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Backyard and Beyond 06/09/2020

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

June 9th, 2020 by admin

LaVon Eblen talks about baking and cooking.

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LARRY WILLEY, 78 of Waukee (Private family graveside svcs.)

Obituaries

June 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

LARRY WILLEY, 78 of Waukee, died June 2nd. Private family graveside services for LARRY WILLEY will be held at a later date in the Richland Township Cemetery near Bagley. Twigg Funeral Home in Panora has the arrangements.

LARRY WILLEY is survived by:

His son – Scott Willey, of Waukee.

His brother – Norman (Gladys) Willey, of Yale.

and other relatives.

If you make more money on unemployment, why go back to work?

News

June 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The head of Iowa Workforce Development is scheduled to testify before a U-S Senate panel this (Tuesday) afternoon about critical troubles that are hurting efforts to jumpstart the state and national economies. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is chairing the Finance Committee hearing that will feature I-W-D director Beth Townsend, who Grassley says will lay out the complications she’s seeing in Iowa’s workforce. Grassley says, “We’re going to focus on the problem that developed as a result of a problem we knew we were creating two months ago when we set up $600 additional unemployment insurance above whatever the 50 states would pay in their respective states.”

Thanks to the CARES Act, a person who brought home a weekly paycheck for a thousand dollars prior to the pandemic may now be getting 16-hundred a week on unemployment, which creates a dilemma. “We knew at the time we were going to have some people getting more money on unemployment than they might get from their job,” Grassley says. “Consequently, we’re finding a lot of small businesses, maybe even big businesses, are having trouble calling people back to work.”

Grassley says there are ideas circulating about how to remedy this problem, but no solutions are nailed down as yet. “We’ve disincentivized people to go back to their jobs,” Grassley says, “and it’s a tremendous economic problem because if we want to open this economy up, you’ve got to have workers.”  One possibility being considered is using federal dollars to supplement the salary of individuals who’ve been laid off and collecting unemployment benefits, prodding them to return to work.

The Washington D-C hearing is scheduled for 1:30 PM/Central.

Another summer event affected by COVID-19: AtlanticFest Postponed to Late September

News

June 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce has postponed AtlanticFest, originally scheduled for August 8th, to Saturday, September 26th. Chamber Executive Director Bailey Smith today (Tuesday), said “With State mandates currently in place, holding AtlanticFest in August wasn’t logistically feasible.”

Smith added, “We understand how eager everyone is to get out and about. AtlanticFest draws thousands of people every year and the health of the community is our highest priority. We hope regulations will be more relaxed by late September and we’ll be able to celebrate as a community.”

AtlanticFest, presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust, has been a community staple for almost 30 years. The September event will be an updated version with new and traditional activities for community members of all ages to enjoy. More details regarding the event will be made available in the coming months.

Distracted driver causes SUV vs. motorcycle accident in Union County

News

June 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

A man driving an SUV in Union County, became distracted Saturday afternoon, and collided with a motorcycle. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports the accident happened at around 4:35-p.m. at 170th Street and Port Road a little west of Creston. Authorities say a 2011 Jeep Liberty driven by 20-year old Joshua Orin Cox, of Redding, was distracted by the GPS on his phone, and packages falling in the back seat after the SUV hit a bump. Cox failed to see a 2005 Kawasaki motorcycle operated by 24-year old Dylan Daniel Meggison, of Creston, that was coming down the hill.

When Cox turned left in front of the cycle, Meggison put his cycle into a skid and hit the front of the Jeep. He suffered suspected minor injuries and was transported by EMS to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston. Damage from the accident amounted to $5,000. Deputies cited Cox for Unsafe Turning.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s report (6/9/20)

News

June 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report two juveniles and one adult were cited Monday night for Possession/purchase of alcohol under the age of 18. The two males, ages 15 and 16, and 18-year old Michael Edward Shiffer, were cited after they were allegedly caught drinking in a residential garage in Neola. The incident was investigated at around 10:17-pm. Monday morning, 38-year old Preston E. Devaughn, who was wanted on a warrant for Theft in the 1st Degree, turned himself-in to the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office. Devaughn was transported to the Pott. County Jail and turned over to Corrections Staff.

And, a man being held in the Atchison County, Missouri Jail, was transported to the Pott. County Jail, Monday afternoon. 41-year old Robie Paul Robison was wanted on a State of Iowa Felony warrant for sex crimes, including two counts of incest, 3 counts of Indecent contact with a child, two counts of lascivious acts with a minor, and three counts of sex abuse in the 3rd Degree.  Robison was booked into the Pott. County Jail.

 

Clarinda man dies in eastern Iowa crash

News

June 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

A single-vehicle accident in eastern Iowa’s Marion County has claimed the life of a man from southwest Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports 47-year old Jason Cameron Willey, of Clarinda, died when the 2011 Chevy Camaro he was a passenger in, missed a curve and ran off the road before impacting a ditch and rolling several times. Willey was ejected as the car rolled, and died at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt. The driver, 24-year old Jalen Zachary Frost, of Corydon, was injured and flown by helicopter to Mercy Hospital.  Authorities say Frost was buckled-up at the time of the accident, which happened at around 6:10-p.m. Monday on Highway T-15 southbound, near the intersection of Highway S-71.

Cass County Sheriff’s report: 3 arrested or cited on drug charges; Atlantic man arrested for Burglary, & more

News

June 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday), reports eight people were arrested or cited, from June 3rd through the 7th.

Today, (June 9th), Cass County Deputies arrested 27-year old Robert Paul Joens, of Exira, on an Atlantic Police Department Class-C Felony warrant for Possession With Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine. Joens was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $5,000 bond.

