(Radio Iowa) – A report on local health finds nearly one in five Iowa households do not have broadband access. The report, from the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute, uses more than 30 measures like adult obesity and air quality to rank counties on their overall health. Researcher Anne Roubal says internet access helps people apply for jobs and stay socially connected for their mental health during the pandemic. “And then also just access basic health care things like telehealth, especially in rural or even frontier areas across our nation,” Roubal says.

Iowa fell short of the report’s top benchmark of having at least 86-percent of households with broadband access. “Iowa as a state is only at 81-percent,” Roubal says. “That’s still five-percent less than what we would want them to be at.”

The report found the percentage of households with broadband access in Iowa varies from as high as 89-percent in Dallas County, down to 65-percent in Davis County. This is the first year the report has included access to broadband as a factor in health.

(By Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio)

Former Iowa Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer — the Democrat who lost her bid for a second term in the U.S. House last year — is reportedly considering a run for the U.S. Senate.

Finkenauer lost her 2020 race in Iowa’s first congressional district by about two-and-a-half percent or a little less than 11-thousand votes. According to Politico, two unnamed sources indicated Finkenauer is laying the groundwork for a U.S. Senate race in 2022.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley’s seventh term ends in early 2023. The 87-year-old has said he won’t announce until this fall whether he plans to run for an eighth term and put his name on the 2022 ballot. Finkernauer, who lives in Cedar Rapids, would face a Democratic Primary if she does run for the Senate.

Western Iowa farmer Dave Muhlbauer of Manilla launched his 2022 U.S. Senate campaign this week. Other Democrats are considering the race, too. State Auditor Rob Sand recently told the Carroll Times he will not run for the U.S. Senate, but is still considering a race for governor or for re-election to a second term as state auditor.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s governor has joined with the governors of Montana, Oklahoma, Nebraska and the Dakotas in calling for a public update on any federal investigation of the meatpacking industry.

Governor Kim Reynolds and the five other governors have sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. The group says decades of consolidation have led to anticompetitive behavior from the four major meatpackers that threatens the existence of independent cattle producers. Tyson, J-B-S, Cargill and National Beef controll about 80 percent of the beef market. Reports from June of last year indicated the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice had initiated a civil investigation of those meatpackers. The Republican governors, including Reynolds, are asking the Biden Administration’s Justice Department to provide regular updates to the public, where appropriate.

President Biden has appointed a commissioner to the Federal Trade Commission who is well known for her criticism of anti-competitive practices in the poultry industry. The F-T-C also has the power to file lawsuits over monopolies.

ATLANTIC, IA (May 27, 2021) – Produce in the Park is working to make fresh, local produce accessible for all people in the area, regardless of income. The Thursday evening farmers market is now accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments, as well as Double Up Food Bucks. SNAP provides food benefits to needy families. Double Up Food Bucks is a related program to encourage the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. For every SNAP dollar a customer spends on fresh fruits and vegetables, they receive another $1 in Double Up Food Bucks to spend on fresh produce (up to $10/day).

Fareway in Atlantic has been distributing and accepting Double Up Food Bucks since summer 2020, and Fareway Assistant Manager Mitch Millius says the program is going well. He says Double Up Food Bucks is, “a great opportunity for the community.” According to the latest Health Indicators Report from the Iowa Department of Public Health, approximately 15% of households in Cass County receive SNAP benefits. Cass County residents looking for information on SNAP and other food assistance programs available in the county can contact West Central Community Action in Atlantic at 712-243-5421.

Produce in the Park is a community-oriented farmers market held every Thursday evening (4:30-6:30 PM) from June through September in the Atlantic City Park. Shoppers can find fresh produce, baked goods, meats, farm-fresh eggs, a variety of crafting products such as candles, soaps, and lotions, and dinner for purchase on-site. The market also offers live music and will feature community organizations in 2021.

