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Iowa 24-hour COVID-19 update, 10-a.m. 2/22/21: 38 additional deaths, 204 new cases

News

February 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Public Heath, Monday, at 10-a.m., reported 204 new, positive COVID-19 test results were returned from the labs, for a pandemic total of 359,588. There were 38 additional deaths reported, for a total of 5,374. Health officials say Underlying Causes (diseases or injury that initiated the events resulting in death), amount to 4,833. The IDPH says 541 deaths listed COVID as a contributing factor. A pre-existing condition accounted for 4,948 deaths, while Long-Term Care (LTC) facility deaths accounted for 2,144 of the total number of deaths.

Locally, Harrison County reports one additional death, for a total of 69. Shelby County also reports one more COVID-related death, for a total of 33. Long-Term Care facility COVID-Outbreaks are unchanged from Sunday, at 21. Positive cases at LTC’s account for 602 of the total number of positive results, while 404 patients/staff at those facilities have recovered from COVID.

Hospitalizations are down again, from 229 on Sunday to 222 Monday. COVID patients in an ICU declined from 58 Sunday to 54 on Monday. There were 22 COVID patients admitted to hospitals across the State in Monday’s report, compared to 38 the previous 24-hour report. And, two fewer patients were on a ventilator, at 25. Hospitals in Western & Southwest Iowa report: 15 people still hospitalized; five COVID patients are in an ICU (2 less than Sunday), one person was admitted, and two people remain on a ventilator.

Iowa’s 14-day positivity rate as of Monday was 4.3%, down slightly from Sunday, but the 7-day average was up slightly, to 4.1%.

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, 1,312 cases; {+2}; 48 deaths
  • Adair, 908; {+1}; 26
  • Adams, 326 {+1}; 3
  • Audubon, 482 {+2}; 9
  • Guthrie, 1,155 {+1}; 28
  • Harrison County, 1,782; {+6}; 69
  • Madison County, 1,516; {+0}; 17
  • Mills County, 1,613; {+1}; 20
  • Montgomery, 1,037; {+2}; 36
  • Pottawattamie County, 10,650; {+5}; 140
  • Shelby County, 1,192; {+2}; 33
  • Union County,  1,254; {+0}; 31

Anita Town and Country Hosts Food Box Giveaway February 27

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh reports, this Saturday, February 27th, Anita Town and Country will be hosting a USDA “Farmers to Families” Food Box distribution at the Anita Community Center, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM, or while supplies last. Anyone is welcome to visit the drive-through food box pick-up, and no documentation or proof of need is required. Boxes will be given away at no cost. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome.

The USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes are likely to contain fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and meat.

Anita Town and Country Farmers to Families Food Box Giveaway, Details:
What: Drive-through food distribution.
Where: Anita Community Center (805 Main St, Anita, IA 50020)
When: Saturday, Feb. 27 12:00-1:00 PM (or as supplies last).
Who: Anyone is welcome! No documentation required. People from surrounding towns and
communities are welcome.
Cost: No cost!

After Sunday’s heavy snow, expect warmer weather all week and plenty of melting

News, Weather

February 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Up to nine inches of snow fell on parts of western Iowa on Sunday, but there will be plenty of melting today (Monday) as temperatures climb into the upper 30s and lower 40s. It’s been a month of bitter cold with Sioux City breaking records dating from the 1930s, with two days at 28-degrees below zero. Meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff, at the National Weather Service, says more extreme cold is unlikely.

Last week’s negative temperatures came from what’s called a trough, a dip in the jet stream that allowed arctic air from Canada to move into the central United States and as far south as Texas.

The forecast calls for high temperatures all week to remain above freezing, though tomorrow (Tuesday) may be the warmest day of the week. The Weather Service warns any snow that melts on roads today will likely refreeze quickly tonight once the sun goes down, producing icy spots and potentially hazardous travel.

Here are some of the area snowfall reports as compiled by the National Weather Service:

  • 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  5″
  • Massena  3.5″
  • Anita  3″
  • Neola  6″
  • Clarinda  1″
  • 9.5″ in Onawa
  • 9.0 in Little Sioux
  • 8.5″ in Woodbine, Crescent & Missouri Valley
  • 8.0″ in Vail and Carter Lake
  • 8.0 in Castena
  • 7.5″ in Dunlap
  • 6.5″ in Odebolt
  • 6.0″ in Schleswig
  • 5.5″ in Carroll
  • 5.0″ in Manning and Glenwood
  • 3.1″ in Adel

(Podcast) KJAN 8:05-a.m. News, 2/22/21

News, Podcasts

February 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Waukee Asst. Principal (Atlantic native) Nick Ross hired as Assoc. Principal

News

February 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Waukee Community School District, Friday, announced an Atlantic native, former head football coach and teacher, was selected for the Associate Principal’s position at the Waukee Northwest High School. Nick Ross will take over the position, pending approval today (Monday), of the Waukee School Board. On the District’s Website, it was noted Nick Ross has been with Waukee Community School District for nine years altogether, with the last four as an Assistant Principal at Waukee High School.

