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ALL-STATE SPEECH SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED
(Undated) -- Selections to the Iowa High School All-State Speech Contest have been announced.
Judges selected the All-State participants from entries receiving "one" ratings at the State Large Group Speech Contest this past Saturday. Shenandoah High School is sending two performing entries to the All-State event at Iowa State University in Ames February 20th--in ensembling acting, with "Of Mice and Men," and in group improvisation. Shenandoah's choral reading entry, "It All Makes Cents to Me," was selected as an non-performing entry. Other performing and non-perforning selections are as follows:
Reader's Theatre: AHST, "Snow...Sort of...White," Council Bluffs Lewis Central, "One Eye! Two Eyes! Three Eyes!," performing; Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln, "Dear Mr. President," non-performing.
Choral Reading: Corning, "Everything and a Kite, " performing; Villisca, "Weddings: They All Lived Happily Ever After," non-performing.
Ensemble Acting: Lewis Central, "To Burn A Witch," non-performing.
Radio Broadcasting: Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln, "k-Nine," performing.
Group Improvisation: Treynor, performing
Musical Theatre: Villisca, "The Full Monty," performing.
More information about the All-State Speech Festival is available on the Iowa State High School Speech Association's website.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:43:33 CST
CULVER ADDS MONTGOMERY COUNTY TO DISASTER PROCLAMIATION
(Red Oak) -- Governor Chet Culver has added Montgomery County to an emergency proclamation allowing state resources to be utilized in response to winter storms in December and January.
The governor's disaster proclamation now covers 12 counties, including Adair, Audubon, Cass, Guthrie and Shelby in KMAland. Culver's proclamation allows state resources to be deployed to local communities affected by the storm. The proclamation also activates the state Individual Assistance Program for eligible residents of the counties under the declaration. The program provides up to $5,000 in reimbursements for damages incurred for those whose income is up to 200 percent above the poverty level.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:45:18 CST
TRUCKER INJURED AFTER RIG SLIDES OFF INTERSTATE IN FREMONT CO.
(Hamburg) -- Icy road conditions are to blame for several accidents in KMAland this (Monday) morning, including one injury accident.
The Iowa State Patrol says 51-year-old Mickey Tucker of Valley, Nebraska was taken to Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg following the accident on Interstate 29 about two miles north of the Hamburg exit. Patrol Trooper Scott Miller tells KMA News Tucker's semitrailer was southbound when it slid off the interstate and overturned, facing northbound in the median. Miller says the semitrailer contained hundreds of tire that required unloading in order to righten the semi. Tucker was treated and released.
Miller says at least one other semi left the interstate close to the other accident--that rig's driver was not injured. Miller says other vehicles exited the road in Mills County--about three-to-four vehicles entered the ditch on U.S. Highway 34 east of the interstate. No injuries were reported from the accidents on Highway 34.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:47:11 CST
HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH STUDENTS CELEBRATE VICTORIES AT LARGE GROUP STATE CONTEST
(Shenandoah) -- High School speech students across KMAland are basking in the glow of success from this past weekend's Large Group Speech Contest.
Competition for Southwest Iowa students took place in Ankeny Saturday. Shenandoah High School Speech Instructor Marty Bangston tells KMA News her students earned one ratings in eight events, and "two" ratings in two events. Bangston says five of the "one" ratings were straight "ones" from all three judges, which is a high achievement.
Students from other area schools excelled in Saturday's competition. Clarinda High School, meanwhile, also received a "one" rating in the one-act play category. And, Villisca High received "one" ratings in musical theater, choral reading and radio broadcasting. Corning High School also received a "one" rating in choral reading and group mime. Fremont-Mills' speech students received "one" ratings in group improvisation, group improvisation for freshman and ensemble acting. Each entry receiving a "one" rating is eligible for selection to the All-State Speech Contest later this month. Bangston says her students and others anxiously await the on-line announcement..
Selections to the All-State Speech Contest will be posted online at the Iowa State High School Speech Association's website. And a reminder: other KMAland high school speech instructor with entries receiving a "one" rating are invited to e-mail us with the info at news@kmaland.com.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:48:49 CST
CLARINDA MHI SUPPOTERS PACK STATEHOUSE FOR HEARING
(Des Moines) -- The testimony from Southwest Iowa residents supporting the continued operation of the Clarinda MHI was loud and clear on Monday at the Capitol in Des Moines. KMA News was there and offers this format as a method for you to hear the testimony presented to the House State Government Committee considering SF2088.
