United Group Insurance

Page County employees win LHI Wellness Challenge Award

News

April 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Page County Employees are this year’s winners of the “Live Healthy Iowa 10 week Wellness Challenge,” in the 2014 Corporate Cup’s Small Company with a workforce of 50 to 250 division. The employees averaged 90-percent participation and 97.22-percent completion.

Communities, schools and businesses across the state participated in the Challenge, competing to take possession of the coveted traveling trophies for 2014. An awards ceremony was scheduled to take place today (Wednesday),  at the Iowa Wellness Summit Awards Ceremony in Des Moines, as part of a kick-off to the 2014 Iowa Wellness Summit.

The Cup Challenges take healthy competition outside the individual employers and raise the competition across the state. This year 278 companies, 46 communities and 18 schools competed for the coveted traveling trophy in their respective division. Cup Challenge winners were determined by the combination of participation among the eligible population and completion of the challenge.

Casey’s General Stores won the Mid-sized Company with a workforce of 251-1,000 division, with 53.25% participation and 84.04% completion. And, the Meredith Corporation won the Large Company with a workforce of 1,000 competition, with 97.82% participation and 80.35% completion.

The 2014 Community Cup Winner is Allamakee County, with 10.35% participation and 71.23% completion. And, the Mid-Prairie Community School District won the 2014 K-12 Cup division,  with 97.63% participation, 50% adult completion and 100% youth completion.

For a full list of Cup Challenge rankings, please visit www.livehealthyiowa.org. For more information about the Iowa Wellness Summit Awards Ceremony, please visit www.iowahealthieststate.com.

Audubon man charged with Animal Neglect resulting in death

News

April 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports 46-year old Randy Lee Rudolph, of Audubon, was arrested Monday evening (4/14), on a charge of Animal Neglect causing death. The charge is the result of an investigation into animals found in cages in Brayton. The animals had no food or water. Rudolph turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office, was cited and released. He’s scheduled to appear in court Monday, April 21st.

And, an arrest has been made in connection with an incident that occurred last week in Hamlin. Sheriff’s officials say 54-year old Jeffrey Dennis Spencer, of Brayton, was arrested Friday evening, on a charge of Public Intoxication/3rd or subsequent offense. His arrest stems from an incident in the 4900 block of Highway 44 in Hamlin. Spencer was brought to the Audubon County Jail and released the following day. He’ s scheduled to appear in court Thursday (4/17).

 

Red Oak Police report

News

April 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak report one person with a long history of arrests was taken into custody again, Tuesday night. 29-year old Kenton Jarvis Schooling, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 9:35-p.m. at a residence in the 200 block of North 2nd Street. Schooling was wanted on a Mills County warrant for OWI/1st Offense. Schooling was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on $1,000 cash bond.

And, the Red Oak P-D reports 35-year old Helen Louise Malone, of Red Oak, was cited for Driving While Suspended, Tuesday. She was pulled over at around 11:45-p.m. in the 1800 block of North Broadway Street, issued the citation and released.

NWS forecast for the KJAN listening area: Wed., 4/16/14

Weather

April 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

**A Wind Advisory and RED FLAG WARNING is in effect from mid-morning until 6-p.m.**

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Windy, with a south wind 23 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Windy, with a northwest wind 11 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. North northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

Thu. Night: A slight chance of rain or freezing rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday: A slight chance of rain or freezing rain before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. East southeast wind 6 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Fri. Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Breezy.

RED FLAG WARNING TODAY! (4/16/14)

Weather

April 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

COUNTIES: GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR- RINGGOLD….RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR EXTREME FIRE CONDITIONS.

COUNTIES: HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT-PAGE-…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM CDT

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY.

* WINDS…SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…AS LOW AS 20 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS…CONDITIONS WILL BE FAVORABLE FOR FIRES TO START QUICKLY AND SPREAD RAPIDLY. ALL OUTDOOR BURNING SHOULD BE AVOIDED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW…OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS…LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY…AND WARM TEMPERATURES CAN CONTRIBUTE TO EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR.

Wind Advisory today (Wed., 4/16/14)

Weather

April 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

COUNTIES: AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT AND PAGE…
421 AM CDT WED APR 16 2014

WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM CDT
    THIS EVENING…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A WIND
ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM CDT
THIS EVENING.

* TIMING…THE WIND WILL INCREASE THROUGH THE MORNING PEAKING
BETWEEN MID MORNING AND MID AFTERNOON.

* WINDS…SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST INCREASING TO 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS
TO 45 MPH.

* IMPACTS…THE STRONG WIND WILL MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT TODAY
ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE OR LIGHT WEIGHT VEHICLES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS
THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT…ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH
PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

Cardinals activate 2B Mark Ellis from DL

Sports

April 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

MILWAUKEE (AP) – The St. Louis Cardinals have activated Mark Ellis from the 15-day disabled list and inserted him into the starting lineup at second base for Tuesday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.  Ellis missed the first 13 games of the season with left knee tendinitis. He went 1 for 3 while playing five innings during a rehab game Sunday at Triple-A Memphis.

Ellis signed a one-year deal with St. Louis in the offseason. The 11-year veteran is a .407 career hitter against Milwaukee. Shortstop Pete Kozma was optioned to Triple-A on Monday night to make room for Ellis on the 25-man roster.

Cards pitching shuts down Brewers again 6-1

Sports

April 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Shelby Miller struck out seven and allowed three hits over six innings, and Mark Ellis had two RBIs in his return from the disabled list to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-1 win Tuesday night over the Milwaukee Brewers. Matt Holliday and Jhonny Peralta each hit solo shots in the ninth off reliever Jim Henderson for the Cardinals, who handed Milwaukee its second straight loss following a nine-game winning streak.

Miller routinely fired fastballs clocked into the mid-90s past hitters before turning the game over to the bullpen in the seventh. Only Aramis Ramirez managed to break through off Miller hitting a solo homer in the fourth. The Brewers have just one run and six hits over the first two games of the three-game set with their NL Central rival.

Marco Estrada took the loss after allowing three runs over six innings.

Critics: Some Iowa courthouses lack basic security

News

April 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa courthouses have a variety of security features, with about half banning guns and fewer providing secure areas for judges and staff to work outside courtrooms.     A gun incident in March at the Madison County Courthouse has sparked another push from the Iowa State Bar Association for upgraded security procedures at courthouses statewide. The group published a report on the issue in 2005.

The Des Moines Register reports a review show a majority of courthouses lack safety features recommended by the bar association. Those features include metal detectors or entryways that are monitored by deputies.

Guy Cook, a Des Moines attorney and president of the bar association, says a lack of basic security such as restricted entrances has the potential to create dangerous situations.

SW Iowa pastor pleads not guilty to abuse charge

News

April 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

SIDNEY, Iowa (AP) – A southwest Iowa pastor has pleaded not guilty to charges he sexually abused a 5-year-old girl. The Omaha World-Herald reports 66-year-old Roger C. Kissel, of Sidney, pleaded not guilty to second-degree sexual abuse, lascivious acts and indecent exposure.

When he was arrested in February, Kissel was a pastor at the nondenominational Sidney Cowboy Church. Sidney Police Chief Austin Richardson says the allegations aren’t connected with the church. The crimes are alleged to have occurred over several months in 2013.

Kissel posted bond and has been released from the Fremont County Jail.