United Group Insurance

MARGARET REIMER, 90, of Atlantic (Svcs. 3/27/15)

Obituaries

March 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

MARGARET REIMER, 90, of Atlantic, died Sun., March 22nd, at the Heritage House, in Atlantic. Memorial services for MARGARET REIMER will be held 10-a.m. Fri., March 27th, at the 1st United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic. Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Visitation with the family is from 6:30-until 8:00-p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Memorials may be directed to Cass Incorporated or the 1st United Presbyterian Church.

Burial will take place Friday morning in the Layton Township Cemetery at Walnut, prior to the Memorial service.

MARGARET REIMER is survived by:

Her husband – Marion Reimer, of Atlantic.

Her children – Randy, Renee and Russell.

NWS weather forecast for Cass & area Counties in IA, 3/23/15

Weather

March 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

346 AM CDT MON MAR 23 2015

EARLY THIS MORNING…PARTLY CLOUDY. NORTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH.

TODAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. COOLER. HIGH IN THE LOWER 50S. NORTHEAST  WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS BEFORE MIDNIGHT. LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS LIKELY AFTER MIDNIGHT…THEN LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS EARLY IN THE MORNING. LOW IN THE MID 30S. EAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 80 PERCENT.

TUESDAY…BREEZY. RAIN SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING…THEN LIGHT RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGH IN THE MID 40S. EAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 90 PERCENT.

TUESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY THROUGH MIDNIGHT. LOW IN THE MID 30S. WEST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH. CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS 60 PERCENT.

WEDNESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE MID 50S. SOUTHWEST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST 15 TO 20 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. BREEZY…COOLER. HIGH IN THE MID 40S.

 

Senate gun bill ‘still a work in progress’

News

March 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The top Democrat at the statehouse says a wide-ranging bill that’s eligible for debate in the senate needs “additional work” before senators would consider making changes in the state’s gun laws. “There are people in law enforcement that have suggested they see some things that could be significant improvements in our current law.” That’s Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs. Gronstal says establishing a uniform license for permits to carry a concealed weapon seems most likely, along with a move to create a statewide database of permit holders.

“So that law enforcement in Pottawattamie County would know something from Scott County and would be able to make that uniform. Also, that if somebody was stopped, they could quickly ascertain whether or not that person did have a legal permit,” Gronstal says. “So I think there are some law enforcement people working on whether they can come up with some compromise on that piece of legislation, but all of that is a work in progress at the moment.”

Gronstal says another bill that would get rid of the state’s ban on “silencers” which suppress the sound of a gunshot likely could pass the Senate. The House — on March 10th — passed a bill that dealt with suppressors and concealed weapons permits as well as a collection of other gun-related issues. Critics are calling for senators to shelve that bill because one section of it would essentially do away with Iowa’s three-day waiting period for the purchase of a handgun. Gronstal isn’t addressing that specific concern, but he offers this:

“I think it’s unlikely we will consider the House bill.” Gronstal says senators are, instead, working on rewriting their own bill. Representative Matt Windschitl, a Republican from Missouri Valley, is a gun rights advocate who argues there’s no three-day waiting period in Iowa for the purchase of “long” guns, like rifles and shotguns, so there’s no reason to have it for handguns.

In 2010 the legislature made significant changes that made it easier for Iowans to acquire a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Thousands of Iowans applied for and got a permit, which lasts for five years. That means tens of thousands of those permits will come up for renewal in 2016 and Windschitl says legislators should at least take steps to make the renewal process smoother.

“And make sure the sheriffs were having the training requirements in the legislation they felt were necessary for public safety and, at the same time, making sure we weren’t being too stringent or restrictive on Iowans exercising their Second Amendment rights,” Windschitl says. Windschitl is a trained gunsmith who works for the Union Pacific Railroad AND for his family’s gun shop in Missouri Valley.

(Radio Iowa)

Be Prepared: Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa

News, Weather

March 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

This is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa as residents statewide are encouraged to be prepared for spring and summer storms. Each day of the week will focus on a different severe weather topic, and Mike McClure with the National Weather Service says today (Monday) they’re calling attention to the dangers of flash flooding. “In any poor drainage areas or near creeks, streams and rivers, it’s one of those great ideas to be prepared ahead of time. What would you do in case of flash flooding? Where would you go? Get your preparedness in order right now, ahead of time.” Other topics on the calendar for this week include severe thunderstorms, family preparedness and tornadoes, with a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday morning.

McClure says this is also the time to refresh yourself on the difference between a warning, which means severe weather is occurring or imminent, versus a watch, which means conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather. “It’s not an exact science, so the goal here is to not get locked in on the counties that are in a watch, because severe weather doesn’t fall nicely and neatly, unfortunately, as we’d like it to and that’s why we say, if you’re in or near a watch area be prepared and stay alert.”

