(Radio Iowa) – The Big Ten football season will open October 24th — without fans in the stands — and host cities will first need to meet certain COVID-19 positivity rates. Governor Kim Reynolds says she’s confident Iowa City and the University of Iowa will pass whatever standards are set.

Johnson County, where Iowa City is located, has seen spikes in case numbers in recent weeks, especially in young adults. 20 days ago, that county was among a half-dozen where the governor ordered all bars closed — and they remain so.

Still, Reynolds says she’s optimistic about football in Iowa City.

After the conference cancelled the season weeks ago, U-I officials said the institution would lose 100-million dollars without football.

Reynolds, when asked whether Iowa City and Johnson County can meet the Big Ten’s Covid count standards, responded:

IA Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during a Press Conference Sept. 16, 2020.

(Radio Iowa) – The president of the Iowa Brewers Guild says the impact of the pandemic closings could put as many as one-third of the state’s independent breweries out of business for good. Scott Selix gave an update during the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board meeting. He says it’s hard to get an exact handle on the impact. “From the best that I can glean, brewery sales are down 40 to 50 percent across the board,” Selix says.

The governor shut down all breweries for a time during the pandemic and then shut them down in six counties after COVID-19 cases spiked. Facilities in Polk, Dallas, Linn and Black Hawk Counties can re-open at 5 p-m today (Wednesday). Selix says the impact on breweries depends on how diversified they are. “That tends to be worst for smaller breweries. Larger breweries that have cans in stores and have distribution models have seen sales somewhat shift from taproom sales to stores,” according to Selix.

He says those breweries that were just getting started when the pandemic hit appear to have suffered the biggest hit. “Newer breweries have seen their sales drop by….. some of them as much as 80 percent,” he says. Selix says some won’t be able to survive the drop in sales. “I believe based on information I’ve had talking to all of our members — we are going to see at least three Iowa breweries close in the next 30 to 60 days. And I fear that we may lose 30 breweries over the course of this winter,” Selix says.

He says the warm weather did give a boost to breweries. “Summer has helped with outdoor sales and patio sales,” he says, “but unless there is, I would say significant permanent intervention, we could see as much as a third of our breweries close.” He says breweries may be able to work out some agreements with their landlords that would help, but they will need other help. Selix operates a brewery in Des Moines.

A crash in eastern Iowa this (Wednesday) morning, resulted the death of one person and injuries to four juveniles. The accident happened on County Road V-44 southeast of Keystone in Benton County, at around 7:37-a.m. The Iowa State Patrol says a northbound 2004 Dodge Caravan dropped off the shoulder of a county road numerous times prior to the driver over-correcting and causing the vehicle to cross into the path of a southbound 2019 Bluebird Bus, which struck the van on the driver’s side. The accident happened about one-half mile north of Highway 30.

The driver of the van died at the scene. The bus driver was not hurt, but the juveniles on the bus suffered minor injuries. No names have been released at this time.

A 14-year old male from Afton was injured during a single-vehicle accident Monday morning, in Union County. The Sheriff’s Department reports Kody Scott Exline was drivig a 2001 Toyota Tundra pickup westbound on 150th Street, at around 8:10-a.m., when the vehicle went out of control. Authorities say the pickup crossed the road, came back across and rolled into the north ditch. Exline complained of pain and possible injury. He was transported by private vehicle to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston.

The Sheriff’s Office says the pickup sustained $6,000 damage, and was declared a total loss.

DES MOINES, IOWA – SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 — Trained American Red Cross disaster workers are working 24-7 to help people whose lives have been uprooted by wildfires, hurricanes and a derecho. Volunteers are providing food, shelter, supplies and comfort to people in need across as many as 10 states as tens of thousands of people have been impacted by recent disasters. With the current disasters and complexities of COVID-19, more help is needed. The Red Cross is asking people who are able to make a significant impact by becoming a Red Cross volunteer today. Review the most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday.

Jill Orton, Region Executive for the Nebraska-Iowa Region of the Red Cross, says “It has been an incredibly busy time for the Red Cross with thousands of disaster workers responding to help people whose lives were turned upside down by wildfires, hurricanes and other disasters.” Orton says also, “They need your help now. Please consider becoming a Red Cross volunteer, donating to help people affected by disasters, or giving blood today.”

