Keokuk Radio

High School Basketball Scores for Tuesday, February 7, 2012

News Director — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:33:01 +0000

High School Basketball scores this evening: Keokuk Chiefs JV Girls defeated Ottumwa 61-38; Varsity Girls win 68-46; Freshman Boys lost 75-41; JV Boys Won 46-39; and Varsity Boys lost 59-69
West Hancock lost to Havana 85-50
Central Lee Defeated New London 75-30

LOEBSACK RENEWS CALL FOR EXTENSION OF PAYROLL TAX FOR WORKING IOWANS

News Director — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:31:59 +0000

CONGRESSMAN DAVE LOEBSACK TODAY ONCE AGAIN CALLED ON THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TO WORK WITH THE HOUSE AND SENATE PANEL THAT WAS ASSEMBLED TO EXTEND THE PAYROLL TAX CUT FOR WORKING IOWANS FOR THE FULL YEAR. IN DECEMBER, THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP WOULD NOT AGREE TO A FULL YEAR EXTENSION, AND INSTEAD PASSED A TWO MONTH PATCH. IN ORDER TO PREVENT 160 MILLION AMERICANS FROM GETTING A TAX HIKE ON MARCH 1ST, A COMPROMISE MUST BE REACHED.

LOEBSACK WAS ONE OF ONLY SIX MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WHO BUCKED BOTH PARTIES’ LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORTED BOTH HIS PREFERRED PLAN AND WAS WILLING TO COMPROMISE ON A SECOND PLAN.

PRESIDENT OBAMA’S PLAN TO PUT VETERANS BACK TO WORK

News Director — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:27:03 +0000

IN HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, PRESIDENT OBAMA CALLED FOR A NEW VETERANS JOB CORPSINITIATIVE TO HELP OUR RETURNING VETERANS FIND PATHWAYS TO CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT. THE ADMINISTRATION’S NEW VETERAN EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVES, COUPLED WITH THE WORK THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED IN CREATING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS, WILL HELP PUT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VETERANS BACK TO WORK.
THE PRESIDENT WILL ANNOUNCE $166 MILLION IN 2012 COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES (COPS) HIRING GRANT FUNDING AND $320 MILLION IN 2012 STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) GRANTS. THE PRESIDENT WILL ALSO ANNOUNCE THAT PREFERENCE FOR THESE GRANTS WILL NOW BE GIVEN TO COMMUNITIES THAT RECRUIT AND HIRE POST-9/11 VETERANS TO SERVE AS POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS.
SINCE TAKING OFFICE, PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS TAKEN KEY STEPS TO SUPPORT VETERANS IN DEVELOPING SKILLS AND FINDING WORK. IN NOVEMBER 2011, THE PRESIDENT SIGNED INTO LAW TWO NEW TAX CREDITS FOR HIRING VETERANS, BOTH OF WHICH WERE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE AMERICAN JOBS ACT. THE RETURNING HEROES TAX CREDIT PROVIDES AN INCENTIVE OF UP TO $5,600 FOR FIRMS TO HIRE UNEMPLOYED VETERANS AND THE WOUNDED WARRIOR TAX CREDIT DOUBLED THE EXISTING TAX CREDIT FOR LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES TO $9,600.

HEALTH CARE REFORM LAW SAVES $2.1 BILLION FOR 3.6 MILLION AMERICANS WITH MEDICARE

News Director — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:17:23 +0000

NEARLY 3.6 MILLION PEOPLE WITH MEDICARE SAVED $2.1 BILLION ON THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN 2011 THANKS TO THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ACCORDING TO DATA ISSUED TODAY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS). SAVINGS FOR PEOPLE WITH MEDICARE WILL INCREASE OVER TIME. ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT ISSUED TODAY FROM HHS, THE AVERAGE PERSON WITH MEDICARE WILL SAVE NEARLY $4,200 BY 2021 BECAUSE OF THE NEW LAW.
THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT PROVIDES A 50 PERCENT DISCOUNT ON BRAND-NAME PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND THIS YEAR, A 14% DISCOUNT ON GENERICS. LAST YEAR, IT PROVIDED A SEVEN PERCENT DISCOUNT ON COVERED GENERIC MEDICATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO HIT THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE GAP KNOWN AS THE DONUT HOLE, WITH 2,814,646 BENEFICIARIES RECEIVING $32.1 MILLION IN SAVINGS ON GENERICS.
IN 2011, THE 3.6 MILLION AMERICANS WHO HIT THE DONUT HOLE SAVED AN AVERAGE OF $604 ON THE COST OF THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. DATA ALSO SHOW THAT WOMEN ESPECIALLY BENEFITTED FROM THE LAW’S PROVISION WITH 2.05 MILLION WOMEN SAVING $1.2 BILLION ON THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

