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Iowa early News Headlines: Sunday, 12/24/17

News

December 24th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:00 a.m. CST

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — One person is dead and another seriously injured after the stolen SUV they were in crashed during a police pursuit in central Nebraska. WOWT-TV reports that 25-year-old Autumn Stadley of Omaha died at the scene of the crash Friday night, and 26-year-old Luis Elias was airlifted to a hospital. Authorities say a deputy began pursuit of a Dodge Durango stolen from IOWA, when the SUV failed to stop after a traffic violation.

BETTENDORF, Iowa (AP) — An extensive restoration of a historic one-room school in an eastern Iowa city now includes power. But lighting and outlets have been hidden to ensure the structure appears as it did in 1923, when there was no electricity. The Quad-City Times reports that the Forest Grove School in Bettendorf was built in 1873 and closed in 1957. The building is being restored through a community effort to return the structure to its 1923 condition. It will open as a museum and interpretive center.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — A visit by Santa Claus to a Muscatine City Council meeting ended with police escorting him from the room after he gave council members and the city administrator lumps of coal. The Muscatine Journal reports Muscatine resident Max Kauffman dressed as Santa to deliver the gifts Thursday. Kaufman has been a critic of the council’s efforts to remove Mayor Diana Broderson from office. After giving Broderson candy, Kauffman gave coal to the others before the police chief escorted him from the room.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Insurers for the city of Des Moines paid $2.1 million to a lawyer who alleged he suffered head injuries when he was hit by a falling garbage can. The city this week released a copy of its November settlement with Jaysen McCleary in response to open records requests. McCleary alleged that he was struck in January 2014 by a solid waste container that fell from a city truck collecting it outside his home

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic and the KJAN listening area, Sunday – 12/24/17

Weather

December 24th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Today: Winter Weather Advisory until 9-a.m. for parts of the listening area including Cass County; Cloudy w/snow ending this morning.  High near 24. W/NW winds at 5-15mph w/gusts to around 25. Wind chill values as low as 5. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible during the day.
Tonight (Christmas Eve): Mostly clear, with a low around 8. W @ 5-10. Wind chill values as low as zero.
Tomorrow (Christmas Day): Partly sunny, w/scattered flurries after noon. High near 19. N/NW @ 5-10. Wind chill values as low as zero.
Monday Night: Scattered flurries before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -1.
Tuesday: Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 10.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around -4.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 16.

As of 6-a.m. today in Atlantic, we had received 2 inches of snow at the KJAN studios, with light snow continuing to fall. Saturday’s High was 25. Our Low this morning (as of 6-a.m.) was 15. Last year on this date, the High was 40 and the Low was 23. The All-time record High in Atlantic on Dec. 24th was 55 in 1893 & 1964. The record Low was -23 in 1983.

Winter Weather Advisory Update (4:50-a.m., 12/24)

Weather

December 24th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues until 6-a.m. today for Pottawattamie, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont and Page Counties, and until 9-a.m. for Cass, Adair, Adams, Madison, Ringgold, Taylor and Union Counties.

Snow will be ending this morning from west to east. Little or no accumulation is expected after around 6 am this morning in the far west/southwest counties. An additional one-to three inches of snow can be expected elsewhere south of Interstate 80.

Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times due to falling snow. Plan on slippery and/or snow covered road conditions.

2 injured in Council Bluffs crash Saturday afternoon

News

December 23rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A 17-year old female and a 20-year old male were injured during a collision at around 1:40-p.m. Saturday, in Council Bluffs. Authorities say the unidentified teenage female driver was operating a 2002 Nissan Altima eastbound on 9th Avenue, when the car entered the intersection on a red light.

A 2006 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 60-year old Steven Hovey, of Avoca, had exited Interstate 80 northbound to 9th Avenue and entered the same intersection on a green light, when the pickup struck the car on its passenger side. A back seat passenger in the car, 20-year old Cody Mabbitt, of Carter Lake, was ejected from the car an suffered minor, non-life threatening injuries.

The 17-year old and Mabbitt were transported to the UNMC by Council Bluffs Fire and Rescue, for treatment of minor, non-life threatening injuries. Hovey was not injured. The 17-year old female was cited for Operating While Disqualified, Obedience to Stop Signs and Signals, and No Proof of Insurance.