Some 160 spectators filled the Supreme Court Chambers to listen as the committee, chaired by Mary Mascher from Johnson County, heard from more than two dozen citizens. Clarinda and the surrounding area was well represented with 14 speakers. The complete unedited version of those presentations follows below.
Jason Bridie:
Click to listen
Gordon Kokenge:
Click to listen
Dr. Gregory Keller:
Click to listen
Ann Davison:
Click to listen
Holly Maurer:
Click to listen
Jill DeVoe:
Click to listen
John Greenwood:
Click to listen
Mike McFarland:
Click to listen
Chad Wellhausen:
Click to listen
Helen Crandall:
Click to listen
Mike DeVoe:
Click to listen
Penny Lilly:
Click to listen
Heidi Grimes:
Click to listen
Traci Shipley:
Click to listen
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:32:46 CST
SHENANDOAH COUNCIL SETS TAX ABATEMENT DISCUSSION FOR TUESDAY'S MEETING
(Shenandoah) -- Tax abatement is the main item of discussion on a short Shenandoah City Council meeting agenda.
At its meeting Tuesday evening at 6 at Shenandoah City Hall, the council will discuss whether to renew an abatement program included in an urban renewal area including Shenandoah Ward One. Shenandoah City Administrator Bo Harries tells KMA News the program provided tax abatement to developers of urban housing projects. Harries says the plan spurred the development of at least two apartment complexes in the community.
Also on the council's agenda, Mayor Dick Hunt will honor members of Shenandoah's Boy Scout Troop 227 for their efforts in clearing snow from fire hydrants in the community.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:53:31 CST
MILLS COUNTY CRASH INJURES ONE
(Glenwood) -- A car slides into an oncoming car Sunday in Mills County and sends a South Dakota woman to the hospital.
The Mills County Sheriff's department reports the accident occurred just before 10:00 Sunday morning 7 miles northwest of Glenwood at 20591 Eastman Road.
Marcella Leisure, age 51 of South Dakota was southbound rounding a curve in the road when she slid into the lane of oncoming traffic. The driver of the other vehicle, Douglas Drenks, age 50 of Pacific Junction, was not injured.
Leisure was transported to Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:30:41 CST
STANTON WATER TOWER FEATURED IN DOCUMENTARY
(Stanton) -- Stanton's famous coffee pot water tower has atttrached the attention of some independent filmmakers.
"World's Largest," a feature documentary directed by Amy Elliot and Elizabeth Donius, premiers at the 2010 South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, March 12th through the 20th. The film features attractions in America's small towns with the distinction of being the "world's largest" in a particular category. Elliot tells KMA News she was attracted to Stanton's water tower through her other job as a free-lance photographer, and decided to include it in the documentary based on previously publicity.
Elliot says she and other film crew members traveled to Stanton in 2004 to film the water tower and interview local residents about their conservation piece. Elliot says residents she talked to are proud of their local landmark.
Elliot says she and Donius traveled to 60 communities in six years filming various attractions, with the end result premiering at next month's film festival in Texas. Elliot hopes to take the film to other festivals across the country, including in Iowa. Elliot says a barnstorming tour to various communities included in the documentary is also possible in the near future. More information about the South by Southwest Film Festival is available at the event's website.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:22:51 CST
LOCAL OFFICIALS QUESTION GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION'S IMPACT ON EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS
(Clarinda) -- Local officials are expressing concerns about another key element of that state reorganization bill.
In addition to a proposal calling for the Clarinda Mental Health Institute's closing, the bill also contains language shifting the control of early childhood programs from the Iowa Department of Management to the Iowa Department of Education. Bernie Wagoner is agency director of Southwest Iowa Families. Wagoner tells KMA News the change would mean local school districts would administer such programs, instead of the local empowerment boards.
Wagoner also says funding for such programs may disappear, as well. Presently, Southwest Iowa Families provides for the Bright and Beautiful Beginnings programs, including the Stork's Nest, Positive Families and Welcome Baby. Wagoner questions whether area children and families would receive the same assistance under these programs if control is shifted to local school boards. Wagoner says local officials don't want the responsibility of administering such programs.
Wagoner says Corner Counties Empowerment Coordinator Pam Herzberg and other supporters of local early childhood programs are at the Statehouse lobbying lawmakers to remove the empowerment language from the bill.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:46:30 CST
CLARINDANS SCHEDULED TO ADDRESS IOWA STATE LEGISLATURE
(Des Moines) -- It's like a black and white Jimmy Stewart movie where an every-day-type man is appointed to fill a vacancy in the US Senate and his plans promptly collide with politics, but he doesn't back down. Now, every-day-type residents of the Clarinda area are on the agenda for the public hearing in Des Moines from 10:00 - 12:00 today (Monday).
