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Local and Regional Healthcare Facilities Working through Significant Patient Volumes & Testing Shortages

News

September 20th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Anyone seeking healthcare services recently has likely noticed increased wait times, limited appointments, and full parking lots. Cass Health Chief Clinic Administrator Tamara Bireline, ARNP, says “Volumes are very high everywhere, whether it’s in the hospital, emergency department, or your doctor’s office. There isn’t one single illness to blame here, either. We’re seeing high volumes for lots of reasons, including RSV and COVID.” As a nurse practitioner, Bireline also works as a frontline provider in the emergency department. She recently noted that both the Cass Health Emergency Department and the AMC Rapid Care clinic have seen record-setting numbers of patients in the last few weeks.

According to Bireline, “We are seeing huge numbers of patients, and we’re in the process of increasing our staffing levels. We are adding providers, adding nurses – all measures to help us cope with this increased volume.” Ronnie Ross, Cass Health Safety Officer and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, holds weekly calls with other hospitals in this region, and has communicated that all the hospitals are working through the same issues. “We talk weekly with Region 4 SWIPP [Southwest Iowa Preparedness Partners] hospitals to discuss and coordinate the current and future mitigation needs for the surge of patients,” said Ross.

Testing Shortages Continue

“Historically, our influenza, RSV, and COVID supplies have all been provided by the same vendor. Given the continued need for high volumes of COVID-19 testing coupled with the recent increases in RSV cases, testing needs continue to exceed our capacity. We have worked hard to increase our ability to offer COVID-19 testing and have partnered with another vendor to increase our in-house test availability. However, there aren’t a lot of alternative options for influenza and RSV testing for us to bring on that would increase capacity for those tests without compromising the quality of the test. Until vendors are able to increase production to satisfy the increased demand, we expect the availability of influenza and RSV testing to be limited,” said Cass Health Laboratory Director Mitch Whiley.

With a high number of local patients needing testing for respiratory illnesses, the tests have to be prioritized for those who are moderately to severely ill.

“What this means for our patients is that we will be able to test them for COVID-19. If that test comes back negative, and the patient is only mildly ill, then we will likely not recommend or be able to do any further testing to verify RSV or influenza. Because of the shortages on the RSV and influenza tests, we must reserve these tests for those children who are moderately to severely ill because knowing that result may determine the need for admission or transfer to a higher level of care,” said Bireline.

For those patients who test negative for COVID, and who are mildly ill, providers will recommend that they manage their symptoms at home. “Fluids, rest, and over-the-counter medications are still going to be the right prescription, regardless of what the test result may show,” said Bireline.

Shelby County election information for Nov. 2, 2021

News

September 20th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Harlan, Iowa) – Shelby County Auditor/Elections Commissioner Mark Maxwell has provided KJAN with a list of candidates whose names will appear on the November 2nd City/School Election ballots.

City of Shelby

Mayor – Ron Kroll

City Council (vote for 2) – Jackie Hursey & Pat Honeywell

City of Tennant

Mayor – James Brantner

City Council (Vote for 2) – Todd Hively & Dennis Oellerich.

City of Harlan

Mayor – Michael Kolbe

City Council – Ward 1: Jay Christensen.

City Council – Ward 3: Jeanna Rudolph.

At Large Center: Sharon Kroger.

City of Irwin

Mayor – James Borcher

City Council (Vote for 3): Lana Schwieso; Greg Gaer; William D. McMahon.

City of Westphalia

Mayor – Jerome Gross.

City Council (Vote for 3): Julie Goetzinger; Ed Goetzinger; Brian Arkfeld.

Cities of Defiance and Panama: Mayor – OPEN               City Council (Vote for 3): OPEN (No candidates have filed)

City of Earling

Mayor – Janice Gaul.

City Council (elect 3) – Troy Langenfeld; Jackie Frum; OPEN

City of Elk Horn (No Mayor elected until 2023 – 4 year term)

City Council (elect 2): Jerry Hoffman; Derick Hogberg; Nolan Teegerstrom.

City Council – To fill a vacancy: Kendall Petersen.

City of Kirkman: Mayor – OPEN; City Council (elect 2) – No candidates filed.

City of Portsmouth

Mayor – Donald Kenkel

City Council (elect 3): Dustin Kleffman; Tim Blum; Jill Prososki.