1 dead, 1 badly hurt when police pursuit ends in crash

News

December 23rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — One person is dead and another seriously injured after the stolen SUV they were in crashed during a police pursuit in central Nebraska.

WOWT-TV reports that 25-year-old Autumn Stadley of Omaha died at the scene of the crash Friday night, and 26-year-old Luis Elias was airlifted to a hospital in Lincoln.

Authorities say a Merrick County deputy began pursuit of a Dodge Durango when the SUV failed to stop after a traffic violation in Central City. The SUV crashed and rolled near the town of Osceola in Polk County. Both Stadley and Elias were thrown from the vehicle.

Police say the Durango had been stolen in Iowa. Authorities are trying to determine who was driving the SUV.

Winter Weather Advisory update (3:30-p.m., 12/23)

Weather

December 23rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

(Update 3:30-p.m., 12/23) — A Winter Weather Advisory continues for counties along and south of Interstate 80 this evening into Sunday morning. The National Weather Service says 2-to 4-inches of snow could fall over Cass-Adair-Adams-Madison-Ringgold-Taylor and Union Counties, where the Advisory now runs from 9-p.m. tonight (Saturday) until 9-a.m. Sunday, and from 6-p.m. today thru 6-a.m. Sunday, over the remaining counties (Pottawattamie, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont and Page).

Snow will start over southwestern Iowa this evening and spread eastward tonight before ending Sunday morning. Travelers this holiday weekend should be prepared for slick, snow covered roadways and reduced visibilities at times due to falling snow.

Winds with this event are expected to be mainly under 15 mph, which will limit blowing and drifting.

(Updated) Winter Weather Advisory continues for s.w. Iowa

Weather

December 23rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

(Update 1:20-p.m., 12/23) — A Winter Weather Advisory continues for counties along and south of Interstate 80 this evening into Sunday morning. The National Weather Service says 2-to 4-inches of snow could fall over Cass-Adair-Adams-Madison-Ringgold-Taylor and Union Counties, where the Advisory runs from 6-p.m. today (Saturday) until 9-a.m. Sunday, and from 6-p.m. today thru 6-a.m. Sunday, over the remaining counties (Pottawattamie, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont and Page).

Impact: Accumulating snow could cause slippery roads and areas of reduced visibility. Winds with this event are expected to be mainly under 15 mph, which will limit blowing and drifting.

Trump supporters greet tax law with shrugs and measured hope

News

December 23rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans in Congress are celebrating the signing of President Donald Trump’s tax proposal. The voters who elected Trump seem pleased but far from ecstatic.

Trump was elected with big support from blue collar voters who wanted him to change the economy. Some are not quite sure what to make of a tax bill whose biggest benefits go to corporations and the wealthy.

Most Americans will get a tax break. Some Trump voters in business will see major benefits. And others hope the wealth trickles down to them.

Sam Baker, an Iowa farmer, summed it up when he said: “It’s going to help me a little, I suppose.”

Reminder for Clarinda residents, re: parking when snow falls

News

December 23rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reminds residents of the community, that iF 1-to 2 inches of snow falls this weekend and accumulates on the streets, that a citywide on street parking ban would be in force until the streets are plowed & the snowfall ends. Vehicles not removed are subject to parking tickets & tow/impound. Brothers said the snowplows are primed and ready to go there is a significant snowfall.  Crews will be monitoring conditions, with staff on standby, if the flakes start to fly.

Police remove Santa after he gives coal to Muscatine council

News

December 23rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — A visit by Santa Claus to a Muscatine City Council meeting ended with police escorting him from the room after he gave council members and the city administrator lumps of coal. The Muscatine Journal reports Muscatine resident Max Kauffman dressed as Santa to deliver the gifts Thursday night. Kaufman has been a critic of the council’s efforts to remove Mayor Diana Broderson from office, a move blocked by court action. After she was reinstated, she won a second term in November.

Kauffman also has criticized City Administrator Gregg Mandsager, who has sued the mayor and city. After giving Broderson candy, Kauffman gave coal to the others. Upon reaching Mandsager, the administrator asked the police chief to escort him from the room. Kauffman was banned from the chamber for six months.