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(UPDATE to Nov. 26 shots fired story) Female suspect sought

News

December 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Council Bluffs Police, Wednesday, said 30-year-old Megan Michelle Bressman is currently wanted for her involvement an attempted murder that occurred on November 26th in Council Bluffs. Bressman, who is white, 5-feet five-inches tall, weighs about 170 pounds. She has brown hair and green eyes, and may be in the company of another suspect in the incident, Benjamin Manely. Both are considered armed and dangerous.

Megan Bressman

Benjamin Manley

The incident they are suspected of involvement in, happened outside of the gas station/convenience store at 1305 N. 25th Street. An adult female returning from the store was fired upon by a subject believed to be Manely. She escaped, but her vehicle was struck by two rounds fired from the weapon.

If you have any information about the location of Megan Bressman or Benjamin Manely, call 9-11 immediately, or Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867.

Iowa hospitals prepare for first staff virus vaccinations

News

December 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — University of Iowa Health Care officials say the group’s hospitals expect to get their first shipment of a coronavirus vaccine as early as next week and that they plan to begin giving it to employees who work in COVID-19 units within 24 hours of receiving it. Suresh Gunasekaran, the CEO of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, said Wednesday that he expects the UIHC subsidiary to get 1,000 doses next week.

The hospital plans to give its first doses to some of the roughly 2,000 doctors, nurses and others who work in COVID-19 units. He says he expects to learn on a week-by-week basis how many doses the hospital will receive, so it’s unclear when the first group to receive doses will get a second and be fully vaccinated.

 

Judge upholds pollution fine against Iowa cattle farmers

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

ARMSTRONG, Iowa (AP) — An administrative judge has approved a $76,000 penalty against an Iowa cattle feedlot for violating the Clean Water Act. The judge ruled that Tony and Joshua Brown, who operate Riverview Cattle in Armstrong, discharged pollutants from their cattle feedlot on 41 days into the East Fork of the Des Moines River. The Environmental Protection Agency said the business did not obtain a federally required permit for the discharges.

The cattle company contended the pollutants never reached the river. Administrative Judge Christine Donelian Coughlin agreed with the EPA and found the feedlot liable for Clean Water Act violations.

 

LOIS PETERS, 90, of Manning (12-12-2020)

Obituaries

December 9th, 2020 by Jim Field

LOIS PETERS, 90, of Manning died Tuesday, December 8th at Manning Regional Healthcare Center. Funeral services for LOIS PETERS will be held on Saturday, December 12th at 3:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning.  Ohde Funeral Home in Manning is in charge of arrangements.

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Visitation will be on Saturday from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Church.

Interment will be in Manning Cemetery.

LOIS PETERS is survived by:

Husband:  Dan Peters of Manning.

Children:  Michael (Callie) Peters of Bozeman, MT; Mark (Lynne) Peters of Stagecoach, CO; Julie (James) Rabbitt of Steamboat Springs, CO; Jeffrey Peters of Oak Creek, CO; Gregory (Randy) Peters of Manning.

Sister:  Joann Pratt of Minneapolis, MN.

NORMAN JAMES HOLCOMBE, 94, of Mount Ayr (No Svcs.)

Obituaries

December 9th, 2020 by Jim Field

NORMAN JAMES HOLCOMBE, 94, of Mount Ayr died Tuesday, December 8th at Clearview Nursing Home in Mount Ayr. No services are planned for NORMAN JAMES HOLCOMBE. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca has the arrangements.

Burial will be at a later date.

NORMAN JAMES HOLCOMBE is survived by:

Wife: Virginia (Ashley) Holcombe of Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn.

Sons: Dennis Holcombe. Richard (Cindy) Holcombe. David Holcombe

Daughters: Kathleen (Kenneth) Thompson. Connie Holcombe. Nikki (Dick) Myers.

13 Grandchildren

15 Great-Grandchildren

1 Great-Great-Grandchild

Summary of Iowa Enhanced Public Health Measures (effective 12/10/20)

News

December 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

This is rundown of the latest amended health proclamation by Governor Reynolds, effective Thursday, Dec. 10 at 12:01 a.m. through Wednesday, Dec. 16at 11:59 p.m…..

Mask Use: Indoor spaces open to the public & State executive branch buildings

•No change

Gathering Restrictions:Social, community, business, or leisure gatherings

•No more than 15 people indoors and 30 people outdoors

•These restrictions apply to wedding receptions, conventions, fundraisers, and other nonessential gatherings but do not apply to gatherings that occur during the ordinary course of business or government.

Sporting and Recreational Events:

•Only two spectators permitted for each youth or adult athlete, cheerleader, pep band member, or organizer staff, and must wear a mask and maintain 6 feet distance from other spectators

•Youth and adult participants can be closer than 6 feet and are not required to wear masks

High School Sports & Extracurriculars: Sporting, recreational, and extracurricular events

•Only two spectators permitted for each high school athlete, performer, competitor, cheerleader, pep band member,or staff member,and must wear a mask and maintain 6 feet distance from other spectators

•Students participating can be closer than 6-feet and are not required to wear masks.

Restaurants and Bars: Restaurant or bar, including a wedding reception venue, winery, brewery, distillery, country club, or other social or fraternal club

•Last call for in-person services at 10:00pm (includes all venues serving alcohol)

•May open at 4:00am

•No bar seating

•Masks required when not seated (while playing games, dancing, etc.)

