(Atlantic) Friends and family of injured Atlantic Trojan football player Steele McLaren came out for a vigil Tuesday night on the field at the Trojan Bowl, and arranged themselves to display his number in lights. Cameras, glow sticks and other devices were held high above those standing on the FieldTurf and were captured by a drone.

Drone photo by Jay Robinson

The 17-year-old Steele, who is a senior this year, fell off the back of a pickup truck Sunday afternoon and hit his head. He is in a Nebraska hospital in critical condition, with swelling of the brain. The event that was held Tuesday night was organized by Mallory Kirchhoff, with drone help from Jay Robinson.

(Radio Iowa) – Nearly 30-thousand public sector workers in Iowa have voted this month to have a union represent them in contract talks. A state law passed in 2017 requires unions for state workers, teachers and other public sector employees to win re-certification votes every two years. Mike Beranek is president of the Iowa State Education Association, the union for Iowa educators.

“We’re very excited that we once again achieved very good numbers with our recertification vote,” he says. “This year we had 100% of the local association that were up for recertification to vote to maintain their contracts.” In the past two weeks, members in 64 of the I-S-E-A local unions voted to maintain their bargaining unit. Beranek says these overwhelming votes show teachers want his union’s representation, despite the obstacle opponents of the labor movement created by requiring these yearly votes.

“When we have folks who are working in our buildings way past the contract day, working on weekends to ensure that not only are their schools safe and healthy environments for their students, but they’re also learning and growing, we felt like this is just one more thing that has been added to their plate that need not be there,” Beranek says.

The Iowa Public Employment Relations Board’s website shows 266 bargaining units voted to recertify with a variety of unions. Fifteen units voted against retaining union representation in contract talks. According to the Iowa Federation of Labor, nearly 99 percent of all those who participated in this month’s recertification elections voted yes for union representation.

Terry Branstad, who was governor in 2017, said Iowa’s collective bargaining law had tilted too far in unions’ favor and he approved limiting contract talks to base wages as well as these annual recertification votes.

(Radio Iowa) – President Trump rallied last (Tuesday) night with thousands at the Omaha airport, urging the Nebraskans and Iowans in the crowd to deliver a thundering defeat to Democrats. “I’m standing here freezing. I ask you one little favor: get the hell out and vote,” Trump said, to cheers. “The great red wave.”

While Iowa awards its six Electoral College to the presidential candidate who wins the state, three of Nebraska’s are awarded by congressional district and the Electoral College vote from the district that includes Omaha is up for grabs. Trump conducted a sort of applause meter test at the start to gauge the make-up of the crowd.

“Who’s from Iowa?” Trump said, getting a level of cheer that far eclipsed by the roar when he asked: “Who’s from Omaha?” Trump told the crowd, “we would be in Iowa soon.” That’s likely a reference to the Des Moines rally Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to headline on Thursday afternoon. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst was at the rally last (Tuesday) night, but did not speak from the stage.

“Joni, thank you very much and I heard you’re doing very well. I just saw some very nice numbers,” Trump said. Trump added that his own standing in the polls quote: “looks very good in Iowa.” As he did during a Des Moines rally earlier this month, Trump mentioned the 28-BILLION dollars in federal payments his administration has forwarded to farmers to make up for lost trade. Trump touted ethanol, too.

“As president, I will also defend ethanol, OK? All right? Does Nebraska like ethanol, too, by the way?” Trump said, and the crowd cheered. “OK, good. I need that little assurance.” Trump began last (Tuesday) night by promising to deliver a safe vaccine that will eradicate Covid. “Normal life will fully resume. That’s all we want. We want normal life. Normal life,” Trump said, to cheers. “Go back seven months. We’ll take normal life.”

Recent polls have shown the presidential race in Iowa to be a virtual tie. Joe Biden will campaign in the state Friday, his first trip to the state since he won the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

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

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Elections officials in Iowa are worried about the state’s rising number of coronavirus cases, saying that any illnesses or absences among key workers and volunteers could hinder their services through Election Day. A week before the election, Iowa is reporting a new high 7-day average of about 1,300 daily infections, record numbers of hospitalizations and a surge in deaths. County elections commissioners say they hope the virus does not sideline any of their small full-time staffs and experienced poll workers. Officials warn any unexpected absences or last-minute substitutes could lead to delays and long lines, particularly because social distance will be required for those waiting.

HAMPTON, Iowa (AP) — Searchers found the car of an Iowa man who has been missing since 2013 and a scuba diver who was part of the search says the vehicle contained human remains. Franklin County authorities say the car belonging to Ethan Kazmerzak was found Monday in a body of water northwest of Hampton. The Mason City Globe-Gazette reports scuba diver Jared Leisek said a coroner will have to confirm that the remains belong to Kazmerzak. Kazmerak, of Hampton, was last seen at a party in rural Franklin County on Sept. 15, 2013. He was 22 at the time.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — The president of the University of Northern Iowa has overridden an earlier decision by the school’s student government that had denied recognition a student anti-abortion group. The Des Moines Register reports UNI President Mark Nook ruled Sunday that Students for Life of America will be allowed to form a local chapter on campus. The student government had denied the group’s application, saying it could create a hostile environment and would not meet the campus’ “good faith” policy. The group appealed to Nook last week. In his decision, Nook said the student government overlooked the school’s policies protecting free speech and indicated it’s denial appeared to discriminate against the group.

