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‘Double Hat Bandit’ pleads guilty to robbing 18 banks

News

June 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A 54-year-old man known as the “Double Hat Bandit” has pleaded guilty to robbing banks and credit unions in seven states. Shayne Carson said in his plea agreement filed in federal court in Utah Friday that he stole from 18 banks from Oregon to Iowa. The crime spree went from October 2016, until shortly before his arrest last September. In many of the robberies, Carson is believed to have worn two hats — typically a beanie over a baseball cap. Several robberies took place at banks inside grocery stores.

Carson said he frequently told bank tellers he had a gun and demanded they hand over money in their till. Officials believe the handgun was a fake. The plea deal stipulates that he will be sentenced to between 12 and 15 years in prison. Sentencing is set for Aug. 15.

Iowa Democratic congressional campaign sent misleading texts

News

June 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Democratic congressional campaign took responsibility for erroneous text messages sent to voters directing them to incorrect polling places. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said Wednesday that Abby Finkenauer’s campaign was the source of the texts, which an investigation found were sent in error. Finkenauer’s campaign manager says they never intended to misdirect any voters.
Finkenauer is the Democratic U.S. House candidate for the 1st District, but some texts went to voters outside the district.

The campaign says “a few dozen people” received incorrect information. The campaign sent a second text asking them to check their polling place. On Wednesday, the Finkenauer campaign apologized for any confusion caused to voters. Pate, a Republican, encouraged candidates to always include an attribution statement in messages sent to voters.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 8:45-p.m. for Cass/Guthrie/ Audubon/Adair Counties

Weather

June 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
745 PM CDT WED JUN 6 2018

The National Weather Service in Des Moines  has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Cass County in southwestern Iowa...
  Southern Guthrie County in west central Iowa...
  Southern Audubon County in west central Iowa...
  Adair County in southwestern Iowa...

* Until 845 PM CDT.

* At 745 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from 11 miles northeast of Walnut to near Stuart, moving
  south at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
           to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Atlantic, Greenfield, Stuart, Griswold, Anita, Exira, Adair,
  Fontanelle, Elk Horn, Dexter, Lewis, Casey, Orient, Diamondhead
  Lake, Massena, Menlo, Kimballton, Cumberland, Bridgewater and
  Brayton.

This includes Interstate 80 between mile markers 50 and 97.

Special Weather Statement: Guthrie/Audubon/Adair/Cass Counties

Weather

June 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Guthrie IA-Audubon IA-Adair IA-Cass IA-
725 PM CDT WED JUN 6 2018

...GUSTY WINDS TO 40 MPH AND DIME HAIL POSSIBLE...

At 724 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles east of Irwin to near Stuart. Movement
was south at 15 mph.

Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Audubon, Guthrie Center, Stuart, Anita, Exira, Adair, Elk Horn,
Dexter, Casey, Diamondhead Lake, Menlo, Kimballton, Brayton, Audubon
County Airport, Anita Municipal Airport and Lake Anita State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
central, south central, southwestern and west central Iowa.

Atlantic Mayor sets rules for Public Forum

News

June 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones, Wednesday night, set the rules for how the public forum portion of City Council meetings will be handled. The unwritten mandate follows a time of public comment during the May 16th City Council meeting, whereby two local business owners got into a verbal sparring match with Jones, and Councilperson Kathy Somers over proposed business incentives and the prospect of grants being provided instead of loans.

Atlantic City Council meeting, 6-6-2018

Jones said anyone wishing to address the Council at future meetings should fill out an online form indicating the topic you wish to talk about, and submit the form to City Hall prior to the next meeting. Persons will have two minutes to speak, but if the discussion on a particular subject is redundant, the speaker will be asked to sit down and let someone else speak who has reserved their time. You will come to the podium, state your name, where you are from and the subject matter.

If something comes up during Council discussion on a matter that you do not understand, you will be required to raise your hand and come to the podium when called on. Atlantic resident Bill Saluk said the incident that occurred during last months meeting was inappropriate, but he questioned the two-minute rule. Saluk said “It seems like the function of government should be to be responsive to its citizens and that [the time constraints and answers] seems to make it much more complicated to be able to express your opinion and get anything done.” He also questioned the validity of unwritten rules and the legality of enforcing them when there is no written procedure.

Jones said the time can be adjusted, but again, if the discussion is repeated over and over, the speaker will be asked to take a seat. As for the City Council, Jones said if they have a question during the Public Forum part of the meeting, he suggests it would be best if “They refrain from asking questions,” but they may still ask. He added that no action can be taken by the Council on a particular matter during the public forum. Any action would have to come on the heels of a recommendation from whichever committee is assigned to tackle certain matters.

Thomas Schroeder, one of the business persons who was at the May 16th meeting, asked when the online form to be available and how soon an issue may be addressed by the Council. Mayor Jones said the form should be available on the City’s website in a couple of days, and the issue or concern may be addressed after it’s brought before the appropriate committee. That could take anywhere from two-weeks to a month. Schroeder was in a meeting with Dave Jones with regard to business incentives. That meeting was the topic of the aforementioned May 16th heated discussion, during which Schroeder and his business partner Tayla Kamies alleged Jones pushed them toward other incentives instead of the Economic Development Revolving (EDR) Loan fund.

