712 Digital Group - top

KJAN News

KJAN News can be heard at five minutes after every hour right after Fox News 24 hours a day!
Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa,  Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!

IA National Guard assists in Derecho cleanup efforts

News

August 17th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Nearly 200 Soldiers and Airmen have been mobilized to eastern Iowa to assist emergency management crews in their efforts to clear and remove debris from the Aug. 10 derecho. Since beginning operations, 135 truckloads of debris have been removed, totaling nearly 2.25 million pounds. A dozen different military crews have cleared roughly 68 city blocks.

Soldiers and Airmen are currently working closely with local authorities to clear debris from critical infrastructure such as powerlines and roadways to help restore electricity to affected areas. The Iowa National Guard’s efforts have been focused in Linn County, one of the most heavily impacted areas in the state.

The 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 734th Regional Support Group and the 185th Air Refueling Wing deployed around 30 dump trucks and additional excavators, backhoes, skid loaders and chainsaws to the Cedar Rapids area on Aug. 14.

The Iowa National Guard continues to hear stories of how local Iowans, and in particular veterans, have been impacted by the derecho. Citizen Soldiers and Airmen, like many other Iowans, have been greatly impacted by this storm as well. The Iowa National Guard remains ready to mobilize additional assets to areas that may need more support.

To request support, Iowans are encouraged to reach out to their respective local emergency management coordinators. EMCs are working closely with the Department of Homeland Security and the Iowa National Guard to coordinate aid.

The Iowa National Guard also continues to support the state’s COVID-19 response efforts. There are nearly 200 Soldiers and Airmen currently on duty to support Test Iowa sites and assist with contact tracing.

(Update) DNR investigating fatal boat crash on Mississippi River

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 17th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

LECLAIRE, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Bureau is investigating a boat crash that killed one person and left another in critical condition on Sunday, August 16 on the Mississippi River.

The crash happened around 7:00p.m., at Pool 14 near LeClaire. Investigators believe two boats collided killing a 52-year-old woman and critically injuring a 61-year-old man, both were in the same boat. A woman in the other boat had minor injuries.

Investigators are requesting anyone with information that may have witnessed the crash or know anything about the crash between a large black center-console boat and a blue and white 19-foot Bayliner runabout boat to contact authorities immediately.

The names of the deceased individual and the injured are being withheld at this time pending family notification. The DNR continues to investigate this fatal crash.

Anyone with information should contact DNR Conservation Officer Travis Graves at (563) 349-8953 or Travis.Graves@dnr.iowa.gov. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may do so.

Kids still need their shots before going to school, pandemic or not

News

August 17th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The pandemic is -not- a valid excuse for skipping state-required vaccinations as children prepare to go back to school. The number of vaccinations for Iowa children fell sharply in March and April, compared to the same months in 2019. While parents may be wary about taking their kids in for check-ups due to COVID-19, Jessica Schultz, at the state health department, says it could put them at risk for preventable disease outbreaks.

Schultz says, “There is that increased risk when children don’t have protection, that they could be exposed to a vaccine-preventable disease and not have that full protection.” Schultz is encouraging health care providers to reach out to families who may have missed or canceled previous appointments, as some Iowa schools are already back in session and others will be starting soon.

She says, “There could be a risk for a vaccine-preventable outbreak at that school, especially as kids are going back into school and in closer quarters than previously through stay-at-home or just isolating away from other people as well.” Schultz says the department will -not- suspend immunization requirements for schools or licensed childcare centers.

(By Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio)

Number of Covid patients in Iowa hospitals up 19% compared to Aug 1

News

August 17th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The number of Iowans being treated in a hospital for COVID-19 has risen to 283. That’s a 19 percent increase compared to the number of patients hospitalized on August 1st.

The state’s coronavirus website shows at a peak in early June, 418 Iowans were being treated in a hospital for the virus. That gradually fell, to about a quarter as many patients by the end of June, but it has been rising since then. The number of Covid patients in intensive care units at Iowa hospitals has increased over the past 10 days as well.

State records currently show the deaths of 978 Iowans have been linked to the virus since the first cases were identified here in March.

‘Horrifying’ data glitch skews key Iowa coronavirus metrics

News

August 17th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s coronavirus website has made the pandemic look less severe than it is because of a software error that artificially lowers the number of new confirmed cases. Dana Jones, an Iowa City nurse practitioner, said Monday that the Iowa Department of Public Health has inadvertently been reporting fewer new infections and a smaller percentage of daily positive tests than is truly the case.

The department acknowledged the glitch in an email to Jones Friday and said the department is working on a fix. Iowa’s overall number of more than 52,600 who have tested positive since March is not affected.