KMA's Chuck Morris is among those on the bus bound for the State House with about 60 other people. Morris says 6 or 7 people from the Clarinda contingent will speak at the hearing to save Clarinda's Mental Health Institute from a budgetary facility shut-down. Those include Mayor Gordon Kokenge, John Greenwood, Mike McFarland, Chad Wellhausen, Helen Crandall, Mike DeZod, Penny Liylly, Heidi Grimes, Jason Bridie, Dr. Gregory Keller, Ann Davison, Holly Maurer, and Jill DeVoe.
To follow the story, click here for Twitter.com updates.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:09:46 CST
H1N1 VACCINATIONS OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND IN MILLS CO.
(Glenwood) -- H1N1 vaccination clinics are set in Mills County. Mills County Public Health Administrator Sheri Bowen says tells KMA News clinics are also held in schools this month - which is a first for the H1N1 vaccination in Mills County. The public may attend the school clinics after school hours.
The health expert says vaccinations are especially important for the following groups: all children age 6 months and older; adults with chronic health conditions; parents and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age; pregnant women; all individuals age 65 or older.
There is no cost for the shot.
The dates are: Tuesday the 9th in Malvern, Wednesday the 17th at Nishna Valley Elementary and East Mills Middle School.
Other dates, times and locations are:
· Friday Feb. 12th - 8:30-11:00 a.m. at Mills Co. Public Health, Glenwood
· Tuesday Feb. 16th - 3:00 -7:00 p.m. at Mills Co. Public Health, Glenwood
· Wednesday Feb. 17th - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at N/V Elementary/East Mills Middle School, Hastings
· Saturday Feb. 20th - 9:30 -11:30 a.m. at Mills Co. Public Health, Glenwood
· Tuesday Feb. 23rd - 9:00 -11:00 a.m. at Emerson Community Building
· Friday Feb. 26th - 8:30 -11:00 a.m. at Mills Co. Public Health, Glenwood
Clinic participants are encouraged to download and complete the consent forms prior to clinic to decrease wait time. For additional information on H1N1 Clinics, please contact Public Health at 712-527-9699 or access the website. The Iowa Influenza Hotline number is 1-800-447-1985.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:07:42 CST
NODAWAY CO. ACCIDENT INJURES ONE
(Conception Junction) -- One person is injured in a one-vehicle accident in Nodaway County, Missouri Sunday morning.
The Missouri Highway Patrol says 23-year-old Aaron Auten was taken to Saint Francis Hospital in Maryville where he was treated and released. Auten's pickup was eastbound on U.S. Highway 136 when it lost control on the snow-covered roadway and exited off the right side. The vehicle then came back onto the roadway, crossed the center line and exited the left side of the road. The pickup then slid off an embankment, then entered a deep ditch. Two passengers inside the pickup were not injured.
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:21:47 CST
IOWA HOUSE HOLDS HEARING MONDAY ON STATE REORGANIZATION BILL
(Des Moines) -- Monday is a big day for supporters of Clarinda's Treatment Complex.
Lawmakers in the Iowa House are holding a public hearing Monday morning at 10 at the Statehouse on the proposed state reorganization bill. Among other language, the version approved in the Senate last week calls for closing Clarinda's mental health institute. Members of the House's State Government Committee stripped that language from its version of the bill late last week. Monday's hearing takes place before House members vote on the bill. State Representative Richard Anderson, a Republican from Clarinda, tells KMA News e-mails and phonecalls from Clarinda MHI supporters played a factor in the decision to pull language from the bill.
"Some of my colleagues have told me to call off the attacks," says Anderson. "Others say they've received hundreds of e-mails in support. Clearly, it's an issue that has an impact on many people's lives."
Anderson hopes for a strong turnout of supporters at Monday's hearing.
"We've got to keep the pressure on, especially on the Senate side," says Anderson.
A busload of supporters is expected to leave Clarinda's baseball field Monday morning at 7. KMA's Chuck Morris will cover Monday's hearing at the Statehouse.
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:35:24 CST
SHENANDOAH SCHOOL BOARD EXPLORING HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING ROOM
(Shenandoah) -- Besides budget issues, Shenandoah's School Board is expected to discuss a proposal to construct a wrestling room onto the high school at Monday night's regular meeting.
