(Radio Iowa) – Forecasters says it’ll likely be too cold to throw the football around outside with your nephews on Thanksgiving Day, but on the plus side, there’s no rain or snow predicted to muck up the roads. Meteorologist Roger Vachalek, with the National Weather Service, says it’ll be a rollercoaster week as Iowans will experience above- and below-average temperatures. “The good news is we’ve got a banner week for travel here throughout at least the Midwest,” Vachalek says, “with little if any precipitation expected.” Much of Iowa is under cloud cover this (Monday) morning but those should burn off by mid-day, bringing in warmer weather.

“We should have highs in the lower 40s in central Iowa, some 30s in the northeast and upper 40s in the southwest,” Vachalek says. “You’ll notice the winds picking up though for tomorrow and Wednesday. Highs are going to bump right up to the mid 50s in central Iowa, mid 40s in northeast Iowa, and even around Omaha, they should be in the lower 60s in the southwestern portion of the state.” If your vehicle sits outside, you’ll likely have to scrape frost off the windows on Thanksgiving morning before hitting the road to visit family.

“We’ll have highs in the lower 30s in central Iowa on Thanksgiving Day, upper 20s in the north and mid 30s in the south,” Vachalek says. “Fortunately, that will be short-lived as we head into Friday and the weekend. We’ll start to see a warm-up again with highs pushing back in the 40s.” Another advantage to having freezing weather on Thanksgiving is — if your garage is enclosed but not heated, that could be a great place to store all of those leftovers that won’t fit in the fridge.

(Des Moines, IA) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has authorized boosters of the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines for all adults age 18 and over. Prior to this authorization, eligibility had been limited to individuals age 65 and older and those who lived or worked in high risk environments.

Those who received a single shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are already eligible for a booster two months after their initial dose. To date, 74% of Iowans age 18 and over and 71% of Iowans age 12 and over have received at least one dose of the vaccine. With the recent authorization of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine, over 31,000 Iowans in the 5-11 age group have also received their first vaccine.

While fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can be infected with the virus, and there is no way to tell in advance if a child will get a severe or mild case. After a natural infection, some children have developed a rare but serious disease that is linked to COVID-19 called multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). Since the beginning of the pandemic, 63 cases of MIS-C have been reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH).

One month into flu season, IDPH urges Iowans to get their flu vaccines as soon as possible. Flu activity in the state is still low, but cases have increased in the last week. Both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from these viruses. By getting vaccinated for both influenza and COVID-19, we can prevent avoidable hospitalizations and help preserve health care resources for other needs, including illnesses, injuries and emergencies. Iowans with questions about vaccines for themselves or loved ones consult with their health care provider.

Getting vaccinated now will provide more protection in advance of winter holiday gatherings. Find vaccine providers here and here.

(Radio Iowa) – A sheriff in Arizona is asking Iowans in the Independence area for tips that might help solve a murder that happened 26 years ago. Authorities in Arizona found a man’s body northeast of Flagstaff in October of 1995. The man had been burned and an autopsy confirmed he’d been murdered. It was 21 years later — in 2016 — when D-N-A technology led to the identification of the victim.

Robert Bresson (Photo from IowaCold Cases.org.)

Robert Bresson was 56 years old and Arizona investigators say he was known to be associated with the Independence and Lincoln, Nebraska areas. He was last seen alive in Why, Arizona.

ATLANTIC, IA (November 22, 2021) – Today’s (Monday, 11/22) Harvest Market 2021 is expected to be a popular event. Produce in the Park has released an event map and is sharing tips to help customers prepare for a smooth shopping experience. Harvest Market will be held at the Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, IA 50022) from 3-7 pm.

Parking: All customers who plan to shop at the market in-person are asked to park in the front parking lot. If the front parking lot is full, additional parking can be found behind the building. However, customers picking up their pre-orders drive-through style will be guided to the back of the building, and traffic may be slow. Vendors and volunteers are also being asked to park behind the building.

Pre-orders: Customers who have pre-ordered items are reminded they can either pick up orders drivethrough style, or come into the building to gather their purchases and do extra shopping.

Some vendors outdoors: Lastly, customers planning to purchase food from the Pomodoro Fresh Italian Food Truck are reminded that the food truck will be parked outside the building, and dressing warmly is recommended.

The Harvest Market is held the Monday before Thanksgiving so customers can pick-up local food, decorations, and gifts to enjoy at holiday celebrations. Harvest Market offers premium local produce, meats, baked goods, desserts, and other local foods such as granola, eggs, honey, jams, jellies, and syrups. The market also offers locally-made craft products including seasonal candles, goat milk soaps, holiday and home decorations, and products that make great gifts, such as doll clothes, children’s books, beauty products, tumblers, and more. Pomodoro Fresh Italian Food and A-Town SmokeShack will be offering prepared food, so hungry shoppers don’t have to make plans for dinner.

