|
ESSEX GEARS UP FOR 100TH LABOR DAY CELEBRATION
(Essex) -- An Essex tradition reaches a milestone this weekend.
"A Century of Celebration" is the theme of this year's Essex Labor Day Celebration. Laura Kirchert chairs the city's Labor Day committee. Kirchert says the theme notes the celebration's 100th edition. Kirchert says the event has a rich history in the community--and not all of the celebrations took place on Labor Day. In fact, Kirchert says the celebration originated as a fall get-together for area farmers, then evolved over the years.
Presiding over the celebration are this year's parade grand marshal, former Essex K-through-12 Principal Allen Stuart, Miss Essex Andrea Robison and Little Miss Essex Aedynn Graham.
Activities run Saturday through Monday. Kirchert is hoping for a big crowd at this year's annual Labor Day Parade Monday at 2 p.m.. Kirchert says it's not too late to enter the parade, as there's no preregistration. Parade lineup starts at 10 a.m., with float judging at 12:45 Monday afternoon. For a complete listing of Essex Labor Day Celebration events, log onto the city of Essex's website. Laura Kirchert was a guest on KMA's "Afternoon Show."
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:44:22 CDT
RED OAK AMONG KMALAND DISTRICTS BENEFITING FROM EDUCATION JOBS BILL
(Red Oak) -- Federal aid is coming to KMAland school districts experiencing teacher reductions over the past year.
More than $96 million has been allocated to Iowa under the education jobs funding bill recently approved by Congress and signed by President Obama. Of that total, more than $263,000 is going to the Red Oak School District. Superintendent Terry Schmidt tells KMA News the money comes in the wake of a $1.1 million budget reduction this past spring.
Schmidt says the funding will allow the district to hire additional kindergarten and 5th grade instructors to cover large classes in both grade levels. He says the district will also hire a full-time vocational agriculture instructor for the second semester.
Other districts are still assessing the bill's impact. Shenandoah School Superintendent Dick Profit estimates his district's share of the funding at around $200,000. Profit says the Shenandoah School Board will discuss what to do with those dollars at its upcoming regular meeting September 13th.
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:28:09 CDT
NO OBJECTIONS VOICED AT SCHOOL RE-ORGANIZATION MEETING
(Malvern) -- For the past several months, members of the Malvern and Nishna Valley School Boards have discussed the possibility of a reorganization between those two districts. Last night, the latest step in that effort took place at the Indian Hills Museum near Hastings.
Malvern School Superintendent Curt Barclay tells KMA News Iowa law is very specific about what happens when two or more districts want to merge into one. And Barclay says last night's public hearing sponsored by the Area Education Agency was a big part of that process. The main purpose of the meeting is for the AEA Board and the general public to hear a clear explanation of the objectives of the reorganization plan. Barclay says this format also affords an opportunity for opposition to be voiced.
Barclay says about 30 patrons showed up for last night's gathering, but no public comment was given. The AEA Board heard a presentation from the attorney representing both schools. Following that presentation, no objections were voiced and the Board approved the petition. Barclay says voting on the issue is the next step in the process. The Malvern
Barclay says he understands the earliest possible date the issue could appear on a ballot for the voters would be early December. Bottom line the proposal will ask to call the new district the East Mills District and will include all the land currently owned and operated by the Malvern and Nishna Valley districts.
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:35:59 CDT
MOTORISTS REMINDED OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
(Undated) -- Labor Day weekend is coming--but some road construction projects in KMAland aren't taking a break.
Iowa Department of Transportation officials are reminding motorists of those projects in advance of the holiday weekend. George Feazell is district construction engineer with the DOT's Atlantic office. Feazell tells KMA News work continues along Interstate 29 in Southwest Iowa from the intersection with Highway 2 in Fremont County to mile post 47 near Council Bluffs. Feazell says motorists will encounter head-to-head traffic in three of those areas, from mile posts 10-to-17, 21-to-24 and 31-to-39. In addition, a bridge deck overlay project has restricted i-29 to one-lane traffic in Pottawattamie County south of Council Bluffs.
