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Legislative leaders extend session suspension until mid-May

News

April 27th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa legislative leaders say they will not resume this year’s legislative session until after May 15. The Iowa Legislative Council will meet by telephone this week to vote on the continued suspension of the session. The date and time for the meeting wasn’t immediately set. The council makes rules when the legislative body isn’t in session. It voted on April 9 to continue the initial suspension passed in March due to increasing coronavirus cases.

Adair County Primary candidate info. released

News

April 27th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Adair County election officials remind residents that the Primary Election will be held Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Local positions that are up for election include: Supervisor District 1NW, 3SW and 5GF; County Auditor; County Sheriff, and County Attorney (To Fill Vacancy).  Listed below are the candidates who have filed papers with the Adair County Auditor.

Candidate Filing – Primary Election – Tuesday, June 2, 2020 (I=Incumbent)

  • Adair County Auditor – Democrat: No Candidate Filed; Adair County Auditor – (I) Republican: Mandy Berg, of Greenfield.
  • Adair County Sheriff – Democrat: No Candidate Filed; Adair County Sheriff – (I) Republican: Jeffrey L Vandewater, of Winterset.
  • Adair County Attorney (TFV) – Democrat: (I) Melissa S Larson, of Greenfield; Adair County Attorney (TFV) – Republican: No Candidate Filed.
  • Adair County Supervisor District #1 – Democrat: No Candidate Filed; Adair County Supervisor District #1 – (I) Republican: Matt Wedemeyer, of Casey.
  • Adair County Supervisor District #3 – Democrat: No Candidate Filed; Adair County Supervisor District #3 – Republican: No Candidate Filed.
  • Adair County Supervisor District #5 – Democrat: Thaddeus Hawley, of Greenfield; Adair County Supervisor District #5 – (I) Republican: John A Twombly, of Greenfield.

Fareway donates more than $200k to support small businesses and their employees

News

April 27th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

NEWS RELEASE (Atlantic, IA) – Fareway Stores, Inc. recently announced a $200,000 donation to the Iowa Chamber of Commerce Executives (ICCE). The donation provided for $1,000 or more in gift cards to ICCE chamber of commerce members in the communities Fareway serves. The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce received $2,000 in gift cards, which will be distributed to local small businesses in the Atlantic Fareway shopping area, and their employees, that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.

Fareway President and CEO Reynolds W. Cramer says “Local chambers have the pulse in each community and how best to serve its small business members during this time of need. We hope this relief reduces some of the stress our community business partners are facing.” Baily Smith, Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, said Monday, “We’re extremely thankful to Fareway and the ICCE for donating $2,000 to our community. We are working with Tony Schmidtke, Atlantic Fareway Store Manager, to distribute 40, $50 gift cards to small businesses in the area that have closed or are experiencing shortages due to COVID-19, which has had a negative impact on their employees. Our hope is this money will give workers a boost during this unprecedented time.”

ICCE Executive Director Lane Till said “Our members work diligently every day to strengthen communities throughout Iowa. Through this generous donation from Fareway, our members will have the ability to help support the small businesses that create the heart of each of their communities”. Follow the movement on Facebook with #FarewayShopsLocal, or visit the Atlantic Area Chamber Facebook page, to learn more.

Adair County Sheriff’s report 4/27/20

News

April 27th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests over the past few days. On April 20th, 27-year old Bukjiok Dobuony, of Lincoln, NE., was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol on Sarpy County, NE., District Court warrants for failing to appear on assault and theft charges. He was initially held without bond on the warrant, but officials in Nebraska later declined to extradite Dobouny, therefore he was released.

On April 19th, 55-year old David Dale Dukes, of Dexter, was arrested in Stuart, for Violation of a Protective Order/Contempt of Court, and OWI/1st offense. Dukes was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond, with 10% acceptable. Earlier that same evening, 40-year old David William Patrick Clayton, of Greenfield, was arrested at Old Greenfield Lake, for OWI/2nd offense and Child Endangerment without injury. He was taken into custody following an investigation into a motor vehicle accident. Two juveniles and one 18-year old person were in the vehicle at the time. The vehicle was found in a precarious position on the edge of the lake and shore.

Clayton’s preliminary breath test (PBT) showed a blood alcohol level of .228, or nearly three times the legal limit. A later test determined a slightly lesser content of .199%.  Clayton was cited and released.

June 5th Audubon County Relay for Life postponed

News

April 27th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Audubon County Relay for Life Committee said today (Monday), “We are sad to share that due to the COVID-19 pandemic the 2020 Relay For Life of Audubon County that was set for Friday, June 5th has been postponed. We feel it is of the utmost importance to keep our cancer survivors and participants safe and healthy in these challenging times. We will keep the community informed as to when the new date is set.”

The Committee says also “Cancer hasn’t stopped so neither can we! Our cancer survivors need us now more than ever! Thank you to everyone for your continued support in the fight against cancer!”

Virus is expected to reduce meat selection and raise prices

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 27th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Meat isn’t going to disappear from supermarkets because of outbreaks of the coronavirus among workers at U.S. slaughterhouses. But as the meat plants struggle to remain open, consumers could face less selection and slightly higher prices. Industry leaders acknowledge that the U.S. food chain has rarely been so stressed and that no one is sure about the future, even as they try to dispel concerns about shortages.

On Sunday, the meat processing giant Tyson Foods ran a full-page advertisement in the New York Times and other newspapers outlining the difficulty of producing meat while keeping more than 100,000 workers safe and shutting some plants.

