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Bitter cold moving out of state for now

News, Weather

January 7th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – There’s some relief coming from the cold weather as wind chill advisories have expired. National Weather Service Meteorologist, Mike Fowle, says the cold winds are moving out. “The coldest air of the season that impacted us is gradually going move off to the east — and we are expecting a little milder temperatures for this upcoming weekend,” he says. “I guess I would categorize it more as a roller coaster. We are going to warm up a little bit tomorrow (Saturday) to near seasonal normals or seasonal averages with temperatures in the 20s and 30s. And then we will tumble a little bit late into next week. Not as cold as we were — but back below seasonal averages — with highs falling back to the single digits up into the teens,” Fowle says.

The recent run of single-digit temperatures with subzero windchills seemed a lot worse after a December that saw some days in the 60s and 70s — but Fowle says the cold was normal. “We haven’t really approached any record-type low temperatures. So although it’s been cold we weren’t seeing any sort of record cold. This is more typically January in Iowa kind of conditions,” he says. Fowle says we aren’t likely to see much new snow in the coming days.

“Right now we are not seeing any real large weather systems on the horizon — at least for the next week to ten days,” according to Fowle. “There is a change for some weaker systems to move across the state — including even tomorrow. We are watching the potential for a little bit of freezing drizzle possibly developing — and as we know — sometimes these real minor events can cause headaches on the roadways.”

Fowle says the best thing to do is to keep an eye on the updated forecast when you head out and be prepared for any type of winter conditions.

Press benches in Iowa Senate now off limits to media

News

January 7th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Senate Republican leaders have decided to deny media access to the floor of the Iowa Senate chamber where reporters have had work space for more than a century. Last year as a pandemic precaution, access to the House and Senate floors was limited to elected members of the legislature and a select number of staff. For the 2022 session, which starts Monday, House G-O-P leaders are allowing reporters and photographers who cover the legislature back into areas called “press benches” on the House floor. Senate Republican leaders are not.

A spokesman for Senate Republicans says the media plays an important role in the function of our republic, but he says the proliferation of non-traditional media and First Amendment concerns make it difficult for the Senate to define media access. Iowa Broadcast News Association leaders have issued a statement, calling on the Senate to reconsider media access. The Iowa Capitol Press Association says having real-time, in-person access to legislators helps reporters serve as the eyes and ears of the public and provide important information about legislative activities.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Iowa Senate will be one of a handful of legislative chambers in the country to deny members of the media floor access.

Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Visit Nishna Valley Family YMCA

News

January 7th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Nishna Valley Family YMCA on Thursday, January 6th, 2022, to celebrate their new childcare room as well as new staff. The YMCA recently renovated a racket ball court to convert it into a four-year old childcare room. The room can hold 20 – 25 children and is an extension of the Ann Wickman Childcare Center, which is operated by the YMCA. Dianna Williams, Ann Wickman Director, stated this move will open spots up at their main location, which currently has a waiting list of over 70 children. The YMCA is continuing to pursue other avenues and ways to continue addressing the childcare need in the area which, Williams noted, is a state-wide issue, not just local.

Photo and article contributed by the Atlantic Chamber,

The Ambassadors were also introduced to four new staff members who have joined the YMCA in recent months. Kelsey Smith-Walhovd is serving as an Administrative Consultant to Ann Wickman Childcare Center and Jack & Jill Preschool. Lynnae Grandin has been hired as the new Aquatics Director. Tom Williams has been hired to fill the Property Director position and Tina Olson works as the Member Services Coordinator and the Welcome Desk.

Nishna Valley Family YMCA is currently offering a membership special for the month of January. All month long, new members can join for just $1. The YMCA offers numerous fitness classes, personal training, adult and youth programs as well as an aquatics center great for all ages.

For more information about Nishna Valley Family YMCA, contact 712-243-3934 or visit www.nishnavalleyymca.com. Nishna Valley Family YMCA is located at 1100 Maple Street, Atlantic.

Cass Supervisors adopt Election Precinct Ordinance; discusses vaccine mandate

News

January 7th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Friday morning, voted unanimously to adopt an Ordinance establishing the election precincts in Cass County. Their action followed a public hearing, during which there were no comments, and the first reading of the Ordinance. The Board waived the second and third hearings before moving to adopt the Ordinance. The Board also discussed, but took no action on implementing a policy with regard to the Federal Vaccine Mandate for businesses with 100 or more employees. They held-off until the U-S Supreme Court rules on a couple of cases before them, contesting the validity of the Biden Administration’s requirement, and guidance from legal counsel.

Board Chair Steve Baier said for one thing, it’s not clear the county has 100 employees, especially considering the various paid and unpaid Boards and Commissions.

