712 Digital Group - top

FSA Emergency Loan Applications available

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 24th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Farm operators in southwest Iowa who have sustained major forage and/or crop production, and/or physical losses due to flooding, may be eligible for an emergency loan. Iowa USDA Executive Director John Whitaker says applications for assistance should be completed at the Cass/Pottawattamie County Farm Service Agency (FSA) office, in Atlantic.

Whitaker says the FSA may make Emergency Loans to eligible family farmers, which will enable them to return to their normal operations, if they sustained qualifying losses resulting from natural disaster. Applicants must be unable to obtain credit from other, usual sources, in order to qualify for FSA Farm Loan Program assistance. Most of the disaster loans can be for up to seven-years, however, if the loan is secured only on crops, it must be repaid when the next year’s crop income is received.

The deadline for final applications is April 23rd, 2012. For more information, call the Cass/Pott County FSA office, at 712-243-1377.

Atlantic Cross Country Outlook – 2011

Sports

August 24th, 2011 by Jim Field

By:  Bruce Henderson, Head Coach

Trojanns
The Trojanns will try to reload as they start the season with only 2 of last year’s top 5 runners.  Ali Krogman leads the way and ran a personal best at the recent Atlanticfest road race.  Krogman has finished 5th, 1st, and 7th at the last 3 state meets.  Sophomore Liz Siggins is the other returner from last year’s top 5.  Six other seniors could figure into the varsity battle this year.  The top so far has been 2nd year runner Alex Hartwig. Returning letter winners Katie Blake, Malachi Wickman and Tiara Edelman have all run in the state meet.  Senior Alisha Hinzmann looks likely to grab a varsity spot, as does senior sprinter Melanie Nielsen.  Junior Caroline Trewet and sophomore Megan Plambeck look good and a trio of freshmen have varsity potential.
Practically all of the Trojanns’ competition will come from the Hawkeye 10. Harlan is the favorite, but Glenwood, Shenandoah, and L.C. were all within 6 points of the Trojanns at conference last year.  They all have more returners than the Trojanns, so it will take good performance for the Trojanns to beat these teams.  Griswold should have a very good team in area meets.  DCG and Ballard were tough on the district level last year, but both lose 3 of their 4 top runners

Trojans
It will be an interesting season for the Trojans.  They are filled with depth and potential, but have very few proven varsity runners.  Tian Siggins was our 2nd leading point getter last year and should be improved in 2011. Seniors Delsin Arnold, and Derek Von Seggern and Juniors Sam Bateman and Jake Auerbach have lettered and should figure in the mix this year.  Josiah Williams has looked very good so far in practice and is expected to be a good varsity runner.  Newcomer sophomore Preston Hoye and senior Ryan McDermott could also figure in the mix.  Senior Blake Esbeck, with state track experience, has recently decided to give cross country a try and could have a big impact. With a big squad of 32 the Trojans should be deep on both the varsity and J.V. levels. There is likely to be at least one surprise varsity runner this year.
The Hawkeye 10 was very tough and had seniors galore in 2010.  The Trojans hope to improve considerably on their 7th place finish.  Based on returners Glenwood, Shen-Essex, and L.C. should battle for the conference crown;  Harlan, Kuemper and Atlantic should battle for the next 3 spots. Tee Jay should be strong as well as Boone who could be in our district.  Shen-Essex is in class 3A this year, while DCG graduated its top 7 runners from a state team last year.

Harlan woman inducted into Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 24th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Barbara Determan, President, 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees; Patti Blum; Chuck Morris, Director, 4-H Youth Development

The Shelby County Extension Service reports a Harlan woman was recently inducted into the 2011 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. Patti Blum received the honor during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, August 21st.

Eighty-eight Iowa counties participated this year and selected 121 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members were presented a certificate by the Iowa 4-H Foundation as they were introduced on stage.

Patti has been involved in 4-H for over 30 years.  She served Shelby County as the 4-H Program Assistant for 13 years, working with countless leaders, volunteers and 4-H members during this time to keep the 4-H program strong. She supports 4-H at the state level as well, and was superintendent of the Issues class at the Iowa State Fair for many years. Blum has also served on the Iowa 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees and headed up the fundraising committee on the Board. Officials say her love of working with youth really comes through in judging, and she continues to be a 4-H judge for communications and static exhibits at many county and state fairs to help youth realize their potential with her positive guidance.

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.