Other projects continue in Council Bluffs, including work on the U.S. 6 Broadway viaduct bridge, and on a new bridge deck on the westbound I-680 bridge.
There is some good news for motorists, however. Feazell says a patching project on U.S. Highway 34 between Malvern and Hastings should be finished before the Labor Day weekend. And, Feazell says projects on Highway 2 south of Clarinda and on Highway 148 south of Bedford should also be finished before the weekend, as well.
Feazell warns motorists to use caution when traveling through construction zones. More information on road projects across Iowa is available online at the DOT's website.
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:06:22 CDT
HEAVY RAINS CAUSE FLOODING IN CASS COUNTY, NEBRASKA
(Union, NE) -- Cass County officials are casting a wary eye on at least one major creek following heavy rainfall Wednesday evening.
A strong thunderstorm dumped heavy rainfall in the center of the county, causing flooding along the Weeping Water Creek from Elmwood to Union, Nebraska. Cass County emergency management officials report water along the creek was still about 3 feet above bankfull after 8 Thursday morning. Water at its highest point during the night was about 3 feet below the highest stage ever recorded in June. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Cover tells KMA News the county was inundated with rainfall. Cover says about 5 inches of rain has been recorded at his office in the past two days. More than 4 inches fell in a 3-to-4 hour period Wednesday evening, forcing Weeping Water Creek out of its banks.
Cover says roads located near the creek have been swamped as a result. County road crews were out doing a damage assessment. But, Cover expected most roads to be underwater.
Wednesday night's rainfall is the latest in an extremely wet summer for Cass County. Cover says his office, alone, has recorded more than 30 inches of rain. Cover, however, says no homes are threatened by this latest round of flooding. Cover says many residences were relocated out of the flood plain following the epic floods of 1993.
Cover reminds motorists not to drive through flooded roads. He says you never know what's underneath roads covered by water.
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 9:57:28 CDT
MORE SEVERE WEATHER IN KMALAND
(Sidney) -- One night after severe storms pummeled KMAland, Mother Nature provides a sequel.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Cass County, Nebraska this morning in effect until 9 A.M. due to very heavy rain. The flood warning for the Tarkio River at Fairfax has been extended until tomorrow afternoon. And the flood warning for the Weeping Water Creek near Union remains in effect until late today.
Another round of severe weather warnings were issued Wednesday evening. Most of the activity was located in Otoe and Cass County, Nebraska and Fremont County. Though this round of severe weather lacked the strong winds which wreaked havoc upon Tarkio the night before, the storms carried heavy rain which caused road flooding near Murdock, Nebraska. The storm also knocked out power in Sidney late Thursday evening--at least one caller reported marble-sized hail. Though the storm continued to dump heavy rain when entering Page County before midnight, the storm weakened below the National Weather Service's thresholds.
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 6:26:53 CDT
MORE TARKIO STORM DAMAGE PHOTOS
(Tarkio) -- KMA News recieved more photos late yesterday from Heather Riley Gresham of Tarkio whose home suffered major damage as a result of the Tuesday night storm activity.
These photos show more of the damage, following a daylight inspection yesterday. The photo with the tree limb protuding through the window is taken in the nursery of Heather's 15 month old son, Lane. Heather and her husband were in the basement with Lane at the moment the tree came crashing onto the house.
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:52:25 CDT
RED OAK DRUG ARREST
(Red Oak) -- A 22-year-old Red Oak woman was arrested last night following a traffic stop and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Red Oak Police arrested Rachel Ann Bedsole of Red Oak and charged her with possession of methamphetamine, a controlled substance.
Bedsole was processed and released on $1000 bond. The traffic stop occurred shortly after 9 o'clock last night at the corner of Ohio Avenue and Highway 48 in Red Oak.
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 5:39:07 CDT
WESTERN IOWA MAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO SEXUAL ASSAULT
(Omaha) -- A Western Iowa man must stand trial for the alleged sexual assault of two Omaha women.
Forty-five year-old Todd A. Mills of Shelby waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Douglas County District Court Wednesday. According to the Omaha World Herald, the former firefighter is charged with two counts of use of a weapon to commit a felony, one count of false imprisonment and one count of kidnapping in addition to two counts of 1st degree sexual assault.
