712 Digital Group - top

WILLIAM J. “Bill” GRIFFITH, 76, of Walnut (Svcs. 11/18/20)

Obituaries

November 14th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

WILLIAM J. “Bill” GRIFFITH, 76, of Walnut, died Thursday, Nov. 12th, at Nebraska Medicine Hospital. Funeral services for BILL GRIFFITH will be held 10:30-a.m. Wed., Nov. 18th, at the Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Tue., Nov. 17th, from 5-until 7-p.m.

Burial is in the Layton Township Cemetery at Walnut.

WILLIAM J. “Bill” GRIFFITH is survived by:

His Wife – Opal [Armstrong] Griffith, of Walnut.

His sons – Courtney Griffith, Adrian Griffith, and Shannon (Teresa) Griffith, all of Walnut.

8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Adams County Sheriff’s report (11/13/20)

News

November 14th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports 55-year old Ryan Pullen, of Corning, was cited for Driving While Revoked, Friday afternoon, following a traffic stop. Pullen was transported to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, was officially cited, and then released.

Midwest Sports Headlines: 11/14/20

Sports

November 14th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tyler Goodson rushed for a career-high 142 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, and Iowa’s defense clamped down hard on Minnesota for a 35-7 victory. The Hawkeyes took possession of the Floyd of Rosedale trophy for the sixth season. Jack Koerner and Riley Moss each picked off Tanner Morgan for the Gophers quarterback’s first two-interception game in two years. Zach VanValkenburg had three of the team’s four sacks to highlight Iowa’s first shutout of Minnesota since 2009. The Hawkeyes improved to 2-2. The Gophers fell to 1-3.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mohamed Ibrahim and the rest of the Minnesota offense took advantage of the long offseason created by the pandemic with some extra screen time. Ibrahim has been seeing the field as clearly as ever this fall for the Gophers. The junior tailback leads the nation with an average of 190 rushing yards per contest. He has 10 touchdowns in just three games, as the Gophers prepare to host rival Iowa. The punishing ground attack is plenty familiar to the Hawkeyes and their followers. Iowa has had the Floyd of Rosedale trophy for the last five years. Both teams are 1-2.

UNDATED (AP) — Penn State and Nebraska both are looking for their first wins heading into their game on Saturday. The Nittany Lions came into the season ranked in the top 10 but are 0-3 after an embarrassing home loss to Maryland. The Cornhuskers are still looking for a turnaround under Scott Frost, having gone 9-17 in his two-plus seasons. Their loss at Northwestern last week dropped them to 0-2. Nebraska ranks seventh in all-time wins with 902 and Penn State is eighth with 898. The Huskers have won three of four meetings since joining the Big Ten.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas coach Bill Self was still trying to figure out the makeup of his team the first week of November, roughly about the time the Jayhawks would have had a couple exhibition games under their belt in anticipation of the season. Unlike last year, when he knew exactly what he had in Udoka Azubuike and Devon Dotson. But those guys are gone and the Jayhawks will lean on a few veterans, a couple of newcomers and enough unknowns that sixth-ranked Kansas will likely be one of the most intriguing teams in the early part of the season.

Man struck on I-29 in Council Bluffs Friday, while removing roadway debris

News

November 14th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Council Bluffs Police Department reports one person was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle Friday afternoon on Interstate 29. Officers responded to the scene on I-29 southbound near mile marker 53 (the 9th Avenue Exit), at around 4:27-p.m. for a car vs. pedestrian accident.

Upon arrival an adult male was lying on the shoulder of the road unconscious with serious injuries. The driver of the vehicle that struck him was on scene and was cooperative. Authorities say their preliminary investigation shows that the victim was southbound on I-29 and had pulled over to the side of the road and exited his vehicle, in order to remove some debris from the roadway. He was then hit by another southbound vehicle.

The victim was transported to Nebraska Medicine by Council Bluffs Fire Department. His name was being withheld pending notification of family.

Iowa early News Headlines: Saturday, Nov. 14 2020

News

November 14th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

UNDATED (AP) — Iowa surpassed 5,000 new confirmed coronavirus cases for the first time in a single day, Friday, as a surge in infections is sending more people to hospitals and pushing more schools to send student home for online classes. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 5,065 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours Friday. There were 19 additional deaths, raising the total to 1,947. One in every 102 people in Iowa tested positive in the past week. The seven-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Iowa was 51.4% on Nov. 12, second in the nation behind South Dakota.

UNDATED (AP) — Eight Iowa labor and civil rights groups filed a federal complaint Friday alleging the state has failed to protect workers in meatpacking, dairy, construction, transportation, health care facilities and other industries. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and others filed the complaint Friday with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration office in Kansas City. They’re seeking a full investigation and corrective action by the federal government. The complaint cites several examples of alleged failure of Iowa OSHA to do on-site inspections or investigate unsafe conditions related to the coronavirus pandemic. But the groups also say safety issues go beyond coronavirus problems.

