(Radio Iowa) – Studies find nearly 75-percent of crashes in Iowa happen in less than two inches of snow, and researchers at the University of Iowa are looking into the ideal commute times. Professor Jon Davis, in the U-I Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, says the timing of your drive can make a world of difference.  “The commute is something that we often don’t think about as part of the actual work day in regards to health and safety,” Davis says, “but it really is, for a lot of people, the most dangerous thing they do all day.” More people on the roads means more opportunities for a collision, and when the roads are slick from rain or snow, the risks of a fender-bender rise exponentially — especially during the busy morning commutes.

“In our work, we actually looked at the different commute times and where we saw winter weather really playing a role in crashes began around 6:30 and didn’t start to taper off until 9,” Davis says. “So, if you can wait longer or avoid it all together, you are going to improve the safeness of your drive.” During the height of the pandemic lockdown, 40-percent of Iowans were working remotely, and that number is still 25-to-30-percent. When the weather’s foul, Davis suggests if you can work from home, do, or at least go in later. “If you delay your commute into work, you’re really increasing your safe drive,” Davis says. “It’s a lot less hazardous. Even waiting 30 minutes or an hour to go into work — and for those who can work remotely, you can completely remove that risk. It only takes a small amount of snow to make that drive more hazardous.”

The U-I research found workplaces that adopt policies for flexible work start times or for telecommuting will empower workers to avoid hazardous driving conditions. “We put time and resources into making work-from-home easy. People have set up home offices, learned how to use different software to do virtual meetings, so let’s make use of that infrastructure,” Davis says. “For those people who have that option, it’s great if they can exercise that option when weather is bad.”

If you have to be at work in person and the weather’s foul, remember to dress for the conditions, bring along blankets, snacks, water, have a fully-charged cell phone and a full tank of gas.

343 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022

.A long duration of mainly light wintry precipitation will continue to impact Iowa this morning. The wintry mix is expected
to transition to snow north by this (Tuesday) morning in northern areas and freezing drizzle may continue through portions of central and southern Iowa. The morning commute may be affected for many locations due to either snow covered or icy roads, especially if left untreated.

Sac-Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Cass-Adams and Taylor Counties: A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM today for mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of less than one inch and a light glaze up to a few hundredths of an inch of ice.

Guthrie-Dallas-Adair-Madison-Union-Ringgold Counties: WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON today.

Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills Counties:

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON TODAY…
…WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY…

* WHAT…For the Winter Weather Advisory, mixed precipitation. Additional snow accumulations of up to one inch and ice
accumulations of a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. For the Wind Chill Advisory, very cold wind chills
expected. Wind chills as low as 30 below zero.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery walkways and road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest travel conditions, check the Iowa 5 1 1 app or dial 5 1 1.

(Radio Iowa) – Republicans in the Iowa Senate have approved a regulatory change that would allow child care centers to have higher staff-to-child ratios. The rules for caregivers in rooms with babies would not change, but if the bill passes, one person could oversee up to 10 three year olds and Republican Senator Jeff Edler of State Center says one person could oversee up to seven two-year-olds.

“This is allowing providers to adjust to a higher ratio. It is solely voluntary,” Edler says. “And this adjustment to Iowa’s child care ratio could not come a moment too soon. As the workforce shortages continue to challenge Iowans, we are providing an outlet for their children, so they can return to work.” Democrats opposed the move. Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque says the bill is a recipe for disaster.

“Seven two-year-olds at one time who are trying to get potty trained, they need to be fed, they make messes, they have to be changed, they’re fighting with each other because they haven’t quite learned how to get along with others yet,” Jochum says. “…This is about the safety of children. Why would we ever think about compromising that?” The bill now goes to the House where members have already begun considering changing the staff-to-child ratios in Iowa child care centers.

(Radio Iowa) – Fifty-five Republicans in the Iowa House have passed a bill that forbids trans athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports at all public and private schools and colleges in Iowa. Republican Representative Skyler Wheeler of Orange City says transgender athletes who identify as female have an unfair competitive advantage in girls sports.

“Even if it’s one case, even if it’s a middle school bench slot, even if it’s a C team position in volleyball — I don’t care what it is,” Wheeler says. “You’re displacing a biological girl in her own division and in her own sport.” One Republican and all the Democrats present in the House last (Monday) night voted against the bill. Representative Ras Smith, a Democrat from Waterloo, was one of four members of the House Black Caucus to speak against it.

