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Iowa COVID-19 update for 4/15/21: Death toll remains unchanged; 603 additional cases reported

News

April 15th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Public Health’s Coronavirus dashboard, as of 10-a.m., Thursday, indicated that for the fourth day in a row, there were no additional deaths from COVID-19 to report. The pandemic total stands at 5,857. Long-Term Care facility deaths account for 2,296 of the total number of deaths across the state. That is also unchanged.

There were 603 additional positive test results for COVID-19 returned from the labs, for a total of 387,805. There remain three Long-Term Care facility outbreaks, with 31 positive cases among residents and staff within those facilities.

Health officials say COVID-related hospitalizations are down slightly, to 215, and there are 49 COVID patients in an ICU, eight less than on Wednesday. The IDPH says 37 people were admitted to a hospital across the state, which is a decline of nine from Wednesday, and 19 patients are on a ventilator, compared to 14 in the previous report.

RMCC Region 4 hospitals (those in western/southwest Iowa) show: There are 21 hospitalized with COVID; 10 COVID patients are in an ICU; four people were admitted with symptoms of COVID (2 more than previously reported), and there remain two COVID patients on a ventilator.

The 14-day positivity rate is 4.7%. The seven-day rate is 4.6%.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} – if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:

  • Cass, 1,422 cases; {+1}; 54 deaths
  • Adair, 962; {+1}; 32
  • Adams, 338 {+3}; 4
  • Audubon, 513 {+2}; 9
  • Guthrie, 1,257 {+4}; 28
  • Harrison County, 1,881; {+1}; 73
  • Madison County, 1,669; {+1; 19
  • Mills County, 1,745; {+1}; 20
  • Montgomery, 1,079 {+0}; 37
  • Pottawattamie County, 11,756; {+33}; 160
  • Shelby County, 1,328 {+2}; 37
  • Union County,  1,322; {+1}; 32

DNR investigating two manure spills, milky water in Mason City

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 15th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Department of Natural Resources is investigating two manure spills in northern Iowa that have killed fish and the spill of a food product that’s described as a pollutant once it reaches a stream. D-N-R staff estimate several hundred thousand gallons of liquid manure from the Rock Bottom Dairy spilled into Mud Creek northwest of Rock Rapids in Lyon County. The manure laden-water is moving slowly downstream, according to the D-N-R, and the agency is warning farmers in the area who use the creek to water their livestock that conditions may not improve for the next few days. The D-N-R also is investigating a manure spill in Kossuth County, near West Bend. It was caused when a hose used by company that applies liquid manure on land came loose, flopped into Lotts Creek, and spilled about 10-thousand gallons of manure. Investigators say it’s impractical to pump the manure back out of the creek. The manure is flowing toward the East Fork of the Des Moines River, but according to the D-N-R it is not expected to impact drinking water supplies.

State officials have ordered a McDonald’s distribution center in Mason City to remove milk-colored water from a stream that’s near a popular biking and hiking trail in Mason City. Employees of the company told investigators a milk shake ingredient had spilled and they used hoses to direct it into a storm water intake on Monday morning. The D-N-R says the milky water isn’t likely to pose a danger to humans or pets who come into contact with it.

(Podcast) KJAN News, 4/15/21

News, Podcasts

April 15th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The 8:06-a.m. newscast, w/Ric Hanson.

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ING soldiers welcomed home in Le Mars

News

April 15th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – It was a happy homecoming for 90 soldiers from the Iowa National Guard’s 113th Cavalry – Troop C from Le Mars. Hundreds of people lined the route waving flags, displaying posters, and cheering as the soldiers returned home Wednesday from a 10-month deployment to Africa. Barbara Grady of Granville was there to see her son, Specialist David Grady. “I am so delighted and God is so good — and it turned out to be a beautiful day,” Grady says. Grady says she tried to ease any homesickness by corresponding with her son on a regular basis. “We kept him in touch with the family and hopefully made him feel at home even though he was not at home,” she says. She says there were a lot of letters and texts and messages online throughout the deployment.

Specialist David Grady says it is good to be back home — but added his time at Africa for the National Guard mission was time well spent. “It was a lot of fun. Really helped out a lot, we interacted with the locals lot and helped them out when we could and protected our little FOB (forward operating base) there in Somalia,” he says. Grady says he has been looking forward to the trip back home for about three months. He says the soldiers had a general idea as to when their mission would be completed, but it was only recently that they learned the specific date for returning home. After months of military food — he is looking forward to something different. “Probably eat a big nice juicy hamburger I think — and spend time with my family,” Grady says.

Specialist Grady says the guard unit will be off for a couple of months, then it will be back to their regular training schedule once a month.

