United Group Insurance

Bankers survey projects drop in holiday retail sales

News

November 19th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — More than half of bankers surveyed in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states are projecting a drop in holiday retail sales this year from last year as the coronavirus pandemic worsens across the country. The Rural Mainstreet Survey’s overall index fell to 46.8 in November from October’s 53.2. It’s the first time since April that the index has fallen, but it remains well ahead of the 35.5 reading in March, when the index bottomed out as the outbreak began. Any score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy, while a score above 50 suggests a growing economy.

Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

 

Iowa Governor: Long-Term Care facility outbreaks to reach 114 later today

News

November 19th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds today (Thursday) warned there will be an increase in the number of COVID-19 outbreaks at Long-Term Care facilities (LTC’s) throughout the State. At 10-a.m. Today (Thursday), the Coronavirus dashboard indicated there were 94 outbreaks. During her press conference, the Governor said 120 new outbreaks are expected to show-up on the dashboard this afternoon, for a total of 114 active cases.

There are approximately 443 LTC’s in the State. The governor said the dashboard is being updated to show the number of new cases over the past 14 days in facilities with active outbreaks.

Governor Reynolds announced also, $14-million worth of CARES ACT spending will be allocated to Iowa’s Long Term Care facilities to assist with the increased costs related to testing and staffing.

Wrigley Field Designated as a National Historic Landmark

Sports

November 19th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON —  Today (Thursday), U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt designated Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, as a National Historic Landmark, recognizing the significant role the ballpark has played in the city of Chicago and the history of professional sports.  National Historic Landmarks are buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that have been determined by the Secretary of the Interior to be nationally significant in American history and culture.

“The historical significance of Wrigley Field is interwoven into our nation’s story and a key part of what has become America’s beloved pastime for over a century,” said Secretary Bernhardt. “It is with great enthusiasm that I designate this iconic national treasure, the site of many legendary events, innovations and traditions in baseball history, as a National Historic Landmark.”

“Wrigley Field is a special place in the hearts of generations of fans,” said Chicago Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts. “That’s why, from our first day as owners, we committed to preserving Wrigley, which will now take its well-earned place in the lineup of American history and culture as a national treasure.”

HISTORICAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF WRIGLEY FIELD

Built in 1914, Wrigley Field has been the home of the Chicago Cubs since 1916, a National League charter franchise dating to 1876. Two years younger than Fenway Park in Boston, Wrigley Field is the second oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and the oldest in the National League.  Wrigley Field is the only remaining ballpark connected to the Federal Baseball League, the short-lived rival to the National and American Leagues. It also hosted the first tryouts and organization of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. And, it was home to the Chicago Bears from 1921 to 1970, one of the original franchises in the National Football League.

Several innovations in baseball history have their origins in the ballpark. In 1916, the original owner Charles Weeghman started the custom of permitting fans to keep balls hit into the stands as mementos. Wrigley Field was the first ballpark to have refreshment booths behind the stands, and the first to use an organ on-site to entertain fans during games. The Chicago Cubs were among the first to embrace broadcasting home games on radio in 1925 and on television in 1946. These broadcasts drew fans from across the globe and contributed to the popularity of the Chicago Cubs and American baseball.

Many legendary events have taken place in the ballpark, including baseball’s only “Double No-Hitter” in 1917, Babe Ruth’s supposed “Called Shot” during the 1932 World Series and Gabby Hartnett’s “Homer in the Gloamin’” that helped propel the Chicago Cubs to the 1938 National League pennant. It was also the location in 1933 of the first National Football League championship, the forerunner to today’s Super Bowl.

Wrigley Field’s ivy-covered, brick outfield wall and well-known bleachers behind it were constructed during renovations in 1937. The 27-foot-high outfield scoreboard was also added at that time. Other improvements include seating renovations, the addition of an upper deck, and the addition of lights for night games in 1988. Renovations during the multi-year restoration and expansion project initiated in 2014 further enhanced the iconic features of Wrigley Field.

CCHS Receives Performance Leadership Awards for Quality & Outcomes

News

November 19th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic, IA – As part of National Rural Health Day, Cass County Health System Thursday (today) announced it has been recognized by The Chartis Center of Rural Health and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) for overall excellence in Quality and Outcomes. The Performance Leadership Award program utilizes the results of the Hospital Strength INDEX® to recognize top quartile performance among Critical Access Hospitals and Rural & Community Hospitals. CCHS CEO Brett Altman said “We are very pleased to receive this recognition of being in the top 25% for both quality and outcomes of more than 2,200 rural hospitals across the country. This is a direct result of the outstanding team we have who strive to make these quality and outcome measures a top priority with every patient, every time.”

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Based entirely on publicly available data sources, the INDEX methodology is the data foundation for a number of industry-leading rural recognition programs, rural health safety net-related research, and legislative initiatives. Performance Leadership Award recipients are rural hospitals ranking in the 75th percentile or above in the INDEX performance pillars for Quality, Outcomes, or Patient Perspective.

“Despite the fact that COVID-19 has created greater instability across the rural health safety net, we continue to see countless examples of rural hospitals rising to the challenge to serve their communities,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “I believe this dedication to mission and drive to overcome unexpected challenges echoes the long-standing commitment among rural hospitals to deliver high-quality care. We are thrilled to honor this year’s top quartile performers.”