IA COVID-19 update 4/27/20; Restrictions will be partially lifted on May 1st for some businesses

News

April 27th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Governor Kim Reynolds today (Monday) said the State of Iowa has had 349 new COVID-19 positive test results returned from the State Hygienic and other labs over the past 24-hours, for a total of 5,868. There were also 1,668 COVID-19 Negative test resulted returned, for a total of 32,282. She said 2,061 Iowans have been tested, for a total of 38,150 (or 1 out of every 82 people per capita). Reynold said 2,021 Iowans have recovered from COVID-19, for a recovery rate of 34%. There have also been nine new deaths resulting from COVID-19, for a total of 127. The deaths included eight with pre-existing medical conditions. Three older adults and six elderly adults have died.

According to IDPH the additional 9 deaths were reported in the following counties:

  • Black Hawk County, 2 older adults (61-80 years)
  • Bremer County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
  • Dubuque County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
  • Polk County, 3 elderly adults (81+)
  • Poweshiek County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
  • Washington County,  1 elderly adult (81+)

NOTE:  Yesterday’s new case numbers reported a small number of serology test results along with diagnostic test results. The positive serology test results have been removed and today’s new case numbers are updated to reflect this change.

Some good news came from the Governor with regard to lifting some of the restrictions on businesses and social gatherings. Reynolds said some businesses will be allowed to re-open on a limited basis effective May 1st. Restaurants, Fitness Centers and retails stores previously closed may re-open May 1st at 50% normal operating capacity.  Enclosed malls may re-open at 50% capacity, but play areas and common seating areas, including food court dining, must remain closed. Restaurants in food courts may operate on a carry-out basis.” (The full proclamation is online in its entirety here: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.)

She said also, “Social, community, recreational and leisure and sporting events will continue to be limited to 10 people. Limits on spiritual and religious gathering are being lifted. All businesses and churches approved for re-opening must also adhere to distancing, hygiene, public health measure and business guidelines from the Department of Public Health, to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. All other existing closures will be extended through May 15th.

Reynolds said 77 counties have experienced a downward trend in virus activity over the last two weeks.

Pandemic pushes politicians to campaign online

News

April 27th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Handshakes and public gatherings are not an option for politicians in the age of Covid-19 — so the candidates campaigning for support in Iowa’s June 2nd primaries are trying to make digital connections. J.D. Scholten is the only Democrat running for congress in Iowa’s 4th congressional district. “We’re having to adapt like everybody else and so campaigning means doing interviews and townhalls online,” Scholten said recently during a Facebook live event.

Southwest Iowa Democrats organized an online forum Sunday afternoon with all five of the Democrats who are running for the U.S. Senate. Joey Norris, chairman of Montgomery County Democrats, nudged the crowd watching online.  “All right,” Norris said. “Everybody give a nice, silent, virtual hand clap.” On Sunday evening, the five Republicans running in Iowa’s fourth congressional district participated in a virtual forum hosted by Crawford County Republicans.

Gwen Ecklund of the Crawford County Republican Women says plans for the event were changed because of the pandemic. “So tonight’s panel are all safely participating in their homes or offices, communicating via Zoom,” Ecklund said. The event was broadcast live on K-D-S-N radio and about 120 people watched it live online.

(UPDATE) 2 injured in explosion and fire at a gas station in Earling

News

April 27th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

A large fire and explosion has occurred at gas station at the end of Main Street in Earling.  Video and pictures from the scene show a pickup truck on fire, and a building completely obliterated. Two people were sent to the hospital. Authorities are asking you to “Please avoid this area as crews are still actively working.” (Update 9:53-a.m.)

(Video courtesy Emily Mahlberg via KNOD)

(Video courtesy Jason Anastasi via KNOD)

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office photo

Photos courtesy of Heather Richards via KNOD.


New social media groups encourage ‘adopting’ of high school seniors

News

April 27th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(KJAN/Radio Iowa) — With Iowa’s K-through-12 public schools sealed off through the end of the school year by the pandemic, an effort is gaining momentum to show support for graduating seniors through social media. In our area, Adopt A 2020 Highschool SW IA Senior formed on Facebook April 19th, with the goal of having people “Adopt” a High School Senior or 2, then sending them a letter, card, gift, gift card, snack, anything they might like, “to let them know we’re all rooting for them, in light of cancelled proms and graduations being postponed. Over 4,000 members have helped to brighten the lives of countless High School Seniors, thus far.

An example of an “Adopt a High School Senior” gift lack assembled for a S.W. IA High School grad.

In northern Iowa, Sarah Olthoff of Webster City helped organize a Facebook page called “Adopt A Grad in Hamilton County,” and many other communities are launching similar pages. Olthoff says, “Families, parents and friends of grads post pictures and a brief description about their grad, why they’re proud, some of their accomplishments, just a little about them so we can all get to know them, and maybe their future plans.” Iowans can show their recognition for the students by requesting to become a part of the private online community.  “The rest of us join in by joining the group and seeing these grads and choosing to ‘adopt’ one by sending a card, doing something that you know would recognize them and know that they’re celebrated,” Olthoff says, “despite the fact that we aren’t able to come together like we traditionally do with commencements and the normal types of receptions.”

Olthoff hopes people will use these groups as a way to inspire each other with their creative ideas for honoring these soon-to-be high school grads. “If you know of something already being done to celebrate, share it on that group page,” Olthoff says. “If there’s some campaign out there or something people are promoting to do, maybe that’s something you can do for a senior that you adopt. It’s just a way of coming together during this really unusual, different time and making a difference for these kids.”

Olthoff says there’s a positive response to the project in Hamilton County and she hopes communities across Iowa can create their own ways to recognize the young grads.