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24-hour Iowa Concern Hotline launched; Additional information available for citizens with questions in Western Iowa

News

June 3rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Gov. Branstad’s office today is releasing the following information in conjunction with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management:

Citizens in Western Iowa counties may access several resources for answers to questions regarding possible widespread flooding in the Missouri River valley.

Iowa Concern Hotline

Citizens in the affected areas may call the Iowa Concern Hotline at 1-800-447-1985. When flooding is a concern in the state, Iowa State University Extension’s Iowa Concern hotline is available for those who need assistance. The Iowa Concern Hotline is available 24 hours a day. All calls are free and confidential, and the operators are willing to assist wherever possible.

2-1-1

In addition, residents may call 2-1-1 with questions or concerns about the flooding and steps they should take. 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community:
*        Basic human needs resource: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.

*        Support for older Americans and persons with special needs: home health care, adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation, and homemaker services.

*        Volunteer opportunities and donations.
Donations and Volunteering

Donations of “stuff” (clothing, miscellaneous food items, household goods, etc.) are NOT needed at this time. Cash is best; it doesn’t need to be sorted, stored or distributed, and cash allows the receiving voluntary agency to direct the donation to the needs that most urgently need addressing. To donate cash, visit www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/CashDonations/Default2.aspx?ST=Iowa<http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/CashDonations/Default2.aspx?ST=Iowa>

Those wishing to volunteer in the flood fight may sign up to do so at www.volunteeriowa.org<http://www.volunteeriowa.org>.

RONALD DEAN PETERSEN (6-7-2011)

Obituaries

June 3rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

RONALD DEAN PETERSEN, 76, of Avoca, died Fri., June 3rd, at the Avoca Nursing & Rehab Center. Funeral services for RONALD PETERSEN will be held 2-p.m. Tue., June 7th, at the Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca.

Visitation at the funeral home will be from 1-2pm the day of the funeral. Burial is in the Graceland Cemetery at Avoca.

RONALD PETERSEN is survived by:

His wife – Martha Lynn Petersen, of Avoca.

His sons – Daniel (Ruth) Petersen, of Red Wing, MN,; Keith Petersen, of Avoca; & Kevin (Gwen) Petersen, of St. Augustine, FL.

His daughter – Shari (Scott) Anderson, of Avoca.

His brothers – Richard (Rose) Petersen, and Jack Petersen, all of Avoca.

6 grandchildren & 2 great grandchildren

DARLENE JEWELL BLAKELY (6-7-2011)

Obituaries

June 3rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DARLENE JEWELL BLAKELY, 94, of Harlan, died Thu., June 2nd, at Myrtue Medical Center. Funeral services for DARLENE BLAKELY will be held 10:30-a.m. Tue., June 7th, at the 1st Baptist Church in Harlan. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at the funeral home is from 8am-9pm Mon., June 6th.  Burial will be in the Harlan Cemetery.

DARLENE BLAKELY is survived by:

Her daughter – Marcia (Lyle) Walker, of Harlan.

Her sister – Phyllis (Glen) Yeager, of Central Point, OR.

2 grandchildren

LISA BANE & KENNETH E. BANE (6-7-2011)

Obituaries

June 3rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

LISA BANE, 31, of Atlantic, died Thu., June 2nd, at Cass Incorporated Residential Services. Combination Funeral and Memorial services for Lisa Bane, and her grandfather, KENNETH E. BANE (who died April 14th in CA)  will be held 10-a.m. Tue., June 7th, at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Visitation is open at the funeral home from 8am-5pm Mon., June 6th, with the family present from 5-7pm Monday.

Burial is in the Oakland Cemetery.

LISA BANE is survived by:

Her parents – Joel and Pamela Bane, of Oakland.

Her sisters – Betsy Bane, of Colorado Springs, CO., & Janet (Brett) Bane-Schafer, of Elkhart, IA.

Her grandmothers – Eileen Williams, of Honey Creek, IA & Dorothy Bane, of Oakland.

Her niece – Peyton Schafer, of Elkhart.

DNR CLOSING LEWIS AND CLARK STATE PARK ALONG MISSOURI RIVER MONDAY

News

June 3rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

ONAWA – Due to anticipated flooding, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will close Lewis and Clark State Park along the Missouri River in Monona County beginning Monday, June 6.

The rising water table in the area will cause the park to flood around June 10 and is not expected to recede for close to eight weeks. High water will cut off the park road and infiltrate the park facilities.

