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Tonight’s the peak night for viewing the Geminid meteor shower — and a comet

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December 13th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Mostly clear skies are in Iowa’s forecast for tonight (Monday), what’s expected to be the best night for viewing the Geminid meteor shower — and a bonus comet. Professor Siobahn Morgan, who heads the University of Northern Iowa’s Astronomy Department, says don’t worry about bringing binoculars or a telescope. Just find someplace away from city lights, bundle up, stretch out and look up.

“The Geminid meteor shower is best viewed after midnight. Generally speaking, you want the moon out of the way,” Morgan says. “This is when the earth enters the cloud of bits and pieces of a comet that passed by years ago.” Viewing this year should be ideal as the shower is peaking when the moon is nearly new, so the skies will be darker. It’s called the Geminid meteor shower because those “shooting stars” appear to be coming from the constellation Gemini.

Geminids (Wikipedia image)

“Most people are familiar with Orion and Gemini is northward or up above Orion and slightly to the left,” Morgan says. “It’s close to being overhead in the night sky and you don’t want to look in any one direction. Just look around the sky.” There should be about 60 meteors per hour, or roughly one every minute. The comet Leonard should also be visible tonight, but it won’t be quite as easy to spot, and you -will- need a viewing aid to pick it out.

“Comets tend to look a little bit fuzzy,” Morgan says. “That’s the key give-away. They can be rather fuzzy and a little bit off in their color. They could be rather bluish or greenish. It’s not the most spectacular bright or easy-to-view one. This one, you’d definitely need binoculars.” Leonard may best be seen in the early evening, just below and to the left of Venus.

Red Oak woman arrested on trespass charge

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December 13th, 2021 by admin

Red Oak Police report the arrest on Monday at 11:25 a.m. of 50-year-old Sally Mae Petersen of Red Oak on charges of Trespassing and Interference with Official Acts. Petersen was arrested at 606 Riverview Drive in Red Oak and transported to the Montgomery County Jail in Red Oak. Petersen was being held on $300 bond.

Record number of COVID patients hospitalized in 2021

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December 13th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa/via KCCI) – There are more patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Iowa than at any other time in 2021. According to KCCI, the Iowa Department of Public Health on Monday released the new virus data. There are currently 816 patients hospitalized with the virus, up from 806 at last report on Friday and the highest total reported this year.

Of those hospitalized with COVID-19, 77.1% are un-vaccinated, while 79.6% of those listed in intensive care with the virus are un-vaccinated. The number of long-term care facilities reporting an outbreak dropped from 16 to 15. IDPH reports positive tests are up from the last report, but the 14-day positivity rate is coming back down after climbing steadily for several weeks.

There were 9,736 positive tests in the last 7 days, up from 9,535 at the last report on Friday. The 14-day positivity rate dropped from 12.1% to 11.7%. There have been 4,389,478 vaccine doses administered in Iowa, with 69.6% of those 18 and older fully vaccinated and 73.1% of those 12 and older with at least one dose.

Afghan refugees arrive in Sioux City

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December 13th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The first 17 of around 200 expected refugees from Afghanistan have arrived in Sioux City. The director of the Mary Treglia (Trial-ya) House of Sioux City, Becky Carlson, says there are some unique challenges for this group of immigrants. “The folks that we’ve resettled in the past have had someone here in the community that kind of help set house up and has that already established,” Carlson explains. “Where these folks have no one to do that with — working to make sure that their house is set up — and then making sure that we get them to their appointments that they need to be at and that sort of stuff.”

Carlson says many of the first arrivals do speak some English, which helps in communicating their needs. “I’ve spent probably a whole afternoon with the family and there was one who could help with the conversations. And can definitely read and write in English. We did have one who has been a student up in Orange City — and she has agreed to help interpret,” Carlson says.

Local churches have helped the agency set up housing. She says they have set up apartments and Sunnybrook Church, and the Church of the Latter Day Saints have help furnish the apartments.

Lutheran Social Services will be assisting with another 150 or so refugees locating in the Sioux City area as well as 300 in Des Moines and 75 in rural Iowa locations.

Panel predicts state tax revenue to grow 1.7% in next state budgeting year

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December 13th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) (UPDATED) – A panel of financial experts has raised its prediction of state tax revenues for the current state budgeting year and is predicting tax collections will grow one-point-seven percent in the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. David Underwood, a CPA from Clear Lake, said the pandemic is the biggest uncertainty in the economy. “We’re, unfortunately, still worried about variants on the Covid,” Underwood said. “A year ago, we thought: ‘Oh, boy. We’re going to get the vaccine and that’s going to take care of our problems.’”

Underwood is one of three members of the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference. Kraig Paulsen, director of the Iowa Department of Revenue and acting director of the Iowa Department of Management, is another member of the group. “Current revenues continue to be strong. Sales and use tax receipts continue to show strength,” Paulsen said. “…Demand continues to be strong in both consumer and business spending. I see no indication of this slowing anytime soon.”