BY 2020, THE DONUT HOLE WILL BE CLOSED COMPLETELY. THE NEW REPORT RELEASED TODAY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FINDS THAT THIS PROVISION AND OTHER FEATURES OF THE HEALTH REFORM LAW WILL GENERATE SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS FOR PEOPLE WITH MEDICARE. TYPICAL MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES WILL SAVE AN AVERAGE OF NEARLY $4,200 FROM 2011 TO 2021. PEOPLE WITH HIGH PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS COULD SAVE AS MUCH AS $16,000.
THE SAVINGS ARE A PRODUCT OF PROVISIONS IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND OTHER COST TRENDS THAT:
• DECREASE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS FOR SENIORS
• MAKE PREVENTIVE SERVICES LIKE MAMMOGRAMS FREE FOR EVERYONE IN MEDICARE
• REDUCE GROWTH IN PART B PREMIUMS (FOR PHYSICIAN SERVICES)
• REDUCE GROWTH IN COST-SHARING UNDER BOTH PARTS A (HOSPITAL CARE) AND PART B.
THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS COME ONE DAY AFTER HHS ANNOUNCED THAT IN 2012, MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PREMIUMS HAVE FALLEN BY SEVEN PERCENT ON AVERAGE AND ENROLLMENT HAS RISEN BY ABOUT 10 PERCENT SINCE LAST YEAR.

CONGRESSMAN LOEBSACK PRAISES MOVEMENT OF LEGISLATION TO BAN INSIDER TRADING

News Director — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:55:59 +0000

CONGRESSMAN DAVE LOEBSACK PRAISED THE MOVEMENT OF LEGISLATION TO BAN INSIDER TRADING IN HOUSE AFTER IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE HOUSE MAJORITY WOULD ALLOW THE VOTE BANNING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM MAKING A PROFIT ON NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION. LOEBSACK HAS TAKEN MULTIPLE ACTIONS TO FORCE THE CONSIDERATION OF THIS BILL SINCE HE BECAME THE FOURTH PERSON IN CONGRESS TO CO-SPONSOR THE HOUSE VERSION OF THE STOCK ACT. THE LEGISLATION CURRENTLY HAS MORE THAN 280 BIPARTISAN CO-SPONSORS.
LOEBSACK IS ALSO A COSPONSOR OF LEGISLATION, THE RESTORING ETHICAL STANDARDS, TRANSPARENCY, AND RESPONSIBILITY IN CONGRESSIONAL TRADING (RESTRICT) ACT, THAT WOULD GO ONE STEP FURTHER IN PREVENTING INSIDER TRADING. THE RESTRICT ACT WOULD REQUIRE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO PLACE ALL OF THEIR STOCKS AND OTHER SECURITIES IN A BLIND TRUST, GIVING A THIRD PARTY THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANAGING ASSETS AND PROHIBITING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM HAVING ANY INFLUENCE OVER BUYING, TRADING, AND SELLING DECISIONS.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

News Director — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:47:08 +0000

IN 1926, U.S. HISTORIAN CARTER WOODSON GREATED “NEGRO HISTORY WEEK,” WHICH TRANSFORMED INTO BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN 1976. SINCE THEN, IT HAS BEEN CELEBRATED ANNUALLY EVERY FEBRUARY. FEBRUARY IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT ENCOMPASSED THE BIRTHDAYS OF BOTH ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
THIS YEAR’S THEME IS “BLACK WOMEN IN AMERICAN CULTURE AND HISTORY” AND HONORS AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN AND THE COUNTLESS ROLES THEY PLAYED IN THE SHAPING OF OUR NATION. THE THEME WAS CHOSEN BY THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE AND HISTORY.

DEVELOPING A BETTER-PREPARED WORK FORCE

News Director — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:38:43 +0000

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION OFFICE, WIA, SCC, UNITED WAY, KEOKUK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND CITIZENS OF LEE COUNTY MET FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD FROM 9-10:30 A.M AT THE RIVERVIEW INN IN KEOKUK. LAURIE PHELAN, FROM IOWA JOBS FOR AMERICA’S GRADUATES (JAG)-GAVE A PRESENTATION AND OFFERED SUGGESTIONS ON HOW WE CAN USE JAG’S OUT OF SCHOOL MODEL TO RE-ENGAGE THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR REGION FOR A BETTER-PREPARED WORKFORCE. THE NEXT MEETING IS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH AT 9 A.M. AND WILL BE HELD AT SOUTHEASTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND.

