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30 Iowa Municipalities to Save a Total of more than $7.6 million through State Revolving Fund Interest Rate Reduction

News

December 16th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – The Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Thursday (today) announced that 30 municipalities with current State Revolving Fund loans for water quality projects, will save a total of more than $7.6 million in interest over the remaining life of their loans as a result of their interest rate being reduced from 3% to 1.75%. Among the communities, is Atlantic and Bedford. Atlantic will realize a savings of $922,300. Bedford’s savings amounts to $70,25.

The State Revolving Fund is one of Iowa’s primary sources for financing projects designed to improve Iowa’s water quality. Two funds, one for drinking water and one for wastewater and pollution control, have provided low-cost financing to projects in nearly 700 Iowa communities in addition to farmers, watershed groups and others for water quality projects. The program is jointly administered by the Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Debi Durham says “This rate reduction is possible due to the success of the State Revolving Fund and excellent financial management.”

Durham said also, “The State Revolving Fund has saved Iowa communities a total of nearly $50 million in interest payments through interest rate reductions for loans that are more than ten years old. This is $50 million that municipalities have been able to invest in other priorities to create opportunities for their residents, community and businesses to thrive.”  Besides offering communities low interest rates to finance water infrastructure projects, the State Revolving Fund offers other benefits, such as lower up-front costs and no reserve requirement.

For more information on the State Revolving Loan program, visit IowaSRF.com.

Posted in News |

Caution urged as Iowans cleanup damaged trees

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 16th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – State forestry experts are encouraging Iowans to proceed with caution as they begin cleaning up the tree damage from Wednesday’s storm. Emma Hanigan, urban forestry coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, suggests homeowners hire a tree care professional if they do not have the experience, ability, and equipment to safely prune their own tree. Homeowners planning to do their own tree cleanup should wear safety equipment, including hand, foot, leg, eye, face, hearing and head protection, and avoid wearing loose-fitting clothes while using a chainsaw. “Be careful when working with trees and limbs that are snapped off, twisted and tangled together,” warns Hanigan. “The trunk or tree limbs may bind against the chainsaw.”

After cleanup is complete, homeowners wanting to have their trees inspected should contact a professional, insured arborist. The arborist can examine trees for cracks or other issues that might have been overlooked. Routine tree care of young trees makes them more resilient long term and decreases the likelihood of storm-related damage. Hanigan said younger wind-thrown trees can be saved by staking and guying, but larger trees are less likely to recover. When the time is right, homeowners who have lost trees are encouraged to replant.

The Iowa DNR has information and links to help homeowners identify and select a licensed arborist, and tips on chain saw safety, pruning and tree care and replanting online at https://www.iowadnr.gov/urbanforestry

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Cass County EMC says Disaster Proclamation expected

News, Weather

December 16th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon says he has applied for a Disaster Proclamation from the State, and Governor Kim Reynolds is expected to issue a Proclamation for Cass and other counties, sometime today. Kennon said they’re just beginning to assess the damage that spans west/southwest of Atlantic to northeast of town.

Kennon says they had a total of nine semi tractor-trailer rollovers in the County, primarily along Interstate 80. There were no life-threatening injuries reported. He said just because the storm has passed, doesn’t mean there aren’t hazards people should be aware of.

He said power crews are out and about working on downed lines. The tornado sirens in Atlantic went off twice, Wednesday evening. He offered advice to residents in the County, following the storms…

Residents with damage or downed power lines should call the Cass County EMA at 712-254-1500.

Posted in News, Weather |

Kirk Ferentz and Matt Campbell talk recruiting on early signing day

Sports

December 16th, 2021 by admin

(Radio Iowa) Iowa and Iowa State are adding to their ranks with the start of the early signing period. The Hawkeyes released a class of 17 players, including Southeast Polk safety Xavier Nwampka and Southeast Valley lineman Aaron Graves.

That’s Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz who says after a slow start to this class momentum kicked in when the campus opened up for visits in June.

Ferentz says the ability to host recruits made this a more normal process this year.

Iowa’s 2022 Class

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown High School
Brian Allen DE 6-4 250 Fr. Lake in the Hills, Ill. St. Thomas More, Conn.
Jacob Bostick WR 6-2 170 Fr. Palatine, Ill. Palatine
Caden Crawford DL 6-4 250 Fr. Lansing, Kan. Lansing
Jack Dotzler OL 6-6 260 Fr. Waunakee, Wis. Waunakee (DOAT-zler)
Koen Entringer DB 6-2 195 Fr. Ypsilanti, Mich. Walled Lake Western
(CO-uhn EN-tring-ur)
Aaron Graves DL 6-5 275 Fr. Dayton, Iowa Southeast Valley
TJ Hall DB 6-0 170 Fr. Fresno, Calif. San Joaquin Memorial
Kaleb Johnson RB 6-1 210 Fr. Hamilton, Ohio Hamilton
Kale Krogh OL 6-5 270 Fr. Huxley, Iowa Ballard (CROWG)
Carson May QB 6-4 215 Fr. Jones, Okla. Jones
Jayden Montgomery LB 6-0 225 Fr. Suamico, Wis. Bay Port
Xavier Nwankpa DB 6-2 190 Fr. Pleasant Hill, Iowa Southeast Polk (WAUM-puh)
Addison Ostrenga TE 6-4 220 Fr. Sun Prairie, Wis. Sun Prairie (oh-STRAIN-Guh)
Jaziun Patterson RB 5-11 185 Fr. Pompano, Beach, Fla. Deerfield Beach (JAZZ-ee-un)
Olando Trader DB 6-0 185 Fr. Jackson, Mich. Jackson
Cael Vanderbush TE 6-5 205 Fr. Plainfield, Ind. Plainfield
Landyn Van Kekerix LB 6-2 205 Fr. Inwood, Iowa Boyden Hull/Rock Valley
(KECK-ur-x)
…………………….
Iowa State signed 22 players in a class that is considered the best in program history. ISU coach Matt Campbell.