Produce in the Park 2021 summer farmers markets are sponsored by the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Cass County Tourism, Camblin Mechanical, the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Cass Health, and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

Stay up to date on the latest with Produce in the Park by signing up for the Produce in the Park newsletter at http://www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com, and following Produce in the Park on Facebook @ProduceInThePark and Instagram @ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIA.

Additional information:

Event: Produce in the Park Opening Day 2021

Date: Thursday June 3^rd

Time: 4:30 – 6:30 PM

Location: Atlantic City Park (10 W 7th St., Atlantic, IA 50022)

Details:

Farmers market shoppers will find fresh produce including radishes, green onions, lettuce, and zucchini, in addition to farm-fresh eggs, honey, local meats, jams and jellies, syrups, granola, baked goods, and dinner at the park. Home gardeners won’t want to miss starter vegetable plants, herbs, and flowers. Expect live music, community organizations, and a guest chef with food samples.

Pre-order online starting June 1 at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com/. Orders must be submitted by midnight, Wednesday, June 2^nd for drive-through pick-up at the market on June 3^rd.

NEW and Notable:

1. Park Packs: $15 boxes of produce from Brun Ko Farm and Erickson Foods. This week’s box includes zucchini, green onions, radishes, and lettuce. Pre-order or buy at the park.
2. Produce in the Park is now accepting SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks!
3. COVID-19 Vaccines will be available at the Park Opening Day Cass County PublicHealth nurses will be at the park offering COVID-19 vaccines. No preregistration is required. These will be Johnson & Johnson vaccinations, one dose and you’re done!

(Des Moines, Iowa) The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Thursday) announced the first case of West Nile virus infection reported in 2021, an older adult (aged 61 years to 80 years) from Montgomery County. The case was confirmed through a test at the State Hygienic Lab.

“Humans get infected with West Nile virus through a mosquito bite and being outside means there’s a risk for West Nile virus infection. But we have easily accessible preventive tools like insect repellent, that can help keep Iowans safe from mosquito bites, which lowers the risk of West Nile infection” said IDPH Medical Director & State Epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Pedati.

With Memorial Day and summer activities on the horizon, IDPH reminds all Iowans take the following steps to reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile virus:

• Use insect repellent with DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535.
  • Always read the repellent label and consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products for children.
  • For example, oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years of age and DEET should not be used on children less than 2 months of age.
• If possible, avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes and socks outdoors whenever possible.
• Eliminate standing water around the home because that’s where mosquitoes lay eggs. Empty water from buckets, cans, pool covers and pet water dishes. Change water in bird baths every three to four days.

In 2020, 3 Iowans were diagnosed with West Nile virus, with zero deaths. For more information on West Nile virus, visit https://www.idph.iowa.gov/cade/disease-information/west-nile-virus.

(Radio Iowa) – A jury in Davenport started but did not finish, Thursday, deliberations on the case against the man accused of murdering 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts nearly three years ago as she was jogging in her hometown. They were sent home at 5-p.m. without having reached a verdict. Their deliberations will resume 8:30-a.m. Friday.

Yesterday (Wednesday) Cristhian Bahena Rivera testified that he did not kill Tibbetts and claimed two masked men forced him to participate in the crime. Prosecutor Scott Brown delivered closing arguments this (Thursday) morning. “There weren’t two other guys. That’s a figment of his imagination,” Brown said. “All of the credible evidence in this case — all of it — points at him.” Brown says video showing Bahena’s vehicle in Brooklyn contradicts his testimony.

“The video, the confession and the physical evidence in this case tell the story,” Brown said. In closing comments that lasted into the lunch hour, Bahena’s defense attorney Chad Frese emphasized that the murder weapon has not been found and he suggested Bahena was spoon fed his confession. “Some of the investigation was sloppy,” Frese said, “but it really got sloppy when Cristhian Bahena Rivera got targeted.” Brown, the prosecutor, again cited the video showing Bahena’s car driving behind Tibbetts was the key. “The defendant here was not targeted,” Brown said. “The evidence led officers to him.”