“I know how it feels to be targeted,” Smith says. “I can empathize with being sought out to being discriminated against and I’ll be damned if I’ll participate in doing that to somebody else and making them feel that way.” Representative Jeff Shipley, a Republican from Fairfield, says he objects to all school policies that encourage or condone transgender students. “I don’t believe the state of Iowa should provide liability protections to any educational institution that affirms mental illness,” Shipley says.

House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights responded. “Kids who are transgender do not have a mental illness,” Konfrst says. “Kids who are transgender are kids.” Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a Democrat from Ames, says the bill is mean spirited.  “Trans Iowans are Iowans. Transwomen are women,” Wessel-Kroeschell says. “Trans Iowans just want to be included and they wants to be treated fairly.” Representative Henry Stone, a Republican from Forest City, is one of the bill’s sponsors. He says critics are forgetting one side of the equation.

“Our daughters and granddaughters deserve to be given a chance to compete,” Stone says, “but more importantly they deserve to compete on a level playing field.” The Iowa Senate may debate the bill this week. Governor Kim Reynolds asked lawmakers to pass this kind of legislation nine months ago.

The only Republican present to vote against the bill was Rep. Michael Bergen of Dorchester. All Democrats present voted no. Here’s the list of absent lawmakers who did not vote on the bill: Fry, Jacobsen, Klein, Maxwell, Prichard and Sunde.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Parks and Rec Board met Monday evening, but since there were not enough members present for a quorum, the Board was able to discuss, but not take any official action on, new business on their agenda. The board is planning to hold a special meeting later this week.

Parks and Rec Director Brant Rasmussen said an application was submitted for a Wellmark Grant to help pay for an inclusive playground and a restroom at Mollett Park (E. 3rd Street Place).

The grant can be for up to $60,000. The Parks and Rec Board discussed Sunnyside Pool Season Pass rates. Rasmussen said along with a City Council approved increase in the rate of pay for Lifeguards, there should be an increase in pass rates to help offset some of those costs. He said Assistant Parks & Rec Director Jeff Christensen contacted past members to let them know a rate increase is coming

The amount of increase has not yet been determined. Bryant said the current rate is $90 for a family season pass, and $75 for an individual season pass. The Daily rate is three-dollars.

Rasmussen said the Sunnyside Pool rates are $35-45 less than comparable pools for cities the size of Atlantic. The rates haven’t increased in at least three-years, he said.

They are looking to find ways to team-up with corporate sponsors and organizations for free pool party nights, to still allow people to use the pool.

Along with an increase in pay for the Lifeguards, the Board agreed there should be some extra incentives for them. That includes reimbursement for Lifeguard training/certification, a free food such as hot dogs and a drink for working a certain number of hours.

In other business, Bryant Rasmussen said the ice skating rink is closed for the season (for obvious reasons), and as we told you last week, the roads at Sunnyside Park have re-opened. And, the “Find my Match” activity that was held last week, netted 37 participants and proved they Parks Dept. has a good working relationship with the Atlantic Public Library.

(Avoca, Iowa) – Firefighters from Avoca, Harlan and Walnut were called into action Monday afternoon, for a residential structure fire. The page went out at 12:36-p.m. for a blaze at 209 West Marty Street, behind the Subway Restaurant in Avoca.

According to Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen, crews from Harlan could see the smoke from the structure, even as they were leaving Harlan. Reports stated that there was an entrapment, but everyone was out of the home upon fire departments arrival.

The department was in immediate defensive mode upon arrival, the house was fully engulfed in flame. Medivac was called in for a female with smoke inhalation and burns to her head and face. She was treated at the scene but not taken to the hospital.

The house is a total loss and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

(KNOD)

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests from the past week. As mentioned in our report last week, 51-year-old Skeet Weston Miller, of Stuart, was arrested Feb. 14th, following an incident at a motel in Stuart. Miller was arrested on warrants for False Imprisonment and Domestic Assault by impeding air/blood flow. He was also charged with Harassment-1st Degree, Willful Injury causing bodily injury, and Burglary in the 1st Degree. Miller remains held in the Adair County Jail on a $50,000 cash or surety bond.