14-year old in Lenox charged with sexual abuse

News

August 24th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Police in Lenox report a 14-year old male has been charged with 2nd degree sexual abuse, following an investigation into an incident which allegedly occurred on or about August 11th. Officials say they received a call on that date with regard to the alleged sexual abuse of a nine-year old boy. The reporting party intervened in the alleged sex act.

Following an investigation and consultation with juvenile authorities, Lenox Police charged the 14-year old, and his case has been referred to juvenile court. The name of the suspect is not being released, due to his age.

No charges to be filed in Bluffs death

News

August 24th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber said today (Wednesday), no charges will be filed in connection with an April 13, 2011 shooting death in Council Bluffs. On Tuesday, a Pott County Grand Jury considered charges against 43-year old Robert Keith Hashberger, with regard to the shooting death of 41-year old John Anthony Rodarte.

The jury returned a “No Bill,” which means they have declined to file charges. The No Bill was filed with the Clerk of Court this (Wednesday) morning, and concludes the Pott County Attorney’s Office involvement in the case.

Hasberger shot Rodarte once in the chest using a 9-millimeter handgun at around 7:35-p.m., following a verbal altercation at the Do Rock Inn, in Council Bluffs. Hashberger, who claimed he was acting in self-defense, was initially charged with 1st degree murder. An investigation and deposition of witnesses however, resulted in the Pott County Attorney’s Office dismissing the charge, which was then taken under consideration by the Grand Jury.

Because the Grand Jury proceedings are secret, Wilber said he could not comment further on the evidence they considered, Tuesday.

8AM Sportscast 08-24-2011

Podcasts, Sports

August 24th, 2011 by admin

w/ Jim Field

Play

Heartbeat Today 08-24-2011

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

August 24th, 2011 by admin

Jim speaks about the benefits of having kids involved in sports and activities.

Play

7AM Newscast 08-24-2011

News, Podcasts

August 24th, 2011 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

Play

Heat Burst hits SW IA Tuesday evening

News, Weather

August 24th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

If you noticed it became unusually, and suddenly hot Tuesday evening here in Atlantic, and in the surrounding area, you weren’t imagining things. The National Weather Service in Des Moines says a rare phenomenon known as a “Heat Burst” affected portions of southwest Iowa. A Heat Burst is characterized by a sudden rise in temperature, a drop in humidity, and strong winds that can approach or exceed severe levels. They are associated with high-based decaying thunderstorms with a substantial dry layer between the base of the storm.

As rain from the thunderstorm falls into the underlying dry air, it cools the air immediately around it, which becomes denser than the surrounding air, and begins to sink. As this air sinks, it dries and compresses, resulting in the hot and dry readings recorded with heat bursts.

Here in Atlantic, at the KJAN studios…the official National Weather Service reporting station…our temperatures from 1-to 6-pm were generally in the mid-80’s. The high here at the station reached 97-degrees.

According to the Automated Weather Observation System located at the airport, just before 7-p.m., the winds began to increase from 15- to 30-miles per hour. By 7:15, were gusting upwards of 40-miles per hour, and the temperature jumped from 88-degrees at 6:55-p.m., to 99-degrees at 7:15. The temp maxed out at 102-degrees, 10-minutes later, and by 7:35 had dropped to 91. The air cooled to the mid 80’s by 8-p.m.

The phenomenon also brought some damaging winds to part of the listening area. Officials with the Weather Service say a Heat Burst-related wind event caused a tree to fall on a power line in Bridgewater, at around 6:50-p.m. At 7:05, a tree was observed down on a power line one-mile south of Brayton. Other tree limbs also fell, as winds of up to 40-miles per hour occurred. The temperature in that area also spiked, from 76- to 96-degrees in just a few minutes. There was also a sharp drop in the humidity. And, a 60-mile per hour gust of wind was recorded in Fontanelle at 7:44-p.m., by an automated system.

Dodgers 13, Cardinals 2

Sports

August 24th, 2011 by Jim Field

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Clayton Kershaw won his National League-leading 16th game and Rod Barajas homered twice in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 13-2 victory over the fast-fading St. Louis Cardinals.  Kyle Lohse (11-8) was rocked for a season-worst eight runs in three innings, an impossible deficit against the 23-year-old Kershaw, who struck out eight in six scoreless innings. The Cardinals have lost six of eight and dropped a season-high 10 games behind the NL Central-leading Brewers.  Matt Kemp hit a three-run homer in the first and Barajas had a solo homer in the third and three-run shot in the fifth for his 11th multihomer game, also giving him four in five games.