2018

December 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

TIM THOMPSON, 58, of Mt. Pleasant (formerly of Fontanelle), died Tuesday, December 26th, at the Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant. Funeral services for TIM THOMPSON will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at the Fontanelle United Methodist Church. Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle has the arrangements.

Visitation at the funeral home will be held on Tuesday, January 2nd 2018, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the family greeting friends from 6-until 8-p.m.; Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Burial will be in the Fontanelle Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Tim Thompson memorial fund to be established by the family at a later date.

TIM THOMPSON is survived by:

His mother – Peggy Goetz, of Fontanelle.

His sister – Sharon Blancard, of Fontanelle.

His brothers – Marty Goetz, and Clint Goetz, both of Fontanelle

Other relatives and friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

Plant expert suggests ways to make Iowans’ winter landscapes more visually appealing

Ag/Outdoor

December 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

If you haven’t already done so, you’ll probably be joining other Iowans in switching off your Christmas lights for the season, leaving folks with little to look at outside that has any color or interest. If your snow-covered landscape looks too barren, you can’t do much now, but horticulturist Bob Hendrickson suggests -next- autumn, you leave your perennial plants in place, especially things like tall ornamental grasses. “Folks often ask, ‘When is a good time to cut those down? Can I cut them down in the fall or in the spring?’ and we always say you want to keep them up all winter long for interest, something to look at rather than a blank slate,” Hendrickson says. “Not all plants are created equal. Some look more interesting than others.”

Hendrickson says many of us are tempted to hack down those grasses when the growing season ends, but he says to resist the urge and let them stay. “They’re adaptable, they’re tough, they add a lot of movement to the landscape, backlighting and all of this cool stuff with grasses,” he says, “but, they really stick out and shine in the wintertime.” They may not add a lot of color, but leaving those perennials in place over the winter will serve an important purpose, as they’re a good habitat for certain pollinators. “A lot of our native bees are solitary and they overwinter in the hollow stems of plants,” Hendrickson says. “People have actually observed these bee balm stems, which are hollow, cutting them back and seeing bees emerge out of the stems in the spring.”

He also suggests leaving plants with interesting seed pods in place, just to make the landscape more visually appealing during the dead of winter.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Karla James in Omaha)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

DNR warns ice may still have flaws despite cold temperatures

Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

December 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

While the temperatures have dropped to below freezing across the state, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is warning those who enjoy ice fishing to be extra careful during the next few days. D-N-R Fisheries Chief Joe Larscheid says the cold snap likely froze most bodies of water solid — but you should still test it before venturing out. “We need a good solid four to six inches of clear ice, hard ice in order to be safe,” he says. Larscheid says even with that said — ice is never 100 percent safe. “In that lake that is mostly safe there could be weak points that you don’t even know about,” Larscheid says, “there’s upwelling there’s currents in the lake, so you’ve always got to be careful when you’re ice fishing.”

Larscheid suggests you go to a place where there are other anglers. That’s often where the fish are and if you happen to fall in, there’s someone there to help. He suggests that you fish with someone else so you have help if you would fall in. And don’t delay if the worst happens. “Call 9-1-1 immediately and then hopefully you have rope or somebody has rope and you can toss that rope to them, and hopefully they get ahold of that rope and you can pull them out,” Larscheid says. “But I would immediately call 9-1-1 because time is very significant in those situations.”

Larscheid says heavy winter clothing often makes it harder to swim or stay afloat if you fall into the water. He says to not panic, as most people are able to use their fingers, arms and legs for several minutes before hypothermia sets in.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports |

Union County Sheriff’s report (12/27) – delayed accident report; 1 Theft

News

December 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Union County Sheriff’s Office has released a report about an accident that took place at around 12:30-a.m. Friday. Officials say 25-year old Nathan Drew Simington, of Lewis, was driving a 1995 Chevy Astro van eastbound on U-S Highway 34, when the vehicle went out of control due to the icy road conditions. The van slid off the road and into a large hole. No injuries were reported. The passenger side of the van sustained about $5,000 damage.

And a man from Afton reported to the Union County Sheriff’s Office Sunday night, that sometime between Dec. 16th and 18th, someone took his green 1995 Jeep Cherokee with plate AF660 that was parked at the end of his driveway.

Posted in News |

Authorities say 90-year-old man died after falling into well

News

December 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

GILMAN, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a 90-year-old man died in central Iowa after falling into a water well on Christmas Day. The Marshalltown Times-Republican reports that first responders were sent to a property in rural Gilman around 9:10 a.m. Monday. Gilman Fire & Rescue says the man was pulled out around 20 minutes later from about 6 feet underground. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Authorities identified the man as Maurice Tufte. It’s unclear what led to his falling into the well.

Posted in News |

Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR suggests you and your family spend New Year’s Day by taking a “First Day Hike” in one of 27 participating Iowa state parks! Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks. All 50 states are hosting hikes as part of America’s First Day Hikes initiative. In its seventh year, the national event encourages everyone to celebrate the New Year with a guided outdoor exploration. Last year, more than 1,200 people began the year in an Iowa state park, hiking more than 1,100 total miles.

In the listening area, First Day Hikes will take place at the following parks:

Lewis and Clark State Park
Prairie Rose State Park
Springbrook State Park
Green Valley State Park
Lake Anita State Park
Viking Lake State Park
Waubonsie State Park
Wilson Island State Recreation Area

Staff and volunteers will lead free, guided First Day Hikes in Iowa’s 27 participating state parks. Some hikes will include wildlife viewing and hot beverages. Hikes will average one to two miles or longer depending on the location. Details about the hikes can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes. To see a comprehensive national map of First Day Hikes, visit www.stateparks.org Participants are encouraged to share their adventures on social media with #FirstDayHikes or #iowastateparks.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Prisoner causes $300 damage to Pott. County Jail, Tuesday

News

December 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

An inmate at the Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs, was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, Tuesday, after he allegedly caused $300 damage to a sprinkler head in the jail. The incident involving 36-year old Arthur Jarrod Crum, of Council Bluffs, occurred at around 3:20-p.m. Crum remains held in the jail without bond, for three counts of Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, and a charge of Simple Assault.

And, 33-year old Jared John Thomas Owens, of Council Bluffs, who was being held in the Pott. County Jail without bond on three counts of sexual abuse in the 2nd Degree, as well as on a North Carolina warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice, was served with additional papers for three counts of Violating of a No Contact Order. Owens was returned to the custody of jail staff.

Posted in News |

Adair County Board of Supervisors set to meet Thursday morning

News

December 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly meeting Thursday morning, in Greenfield. The meeting begins at 9-a.m., as usual, and features: Discussion with regard to High School Job Experience; An update from Jon Schaefer, Boy Scout Troop 115, with regard to Courthouse Flags, and a report from County Treasurer Brenda Wallace, with regard to computer bids.

County Engineer Nick Kauffman will present to the Board, contracts for their signatures, with regard to crack sealing, and grading projects, along with his regular report on maintenance and activities.

Posted in News |