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Landus Acquires Grain Elevator in Atlantic, Iowa

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

AMES, IOWA (October 22, 2021) – Landus, Iowa’s largest farmer-owned grain cooperative, announced today the acquisition of a 3.4-million-bushel grain elevator in Atlantic, Iowa. The facility was most recently operated by Pipeline Foods through a joint venture with ADM. Landus purchased the facility through a public bidding process following Pipeline Foods’ recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

“This well-maintained asset is a win for Landus farmer-owners. The facility will round out our grain and agronomy offerings in this southwestern region of our territory and open the door to improved services to local Atlantic-area farmers,” said Matt Carstens, President and CEO of Landus.Landis Logo

The grain elevator is strategically positioned at the crossroads of major truck and rail routes in the heart of corn and soybean country. This site enables grain shipment out of the state via the Iowa Interstate Railroad. Landus currently operates a separate agronomy facility in Atlantic.

Landus will move quickly to assume full ownership and operation of the facility in early November.

Unemployment rate drops

News

October 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The state unemployment rate dropped slightly in September. The rate in September fell to four percent, down from four-point-one percent in August. Iowa Workforce Development says the unemployment claims in September dropped more than 68 percent compared to one year ago. And it was the second-lowest monthly unemployment claims Iowa has seen over the past 20 years.

The U-S unemployment rate fell to four-point-eight percent in September.

Four casinos fined for violations

News

October 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Four casinos are paying a combined 130-thousand dollars in fines to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission for gambling violations involving minors. Racing And Gaming administrator, Brian Ohorilko, says the Catfish Bend Casino was fined for the actions of an underage male.

“Entered the casino floor unchallenged, was on the floor for 47 minutes. It was not discernible whether the individual had gambled — pulled a ticket out of the machine, and based on a preponderance of the evidence, we felt the individual did gamble,” he says. Ohorilko says the casino agreed to a 30-thousand-dollar fine.

“Normal fine for this is 20 (thousand dollars), but there were the aggravating circumstances of a lack of surveillance coverage, and the age of the minor elevated that fine,” Ohorilko says. The Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs was fined 60-thousand dollars for two underage violations. The first involved a minor female in January who entered the gambling floor with an adult.

“Had gambled at a number of slot machines and was on the gaming floor for over 30 minutes, In the second count — it occurred a couple of months later — there was another individual, a 17-year-old female who had entered the gaming floor. She was on the floor for five hours and had gambled,” according to Ohorilko. Prairie Meadows in Altoona was fined 20-thousand dollars for an underage male who got onto the casino floor with two adults.

“Was not challenged at the turnstile, had gambled, and was on the floor for approximately 60 minutes. This individual was identified by another security officer who was conducting their routine business,” he says. The final violation involved a minor at the Diamond Jo Worth casino who entered the gambling floor unchallenged.

“Was on the floor for over two hours and had gambled. This minor was identified by staff at Diamond Jo,” Ohorilko says. Diamond Jo Worth agreed to a 20-thousand dollar penalty for the violation. Ohorilko says the violations for all four casinos were their first in the last 365 days.

CDC Approves COVID-19 Booster Doses for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson Vaccines

News

October 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, IA) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has approved the use of booster doses of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. Pfizer booster doses were approved for use last month. Additionally, the CDC’s recommendations now allow for “mix and match” dosing for booster doses only. These approvals and recommendations are effective immediately.

Moderna Booster

For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

  • People 65 years and older
  • People 18 years and older who reside in long-term care settings
  • People aged 18 years and older with underlying medical conditions
  • People aged 18 years and older who work or live in high-risk settings

Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) Booster

Anyone aged ≥18 years who received a single dose Johnson & Johnson primary series (1 dose) can receive a COVID-19 booster dose at least 2 months after completing the primary series.

  • J&J vaccine does not have eligibility criteria for the booster dose.

Mix and Match Use

Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines to allow for the use of each of the available COVID-19 vaccines as a heterologous (or “mix and match”) booster dose in eligible individuals following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. Mix and match dosing may be considered for the booster dose only.

Iowans with questions about which booster dose is right for them should consult with their health care provider. The vaccine is the best tool we have to keep ourselves and our families healthy and to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death from the COVID-19 virus. Find a COVID-19 vaccine provider here.

As flu season approaches, IDPH urges all Iowans to get the flu vaccine. By getting vaccinated for both influenza and COVID-19, we can prevent avoidable hospitalizations and help preserve health care resources for other needs, including illnesses, injuries and emergencies. Anyone with questions about either vaccine should reach out to their health care provider.

Housing needs survey underway in Atlantic

News

October 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Housing Committee is asking members of the public to participate in a survey about housing needs in conjunction with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The survey will accept responses until Friday November 5th at 5 p.m. and only takes a few minutes to complete.

To access the survey, go to https://bit.ly/3AMu5Zc, or access it on a smart phone using the QR code. Contact City Hall with questions or comments at 712-243-4810.,

IAR: September housing sales dip, new listings increase

News

October 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(West Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa home sales dipped slightly in September, falling 3.6% percent from September of last year. According to Housing Trends by the Iowa Association of Realtors (IAR), the median sales price rose 7.6 percent from a year ago. IAR President Jen Burkamper says homes continue to sell quickly. Iowa properties sold in an average of 32 days, which continues to be near record-lows for Iowa. In September 2020, homes sold in 54 days on average.

