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12-Mile Treatment Plant issues continue; Hy-Vee donates 20k gallons of H20 to affected families

News

June 4th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Officials with SIRWA, Monday, issued an update on the status of repairs to the filtration system at the 12-Mile Treatment Plant. The problems at the plant began late last week and resulted in a Boil Order, then a Drinking Water Warning.

Hy-Vee social media photo

To help with the drinking water situation, Hy-Vee, Inc. announced today(Monday), that it is donating nearly 20,000 gallons of bottled water to southern Iowa communities impacted by an ongoing boil advisory and drinking water warning. The bottled water was being made available during certain hours at the Creston, Bedford and Mt. Ayr Hy-Vee Stores. Residents in the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association area are able to pick up either two 24-packs of bottled water or two gallon jugs or a combination of one 24-pack and one gallon jug for free, while supplies last. Local volunteers assisted in distributing the water in the Hy-Vee store parking lots.

With regard to the treatment plant. The bottom line is, that they need two new filtration trane membranes at the plant, but there are hurdles to overcome before they arrive and can be installed. One of the trane membranes is in Canada, and is one-quarter of the treatment plant capacity. It takes two-days to get EPA approval to import the membranes into the U-S, and then the truck will arrive Thursday night or Friday morning. The second set of membranes is scheduled to arrive in Canada tomorrow, Tuesday, June 6th. Following the same procedures as above, the second set of membranes should arrive in Iowa approximately 24 hours behind the first set of membranes.

Officials say they need both sets of membranes before the needed water for the City of Creston and SIRWA customers can be produced. It’s hoped both of the new membranes tranes online and producing water sometime on Saturday or early Sunday Morning. Both the City of Creston Water Works (CCWW) and SIRWA will then begin the flushing process to change out the water In the distribution systems.

Each membrane trane is capable of 2,000 GPM or 4,000 GPM combined maximum. Officials they they hope to start the flushing process late Saturday or early Sunday. The three Creston water towers will then need to be drained and refilled with the newly treated water. Creston will then flush their water distribution system while the new water is filling SIRWA’s large distribution mains.

Fluoride is being used to track the treated water through the distribution mains. Once the newly treated water is dispersed, coliform bacteria samples will be taken to make sure the water is potable or drinkable. Once the tests are passed, then the process can begin to release the specified customers from the “Drinking Water Advisory.”

As cities get removed from the “Drinking Water Advisory” SIRWA and CCWW asks that the customers be considerate and only use necessary water so that all extra water can be used to flush and get water to the remaining cities who may still be under the “Drinking Water Advisory”.  There should be no lawn watering, car washing or unnecessary water usage be preformed until all customers have been removed from the “Drinking Water Advisory”.

Officials say they are currently checking into the availability of a third and fourth set of membrane tranes. The membranes are made in Hungary and shipped to the distribution center in Canada where they are then shipped to the USA under normal circumstances.

If you are a City of Creston Water Works (CCWW) customer, please contact them to be added to their list for future notifications at 641-782-5817 or e-mail at officeww@iowatelecom.net. If you are a SIRWA customer, you may contact the office at 641-782-5744 or send an email to info@siwa.org.

Atlantic takes on Kuemper softball tonight on KJAN

Sports

June 4th, 2018 by admin

The Atlantic softball and baseball teams will host the Kuemper Catholic Knights tonight and we’ll have the softball game on the air.

Atlantic will look to stay undefeated taking their 6-0 mark against the 3-6 Knights. Atlantic 3A #9 is coming off a big win over 4A #5 Denison this past Friday.

Pregame coverage will start at approximately 7:15pm with first pitch scheduled for 7:30pm following the JV game. Tune in on AM1220, FM101.1, online at kjan.com, and on the mobile app.

IHSBCA Week 2 Rankings 06/04/2018

Sports

June 4th, 2018 by admin

The Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association has released the Week 2 Rankings.

Class 4A (Record)

1.      Johnston (9-1)
2.      Dowling, West Des Moines (7-0)
3.      Urbandale (8-0)
4.      Cedar Rapids Jefferson (8-1)
5.      Indianola (8-0)
6.      Cedar Rapids Prairie (7-2)
7.      Waukee (4-1)
8.      Davenport West (5-1)
9.      Iowa City West (8-3)
10.    SE Polk (8-3)

Others: Ankeny Centennial; Cedar Rapids Washington; Marshalltown; North Scott

Class 3A (Record)

1.      Davenport, Assumption (8-2)
2.      Carlisle (5-3)
3.      Sergeant Bluff-Luton (5-2)
4.      Bishop Heelan, Sioux City (5-3)
5.      Harlan (5-2)
6.      Solon (8-2)
7.      Boone (7-1)
8.      North Polk (6-2)
9.      Grinnell (10-0)
10.    Oskaloosa (6-3)