Motorcycle reported stolen in Creston

News

April 15th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Creston Police Department say a man residing in the 500 block of Livingston Avenue, in Creston, reported Wednesday morning, that his Orange 2013 Harley Davidson Heritage Soft Tail was missing from his front patio. The loss was estimated at $13,000.

2013 HD Heritage Soft Tail (File photo. Not the actual cycle stolen)

(Podcast) KJAN News, 4/15/21

News, Podcasts

April 15th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Our 7:07-a.m. Newscast, w/Ric Hanson.

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House votes 63-30 on bill to boost protest penalties, shield police from lawsuits

News

April 15th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has passed a wide ranging bill that would escalate penalties for protests that damage property and provide police with new liability from lawsuits. Fifty-five Republicans and eight Democrats voted for the package. Republican Representative Jarad Klein of Keota says the bill is a response to protests that created unsafe situations in Iowa and other parts of the country over the past year. “We know our law enforcement officers are some of the bravest men and women in our state,” Klein said. “They sign up to risk their lives to keep us safe. It is our job as Iowa legislators to minimize that risk as much as possible.”

Two Republicans and 28 Democrats opposed the bill, which does not include the anti-racial profiling proposal from Republican Governor Kim Reynolds. Representative Ako Abdul-Samad, a Democrat from Des Moines, suggests the bill is tone deaf to what is fueling racial justice protests. “When are we going to start talking instead of just putting bills out there? And I do support police officers,” Abdul-Samad said, “…but I also support the communities that are in pain and have suffered.”

Representative Mary Wolfe, a Democrat from Clinton, says the bill makes damage of any publicly-owned property a felony and jumps up the penalties for protests that blocking sidewalks or yelling rude and annoying things at police. “I can’t vote yes on a bill that targets a specific population of Iowans and in my opinion for no other reason than to teach them a lesson, send them a message,” Wolfe said, “which is basically sit down and shut up.”

Klein says his constituents were pretty unhappy graffiti was painted on the Children’s Hospital in Iowa City during protests last June. “Protests are fine. Protests are great as long as they’re peaceful,” Klein says. “But when they start going down destructive paths and they start assaulting and going after people and spitting on law enforcement and going after them the way I’ve seen, that is now a violent protest.”

Several other proposals were folded into the bill. It would make it a crime to use a lazer to try to blind police. Police, prosecutors and judges could enter a program that makes their home addresses confidential if the bill becomes law. The Senate has approved parts of the bill already, but must review and pass the entire package before it would go to the governor.

$14 million gap between House and Senate GOP plans for prison budget

News

April 15th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Senate Republicans are proposing a more than six million dollar increase in next year’s budget for the Iowa Department of Corrections, but that is 14 million dollars below the recommendation from Republicans in the House. Danny Homan, president of the union that represents employees in the state prison system, says the prisons are grossly understaffed and the brutal murders of two Anamosa prison employees are a direct result.

“Years of inadequate funding…have left staff in all of our facilities to work in extremely dangerous institutions,” Homan said. “…It’s time to fix this problem…How many more people have to die before we’re going to take this seriously?” During a subcommittee hearing on the prison system’s budget, Homan told senators there was only one serious assault on a prison employee a dozen years ago, but last year there were 13.

“There are not many folks inside these institutions that feel today after what happened on March 23, all right?” Homan said. “You guys may wish to ignore this reality, but you know who isn’t ignoring the reality? Inmates inside our systems…And don’t blame me for bringing this to your attention. The inmates have nothing better to do every day than sit and count how many officers are at work.”

Homan says six million dollars is a start, but it cannot be the end after what happened at the Anamosa prison three weeks ago. He asked senators to provide the funding for an independent investigation of the killings of correctional officer Robert McFarland and nurse Lorena Schulte and to buy a new radio communications system for the prison. “Some of the worst of the worst are at Anamosa,” Homan said. “…Our belief is enough is enough. We would like to see a budget passed to ensure what happened at Anamosa never happens again.”

Senator Julian Garrett, a Republican from Indianola, describes the six-point-three MILLION dollar increase in the prison system’s budget as an opening offer from Senate Republicans.  “I do want to say that we certainly appreciate the work of all the people who are working in our corrections system,” Garrett said. “…Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out to the families of the two individuals that lost their lives in Anamosa.”

In addition to the criminal investigation of the murders, there are two other reviews of the incident. Garrett says there’s it’s too soon to say more staff would have prevented the attacks. “Before we jump to conclusions, we should at least hear the results of those investigations,” Garrett says. Garrett says six-point-three million dollars is a substantial increase, but he understands many would like more than that — and there may be more when the final budget decisions are made.

Atlantic School Board approves resignations/contracts; receives Facility Project Update

News

April 14th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Community School District Board of Education met Wednesday evening and approved a list of nine resignations and contract recommendations (see the list below). Superintendent Steve Barber thanked those individuals who are retiring or leaving for other reasons, and mentioned those individuals will be recognized during a ceremony on June 3rd, beginning at 8-a.m.