Discussion regarding approving a contract with architect Steve Eveans to construct a wrestling practice facility is on the agenda of the meeting Monday evening at 7:30 at the May Center. Shenandoah School Superintendent Dick Profit tells KMA News the district has considered the project for quite some time. Profit says the district plans to search for state or federal funding sources. Profit says funding from a trust fund granted to the district several years ago is also available for the project.
In other business, the board will consider renewing the district's physical plant and equipment levy of 33 cents per thousand dollars valuation, which provides up to $68,000 per year for the district's facilities. Profit says action on computer purchases is also on the board's agenda, as well as approval of a contract for actuarial valuation services for the district's COBRA insurance.
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:27:22 CST
BEDFORD SCHOOLS HOLDING APPLE DAY LAPTOP COMPUTER WORKSHOP
(Bedford) -- KMAland school officials are expected to descend upon Bedford this week to learn the virtues of one-to-one laptop computer programs for students.
Bedford school officials are inviting area districts to the so-called "Apple Day" workshop Wednesday. Bedford School Superintendent Joe Drake tells KMA News the event is designed to encourage other districts to participate in a program providing laptop computers to students.
Bedford provided laptops for 6th through 12th graders at the beginning of the school year. Drake says the laptops have benefited students with classes and projects. Drake says students are handling their own projects, rather than being led by teachers. In turn, the instructors are becoming facilitators, and actively learning from the time they walk in at the beginning of the day until the end of the day.
Drake adds the program has also benefited the district in terms of expenses. Now that students have their own computers, Drake says the district has made approximately 100,000 less copies--thus saving money on paper supplies. Other area schools with one-to-one laptop computer programs in place include AHST, CAM and Sidney. South Page school officials are planning a similar program beginning next school year.
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:23:47 CST
TWO SUSPECTS ARRESTED ON DRUG POSSESSION IN MONTGOMERY CO.
(Red Oak) -- Two suspects are charged following a drug bust in Montgomery County Saturday night.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office says 20-year-old Andrew Alan Hansen and 19-year-old Chelsea Dawn Pappas, both of Red Oak, were arrested for possession of a controlled substance in the 600 block of East Reed Street. Both suspects are being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 cash bond.
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 6:03:28 CST
TIRE SAFETY URGED BY LOCAL DEALER
(Red Oak) -- Have you checked your tires lately? Tires are one of the most important -- and often overlooked -- components of our cars. Vehicle engineers spend thousands of hours crafting cars to be safe, but that rubber is the only thing that attaches our cars to the road. Mike Burke General Manager of Red Oak Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep is offering some simple tire safety tips to help keep you and your car's occupants safe.
CHECK FOR TREAD DEPTH. Check tread depth by placing the edge of a penny upside-down into the grooves of the tire's tread. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, it's time for a new set of tires. Never buy a single tire -- it's best to replace all four tires at once, but at the very least they should be bought as axle pairs (both fronts or both rears). Rotating your tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles will help ensure that all four tires wear at the same rate.
CHECK FOR EVEN WEAR. When you check tread depth, check both the inside and outside edge of the tires. Uneven tire wear is usually a sign that your car is out of alignment. Proper alignment optimizes handling and helps prevent premature tire wear.
CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE REGULARLY. Tires tend to lose air over time. Buy a digital tire gauge and check your tires once a month and before a long trip. Proper inflation pressures can be found in your owner's manual or on a sticker on the car (usually on the driver's doorjamb or fuel-filler lid.) Remember to check tire pressure only after the car has been sitting for several hour in order to ensure that the tires are cold -- the friction of driving heats the tires and increases pressure, which can hide an under-inflated tire.
ADDRESS UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IMMEDIATELY. An under-inflated tire has more rolling resistance which increases fuel consumption. It also creates more heat, which can lead to tire failure.
STAY BALANCED. If your car develops a shimmy (a back-and-forth vibration, usually felt through the steering wheel) at a certain speed, it's possible that one of your tires has lost its balance weight. Having your tires re-balanced is a fairly inexpensive procedure.
DON'T FORGET THE SPARE. Getting a flat tire and discovering that your spare is flat too is a miserable experience. Inspect your spare as you would your other tires. If you have a compact spare, the inflation pressure will usually be written on the tire. If your car comes with a compressor and/or flat repair kit in lieu of a spare, check their operation regularly.
LOOK FOR TIRE DAMAGE. When you check pressure, inspect the sides of the tires for nicks, bulges, cracks and cuts. Such damage often cannot be repaired and will require replacement of the tire.
