(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Natural Resources Commission has approved the rules to increase the cost of the lifetime fishing license. Fisheries Bureau Chief, Joe Larschied, says the change come after they heard public input. “A total of 310 comments were received during the public comment period. The comments suggested fees ranging from zero to 200 dollars. The vast majority of comments suggested a total fee of 65 dollars or more,” he says.

He says following the comments the initial proposal to raise the fee to 65 dollars was lowered to 63 dollars. “The 63 dollar license fee — along with the existing two-dollar administrative fee — results in a 65 total, which is the amount supported by the vast majority public comments,” according to Larscheid. A lifetime license for those over the age of 65 now costs 61-dollars, 50 cents. The new fee begins in January.

DES MOINES, Iowa —Iowa’s COVID-19 positivity rate continues to climb, and hospitalizations are on the rise. The Iowa Department of Public Health today (Wednesday) released new virus data showing 97 additional virus deaths, bringing the total to 7,166 deaths since the start of the pandemic. IDPH reports those additional deaths happened between Sept. 15 and Nov. 5.
There were 7,616 positive COVID-19 tests reported in the last seven days, down from 7,912 at the last report on Monday. The state’s 14-day positivity rate increased from 8.7% to 8.9%.

There are currently 525 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, up from 481 on Monday. Of those hospitalized with COVID-19, 71.6% are unvaccinated and 85% of those listed in intensive care with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. The number of long-term care facilities reporting a virus outbreak increased from 28 to 29 since Monday.

There have been 3,882,251 vaccine doses administered in Iowa, with 68.3% of those 18 and older fully vaccinated and 71% of those 12 and older with at least one dose.

(Anita, Iowa) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development and other officials gathered at the Anita Fire Station this (Wednesday) morning, to talk about $136,000 in grants for Community Facilities Programs in the City.

Xochitl Torres-Small, Under Secretary for Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture.

Xochitl (So-CHEEl) Torres-Small, Dee Fischer, an Area Specialist in Rural Development with the USDA, and USDA Rural Development Acting State Director in Iowa Darin Leach toured the Anita Fire station. Fischer explained to the Under Secretary how the funds were being used

In the past, the USDA has helped Anita purchase a new ambulance and fire truck which is housed in the fire station. The City is in the process of discussing and seeking USDA funding for a $1.25-million streets improvement project that involves an asphalt overlay and ADA accessible sidewalks. Snyder and Associates Engineer Austin Sonntag said it will cover about 35-to- 40 city blocks. A sewer lagoon is currently under construction, in Anita. Darin Leach said the USDA has also provided Revolving Loan Funds for the City.

Fire Chief Eric Steffensen showed the Under Secretary a new cot/guerney and a CPR device they purchased with the grant, that will help prevent injuries to EMS personnel and free up personnel to tend to a patient who is in cardiac arrest. The old cot required two-to-four people to load a patient into the ambulance, especially if they were heavy. The new cot makes the task easier for one person with the push of a button.

Another thing the grant money is being used for, is fixing the leaking Fire Department roof. It will also be used for purchasing 10 sets of fire protection gear. Some of their old gear is about 15-years old, and past its useful life expectancy of 10-years. The new gear isn’t expected to arrive until sometime in January or February. The City of Anita has previously purchased seven sets for their more active-duty firefighters.

Under Secretary Torres-Small said she has always been impressed by the citizens in rural communities and how much they invest their own lives into the community to help it thrive and grow.

More area and State news from Ric Hanson.

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(Radio Iowa) – There’s a major blood shortage in the United States. A quarter of the blood centers in the Midwest have just a day’s supply or even less on hand. Emily Holley is a spokesperson for the American Red Cross in Iowa. “Our blood supply is at the lowest it has been this time of year in six years,” she says, “so it’s critical right now that folks give blood.” Many blood centers report they’re running critically low of O-negative blood. It’s the most common blood type used in emergencies when a patient’s blood type is unknown.