“Campers currently in the park are safe,” said Eric Haakenson, DNR park ranger. “We just want to make sure the park is cleared beforehand.”

In addition to Lewis and Clark, the DNR has closed and removed the staff at Wilson Island State Recreation Area, north of Council Bluffs, and is watching the levee separating Lake Manawa State Park from the Missouri River.

The DNR has suspended the 14-day maximum length of stay rule for evacuees who choose to camp at Waubonsie State Park in Fremont County and may look at doing the same at other western Iowa parks if the need arises.

Friday Girls State Tennis Results

Sports

June 3rd, 2011 by Jim Field

Class 1-A Singles Consolation Semifinals

  • Ena Alcan (Fairfield) defeated Elizabeth Metheny (Atlantic) 7-5, 7-5
  • Kristy Carr (Ballard) defeated Amanda Stefanik (Oskaloosa) 6-1, 6-0

Class 1A Semifinals

  • Sarah Dalton (Dubuque Wahlert) defeated Mary Eide (Fort Dodge St. Edmond) 6-0, 6-1
  • Celia Morton (Dubuque Wahlert) defeated Kylie Vogel (Camanche) 6-2, 6-2

Class 1-A Seventh Place

  • Elizabeth Metheny (Atlantic) defeated Amanda Stefanik (Oskaloosa) 3-6, 6-4, 1 (5)

Class 1-A Fifth Place

  • Kristy Carr (Ballard) defeated Ena Alcan (Fairfield) 6-1, 6-3

Class 1-A Third Place

  • Kylie Vogel (Camanche) defeated Mary Eide (Fort Dodge St. Edmond) 6-1, 6-3

Class 1A Championship

  • Sarah Dalton (Dubuque Wahlert) defeated Celia Morton (Dubuque Wahlert) 6-0, 6-4

Class 1-A Doubles Consolation Semifinals

  • Kim Bearbower/Rachel Schaefer (Waterloo Columbus) defeated Beth Reiter/Teal Driscoll (Clarinda) 6-1, 6-1
  • Alli Gerking/Aubry Kolegraff (Spirit Lake/Okoboji) defeated Katie Meyer/Kathleen Hutchinson (Dubuque Wahlert) 6-1, 6-2

Class 1-A Semifinals

  • Rachel Pierson/Emily Pierson (Red Oak) defeated Whitney Schipper/Ashley Dohlman (Aplington-Parkersburg) 6-1, 6-1
  • Tiana Bark/Jalyn Deering (Camanche) defeated Lindsay McGonegle/Lindsay McManus (Waterloo Columbus) 6-4, 6-3

Class 1-A Seventh Place

  • Beth Reiter/Teal Driscoll (Clarinda) defeated Katie Meyer/Kathleen Hutchinson (Dubuque Wahlert) 6-4, 7-5

Class 1-A Fifth Place

  • Alli Gerking/Aubry Kolegraff (Spirit Lake/Okoboji) defeated Kim Bearbower/Rachel Schaefer (Waterloo Columbus) 3-6, 6-2, 1 (5)

Class 1-A Third Place

  • Lindsay McGonegle/Lindsay McManus (Waterloo Columbus) defeated Whitney Schipper/Ashley Dohlman (Aplington-Parkersburg) 6-3, 6-2

Class 1-A Championship

  • Rachel Pierson/Emily Pierson (Red Oak) defeated Tiana Bark/Jalyn Deering (Camanche) 6-0, 6-1

DOROTHEA VAN VLEET (6-6-2011)

Obituaries

June 3rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DOROTHEA VAN VLEET, 96, of Fontanelle, died Fri., June 3rd, at the Greenfield Manor in Greenfield. Funeral services for DOROTHEA VAN VLEET will be held 1:30-p.m. Mon., June 6th, at the United Methodist Church in Fontanelle. Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle has the arrangements.

Visitation at the funeral home is open from 11-a.m. to 7-p.m. Sunday, June 5th, with the family present from 5-7pm. An Eastern Star Service will be held on Monday at the church, by Greenfield O.E.S. Chapter 91.

Burial will be in the Fontanelle Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to a memorial fund to be established in her name, by the family. Online condolences may be left at www.steenfunerals.com

DOROTHEA VAN VLEET is survived by:

Her son – Eugene (Linda) Van Vleet, of Casper, WY.

Her daughter – Barbara (Jim) Agan, of Johnston.

