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Stocking up for Thanksgiving? Expect to pay 6% more overall

News

November 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The upcoming weekend is typically a very busy one for Iowa grocery stores as consumers stock up on supplies for next week’s Thanksgiving dinner. Despite fears turkey prices would skyrocket due to this spring’s bird flu outbreak, U-S-D-A economist Annemarie Kuhns says turkey prices have actually dropped in the past week and are only up a few cents a pound from a year ago.

tgivs_dins“This is the main attraction for your Thanksgiving meal and retailers tend to offer deep discounts on their turkeys to bring people into the store,” Kuhns says. Iowans may find frozen turkeys selling for as low as 59-cents a pound, however, many of those beloved side dishes may cost more to prepare. Sweet potato prices are up nearly 28-percent from a year ago while russet potatoes are up more than eight-percent.

Egg prices are up significantly from 2014, in large part, due to the bird flu outbreak. She says a dozen eggs will run you a full dollar more. “On average, $2.97,” Kuhns says. “They cost $1.97 at this time last year.” Kuhns says the price of green beans, milk and cranberries are all down this year. Iowa remains the nation’s number-one hog producer and Kuhns says now is a good time to buy ham as prices are down a half-a-dollar. “Per pound ham prices are about $4.13 this year,” she says. “Last year, they cost about $4.63.”

Overall, it’s estimated the Thanksgiving dinner will cost about six-percent more than last year’s big meal.

(Radio Iowa)

Are you ready for some winter driving?

News

November 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Ready or not, here it comes. Iowa Department of Transportation officials remind you that the first snowfall each year provides a new learning experience when it comes to winter driving skills. First off, evaluate the need for your trip during poor winter driving conditions. If you have no other choice but to venture out, monitor weather forecasts and road condition reports before you leave.

6a00e552358ec4883401b7c7ef20fe970bSince the weather has been relatively warm, the ground under the road is likely not going to be frozen. When the snow hits, it will probably turn to slush, that could be deep in places.

  • Slush on the road can “pull” your vehicle, so keep a good grip on the wheel.
  • Make sure you have filled the windshield washer fluid in your vehicle.
  • Stopping distance is going to be longer than on dry pavements – keep your distance
  • SUVs and four-wheel drive vehicles have no advantage over other vehicles when driving in slush.

Other winter driving tips to remember:

  • Focus your attention on the driving task and slow down.
  • Do not use cruise control.
  • Put your cell phone away so you are not tempted to talk or text while driving, but make sure you have a charger in the vehicle in case you become stranded.
  • Keep a safe distance from vehicles in adjacent lanes as strong wind gusts could push a vehicle outside its lane of travel.
  • Take extra care if driving a high-profile vehicle such as a truck, van or sports utility vehicle, or when towing a trailer, as these vehicles are more prone to be pushed or even flipped by wind gusts.
  • Turn on your headlights to see and be seen.
  • Keep your windshield clear.
  • Allow extra travel time.

Winter driving is always unpredictable, so be prepared for the unexpected.

Log on to http://511ia.org/  and download the 511 app for the latest road conditions.

Bookmark trackaplow.iowadot.gov to see photos directly from Iowa DOT snowplows to get a feel for the conditions.

(Podcast) 8-a.m. KJAN News, 11/20/2015

News, Podcasts

November 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

More area and State news from Ric Hanson.

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Officials in Council Bluffs ask you to drive w/caution today

News

November 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Officials in Council Bluffs report the City is expecting a rain and snow mixture during the morning and afternoon, today. That mix should change to all snow by 6-p.m. and continue until 11-p.m. Snow accumulation totals are expected to be between 2 to 3 inches.Bluffs PW

Winds will be picking up this evening as the temperatures begin to drop, potentially causing slick road conditions into the evening. Council Bluffs Public Works will have crews out treating streets all day, however, as always, they ask that you drive with caution.

