(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council on Wednesday voted 6-1, with Gerald Brink voting “no,” to hire a Summer manager for Sunnyside pool, in Atlantic. City Administrator John Lund noted that on January 22, the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee reviewed the job description and compensation proposal for the position and recommended the council approve both. Lund said also, having an on-site Pool Manager will go a long way in helping the Park Director’s attention on the entire Park system while allowing Sunnyside to have the supervision needed to operate safely and effectively.

Atlantic Parks and Rec. Director Bryant Rasmussen described what responsibilities the pool manager is expected to handle.

The person hired will be paid $14 per hour, or a maximum of $4,200 per year for the Summer pool season, only. The job will not be full-time, year around. Ramussen said they have at least one person who is interested in the position. Whomever is hired, they must be at least 18-years of age. Atlantic City Councilman Gerald Brink said he doesn’t think $14per hour is enough compensation for the position.

Rasmussen said they’ve been working with the American Red Cross to set-up lifeguard training, with the idea being the pool manager can then oversee the hiring of lifeguards who are ready to go when the pool opens for the season.

(Radio Iowa) – Shenandoah residents are mourning the passing of another local music legend. William Robert “Wil” Leacox died this week at his home in Stockton, California at the age of 74. Leacox was the drummer for the group America for 41 years. A 1965 Shenandoah High School graduate, Leacox honed his music skills playing for many local music groups. Leacox spoke about his background in a 2012 interview when America was recognized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Leacox says he was influenced by family as his dad, his uncle and an older cousin all played the drums. “So I kind of started learning from them — and then I went through the school system in Shenandoah with Doc Creighton, who was an amazing guy. By that time, I had been playing in–oh, I can’t even count–probably 10 different bands through high school. Then, of course, I went to Washburn to music college, and that was that,” he says. “It was a good place to learn to play in Shenandoah. It’s a very musical town–that may have had some influence.”

Three years after graduating from Washburn University, Leacox got a break and replaced David Atwood as America’s drummer in 1973. “After college, I found my way to the west coast,” Leacox said, “and started freelancing around L.A., and playing the club circuit, and a bunch of recording sessions during the day–and sometimes, at night, as well. I met an actor, and played drums on his recording. He knew that America was looking for a drummer, so I set up and audition, and got lucky, and got the gig.”

Leacox remained with the group until his retirement in 2014. He was asked whether there was any secret to the band’s longevity. “I’m not sure that we know,” Leacox said. “But, we love what we do. We’re like a family, so we’re just going to keep on until we can’t.”

Leacox was inducted into Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, and was added to Shenandoah’s Iowa Walk of Fame three years later. Hackett Livingston Funeral Home released a statement Wednesday indicating Leacox will be missed by his brother Jim Leacox, sister Janie Casteel, their spouses, plus his nieces and nephews, as well as his California friends and “his many friends and fans around the world.” Memorial services are pending at the Hackett Livingston Funeral Homes. Memorials can be sent to the Leacox Family Music Education Scholarship in care of the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation, and the Greater Shenandoah Historical Society.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The 2022 Republican Party Precinct Caucuses will be held Monday, Feb. 7th, beginning at 7-p.m.  During the precinct caucuses, the following will take place:

• 2 Republican residents of the precinct will be elected to serve on the County Central Committee.
• Delegates and alternate delegates to the March 12th Cass County Republican Convention, will be elected (with the number of delegates to be elected at each caucus to be shown below).
• Participants will propose and vote on platform planks, and send those proposals on to County Convention.

Voter registration forms will be available, to register or update your information.

In Cass County, here are the precinct locations:

(Radio Iowa) – Senate Republicans are proposing a two-and-a-quarter percent increase in general state support of public schools. It’s slightly less than the two-and-a-half percent increase Governor Kim Reynolds has proposed. Public school advocates say neither figure provides enough to deal with the impact of inflation on expenses and to keep wages competitive for teachers and other school staff. Republican Senator Chris Cournoyer of Le Claire says the Senate G-O-P number is responsible.

“You know, it might not be the number that people are asking for,” she said, “but it’s a number that you’re getting in the first 30 days that you can count on.” Lawmakers are required to make this school funding decision 30 days after the legislature convenes. Democrats have called for a five percent increase in general state support of public school operations. Governor Reynolds says her recommendation, which is half that much, is reasonable and she says Iowa schools received a huge amount of federal pandemic relief money that’s not yet been spent.