Median sales price rose 7.6 percent over September 2020. The median price for September 2021 came in at $199,000 compared to $185,000 in September of last year. There were 4,285 properties sold in Iowa during September. The year-to-date sales total is 6.6 percent higher than the first nine months of 2020. The year-to-date sales total is 36,380 properties. The number of homes available for sale is slowly rising. After almost a year of declining inventory, Iowa has seen 8 months straight with a gradual increase of homes on the market.  Our inventory of homes was 16.4 percent lower than in September 2020 with 9,545 homes on the market statewide. IAR

According to Burkamper, “While home sales dipped a little bit, we saw some positive signs with a small gain in new property listings and the overall number of properties on the market continues to rise. As the inventory increases, we hope that the competition for homes may ease up and bring moderation in sales prices, which would be welcome news to our potential Iowa homebuyers. There is still time for buyers to get into a new home before the end of the year.”

Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Visit with Vodec

News

October 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors hosted Jolene Sonntag, Daryn Richardson, and Jeremy Dunkirk on Thursday, October 21st, 2021, to welcome Vodec to the Chamber and learn about the services the organization provides throughout the state. Vodec is a vocational development organization that provides life-enriching services for people with disabilities, including day programs, employment training and residential options.

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The organization provides support to individuals with disabilities from providing a place for parents to take their children while working, to helping individuals learn healthy habits. Vodec will help individuals find jobs that are right for their skill set while working with a job coach that provides support for both the employee and employer.

Vodec serves over 400 clients in communities spanning from Omaha to Council Bluffs and on into Urbandale. Chamber officials say Vodec prides themselves in their values and employees that nurture their clients with compassion, integrity, leadership, creativity, accountability, patience, and kindness.

To learn more about Vodec, please contact 712-328-2638 or visit that their website at https://vodec.org/     Vodec Corporate Headquarters is located at 612 South Main Street Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503.

Limits on picketing outside John Deere’s Davenport Works

News

October 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – An educator from the University of Iowa Law Center says Deere and Company has made a strategic move to seek rulings in state rather than federal court to limit where and how striking workers may picket. A Scott County district court judge has granted a temporary injunction that bars striking workers outside John Deere’s Davenport Works from having chairs or fires in barrels and no more than four may be positioned at entry gates. Paul Iversen, who joined the Labor Center at the University of Iowa a decade ago, says a 1931 federal law sets the rules for how federal judges may rule when employers ask for restrictions on picketing.

“One of those rules is you can’t get that injunction unless the chief public safety officer of the jurisdiction, so the chief of police or the county sheriff, says that they’ve lost control of the situation,” Iversen says, “so you never get a federal court (ruling) because no county sheriff that’s going to stand up for election is going to say: ‘I’ve lost control of the picket line.'”

Deere and Company told the state court judge picketers outside its Davenport Works were blocking access and putting themselves and salaried workers going into the plant at risk. A spokeswoman for Deere and Company says the Iowa judge’s order ensures a safe environment for those reporting to work and those exercising their right to strike. The company is seeking a similar injunction for picketing outside John Deere’s Ankeny plant. Iversen says companies have historially sought limits on people exercising their right to strike.

“The strike is meant to shut down the employer. That is the purpose of a strike,” Iversen says. “Trying to bring in an injunction, saying it’s hard for us to work during a strike — that’s what a strike does.” Iversen made his comments during taping of the “Iowa Press” program that airs tonight (Friday) on Iowa P-B-S.

Man sought as a “Person of Interest” in Council Bluffs fatal shooting

News

October 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Authorities in Council Bluffs need your help in locating “person of interest” in connection with a fatal shooting. Council Bluffs Police and EMS were called 1200 East Washington Street, at 3:42am this (Friday) morning, for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they found a resident of the home, 24 year-old McKayla Glover, of Council Bluffs, with a single gunshot wound to her chest. Glover was taken by ambulance to the Emergency Department at Nebraska Medicine where she was pronounced deceased.

Council Bluffs police detectives are actively investigating the shooting, conducting interviews and processing the scene for physical evidence. At this time, no arrests have been made, but officials would like to locate and speak to 28-year-old Vaughn White. He’s described as being a black male, 6’3”, 250 lbs. White currently has an active arrest warrant for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Vaughn White

If you know he is, please contact either 9-1-1 or Council Bluffs CrimeStoppers at 712-328-STOP (7867).

Atlantic Rising Trivia Night a Success

News

October 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Rising hosted a Trivia Night at the Cass County Community Center Friday, October 15th. The non-profit organization raised funds during the event, for the Christmas Box Program that supplies food boxes to nominated individuals and families throughout Cass County during the holidays. Eight teams participated in the fundraiser and the organization was able to raise $2,790 that will go toward The Christmas Box program this December.

Kelsey Beschorner, Atlantic Rising Social Chair, said “The event was even more successful than last year, and we are so appreciative of our community’s generosity and support towards this special project. There was a lot of excitement throughout the night about the event and program, and everyone had a great time.” Beschorner added, “The Defending Champions from 2019 won again this year. The winner of the 50/50 raffle took home $157.”

Teams were encouraged to create a theme and dress up and decorate their team table. There were several teams that took advantage of this opportunity, and the team theme winners had a Sesame Street theme, dressing up as the characters of Sesame Street and character themed snack platers. They were awarded AtlantiCash for their creativity. The night consisted of eight rounds with 10 questions each; each round had a theme and some double point questions. Emcees for the night were Ann and John McCurdy, who also put together all the categories and questions.

Atlantic Rising is looking forward to delivering Christmas Boxes Thursday, December 16th. Nominations for the boxes will be accepted beginning November 1st. For more information on Atlantic Rising or the Christmas Box Program, contact Kelsey Beschorner at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017 or visit www.atlanticiowa.com.