Paulsen, though, said the number of Iowans working continues to lag and there are far more job openings than people actively looking for work. Holly Lyons of the Legislative Services Agency is also a member of the state Revenue Estimating Conference. Lyons cited “headwinds” facing the economy as the group reviewed tax receipts through November 30. “These include uncertainty about inflation, the persistent Iowa labor shortage and slow employment growth we mention each time we meet,” Lyon said, “and the unknown impact of the omicron variant and future variants of Covid-19.”

The group predicts tax receipts in the current fiscal year will rise three percent and the so-called Taxpayer Relief Fund will grow to more than $2 billion.

(Update) Guthrie County K9 “Urs” receives his vest

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December 13th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports the Sheriff’s Office K9 “Urs” has received his bullet and stab preventative vest, thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.  Urs’ vest is embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed.”

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the country. Since 2009, the organization has  donated more than 4,481 K9 vests with a value of $6.9-million, in all 50 states. The vests are made possible by both private and corporate donations. The organization will accept tax-deductible contributions in any amount, with a single donation of $960 sponsoring one vest. Each vest is valued at between $1,744-to $2,283. They weigh an average of 4-to 5 pounds, and comes with a five-year warranty.

Guthrie Co. Sheriff’s K9 Urs w/his new vest. (Photo courtesy Guthrie Co. S/O)

The program is open to dogs that are at least 20 months old, and are actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9’s throughout the U-S.

For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call 1-508-824-6978, or go to www.vik9s.org.

Atlantic Police report, 12/13/21

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December 13th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Police Department report a total of nine arrests dating back to Dec. 4th. Most recently, this past Sunday (Dec. 12), 28-year-old Kaitlyn Deyoung, of Atlantic, was arrested on an Adams County warrant for Failure to Appear. Deyoung was transported to the Cass County Jail and later released on bond. On Saturday, 32-year-old Brandon Paul, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released with a court date. And, 35-year-old Christopher Castillo, of Atlantic, was arrested Saturday for Possession of a weapon by a Domestic Abuser, Interference with Official Acts, and Public Intoxication.

On Dec. 9th, 39-year-old Edward Metcalf, of Atlantic, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. He was cited and released with a date to appear in court. Atlantic Police arrested 18-year-old Brianna Long, of Anita, on Dec. 8th. She was cited for Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree, and also released with a court date. Last Tuesday, Dec. 7th, A-PD arrested 40-year-old Jasper Daniel, of Atlantic, for Driving While License is Barred. And, 29-year-old Nathan Frazier, of Atlantic, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 5th, Simple Assault, and interference with official acts.

As previously reported, on Dec. 5th, 34-year-old Richard Doss, of Atlantic, was arrested for Attempted Murder. And, on the 4th of December, Atlantic Police arrested 22-year-old Justin Rollins, of Atlantic, for Simple Assault.

Adair County Sheriff’s report, 12/13/21

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December 13th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Department reports two arrests over the past week. Both occurred last Tuesday, Dec. 7th. Officials say 32-year-old Stephen Joshua Wilson, of Des Moines, was arrested in West Des Moines, by the Iowa State Patrol. He was taken into custody on an Adair County felony warrant for Disarming a Peace Officer. Wilson was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

And, 32-year-old Natasha Lee Cain, of Marshalltown, was arrested in Marshalltown, on an Adair County felony warrant for Child Endangerment. She was released that same day on her Own Recognizance.

Update on Sunday’s residential fire in Elliott

News

December 13th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Elliott, Iowa) – Firefighters from Elliott and Red Oak were dispatched to a residential structure fire at approximately 1:40-p.m., Sunday.  The fire was at 600 Elm Street, the residence of Steve & Jessica DeLage and their son, Dax. The family had safely evacuated the structure prior to firefighters’ arrival. Griswold and Grant Fire Departments were called to offer mutual aid. Griswold Fire Chief J.C. Wyman on what the saw upon arrival…

The Chief says Griswold brought an engine pumper/tanker to assist in battling the flames, which were fanned like a cyclone at times, by the wind.

He said there were plenty of people on-hand to make sure crews stayed as safe as possible, with a limited number of personnel in the house at any given time.  The house was a total loss. Crews were on the scene for about three-hours. The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.

Montgomery County EMA photo

The DeLage family

Elliott house fire 12/12/21. (Photo submitted)

Other agencies assisting at the scene included the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Red Cross, along with the Cass and Montgomery County Emergency management agencies.

Dozens fired for refusing Covid-19 vaccine have filed for unemployment

News

December 13th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – State officials say over two-hundred Iowans have claimed unemployment benefits after being fired for not complying with workplace Covid-19 vaccine mandates. A state law passed in late October allows people to get unemployment benefits if their request to be exempt from a vaccination requirement due to religious or medical reasons is denied.

Drake University professor Denise Hill wrote a book about workplace vaccine mandates. She says the number could have been higher if judges hadn’t issued temporary orders blocking the federal vaccination deadline many U.S. workers faced on January 4th.

“Certainly some of the employers, regardless if they are health care or otherwise, have stayed termination,” Hill says. According to Iowa Workforce Development, 211 people fired from an Iowa business for refusing to get vaccinated filed for unemployment. More than a third of them worked in health care and social assistance. About a fifth worked in manufacturing.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Katarina Sostaric)