Legal counsel, Baier said, has suggested the County make a “good-faith effort to comply with the mandate, if it is upheld by the Supreme Court. Baier added, “We have a responsibility to the taxpayers not to ignore this blatantly, and set ourselves up for fines of up to $14,000 for each employee [who] is not in compliance.” Baier said there needs to be some type of exemption form for exemptions based on medical or religious reasons, and he is of the opinion exceptions should be made in those cases.

If the employee claims they are exempt due to medical reasons, Baier said, the County should refrain from asking what the condition is, because it would be in violation of HIPPA rules.

Everything comes down to what the nation’s highest court decides.

A $15 carbon monoxide detector could be a life-saver

News

January 7th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The wintry weather is forcing most Iowans to spend more time indoors — and with furnaces, fireplaces and space heaters running, there’s a serious risk from an odorless, colorless gas. Le Mars Fire and Rescue Chief Dave Schipper strongly recommends carbon monoxide detectors in all houses, apartments and mobile homes.  “We want everybody to have a carbon monoxide alarm or carbon monoxide detector just like a smoke detector,” Schipper says. “We want those to be placed where you can hear them. A lot of people tend to buy carbon monoxide alarms and put them in the basement, which is fine — if you can hear them. Otherwise, we want them in the sleeping area so they can awake you if there’s a problem.”

When people close up their houses because of the cold and there is little ventilation, Schipper says that’s when carbon monoxide calls to his department become common. “This time of year, we see all kinds of problems with carbon monoxide as far as furnaces that aren’t running properly, fireplaces that may be plugged or have creosote built up in them,” he says. “We have a lot of people that tend to run their cars in their garage to warm them up in the wintertime. Even if the garage door is open, that carbon monoxide is staying in the garage or pushing into the house.”

Schipper says it’s critical to take precautions since carbon monoxide is invisible and has no scent, and without a detector, there’s no way to know if it’s seeping into your house.  “That causes headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting,” the chief says. “A lot of people think they’re just getting a cold or the flu or getting sick, but really they could be having a carbon monoxide problem.”

A good C-O detector can cost as little as $15 and it could save your life.

Mills County Sheriff’s report, 1/7/22

News

January 7th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Mills County, Friday (today), said two men were arrested Thursday on separate charges. 32-year-old Scott David Wilson, of Oakland, was arrested at the Lancaster County, NE, Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $5,000. And, 40-year-old Joseph Allen Schoeman, of Harlan, was arrested for Violation of a Custodial Order, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, Harassment in the 3rd Degree, and Driving Under Suspension.

Schoeman was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

Griswold School Board enacts COVID vaccination policy

News

January 7th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Griswold, Iowa) – Rather than face a possible $136,000 penalty for a potentially willful, blatant violation of the Federal Government’s Mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement for businesses with more than 100 employees, the Griswold School Board, like many others in our area, have enacted a policy for its staff, effective Monday, January 10th. Griswold Superintendent Dave Henrichs told KJAN News the board voted Thursday night to adopt a policy presented by the School Board Association.

He said some of the vaccination cards were collected before Christmas.

If any employee is not vaccinated as of Monday, they will be required to wear a face mask while at school, in the building and in district vehicles.

Henrichs says a District employee may request a medical or religious exemption for any or all of the three requirements (Vaccine, mask and tests) if they provide proof from their physician and/or clergy why they should be exempt. As of this writing, the case is currently before the Supreme Court. If the high court places a stay on the mandate, District Administration will re-evaluate the policy. On another note, the Griswold School Board will hold their Regular monthly meeting January 17th, which includes a public hearing that follows a presentation on the 2022-23 School Calendar.

Henrichs says the calendar is very similar to the 2021-22 school year.

(Podcast) KJAN News, 1/7/22

News, Podcasts

January 7th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

More (broadcast) area and state News from Ric Hanson.

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Central IA school board meeting evacuated following a reported threat

News

January 7th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

ALTOONA, Iowa (Via KCCI) — Authorities in central Iowa are investigating a phone-in threat against the Southeast Polk School Board. The incident happened during Thursday night’s Board meeting in Altoon. Altoona police evacuated and searched the district office after the threat was called in. Specifics regarding the nature of the threat were not revealed.

School board member Whitney Smith-McIntosh posted on Facebook that the board members were escorted out of the meeting about an hour into it. Authorities report nothing was found, and that they believe they have identified the caller.

Another Mountain Lion sighting in Iowa

Ag/Outdoor, News

January 7th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

ANKENY, Iowa (KCCI)— Another big cat has been seen in Iowa. Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources confirmed a photo taken in Ankeny by Randy Johnson, was a mountain lion. The picture was taken where Johnson lives, just west of the John Deere plant. The last time a confirmed mountain lion was seen, was in a video taken in Des Moines, by a home security system last October.

At that time, the Iowa DNR said mountain lions are occasional visitors to the state, but there are no breeding populations in Iowa. South Dakota and Nebraska are home to small breeding populations of the big cats. They said on occasion, young males will get chased from their home territories by older males and make long treks searching for new territory.