United Group Insurance

Judge: Tyson not shielded by order keeping meatpackers open

Ag/Outdoor, News

January 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge has rejected Tyson Foods’ efforts to have a lawsuit over the death of an employee in Iowa moved to federal court. The family of Isidro Fernandez sued Tyson over his death April 26 from complications from COVID-19 after working at the company’s plant in Waterloo. The lawsuit was filed in state court but Tyson had sought to have it moved to federal court.

The company argued it was not liable because it was following federal guidance to stay open during the pandemic. A federal judge rejected that argument this week, sending the case back to state court.

 

LOUIE M. TROLL, 90, of Walnut (Svcs. 1/5/21)

Obituaries

January 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

LOUIE M. TROLL, 90, of Walnut, died Thursday, Dec. 31st, in Atlantic. Funeral services for LOUIE TROLL will be held 10:30-a.m. Tue., Jan. 5th, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Harlan. Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home has the arrangements. CDC guidelines will be observed. Masks are required.

Online condolences may be left at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.

Burial is in the Layton Township Cemetery, at Walnut.

LOUIE M. TROLL is survived by:

His wife – Lois, of Walnut.

His daughters – Linda (Chuck) Ploen, of Harlan, and Leanne (Jeff) Krueger, of Walnut.

4 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, his in-laws, other relatives, and friends.

JANUARY 2021

Birthday Club

January 1st, 2021 by admin

January 1st:

  • Nancy Davis of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Shirley Jensen of Atlantic

January 2nd:

  • Jo Westphalen of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Makena Harry of Lewis

January 3rd:

  • Bonnie Starlin of Atlantic (Winner)

January 4th:

  • Margene hill of Atlantic (Winner)

January 5th:

  • Joyce Bower of Massena (Winner)
  • Mick Baker of Atlantic
  • Shirley Breach of Atlantic

January 6th:

  • Mary Nelsen of Anita (Winner)
  • Jazzy Waters of Anita
  • Travis Sandbothe of Atlantic
  • Grant Sturm of Atlantic
  • Cherye Wahlert of Exira
  • Bryan Clemsen of Brayton

January 7th:

  • Tiffany Hardisty of Cumberland (Winner)
  • Dillon Clemsen of Exira

January 8th:

  • Marilyn Blankinship of Cumberland (Winner)
  • Deane Erickson of Exira
  • Peggy Toft of Exira
  • Brad Madsen of Kimballton
  • Alan Zellmer of Atlantic
  • Scott Wede

January 9th:

  • Lachelle Petersen of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Sheri Conn of Lewis

January 10th:

  • Lois Schramm of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Merv Templeman of Atlantic
  • Betty Bendfeldt-Muhr of Exira
  • Sonya Clausen of Atlantic

January 11th:

  • Vint Jensen of Audubon (Winner)

January 12th:

  • no birthdays

January 13th:

  • LaRue Wheelock of Anita (Winner)
  • Charlie Ehen of Atlantic
  • Shirley Fergusen of Atlantic
  • Carol Kester of Fontanelle

January 14th:

  • Jackie Day of Bridgewater (Winner)
  • Pat Marshall of Atlantic
  • Jersey Green of Atlantic
  • Joe Bateman of Atlantic
  • Becky Bonney of Atlantic

January 15th:

  • Lily Macias of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Carson Parks of Atlantic
  • Kathy Hayes of Atlantic
  • Linda Kauffman of Audubon
  • Tom Muhr of Exira
  • Bill Stockwell of Elk Horn

January 16th:

  • Holly Reilly of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Zachary Mathisen of Atlantic
  • Adeline Behrens of Atlantic
  • Deb Stenstrom of Exira

January 17th:

  • Doug Parker of Elk Horn (Winner)
  • Jackob Andersen of Audubon
  • Nate Andersen of Audubon

January 18th:

  • Carol Finken of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Maiyah LaJeuness of Atlantic

January 19th:

  • no birthdays

January 20th:

  • Kathy Nelson of Atlantic (Winner)

January 21st:

  • Janet Maynard of Anita (Winner)
  • Melissa Nantz of Atlantic
  • Jon Bauer of Exira

January 22nd:

  • no birthdays:

January 23rd:

  • Don Murphy Jr of Atlantic
  • Grace Mosier of Atlantic

January 24th:

  • Becky Riesgaard of Brayton (Winner)
  • Lorinda Patchin
  • Pete Lesan of Kellerton

January 25th:

  • Gavin Anthofer of Exira (Winner)
  • Zeliana Rasmussen of Harlan
  • Jodi Knudsen of Atlantic

January 26th:

  • Benjamin Riesgaard of Brayton (Winner)
  • Denny Sickles of Fontanelle

January 27th:

  • Angela Butcher of Wiota (Winner)
  • Carlene Deist of Audubon

January 28th:

  • Liz Toft of Atlantic (Winner)

January 29th:

  • Blake Asberry of Exira (Winner)
  • Pat Swanson of Atlantic
  • Laurine Price of Atlantic

January 30th:

  • Angel Garcia (Winner)

January 31st:

  • Dawn Brown of Fontanelle (Winner)
  • Charlotte Krogh of Exira
  • Lydia Madsen of Harlan
  • Jane Mathisen of Atlantic
  • Jane Mathisen of Atlantic

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 1/1/21

News, Podcasts

January 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

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

Play

(Update) JEAN McCASLEN, 91, of Greenfield (Celebration of Life 1/8/21)

Obituaries

January 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

JEAN McCASLEN, 91, of Greenfield, died December 19, 2020, in Kansas City. Celebration of Life services for JEAN McCASLEN will be held 1-p.m. Friday, January 8, 2021, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the arrangements.

