United Group Insurance

Public hearing this evening in Walnut on development agreement

News

April 5th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The City Council in Walnut will hold a public hearing during their meeting this evening, with regard to a development agreement between the City and Lynn Driver, who has plans to add on to a new restaurant on the site of the old Villager Restaurant, near the interstate. The Council has been talking about providing Driver with Tax Increment payments as an incentive to build “Emma Jean’s” Restaurant. The restaurant is currently open and serves pizza and sandwiches, but Driver wants to expand so it becomes a full-service business and bigger menu. Following the hearing, the council will consider action on adopting a resolution approving the development agreement.

In other business, the Walnut City Council will hear the results of a youth survey, discuss nuisances, the possible development of a sand volleyball court at Fireman’s Park, and, review and update the City’s Infrastructure Needs Study and Strategic Plan.

Their meeting begins in the Council’s Chambers, at 5-p.m.

NWS Forecast for Cass & area counties in Iowa: Thu., April 5th 2012

Weather

April 5th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

53 AM CDT THU APR 5 2012

TODAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 60S. EAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOW IN THE UPPER 30S. EAST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

FRIDAY…SUNNY. HIGH IN THE MID 60S. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY THROUGH MIDNIGHT…THEN MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOW IN THE UPPER 40S. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH.

SATURDAY…CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING…THEN PARTLY SUNNY WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGH IN THE LOWER 60S. SOUTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST IN THE AFTERNOON. GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 50 PERCENT.

SATURDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE UPPER 30S.

SUNDAY…SUNNY. HIGH AROUND 60.

Atlantic City Council tables action on two issues; Mayor issues “Keep Atlantic Beautiful” proclamation

News

April 5th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council Wednesday tabled two of the items on their agenda for last night’s meeting. That included the first reading of an ordinance which would have added a Chapter to the City Code with regard to bow hunting of antlerless deer within the City limits. The Council wanted more input and information on the ordinance, as drafted, before it’s put back on the table. They also tabled a resolution to amend the City’s Personnel Policy with regard to employee safety, and loss control measures. The amendments would have required City employees to wear seat belts, and it would require the City to: have a designated physician for on the job injuries, and a return to work policy.

City Administrator Doug Harris said the recommendations followed a site visit from Ed Morrison, Loss Control Representative for the Iowa Municipalities Worker’s Compensation Association (IMWCA). The Council tabled action on the policy, because they still had several questions on some of the guidelines and specifications the IMWCA has proposed its member cities adopt in their ordinances. Instead of acting on the resolution, the Council chose instead to refer it to the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee for further review and clarification.

In other business, the Council passed a resolution accepting and approving the acquisition of property located at 400 Hickory Street, 300 Cedar, and 302 1/2 Cedar. The properties have been deemed abandoned and unsafe for human occupation. With the possible exception of one structure, the other structures are likely to be demolished, and the lots sold to the public.
In his report to the Council, City Administrator Doug Harris said the City’s new, $14-million wastewater treatment plant is scheduled to come on line during the early morning hours of Sunday, April 15th.

Harris says once any “bugs” are worked out of the new system and the plant is fully operational, the old wastewater treatment plant will be demolished, most likely around the first of May. Plans to replace the old wastewater treatment plant began in 2006, after it was determined the current, nearly 70-year old facility could not handle a significant storm water run-off, and, because the D-N-R had required the city to build a million-gallon retention basin, or lagoon. The City opted instead, to build a new, more modern plant.

Also during Wednesday night’s meeting, Mayor Dave Jones issued a proclamation designating April 2012 as “Keep Atlantic Beautiful” month. The proclamation encourages every family, business and organization within the community to keep the town litter-free and “more beautiful.” Jones says citizens should “Look for opportunities to pick-up, clean-up, paint-up, fix-up and plant-up, to see what a difference we can make altogether.”

Cards Spoil Marlins Debut in New Ballpark

Sports

April 5th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

MIAMI (AP) — Kyle Lohse didn’t allow a hit until the seventh inning and pitched into the eighth Wednesday night to help the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals spoil the Miami Marlins’ debut in their new ballpark, 4-1. The Marlins’ new animated home-run sculpture never budged. It was the fourth inning before they managed a baserunner, and but the time they scored in the eighth, they trailed 4-0. The crowd of 36,601 included newly retired Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who quietly rooted for his former team from the press box. Lohse went 7 1-3 innings, allowing only two hits and one run. David Freese, the World Series MVP, had a two-run single in the first inning to give Lohse the cushion he needed.

