United Group Insurance

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!

Iowa COVID-19 update for 6/14/21: 3 additional deaths (1 in Cass County), statewide death toll now over 6,100; 55 additional cases; 7 day positivity rate up .3%

News

June 14th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Public Health Monday, reported 55 additional, positive cases of COVID-19 over the previous 24-hours, for a pandemic total of 403,180, and three additional deaths – including one in Cass County, where the pandemic death toll stands at 55. The total number of Coronavirus-related deaths statewide, is 6,102. Deaths at Iowa’s Long-Term Care facilities since the start of the pandemic, amount to 2,369.

There remain four LTC outbreaks in Iowa, with 31 positive cases among patients and staff, and four persons who have recovered. Iowa’s 14-day positivity rate is unchanged at 1.9%, but the seven-day positivity has increased .3%, to 2.2%.

The number of Iowans hospitalized by COVID is holding steady at 81. Officials report 20 patients are in an ICU; 15 COVID patients were admitted to a hospital, and eight patients are on a ventilator. In RMCC Region 4 (hospitals in western & southwest Iowa), there are three people hospitalized with COVID-19, two people are in an ICU, and one person was admitted over the previous 24-hours. There were no COVID patients on a ventilator.

In the immediate KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County (since the beginning of the pandemic) and the total number of deaths (Since the beginning of the pandemic) in each county to date:
Cass, 1,477 cases; 55 deaths
Adair, 993; 32
Adams, 356; 4
Audubon, 548; 10
Guthrie, 1,312; 32
Harrison County, 1,935; 73
Madison County, 1,787 19
Mills County, 1,804; 24
Montgomery, 1,117; 38
Pottawattamie County, 12,343;173
Shelby County, 1,376; 37
Union County, 1,381; 35

Former Council Bluffs Man Pleads Guilty Following Insurance Fraud Investigation

News

June 14th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division report 54-year-old Billy Joe Sams, of Bellevue, NE (& formerly Council Bluffs, IA), has pled guilty to one count of Theft Third Degree (Aggravated Misdemeanor) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau. As a result of the plea agreement, Sams will serve up to two years in prison and is required to pay restitution in the amount of $17,195.23 along with a suspended fine of $855.

The charges against Sams stem from an investigation which began in 2020. According to criminal complaints filed by the Iowa Insurance Fraud Bureau in September of 2020, Sams submitted a claim to his insurer involving a motorcycle accident. Sams provided fictitious information regarding the date of the accident and injuries sustained in order to obtain insurance benefits he would not otherwise have been entitled to.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

The IID says no additional information will be provided at this time.

Fears rise as temps rise to 118 in the SW US. Will Iowa be next?

News, Weather

June 14th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – High temperatures in the southwestern U-S are forecast to climb as high as 118 degrees over the next few days and there are fears that extreme heat could expand into the Midwest. Meteorologist Dennis Todey, director of the U-S-D-A’s Midwest Climate Hub in Ames, says he’s concerned Iowa’s drought conditions will continue to worsen. “The Southwest right now, because of the dry conditions, that tends to reinforce that dome of high pressure,” Todey says. “There are hints in the models about it sticking that way but the models aren’t consistent of saying that’s going to be the case and it’s definitely going to move over you folks.”

Forecasters are calling for warmer-than-normal highs this week across Iowa, again, in the 80s and 90s with little chance for rain. Summer starts this coming weekend so we’re heading into the hot months. “By the time we reach mid-June, we’re worried about average precipitation and precipitation starts to fall off, climatologically,” Todey says. “We still have warm periods ahead of us, so it still has me concerned.”

Dennis Todey

The computer forecast models are still not providing a clear picture of what may lie ahead.  “Does it kind of break down a little bit and as we say warmer-than-average and cooler-than-average bouncing back and forth or does it lock in?” Todey says. “Right now, we haven’t seen it lock in just yet so we’re being optimistic but there’s not good indicators on this overall, other than what we can see in the six- to ten- to 14-day outlooks.”

The latest drought monitor shows about 90-percent of Iowa is in abnormally dry or drought conditions, with more than half the state under moderate to severe drought.

(Podcast) KJAN 8:05-a.m. News, 6/14/21

News, Podcasts

June 14th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

With Ric Hanson.