“As of the end of December, districts were still sitting on — they hadn’t used $793 million,” Reynolds says. “…so I don’t think it’s a lack of funding that we’re providing for our K-12 education.” That federal money — approved by congress during the Trump and Biden Administrations — is to be used to ensure schools are operating safely and to address the impact the pandemic has had on students.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill designed to increase the availability AND sales of gasoline with a 15 percent ethanol blend has cleared the Iowa House. Governor Kim Reynolds proposed an IOWA Renewable Fuels Standard a year ago, but it stalled. House Speaker Pat Grassley spoke with reporters right after the revamped bill passed on an 82-to-10 vote.

“It’s very important for us here in Iowa to show the support for the renewable fuels industry and I think the House has done that today with a very strong, bipartisan vote,” Grassley says. “…We would love to see this get to the governor’s desk to send a very strong message to the federal government.” Uncertainty about the federal Renewable Fuels Standard spurred development of this state plan. Republican Representative Lee Hein of Monticello says much of Iowa’s corn crop is destined for ethanol.

“Moving biofuels forward and standing up to let the rest of the country that this is a good product and a good thing is huge for the Iowa ag economy,” Hein says. If the bill becomes law, stations installing new underground storage tanks after January 1st of next year would be required to sell E-15. The requirement to sell E-15 would go into effect for ALL stations in 2026. The bill does include mandatory waivers for small gas station owners who show they cannot afford the equipment upgrades required for higher ethanol blends. Representative Mary Wolfe, a Democrat from Clinton, says the waivers are key.

“It does both expand the ethanol market here in Iowa,” Wolfe says, “but it also does protect small town, smaller fuel retailers.” This was the first bill to be debated in the full House this year and House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst emphasizes it passed by a wide, bipartisan margin. “This is an issue that’s too important to us to let politics get in the way,” Konfrst says.

The bill also calls for tank upgrades to spur sales of B-20 — biodiesel with a higher percentage of a soybean-based additive. Marinas with just one fuel tank are exempt from the proposed requirements. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Local Organizations Partner to Host FREE Suicide Prevention Training in Atlantic, Anita, and Griswold….

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoege asks you to please, say “Yes” to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor. Mental health was identified as the top health need in last year’s 2021 Cass County Community Health Needs Assessment, and local partners continue to make changes and take action to address this need. This month, Healthy Cass County, Cass County ISU Extension, and other area individuals and organizations across the county are partnering to bring a suicide prevention training to Atlantic, Anita, and Griswold. “Question. Persuade. Refer.” (QPR) Is a suicide prevention program delivered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach that teaches three simple steps to help save a life from suicide.

Kimberly Cavalier, Family Wellbeing Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach explained “Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help,” . ISU Extension and Outreach will offer QPR in Cass County at three locations on three different dates so Cass County residents can attend this free 60–90-minute training at a date and time that works best for them.

Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh commented, “It’s really amazing that we are able to offer QPR in three different towns. Thanks to the Anita Public Library, Anita Wellness Center, Anita Community Center, Griswold Public Library, and the Atlantic Public Library, we are able to offer this important program across the county. Additionally, all of the organizations were happy to partner, and more than one mentioned the importance of mental health when asked if they would be interested. We’ve got strong commitments to caring for mental health across Cass County.”

Question. Persuade. Refer. in Cass County February 2022:

• Atlantic: February 14, Noon – 1 PM, Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic); Hosted in partnership with the USDA, Healthy Cass County, Cass County Extension, and the Atlantic Public Library.
• Anita: February 15, 6:00-7:30 PM, Anita Community Center (805 Main St., Anita);  Hosted in partnership with USDA, Healthy Cass County, Cass County Extension, Anita Public Library, and Anita Health and Wellness Center.
• Griswold: February 21, 5:30 – 7:00 PM, Griswold Public Library (505 Main St., Griswold); Hosted in partnership with USDA, Healthy Cass County, Cass County Extension, and Griswold Public Library.

All QPR sessions in Cass County are being offered at no cost, thanks to a grant from the USDA-NIFA 2020-70028-32728 that provides this training for free for rural communities with large populations of farmers and agricultural related business. All adults in Cass County and surrounding areas are invited to attend a QPR program, especially those who work in agricultural areas, health care, mental health, government, schools, libraries, or anyone who has an interest in learning more about mental health and suicide prevention.