Harvest Market 2021 Vendors:
 A-Town SmokeShack – BBQ sandwiches and sides
 Bridgewater Farm – Squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, spinach, greens, garlic,
carrots, kohlrabi, eggs, meat
 Brun Ko Farm – Produce, meats, and pies
 Connie’s Creations – Knitted items and more
 DeLaine’s Designs – Doll clothes
 DezaRae Farm Soaps – Goat milk lotions and soaps
 Eblen Embellishments – Decorated kitchen towels, pillows, other soft house goods
 Erickson Foods – Squash (acorn, spaghetti, butternut), carrots, beets, radishes, potatoes,
syrups, fruit butters, and jellies
 Frosting Inc. – Cupcakes, pies, baked goods, hot cocoa bombs
 Hilltop Creations – Squash (butternut, buttercup), onions, popcorn, crafts, and plants
 Hygge Cottage – Children’s books and bird/squirrel feeders
 JD Crafters – Items made using a laser and CNC router and a lathe, including Christmas
and table ornaments, signage, cutting boards, coasters, & more
 Johnna Joy Designs – Jewelry & more
 Kingwood Farm – Goat milk Soap, detergent, bath shreds, lotion. Pasture-raised pork,
eggs, beef
 Kringle Man – Danish Kringle, cream horns, Danish letters, Danish pastries
 Lefty Lucy Soapworks – Handcrafted all- natural soaps, lotion bars, shower steamers, and
lip balms
 Noble Provisions – Beef
 Pomodoro Fresh Italian Food Truck -Homemade pasta, sauces, sandwiches, salads and
dessert
 Slightly Sassy Orchid Designs – Tumblers and signs
 Smudge – Bath and body products, soaps, and candles
 Sue’s Country Garden – Jams, breads, crisps and cakes, tie blankets for small dogs and
cats, potholder/towel combos, and more
 Sweet Sisters Vegan – Vegan health and beauty products
 Ter-Bear Honey – Honey
 The Chalking Teacher – Holiday decorations including wood, glass, and metal chalked
surfaces
 The Pet Bistro – Dog and cat food and treats; cat toys and beds
 TJ’s Kitchen – Wine bread pastries

To slow the spread of COVID-19 at Harvest Market, Produce in the Park will be supplying masks donated by Cass County Public Health to all customers entering the market.
For the latest information on Harvest Market, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/) visit the Produce in the Park website where you can sign up for the Produce in the Park newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

Harvest Market is sponsored by the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, First Whitney Bank and Trust, Camblin Mechanical, Cass County Tourism, Cass County Farm Bureau, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Lindeman Tractor.

(Cedar Rapids) – The Iowa State Patrol, Sunday, said a teen was pulled-over for extreme speeding, in eastern Iowa. In a social media post , officials said a 17-year-old driver was stopped while traveling 120 mph on Highway 30 in Linn County. “The driver was not only driving at a high rate of speed, but also had 2 minor passengers in the vehicle with them – the youngest being only 9 years old,” the state patrol said on Facebook.

ISP Facebook post 11/21/21

A gathering of some of the latest area News, with News Director Ric Hanson.

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(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department says a woman from Creston reported on Saturday, vandalism had occurred at Rainbow Park (601 S. Park St.). At the scene, a blow-up “Nutcracker” was punctured, and strings of lights were damaged. The loss was estimated at $42. And, on Sunday, a man from Afton reported to Creston Police, that his storage unit in the 900 block of S. Walnut Street had been broken into. Multiple items were taken. A dollar value of the loss was not available.

Late Saturday night, Creston Police arrested 18-year old Miracle Ann Freeman, of Creston, on an Assault charge. She was released from the scene with a citation. Also arrested Saturday night, was 23-year-old Kole Andrew Lovely, of Creston, for Harassment in the 2nd Degree. His bond at the Union County Jail was set at $1,000.

Late Friday morning, Creston Police arrested 31-year-old Brooke Marie Carter, of Creston. She was taken into custody at the Union County Courthouse, on a Union County warrant for Driving While Barred. Carter was later released on a $2,000 cash or surety bond. A few hours earlier, 39-year-old Charles Edward Keeton, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on two outside agency warrants. His cash bond was set at $25,300.

(Atlantic, Iowa) The Cass County Board of Supervisors are set to meet 9-a.m. Tuesday (11/23) in their Boardroom at the Cass County Courthouse, in Atlantic. On their agenda, is an annual report and request for funding, from West Central Community Action (WCCA). Following an update from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken, the Board will act on approving a Resolution to award a contract for a Bridge Replacement Project (L-280-73-15), and they expect to hear a report from the Director of CADCO (Cass-Atlantic Development Corporation), along with a request for a tax abatement.