The first tornado reported in Iowa last year happened in late March causing minor damage in Clarke County, with a statewide total last year of 55 tornadoes, the highest since 2008.

(Iowa News Service)

Shockers beat Jayhawks 78-65 in NCAA Tournament showdown

Sports

March 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — No wonder Kansas never wants anything to do with Wichita State. Behind another steady performance from Fred VanVleet and the hot shooting of Evan Wessel, the No. 7 seed Shockers rolled past the second-seeded Jayhawks 78-65 on Sunday, earning a trip to the Sweet 16 at the expense of the school that has caused them so much chagrin.

Tekele Cotton led the way with 19 points for the Shockers (30-4). VanVleet finished with 17 and Wessel hit four 3-pointers to score 12, sending the Missouri Valley champions to Cleveland for the Midwest Regional semifinal against third-seeded Notre Dame.

Devonte’ Graham and Perry Ellis had 17 points each, and Frank Mason added 16 for the Jayhawks (27-9), who blew an early eight-point lead and never really threatened in the second half.

 

Hotel evacuated for several hours because of carbon monoxide

News

March 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A hotel in western Iowa had to be evacuated for several hours after carbon monoxide levels spiked in the pool area and several guests became dizzy. KETV reports two people were taken to the hospital for treatment and two others needed oxygen at the Council Bluffs hotel.

Firefighters say carbon monoxide levels in the pool area of the Quality Inn and Suites motel were dangerously high Sunday. Authorities say a malfunctioning pool heater appears to be the source. Guests were allowed back in the hotel after the carbon monoxide was cleared out.

Gonzaga headed back to Sweet 16 after 87-68 win over Iowa

Sports

March 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

SEATTLE (AP) — Kyle Wiltjer scored 13 of his 24 points during Gonzaga’s flawless first half, Domantas Sabonis added 18 points and the second-seeded Bulldogs advanced to the round of 16 for the first time since 2009 with a 87-68 win over No. 7 seed Iowa in a South Region matchup on Sunday.

After five straight departures on the first weekend, the Bulldogs (34-2) are back in the regional semifinals, thanks to efficient offensive performance in the first 20 minutes that Iowa could never overcome. Wiltjer made his first six shots before finally missing a 3-point attempt midway through the second half. Sabonis added eight in the first half, including a thundering left-handed dunk that was followed by a scream that had KeyArena roaring just like Gonzaga’s home gym.

Jared Uthoff led Iowa (22-12) with 20 and Aaron White added 19.

 

Iowa early News Headlines: Mon., March 23rd 2015

News

March 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill in the Iowa Legislature would expand some time-off entitlements for adoptive parents. The legislation would essentially require an employer that offers some form of paid time off or other entitlements for the birth of a child to do the same for an employee who’s adopted a child in the past 12 months. The Senate has passed the measure, and supporters are pushing it in the House.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A hotel in western Iowa had to be evacuated for several hours yesterday after carbon monoxide levels spiked in the pool area and several guests became dizzy. Two people were taken to the hospital for treatment and two others needed oxygen at the Council Bluffs hotel. Guests were allowed back in after the carbon monoxide was cleared out.

(Information in the following story is from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com )

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A 46-year-old Texas man has been arrested in connection with a scheme to collect a multimillion-dollar Hot Lotto jackpot that was won in 2010. Earlier this year, an Iowa man who worked for a lottery company was arrested after authorities say he violated state law when he bought the $14.3 million ticket and then tried to get others to help him claim it. Authorities say the Texas man will be brought to Iowa to face fraud charges.

SEATTLE (AP) — Kyle Wiltjer scored 24 points and the second-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 87-68 win over No. 7 seed Iowa. The Hawkeyes couldn’t overcome the Bullsdogs’ efficient offensive performance in the first 20 minutes of yesterday’s game. Jared Uthoff led Iowa with 20, and Aaron White added 19.

Creston man arrested in Adams County

News

March 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County said Sunday, a Union County man sought by sheriff’s deputies in that county, was arrested Thursday night  on charges that include OWI/2nd offense and Driving While Suspended. 38-year old Robert Hiatt, of Creston,  was taken into custody just before midnight and brought to the Adams County jail, where his bond was set at $1,000.

Lackey pitches into fifth in Cardinals’ 8-6 win

Sports

March 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — John Lackey worked into the fifth inning in his second spring start, allowing four runs as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-6 on Sunday. Adam Jones homered twice for Baltimore, driving in four runs and Manny Machado hit a solo home run. Jones hit a three-run homer in the fifth off Mitch Wilson. He also homered in the fourth off Lackey. The center fielder has three home runs this spring. Machado homered and doubled against Lackey.

Bud Norris allowed three runs — one of them unearned in four innings. Matt Adams hit a long two-run home run to center field in the third. Randal Grichuk hit a two run homer in the ninth off Chaz Roe to key a three-run Cardinals ninth.