712 Digital Group - top

Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., Aug. 13th 2014

News

August 13th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A woman was charged with theft after police found her driving a motorized shopping cart along a road, miles from the supermarket where she had started. Police stopped 49-year-old Julie Cae Briggs while she was driving a cart taken from a Hy-Vee. Police say Briggs claimed the store allowed her to take the cart because she didn’t have a ride home, about four miles away. She was about two miles from the store when stopped by the officer.

DUNKERTON, Iowa (AP) — The Dunkerton City Council has placed the northeast Iowa city’s police chief on leave until an investigation is completed. The council voted unanimously to take the action after a private meeting. Police Chief Tim Schultz will remain on administrative leave pending an investigation and hearing. Schultz and Mayor Edward Jessen declined to discuss the matter.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad is removing Iowa from an organization created to develop an assessment system for the Common Core education standards. The consortium, which is comprised of states, has been working to establish a testing program. Branstad says a state task force is reviewing Iowa’s assessment needs and will provide recommendations in January. Out of respect for that work, he says the state will not continue in the consortium.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa man has been crowned the top auctioneer of an annual bid calling contest at the Iowa State Fair, and he says he will donate the prize money to the families of four teenage boys killed earlier this month. Tim Markham, of Holy Cross, was named the winner of the Iowa State Champion Auctioneer Contest. Markham, a full-time auctioneer, says he will donate his $1,000 prize to the families of four boys killed in a utility vehicle accident in Dubuque County on Aug. 2.

Coca Cola Days Raffle Tickets Available

News

August 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Summer has flown by, and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says it’s gearing up for Coca-Cola Days, which take place next month, September 26th & 27th, in Atlantic. Every year more than 100 Coca Cola memorabilia collectors gather in Atlantic to show, swap and sell. Events include a tailgate barbeque dinner and Show Swap and Sell meet. Every year the Coca-Cola Days committee creates a one of a kind collector’s item to be raffled off.

Dolly Bergman with a one of kind metal sign created by Weirich Welding, to be raffled off.

Dolly Bergman with a one of kind metal sign created by Weirich Welding, to be raffled off.

In 2014 the Coca Cola raffle item is a one of kind metal sign created by Weirich Welding. This sign can be placed in your garden or in a medium to large flower pot. Raffle tickets are available for $1 a ticket or $5 for 6 tickets and can be purchased at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 102 Chestnut Street. You can also purchase Coca- Cola Days T-Shirts and Coca-Cola tumblers.

Please call the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce with any questions. 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

Harlan P-D issues arrest report

News

August 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Harlan Police Department Tuesday evening issued their weekly arrest and incident report. Officials say 47-year old Timothy Turner, of Harlan, was arrested Sunday (8/10), when officers were called to a domestic disturbance at 3002 12th Street. As a result of the investigation, Turner was taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with domestic abuse assault. Turner was also arrested the next day for violating the no contact order that was issued as a result of the domestic abuse.

On Saturday (8/9), 32-year old Shannon Mahlberg, of Earling, and 23-year old Kelsey Mahlberg, also of Earling, were both taken into custody following a traffic stop and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Shannon Mahlberg was charged with driving while barred and violation of a no contact order. Kelsey Mahlberg was also charged with violation of a no contact order.

Last Friday, 34-year old Emily Labenz, of Portsmouth, was taken into custody following a traffic stop. Labenz was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

And on Aug. 6th, 49-year old Randall Hess, and 46-year old Patsy Nuzum, both of Harlan, were taken into custody when an officer observed the two entering a vehicle. Both were charged with violation of a protective order. That same day, 28-year old Abby Poitier, of Harlan, was taken into custody by officers who were responding to an unrelated call at Westridge Acres trailer park. Poitier was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with intoxication in public.

Iowa exits Common Core assessment group

News

August 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad is removing Iowa from an organization created to develop an assessment system for the Common Core education standards. A Branstad spokesman said Tuesday that Branstad last week sent a letter to the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, seeking to terminate Iowa’s membership. The consortium, which is comprised of states, has been working to establish a testing program.

In his letter, Branstad says a state task force is reviewing Iowa’s assessment needs and will provide recommendations in January. Out of respect for that work, he says the state will not continue in the consortium.

The Common Core standards have been adopted by more than 40 states but have been criticized by conservatives. Iowa has blended many Common Core components into the Iowa Core.

JEANNE M. STEFFEN, 83, of Stuart (formerly of Greenfield & Griswold) – Svcs. at a later date

Obituaries

August 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

JEANNE MARIE STEFFEN, 83, of Stuart (formerly of Greenfield & Griswold), died Tue., Aug 12th, at the Stuart Community Care Center. Memorial services for JEANNE STEFFEN will be held at a later date. Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold has the arrangements.