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS

AHSTW Director District 2, 3, 5 and At-Large (Pottawattamie County will provide the information)

Harlan Community Schools – District 1: Alan Hazelton; Missy Cox

HCS – District 2: Mathew Worthey; Jade Albertsen.

HCS – District 3: Mark Sorfonden; Seth Piro; James Reischl.

HCS – District 4: Gregory Bladt; Chris Swensen.

HCS – District 6 (To fill a vacancy): Joseph D. Herzberg.

Exira-EHK Schools Director – Vote for 4: (Information to be provided)

IKM-Manning CSD Director At Large – Vote for 2: Phil Stracke Luke Potthoff; Sam Hansen; Mike Blum.

IKM-Manning Director, District 1B: Megan Reis; Amy Ferneding.

IKM-Manning Director, District 2B: Josh Linde; Steven A. Wiskus.

Information on the Tri-Center and Woodbine CSD Directors, Boyer Valley Director District’s 1 & 2 (Vote for 2 in each), Des Moines Area Community College District 3 and Iowa Western Community College District 9, will be provided by those schools.

In addition, voters in the City of Harlan will vote on Public Measure TE: Shall the following public measure be adopted? “Shall the Board of Trustees of Harlan Municipal Utilities, City of Harlan, in the County of Shelby, State of Iowa, be authorized to discontinue and dispose of the municipally-owned communications utility by sale?”

The polling stations are as follows:

Absentee: Shelby County Courthouse

Fairview-Shelby precinct: Shelby Community Hall in Shelby; Clay-Monroe precinct: Elk Horn Town Hall; City of Harlan, Wards 1,2,3,&4: Therkildsen Center; Cass-Lincoln-Center-Jackson precincts: Therkildsen Center; Greeley-Jefferson-Douglas-Polk precincts: Irwin Community Building; Grove-Union-Washington-Westphalia precincts: St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, in Earling. For more information, contact the Shelby County Auditor’s Office at 712-755-3831. Select option 6.

 

Parking restrictions in Clarinda on Oct. 2nd

News

September 20th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Clarinda Police Department has issued a notice as a reminder to the citizens of Clarinda, that NO PARKING is allowed on the following streets from 7:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 2nd , 2021 for the 66th Annual Southwest Iowa Band Day Jamboree Parade:

  • The 100 through 800 block of W. Main Street
  • The 100 block of E. Main Street
  • The100 block of N. 15th St.
  • The 100 block of E. Washington Street
  • The 100 block through 300 block of W. Washington Street
  • 24th Street (Cardinal Drive) from Garfield Street to State Street (*SCHOOL BUS PARKING*)

Photo via Travel Iowa

The police department appreciates the cooperation of all citizens in removing their vehicles from the parade route. Vehicles that are not removed from the parade route by 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 2ndmay be towed at the expense of the vehicle’s registered owner.

(Podcast) KJAN News, 9/20/21

News, Podcasts

September 20th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The broadcast News at 8:05-a.m., from Ric Hanson.

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Cass Supervisors to discuss the future of Willow Heights property

News

September 20th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, are set to discuss future plans for County-owned farm crop land, and the future of the Willow Heights care facility building. Last week, KJAN confirmed the 43 bed facility that’s been open since the early 1970’s is closing because of staffing issues and a general trend in downsizing facilities where people with mental health issues are said to be better served. No action on either the crop land or facility are expected.

The Supervisors will also discuss, and take possible action on, a 28E project agreement between Cass County and the City of Atlantic, for the repair of a bridge on W. 6th Street over the Nishnabotna River. Other discussion and possible action will take place with regard to the use of American Rescue Plan funding. The Board will also receive a report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken.

Their meeting in the Supervisors Board Room in the Courthouse, begins at 9-a.m. (and available for viewing live, at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/138870131?pwd=dnRLK2ZjcWQ2SWpMQm0wK1c0b2pwUT09)

Auditor Sand updates advice to Iowans to be wary of fake emails, which appear to be from legitimate vendors

News

September 20th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Auditor of State Rob Sand’s office reports Sand was recently made aware of payments made by a City to scammers posing as vendors. Auditor Sand has determined it is in the public interest to issue this Alert to help prevent others from falling victim to email scams.