Frese told jurors investigators cut corners and failed to fully investigate Tibbetts’ boyfriend Dalton Jack.  “He withheld information and he told you here on the stand he didn’t deem that him having an affair on Mollie was pertinent,” Frese said. Brown, the prosecutor, responded to that assertion in a final statement to the jury. “What do you do if you’re not getting along with your girlfriend? You break up with her,” Brown said. “You don’t take her out into the country and stab her to death.”

Brown said investigators cleared Tibbetts’ boyfriend after his boss provided an alibi and he refocused on Bahena confessing in 2018 and leading authorities to Tibbetts’ body. “The evidence in this case, there’s a mountain of it and it’s overwhelming and is leads you to the only conclusion,” Brown said, “Cristhian Bahena Rivera… he committed the murder.” Bahena’s attorney, Chad Frese, called Tibbetts’ murder absolutely tragic, but he asked the jury not to seek vengeance.

“You don’t decide this case with emotions tugging at your heartstrings,” Frese said. “It’s not your job to right a wrong.” The jury left the courtroom to begin deliberations early this (Thursday) afternoon.

Atlantic, IA — Cass Health CFO Abbey Stangl said Thursday, “There is a great deal happening at Cass Health these days in part due to the ongoing construction all around and within the facility. We’re really in the thick of our project right now, and we know that’s causing some temporary disruption. We ask for everyone’s patience with the noise and changes as we continue through this process. It is short-term pain for long-term gain.”

Some of the key projects going on now include atrium renovations, the Atlantic Medical Center remodel, and preparations are underway a to move main entrance to the south side of the building while they are revamping the main drive on the north side beginning in late June.

Atrium Renovations
Stangl says the current staircase has been partially removed to allow for the construction of the new staircase. Patients and visitors will immediately notice black tarping in the space. Access to the second floor is still open via the stairs and elevator. Along the atrium hallway, patients and visitors will also notice that the Specialty Clinic waiting room is now open, and the doorway into the Laboratory has been widened to better accommodate wheelchair access.

Atlantic Medical Center, RHC
Construction on the expanded medical center is happening in two phases. The north half is currently under construction and will open in late July. The south half will begin construction once the north half is operational. Current patients at the Atlantic Medical Center are seen in Suites B and E and may face some disruptions due to the noise of roof construction.

Cass Health Chief Clinic Administrator Tammy Bireline says “Besides seeing people at our main campus, patients can also take advantage of telehealth appointments or schedule appointments at one of our satellite locations, if they are concerned about the noise or any mobility issues. We also offer walk-in care at AMC Rapid Care, which is a great alternative for minor health issues.”

Main Entrance Driveway
Beginning June 23, the Main Entrance and driveway leading up to it will be closed for approximately three months so that crews can remove and replace the concrete that lead up to the building. During this phase of construction, the temporary main entrance will move to the south side of the building where all patients and visitors will enter through the Emergency Department. Patient and visitor parking will also be available in Lots B and C during that time.

The Glenwood Police Department reports one recent arrest. Officials say 38-year-old Michael Barton, of Glenwood, was arrested Wednesday, for possession of a controlled substance. His cash or surety bond was set at $1,000.

Atlantic School District Superintendent Steve Barber has released a monthly letter to parents, students, staff and patrons of the District, with regard to COVID-19 information. See the letter below

(Radio Iowa) – A jury in Davenport will soon start deliberations on the case against the man accused of murdering 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts nearly three years ago as she was jogging in her hometown. It comes a day after Cristhian Bahena Rivera testified that he did not kill Tibbetts and claimed two masked men forced him to participate in the crime. Prosecutor Scott Brown delivered closing arguments this (Thursday) morning.

Brown spoke to the jury for an hour. Shortly after 11 o’clock, Bahena’s defense attorney started his closing arguments. Chad Frese asked the jury not to seek vengeance for Tibbetts, but to apply logic to what they heard in court and make a judgement based on the facts presented. Frese suggested Bahena had been spoon fed a confession and investigators had not followed leads on other suspects.

(check back for updates throughout the day)