fatalities with more than 43% of them or 107 not restrained by a seat belt. Randy Hunefeld, sTEP Coordinator with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, wants you to know that, “Buckling up takes less than three seconds and reduces your chance of becoming a fatality statistic by nearly 50%.” Is it worth it? Hunefeld says, “You can bet your life on it.”

For additional information , go to www.iowagtsb.org or www .nhtsa .dot.gov.

Backyard and Beyond 11-12-2014

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

November 12th, 2014 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Family Comedian Scott Davis about the upcoming Sweet Life Dessert Comedy Theatre on November 21st at the Atlantic Evangelical Free Church.  Find out more about Scott here. For tickets to the event go here. Keep listening to KJAN the next week for a chance to win a prize pack from Scott Davis including tickets to one of the shows.

Play