Mills' attorney, Jim McGough, says his client signed a not-guilty plea and will fight the charges in district court. Mills also faces charges of 1st degree sexual assault and a kidnapping charge in Pottawattamie County. Authorities in Iowa and Nebraska continue to investigate whether Mills may have been involved in other cases.
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:14:29 CDT
CHARGES FILED IN OTOE COUNTY AUTO FRAUD INVESTIGATION
(Syracuse, NE) -- A Lincoln man faces charges in connection with an auto fraud case out of Otoe County.
The Nebraska State Patrol says an arrest warrant has been issued for 52-year-old Mark Pieloch for willful avoidance of sales tax, a class 4 felony. Charges were filed after search warrants were issued at several locations in Syracuse and Lincoln following a six month long investigation by the patrol, in conjunction with the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles Criminal Fraud Unit and the Nebraska Department of Revenue.
Investigators with the patrol's auto fraud division Wednesday served search warrants at two locations in Syracuse--a business at 1877 Midland Street and a building at 2903 Hazel Road. Both buildings are owned by Pieloch. Search warrants were also served at Pieloch's residence in Lincoln. The investigation stems from Pieloch's alleged failure to register or pay sales tax in Nebraska on a 2009 Chevrolet Avalance. It also follows an effort begun in Nebraska in 2008 to crack down on individuals failing to properly title and register their vehicles with the state. Since the initial investigation, state officials claim approximately $1.5 million has been recovered in motor vehicle taxes and fees.
Though Pieloch is not yet in custody, Nebraska State Patrol Spokesperson Deb Collins says he has been in contact with local authorities.
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:52:08 CDT
WESTERN IOWA EMPLOYERS, DIGNITARIES, IMPRESSED WITH GUARD TRAINING EXERCISES
(Council Bluffs) -- It's another day at the office for Iowa's National Guard soldiers training for a Middle East mission.
But employers and dignitaries from Western Iowa are seeing their employees in a different light. About 40 business and industry leaders and mayors from the region traveled to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, where members of the Guard's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, are training for their upcoming deployment to Aftghanistan. Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan is among the tour participants. Hanafan tells KMA News the trip gave him a chance to witness residents of his community prepare for their mission. Hanafan says visitors watched the citizen-soldiers train in a mock Afghan village--which simulates situations guard members may face during their deployment.
For Daryn Richardson of Council Bluffs, taking the tour gave him a chance to show support for one of his employees at the VODEC Vocational Development Center. Richardson says he enjoyed visiting Specialist Curtis Marino, who left for Camp Shelby shortly after the birth of his first child. Richardson says he was impressed with the business-like attitude exhibited by Marino and other soldiers in tough situations, and how they view those situations as "just another day at the office."
Richardson says the trip helps him realize how the success of U.S. military efforts in Afghanistan depends on employees serving in the Iowa guard.
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:18:45 CDT
STEVE KING COMMENTS ON PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH
(Shenandoah) -- Iowa 5th District Congressman Steve King gave high marks to Barack Obama for ending Operation Iraqi Freedom based on victory, rather than a timetable. King, who spoke with KMA News this morning, says the action by President Obama was the right thing to do and he's pleased we have reached this point in the long war in Iraq.
However, King says he hopes America will maintain a longtime presence in Iraq. The Kiron, Iowa Republican believes the airfields and military are important to our national security and deserve to be maintained.
Congressman King did take issue with the President's number crunching on actual war expenses. King says the trillion dollars the President quoted as the cost of war is actually what America spent in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. King says 709 billion dollars was spent in Iraq, while 862 billion was spent on the Stimulus & Recovery Act. And the incumbent Congressman says America got a better value from the dollars spent in Iraq.
Finally, the Kiron, Iowa Congressman gave high praise to America's military in the Iraqi Freedom operation. King says countless individuals and families made commitments and sometimes the ultimate sacrifice in order to get the job done in Iraq and he's grateful for those efforts.