Holley says more donations are also needed for platelets.”Platelets often go to those battling cancer and other chronic illnesses,” she says. “It helps keep them healthy.” Platelets are the cells in blood that form clots and stop or prevent bleeding. Cancer patients often need platelet transfusions if their bone marrow cells aren’t producing enough platelets due to chemotherapy.

WATERLOO – Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Corrections, Tuesday, said an inmate, 39-year-old Andrew Lee Stephens, who was convicted of Robbery 1st Degree in Black Hawk County, failed to report back to the Waterloo Residential Correctional Facility as required, Monday. Stephens is a White male, height 6’0″, and weighs 270 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on July 26, 2021.

Persons with information on Stephens’ whereabouts should contact local police.

Andrew Lee Stephens (IA-DOC photo)

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and Hy-Vee will join forces to pay tribute to Iowa’s military men and women on Veterans Day. On Thursday, November 11, Hy-Vee stores across the state will distribute a free breakfast to all veterans and active-duty military in gratitude of their service to our country. Hy-Vee will also circulate the Iowa Secretary of State’s “Honor A Veteran” postcards, encouraging customers to pay tribute to a loved one who served our country. Secretary Pate says  “Veterans Day is about saying thank you and recognizing the sacrifice of those who defended our freedoms. Since our statehood nearly 175 years ago, Iowans have risen to the task. I’m honored once again to work with Hy-Vee to pay tribute to these brave men and women.”

Approximately 30,000 “Honor A Veteran” postcards were sent to Hy-Vee stores across Iowa for use on Veterans Day. Tina Potthoff, senior vice president at Hy-Vee, says “Together with our customers we have the opportunity this Veterans Day to show our support to those who have served us. This program is one more way we can thank our veterans for serving our country and show our appreciation to these brave men and women.”

The veterans receiving the postcards at Hy-Vee can write a tribute to a fellow soldier, submit their own information to receive recognition from the State of Iowa, or give the card to a loved one to post an acknowledgement. The postcards will be returned to the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office and tributes will be posted online at HonorAVet.net and Facebook.com/HonorAVeteran.

The person making the tribute and the veteran being honored, if they are still with us, will both receive an ‘Honor a Veteran with Your Vote’ lapel pin in the mail. The lapel pins are in the shape of Iowa and contain the red, white, and blue colors within the Iowa Flag. Secretary Pate encourages those recipients to wear them while voting.

(Creston, Iowa) – The driver of a pickup was injured and transported by air ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, after the pickup struck a deer Tuesday night in Union County. Authorities say the accident happened in the Creston City Limits at around 7:22-p.m.   According to the report, 25-year-old Tyler Donald Miller, of Prescott, was traveling south on Highway 25, when the 2001 Dodge RAM pickup hit a deer. The vehicle went off the road to the right and entered the ditch before rolling over. The pickup came to rest on its passenger side. The vehicle was declared a total loss ($20,000 damage).

The Creston Police Department reports the arrest at around 3:45-a.m. Tuesday, of 42-year-old Juliann Marquis Edsall, from Creston. She was arrested at 809 W. Adams Street and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance – 3rd Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Edsall was taken to Union County Jail and then transferred to Adams County Jail, where her cash or surety bond was set at $5,000 cash.

Authorities say there were two vehicles reported stolen over the past couple of days, one of which was set on fire, the other of which was recovered in Ringgold County. Police said a red, 2003 Chevy S-10 pickup stolen from Eby’s Auto in Creston, was reported to be on fire at around 7:05-a.m. Tuesday, near the intersection of Cherry and Montgomery Streets, in Creston. The loss was estimated at $5,000.

And, a little 9-a.m. Monday, a woman reported to Police her 2009 Dodge Ram 4-door pickup had been stolen from outside a residence in the 100 block of E. Adams Street, in Creston. Also missing from inside the vehicle, was miscellaneous tools, personal property and medications. The loss was estimated at $13,781. Authorities say the pickup was recovered in Ringgold County later in the day.

The latest area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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