SENATOR GENE FRAISE AGREES THAT WE OUGHT TO EXPAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE OFFERINGS TO INCLUDE CLASSES FOR RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATES, PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS ALONGSIDE CLASSES FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT. HELPING IOWANS IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS, STARTING WITH BASIC ADULT LITERACY AND GED PROGRAMS, CAN LEAD TO BIG RESULTS FOR FAMILIES AND FOR THE IOWA ECONOMY. THAT’S WHY DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS BOTH GENERALLY SUPPORT WORKFORCE TRAINING.

ASA Cheers Department of Labor Decision to Re-Write Controversial Child Labor Regulations

News Director — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:32:52 +0000

IN RESPONSE TO A WEDNESDAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THAT IT WILL RE-EXAMINE DRAFT RULES THAT RELATE TO YOUTH WORKING ON FARMS, AMERICAN SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT STEVE WELLMAN RELEASES THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE MOVE:

“THE AMERICAN SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION IS PLEASED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HAS AGREED TO RE-WRITE ONEROUS DRAFT RULES THAT WOULD HAVE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED THE ABILITY OF YOUTH TO WORK ON FAMILY FARMS AND GAIN AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE. THE SOYBEAN INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE AS A WHOLE PUTS SAFETY AT THE VANGUARD OF OUR OPERATIONS. A SUCCESSFUL FARM IS A SAFE FARM, AND ASA SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN ARE KEPT OUT OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS IN THE FARM WORKPLACE. WE ALSO KNOW THAT ON-FARM EXPERIENCE IS A GREAT TEACHER AND PART OF THE RURAL TRADITION THAT HAS MADE OUR COUNTRY AND FARM FAMILIES STRONG. ASA WAS CONCERNED THAT THE LABOR DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSED RULES WOULD HAVE GREATLY IMPACTED THE ABILITY OF YOUTH TO GAIN THESE EXPERIENCES, SO WE ARE PLEASED THAT THE RULES NOW WILL BE REWRITTEN.”

THE AMERICAN SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS ALL U.S. SOYBEAN FARMERS ON DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO THE SOYBEAN INDUSTRY. ASA’S ADVOCACY EFFORTS ARE MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP IN ASA BY MORE THAN 21,000 FARMERS IN 31 STATES WHERE SOYBEANS ARE GROWN.

BRIDGE TOLLS TO INCREASE

News Director — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:23:53 +0000

DUE TO RISING MAINTENANCE COSTS, BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE RAILROAD WILL INCREASE TOLLS ON THE FT. MADISON, IA-NIOTA, IL MISSISSIPPI RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2012. TOLLS WILL CONTINUE TO BE COLLECTED IN ONE DIRECTION ONLY (EASTBOUND). IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TOLL INCREASE SINCE THE 1990s. TOLLS WILL INCREASE BY $1.00, WITH CARS AND PICKUPS BEING $2.00, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MOTORCYCLES, WHICH WILL GO FROM 50 CENTS TO ONE DOLLAR. ALTHOUGH TRACTOR TRAILERS COMBINATIONS (SEMIS) ARE NOT ALLOWED, WITH THE LOCATION OF THE TOLL BOOTH AND THE CONFIGURATION OF THE APPROACH ROADWAYS, A NUMBER DO ILLEGALLY TRANSIT THE BRIDGE. A $50.00 PENALTY FEE WILL BE IMPOSED.

