Officials with the Creston Police Department Wednesday (today), said 68-year-old Mark Bagley, of Creston, was arrested Tuesday afternoon. Bagley was taken into custody at the Law Enforcement Center, on a Union County Warrant for Failure to Serve a Jail Sentence on the original charge of OWI/2nd offense. He was being held in the Union County Jail until the balance of court ordered time is served.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Iowa Department of Public Health Wednesday (today, as of 10-a.m.), reports 22 additional deaths have been attributed to COVID-19, for a total of 1,680, and, there have been 1,814 additional, positive test results for the virus processed through the labs, since 10-a.m. Tuesday, for a pandemic total to-date, of 119,444.  Officials say 1,104 deaths involved persons with pre-existing medical conditions, and 828 have occurred at Long-Term Care facilities across the State, with eight reported since 10-a.m. Tuesday. In our area, Madison County has one additional death, for a total of three. The IDPH says 90,422 Iowans have recovered from the virus.

There was a substantial jump in new positive COVID-19 cases since 10-a.m. Tuesday, for counties in the KJAN listening area, including: 14 new cases in Cass County (for a total of 405); 17 cases in Harrison County (total 677); 40 more cases in Pottawattamie County (total 3,292); 15 more cases in Shelby County; and 27 additional cases in Union County. (See the totals below)

The number of Iowans who are hospitalized with coronavirus is just shy of 600 (556), which is another record for the pandemic. That’s up from 564 on Tuesday. There were 113 patients admitted in the last 24 hours (compared to 78 the previous day). There are 136 patients in intensive care, up from 128 the previous day. And there are 51 patients on ventilators, which is up from 46 on Tuesday. Western/southwest Iowa hospitals report 45 patients hospitalized with COVID (compared to 39 Tuesday), 13 in an ICU, eight have been admitted, and there are now two persons on a ventilator.

Long-Term Care facility data show: 71 outbreaks (1 more than on Tuesday); 2,078 LTC patients/staff tested positive; and 885 have recovered. The statewide 14-day positivity rate is 11.2%, which is up from 10.6% Tuesday. The Individual positivity rate is 12.6%, or 1 out of every 26 Iowans.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases in each county, along with the 24-hour change in case numbers {+#}; the number of persons recovered, and the total number of [deaths] (if any), since the pandemic began,

• Cass, 405 cases {+14}; 285 recovered; 3 deaths
• Adair, 181 {+10}; 74; 1
• Adams, 83 {+2}; 45; 0
• Audubon, 154 {+5}; 90; 1
• Guthrie, 408 {+12); 262; 15
• Harrison County, 677 {+17}; 316; 15
• Madison County, 368 {+4}; 260; 3
• Mills County, 408 {+4}; 207; 3
• Montgomery, 184 {+6}; 152; 7
• Pottawattamie County, 3,292 {+40]; 2,416; 44
• Shelby County, 389 {+15}; 334; 2
• Union County,  260 {+27}; 210; 4

(Radio Iowa) – A building in Mount Pleasant’s business district must be repaired after it and several vehicles were damaged late Monday in a chain-reaction traffic accident. Authorities say 37-year-old Douglas Adams of Mount Pleasant had a medical issue and ran into the back of another vehicle that was stopped at a stop sign. The impact pushed the vehicle in front into two parked cars. The vehicle Adams was in sped on, hitting three other parked cars on the other side of the street before coming to a halt at an intersection a block away.

Adams said he was in pain, but declined medical treatment at the scene. Emergency crews had to cut into the other vehicle to get Dale Beckman, a Mount Pleasant business owner, out of HIS vehicle and to the hospital. Adams, the driver who rear-ended the other vehicle, is being charged with failure to maintain control and failure to obey a stop sign.

(Atlantic) Friends and family of injured Atlantic Trojan football player Steele McLaren came out for a vigil Tuesday night on the field at the Trojan Bowl, and arranged themselves to display his number in lights. Cameras, glow sticks and other devices were held high above those standing on the FieldTurf and were captured by a drone.

Drone photo by Jay Robinson

The 17-year-old Steele, who is a senior this year, fell off the back of a pickup truck Sunday afternoon and hit his head. He is in a Nebraska hospital in critical condition, with swelling of the brain. The event that was held Tuesday night was organized by Mallory Kirchhoff, with drone help from Jay Robinson.

(Radio Iowa) – Nearly 30-thousand public sector workers in Iowa have voted this month to have a union represent them in contract talks. A state law passed in 2017 requires unions for state workers, teachers and other public sector employees to win re-certification votes every two years. Mike Beranek is president of the Iowa State Education Association, the union for Iowa educators.

“We’re very excited that we once again achieved very good numbers with our recertification vote,” he says. “This year we had 100% of the local association that were up for recertification to vote to maintain their contracts.” In the past two weeks, members in 64 of the I-S-E-A local unions voted to maintain their bargaining unit. Beranek says these overwhelming votes show teachers want his union’s representation, despite the obstacle opponents of the labor movement created by requiring these yearly votes.

“When we have folks who are working in our buildings way past the contract day, working on weekends to ensure that not only are their schools safe and healthy environments for their students, but they’re also learning and growing, we felt like this is just one more thing that has been added to their plate that need not be there,” Beranek says.

The Iowa Public Employment Relations Board’s website shows 266 bargaining units voted to recertify with a variety of unions. Fifteen units voted against retaining union representation in contract talks. According to the Iowa Federation of Labor, nearly 99 percent of all those who participated in this month’s recertification elections voted yes for union representation.