Although not required, registration is appreciated. To register for a QPR session in Cass County visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/ or call Cass County ISU Extension at 712-243-1132.
For more information or to schedule a QPR program for your business or organization, contact Cass County ISU Extension at 712-243-1132. QPR sessions are also offered virtually. For more information on virtual sessions visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/. Participants of in-person QPR sessions are encouraged to wear a face covering indoors, particularly if space is limited, crowds are large, or spaces are poorly ventilated.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network that promotes the health and wellbeing of Cass County residents. Healthy Cass County welcomes participants from across the county. For information on community wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty. Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870 for more information.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – NOAA’s National Weather Service has once again recognized Adair & Guthrie Counties as a StormReady counties. The StormReady program helps community leaders and residents prepare for hazardous weather and flooding. StormReady sites have made a strong commitment to implement plans and resources in an effort to save lives and protect property when severe weather strikes. Chad Hahn, National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist says “Adair & Guthrie County Emergency Management has taken proactive steps to plan and prepare for weather impacts in an effort to help build a Weather-Ready Nation.”

The nationwide community preparedness program uses a grassroots approach to help communities and organizations develop plans to handle local severe weather and flooding threats. The voluntary program started in 1999. There are now more than 2,350 StormReady communities across the country working to build a Weather-Ready Nation.

To be recognized as StormReady, an organization must:

• Have access to a 24-hour warning point and an emergency operations center;
• Have more than one way to receive severe weather forecasts and warnings and to alert the public; Monitor local weather conditions;
• Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars;
• Develop a formal hazardous weather plan and hold emergency exercises.

The StormReady recognition will be in effect for four years 2022-2026 then Adair & Guthrie County Emergency Management will go through a renewal process. Adair & Guthrie County Emergency Management is also an Ambassador for the Weather-Ready Nation Program. As an Ambassador, the agency along with the National Weather Service is working with its partners to build a Weather-Ready Nation to support community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett, Wednesday night, announced during a meeting of the City Council, she had received a letter of resignation from Police Chief Dave Erickson.

In the letter, Erickson thanked the officers and staff he’s worked with over the past years, and reflected on what’s been accomplished, especially when it comes to helping children and families.

Chief Erickson’s last day in office will be March 31, 2022. The Mayor said the search for his replacement will begin soon.

Speaking with the media at the end of the City Council meeting, Erickson was asked what he will miss most, when he retires from the Police force.

File photo from when Dave Erickson is sworn-in as Chief of Police for the City of Atlantic.

Dave Erickson has served the City for 25 ½ years, the last 5 ½ as Chief. He said “It’s time to step down and let some of the younger generation take over.”

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Police in Council Bluffs said Wednesday, that Officers have identified the driver of the hit and run that resulted in serious injuries to a pedestrian early Tuesday morning. The driver of the suspect vehicle is 40-year-old Justin Craig Lobato, from Lincoln. Lobato has several warrants out for his arrest. Charges for the collision are pending. If you know his location please contact your local law enforcement agency.

Justin Craig Lobato

Original story, 2/1/22:

Police in Council Bluffs say officers were dispatched at around 2:09-a.m. today (Tuesday), to North 7th Street and West Washington Ave., in reference to a car versus pedestrian accident. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim, who was laying in the middle of the intersection. The victim – whose name was not immediately released – had a severe head injury and was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.

Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Public Health today (Wednesday) reported 156 additional COVID-19 deaths. The additional deaths happened between Oct. 20 and Jan. 27. On the bright side, the data show positive virus tests and hospitalizations continue to decline.

The IDPH dashboard indicates there were 19,161 positive tests reported in the last seven days, down from 23,461 at last report on Monday. The state’s 14-day positivity rate fell from 22.9% to 21.5%. The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 also continues to fall. There are currently 794 patients hospitalized with the virus, down from 849 on Monday.

Of those hospitalized with the virus, 54.1% are unvaccinated, while 70.6% of those listed in intensive care with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. State data shows 55% of those hospitalized have a primary COVID-19 diagnosis, while 45% were hospitalized for another reason but tested positive.

The number of Iowa’s long-term care facilities reporting a virus outbreak continues to climb. There are 109 such facilities, up from 107 on Monday.