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:31:48 CDT
CLEANUP ACTIVITIES, DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS CONTINUE IN TARKIO
(Tarkio) -- Tarkio residents are picking up the pieces from severe storm activity Tuesday night.
Winds clocked by storm spotters between 60-to-70 mph swept through the community, knocking down scores of trees. Tarkio Police Chief Tyson Gibbons tells KMA News the city's street department was busy Wednesday removing trees blocking streets. Gibbons, however, says not all of the trees fell to the ground. At least one house suffered extensive damage from falling trees (pictured), while others sustained minor damage.
Gibbons says tree limbs also fell on parked vehicles--some of which were totaled as a result.
And, Gibbons says more damage was discovered in the daylight hours, as more damaged trees collapsed overnight. Overall, Gibbons says the damage was much worse that anticipated Tuesday night.
Officials are also assessing damage to the former Tarkio College and at the Tarkio Airport. Gibbons says a building on the northwest edge of the campus lost a portion of the its roof. He says it's same building that's sustained roof damage in the past. Gibbons says one of the airport's hangars was blown apart--and at least two are missing entire roofs. Gibbons says the wind was strong enough to damage some flag poles in the community--including one at Tarkio's fire station.
Extensive street flooding was a problem in Tarkio Tuesday night. Gibbons says one motorists discovered why you shouldn't drive across flooded roads--the hard way. He says rushing water carried the vehicle into a ditch. The driver wasn't injured, but the vehicle and property the car landed on were damaged.
As cleanup activities continue, Gibbons says Tarkio officials are asking residents and visitors, alike, to be wary of the storm damage. Gibbons says street department crews are attempting to clean up the damage as quickly as possible. Gibbons says Atchison County officials will seek FEMA's assistance in the cleanup efforts.
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:27:17 CDT
RED OAK SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES VO AG MEASURES
(Red Oak) -- Red Oak school officials are attempting to keep vocational agriculture education alive in the district.
Earlier this week, the Red Oak School Board approved the recruitment of a vocational agriculture instructor for the second semester The move comes as the Stanton School District is offering vo-ag classes to 11 Red Oak High students this semester. Red Oak School Superintendent Terry Schmidt tells KMA News Stanton stepped forward after Red Oak was forced to trim its vo-ag instructor's position from full-time to half-time this past semester. After Red Oak's vo-ag instructor resigned to accept a full-time job out of state, Schmidt says Red Oak was left without an instructor.
Though 30 students signed up for vo-ag classes at Stanton, Schmidt says not all of the students' schedules could be accommodated. Schmidt, however, says the district will have a greater chance of finding a vo-ag instructor for the second semester, as college students--and potential new teachers--are graduating mid-term.
In addition, the board also authorized Schmidt to secure needed personnel to provide ongoing activities and leadership for Red Oak's FFA Chapter. Schmidt says it's important to keep FFA going at Red Oak in the absence of a vo-ag instructor this semester. Schmidt calls the measures a good interim solution, as the district has a successful history of FFA activities.
Schmidt says recruitment of a vo-ag instructor for next semester is already underway.
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 9:26:49 CDT
TEEN MISSES CURVE, CLIMBS GUIDE WIRE
(Elliott) -- A 17-year-old Elliott teenager has been ticketed by the Montgomery County Sheriff's office for excessive speed as the result of a one car accident yesterday afternoon in Elliott. Frederick Taylor Welch was driving a late model Ford northbound on Birch street in Elliott at a high rate of speed when he missed a curve and ran into the yard of Elmer Helm.
The vehicle then struck a guide wire supporting a power pole and continued up the guide wire until the rear bumper of the car was on the ground(pictured above). The vehicle was finally removed by a tow truck. The collision caused extensive damage to the power service at the Helm residence and the Welch vehicle. Welch was not injured in the accident.
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 7:07:03 CDT
ATCHISON COUNTY MISSOURI DAMAGED FROM SEVERE STORMS
Severe storms blew through KMA Land Tuesday night. The community of Tarkio and Atchison County seems to have taken the brunt of the damage. Thankfully there have not been any injuries reported as of around 8:00 Tuesday night, but numerous trees and power lines are down in Tarkio. That's according to Atchison County Assistant Emergency Managment Coordinator Mark Manchester who joined us live on KMA's weather coverage just before 7:30 Tuesday evening.
