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Harlan Police report, 10/19/21

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October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Harlan, Iowa) – Officials with the Harlan Police Dept., Tuesday, reported two arrests from the past couple of weeks. On Oct. 13th, 24-year-old Connor Patric Green, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Harrison County warrant for Failure to Appear. And, on Oct. 6th, 50-year-old John Plumb, of Harlan, was arrested following a call for service. Plumb was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with willful injury.

There were also two  non-injury accidents that took place Oct. 10 and 14th.  On the 10th, a 2010 Ford Edge driven by Carley Seaman, of Harlan, was traveling south on Maple Road, when the SUV entered the ditch, jumped a field drive, and came to a rest at the embankment.

On the 14th, a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue driven by Sheila Mikkelsen, of Harlan, was traveling east in the 1300 block of Garfield Ave. While observing the vehicle, an officer observed it swerve off the roadway and strike two mailbox stands.

Rolling Hills Bank & Trust named Top Workplace award winner

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October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic, Iowa, October 15, 2021 – Rolling Hills Bank & Trust has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2021 honor by Iowa Top Workplaces Top Workplaces. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.

Heather Link, Vice President of Human Resources states, “We are very proud of this award because it is measured by our most valuable asset, our employees! There is no better feeling than knowing you are on the right track to having a great work culture. Being spread out across the state, this can be a challenging task but we are fortunate to have the teams we do that encourage and inspire each other. Our customers notice and we are honored that our employees believe that Rolling Hills Bank & Trust is a great place to work!”

Special City Council meeting in Walnut, Wednesday

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October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Walnut, Iowa) – The City Council in Walnut will hold a special meeting beginning at 5-p.m. Wed., Oct. 20th, at the Walnut Community Center. On their short agenda, is discussion with regard to Employee Health Insurance, possible approval of the a roof replacement for City Hall, and a Fire Hydrant Replacement Project.

Iowa stays in middle of rankings on national mental health report

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October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa remains in the middle of the pack in a new report called The State of Mental Health in America, which ranks the states based on 15 mental health access and prevalence measures. Schroeder Stribling, president and C-E-O of Mental Health America, says Iowa places 23rd on the latest rankings.”Iowa has been staying generally the same,” Stribling says. “I think you’re in a strong position with that trend and of course, as is true for all states, you can continue to develop additional resources for people, especially as we get prepared for the current mental health crisis.”

The non-profit organization offers a free, anonymous, online mental health screening program which has seen exceptionally heavy use in the months since the pandemic struck our country. “We have had a more than 600-percent increase in the number of individuals using that screening program,” Stribling says. “Primarily, these are youth, ages 11 to 17, and they are looking to screen themselves chiefly for depression, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm or suicide.” The report finds COVID-19 has brought greater morbidity and mortality, as well as disastrous effects on the nation’s mental health.

“One of the things that is true for some states and true for Iowa is that there’s a real difference between urban and rural areas,” she says, “and how they can address mental health concerns and what policies and programs they need in place to do so.” As an example, Stribling points to a recent University of Iowa study that found the rate of farmer suicides is three-and-a-half times higher than the general population. Despite all of the negatives, she says there are reasons to be optimistic about the future. Much like 9-1-1, a new three-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is being created.

“There’s a new mental health crisis response system that is rolling out this year,” Stribling says. “All advocates, lawmakers, policymakers should be involved. It’s called 988. It’s been federally approved and it’s now up to the states to enact this legislation. That’s another thing that’s relevant for Iowa which has not yet enacted legislation on 988.” While Iowa ranked 23rd on the report this year, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania were the top three states, while Arizona, Idaho and Nevada ranked last.

Public health official warns of ‘high volume’ flu season ahead

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October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Researchers warn this flu season could be far worse than normal. Kelly Garcia, interim director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, says the flu vaccine is widely available and can be taken at the same time as a Covid booster shot. “This year, we’re seeing some disease trends with other respiratory viruses which would indicate we’re headed into a high volume flu year,” Garcia says, “which means that we need everyone to get their vaccine.” In remarks during a telephone town hall meeting with Iowa A-A-R-P members, Garcia urged Iowans to stay home if they have flu symptoms.