“Across the nation, rural hospitals have been working exceptionally hard to adjust to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. While it has not been an easy year, I believe the perseverance displayed by rural hospitals and their partners at the State Offices of Rural Health exemplifies the true spirit of National Rural Health Day,” said Teryl Eisinger, Chief Executive Officer, NOSORH. “We are delighted to join The Chartis Center for Rural Health in honoring the 2020 Performance Leadership Award winners.”

Lawsuit: Tyson/Waterloo managers placed bets on workers catching COVID

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 19th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A lawsuit related to the Covid outbreak at a Tyson meatpacking plant in Waterloo alleges managers and supervisors placed cash bets on how many workers would contract the virus. The Iowa Capital Dispatch was first to report on the allegations in a lawsuit filed by the family of a plant employee who died of the coronavirus in late April. The plant’s manager is accused of running the winner-take-all betting pool on how many workers would get Covid. Another upper-level manager is also named in the lawsuit and accused of telling employees Covid-19 was “not a big deal” and was basically a “glorified flu.”

The lawsuit alleges top managers at the Waterloo plant shifted their responsibilities to lower-level employees so they could avoid the plant floor this spring as the virus spread among workers. Tyson issued a written statement, saying it will not comment on the specific allegations outlined in the lawsuit. The company says it has taken protective measures at all Tyson plants that exceed federal guidelines for working in close quarters during the pandemic.

Iowa’s jobless claims rise again

News

November 19th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – More than 63-hundred Iowa workers filed an initial claim for unemployment benefits last week. That’s about 11-hundred more first-time claims for unemployment than the previous week. It mirrors the national trend in rising claims for unemployment benefits. A news release from Iowa Workforce Development did not indicate how many of those job losses were due to the pandemic, but the agency indicated 44 percent of last week’s claims were from people who said their layoff was NOT related to Covid.

Officials say November is the start of a four-month period of seasonal layoffs in the construction, landscaping, agriculture and manufacturing industries.

Glenwood man arrested for OWI

News

November 19th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Police in Glenwood report the arrest on Thursday (today), of 41-year old Michael Rupe, from Glenwood. Rupe was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense, with his cash or surety bond set at $1,000.

PAUL CALHOUN, 85, of Anita (Svcs. Pending)

Obituaries

November 19th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

PAUL CALHOUN, 85, of Anita, died Wed., Nov. 18th, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital, in Council Bluffs. Arrangements for PAUL CALHOUN are pending at the Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home, in Anita.

LINDA KAY HOLST, 78, of Walnut (Private family graveside svcs. 11/21/20)

Obituaries

November 19th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

LINDA KAY HOLST, 78, of Walnut, died Wed., Nov. 18th, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. A private, family graveside service for LINDA HOLST will be held 11-a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21st, in the Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca has the arrangements.

Visitation at the funeral home is on Friday, Nov. 20th, from 4-until 7-p.m.

LINDA KAY HOLST is survived by:

Her husband – Robert Holst, of Walnut.

Her daughters – Lori (Andy) Blum, of Marne, and Lisa (Jim) Wissler, of Wall Lake.

Her brother – Ron Chipman, of Harlan.

6 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren.

Haliburton adds to list of recent Cyclone NBA draft success stories

Sports

November 19th, 2020 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State guard Tyrese Haliburton was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the No. 12 pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft. He is the third-highest draft pick in school history.

Haliburton was selected with the No. 12 pick to become the 41st Cyclone to be drafted. Iowa State has had 14 players drafted since the Big 12 was formed in 1996-97, the third-best total in the league.

The Oshkosh, Wisconsin native’s story is one for the movies.

Haliburton arrived at Iowa State as the No. 172 ranked player in the nation following a successful prep career at Oshkosh North High School. As a freshman, he averaged just 6.8 points but his impact on the floor was impossible to ignore. He ranked second nationally and led the Big 12 Conference with a 4.5 assist-to-turnover ratio, while leading all conference freshmen in minutes played (33.2 per game).

The summer following his freshman season saw Haliburton lead the 2019 USA Basketball Men’s U19 World Cup Team to a Gold Medal in Greece. He was named to the All-Star Five of the tournament, averaging 7.9 points and a tournament-best 6.9 assists. His efficiency was off the charts, connecting on 68.9 percent of field-goal attempts and 10-of-18 three-pointers.

As a sophomore, Haliburton took on a heavier load of the offense and responded. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 steals before his season was cut short after 22 games due to a left wrist fracture. He earned All-Big 12 Second-Team accolades.

At the time of his injury he was sixth in the big 12 in scoring, second in field goal percentage (50.4), first in assists, first in steals, second in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3), third in 3-point field goal percentage (41.9) and 13th in rebounding.

Haliburton had four double-doubles and posted the sixth triple-double in school history, finishing with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists at TCU.

He was a Cousy Award Finalist and on the Wooden Award Midseason Top-25 and the Lute Olson Award Midseason Watch List. He earned all-district honors from both the USBWA and NABC despite his shortened season.

An all-around student-athlete, Haliburton was an Academic All-Big 12 First-Team honoree and an ISU Scholar-Athlete last season.

Haliburton is the eighth player that Iowa State head coach Steve Prohm has had drafted in his nine years as a college coach (Murray State and Iowa State), which includes six Cyclones. Haliburton is Prohm’s fourth point guard to be drafted, giving him the second-most point guards selected since he became a head coach.