Prairie Chicken Festival April 6th & 7th in Ringgold County

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 4th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say the 2012 Annual Prairie Chicken Festival will be this Friday and Saturday, April 6th & 7th, in Ringgold County.

A Prairie Chicken (photo at iowabirds.org.)

The event will kick off at the Ringgold County Courthouse auditorium in Mount Ayr with a celebration Friday evening from 5:30- to 7:30- p.m. The evening will include a presentation by Chief Blue Star Eagle, Sherwyn Zephier, and his wife Estellene on prairie chickens in the Yankton Sioux culture, including an authentic prairie chicken dance. Additional presentations will be made by Iowa Audubon, Blank Park Zoo and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

This Saturday, prairie chicken viewing will begin at 6:30 a.m. at the Kellerton Grassland Bird Conservation, two miles west of Kellerton on Hwy. 2, and one mile south.  Participants will be able to view prairie chickens on their booming ground, or lek. Spotting scopes will be provided and naturalists will be on hand to answer questions. In addition to prairie chickens, an extensive list of grassland nesting birds including upland sandpipers, Henslow’s sparrows and northern harriers will be prevalent. A second program will be presented by Chief Blue Star Eagle at the site at approximately 8:30 a.m.

A medium-sized grouse, prairie chickens were abundant in tallgrass prairies in the eastern and central United States at the time of European settlement. Their numbers began to decline in the late 1800s because of habitat loss and market hunting. The last known nesting in Iowa occurred in Appanoose County in 1952.  Today, most of greater prairie chickens are found in Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota, with small populations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and North Dakota. The Kellerton population of prairie chickens is a result of reintroduction efforts by the DNR in the 1980s.

Visit www.iowadnr.gov to read more on the prairie chicken.

Persia, IA man sentenced to prison for Omaha murder

News

April 4th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Iowa man who pleaded guilty to killing an Omaha man has been sentenced to 60 to 80 years in prison. A Douglas County judge on Wednesday sentenced 29-year-old Justin Reinders, of Persia, Iowa, to 50 to 60 years for second-degree murder and 10 to 20 years on a weapons charge. Reinders was charged with fatally shooting Milton Jackson at a lubrication business in Omaha in January 2011. Reinders, who had been charged with first-degree murder, pleaded guilty earlier this year in a deal with prosecutors. Questions had been raised about Reinders’ sanity at the time of the shooting. A judge ruled earlier that Reinders was not insane and was competent to stand trial.

Harrison Co. murderer dies in prison

News

April 4th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man convicted of killing his wife in western Iowa in 1982 has died in prison. The corrections department says 70-year-old Roy Bales died Tuesday at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville. Department spokesman Fred Scaletta says Bales died as result of several health problems, including congestive heart failure. Bales was convicted of first-degree murder in Harrison County in August 1982 and sentenced to life in prison. Assistant County Attorney Judson Frisk says Bales was found guilty of killing his wife, Darlene. Frisk, who was county attorney at the time, says Bales beat up his wife and drove her to a country road where he stabbed her and hid the body in a tube under a gravel road.

Iowa RB Canzeri to Have Knee Surgery

Sports

April 4th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa running back Jordan Canzeri was scheduled for surgery Wednesday to repair a torn knee ligament and could miss the 2012 season. Coach Kirk Ferentz says Canzeri is expected to need at least five to six months to recover. Ferentz wouldn’t rule out a return by Canzeri next fall, saying it all depends on how quickly Canzeri can recover. The school did not identify which knee was injured. Canzeri rushed for 114 yards as a freshman in 2011, including 58 in a loss to Oklahoma in the Insight Bowl. Canzeri’s absence pushes fellow sophomores Damon Bullock and De’Andre Johnson up the depth chart. Incoming freshmen Greg Garmon and Barkley Hill will also get a chance for playing time in 2012.

Statewide Iowa Tornado Watch cancelled

Weather

April 4th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Statewide Tornado Watch issued at 10-a.m. was allowed to expire at 11-a.m.. The Watch was issued as part of the Tornado Drill, during Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa.

Backyard and Beyond 04-04-2012

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

April 4th, 2012 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Kelly Jimmerson of Atlantic Nursing and Rehab about an Easter Egg hunt on April 7th.

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