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(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & Funeral report, 8/13/20

News, Podcasts

August 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

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

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More than 250K Iowans still without power after Monday’s derecho hit

News

August 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – More than a quarter million Iowans are still without power, three days after a major wind storm blasted across the state. Alliant Energy spokeswoman Cindy Tomlinson says the situation remains too complex for an accurate estimate of a restoration time. “We don’t want to over-promise and then under-deliver,” Tomlinson says. “We want to make sure when we provide an estimated time that we can meet that window. It’s just going to take a little more time to estimate when services will be restored.”

Reports show 257-thousand Iowa homes remain without electricity, though at the peak after the Monday severe weather, nearly 500-thousand customers were in the dark. Tomlinson says when Alliant’s senior vice president Terry Kouba toured the damage in Marshalltown and Cedar Rapids, he was amazed. “The storm has created damage beyond what we’ve ever seen before and he’s been with our company several decades,” she says. “It’s definitely an experience beyond what he’s ever seen before.”

Tomlinson reminds folks who are using generators to be sure and shut down the main disconnect to the house. If that is still on, it could result in electricity feeding back down the line and could potentially injure a utility worker who’s trying to get your power back on. Tomlinson reminds everyone to continue to avoid downed power lines, because you never know if maybe a generator may be feeding back into those lines, or when the power DOES come back on.

IA COVID-19 Update…3 more Cass County cases; State Positive Cases more than 50k to date; 5 more dead

News

August 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Health officials today (Thursday, as of 10-a.m.) report the State has topped 50,000 positive cases of COVID-19. The data show 488 new cases confirmed since Wednesday, for a total of 50,135.  There have also been five more deaths in the State attributed to COVID-19 since 10-a.m. Wednesday, for a total of 954. Long-Term Care facility deaths account for 511 of the State’s death toll.

Here in Cass County, there was another increase in the number of positive cases, from 79 Wednesday, to 82 today. Of those, 47 have recovered from the virus. Adair County has five more positive cases, for a total of 35. There were also increases of one case each, in Adams, Guthrie and Montgomery Counties, and 10 new cases in Pottawattamie County. There was also one additional death reported in Pott. County, for a total of 29. The 14-day Positivity Rate for area Public School officials to determine if they need to change instructional plans, is as follows, with an action rate of 15% or greater allowed to apply for a waiver to hold classes online, and if 10% of students are absent: Cass & Adair Counties: 9%; Adams: 5%; Audubon: 3%; Guthrie: 6%; Montgomery: 8%; Pottawattamie: 10%; Shelby County: 14%.

The IDPH says 537,330 Iowans have been tested, 5,322 tested negative since 10-a.m. Wednesday, for a total of 484,024 to-date. And, 39,214 Iowans have recovered from the virus. Hospitalization data show: 261 are hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms; 88 are in an ICU; 38 were admitted to a hospital since Wednesday, and 25 people remain on a ventilator.

Southwest/western Iowa hospitals report: 12 people are in a hospital with COVID-19; Five people are in an ICU; There were 2 persons admitted and no one on a ventilator. Long-Term Care (LTC) data today, show: 28 Outbreaks; 847 patients/staff have tested positive; and 492 have recovered.

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

  • Cass County: 82 cases  (47); 1 death
  • Adair County: 35 cases (20)
  • Adams County: 17 cases (16)
  • Audubon County: 29 cases (18); 1 death
  • Guthrie County: 137 cases (107); 5 deaths
  • Montgomery County: 61 cases (41); 4 deaths
  • Pottawattamie County: 1,352 cases (1,013); 29 deaths
  • Shelby County: 187 cases (167); 1 death.

K9 used to track serious assault suspect in Elliott, Wed. night

News

August 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

A Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department K9 unit was used to track a man who allegedly committed an act of serious assault in Elliott, Wednesday night. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department says Deputies responded to an incident of serious assault in the 200 block of 2nd Street in Elliott, at around 11:30-p.m.  Upon their arrival, Deputies determined 23-year old Kyle Andrew Nicholson, of Surprise, AZ., assaulted a person several times in the head, causing severe lacerations above the person’s eye and head. Nicholson is also alleged to have stolen the victim’s cell phone during the assault.

The K9 tracked Nicholson to the area of 4th and Linden Streets, in Elliott. He was taken into custody without injury and transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was charged with Serious Assault and Theft in the 5th Degree. His cash bond was set at $1,000.