Ross graduated from Drake University and began his career in education with Waukee teaching social studies and physical education. He also taught in Atlantic, Iowa for three years before returning to Waukee High School as a teacher, and eventually Assistant Principal. In his statement, Ross said “I am passionate about helping people achieve their best and assisting students and families through difficult times,” he said, “I am excited to help build a culture of excellence and inclusion that will support the students, families, and community at Northwest High School.”

Nick Ross resides in Waukee with his wife, Natalie, and their three children. His wife teaches Business/Computers, and will also be joining Northwest High School in the fall.

Creston Police report (2/22)

News

February 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Creston Police Department, Monday (Today), said 55-year old Lillian Ray, of Creston, was arrested on a drug charge a little before 3-p.m., Sunday, following a traffic stop. Officers, assisted by Police K9 “Baxo,” arrested Ray for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense. She was later released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond, and issued citations for Failure to Provide Financial Responsibility, and Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device. The case remains under investigation, with additional charges pending.

And, at around 9:50-a.m. Saturday, 50-year old Richard Weaver, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Suspended. He was later released on a $300 bond.

(Podcast) KJAN News at 7:06-a.m

News, Podcasts

February 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The latest area & State news from News Director Ric Hanson.

Play

Fire reported in ISU building

News

February 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State University Police have ordered an evacuation of Ross Hall on the ISU campus. The evacuation was due to a fire. The order was issued at around 6:40-a.m. People were asked to avoid the area. Later, police said the fire was out but said crews were still working to clean the area

Additional details are currently not available

DOT makes change in services sign policy

News

February 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa D-O-T has made an adjustment to the qualifications for those blue service signs along the state highways which tell you gas, food or hotels are located at the next exit. The advertising management supervisor, Brooks Glasnapp, says the change involves the hours businesses are open. “The minimum hours of operations for restaurants to qualify for the program will be reduced from 48 hours a week to 40 hours a week. But motorists won’t notice much of a change — because 80 to 90 percent of the businesses participating exceed even the 48 hours,” Glasnapp says.

He says there could be some smaller “mom and pop” restaurants that would now be eligible to be on the signs. The pandemic has taken a toll on many restaurants, but Glasnapp says they aren’t sure yet if that will carry over to the sign usage.. He says the hospitality industry requested that the D-O-T waive the fees because of the heavy impact of the pandemic, and the director of the D-O-T agreed to that. Glasnapp says they expect there may be a few businesses that they do lose as things move ahead.

Businesses pay 230 dollars for one year of advertisement on each sign — which Glasnapp says is a pretty good deal for businesses. He the signs allow you to see when these businesses are coming up without needing to be using a phone or other device as you speed down the highway. “I think most all of the traveling public benefit from the signs being out there,” according to Glasnapp. “There are a few areas where we can’t fit the signs in because all of these signs have to be spaced 800 feet apart….the green and white destination signs have the highest priority. And then if there is enough space to place additional signs, that is when we can put in the blue and white signs.”

Some of the business signs have additional small information lines with them. Glasnapp says there are some tight guidelines on what is allowed there. “If it is directly related to the service type and it is considered essential motorist information — then it is allowed,” he says. “For instance, Open 24 hours, Diesel, Mechanic On Duty, these types of messages are allowed,’ Glasnapp says.

Nonessential messages such as “Pool” are not allowed on the signs.

Iowa Senate president not ruling out run for congress in 2022

News

February 22nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A Republican from Adel is entering his seventh week in a new role in the Iowa Legislature, but his name could be on the ballot for another office next year. Thirty-six-year-old Jake Chapman was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2012. After the 2020 election, Chapman’s G-O-P colleagues in the Senate selected him to be president of the Iowa Senate, the person who recognizes colleagues to speak during debate and makes parliamentary rulings. His first floor speech noted the 175th anniversary of Iowa statehood is approaching in December.

“May we always remember and maintain our rights as a state against an ever increasingly centralization of power exerted by the federal government,” Chapman said.

As president of the Iowa Senate, Chapman says the number of meetings on his calendar have skyrocketed — some are on Zoom, of course.

(as said) “With Covid and everything that has come down, some procedures have changed,” Chapman says. “We don’t see as many people down there as what we have in the past, but the policy remains the same.”

Chapman has championed tax cuts and a few years ago took the lead in the senate on legalizing fireworks. This year he’s focused on the effort to amend Iowa’s constitution to say it does not confer the right to an abortion. Two of the state senators Chapman served with last year are now members of the U.S. House and Chapman isn’t ruling out his own run for congress in 2022.

(as said) “I am focused right now on my role as president of the senate,” Chapman says. “I’m enjoying that, but we’ll see what comes out of redistricting and how things look and where I feel I can be the most effective in representing Iowans.”

Chapman’s Adel home is in Iowa’s current third congressional district, represented today by Democrat Cindy Axne. But district lines will change for the 2022 election. Chapman says if he chooses to run, it will be over frustration with the gridlock in congress. “Being in DC itself is not necessarily appealing, but being able to serve Iowans in the best capacity is what I will always do,” Chapman says. Chapman is an E-M-T and the chief operating officer of his family’s Des Moines-based ambulance service.