KEOKUK CITY COUNCIL THURS FEB 2, 2012

News Director — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:13:16 +0000

KEOKUK CITY COUNCIL MET IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS LAST NIGHT. MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 19, 2012 MEETING WERE APPROVED. MAYOR TOM MARION REMINDED EVERYONE THAT THERE IS A LEGISLATIVE FORUM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012 AT THE HAWKEYE AT NOON, AND A SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012 AT THE MILLENIUM CENTER ON TIMEA STREET, WHICH STARTS AT 8:30 A.M. CITIZEN NORMA VARNER EXPRESSED HER OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSAL FROM ST. LOUIS GEAR TO REZONE 2321 AND 2323 MAIN STREET FROM C-2, GENERAL COMMERCIAL TO M-2, HEAVY INDUSTRIAL. SHE FEELS THAT THE PROPERTY IS BETTER SUITED FOR COMMERCIAL USE. THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS PROPOSAL WAS TABLED AND CONTINUED TO FEBRUARY 16, 2012 TO GIVE CITIZENS, ST. LOUIS GEAR REPRESENTATIVE DAN HODGES, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ROGER BRYANT, SANDRA POLLITT, AND RON PAYNE TIME TO MEET TO TRY TO FIND A SOLUTION THAT SATISFIES ALL PARTIES INVOLVED. THE COUNCIL APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPOINTING ROGER BRYANT, JOHN HELENTHAL, AND RON PAYNE TO A UNION NEGOTIATING SUBCOMMITTEE; APPROVED A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL EVENTS PERMIT SERVING ALCHOL FORM, WHICH WAS PREPARED BY THE CITY COUNCIL; APPROVED A RESOLUTION FOR A SPECIAL EVENTS PERMIT FOR ROLLING ON THE RIVER, WHICH WILL BE HELD AUGUST 17TH AND 18TH 2012; APPROVED A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR FEBRUARY 16, 2012 CONCERNING PERMANENT ENCROACHMENT PERMIT REQUEST FROM ROQUETTE AMERICA TO CONSTRUCT AN ACCESS BETWEEN H AND F STREETS AND RAILROAD STREET; APPROVED A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MARK BOUSSELOT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE NORTH LANDFILL WITH KLINGNER & ASSOCIATES; APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPOINTING SUZAN PAYNE TO THE AQUATIC CENTER COMMISSION TERM TO EXPIRE MARCH 19, 2014; AND APPROVED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF SEMI-MONTHLY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $258,346.48.
DURING WORKSHOP, CURT DIAL SPOKE ON BEHALF OF GREENBRIAR COURT RESIDENTS REQUESTING A COPY OF THE RULING FROM THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND MINUTES FROM THE PLANNING MEETING REGARDING THE EXPANSION OF THE PARKING LOT AT LEXINGTON SQUARE. RESIDENT JULIE TOTTEN ASKED THE COUNCIL IF LEXINGTON SQUARE SECURED A PERMIT TO EXPAND THE PARKING LOT; RESIDENT GENE KNAPP SHOWED PICTURES OF THE RUNOFF ONTO HIS PROPERTY. THE COUNCIL SAID THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE MATTER. SEVERAL RESIDENTS FROM THE BURKE STREET AREA WERE PRESENT TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT REZONING OF 2321 AND 2323 MAIN STREET AND A COMMITTEE WAS FORMED. THE COMMITTEE WILL MEET WITH DAN HODGES FROM ST. LOUIS GEAR AND RESIDENTS ON TUESDAY AT 5 P.M. TO DISCUSS WAYS TO SATISFY ALL PARTIES. COUNCIL GAVE THE GO AHEAD FOR GABE ROSE TO START THE PROCESS IN REPLACING A FIREFIGHTER WHO WILL BE LEAVING. MARK BOUSSELOT GAVE AN UPDATE ON THE AIRPORT GRANT AND STATED THAT THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE REVIEWING IT. SIX BOARD MEMBERS WERE PRESENT AND THREE WERE ABSENT.

FORT MADISON DISASTER RESPONSE AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PRESENTATION

News Director — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:36:38 +0000

CHASING4LIFE MEMBER EDDY WEISS WILL BE IN FT. MADISON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH TO MAKE A PRESENTATION TO AUDIENCES BEGINNING AT 11 A.M. AT THE NEWBERRY CENTER, CONTINUING AT 4:30 P.M. AT THE FT. MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR CHILDREN AFTER SCHOOL AND 6:30 P.M. FOR FAMILIES AND RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY A SPECIAL NEEDS GRANT FROM THE FORT MADISON AREA UNITED WAY.

WEISS IS A STORM SPOTTER FOR CHASING4LIFE, A WEATHER-CHASING GROUP THAT FOCUSES ON DISASTER RESPONSE AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. HE HAS APPEARED ON MANY TELEVISION PROGRAMS TO SHARE THE MESSAGE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND BECAME A STORYTELLER AND INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER.

Another Proposed Pipeline Could Boost Economy in the Tri-State Area

News Director — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:27:31 +0000

About a month ago, Keystone XL oil pipeline project was brought to a screeching halt by the Federal Government. This $7 billion project would have connected Canada to the Gulf of Mexico through the heart of the Midwest. Now another company, Enbridge’s $1.9 billion Flanagan South pipeline would carry crude oil for approximately 600 miles between Flanagan, Illinois and Cushing, Oklahoma, running right through the center of West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. This could bring hundreds of construction jobs in 2013. The proposed pipeline would pass through Schuyler, Brown and Adams counties in Missouri, and through the edge of Lewis County and run through Marion and Shelby Counties in Illinois.

Jim Mentesti, Executive Director of the Great River Economic Development Foundation, says that this could play a huge part in our economy.