Updated Winter Weather Advisories/Warnings for 11/20/15

Weather

November 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

(Information current as of 8:30-a.m. 11/20)

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY (which replaces a Winter Storm Watch) is in effect from 2-pm today (Friday) until 6-am Saturday, for Cass, Adair, Adams and Union Counties. The Advisory is in effect from 3-p.m today until 3-am Saturday, for Pottawattamie and Montgomery Counties. 3-to 6-inches of snow are possible in the Advisory area. 11-201

A WINTER STORM WARNING remains in effect from 3-pm today to 3-a.m. Saturday, for Monona, Harrison and Shelby Counties, from 2-p.m. today until 6-am Saturday for Audubon, Guthrie and Dallas Counties, and from 10-am today until 6-am Saturday, for Sac, Crawford and Carroll Counties. 6-to 10-inches of snow are possible in the warned area.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 11/20/2015

Podcasts, Sports

November 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Jim Field.

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(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & funeral report, 11/20/2015

News, Podcasts

November 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Creston man arrested for being felon w/a firearm

News

November 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A Creston man was arrested Thursday evening on a firearms charge. Creston Police say 38-year old Jeremy King was taken into custody on four counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. King was being held in the Union County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

IPIB dismisses complaints again Neola City Council

News

November 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Two complaints against the Neola City Council were dismissed Thursday by the Iowa Public Information Board. The Daily NonPareil says members of the board accepted a recommendation finding no legal meeting was held when some members of the council met with city staff to discuss absentee ballots and political strategy in advance of the recent municipal elections.

The board went against a staff recommendation to accept a second complaint alleging the City Council should have involved its city attorney in a closed session following an audit finding by the state. The council instead had a special attorney for that issue involved in the closed portion of the meeting, during which the council discussed legal strategy.

Margaret Johnson, deputy director of the Iowa Public Information Board, said the state agency advanced a proposed administrative rule at Thursday’s meeting to clarify that when a governmental body cites a provision of Iowa Code to allow closed meetings “to discuss strategy with counsel,” the body’s legal council must attend either in person or electronically.

Johnson said the IPIB staff had asked the board to accept the complaint to further examine the definition of “counsel” for the purpose of a closed session. She said the board instead dismissed the complaint but asked for that background work to be done for an advisory opinion.

In a letter to the IPIB, the city had called the complaint “frivolous.” The complaint was filed by Teresa Ring, who said an audit finding alleging fraud by former City Clerk Deb Schierbrock was a “smear campaign,” and the audit prompted the closed session in question. Schierbrock, Ring’s sister-in-law, made an unsuccessful bid to become mayor of Neola. The audit was conducted by the state as part of an independent process from the city.

Crescent man gets probation on homicide by vehicle charge

News

November 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A judge in Pottawattamie County, Thursday, sentenced 20-year old John Harter, of Crescent, to two years of supervised probation one month after Harter plead guilty to a homicide by vehicle-reckless driving charge.

The Daily NonPareil says the felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. According to court documents, on July 2nd, 2013, witnesses told police that they saw Harter driving a motorcycle at speeds of 80 mph with 18-year old Joseph Goodwin as a passenger.

Police said as he drove around the vehicle, Harter saw three motorcycles in the southbound lane, and Harter tried to stop. He and Goodwin were thrown from the motorcycle. Goodwin died at the scene, and another victim suffered serious injuries. . After the crash, Harter was found to have cannabis and central nervous system depressants in his system. After a year-long investigation, Harter was arrested on July 11th, 2014.

According to the agreement, by pleading guilty to the Class C felony and spending the 30 days between the plea hearing and the sentencing hearing in Pottawattamie County Jail, Harter would then receive a deferred judgment. The court would also dismiss his other two charges, including homicide by vehicle-operating under the influence, a Class B felony.

In addition to obeying the terms of his probation, Harter will have to pay $150,000 to the estate of Joseph Goodwin and $2,681 to another victim in the accident. If he does not meet the conditions of his probation, he could still be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. If Harter successfully completes his probation, the charge will be dismissed, and the record of the case will be expunged.