On Sunday, Cass County Deputies cited 18-year old McKenna Jade Carlton, of Griswold, on charges of Possession of Marijuana 1st Offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 19-year old Levi John Klenda, of Kimballton, was cited for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple); and a 16-year-old juvenile was cited for Minor in Possession of Alcohol. All parties will appear in court at a later date.

Last Friday: Cass County Deputies arrested 23-year old Michael Daniel Coates, of Atlantic, on a charge of Eluding. Coates was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $2,000 bond; 24-year old Blake Michael Zweck, of Atlantic, was arrested on an Atlantic Police Department Class-D Felony warrant for Burglary 3rd Degree, and two Felony charges of Theft 2nd Degree. Zweck was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $15,000 bond.

There were two arrests June 3rd in Cass County:

29-year old Troy David Garrison Romick, of Elk Horn, IA, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Violation of Probation. Garrison Romick was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $5,000 bond.; And, 60-year old Daryl D. Armstrong, of Anita, on a charge of Violation of No Contact Order. Armstrong was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.

Cass County Deputies were called at around 4:20-p.m. June 3rd, to car/tractor accident on Chestnut Street, in Anita. Their investigation determined a 2017 Ford Fusion owned and driven by 53-year old Diane Kay Scarf, of Anita, was stopped at the stop sign northbound on Chestnut Street at the intersection of Main Street. The Fusion attempted a right turn onto Main Street when it was struck in the rear by a tractor driven by 23-year old Zachary Lee Ross, of Atlantic. No injuries were reported. Damage to the Ford Fusion is estimated at $3,000; damage to the tractor is estimated at $150. Ross was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

Atlantic School Board meeting set for Wed. evening

News

June 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will hold an electronic meeting 6-p.m. Wednesday, via YouTube (https://youtu.be/ja4pRCQujp8). During their session, the Board will act on approving the following resignations:

  • Justin Williams, 9-12 At-Risk Teacher; JV Football & Asst. Tennis Coach
  • Kathy Swinnerton, Special Education Paraeducator
  • Ernie Hawthorne, Special Education driver.

And, they are expected to act on contract recommendations for:

  • Amberley Schechinger – 7th Grade Math Teacher
  • Liz Reid – 8th Grade Math Teacher
  • Brandon Baggett – H.S. Language Arts Teacher
  • Bryce Casey & Kelly Juhl – Summer Grounds keepers.

The Board will also act on Spring Coaching Contracts for:

  • Ed DenBeste – Head Boys Golf
  • Kathy Hobson – Head Girls Golf
  • Mike McDermott – Head Boys/Girls Tennis
  • Matt Mullenix – Head HS Girls Track
  • Derek Hall – Asst. Girls HS Track
  • Abby Becker – Head Boys HS Track
  • Jeremy Blake – Asst Boys HS Track
  • Joe Brummer & Trace Peterson – MS Boys Track
  • Casey Pelzer & Taylor Williams – MS Girls Track
  • Dan Vargasson – Asst, HS Girls Soccer
  • Oran Perkins – Head HS Boys Soccer
  • Matt Smith – Asst HS Boys Soccer

The following positions remain open: Asst. Boys/Girls Tennis, and Head HS Girls Soccer.  In other business, the Board will: Receive a Facilities Project update; Act on the purchase of a mower; Act on the Superintendent’s Contract; and approve a 2020-21 School Business Official Contract with the CAM School District. They’re also expected to approve allowing parents to transport their athletes to baseball and softball games in light of COVID-19, and the issuance of permission slips for parents to sign.

Iowa’s wanna-be stage stars can go to virtual summer camp during pandemic

News

June 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — A series of summer camps for future stage performers that used to be only for central Iowa students is going statewide this summer. Because of the pandemic, in-person classes had to be cancelled in favor of virtual gatherings. Karoline Myers, education manager at Des Moines Performing Arts, says the camps are designed for kids as young as pre-school all the way up through high school and college. “At the younger age ranges, it’s really exploring and it’s creativity and it’s storytelling and tapping into some of those really fun drama exercises that also work on lots of other life skills and creativity,” Myers says. “And up at the older age groups, it’s really geared towards kids with a high degree of interest in performing arts, specifically musical theater.”

Registration is now open for the eight virtual summer camp opportunities which start as soon as today (June 9th). “Based on ages, we have everything from story-writing and crafting original stories and plays with some of our younger camps and elementary students,” Myers says. “Then, we gear up towards more opportunities for kids to work on putting on a show together, even in the online format, so they get to collaborate as a cast of 20 actors. Everyone’s guaranteed a role and they get to put on a show in a week.”

All of the classes and camps will be held via Zoom with activities designed to keep participants moving. Four of the camps include an opportunity to work with Broadway professionals. “We’ll be working on musical theater dance skills, audition skills, acting techniques,” Myers says, “and then some industry chats with special guest artists that will be joining us from New York or wherever they’re making home right now during the pandemic.”

Some courses for the older students will focus on the so-called triple threat areas of musical theater — acting, dancing, and singing. At all age levels, Myers says there will be plenty of online social gatherings in this time of social distancing. “We still want to make sure that even though it’s in this online format that kids are still making friends with other kids,” Myers says. “A lot of them have been home, they’ve been isolated, so building in that social time. It’s going to be different from school. We’ll definitely have you up, moving and interacting with our faculty and really getting creative and having a lot of fun — in your space from the safety of your home.”

Some of the classes meet once a week, while the week-long camps meet daily.

More info. at:  https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/classes-camps/