Iowa early News Headlines: Thursday, Aug. 13 2020

News

August 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farmers across much of Iowa are dealing with the heartbreaking aftermath of a rare wind storm that turned what was looking like a record corn crop into deep losses. The storm slammed the Midwest with straight line winds of up to 100 miles per hour on Monday, gaining strength as it plowed through Iowa farm fields, flattening corn and bursting grain bins still filled with tens of millions of bushels of last year’s harvest. Similar damage was reported in Indiana and Illinois. Before the storm, the U.S. Department of Agriculture had forecast a record national corn crop this year, of which Iowa was expected to provide about 18%.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The impact of a powerful wind storm that tore through the Midwest on Monday is continuing to grow, as hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing power outages for a third straight day. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, residents emptied their refrigerators and freezers as their food spoiled, waited at gas stations for an hour or longer to fill up their cars and gas cans, and worked to clean up fallen trees that were everywhere. Many roads remained impassable and businesses closed. City council member Dale Todd says “it feels like we got kicked in the teeth pretty good,” and that recovery will be slow.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Democratic Party’s signature annual fundraiser will see a major change next month in the wake of a global coronavirus pandemic. For the first time since it began in 1972, the party’s Steak Fry event will be held as a drive-in. The Steak Fry will be held at the Airplane Field at Des Moines Water Works Park. Attendees will be able to watch the program on a large screen and listen in through the radio. Steak, chicken, and vegan dinners will be delivered directly to attendees’ cars. Social distancing rules will be enforced and face masks will be required when attendees are outside of their vehicles. The event drew more than 12,000 people last year.

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a 14-year-old boy has died in a personal watercraft collision on Clear Lake in north-central Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the collision of the two recreational watercraft happened around noon Tuesday. Officials did not give details on how the crash occurred, but say the teen killed was operating one of the watercraft involved. His name has not yet been released. Investigators say a 12-year-old child operating the second watercraft sustained minor injuries, and a passenger on the second watercraft was not injured.

Atlantic School Board hears from concerned staff & citizens re: RTL, Masks & meetings

News

August 12th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic School District Superintendent Steve Barber kicked-off Wednesday evening’s YouTube school board meeting by reading six comments sent-in prior to the meeting deadline. Among the email’s Board Secretary Sarah Sheeder received for dissemination to the Administration, was one pertaining to the Atlantic All-Staff back-to-school meeting, and other large-group meetings, prior to the start of school.

For right now, those meetings are set to be held in the High School Commons, Auditorium, or Media Center, which raised concerns about whether that does enough to meet the needs of social distancing. The district staffer asked if those meetings could take place via ZOOM.

The Board also heard from Kathleen Johnson, R.N., who expressed her concern that the Board was not mandating the use of masks. Allison Berryhill was also supportive of masks, saying at a minimum, they should be used indoors when distancing is not possible.

Tammy DeBord, parent and PTO Secretary and SIAC Committee member, expressed her concerns about the 9-percent positivity rate for COVID-19 in the County and how well the school is prepared to deal with an outbreak. She brought up the fact the school has already had an outbreak of the virus after some students attended a party and then volleyball and other activities. Ann McCurdy requested the Board mandate masks for this school year.

The Board later passed by a vote of 3-to 2,  the first reading of a Policy related to COVID-19, which does not require the use of a mask, but strongly encourages its use, especially when social distancing is impractical. A non-surgical (Non N-95) mask will be provided to any student or staff member who wishes to wear one during the school day.

In the Superintendent’s Report, Steve Barber brought in Cass County Public Health Director Beth Olsen, who said (as we reported Wednesday), there were 79 positive test results for COVID-19 in Cass County, with 47 recovered. Olsen said she expected that by Thursday morning, there would be nine more positive results added to the State’s Coronavirus dashboard. Olsen also explained the timeline for those who may have been exposed to the virus and when they can return to normal activities.

She acknowledged COVID-19 cases in Cass County are rising and will continue to rise, but as long as the positivity rate is 15-percent or below, the District wouldn’t need to implement it’s Hybrid Plan. Superintendent Barber said as of Wednesday, he knew of about 80 students who will be taking classes by remote learning. Also, about 5-to 10 students are attending online through Iowa Connections Academy, there are some Home School Assistance participants, and those who opted for Home Schooling.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved the Summer 2021 Coaching Contracts, other contracts, and resignations.

3 arrested following Fremont County traffic stop

News

August 12th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputies, Tuesday, attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation near the 7 mile marker of Interstate 29 southbound. Authorities say the vehicle failed to yield to law enforcement and the vehicle continued southbound stopping at 1-mile marker. Deputies discovered two loaded firearms in the vehicle, as well as marijuana and ecstasy.

Hill

The driver, 20-year old Deangelo Hill, of Omaha, was arrested for Carrying weapons, felony eluding, Possession of Controlled Substance 1st Offense, no insurance, speeding, and No Valid Driver’s License.