JEANNE STEFFEN is survived by:

Her husband Wayne Steffen of Greenfield.

Her children: Jon Steffen and wife Jodi of Creston; Mark Steffen and husband Mike Paodessa of Chicago, IL, and Jayne Mazerkiewicz and husband Kevin of Henderson, NV.

4 grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Record crops predicted; farmers market carefully

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farmers will produce a record-breaking corn harvest this year, surpassing earlier expectations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has revised upward its estimate of this year’s corn harvest to 14 billion bushels. That exceeds last year’s 13.9 billion bushel record.

Soybean production also will set a new record at 3.8 billion bushels, beating the 2009 harvest of 3.4 billion bushels. Farmers are blessed with an abundant crop but cursed that it has driven prices lower. They are taking more control of their grain marketing by building more on-farm storage, holding onto the crop and timing the sale to maximize profit.

Rain fell at the right times and a cooler summer made for favorable growing conditions in the 18 states that produce 91 percent of the nation’s corn.

MARY ANN GRETCHEN KEIM, 76, formerly of Atlantic (Graveside Svcs. 8/15/14)

Obituaries

August 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

MARY ANN GRETCHEN KEIM, 76, of Sun City, AZ, died June 20th.  Graveside services and burial of cremains for MARY KEIM, will be held 11-a.m. Fri., Aug. 15th, at Graceland Cemetery in Avoca.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chapelofthechimesmortuary.com

MARY ANN KEIM is survived by:

Son: Kevin (Dinah) Keim.

Sisters: Larita (Pete) Lesan. Lola (Melvin) Hodge.

Sisters-in-law: Kandi (Bill) Bonneson.  Julie (Tony) Ransford. Geneva Froelich.

Brother-in-law: Gene (Yvonne) Keim.

2 Grandchildren.

3 Great-Grandchildren.

Fatal accident in Mills County, Sunday

News

August 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a Nebraska man died during an accident early Sunday morning. 20-year old Nicholas Polsley, of Bellevue, NE, was ejected during the crash that happened at around 4-a.m., and died at the scene.

Authorities say Polsley was driving a 1999 Chrysler westbound on Highway 370 just past Allis Road, when the car went out of control and entered the north ditch. The vehicle rolled several times before coming to rest on its wheels. An investigation determined Polsley was ejected through the sunroof of the vehicle. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

2 arrests in Audubon last week

News

August 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

An official with the Audubon Police Department say two people were arrested August 5th on unrelated charges. In the report released today (Tuesday), Officer Matt Starmer said 30 year old Heather Nicole Daisy, of Estherville, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Harassment in the First Degree. The woman was brought to the Audubon County Jail, and later posted bond before being released.

And, 21 year old Cody Dewayne Peretto, of Audubon, was arrested last week on a charge of Aggravated Domestic Abuse Assault. Peretto was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

(12:40-p.m. News)

Boil Order continues (Updated 8/12/14)

News

August 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Officials with SIRWA (the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association) say that as of today (Tuesday, August 12th), the Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for customers in NW Adams, Montgomery, SE Cass Counties and the Cities of Grant, Carbon, Brooks, Bridgewater and Lyman; account numbers beginning with 047, 048, 081, 082, 084 and 005. If you have any questions, call 641-782-5744.NW_Adams_SE_Cass_Map jpg

SIRWA customers who have been under the Drinking Water Advisory are supplied with water produced by the Corning Municipal Water Department. Currently, the Corning Municipal Water Department uses chloramines for disinfection of the drinking water. Chloramines are created by combining chlorine and ammonia. They are conducting a free chlorine burnout of their water distribution system. The Corning Municipal Water Department will be using free chlorine as their disinfectant for approximately the next 30 days.

Officials hope the free chlorine can be distributed throughout the SIRWA distribution system being served by the Corning Municipal Water Department by the weekend and the Drinking Water Advisory may be lifted at that time.

SIRWA customers may notice open flushing hydrants throughout the SIRWA distribution system during this period and possibly overflowing water storage towers. The flushing hydrants will be opened to allow flushing of the system to help remove sediment from the pipes and distribute the change in disinfectant. Overflowing water storage towers further aid in the flushing process.

Possible Noticeable Effects: It is important to understand that during this temporary change there may be some discoloration or cloudiness in the water and possibly a slight chlorine odor or taste. If this is experienced you may want to run the water through the tap until it clears. Minor pressure fluctuations and small air pockets may also occur. Hydrant flushing should remove a majority of the color and odor, but some may reach customer lines during the process.

Customers who use tap water for kidney dialysis at home should consult their doctor to advise them if any changes are necessary in their residual disinfectant neutralization procedures. Customers utilizing the water for aquariums should monitor both free and combined chlorine residuals.