Campbell says the Cyclones were able to fill all of their position needs.

The Cyclones signed two players out of the Transfer Portal after having several current players leave the program.

Posted in Sports |

NWS to assess whether Kingsley hit with tornado or straight-line winds

News, Weather

December 16th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The 14-hundred residents of the northwest Iowa town of Kingsley lost power as Wednesday’s storm damaged power lines, trees and buildings. Duane Walhof is Plymouth County’s Emergency Management director. “Parts of roofs torn off and those type things, mainly on the south side of Kingsley,” Walhof says. “…Titan Machinery had the roof torn off and tossed across the road.”

Walhof says there were reports the roofs of hog barns in rural areas around Kingsley were damaged as well. Walhof says since the storm hit at about 5 p.m., it was difficult to assess damage in the dark. “The National Weather Service will be out to try to identify whether it was straight line winds or a tornado,” Walhof says. “We’ll see what the day brings in how quickly we can get Kingsley back up and restored and back on it again.”

The Plymouth County Sheriff restricted movement within the Kingsley City Limits overnight to residents of the community, to limit the number of sightseers driving through the damage. Kingsley-Pierson School was cancelled for today (Thursday).

Posted in News, Weather |

(Podcast) KJAN News, 12/16/21

News, Podcasts

December 16th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The broadcast News at 8:05-a.m., with Ric Hanson.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.0MB)

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Posted in News, Podcasts |

Danny’s Lemon Pepper Scampi (12-16-2021)

Mom's Tips

December 16th, 2021 by Jim Field

  • 2 tablespoons refrigerated garlic paste (from tube)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
  • 2 cups frozen shrimp, thawed, patted dry with paper towels
  • 3 tablespoons corn oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 6 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 tablespoon brined capers, drained and minced
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 cup bottled clam juice
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (about 7 tomatoes), quartered
  • 2 ounces (1/4 cup) cold butter, quartered
  • Baguette, for serving

Stir together the garlic paste, mustard, garlic salt and lemon pepper in a medium bowl.  Add the shrimp, stirring to coat, and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over high.  Place the shrimp in a single layer in the hot skillet; cook for 1 minute on one side.  Return the shrimp to the bowl with the marinade.  Add the lemon juice and 4 tablespoons of the parsley; stir and set aside.

Put the onion, capers, and remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in the skillet.  Cook over medium-high until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes.  Add the wine, clam juice and cream, and boil until reduced by half, about 5 minutes, adding the tomatoes during the last 3 minutes of cooking.  (You can always add water if the mixture seems too thick.)

Remove from the heat.  Add the shrimp mixture and stir.  Whisk in the butter until melted.  Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley.  Serve with torn pieces of baguette or grilled bread.

Posted in Mom's Tips |

24-Hour peak wind gust report [7-am Wed. through 7-am Thursday) (NWS/Omaha)

Weather

December 16th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

  • Offutt AFB, 81 mph
  • Council Bluffs Airport, 79 mph
  • Epply Airfield (Omaha), 74 mph
  • Harlan Municipal Airport, 72 mph
  • Clarinda Airport, 69 mph
  • I-80 (Avoca), 67 mph
  • I-80 (Council Bluffs), 62 mph
  • Red Oak Airport, & 2.2 miles W. of Missouri Valley, 58 mph
  • Mo. Valley (I-29), 53 mph.

Posted in Weather |

Heartbeat Today 12-16-2021

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

December 16th, 2021 by admin

Jm Field visits with Iowa DNR Wildlife Furbearer & Wetland Biologist Vince Evelsizer about gray foxes in Iowa and how state officials are asking you to help track them.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (24.6MB)

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Posted in Heartbeat Today, Podcasts |

Creston Police report, 12/16/21

News

December 16th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Creston Police Department says a merchant in the 400 block of S. Sumner Avenue reported on Dec. 10th, that a shoplifting incident had taken place. At around 7:10-p.m., a man was seen leaving the building with a basket filled with various tool,s including DeWalt and Milwaukee. The loss was estimated at $50.

Posted in News |