Bellevue woman; Braddyville man arrested in Page County

News

August 17th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer says last Thursday, August13th, the Page County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of a reckless driver west of Highway 71, on 280th Street. Deputies  located and stopped the vehicle after a second call. It was observed turning onto P Avenue from 280th street. During the investigation, 49-year old Deborah Gail Taplin, of Bellevue, IA, was arrested for OWI 2nd Offense and Interference with Official Acts. Taplin was transported to the Page County Jail where she was held on $2,300 bond, pending further court proceeding

Last Wednesday, Page County Deputies arrested 50-year old John David Stone, of rural Braddyville. He was arrested in Clarinda for Driving while barred, and transported to the Page County Jail. Stone’s bond was set at $1,000, pending further court proceedings.

Audubon County EMA statement on disaster declaration

News

August 17th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Audubon County Emergency Management Director Philip Mennenoh reports Audubon County has applied for and received a disaster declaration from the governor’s office which enables people of Audubon County whose property has sustained significant storm damage from the Aug. 10th derecho weather event, are now eligible for FEMA individual assistance.  The assistance comes only after meeting a list of qualifying conditions.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level or a maximum annual income of $43,440 for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

Note:  FEMA assistance does not cover insurable claims.

Mennenoh says “The Audubon County Emergency Manager’s office is thankful that no one located in the county was injured in the derecho weather event.  If any resident who sustained damage to their car or home and meets the FEMA Individual Assistance Program requirements and need assistance please go to the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Please note the 45 day deadline.”

Police say 24-year-old Iowa man killed in Lincoln, NE crash

News

August 17th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police in Lincoln, Nebraska, say an Iowa man has been killed in a crash in Lincoln. The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the crash happened Sunday morning at the Interstate 80 on-ramp from North 27th Street, killing 24-year-old Conner Altenhofen, of Chariton, Iowa. Police say the crash happened when Altenhofen lost control of the car he was driving. The car went into a ditch and rolled several times before coming to rest upside down.

Police say Altenhofen died at the scene. His passenger, a 34-year-old Lincoln woman, suffered minor injuries to her face. Police say the woman told investigators that she and Altenhofen had been drinking before the crash.

Fatality accident in Dallas County late Sunday night

News

August 17th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol reports a fatality accident happened late Sunday night, between Dallas Center and Grimes, in Dallas County. The Patrol says a vehicle was southbound on W. Avenue at a high rate of speed when it crossed Highway 44 and went out of control before entering the west ditch and crashing into a tree and bursting into flames.

According to media reports, Iowa State Troopers along with Dallas and Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call of a vehicle on fire at the same location at around 11:48 p.m. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The name of the driver has not yet been released.

IA COVID-19 update (as of 10-a.m.) 8/17/20: 395 new Positive cases; 3 more deaths

News

August 17th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Iowa authorities today (as of 10-a.m. Monday) report 195 additional Positive coronavirus cases since 10-a.m. Sunday, for a total of 52,616, and, three more deaths, for a total of 978. IDPH reported 1,564 individuals tested the previous day for an 11.8% positivity rate, and 1,349 tested negative, for a total of 500,840.  One of 6 Iowans have been tested for COVID-19, while 1 of 60 have tested positive. Cass County reports 9 more people have recovered from the virus of the the 94 reported cases, for a total of 74 recovered. Adair County has one more case, for a total of 39. Pottawattamie County has one more death associated with the virus, for a total of 30.

There are currently 283 hospitalized patients in the state, up from 271 the previous day. IDPH lists 85 patients in intensive care, up from 80 the previous day. There are 33 patients on ventilators, down from 34 the previous day. There were 31 patients admitted in the last 24 hours, down from 43 the previous day. In western/southwest Iowa: 14 are hospitalized with the virus (down 2 from Sunday); 6 are in an ICU (up 3 from Sunday), one person was admitted, and two people are on a ventilator (Compared to none, Sunday).

There are coronavirus outbreaks in 29 of Iowa’s long-term care facilities. IDPH reported 915 positive cases and 548 recoveries within those facilities. There have been 521 deaths in Iowa’s long-term care facilities.

Here are the latest positive case numbers for southwest/western Iowa since 10-a.m. Friday (County; Positive Case #’s; number of persons who have (recovered); {deaths since the outbreak began}. Counties with changes have highlighted numbers over the previous 24-hours:

  • Cass County: 94 cases (74 [9 more than Sunday]); 2 deaths
  • Adair County: 39 cases (20)
  • Adams County: 17 cases (16)
  • Audubon County: 30 cases (21); 1 death
  • Guthrie County: 147 cases (110); 5 deaths
  • Montgomery County: 64 cases (52); 4 deaths
  • Pottawattamie County: 1,426 cases [3 more than on Sunday] (1,061 [6 more than Sunday]); 30 deaths
  • Shelby County: 194 cases (178); 1 death.