Terry Branstad, who was governor in 2017, said Iowa’s collective bargaining law had tilted too far in unions’ favor and he approved limiting contract talks to base wages as well as these annual recertification votes.

(Radio Iowa) – President Trump rallied last (Tuesday) night with thousands at the Omaha airport, urging the Nebraskans and Iowans in the crowd to deliver a thundering defeat to Democrats. “I’m standing here freezing. I ask you one little favor: get the hell out and vote,” Trump said, to cheers. “The great red wave.”

While Iowa awards its six Electoral College to the presidential candidate who wins the state, three of Nebraska’s are awarded by congressional district and the Electoral College vote from the district that includes Omaha is up for grabs. Trump conducted a sort of applause meter test at the start to gauge the make-up of the crowd.

“Who’s from Iowa?” Trump said, getting a level of cheer that far eclipsed by the roar when he asked: “Who’s from Omaha?” Trump told the crowd, “we would be in Iowa soon.” That’s likely a reference to the Des Moines rally Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to headline on Thursday afternoon. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst was at the rally last (Tuesday) night, but did not speak from the stage.

“Joni, thank you very much and I heard you’re doing very well. I just saw some very nice numbers,” Trump said. Trump added that his own standing in the polls quote: “looks very good in Iowa.” As he did during a Des Moines rally earlier this month, Trump mentioned the 28-BILLION dollars in federal payments his administration has forwarded to farmers to make up for lost trade. Trump touted ethanol, too.

“As president, I will also defend ethanol, OK? All right? Does Nebraska like ethanol, too, by the way?” Trump said, and the crowd cheered. “OK, good. I need that little assurance.” Trump began last (Tuesday) night by promising to deliver a safe vaccine that will eradicate Covid. “Normal life will fully resume. That’s all we want. We want normal life. Normal life,” Trump said, to cheers. “Go back seven months. We’ll take normal life.”

Recent polls have shown the presidential race in Iowa to be a virtual tie. Joe Biden will campaign in the state Friday, his first trip to the state since he won the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Elections officials in Iowa are worried about the state’s rising number of coronavirus cases, saying that any illnesses or absences among key workers and volunteers could hinder their services through Election Day. A week before the election, Iowa is reporting a new high 7-day average of about 1,300 daily infections, record numbers of hospitalizations and a surge in deaths. County elections commissioners say they hope the virus does not sideline any of their small full-time staffs and experienced poll workers. Officials warn any unexpected absences or last-minute substitutes could lead to delays and long lines, particularly because social distance will be required for those waiting.

HAMPTON, Iowa (AP) — Searchers found the car of an Iowa man who has been missing since 2013 and a scuba diver who was part of the search says the vehicle contained human remains. Franklin County authorities say the car belonging to Ethan Kazmerzak was found Monday in a body of water northwest of Hampton. The Mason City Globe-Gazette reports scuba diver Jared Leisek said a coroner will have to confirm that the remains belong to Kazmerzak. Kazmerak, of Hampton, was last seen at a party in rural Franklin County on Sept. 15, 2013. He was 22 at the time.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — The president of the University of Northern Iowa has overridden an earlier decision by the school’s student government that had denied recognition a student anti-abortion group. The Des Moines Register reports UNI President Mark Nook ruled Sunday that Students for Life of America will be allowed to form a local chapter on campus. The student government had denied the group’s application, saying it could create a hostile environment and would not meet the campus’ “good faith” policy. The group appealed to Nook last week. In his decision, Nook said the student government overlooked the school’s policies protecting free speech and indicated it’s denial appeared to discriminate against the group.

BONDURANT, Iowa (AP) — Amazon has announced it’s looking for more than 1,000 employees to help fill customer orders at its new Bondurant facility, and early applicants could see $500 bonuses. The online retailer says work at the new warehouse is expected to open at the end of 2020. Kirsten Wenker with Amazon tells television station KCCI that jobs range from picking, packing and shipping to human resources and information and technology positions. Positions start at $15 per hour and come with comprehensive benefits including health, dental and a 401(k) from the first day. The company said it will offer a $500 bonus for people who apply early.

A collision between a pickup and a car Sunday afternoon in Guthrie County, caused the car to roll over and end up in a ditch. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports the crash happened at around 3:20-p.m. southeast of Panora, at the intersection of 230th Street and Willow Avenue.

The 2011 Toyota Tundra pickup driven by 17-year old Conor M. McCarthy, of Guthrie Center, was traveling north on Wilson Avenue and had proceeded through the intersection with 230th. A 2003 Saturn Vue driven by 42-year old Robert James Fuller, of Guthrie Center, was traveling east on 230th. When Fuller failed to stop at the controlled intersection, his car was struck on the front passenger side by the pickup.

Following the collision, both vehicles continued toward the northeast corner of the intersection, where the car went into the north ditch and rolled over. No injuries were reported. Damage from the collision amounted to $15,500. Authorities say Fuller was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop sign and Yield the Right-of-Way, and Failure to provide proof of insurance.

HAMPTON, Iowa (AP) — Searchers found the car of an Iowa man who has been missing since 2013 and a scuba diver who was part of the search says the vehicle contained human remains. Franklin County authorities say the car belonging to Ethan Kazmerzak was found Monday in a body of water northwest of Hampton.

The Mason City Globe-Gazette reports scuba diver Jared Leisek said a coroner will have to confirm that the remains belong to Kazmerzak. Kazmerak, of Hampton, was last seen at a party in rural Franklin County on Sept. 15, 2013. He was 22 at the time.