Kelly Garcia (IDPH photo)

“We need to make sure that we’re not putting additional pressure on our health care delivery system,” Garcia says, “and in those high flu years, we do see a fair number of hospitalizations because of that particular disease, so we are going to want to make sure we are doing everything to prevent that this year.”

The Iowa Department of Public Health’s website indicates about 39 percent of Iowa residents got a flu shot last year. The rate varies from county to county. Half of the residents in Winneshiek and Carroll Counties got the flu vaccine last year, while the lowest percentage of all 99 counties was in Jefferson County where just under 24 percent of residents got the flu shot.

Temporary closure of U.S. 169 at I-80 (exit 110) in De Soto scheduled for Thursday night, Oct. 21

News

October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

CRESTON, Iowa – Oct. 19, 2021 – A project to repair the beams of the westbound Interstate 80 bridge over U.S. 169 in De Soto requires closure of U.S. 169 from 8 p.m. until midnight on Thursday, Oct. 21, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office.

Detour Route:

  • Northbound U.S. 169 traffic will travel east on I-80 to Dallas County Road R-16/Veteran’s Memorial Drive (exit 113), then turn west onto I-80 before exiting onto northbound U.S. 169 (exit 110).
  • Southbound U.S. 169 traffic will travel west on I-80 to Dallas County Road F-90 (exit 100), then turn east on I-80 before exiting onto U.S. 169 (exit 110).

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

Villisca Post Office damaged by a truck Tuesday morning

News

October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Villisca, Iowa) – An accident this (Tuesday) morning, in Villisca, caused about $15,000 damage to the Villisca Post Office. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, at around 8:14-a.m., a 2016 International box truck owned by Ryder Truck Rental, Inc., was entering the Post Office parking lot, when the box portion of the truck the struck a canopy attached to the west side of the building at 500 S. 3rd Avenue.

The truck, driven by 60-year-old Frederick L. Adams, of Greensboro, NC, sustained about $4,000 damage to the cargo box. No injuries were reported, and no citations were issued.

Audubon School District sees increased enrollment

News

October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon School Board received some good news Monday night. Superintendent Eric Trager tells KJAN News, the Board was informed enrollment in the District is up.

Mr. Trager updated the Audubon School Board on the Building Project. He said at 1-p.m. Wednesday, they’ll open the bids received for the project.

National Guard soldiers going on stateside deployment to help with Afghan refugees

News

October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa National Guard says around 65 airmen from the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City and the 132nd Wing in Des Moines have received orders for stateside deployment. Captain Kevin Waldron of the 185th says they will be part of Operation Allies to bring Americans and vulnerable Afghans back from Afghanistan.

Waldron says one of the things about being in the National Guard is you never know when and where you may go.

The Biden Administration wants to bring 97-thousand Afghan refugees into the country. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says it is important to help those who supported America during the war. But, he says there have to be conditions.

The Republican says those Afghans would be here legally based on their background.

 

Thirty of the airmen being deployed are from the 185th in Sioux City, and 35 are from the 132nd in Des Moines.

Griswold School Board approves continuation of early retirement policy for one more year

News

October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School Board, Monday evening, approved the continuation of an Early Retirement Policy for one more year. Superintendent Dave Henrichs said their policy calls for the Board to review the status of the offering each year. This year, there is a slight change.

Applications for Early Retirement are due at the end of February, 2022. The District Policy says only five applications will be accepted, on a first-come-first served basis. The Griswold School Board received some good news Monday, with regard to the enrollment numbers.

At the beginning of their meeting, the Griswold School Board Monday held a closed session with regard to the potential hiring of a custodian and a slightly different compensation package than normal. Henrichs said the Board would typically just approve personnel matters in their Consent Agenda without discussion, but Henrichs said he wanted the Board to have all their questions answered before the individual was considered for employment.

In separate action, the Board approved a handful of resignations, new hires, and the termination of a contract.

Henrichs said also, there are 27 Ash trees in varying stages of decay. The Board approved a bid from a tree service to remove the trees and replace them next spring. The trees that are dying have been affected by the Emerald Ash Borer.