In January 2020, the Auditor issued an Alert regarding a similar scam that involved unknown parties attempting to fraudulently misdirect state and local governmental entities in Iowa into issuing payments by posing as vendors. A copy of the Alert can be found here. In the recent situation, a City in Iowa learned payments to three legitimate vendors had been sent to bank accounts established by scammers who contacted the City via email. After discovering the mis-routed payments and consulting with cyber security specialists, City officials learned a City email account had been compromised.

They believe the scammers then monitored the email account for several months. After identifying City vendors who received electronic payments from the City, the scammers sent emails to the City which appeared to be from legitimate vendors with updated bank account information. The fraudulent emails sent to the City contained logos, contact information, and formatting which were consistent with other communications received from the three vendors. However, upon close examination, it was later determined the addresses of the fraudulent emails varied from the authentic vendors’ email addresses by moving a “dot” in the email addresses one place to the left or right.

Sand says “I strongly advise representatives of all governmental entities to call any vendors to independently confirm instructions received electronically of revised bank routing information, do not respond to the email. Instead, use previously held contact information to ensure the appropriate party is reached.” He also recommends governmental entities consider implementing a notification of electronic payment to an established vendor email address. The notification should ask vendors to promptly confirm the receipt of funds and immediately contact the governmental entity or business if the electronic payment was not properly deposited into the vendor’s account. In addition, governmental entities should require vendors to provide existing bank account information when requesting an update of their bank routing information as a safeguard.

Any governmental agency suspecting a scam is required by the Code of Iowa to contact the Auditor of State at info@aos.iowa.gov or 515-281-5834.

Atlantic man & two others arrested on Theft charges

News

September 20th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Updated 10-a.m.) (Braddyville, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports an Atlantic man and two other people were arrested early today (Monday), in connection with a burglary investigation in Page County. 31-year-old Keith James Land, previously of Clarinda, 29-year old Savannah Ashley Taylor, of Council Bluffs, and 27-year-old Aaron Robert Gerald Cole, of Atlantic, were arrested on two felony counts each of Theft in the 2nd Degree. Cole also has a hold from the Iowa Regional Correctional Facility, in Council Bluffs, for escape from work release. All three were being held in the Page County Jail on $10,000 bond, each, pending further court appearances. Cole was also being held without bond on the escape hold.

Aaron Robert Gerald Cole

Keith James Land

Savannah Ashley Taylor (Photo’s courtesy the Page County Sheriff’s Office)

Authorities say shortly after midnight, the Page County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary in progress at 2648 320th Street, in rural Page County (Between Braddyville and Blanchard), about one-mile from the Iowa-Missouri State line. The vehicle left the area prior to Nodaway County, Missouri Sheriffs Deputies, and Page County Deputies’ arrival. Information on the vehicle’s whereabouts was determined by Fremont County Dispatch, and broadcast throughout the area. Shenandoah Police conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle in Shenandoah.

A 2017 Hull trailer owned by a man from Shenandoah was found to be stolen. The trailer was being towed by the stolen pickup. Authorities say an investigation into the crime is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call the Page County Sheriff’s Office, at 712-542-5193.

Creston woman arrested Sunday on a sexual abuse charge

News

September 20th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Creston Police Department reports officers arrested 23-year-old Stephanie Dawn Miller, at around 10-a.m., Sunday. Miller was taken into custody for Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree/1st offense. She was released from custody on a Promise to Appear in court.

(Podcast) KJAN News, 9/20/21

News, Podcasts

September 20th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The broadcast News at 7:07-a.m., from News Director Ric Hanson.

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No injuries reported following an accident Sunday, in Creston

News

September 20th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Creston Police Department says no injuries were reported following an accident Sunday afternoon, at the intersection of W. Adams and N. Elm Streets. Authorities say a 2021 Chevy Equinox driven by 42-year-old Shantrey Paulann Cochran, of Creston, was stopped westbound at a flashing red light on west Adams. A 2006 Saturn Ion driven by 42-year-old Crystal Marie Mack, of Creston, was stopped at the same red light, but heading south on N. Elm. Police say Mack failed to yield, and struck the SUV, which was already half-way into the intersection. The collision happened at around 12:51-p.m.

Damage to the vehicles amounted to $2,000. No citations were issued at the scene.