There are as many as 90 large fires raging throughout the West, which have burned more than 5 million acres in the past few weeks. Thousands of homes and businesses have been affected and thousands more are still threatened. Besides volunteering, those wishing to help people affected by disasters like wildfires, storms and countless other crises can make a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Financial gifts enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS or text the word DISASTER to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Additionally, disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes cause blood drives to be canceled. The Red Cross encourages eligible individuals to give blood or platelets to help ensure a sufficient blood supply. Learn more here.

Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller says “In the spirit of tradition, the Iowa State Fairgrounds was excited to host the 2020 Fair Special Edition: Iowa 4-H and FFA Livestock Show, presented by Alliant Energy.” Miller said also, “Held with the same prestige and competition found at the Iowa State Fair, the 2020 Special Edition showcased the superior showmanship, hard work, and determination of Iowa’s FFA youth.” The purpose of the event, he said, is to support the mission statement of the Iowa State Fair by providing an opportunity for FFA youth to showcase their hard work and livestock projects.

Brett Dreager won a Blue Ribbon for Purebread Spotted pig

Colton Becker w/Grand Champion Draft Horse “Fire”

Colton Becker, winner of the Cart Class, w/horse “Fire”

Rio Johnson w/her Phoenix Rooster {All photos courtesy Eric Miller)

Cody McCreedy w/his Reserve Champion FFA Breeding Goose

Rio Johnson wins purple

Taylor McCreedy w/a winning goat.

This year 5 members of the Atlantic FFA members participated in a variety of shows. To begin the first weekend of the fair, Colton Becker won the Grand Champion Draft Horse with his horse Fire. Colton also won the Cart class with Fire. Becker said “ it was different not having the large crowd, but it was really enjoyable and having a chance to try something new this year.” During the second weekend the Atlantic FFA had 3 members show swine and poultry. Sophomore Brett Dreager showed a purebred Spotted pig and stood 7th in his class winning a Blue Ribbon.

In the Poultry show Atlantic FFA member Cody McCreedy won Reserve Champion FFA Breeding Goose with his Chinese goose. Junior Rio Johnson had an outstanding day winning 5 Purple and 5 Blue Ribbons. Rio placed 1st in class & went on to be named Champion AOSB with her Phoenix Rooster. In Crele Old English Game Bantams, both Pullet & Cockerel received purples. The Pullet was named Reserve Champion Game Bantam. Rio finished the show by winning Reserve Champion English bird as well.

Eric Miller says “In the final weekend Senior Taylor McCreedy showed 4 Dairy Goats. Taylor won Grand Champion overall recorded grade and Grand Champion Junior for All other Breed. Taylor also showed the Reserve champion Senior Doe All other breed and Reserve Champion overall All other breed. In the final drive Taylor won Reserve Supreme Champion with her FFA Dairy Goat.”

Taylor McCreedy said, “This year the State Fair was different, but I am glad that we had the opportunity to compete. Thanks to everyone who helped make the shows as normal as possible.”

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Creston Police Department reports the arrest at around 11:10-p.m. Tuesday, of 33-year old Johnny Gossett II, from Creston. Gossett was taken into custody for Domestic Assault/3rd or subsequent offense. He was being held in the Union County Jail while awaiting a Bond Hearing.

And, two people were arrested in Creston Tuesday, for Violation of a Protection Order. 34-year old Skylar Rufenacht, of Creston, and 33-year old Samantha Meek, of Mt. Ayr, were arrested at a residence in the 800 block of N. Jarvis Street, at around 3:30-p.m. Rufenacht was being held in the Union County Jail, Meek was being held in the Adams County Jail. Both were awaiting a Bond Hearing.

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

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(Radio Iowa)  A Le Mars police officer was fired from his job after posting questionable material on social media. Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte issued a news release Tuesday afternoon stating Officer Jeremy Singer had engaged in misconduct involving social media activity depicting comments and behavior unbecoming of a police officer. Vande Vegte says he was first made aware of the situation on Sunday, of which he immediately place the officer in question on administrative leave. Vande Vegte says a misconduct investigation was initiated. Based on the results of that misconduct investigation, Jeremy Singer was dismissed from his duties as a police officer effective Tuesday, September 15th.

Vande Vegte says the city of Le Mars took this matter seriously and the actions and comments made by Officer Singer are not representative of the values in place to ensure that there is trust between the police department and the community of Le Mars. Singer had been a police officer with the Le Mars Police Department for just about three years.