•Six feet distancing between groups•Groups limited to 8 people unless larger group is all same household

•Seated when eating or drinking and limit congregating

Fitness Centers: Fitness centers, health clubs, health spas, gyms

•Group fitness activities are allowed if a 6-foot distance is maintained

Casinos & Gaming Facilities:

•Last call for in-person food or beverage services at 10:00pm

•Masks required except when seated to eat or drink.

Closer/Prolonged Contact Establishments: Bowling alleys, pool halls, bingo halls, arcades, indoor playgrounds, children’s play centers

•Last call for in-person food or beverage services at 10:00pm

•Mask required when not seated to eat or drink

•Ensure that groups and individuals are six feet apart at establishment

•Groups limited to eight people unless larger group is all same household

Nonessential/elective surgeries: A hospital must reduce its in-patient nonessential surgeries to a level to ensure it is use at least 25% fewer beds than it did on average during September 2020.

With storms approaching, tonight is the best night to see the Northern Lights

News, Weather

December 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – For Iowans who long to watch the fascinating swirls of green and purple waves of light in the sky, tonight (Wednesday) will likely be your best opportunity. A powerful solar flare is expected to push the famed Northern Lights further south into Iowa for a rare view. Meteorologist Andy Ervin, at the National Weather Service bureau in Davenport, says a storm front is forecast to arrive tomorrow (Thursday).

Locations from Washington state to Maine may be seeing the lights each of the next three nights, but clouds are expected over Iowa both Thursday and Friday nights. Ervin says if you can carve out a little time tonight to gaze skyward at the celestial spectacle, do.

A longtime Quad Cities resident, Ervin says he’s seen the Northern Lights before.

The Space Weather Prediction Center in Colorado says the geomagnetic storm will peak late tonight into early Thursday. The solar flare was recorded on Monday.

Reynolds says kids need to be in school full time; governor extends public health emergency proclamation

News

December 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says studies show schools are safe spaces for kids and she’s praising Iowa districts which have kept all students in class 100 percent of the time. As for Iowa schools that have shifted 100 percent online or to a hybrid system with kids in classrooms every other day, she has a message.

During a news conference late this (Wednesday) morning, Reynolds invited a parent to speak about her frustrations with Ankeny schools. Sarah bar-THOHL has a son in kindergarten and another in third grade and both kids are bouncing between virtual classes and some in-school class time.

Governor Reynolds says current state law limits her ability to change the waiver system that allows schools to shift to part-time in person or full-time online, but hinted legislators could and should change that.

The governor has extended her public health emergency proclamation that was set to expire tomorrow (Thursday) for another week. It requires face coverings in many public places and limits the number of people who may gather indoor and outdoors.

Reynolds also has clarified that 10 p.m. is to be “last call” for alcohol served in Iowa bars, restaurants AND casinos rather than a closing time of 10 p.m. The governor is also letting organized sports for kids and adults — including bowling leagues resume — but spectators are limited to two per participant.

The governor announced the state has contracted with 104 out-of-state nurses to work in Iowa hospitals through the end of the month, 80 of whom are already on the job. The state is also providing a 30-day supply of face masks, gowns and gloves to all 432 Iowa nursing homes, at no charge. The state website shows more than 57-hundred nursing home residents and staff have active Covid infections, with Covid outbreaks at 141 facilities.

“Joe Dirt” fundraiser raises over $7k for A-PD Christmas & community programs

News

December 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Police Lt. Devin Hogue reports the Fireside Lounge raised more than $7,000 during their recent, 9th Annual Joe Dirt Memorial fundraiser and silent auction. The funds will help to support the Atlantic Police Department’s Christmas and various Cass County youth and family programs.

Photo courtesy Lt. Devin Hogue, Atlantic P-D

Hogue says “2020 put them (The Baier family) in an odd predicament for their normal fundraising, and left them without the ability to hold their annual pool tournament. They march[ed] forward anyway and reached out to many great businesses, individuals, and groups in Cass County, asking them to help make help their event a success.

“Despite the lackluster year that 2020 has been, they were still able to raise $7,013.04 as well as a large box of new toys, that will go towards our community programs,” Hogue said.  The Atlantic Police Department thanks the Baier family and their whole crew, who put forth so much time and effort to make this a successful event each year!

On the Joe Dirt Memorial Faceook page, the Baier’s said “With COVID19 we were worried how this year’s auction might go, especially with the pool tournament postponed. We should have known you guys would make it happen! Thank YOU for another year to our amazing community, family, and friends.”

NORMAN KROGH JR., 64, of Exira (Svcs. at a later date)

Obituaries

December 9th, 2020 by Jim Field

NORMAN KROGH JR., 64, of Exira died Tuesday, December 8th. Arrangements for NORMAN KROGH JR. will be held at a later date. Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be left at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com

NORMAN KROGH JR. is survived by:

His daughter – Dana Krogh-Brix & her partner Deric, of Holstein.

His son – Kris (Justine) Krogh, of Elk Horn.

His brother – Dave (Jolene) Krogh, of Atlantic.

His sisters – Julie Howe, of Altoona; Anitra Sibert, of Norwalk, and Jean (Marc) Chapman, of Cumming.

and 5 grandchildren.