Councilman Chris Jimerson suggested that if the Mayor or any Council Member meets with a citizen or business owner on official City business, another Council person or and/or the Mayor should be present, to act as a witness to the discussion. That, he said, would alleviate any contradictory statements being made by City officials.

Severe T-Storm Warning for Audubon, Crawford, and Carroll Counties until 7:30pm

Weather

June 6th, 2018 by admin

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
629 PM CDT WED JUN 6 2018

The National Weather Service in Des Moines  has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Audubon County in west central Iowa...
  Southeastern Crawford County in west central Iowa...
  Southwestern Carroll County in west central Iowa...

* Until 730 PM CDT.

* At 628 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Manning, or
  14 miles east of Denison, moving south at 10 mph.

  HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail
           damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect
           wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Manning, Templeton, Halbur, Gray, Aspinwall and Manning Municipal
  Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Prepare immediately for large hail and deadly cloud to ground
lightning. Seek shelter inside a well-built structure. Stay away from
windows.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Guthrie County

Weather

June 6th, 2018 by admin

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
IAC015-049-073-077-153-070000-
/O.NEW.KDMX.SV.W.0105.180606T2257Z-180607T0000Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
557 PM CDT WED JUN 6 2018

The National Weather Service in Des Moines  has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Polk County in central Iowa...
  Southeastern Greene County in west central Iowa...
  Guthrie County in west central Iowa...
  Southern Boone County in central Iowa...
  Dallas County in central Iowa...

* Until 700 PM CDT.

* At 556 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Big Creek Lake to 7 miles west of Perry, moving
  south at 35 mph.

  HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect considerable
           tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes,
           roofs, and outbuildings.

* Locations impacted include...
  West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, Grimes, Perry,
  Jefferson, Adel, Guthrie Center, Madrid, Stuart, Dallas Center,
  Earlham, Granger, Panora, De Soto, Woodward, Van Meter, Jordan
  Creek Town Center and Lake Panorama.

This includes Interstate 80 between mile markers 100 and 121.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside
should move immediately to shelter inside a strong building. Stay
away from windows.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground
lightning is occurring with these storms. Move indoors immediately.
Lightning is one of nature`s leading killers. Remember, if you can
hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

&&

1 dead, 4 hurt in Mills County crash

News

June 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

One person is dead, four others were hurt in a crash that took place Tuesday afternoon, in Mills County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 1992 GMC conventional truck driven by 65-year old James Allen Robertson, of Pacific Junction, was westbound on Highway 34 at around 12:18-p.m., when a tire blew out. The truck went out of control and crossed the median before entering the east bound lanes and striking a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am, driven by 23-year old Jennifer Leann Marsh, of Clarinda.

Following the collision, both vehicles came to rest in the south ditch. The truck came to rest upright. The car rolled over and came to rest on its top. 34-year old Tristan Lynn Marsh, of Clarinda, who was a passenger in the car, and who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene.

Jennifer Marsh, one-year old Brantley Marsh and 11-year old Alexis Woodyard, all from  Clarinda, who were wearing seat belts or child restraints, were transported to UNMC in Omaha by Malvern Rescue. James Robertson, who was wearing a seat belt, was transported by Glenwood EMS to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs.

The State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Glenwood and Malvern EMS.

Atlantic Parks and Rec Department seeks PT Parks Foreman

Ag/Outdoor

June 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The City of Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a part-time Park Foreman. The right person will assist with the maintenance and management of the Parks and Recreation Department. For full job Description email sstaashelm@cityofatlantic.com

Salary- Part-time position at $15 an hour, 1,500 hours a year maximum.

Special Training, Certifications and Licenses:

  • You must have  a valid Iowa Driver’s License
  • Include a list of any power tools or power equipment that you may already be trained to operate.

Please send Resume with cover letter by June 18 before 5pm to:

Seth Staashelm- Director

23 E. 4th St.

Atlantic, IA 50022

Email: sstaashelm@cityofatlantic.com

Office- 712-243-3542

Park cell- 712-254-0637

Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10-p.m. (6/6)

Weather

June 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued until 10-p.m. for the following counties in the KJAN listening area: ADAIR ADAMS AUDUBON CARROLL CASS CRAWFORD DALLAS FREMONT GUTHRIE HARRISON MADISON MILLS MONONA
MONTGOMERY PAGE POTTAWATTAMIE RINGGOLD SAC SHELBY TAYLOR and UNION.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10-p.m. for areas shaded in light mauve/pink

A Severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for the development of severe storms in and close to the watch area. The primary threat from any storms that develop this evening and tonight appear to be damaging winds, dangerous hail and heavy rain.

Stay tuned for further weather updates and prepare to seek shelter should severe weather threaten.

A severe thunderstorm by definition is a thunderstorm that produces one inch hail or larger in diameter and/or winds equal or exceed 58 miles an hour.