BONDURANT, Iowa (AP) — Amazon has announced it’s looking for more than 1,000 employees to help fill customer orders at its new Bondurant facility, and early applicants could see $500 bonuses. The online retailer says work at the new warehouse is expected to open at the end of 2020. Kirsten Wenker with Amazon tells television station KCCI that jobs range from picking, packing and shipping to human resources and information and technology positions. Positions start at $15 per hour and come with comprehensive benefits including health, dental and a 401(k) from the first day. The company said it will offer a $500 bonus for people who apply early.

A collision between a pickup and a car Sunday afternoon in Guthrie County, caused the car to roll over and end up in a ditch. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports the crash happened at around 3:20-p.m. southeast of Panora, at the intersection of 230th Street and Willow Avenue.

The 2011 Toyota Tundra pickup driven by 17-year old Conor M. McCarthy, of Guthrie Center, was traveling north on Wilson Avenue and had proceeded through the intersection with 230th. A 2003 Saturn Vue driven by 42-year old Robert James Fuller, of Guthrie Center, was traveling east on 230th. When Fuller failed to stop at the controlled intersection, his car was struck on the front passenger side by the pickup.

Following the collision, both vehicles continued toward the northeast corner of the intersection, where the car went into the north ditch and rolled over. No injuries were reported. Damage from the collision amounted to $15,500. Authorities say Fuller was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop sign and Yield the Right-of-Way, and Failure to provide proof of insurance.

HAMPTON, Iowa (AP) — Searchers found the car of an Iowa man who has been missing since 2013 and a scuba diver who was part of the search says the vehicle contained human remains. Franklin County authorities say the car belonging to Ethan Kazmerzak was found Monday in a body of water northwest of Hampton.

The Mason City Globe-Gazette reports scuba diver Jared Leisek said a coroner will have to confirm that the remains belong to Kazmerzak. Kazmerak, of Hampton, was last seen at a party in rural Franklin County on Sept. 15, 2013. He was 22 at the time.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Tuesday afternoon of 37-year-old Quintin John Perdue of Elliott on a charge of Violation of the Sex Offender Registry 2nd or Subsequent Offense, a Class D Felony. Perdue was arrested at 1:50 p.m. in the 90 block of Elm Street. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $5,000 cash bond.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Elections officials in Iowa are worried about the state’s rising number of coronavirus cases, saying that any illnesses or absences among key workers and volunteers could hinder their services through Election Day. A week before the election, Iowa is reporting a new high 7-day average of about 1,300 daily infections, record numbers of hospitalizations and a surge in deaths.

County elections commissioners say they hope the virus does not sideline any of their small full-time staffs and experienced poll workers. Officials warn any unexpected absences or last-minute substitutes could lead to delays and long lines, particularly because social distance will be required for those waiting.

Rural customers west of Clarinda, west of Bedford and west & north of Gravity are going to be getting Fiber Internet service from FMTC’s Fiber-to-the-Home network. USDA and FMTC officials say the service will be implemented after the company completes a project which has been funded by USDA’s ReConnect program. The project will bring ultra-fast, reliable and unlimited Fiber Internet service to 954 people, 115 farms and at least eight businesses in Page and Taylor counties, after the more than 167 miles of fiber is buried.

Kevin Cabbage, FMTC CEO, says “FMTC is pleased to receive a USDA ReConnect 50/50 Grant/Loan award of $4.8million to bring service to customers in these areas –who need it so badly. We hope to start this project in late 2021 or spring of 2022, yet we’ve learned that with fiber projects many factors will impact the timeline. The program allows us 5 years to complete the project, but clearly we hope to do it quicker, because we know customers are in need of great Internet.”

Cabbage mentioned that the map shown at an on-line award presentation last week, just shows the areas that were eligible to receive that ReConnect funding –and that FMTC will likely build to a few more locations in the region than are shown on the award maps. He said that part of their planning involves making those decisions and then communicating with customers who can get service.

Rural Red Oak customers, Cabbage says, are certainly interested to learn the status of the project that will bring them Fiber Internet. In December of 2019, FMTC was awarded 6.45 million in the first round of the ReConnect awards. The pandemic had a big impact on USDA’s ability to allow FMTC to submit or approve paperwork –which slowed the project’s start. All paperwork is in order now, and work was set to begin this fall on the building in Red Oak that will house the fiber equipment.

Plans call for fiber construction crews to start in May 2021. FMTC’s Fiber Internet is reliable and capable of delivering ultra-fast Internet of up-to-1,000Mb (1Gig)to each customer. Information about these projects or FMTC can be found on their website at myfmtc.com, under the Fiber Projects menu

Atlantic, IA — Cass County Public Health has a limited supply of influenza vaccine as part of an initiative to immunize adults with no insurance, who are under-insured, or who have limited access to influenza vaccine.

Appointments are required and can be made by calling Cass County Public Health at 712-250-8008. The vaccine will be administered in their office at 1408 East 10th Street. Weekend appointments may also be available; if needed, please ask when you call to schedule.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided adult influenza vaccines to states to increase influenza vaccine coverage in the United States as a critical part of COVID-19 response work. Increasing adult influenza coverage will result in a decreased strain on the nation’s health care system.

This one-time initiative for the 2000-21 influenza season allowed states to order adult influenza vaccine and provide it to those who are uninsured, under-insured, or live in areas where they may have limited access to receive the vaccine.