Play

Creston Police report, 6/14/21: 4 arrested on drug charges

News

June 14th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Three people were arrested on drug and other charges Friday, in Creston. According to Creston Police, 26-year-old Casey Welch, of Creston, was arrested at around 4:45-p.m. at his residence, on five Livingston County, Missouri warrants for: Failure to Appear (FTA) on the original charges of 2 counts Possession of Marijuana; FTA for a Felony charge; FTA on the original charge of Possession of Paraphernalia with a Prior Drug Offense; FTA on the original charge of DWI, and Driving While Revoked. Welch was being held in the Union County Jail on a $26,700 bond, while awaiting extradition to Missouri.

At around 8-p.m. Friday, 29-year-old Jose Estrada, of Des Moines, was arrested in Creston on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense and Possession of Paraphernalia. He was released from the Union County Jail on a $1300 bond. At the same time and place, 31-year-old Stevie Beal,of Des Moines, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Offense (Methamphetamine), Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Offense (Marijuana), and Possession of Paraphernalia. She was released from the Adams County Jail on a $3300 bond.

Late Saturday morning, 23-year-old Kane Farlow, of Creston, was arrested at his residence on a Department of Corrections warrant for the charge of Violation of Parole. He is being held in the Union County Jail without bond. Sunday afternoon, 31-year-old Chelsey Kile, of Creston, was arrested at her residence on 3 Union County Warrants for the following charges: Failure to Serve time on the original charge of Theft 5th Degree; Violation of Protection Order (9 counts); A Controlled Substance Violation; Driving While Barred; and Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense. She is being held in the Adams County Jail and must complete her court ordered sentence for Warrant 1, awaiting bond hearing on Warrant 2 and bond of $13,000 on Warrant 3.

Creston Police said also, a man residing in the 400 block of N. Poplar Street in Creston, reported late Saturday morning, that sometime in the previous 24 hours someone had taken an engine cover off of his Pontoon Boat that he is attempting to sell, and has parked on S. Sumner St.  The loss was estimated at $250.

(Podcast) KJAN News, 6/14/2021

News, Podcasts

June 14th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

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

Play

Cass County BOS to meet Tuesday

News

June 14th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Updated) The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet 9-a.m. Tuesday, June 15th, in their Boardroom at the Courthouse in Atlantic, and electronically. On their agenda is possible action on:

  • Appointing/re-appointing a Veterans Affairs Commissioner to a three-year term (July 01, 2021-June 30, 2024); Postponed until June 22nd.
  • A contract for the repair of a garage building on the southwest corner of the courthouse parking lot;
  • Allowing and/or disallowing new Business Property Tax Credits;
  • a Resolution for FY2022 Expense Appropriations;
  • and, approving the renewal of a lease with Partnership for Progress of “Willow Heights.”

Public hearing in Atlantic, Wednesday, re: Method of Elections

News

June 14th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

A public hearing is set to take place during Wednesday evening’s meeting of the City Council, in Atlantic. The hearing is with regard to an “Ordinance Amending Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances, changing the method of election to runoff elections.”

The desire for change comes with the announcement Dave Jones, who has served as Mayor of Atlantic for several years, will not seek for a fourth term in office. City Administrator John Lund reports “There has been a great deal of interest in the Mayor’s Office. No fewer than five [persons] have expressed an interest in running.” The City currently has a “Plurality takes all,” system, whereby one only needs to get the most votes on the first and only ballot to win (Less than 50.01% of the vote is required to become Mayor, member of the Council, and Park Board.

Iowa allows for two types of elections: the current system, or an alternative type, where a TRUE MAJORITY of voters is required in order to win. The City’s Personnel and Finance Committee reviewed all the options during their meeting on May 26th, and concluded the election system should be changed to a majority, and is recommended the Council vote to consider/approve the change. That can only take place however, following a Public Hearing and three readings of the ordinance.

On a related note, a Public Hearing will be held during Wednesday evening’s meeting, with regard to a change of the term for Park Board members from six-years to four-years. The Parks Board is in favor of the change, which would mean seniors members would be available to help incoming Board members, if needed. There will also be three readings of the ordinance before it becomes law.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will act on passing a Resolution “authorizing and approving a loan agreement and providing for the issuance of a $90,000 General Obligation Solid Waste Management Note,” as part of a 28-E agreement with regard to the organization that operates the Cass County Landfill. The Landfill has instituted a per-capita fee of $12 per resident to be assessed annually. The amount (for Atlantic) is $85,344, payable in four equal payments over the course of the fiscal year.