Barber mentioned he read an article that mentioned that, nationwide, the effect of COVID and remote learning is likely to result in a 25% teacher attrition rate. Typically, that’s only around eight-percent. The Board learned from the Superintendent, Atlantic’s Graduation rate for the 2020 four-year cohort (last year’s graduates) and the 2019 graduates (the five-year cohort) is above the State average. Barber said the rate was 97.85 and 96.74, respectively, compared to the statewide average of 91.8 and 93.8.

Drop-out rate data was not available for grades 7-12 statewide, but for Atlantic, the rate was 2.32%, with the 9th thru 12th grades 3.69% and 2.2%. Elsewhere during the meeting, the Board received a Facilities Update from Superintendent Barber and Facilities Coordinator, Bob Sweeney. Barber said the main focus of late has been the baseball and softball fields. He said they expect the fields will be ready in-time for the first varsity games on May 27th.

The key factor, he said is the grass, which was over-seeded late last month. With warmer temps, he said the grass should grow and be ready for action. Bob Sweeney said progress is being made on those fields, despite what “the drive-by’s on Maple Street and the observations from the parking lot from the hill on the baseball softball diamonds,” are saying. He said also, the southernmost bleachers are installed, work on fencing continues, and other work is underway.

In other business the Atlantic School Board approved a sharing agreement with the Griswold CSD for the services of Transportation Director, with Griswold paying 20% of the costs. The also approved of the disposal of laptop computers by allowing the Senior class the opportunity to purchase their Apple computers they have used the past four-years, for $125. And, they set May 12th at 6-p.m. as the date/time for a Public Hearing on the 2020-21 Certified Budget.

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Resignations approved: 7th Grade Middle School Special Education Teacher Ashley Coffman; ESL Coordination/Teacher & TLC Facilitator Brielle Cerven; Special Ed. Teacher Hannah Ridder; Junior Varsity FB Coach/ MS Track Coach, Joe Brummer;
Special Ed. Paraeducators: Tesla Cleaver; Vanessa Proehl; Becky Kirchhoff, and Jordan Franken; and School Bus Route Driver Clair Acker.

Contract Recommendations that were approved include those for: Holly Esbeck, HS Social Studies Teacher; & Matthew Best, HS Physical Education & Weight Training Teacher/ JV Football Coach. And, the following Winter Sports Coaches were approved:

Tim Duff: Head HS Wrestling
Oran Perkins & Adam Smith: MS Wrestling
Head HS Girls Basketball Coach: Dan Vargason
JV Girls BB Coach: Shelby McCreedy
Freshman Girls BB Coach: Katy Christensen
MS Girls/Boys BB: Terry Hinzman & Trace Peterson
Head HS Boys BB Coach: Jeff Ebling
JV Boys BB: Jeremy Blake
Freshman Boys BB: Derek Hall
Boys/Girls Swimming: Dean Junker
F/BB/WR Cheerleading: Michella Bartholomew.

The Board also approved renewing sharing agreements for the 2021-22 school year, including: Girls Swimming – Audubon & Clarinda (Atlantic will act as the host school); Boys Swimming – Audubon, Clarinda & Red Oak (Atlantic will host); Wrestling – CAM (Atlantic hosts); Girls Soccer – CAM, Exira-EHK (Atlantic hosts).

Axne: Iowa Veterans to Receive $1,400 Payments from American Rescue Plan Beginning this Week

News

April 14th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Today (Wednesday), Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) announced that Iowans who receive Veterans’ benefits could expect Economic Impact Payments of up to $1,400 hit their bank accounts beginning this week.  The latest round of payments applies specifically to veterans and their beneficiaries who receive Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments and who don’t normally file a tax return.

Most payments will be automatically deposited into banks accounts or loaded onto the Direct Express cards where veterans receive their benefits. Those waiting on paper checks or debit cards through the mail should expect to receive their payments over the next several days.

An estimate from the White House found that more than 2 million adults and 800,000 children in Iowa are eligible to receive payments of up to $1,400 per person through the American Rescue Plan that Rep. Axne helped pass in March 2021, which included changes she fought for to make adult dependents eligible. In total, 91 percent of Iowa adults are expected to receive this round of Economic Impact Payments.

The American Rescue Plan included Economic Impact Payments of up to $1,400 per person. Individuals earning up to $75,000 annually, heads of household earning up to $112,500 annually, and couples earning up to $150,000 annually will receive the full $1,400 per person, for themselves and their dependents. After that, the checks begin to phase out, with payments stopping at individuals earning $80,000 in annual income, heads of household earning $120,000 in annual income and married couples earning $160,000 in annual income. 

Iowans can go online to check the status of their payment using the “Get My Payment” tool at: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.