BUY THE RIGHT TIRE FOR THE JOB. Most cars come with all-season tires, the tire equivalent of a jack-of-all-trades. If you live in the rust belt, consider a set of dedicated snow tires for the winter. If you live where it's always warm and dry, "summer" performance tires can vastly improve your car's handling.
And most importantly: Never hesitate to replace a worn or damaged tire.
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 5:59:44 CST
FREMONT CO. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFERS EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS TIPS
(Sidney) -- Earthquake damage can extend for miles from the epicenter of the traumatic shifts in the earth's crust and a local emergency management coordinator encourages the public to know what to do in the event of another earthquake in KMAland.
Although the earthquake that struck Southeast Nebraska December 17to measured only 3.5, it was felt by residents as far as 80 miles away. A 3.3 magnitude quake shook Farragut in 2004. Historical earthquake activity in the Farragut area is significantly above Iowa state average. To that end, Fremont County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Crecelius urges the public to be informed. One idea, he says, is to turn a couch upside down and climb underneath so the cushions will protect from any falling debris. Crecelius says if you're outside, stay there, but away from power lines, buildings and anything else that can fall. If you're in a vehicle, stay inside it, but park in a safe place. Avoid stopping on bridges, near buildings or trees, or under overpasses and power lines. Crecelius says earthquake preparedness includes fastening pictures and mirrors securely to walls, and secure major appliances to the wall and floor.
While KMAland is not geologically immune from an earthquake, there is good news: Iowa won't have the type of damages experienced in Haiti because of American building codes.
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 6:23:01 CST
STRUYK UNSURE GAMBLING PACKAGE CAN PASS HOUSE
(Council Bluffs) -- The lead Republican working on a package of gambling-related proposals says it's hard to predict whether legislators will embrace the ideas the small group of House members are considering. One idea calls for allowing large poker tournaments in facilities like convention centers that are adjacent to the 17 state-licensed casinos, as current law requires those tournaments to be held on the existing gaming floor.
Representative Doug Struyk, a Republican, is from Council Bluffs which has three state-licensed casinos. He says under current law, poker tournaments are held on what's considered the "gaming floors" of the casinos where slot machines are normally bolted down.
"If you want to have a poker tournament, you need to have a lot of poker tables. You would have to take all of those machines out, put the poker tables in -- so you've stopped all that gaming, went to something else, and then you get to change it all again three or four days later," Struyk says. "It doesn't make a whole lot of sense."
Another idea would allow the state's casinos to take bets on professional sports, if congress lifts a ban on sports betting in most states.
"It's always interesting to think about including something that's technically illegal at the present time, but we would have enabling legislation should the Supreme Court or congress -- however it comes about -- decide that it is acceptable for other states," Struyk says, "because of the equal protection argument."
A third proposal would allow some casinos to pay the state a fee to avoid having to be subject to county-wide gambling referendums every eight years. Struyk says he's not sure what may be in the final package--and he's not sure there are enough votes to pass a gambling bill in the House.
"This is not a slam dunk. Are there 51 votes for gambling expansion? I couldn't tell you. Is it inevitable that we talk about gaming because we're looking at ways to bring in more revenue? You betcha," Struyk says. "But is it inevitable that we pass a bill or even bring a bill to the floor? No. We need to have 51, hopefully more than 51 (votes) before we even think about bringing it to the floor."
Struyk made his comments on the Iowa Public Television program, "Iowa Press."
Sat, 06 Feb 2010 9:36:21 CST
MIDAMERICAN INCREASING IOWA TREE POPULATION
(Des Moines) -- Green space is expanding throughout Iowa this spring, thanks to grants by MidAmerican Energy's Trees Please! program. MidAmerican Energy Company Communications Manager Mark Reinders tells KMA News the company is providing $255,000 to 93 cities and community organizations throughout its Iowa service territory.
Reinders says his company is pleased to offer the Trees Please! program to encourage community beautification, help the environment and promote energy conservation. He affirms that trees improve energy efficiency by serving as natural windbreaks and provide shade to homes and businesses while beautifying parks, roadways and other common areas within a community. At the same time, he says, many farmers can attest that planting trees improves air quality and helps protect and nourish the soil.
KMAland communities receiving Trees Please! grants are: City of Carson, Pottawattamie County $1,000; City of Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County $20,000; City of Elk Horn in Shelby County $2,000; City of Red Oak in Montgomery County $1,000; City of Walnut in Pottawattamie County $1,000; Clarinda Trees Forever in Page County $1,000; Glenwood Tree Board Mills $1,000.
For more information about Trees Please!, call 800-434-4017.
Sat, 06 Feb 2010 8:17:59 CST
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