Others: Central Dewitt; Decorah; Saydel; Waverly-Shell Rock; West Delaware, Manchester

Class 2A (Record)

1.      Wilton (6-0)
2.      Cascade, Western Dubuque (8-0)
3.      Regina, Iowa City (4-2)
4.      Estherville Lincoln Central (8-1)
5.      Van Meter (7-1)
6.      West Lyon (8-0)
7.      Beckman, Dyersville (4-5)
8.      Kuemper Catholic, Carroll (4-3)
9.      Centerville (6-2)
10.    Treynor (5-2)

Others: Forest City; Monticello; New Hampton; Pocahontas Area; Roland-Story

Class 1A (Record)

1.      Newman Catholic, Mason City (10-0)
2.      North Linn (11-0)
3.      Lisbon (7-0)
4.      St. Albert, Council Bluffs (9-1)
5.      St. Mary’s, Remsen (8-1)
6.      Martensdale-St. Mary’s (8-3)|
7.      Southeast Warren (6-2)
8.      Alburnett (10-2)
9.      Don Bosco, Gilbertville (4-2)
10.    CAM, Anita (6-1)

Others: Calamus-Wheatland; Cardinal, Eldon; Lawton-Bronson; Tri-Center, Neola; Woodbury Central

Iowa State forward Lard skips workouts for wellness center

Sports

June 4th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State says forward Cameron Lard has enrolled at a wellness center instead of joining his teammates for summer workouts. Iowa State coach Steve Prohm says Lard, who averaged 12.1 points and shot 60 percent as a freshman last season, needs to change some personal habits. In April, Lard’s drug paraphernalia charge was dismissed during a pretrial hearing, according to the Des Moines Register. He was stopped by Ames police on Feb. 4 for speeding and police smelled marijuana coming from the car. He pleaded guilty to speeding. Both charges are misdemeanors.
This offseason, the 20-year-old Lard was cited for being underage at an Ames bar .

The Cyclones say in a press release Monday that Lard will rejoin the team after he completes the wellness program. Prohm says “Cam has been open to improving as a person and desiring to make better decisions. I’m so proud of him for taking ownership on becoming the best Cam he can be. There is a very bright future for him if he matures as a young man.”

Authorities release name of Des Moines homicide victim

News

June 4th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a 40-year-old man who was shot to death in a neighborhood west of downtown Des Moines. Police said in a news release Monday that the victim was Jerry Goff, who lived in Des Moines. Officers were called about 2:15 a.m. Sunday to a residence to check a report of shots being fired. Officer learned when they arrived that Goff had been driven by a private vehicle to a hospital. Police say Goff died there. No arrests have been reported. Police say the shooting appears tied to a domestic dispute.

Area County Primary preview (Contested Races)

News

June 4th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Voters across Iowa will head to the polls Tuesday, to cast their ballots during the Primary Election, which determines who moves on to the November General Election. In Cass County, there are two races on the Republican ballot to watch: Board of Supervisors in Districts 2 and 3. Pat McCurdy and Mark O’Brien are running in District 2. Dana Halder, John Hartkopf and Linda Templeman are running in District 3. All other County offices are uncontested. There are no Democrats on the ballot.

In Adams County, Republicans Doug Birt and Marty Olive are running for the Board of Supervisors in District 1. Republicans Scott Akin and Laurie Greenlee are running in District 3, along with Democrats Tony Mullen and Judith Butcher. There are no contested races in Shelby County.

In Pottawattamie County, eight candidates are running for seats on the County Board of Supervisors. Each party may advance three candidates in the General Election. They include Republicans Scott Belt, Lynn Grobe, Adam Houser, Justin Schultz, and Mary Stanley. And, Democrats Glenn Hurst, Frances Parr and Marshall Pilger. In Adair County, we’ll be watching to see which of the two Republican candidates for County Treasurer move on to November. The candidates include Brenda L. Wallace and Kim Crosswhite Perkins.

In Guthrie County, Republicans J.D. Kuster and Dana Tews are running for the Board of Supervisors in District 4. Republicans Everett Grasty, Scott Calmer, Randy Sparks, Joel Hester, and Democrat Kevin Wirt are running for the Board, in District 3. And, in District 2, the Republican candidates are Rick Kness and Clifford Carney. In Montgomery County, Republicans Tera Hughes and Jackie Porter are vying for the County Treasurer’s job. And, Republicans Rudy Kinard and Roger Waggener are running for the Board of Supervisors in District 1.

In Audubon County, Republicans Duane Deist, Jean Hinners and Gary Van Aernam are all hoping to move on to November, in the Board of Supervisors race.