The family will greet friends on Friday, January 8, 2021, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle from Noon until service time.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfuenrals.com.

Burial will be at the Greenfield Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Jean McCaslen memorial fund to be established by the family at a later date.

JEAN McCASLEN is survived by:

Her daughter – Rosalie (Lea) Deo

Her son – Ron (Jackie) McCaslen.

Her brother – Jim (Myra) Lisk;\

5 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and other relatives.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 1/1/21

Podcasts, Sports

January 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Chris Parks.

Play

(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & Funeral report, 1/1/21

News, Podcasts

January 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:05-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Play

December 2020 weather data for Atlantic

Weather

January 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Weather during the month of December, here in Atlantic, was once again warmer and drier than normal. Data compiled at the KJAN studios (The OFFICIAL National Weather Service reporting/record keeping site for Atlantic), show the Average High for the month was 39 (39.4), which was a full nearly 7-degrees above normal.

Our warmest day was Dec. 9th, when the thermometer reached 62. The Average Low was 15 (14.5), which is nearly one-degree above normal.Our coldest morning was Dec. 30th, at -4.  Rain and melted snowfall for the month amounted to just .86 inches, which is nearly one-quarter of an inch below average. Snowfall amounted to just 9.6 inches.

During the month of January, in Atlantic, the Average High is 29.4-degrees, the Average Low is 9.3, and rain/melted snow typically amounts to .84-inches.

Accident in Creston, Wednesday – 1 hurt, $30k worth of damage

News

January 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

An accident in Creston Thursday afternoon resulted in one person hurt and an estimated total of $30,000 worth of damage to the vehicles involved. Creston Police report a 2011 Chevy Traverse driven by 36-year-old Troy R. Howard, of Creston, was traveling west on Highway 34 at around 2:30-p.m., when a 2015 VW Jetta driven by 56-year-old Jans Visker, Jr., of Creston, pulled out in front of the Chevy in an attempt to turn left from Elm Street onto Highway 34.

The Chevy struck the VW on driver’s side. Visker complained of pain and was suspected of having minor/non-capacitating injuries. He was transported by EMS to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston. Both driver’s were wearing their seat belts. No citations were issued.

Iowa COVID-19 update: Jan. 1, 2021: 7 additional deaths, 2,132 new cases

News

January 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Public Health today (Friday, 10-a.m.), reports there have been 2,132 new, confirmed cases of COVID-19 in test results received since 10-a.m. Thursday, for a pandemic total to-date, of 282,435. IDPH says there had been 7 additional deaths recorded statewide since Thursday, for a statewide death toll of 3,898. Of Iowa’s pandemic-related deaths, COVID-19 is reported as the underlying cause for 3,578 deaths, while 320 are listed as a contributing factor.

The Iowa DPH today reports 109 COVID-19 outbreaks at long-term care facilities in the state (2 less than Thursday). Those outbreaks account for 4,558 of Iowa’s current positive cases. COVID-19 outbreaks at long-term care facilities account for 1,139 of the state’s total deaths. Health officials say 3,025 LTC patients/staff have recovered from the virus.

Iowa DPH reports hospitalizations were down from 600 Thursday to 575 today. There are: 117 patients in an ICU (17 less than Thursday);  83 were admitted to hospitals (compared to 76 Thursday), and 63 patients are on ventilators (6 less than Thursday). Hospitals in western/southwest Iowa (RMCC Region 4) report: 32 hospitalized; 13 are in an ICU; 2 people were admitted to a hospital, and 8 people are on a ventilator.

According to the state’s website, a total of 1,359,657 Iowans received COVID-19 tests. Iowa’s average reported positivity rate is 12.7% over the last 14 days. That’s up from 12.2% a day earlier.  The health department says 241,228 Iowans have recovered from COVID-19. All TestIowa sites will be closed Friday for the holiday. They will reopen and resume testing Monday. The State Hygienic Lab is also closed New Year’s Day but will resume processing COVID-19 test samples Saturday.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} – if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:

  • Cass, 1,055 cases; {+17}; 38 deaths
  • Adair, 608; {+5}; 17
  • Adams, 266; {+4}; 2
  • Audubon, 381; {+12}; 7
  • Guthrie, 952; {+7}; 23
  • Harrison County, 1,443; {+13}; 53
  • Madison County, 973; {+11}; 8
  • Mills County, 1,285; {+14}; 15
  • Montgomery, 770; {+9}; 15
  • Pottawattamie County, 8,302; {+58}; 95
  • Shelby County, 950; {+4}; 24
  • Union County,  1,033; {+10}; 19