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College offers applicants choice on giving ACT, SAT score

News

July 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines private university is offering potential students other options if they don’t want to submit their SAT or ACT test results with their application packet.  Drake University announced on Wednesday that it’ll adopt a test-flexible admissions policy starting with applicants for the fall 2016 semester who have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and meet other criteria.

Those prospective students can keep their results to themselves and opt instead for an interview in which they can speak about their experiences inside and outside of the classroom.  The Des Moines Register reports that the move by the university is unusual in the Midwest but gaining popularity across the country. School officials say they still find the test valuable predictors of an applicant’s academic performance.

Glenwood Police receive multiple vehicle burglary reports

News

July 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Police in Glenwood received several reports Wednesday of thefts from motor vehicles. Four people told authorities their vehicles had been entered in Glenwood, and property stolen from inside the vehicles. No arrests have been made.

And, authorities say a Glenwood man, 21-year old Lucas Bird, was arrested this (Friday) morning, on a charge of Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $300.

Report: Iowa set to produce 40% of energy from wind by 2020

News

July 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A report released Thursday by the American Wind Energy Association predicts Iowa could produce 40-percent of its energy needs from wind power within five years.Wind turbinesMike Prior, with the Iowa Wind Energy Association, says the projection is based on the current rate of development.  “If development continued at the pace that is was, uninhibited, we would be able to meet those percentages by that time. Certainly there are challenges, PTC being one of them. There may be some transmission challenges,” Prior said.

PTC refers to production tax credits. The federal incentive program for wind farms expired at the end of last year. Industry analysts have also suggested Iowa could eventually sell its wind-generated electricity to other states. Beth Conley, with Houston-based Clean Line Energy Partners, is working to make that concept a reality.

“Right now, we are engaged in the regulatory process in Iowa, so working through our siting and working through our engineering,” Conley said. “We are in conversations with both customers in the east that would be interested in purchasing the power and customers in the west that are interested in developing this wind power to move east.”

The report issued Thursday is based on data from the U.S. Department of Energy. Iowa was the top state in country in 2014, generating 28 percent of its electricity by wind. Nationally, that figure is just 4.5 percent.

(Radio Iowa)

Day camp in NW Iowa targets kids AND grandparents

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A park in northwest Iowa plans to hold a two-day camp later this month designed specifically for kids and their grandparents. Karess Knudtson, with the Dickinson County Nature Center in Okoboji, is organizing what’s being called “Grandpa, Grandma, & Me!” She says the idea is to bridge generations and let both age groups grow together and create memories.

“The older generation as well as the younger generation can serve as both a learner as well as a teacher,” Knudtson says. “That becomes a very wonderful experience for them.” Knudtson says the camp has no theme, which allows for more hands-on activities like cooking, hiking and kayaking. It’s often difficult for kids and grandparents to coordinate schedules, so Knudtson says this an opportunity for both generations to spend some quality time together.

“We might get into some cooking, we might cook a snack one of the days, maybe making some Chapstik from our beeswax that we have from our bees here.” The camp is scheduled for July 30th and 31st and targets children between the ages of 5 and 13. The cost is $75 per child.

(Radio Iowa)

ISU Extension and Outreach to hold 2015 farm land valuation and leasing meetings

Ag/Outdoor

July 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Lower crop prices have had a heavy impact on Iowa’s farmers and many are forming their financial plans based on continued low prices. Farmland values and rental rates are heavily influenced by farmers’ current and future revenues. So what does the future hold for Iowa land values and rents? Find out at the land valuation and leasing meeting being held in your area. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach works to bring unbiased information to both land owners and renters to help both parties make successful management decisions.

The land valuation and leasing meetings discuss current land values, rental rates, trends and projections of how values and rents might change in the coming years. Other topics will include: how to calculate a rental rate based on county specific information, the variety of leasing arrangements that land owners and tenants may use, and the expected cost of crop production in the coming year.

There will be a leasing meeting held on July 29th at 9:30 am in Harlan, Iowa, at the Shelby County Extension Office, located at 906 Sixth Street. The cost is $20/person pre-registered, or $25/person without pre-registration. Attendees will receive a land leasing handbook with reference and resource materials. The workshop will last approximately 2 ½ hours. Shane Ellis, ISU farm management specialist for the west central region of the state will be presenting. To register, please call the Shelby County Extension office at 712-755-3104.

Heartbeat Today 07-17-2015

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

July 17th, 2015 by admin

Chris Parks catches up the 2015 Audubon County Fair Queen Tess Albright.

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ISU Extension and Outreach offers a Beginning Farmer Night

Ag/Outdoor

July 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Getting started in agriculture can be a daunting undertaking that requires a significant amount of resources. To help beginning farmers, both young and not so young, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is providing a Beginning Farmer Night on July 22 in Harlan, IA. The presentation starts at 6pm and will be held at the Shelby County Extension office located at 906 Sixth Street.

This meeting will focus on state and USDA programs designed to help new and some existing farmers find the capital resources to start or expand their operation. Existing farmers and landowners may be interested to learn about programs that reward them for mentoring or leasing land to beginning farmers. Speakers will include Steve Ferguson of the Iowa Finance Authority, Bill Anderson with USDA Farm Service Agency, and Shane Ellis, ISU Farm Management Specialist.

This will be an excellent opportunity for current and future producers to learn about beginning farmer programs and loans available directly from program administrators. Bring your questions for an open and friendly group discussion. For more information and to RSVP, please call the Shelby County Extension office at (712) 755-3104.

(Press Release)

Former youth coach sentenced to prison for child porn

News, Sports

July 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A man who had spent years a volunteer youth sports coach in West Des Moines has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for having more than 100 images of child pornography. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that Frank Burns, of Urbandale, was sentenced Thursday in Federal Court in downtown Des Moines.

The judge called Burns’ crimes serious because in about half of the 121 pornographic images, Burns had edited his face onto the pictures. Burns also admitted to authorities that he had sexually abused a teenage girl. Besides coaching youth sports, Burns had worked on committees for Special Olympics Iowa and Reach Out and Read Iowa.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 7/17/2015

News, Podcasts

July 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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“Crazy Days” in Atlantic this weekend

News

July 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Downtown Atlantic will find more shoppers than usual filling its sidewalks and doorways this Saturday, July 18th.Banner Ad ANT Participating Atlantic businesses will once again offer crazy, summer deals during the annual Crazy Daze retail sales event.

Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Director Ouida Wymer says “Crazy Daze is a long time tradition in Atlantic. We hope to bring people from out of town to experience crazy sales, have a great time and come back to shop Atlantic.”

Shoppers can also enjoy a free, Thanks with Franks hotdog lunch on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  at 5th and Chestnut. The hot dogs and chips meal is sponsored by Hockenberry Family Care and Hy-Vee.  Beverages will be provided by the Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

In addition to crazy sales at Atlantic retailers, there will be live street entertainment by BJ Hart and Caleb Kelly, as well as Sheltered Reality. Sheltered reality is a nonprofit musical organization whose performing membership spans all ages from 4 years old to 76. Performances include performance of percussion set to music, as well as high energy choreography, to engage and motivate audiences.

Crazy Daze activities are brought to you by McDermott & Son Roofing, Renew Ag Supply and Salute Gymnastics. For more information on Crazy Daze and other Chamber events visit atlanticiowa.com or contact the Chamber office at 712.243.3017.