The polls are open from 7-a.m. Until 9-p.m., Tuesday.  If you have any questions about where to vote, of what district or ward you are in, contact your county auditor’s office.

IN CASS COUNTY THE VOTING CENTERS FOR THIS ELECTION WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
1 Atlantic 1st Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zion Lutheran Church (811 Oak St)
2 Atlantic 2nd Ward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Atlantic Public Library (507 Poplar)
3 Atlantic 3rd Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cass County Community Center (805 W 10th)
4 Atlantic 4th Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . United Church of Christ (1607 Hazel)
5 Atlantic 5th Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heritage House (1200 Brookridge Circle)
6 Bear Grove, Cass Twp/Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lewis Public Library (412 W Main St, Lewis)
7 Benton, Franklin Twp/Wiota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wiota City Hall (311 Center St)
8 Brighton, Grove, Pymosa, Washington Twp/Marne . . . . Cass County Community Center (805 W 10th)
9 Edna, Victoria Twp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Massena Public Library (122 Main St, Massena)
10 Grant, Lincoln Twp /Anita. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anita Community Center (805 Main St)
11 Noble, Pleasant Twp/Griswold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Griswold Community Bldg. (601 2nd St)
12 Massena Twp/City of Massena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Massena Public Library (122 Main St, Massena)
13 Union Twp/City of Cumberland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cumberland Community Bldg. (200 W 2nd)

Investigators: Judge resolved at least 13 cases improperly

News

June 4th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — Investigators have found at least 13 cases in which an Iowa judge improperly used language proposed by winning attorneys as his final court orders without telling attorneys on the other sides. Retired Judge Edward Jacobson told investigators in a report released Friday that he thought his actions were common practice among district judges. Investigators say that isn’t the case.

The Iowa Code of Judicial Conduct bars what in legal terms is called “ex parte communications” between a judge and one side’s attorney. Jacobson said in a November divorce case deposition that he’d asked winning attorneys at least 200 times to write up proposed ruling language. That prompted State Court Administrator Todd Nuccio to launch an investigation.

Jacobson told investigators that neither side gained advantage in his rulings, because he asked attorneys for proposed language only after he’d decided cases.

10 years since the big flood, Cedar Rapids still isn’t prepared for a repeat

News

June 4th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A decade after devastating floods, a Linn County official says the Cedar Rapids area still isn’t as prepared as it should be for future disasters. In June of 2008, the Cedar River flooded cities across eastern Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, which was 14-percent underwater. For years, local officials have lobbied for federal funding for flood control projects, but Linn County Supervisor John Harris says it may be time to ask local taxpayers for the money through a ballot referendum. “Let the people decide, where they think that a tax increase should go,” Harris says, “and should it go to helping Cedar Rapids or partnering with Cedar Rapids for flood control downtown?”

However, Linn County voters have rejected similar proposals in the past, leaving Cedar Rapids with few options to fund its 750-million dollar flood control plan. Harris says it remains a vital issue. “It’s important to get these flood walls up as soon as we can,” Harris says, “and then we pray that it never happens again.” For now, the plan to build the seven-mile system of walls, pumps and levees along the Cedar Rapids riverfront is — just a plan.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)

Iowa-based RV maker Winnebago buys boating icon Chris-Craft

News

June 4th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Winnebago Industries is announcing plans to expanding its recreational products to boats. The Forest City-based motor home manufacturer announced today that they have acquired Chris-Craft, a recreational boat builder, from Stellican Ltd., which has owned the brand since 2001. Winnebago president and CEO Michael Happe says Chris-Craft is as iconic, premium brand that dates back to 1874 that shares many similarities with the Winnebago brand. Happe says Chris-Craft’s strong brand, high-quality product line, and premium position in the marine market make it an attractive addition to the Winnebago portfolio. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but Winnebago says they expect to maintain Chris-Craft’s Sarasota Florida headquarters and to have Chris-Craft’s president Stephen Heese to continue in that position.

(Radio Iowa)

Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s report (6/4/18)

News

June 4th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office has filed a report on recent activities. On June 1st, an arrest warrant was served on an inmate at the Pott. County Jail. 37-year old KC Joe Brown, of Council Bluffs, was served with a warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Driving Barred. He was presented with the warrant and then returned to the custody of jail staff. A traffic stop Friday night in Pott. County resulted in the arrest of 38-year old Jamie Marie Tallant, of Council Bluffs. She was taken into custody for Driving While Revoked, and brought to the jail. And, one person was arrested following an investigation into a physical disturbance in Carson, Saturday evening. 40-year old Matthew Eugene Tiarks, of Carson, was arrested for Simple Assault, and transported to the Pott. County Jail.