United Group Insurance

Recent rainfall lessens drought conditions in Iowa

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

April 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the past two weeks have seen needed rainfall over much of the state, ending a very dry stretch of weather. The rains reflect improvements to the drought, streamflow and shallow groundwater conditions.

Areas in yellow are experiencing "Abnormally Dry" conditions. Areas in white are considered to have "Normal" soil conditions as of April 21st.

Areas in yellow are experiencing “Abnormally Dry” conditions. Areas in white are considered to have “Normal” soil conditions as of April 21st.

Rainfall totals varied from just over seven-tenths (0.70) inches at Muscatine to more than six-inches inches at Lake Mills.  In Atlantic, rainfall from April 7th through this past Tuesday, amounted to 2.39-inches, which matches the statewide average. Temperatures have averaged 4.5 degrees above normal, as well. Officials say the wet weather comes at a time when Iowa is entering its traditionally wet months, and is a positive sign for conditions through spring.

The area of the state classified as abnormally dry has dropped from 50 percent to 25 percent according to the National Drought Monitor, a significant improvement over one year ago when more than 75 percent of the state was abnormally dry. Slight drought conditions remain present in far northwest and eastern Iowa.

For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, go to www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate. The report is prepared by the technical staff from the Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.

EDITH PERRY, 97, of rural Greenfield (Svcs. 4/28/15)

Obituaries

April 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

EDITH PERRY, 97, of rural Greenfield, died Thursday, April 23rd, at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services for EDITH PERRY will be held 1:30-p.m. Tue., April 28th, at the Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Mon., April 27th, from 2-until 8-pm, with the family present from 6-until 8-pm.

Memorials may be directed to the Little Lambs Preschool or the Greenfield Public Library.

Burial will be in the Greenfield Cemetery.

EDITH PERRY is survived by:

Her daughter – Shirley Roach, of Greenfield.

Her brother – Richard (Margaret) Kinney, of LeClaire.

2 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, her sister-in-law, other relatives, and friends.

Exira man arrested Thu. for OWI

News

April 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop in Audubon County this (Thursday) morning, resulted in a man being arrested on a alcohol charge. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says 23-year old Michael Todd Sonntag, of Exira, was pulled over in Exira at around 12:15-a.m. and charged with OWI/1st Offense. Sonntag was brought to the Audubon County Jail and held until appearing before the magistrate, and then released.

Backyard and Beyond 04-23-2015

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

April 23rd, 2015 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks about container gardening.

Play

Face-lift project for Red Oak’s downtown square begins

News

April 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

RED OAK, Iowa (AP) – A facade project to give Red Oak’s downtown square a face-lift is set to begin. The Daily Nonpareil reports residents gathered in Fountain Square Park Wednesday for the project’s groundbreaking ceremony. Paul Griffen, the executive director for the Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association, said the gathering was a celebration of updates that are needed.

The project, which will be done in two phases, will give new awnings, paint and more to 30 buildings in the downtown square area. Both phases are expected to be completed by the end of the year. According to Griffen, the facade project will have a price tag of more than $900,000 by the time it is done.

The city has received funds for the project from a Community Development Block Grant, as well as money from Downtown Urban Renewal and building owner contributions.

Governor’s anti-bullying bill in jeopardy

News

April 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A bill that has been one of Republican Governor Terry Branstad’s priorities in each of the past three years is in limbo in the Iowa House. An bill designed to address concerns about bullying in Iowa schools cleared the Iowa Senate nearly a month ago on a 43-to-seven vote, but House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, a Republican from Hiawatha who is a lawyer, hints at the problem. “I have concerns about whether or not we’re inducing more risk of lawsuits and liability with the way it’s written right now,” Paulsen says.

Democrats in the Iowa House tried to force Paulsen to bring the bill up for debate yesterday (Wednesday) and were joined in the effort by the Republican chairman of the House Education Committee, but Paulsen and 51 other Republicans in the House united to block the move. Representative Chris Hall, a Democrat from Sioux City, says it’s important to draw attention to the impasse. “It’s reaching the point of absurdity, folks,” Hall says. “Most of us agree that legislation cannot and will not resolve each and every issue of bullying, but we can also agree that our updates…can help.”

Back in January, Governor Branstad got a standing ovation from legislators during his “Condition of the State” speech when he called for passage of the anti-bullying bill. Branstad has said he and his staff have worked to address concerns raised in the past two years and the “time has come” to pass the legislation. Paulsen, the legislature’s top Republican, says the bill still has flaws.

“By us creating new standards and requirements for the schools, I’m not sure they have complete control over that side of the equation,” Paulsen says. Representative Hall, the Democrat who led the effort to try to force debate on the bill in the House, says House Republican leaders are “doubling down” on irresponsibility. “House leaders have caved to Bob Vander Plaats and the far right fringe,” Hall said. “Perhaps it’s time to accept the reality that compromise won’t come from this chamber and kids won’t be a top priority within this House.”

Bob Vander Plaats — a Republican candidate for governor in 2002, 2006 and 2010 — is president of The Family Leader, a conservative Christian organization. The group is registered as opposed to Governor Branstad’s anti-bullying bill. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition are also registered opponents of the bill. Groups that represent Iowa educators and school boards support it.

(Radio Iowa)

Adair County property info. available in a new format

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Adair County residents have new tools available to them. Pam Jensen, Adair County Assessor, and the Adair County Board of Supervisors have announced that complete Adair County property information is now available to the public, 24/7, in an enhanced mapping format on the Internet at http://adair.gisworkshop.com/ through a partnership with GIS Workshop, LLC.

Visitors to the user-friendly mapping site will now find County property information at their fingertips through the Property Search tool. The search fields allow searches by parcel ID, owner name, address or legal description. All matching results will appear both on the map and in list format. In addition, residents can perform a more advanced search by sale information such as sale date, price range, acreage, or year built.

Full data regarding values, taxes, and even a photo of the property is now  conveniently available to anyone with an internet connection. Additional enhancements to the site include a Measurement tool, Quick Identify tool, Photo tool, Advanced Printing tool, and Zoom in/out and Aerial Imagery slider bars featuring several years of FSA aerial imagery. The enhanced site allows anyone to access informative GIS mapping information quickly and easily.

Boone man arrested in Union County

News

April 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A central Iowa man was arrested Tuesday night in Union County. The Sheriff’s office says 39-year old Terry Lynn Phelps, Jr., of Boone, was arrested at the Law Enforcement Center on a Department of Corrections warrant for probation violation. Phelps was being held without bond in the Union County Jail until his appearance before the Magistrate.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23rd

Trading Post

April 23rd, 2015 by Jim Field

FOR SALE: 2002 Ford Explorer 4X4 V8 Automatic. Leather interior, third row seating, 149K miles. $3500. Call or Text 712.789.0619 in Griswold.

FOR SALE:  Toro Personal Pace recycler 22in B.S engine, variable speed self-propelled gas lawn mower with blade stop system. 3 in 1 mulch-side discharge or bag included.  Easy starting.  $287.00 firm-cash one year used New $399.00 bright red.  Call 243 4132 or leave message.

FOR SALE: 32″ Airens riding mower, 10 horsepower engine, needs some carburetor work $80. 254-9049.

3 arrests in Glenwood

News

April 23rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Glenwood Police report three recent arrests. Today (Thursday), 33-year old Toby Merritt, of Glenwood, was arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication. Merritt was being held in the Mills County Jail on $300 bond.

On Wednesday, Glenwood Police arrested 18-year old Crysta Brammer, of Glenwood, for being a Fugitive from Justice. Brammer was being held without bond in the jail. And, 55-year old Alfred Barrett, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $2,000.