SHENANDOAH COUNCIL APPROVES NEW POLICE CHIEF'S APPOINTMENT
 (Shenandoah) -- Shenandoah's new police chief is confirmed.
Surrounded by family members, Kris Grebert took the oath from Shenandoah Mayor Dick Hunt to become the city of Shenandoah's next police chief Tuesday night. Grebert was sworn in after the Shenandoah City Council confirmed Grebert's appointment by a three-to-nothing vote. Councilman Jim Davey abstained--since he's been serving as interim chief during the search for a new chief over the past few months. Councilman Jeff Hiser was absent.
It was Grebert's first appearance before the council since his hiring was announced Friday. Grebert says he's looking forward to meeting the public, and intends to work with children. Grebert's appointment is effective through December 31st, 2009.
07/23/2008 6:33:05 AM
LICENSE APPROVED FOR SHENANDOAH COMPOST SITE INCINERATOR
(Shenandoah) -- Shenandoah residents will have to wait a while longer for the new compost site to open.
Shenandoah City Administrator Bo Harris told the Shenandoah City Council last night The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has approved a license for the state's first-ever yard waste incinerator. Harris says the approval is the latest chapter in a long process beginning several months ago, when the city closed the former compost side near Cenex by orders from the D-N-R.
By a four-to-nothing vote, the council approved a contract for an incinerator's purchase and paying $4,500 in engineering fees for the equipment's installation. Despite the license approval, Harris says it'll be six-to-nine months before the incinerator is operational at the city's new compost site at Shenandoah Sanitation off of Ferguson Road.
Harris says the city must fulfill a number of requirements first, including sending officials to a so-called "smoke school" to learn how to operate the machine correctly. City officials have yet to hammer out a contract with Shenandoah Sanitation for the new yard waste site.
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07/23/2008 6:34:16 AM
UNADILLA MAN KILLED IN OTOE COUNTY ACCIDENT
(Unadilla, NE) -- A Unadilla, Nebraska man is dead in a one-vehicle accident in Otoe County. The Otoe County Sheriff's Office says 55-year-old Harry Kempkes died following the accident on Highway 2 three miles west of Unadilla. Authorities say Kempkes' car was westbound on 2 when it drove off the right side of the highway and into Hooper Creek. Kempkes was wearing seat belts. The accident is still under investigation.
07/23/2008 6:34:57 AM
FEMA ASSISTANCE STILL AVAILABLE
(Shenandoah) -- FEMA Representatives are still urging area residents to take part in FEMA Assistance. All the counties in the KMA Listening area, save for Shelby and Audubon County are eligible for some sort of FEMA assistance, including infrastructure assistance and in some cases, personal assistance going to individuals, households and businesses. If anyone has damage occurring from May 25th, sign up with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362, or by logging on to www.fema.gov. Registering is a must, as there are a variety of different types of FEMA assistance available, and one may suit your needs.
07/23/2008 6:35:35 AM
LEADERSHIP TRAINING AVAILABLE FOR AREA STUDENTS
(Clarinda) -- Four Area School districts--Clarinda, South Page, Essex and Farragut have the opportunity for their middle and high school kids to attend a Leadership reaction course at Camp Dodge.
Ft. Dodge was a Camp to train Leaders in the National Guard. The program has been modified to work with middle and H.S. Students. Students will be given a problem, and they must work to get their task accomplished.
Coordinator Dawn Huff says a grant will pay all expenses, there's no cost for students wishing to participate. South Page is scheduled to take part August 8th. Huff says they've sent out letters to area students, so if they'd like to take part, they can call their High School Superintendent and leave a message.
07/23/2008 6:36:40 AM
CULVER: $1.2 BILLION IN FLOOD DAMAGES UNMET
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ Gov. Chet Culver is asking Congress to move quickly to approve more disaster assistance to help Iowa recover from last month's flooding.
Culver, who's in Washington D.C., says the state sustained nearly $10 billion in damage from the flooding, making it the worst disaster in Iowa history.
Culver says Congress has already approved $2.6 billion in flood aid for Iowa. He says FEMA officials have indicated future funding will be made available to cover more of the damage.