And, the Council will act on an “Order to enter into an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) for Maintenance and Repair of Primary Roads in Municipalities,” more specifically with regard to Highways 6, 71 and 83. In his report to the Council, City Administrator John Lund will present a proposal from Cook Sanitation partial owner Dalton Cook, for the purchase of city-owned property at 101 Cedar Street, which is zoned “I-2,” or “Heavy Industrial.” The property is assessed at $5,000.  Cook – who owns 103 Cedar Street – is planning on building a commercial building sometime in the future.

If the Council approves the purchase, he has promised to pay $2,000. In turn he will demolish the house, and clean-up the property. Cook anticipates disposal of the demolished home and clean-up costs to be approximately $2,000, and rental of necessary equipment at $1,000.  Lund says Cook’s is the first proposal for a commercial building for the zone mentioned. He will recommend the Council refer the matter to the City’s Personnel & Finance Committee, for review.

Advocates push for more research funding to beat world’s deadliest cancer

News

June 14th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Today (Monday) marks the start of PanCAN Action Week as pancreatic cancer survivors and advocates work to raise awareness about the world’s deadliest form of cancer, and to raise more federal funds for research. Beth Day of Urbandale, a seven-year pancreatic cancer survivor, says they usually go to Washington D-C to lobby lawmakers in person, but due to the pandemic, they’ll be making their case by phone. “We are calling it Voices in Action and we want to be heard,” Day says. “We are calling our senators and we’re going to do some Facetime videos and just tell them that it’s claimed too many lives.”

Day, who was diagnosed Memorial Day weekend of 2014, says there’s an urgent need for more research funding to develop better treatment options as well as an early detection method to help change patient outcomes. “All cancers are important but when there is one that doesn’t have a test…” Day says. “When you are diagnosed, you’re usually Stage 3 or 4 — and it’s too late.” When federal research funding increases, Day says so do pancreatic cancer survival rates.  “We need to be heard. We want to advocate for the friends and loved ones we’ve lost and for the people that are yet to be diagnosed,” Day says, “because 450 Iowans will die from pancreatic cancer in a year.”

When Day was diagnosed, the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer was only four-percent. Today, it’s ten-percent. While that’s progress, it’s nothing compared to the five-year breast cancer survival rate of 95-percent. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated what researchers can really do when they’re properly motivated — and well funded.  “I am so surprised how fast the vaccine came,” Day says. “Yes, it affected everyone in the world and I said, ‘If they could only use that money fast to help find cures for cancer — for pancreatic cancer.’ It’s just amazing that medical science -can- do that.”

The fast-moving disease is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be vague and are often ignored until it’s too late. They include abdominal pain and back pain, changes in stool, yellowing skin, weight loss, appetite loss, and a feeling of being full after only eating a little food.

On the web: www.facebook.com/groups/pancaniowa  and  www.pancan.org.

UNI Americorps program gets federal grant

News

June 14th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The University of Northern Iowa’s Green Iowa AmeriCorps program has received its third straight federal grant. Program manager, Carmen Finken, says they focus on environmental service projects like home weatherization. “We’ve been doing these services for several years now, but we primarily try and target vulnerable populations in need that are looking to say money on their utility bills. We do a lot of this in the winter months — but we do it year-round and it’s always a completely free service,” Finken says. They also work with partners on clean water projects. She says they have a partnership with Practical Farmers in Ames and with the City of Oskaloosa for water quality efforts. “So, very broad work that our members do, but they do a lot of work that is dedicated to environmental efficiency, restoration, and stewardship,” Finken says.

The one-point-one million dollars federal grant this year is the largest they’ve ever received and is spread over three years. “So it’s going to mean that we are going to be expanding into more communities in Iowa and kind of having a greater impact I guess, in other communities that we haven’t been able to serve in past years,” Finken says. The expansion creates more positions in the organization that need to be filled. “By mid-September of 2021 we will need to have 68, 11-month positions filled. So we are absolutely recruiting, interviewing, hiring right now as we speak,”according to Finken. “We interview and hire on a rolling basis — so if anyone is interested in applying to serve with us — they can go to greeniowaamericorps.org,”

Finken says the payment is different compared to other traditional positions. “You will get a living allowance from the University of Northern Iowa…and then you would get a monthly living stipend at the end of each month. And then you also get a scholarship at the end of the service. So that scholarship can be used to pay for student loans, or continuing one’s education in some way. It’s also supplemented with health care, child care,” she explains. And she says there is a federal loan deferment.

Finken says Green Iowa AmeriCorps recruits members statewide and nationally.