Officials with Mills County Public Health say “With Independence Day upon us, we would like to remind everyone of a few things.This is the time of year where all Americans can celebrate the essence of who we are as a country in many different ways. With this national celebration comes some risk and responsibility.”

The American Red Cross recommends the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to take in a local show put on by professionals. However, if you feel the urge to light off some of your own, follow these tips:

• Be sure to wear proper safety attire and keep some water nearby in the event of a fire.
• Do not allow small children to have fireworks and never throw or point fireworks toward people, animals, buildings, or flammable materials.
• When you leave your home to participate in celebrating our nation’s birthday, remember to maintain social distancing habits. This is key especially to those who are high risk for serious illness from COVID-19.
• Wear your cloth face coverings when in public. Be mindful of those around you and remember that we are all in this together. Understand and respect the rules, regulations, and restrictions of your destination if you are traveling outside of the area.
• Different communities and states have different guidelines and rules regarding large gatherings that must be followed. Make yourself familiar with them and stay informed.

Authorities wish everyone a happy, safe, and healthy celebration.

Deena Wells with Adair County ISU Extension and Outreach in Greenfield, today (Wednesday), released an updated schedule for the Adair County Fair, which takes place July 11-19. 2020 Adair Co Fair Schedule – Brenda As mentioned before, Wells says this year, the Adair County Fair will not be normal. Even so, she says they are working hard to provide a good experience for 4-H and FFA youth to showcase their hard work.

Due to CDC regulations and restrictions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, fair staff are not able to take individual photos for each show. Staff, volunteers and show superintendents will be stretched to capacity and focused on keeping a safe environment for all events. Wells says “We will be taking candid shots of each show and candid photos of static exhibits being judged. We will also take State Fair Selection group photos of projects. We will provide Fair Results for each show the week of July 20th.” The photo banner will be hung during fair so families can take their own photos.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were transported by ambulance to the hospital in Creston, following a multi-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon north of Kent, at P-17 and U-S Highway 34. The accident happened at around 2:20-p.m.  Officials say a 2012 Ford Edge SUV driven by 57-year old Sharon Cline, of Kent, was westbound on Highway 34 and slowing to a stop while waiting for oncoming traffic, before turning south onto Beechwood Avenue. Her SUV was struck from behind by a 2007 Dodge pickup, driven by 55-year old Rebecca Ann Browning, of Prescott. The impact pushed the SUV into the eastbound lane, where it was hit by an eastbound 2019 Jeep Cherokee, driven by 64-year old Phyllis Paulsen, of Emerson.

The impact knocked the Jeep sideways in the center of the highway, before it was hit by a 2002 Pontiac driven by 19-year old Colten Hunter, of Clarinda.  Cline and Paulsen were injured during the collisions, and were transported to the hospital. Damage from the collisions amounted to $36,500.  Authorities say Browning was cited for Failure to reduce speed to a reasonable and proper rate, and failure to provide proof of insurance.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Officials in Dubuque say they’ve been informed that the IBM Client Innovation Center will close within four months, taking nearly 350 jobs with it. Greater Dubuque Development Corp. CEO Rick Dickinson tells the Telegraph Herald that an IBM official called his office Wednesday morning to inform him that the IBM facility will close by November. Dickinson says employees in Dubuque would have the opportunity to relocate to an IBM facility in Columbia, Missouri. IBM Dubuque site manager IBM opened the facility shortly after announcing plans to do so in 2009. It employed 1,300 by September 2011, but that number has regularly declined since, to its current 344 employees.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s executive branch is getting a grim gift from a company that has long made uniforms for meatpacking workers: a free supply of 500 body bags. Dickson Industries is donating the body bags as the state prepares for a worst-case scenario in which the coronavirus or another health emergency would overwhelm hospitals and medical examiners.

The Des Moines-based company makes garments and products for the food processing, medical and other industries, including coats and insulated jackets for meatpacking workers. A state spokesman says the body bags will be kept in a state stockpile, just like 500 ventilators the state is purchasing.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of two men on burglary and other charges. Officials say Justin Parker and James Cox were taken into custody following a traffic stop near  183rd and Kale Avenue, at around 9:10-p.m. Saturday. During an investigation, a large amount of property was located in the vehicle. The property contained identification information linking the items to persons other than Parker and Cox. Authorities made contact with the property owners, who confirmed that items in the suspect’s vehicle had been stolen. Parker and Cox were charged with Theft 2^nd Degree, Burglary 3^rd Degree, Criminal Mischief 2^nd Degree, and Possession of Burglary Tools.

At around 1:35-a.m last Friday, the Adams County Sheriff’s K9 Unit conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Highways 48 and 148. Kimberly Thompson, of Corning, was subsequently placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense. And, at around 11-p.m. Thursday, Dinah Blanche Reese, of Corning, was arrested for Dependent Adult Abuse, as well as Interference with Official Acts.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey of business leaders released Wednesday suggests the economy has begun to recover as businesses reopened in the past month in nine Midwest and Plains states. But Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said the region’s economy remains weaker than before the coronavirus outbreak began. And business leaders expect the economy to continue improving over the next six months. The region’s overall index jumped into positive territory at 50.3 in June from May’s 43.5. Any score above 50 suggests growth, while scores below 50 suggest decline.

The monthly survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

(Radio Iowa) – Waterloo police are investigating vandalism at one of the city’s oldest cemeteries. Nearly 50 headstones were defaced or toppled at the historic Elmwood Cemetery sometime late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Officials with the Elmwood Cemetery Association estimate damage at more than 10-thousand dollars ($10,000). Much of the vandalism was done in the oldest section of the cemetery.

One of the markers damaged was at the grave of Black Hawk County pioneers George W. and Mary Melrose Hanna. In 1845, they built the first house in what would later become the City of Waterloo. It will likely be weeks before the damage is repaired. No arrests have been made.

The Griswold School Board, Tuesday afternoon, took advantage of historically low interest rates and saved a good chunk of change. Superintendent Dave Henrichs told KJAN News he and the District’s Financial Advisor reviewed bids for the bonds at Noon, Tuesday. He says were due (at noon) to potentially refinancing $1.8-million worth of sales tax bonds that were issued in 2012, to repair some of the parking lot areas, re-do the track and improving athletic lighting.

Henrichs says they received two bids from different banks. The low bid was a 1.09% average interest rate from Rolling Hills Bank and Trust. The Board accepted the bid. Their action means the bonds will be refinanced, saving the District $138,544 interest over the life of the bond, and it will save $25,000 in fees associated with the bond, for a total savings of $173,000. He said while it saves the District money in the long-run, it does not affect the taxpayers, because it’s a sales tax based upon all sales in the State of Iowa, and not property taxes.

The current bond with UMB Bank will be paid-off through the refinanced bonds. Henrichs said also, Tuesday was the last day for long-time Griswold School District Secretary/Board Treasurer Nancy Taylor.

(Taylor has served the District for more than 30-years, and officially retired at the end of June.)

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

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