A passenger, 21-year old Adonis Williams, JR., of Omaha, was arrested for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Controlled Substance and Open Container. Another passenger, 21-year old Elexus Bennette, of Omaha, was arrested for Carrying Weapons, Possession of Controlled Substance, and Open Container.

Bennett

Williams

The Fremont County K9 Unit, Iowa State Patrol, Mills County Sheriff’s Office and Hamburg Fire and Rescue assisted the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office with the call.

Thurman man arrested in NE on a warrant from Fremont County

News

August 12th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports Deputies were advised by the Cass County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Office, that 49-year old Scott James McCart, of Thurman, was arrested Tuesday (Aug.11), on an active Fremont County warrant.

McCart

McCart was previously arrested in connection with a domestic dispute that occurred at his residence in Thurman on Feb. 29th, 2020. At that time, McCart was arrested for Domestic Abuse while displaying a weapon, Obstructing 911 Communications, and Child Endangerment. McCart was released March 2nd, after posting $5,000 cash/surety bond.

Upon further investigation McCart was subsequently charged with Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, Child Endangerment with Bodily Injury and Assault while Displaying a Dangerous Weapon. A warrant was issued for McCart’s arrest in early March of 2020, but he was not located by law enforcement until August of 2020.

It is alleged that during a domestic dispute, McCart struck a child with his fist, causing injury and then pointed a firearm at the child. McCart is currently being held on $17,000 cash/surety bond.

Rollover accident in Council Bluffs

News

August 12th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs report officers were called to Highway 92 and Valley View Drive for a single vehicle, Semi Tractor-Trailer rollover accident, Wednesday afternoon. The Semi truck was traveling westbound on Highway 92 at around 3:15-p.m., and attempted to turn northbound on Valley View Drive.

Authorities say it appears he took the turn traveling too fast and it flipped on its side, losing its load of grain. The driver suffered minor, unknown injuries, and was transported to the hospital for treatment. The section of Valley View Drive between Longview Loop and Highway 92 will be closed due to the clean-up of the accident.

Updated information on destructive derecho

News, Weather

August 12th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Weather experts are analyzing a wealth of data about Monday’s powerful storm that carved a destructive path across Iowa’s midsection, wiping out trees, power lines and crops. Most of us now know the term “derecho,” a fast-moving, severe wind event, but State Climatologist Justin Glisan says it’s a fairly common type of storm.

“Typically the state of Iowa will see a derecho at least once every two years,” Glisan says. “Recent notable derecho events were July 11, 2011 and June 24, 2013.” To be designated as a derecho, a storm must have a width of at least 60 miles and travel at least 400 miles. Monday’s derecho started in southern South Dakota.

“The derecho itself held together for 770 miles over 14 hours before losing strength as it entered western Ohio,” Glisan says. Dennis Todey, director of the U-S-D-A’s Midwest Climate Hub in Ames, says derechos are hard to predict. “Unfortunately, we can’t forecast these things too well in advance,” Todey says, “but once it set up and it was starting to look consistent, the Weather Service was right on top of it then and was doing warnings well ahead of it, letting people know this was a pretty nasty situation and had the potential for doing severe damage, which it did.”

More than a half-million Iowa homes and businesses lost power during the storm, easily among the worst weather disasters for the state’s electric utilities. The governor has declared 20 counties disaster areas. Todey says they had eyes on the storm early on, but no one realized how strong it would become, or how quickly it would strengthen. “It went about 700 miles, kicked up right over South Dakota,” Todey says. “It didn’t seem like there was too much there, but it hit the Missouri River and western Iowa is where it really started causing damage. Part way into Iowa is where it really cranked up. The central part of Iowa is where the worst damage started.”

Winds ranged in most areas of Iowa from 70 to 90 miles an hour, though there’s a report of peak gusts of 112 miles an hour near Cedar Rapids. That’s the nature of a derecho, he says, versus the more typical storm Iowans are used to during the summer months. “Unlike some thunderstorms which build up, rain out and then the cold air that spreads out from that shuts down the instability around a storm, this one is able to feed on itself,” Todey says. “The wind coming out ahead of it is able to lift warmer, moister air ahead of it and that keeps feeding back on that storm and maintain its strength all the way through.”

The state climatologist says derecho is a Spanish word that can be translated as direct or straight ahead. “This was a designation to get away from the rotation type winds that we need in tornadoes,” Glisan says “This term was actually coined by Dr. Gustavus Hinrichs at the University of Iowa in the late 1800s.”

Hinrichs, who started the first state weather service, is also among the researchers credited with the discovery of the atom and the Periodic Table of Elements.