But Culver says the $1.2 billion in unmet needs is mostly housing, and that the figure is more than what FEMA officials have indicated will be covered.
MCCAIN AND OBAMA CAMPAIGNS TRADE JABS
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ Supporters of GOP presidential candidate John McCain are deriding Barack Obama's foreign policy experience.
That's prompting backers of the likely Democratic nominee to bemoan what they say is the Republican's negative campaigning.
Supporters of McCain on Tuesday discussed a campaign video that accuses Obama of shifting positions on Iraq for political gains. They also deride Obama's current trip to the Mideast and Europe.
Obama supporters, including state Attorney General Tom Miller, responded by labeling the charges, ``politics as usual'' and questioning McCain's earlier comments that he would wage a positive campaign.
Veteran Republican activist Chuck Larson Sr. says in dangerous times, ``hope alone is not a strategy."
 RED OAK COUNCIL EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR FERAL CAT PROGRAM
(Red Oak) -- Randolph isn't the only KMA Land community tackling problems with feral cats.
At its meeting Monday evening, the Red Oak City Council approved a letter of support for a proposed feral cat, alter and release program. Red Oak City Administrator Brad Wright tells KMA News Debbie Gamble proposes the program in order to eradicate problems with stray cats in the community. Council members took action after hearing the plight of Red Oak resident Bob Crouse, who's property has been overrun by cats.
Wright says the letter of support will allow Gamble and other supporters to apply for grant money to trap the animals--then release them after being neutered. While saying problems with wild cats sometimes don't get much attention in the community, Wright adds they're there--and something must be done to prevent feral cats from repopulating--and causing further nuisances.
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07/23/2008 6:49:17 AM
RED OAK COUNCIL PLEDGES ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FOR LIBRARY PROJECT
(Red Oak) -- Red Oak Public Library's expansion plans are getting an additional boost from the city council.
On Monday night, the council pledged an additional $125,000 for the project--raising the total amount allocated to $400,000. Red Oak Library Director Nancy Wagoner says the additional dollars were needed in order for the library to secure a Vision Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism--or CAT--grant.
Wagoner says the request comes as the project's estimated cost keeps going up. With inflation creeping in, Wagoner says it's important to secure the CAT grant now. In addition, Wagoner says the library is seeking other grants.
Council members unanimously approved the signing of a pre-application for a $200,000 grant from the U-S-D-A, as well as a letter of agreement for a $60,000 grant from the Iowa West Foundation. Wagoner says the library is also planning other fundraisers--such as a brick campaign for the proposed walkway and patio.
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07/23/2008 6:50:32 AM
NEBRASKA CITY COUNCIL HEARS FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT MERGER RECOMMENDATION
(Nebraska City) -- Nebraska City is getting closer to merging its fire and rescue units.
Nebraska City's City Council Monday night heard a recommendation for consolidation for a committee of city, fire and rescue officials who've studied the issue for the past several months. Nebraska City Administrator Scott Bovick tells KMA News the move would a milestone for the city.
Bovick says the move is being made because of the changing world of emergency services. Bovick says the council took the first step toward a proposed merger by approving an application for the fire department's license to provide emergency medical services. Bovick says other budget issues must be worked out before the merger takes place.
07/23/2008 6:51:18 AM
IOWA WESTERN BOARD HEARS ESTIMATES ON STUDENT CENTER PROJECT
(Council Bluffs) -- Even more construction equipment will be visible at Iowa Western Community College's Council Bluffs campus.
Meeting in Shenandoah Monday, the Iowa Western Board to Trustees heard a cost estimate for construction of a proposed student center building east of Lewis Hall. Iowa Western President Doctor Dan Kinney tells KMA News the center is being made possible through a bond issue approved by voters last December.
Kinney says the center's first flood will house the school's culinary arts program plus a student cafeteria. Kinney says a so-called "cyber library" will comprise the building's second floor. Kinney says the project's estimated cost totals $13.6 million. While a construction date isn't set, Kinney says the school hopes the project will be finished by January, 2010.
07/23/2008 6:53:04 AM |