Manchester reports at least one home, and possibly two, damaged by downed power lines. One of those downed lines started a transformer fire. Manchester says there may also have been a brief tornadic touchdown between Westboro and Tarkio. He says the Sheriff's Department informed him the old college may have lost part of its roof as well.
Mancester says he was in Westboro when the storm first broke. He said 70 mph wind gusts were reported in Westboro and numerous trees were down on roads between Westboro and Tarkio, including on Highway 59.
The Atchison County Sheriffs Department requests everyone in Tarkio and Atchison County stay home the rest of the overnight and let emergency personnel begin the clean-up process.
The other big story is torrential rainfall. Reports in Atchison County range anywhere from 3-5 inches as of 8:00 this evening.
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:03:33 CDT
MISSING CLARINDA ACADEMY STUDENTS FOUND
(Clarinda) -- Those three Clarinda Academy students reported missing Tuesday afternoon are back on campus.
Clarinda Police says the three students--all African-American males--were reported truant from the academy after 2:30 p.m.. The students were located about an hour later. Further information on the students' return is not being released.
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:52:54 CDT
MILLS COUNTY SUPERVISORS NIX REPEALING BUILDING CODES
(Glenwood) -- Mills County's building codes and permit fee structure will remain intact--for now.
At its regular meeting Tuesday morning, the Mills County Board of Supervisors took no action on a request by local residents to repeal the building code ordinances enacted in 2009. Supervisors Chair Ron Kohn tells KMA the board feels it's acted in the county's best interests, and felt no need to make changes at this time.
Earlier this year, petitions with more than 800 signatures were submitted to the board calling for the ordinances' elimination. Kohn tells KMA News the supervisors instituted the codes last year to ensure quality and public safety in the construction of residential, commercial and industrial facilities.
Supporters of repealing the building codes say they infringe upon property owners' rights. Kohn, however, says with rights come responsibilities to individuals living in the structures, and neighbors living around them. Kohn says property owners also have responsibilties to future owners. And, Kohn says some property owners ARE concerned about building quality and safety.
John May, one of the petition drive's organizers, indicates he's submitted nomination to run as an independent candidate for supervisor because of the board's decision not to repeal the ordinances. Kohn declined speculation on whether building codes will be an issue in the November general elections. Kohn, however, says the supervisors will attempt to address some of the unrest over the codes, such as inspections, enforcement and costs, among other concerns.
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:32:46 CDT
BEDFORD MAN INJURED IN PRE-DAWN ACCIDENT
(Sheridan) -- A 20-year-old Bedford man was injured shortly after 4 o'clock this morning in a one car accident in Worth County, Missouri. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Andrew J. Kerwin of Bedford was traveling east on Missouri highway 46 some four miles east of Sheridan early Tuesday morning. Kerwin failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned.
Kerwin was taken by the Worth County Ambulance to St. Francis Hospital in Maryville where he was treated and released. The Patrol was assisted in their investigation by the Worth County Sheriff's office.
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:25:31 CDT
CULVER AWAITS GAMBLING DONATION PROBE RESULTS
(Des Moines) -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver will soon learn the results of an investigation into donations made by gambling interests into his reelection campaign.
Special Prosecutor Larry Scalise is looking into whether criminal prosecution is necessary in connection with donations totaling $25,000 made by Webster County casino interests. Culver tells KMA News he believes his campaign did nothing wrong in accepting the donations. Culver, however, each contributor must abide by state law in making political donations. Making or receiving political donations in the name of another person or interest group is illegal in Iowa.
Culver makes no apologies in accepting campaign money from gambling interests. He claims former Governor Terry Branstad--Culver's Republican opponent in November--has accepted similar donations in the past, and was involved in establishing the Iowa Lottery.
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller appointed Scalise as a special prosecutor in the case to avoid a conflict of interest.
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:30:50 CDT
|