The Board will discuss the establishment of an abatement plan for property improvements to certain classes of property in the non-incorporated portion of Cass County.  In other business, the Supervisors will act on allowing or disallowing certain family farm credits, and to approve agricultural Land credits, in accordance with the Code of Iowa. They will also discuss and/or take action on, the allowance rate and list of those eligible for reimbursement, with regard to the use of personal cell phones for County business.

Their final order of business is to discuss and/or take action on the use of American Rescue Plan (Covid Relief) funding.

(Radio Iowa) – The number of people who are predicted to be traveling this week is up 13-percent from last year and it’s almost back to pre-pandemic levels, according to a Triple-A survey. Meredith Mitts, spokeswoman for the auto club in Iowa, says almost one-in-five people across the region will be taking a journey over the Thanksgiving holiday and most of them will be traveling by car. “Road trips are the favored way to travel. It is the most easily accessible whether it’s a pandemic year or not,” Mitts says. “You have control over where you go and how to get there, what time you’re leaving and then you don’t have to deal with the hassle of a rental car or catching rides. We did see a dramatic increase in airfares as well. That’s almost back up to normal.”

Compared to last Thanksgiving, gasoline prices in Iowa are up a dollar-20 a gallon, but Mitts says it’s due to much more than just supply-and-demand. “Last year we had no one traveling. Everyone was staying home and doing their best to protect family and friends,” Mitts says. “This year, we are seeing increased confidence in the vaccine. It is readily accessible. People haven’t been seeing their family and friends for a year, and for some people two years, so there is a lot of factors going into the gas prices.”

The higher gas prices are -not- expected to deter most drivers from hitting the holiday road. Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, is predicted to be one of the busiest travel days of the year, followed closely by Sunday, so motorists should prepare accordingly. “Just make sure you are planning extra time in your schedule for unexpected delays or traffic stops,” Mitts says. “You never know what’s going to happen to the vehicles around you or what the weather’s going to be like. Leave yourself plenty of time, that way you don’t have to speed and rush and you can take your time and be calm as you’re driving.”

The national average for gasoline is three-41 a gallon, while in Iowa, the average is three-17. A year ago, the statewide average was a dollar-98, the lowest since 2013.

(Radio Iowa) – There are a lot of ways to cook a turkey and but the director of the Iowa Culinary Institute at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) says every method has one goal. Chef John Andres says that’s to keep the meat moist. “You are always kind of in a battle between getting the outside of your turkey nice and caramelized and roasted — and at the same time, you want to retain moisture in the meat. And you’re literally cooking it from the outside inward, not overcooking the outside while getting the inside to a safe internal temperature,” he says.

Andres started cooking at country clubs where they may’ve had as many as 80 birds going at once. He says regardless of how many you cook — two things figure in for continued success. “Careful timing and taking good notes from year to year, I guess from a professional chef’s perspective,” Andres says. There’s one thing he likes to do at the start. “A lot of the advice you’ll hear for home cooks is to make sure you brine your bird,” Andres says. “And I think even if you purchase a bird that has already been brined, it doesn’t hurt to do your own brine on top of that. Because usually, it’s a small percentage of salt solution that they have already used. But that is something to keep an eye on that kind of affects the meat and might show something different in the meat as you cook your bird.”

Most people cook their bird the traditional way — but there is one trendy technique that’s hot right now. “You hear a lot about Sous Vide, and that’s kind of a fun technique where you seal up the meat up in a bag — the French translation from Sous Vide would be under vacuum,” according to Andres. “And you can infuse different flavors –whether it is herbs, garlic, things like that, butter in the bag with your meat. And then you cook it slowly.” Another technique is called Roulade. “Cut the breast meat off the turkey. In fact, if you do it carefully, you can even keep the skin on it. And then you can open that up a bit and maybe pound that meat down so you’ve got a nice even thickness, and you can stuff it with really anything,” he explains.

He says the stuffing you wrap the meat around can include some of the traditional stuffing, or apples and other fruits, and even your favorite vegetable. Andres says he likes the traditional sides to go with his Thanksgiving turkey. But, he has a fresh take on the old standby green bean casserole and makes it without canned mushroom soup. “I’ll make a mushroom soup, a cream of mushroom soup myself with extra mushrooms. Really caramelize those mushrooms and concentrate the mushroom flavor, add some thickened cream sauce to that and then blanch some fresh green beans, or fresh French cut green beans to mix all together.”

He says to add caramelized fresh onion on top. Andres says there are a lot of different recipes available online. “I tell people to be careful when you are looking out on the internet — because there is some junk out there too,” But if you find some good videos that show the process, that show the outcome — really your goal then as a home cook is to just the seasoning as you go…and as long as it is not too far off the wall, you’ll end up with a good product.”

Andres says now that he is teaching he enjoys being home to make his own Thanksgiving dinner for his family instead of having to be away and cooking for others.