8 grandchildren

22 great-grandchildren

8 great-great grandchildren

other relatives, her sister-in-law, and friends

Iowa DOT plans for Missouri River flooding and offers information for travelers

News

June 3rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa – June 3, 2011 – 10:30 a.m. – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is presently carrying out emergency contingency planning in light of the Missouri River flooding, which is expected to continue through June. The Iowa DOT is already performing some emergency response activities to assist with regional traffic impacts related to flooding occurring in South Dakota, and making other preparations in the Sioux City area.
  
As part of its planning effort, the Iowa DOT is evaluating hydrological data and conducting an assessment of elevations of state roadways and its facilities, which are located along the corridor from Sioux City to Hamburg. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine the potential for flood inundation or other impacts. Where it is warranted, state assets will be relocated.

Included in the evaluation is an assessment of the vulnerability of the interstate highways. All interstate routes remain open to traffic at this time.
If it becomes necessary to close the interstate or other state roadways due to flooding, the Iowa DOT will provide the public with as much advance notice as possible. However, the volume and rate of rising flood waters can be unpredictable and the window of opportunity to notify the public may be limited in some instances.

Local area residents planning to use state or interstate highways as evacuation routes should closely monitor travel conditions.
Commercial motor carriers with permitted oversize loads should check availability of designated routes by visiting www.511ia.org.
Any detours that are established may involve significant out-of-distance travel due to the vast area that the flood waters are forecast to impact. Therefore, persons planning to travel on the far western edge of Iowa over the next month should check travel conditions to select the best route to avoid significant delays.

A proclamation issued by Governor Branstad today outlines several Iowa regulatory provisions pertaining to commercial motor vehicle drivers and motor carriers that have been temporarily suspended for travel associated with the flood response. Complete details are outlined in the proclamation. 
To view the proclamation, live Webcam images, flood-related news releases and flood safety tips for travelers, visit www.iowadot.gov and click on the “Flooding Ahead” sign.

Visit www.511ia.org or call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (outside Iowa) for the latest road conditions.

State holds free fishing weekend starting today, no license required

News

June 3rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Iowans can go fishing on any of the state’s lakes, rivers and streams for free this weekend, without having a fishing license. The Free Fishing Days event begins today (Friday) and runs through Sunday. Joe Larscheid, chief of fisheries for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says it’s a great time to go out and catch a lot of fish with family members.” Larscheid says the weekend will feature educational opportunities for new anglers.

“It’s exciting at this time of the year because bluegills and crapies are willing to bite and they’re close to shore, they’re spawning and they’re easy to fish for,” Larscheid says. “It doesn’t take sophisticated tackle and it’s a great time to go out and catch a lot of fish with family members.” Larscheid says the weekend will feature educational opportunities for new anglers.

“Fishing is a wholesome activity that’s a lot of fun,” he says. “We have fishing clinics out there for people that don’t know how to fish, they don’t know what to use and they’re not sure what to do when they catch a fish, we have fishing clinics throughout the state that people can go to and it’s free this weekend.” Larscheid says the free fishing events are for Iowa residents only.

He says people from out-of-state will need to buy fishing licenses, which are available in one-, three- and seven-day amounts to keep the sport affordable. Learn more about the events online at: www.iowadnr.gov

One note: Officials are advising people to avoid the Missouri River and its tributaries due to hazards related to flooding and impending flooding.

Casey’s buys stores from Kum & Go

News

June 3rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

One Iowa-based convenience store chain is buying 22 stores from another. Ankeny-based Casey’s announced they have signed an agreement to purchase the stores from the West Des Moines-based Kum & Go chain. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Casey’s says most of the stores are in rural locations and will fit into their business model. The company has some 15-hundred stores. Kum & Go issued a statement saying that the profits of the sale will be reinvested in their remaining 400 stores.

Casey’s says the stores involved will be switched over as soon as the sale is complete. The stores are in Armstrong, Atlantic, Britt, Brooklyn, Carroll, Cedar Falls, Elk Run Heights, Garner, Iowa Falls, Mediapolis, St. Charles, Storm Lake, Washington, Chariton and two each in Centerville, Cherokee, Estherville, and Sheldon.

The manager of the Kum and Go in Atlantic referred inquires about the future of the store to their Corporate Public Relations Department, but an official there was not available for comment this (Friday) morning.

(Dar Danielson/Radio Iowa)