Also arrested Feb. 14th, in a separate Stuart incident (as previously reported), was 27-year-old Hunter Davis VanWyk, of Sioux City. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on charges that include: Domestic Abuse Assault w/Bodily injury and Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense; Harassment in the 1st Degree; Child Endangerment w/o injury, and going armed without injury. He remains held on a $25,000 cash or surety bond.

On Feb. 18th, 35-year-old Daniel Fritz Reeves, of Adair, was arrested by Adair Police following a traffic stop. He was charge with Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense – Methamphetamine. He was being held on a $5,000 cash or surety bond. And, on Feb. 19th, 45-year-old Chad Owen Overton, of Menlo, was arrested by Stuart Police following a traffic stop on the I-80 mile marker 93 westbound on-ramp. He was charged with: Driving While Barred; Poss. of a Controlled Substance/1st offense – Marijuana; Failure to provide proof of financial liability (insurance); Operating a vehicle without registration, and Open container as a driver. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

ATLANTIC, IOWA – Regional Planning Authority 13, the transportation planning region for Cass, Fremont, Montgomery, and Page counties designated by the Iowa Department of Transportation, seeks applications for projects that support trails and other off-road, non-driver infrastructure through its Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Eligible entities within the four RPA-13 counties are encouraged to apply.

“From establishing bike paths, to preservation of historic transportation facilities, or a safe route to school sidewalks, there are multiple possible uses for the TAP program funding,” said SWIPCO Grants Specialist Tammy DeBord, an RPA-13 administrator. “If your city or county is planning one of these projects, now is the time to apply.”

The TAP funds are available to local governments, transit agencies, school districts and local education agencies, as well as tribal governments and natural resource or public land agencies. Non-profits responsible for administering local transportation safety programs are also eligible to apply.

Past projects boosted by RPA-13 TAP grants have included the Troublesome Creek Connector from Atlantic’s baseball facilities to the Schildberg Recreation Area, trail construction in and around the city of Red Oak, and the Wabash Depot Trail Head in Shenandoah.

Officials with RPA-13 have set a deadline of March 25, 2022. Projects must meet certain requirements, including a demonstrated relationship to transportation, a 20-year maintenance commitment, and a commitment of at least 20 percent of eligible costs. Potential applicants should contact Tammy DeBord at SWIPCO with questions and to obtain the application, which is also available on the SWIPCO website, www.swipco.org. DeBord can be reached at tammy.debord@swipco.org or by calling toll-free 866-279-4720.

(Radio Iowa) – The number of new reported COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in Iowa is falling, but experts say it’s vital more parents get their children vaccinated against COVID-19, and stay up to date on other routine vaccinations. Joel Waddell, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, says he’s seen a decrease in routine childhood vaccinations against measles, whooping cough and H-P-V.

“What is very frightening to me is that we won’t get those numbers back up to the pre-pandemic vaccination level,” Waddell says. “And then we’re going to start seeing outbreaks of measles, whooping cough that can be even more deadly for kids than COVID.” Coronavirus is linked to an increase in multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children, a rare but serious condition that can affect a child’s organs. Waddell says some parents are hesitant to vaccinate their children due to worries about long-term impacts, but he says those concerns are groundless.

He says, “In the history of vaccines — so, a couple hundred years now — of every vaccine that’s ever been licensed out there, there’s never been a case where a side effect from a vaccine only showed up years to decades later. Never.” According to state data, less than a quarter of Iowa’s five- to 11-year-olds have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

[12-p.m. News] (Anita, Iowa) – A collision early this (Monday) morning between a semi and an SUV in Adair County, claimed the life of a man from California. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Freightliner semi driven by 27-year-old Jasvir Sood, of Fresno, CA, was traveling west on I-80 near mile marker 70, when the tractor-trailer struck the rear of a westbound 2008 Honda Pilot driven by 36-year-old Milinganyo Bwami, of Omaha. The accident happened at around 12:20-a.m.

The Patrol says following the collision, the SUV came to rest upright in the north ditch. When the semi entered the north ditch and rolled onto the driver’s side, Sood, who was not wearing a seat belt, was partially ejected from the cab and died at the scene. Bwami, and his passengers: 45-year-old Wabiwa Yungu, and two juveniles, aged 12- and 15, all from Omaha, were injured. The four occupants of the SUV were wearing their seat belts.

They were transported by Adair EMS to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.