UNDATED (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has tossed out a murder conviction and ordered a new trial for a man accused of the gruesome 2017 stabbing death of his girlfriend. The state’s high court in a split decision Friday ordered a new trial for 30-year-old Gregory Michael Davis. The court found his trial attorney’s failure to object to confusing jury instructions cost Davis a fair trial. Davis was convicted in 2018 of first-degree murder and other counts in the September 2017 death of 29-year-old Carrie Davis, whose body was found rolled in a blanket inside a trailer in Marion. She had been stabbed 26 times.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Democrat trailing by 47 votes in the nation’s tightest congressional race says her campaign will request a full recount in the southeastern Iowa district. Rita Hart’s campaign noted Thursday that her contest against Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks has been marked by two tabulation errors that, when discovered, flipped the lead between back and forth in recent days. Hart campaign manager Zach Meunier says voters “deserve to know categorically that their ballots have been accurately counted” and the campaign will request recounts in all 24 counties in the district. The candidates are vying to replace retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. David Loebsack.

Iowa drubs Minnesota 35-7 for 6th straight win for the pig

Sports

November 14th, 2020 by admin

Iowa offensive lineman Justin Britt (63) lifts running back Tyler Goodson (15) in celebration after Goodson scored a touchdown against Minnesota during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Sports Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tyler Goodson rushed for a career-high 142 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, and Iowa’s defense clamped down hard on Minnesota for a 35-7 victory. The Hawkeyes took possession of the Floyd of Rosedale trophy for the sixth season. Jack Koerner and Riley Moss each picked off Tanner Morgan for the Gophers quarterback’s first two-interception game in two years. Zach VanValkenburg had three of the team’s four sacks to highlight Iowa’s first shutout of Minnesota since 2009. The Hawkeyes improved to 2-2. The Gophers fell to 1-3.

 

State Football Semifinals: Schedule/Scores for Saturday, November 15th

Sports

November 14th, 2020 by admin

All games at the UNI-DOME in Cedar Falls

Class 1A

Van Meter 20, South Central Calhoun 12 | BOX SCORE

*The Bulldogs are headed to their 3rd title game in the last 4 seasons.

OABCIG 43, Sigourney/Keota 21 | BOX SCORE

*OABCIG has now won 24 straight games, and will play Van Meter in the 1A title game.

Class 2A

Central Lyon/George-Little Rock 41, Camanche 0 | BOX SCORE

Waukon 38, PCM, Monroe 21 | BOX SCORE

*PCM took it’s first loss of the season, and it ends their season final score 38-21

Judge finds Iowa man guilty in grandmother’s slaying

News

November 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

ONAWA, Iowa (AP) — A judge in western Iowa has found a man guilty of first-degree murder for killing his grandmother. The Sioux City Journal reports District Judge Zachary Hindman on Friday ruled Eliot Stowe is guilty for the beating death of 66-year-old Cheryl Stowe at her rural home in Castana in June 2018.

Cheryl Stowe’s body was found wrapped in a rug and duct tape at the edge of a cornfield near her home. Prosecutors say Eliot Stowe had beaten her with a baseball bat. Eliot Stowe’s attorneys argued he’s not guilty by reason of insanity. He faces a mandatory life sentence.

 

CCHS Monitors Capacity, Services, and Regional Communications

News

November 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic, IA— Cass County Health System officials, Friday evening, issued an update about the status of the local hospital in regards to its operating capacity and current operations. CCHS CEO Brett Altman said “We’ve been running between 50 to 75 percent inpatient bed capacity for the past several weeks now. COVID inpatient numbers have fluctuated greatly. At the most, we’ve had up to slightly more than 50% of our inpatients here due to COVID. At this point in time, we are able to staff to our full capacity of 25 beds. Our entire team has been amazing throughout this year, and everyone has pitched in extra to make sure we are ready to serve our patients.”

All CCHS clinics and services are currently open with the exception of cardiac rehab, which was suspended to keep high-risk patients safe and to redeploy nurses to inpatient care. Depending on daily inpatient census and case mix, CCHS is also evaluating each non-emergent, elective surgery that would require hospitalization afterward on a case-by-case basis.

Chief Clinic Administrator Tammy Bireline added “We have to be as nimble as possible during this pandemic, so that our entire health system can swiftly respond to the staffing needs in our hardest hit departments. Cross-training and redeploying staff is one of the most important aspects of our surge plan.”

Bireline said also, “All patients with respiratory illness symptoms will continue to be seen in the respiratory care clinic. Those patients will now enter at the Emergency Department entrance on the south side of the hospital and check in at the Emergency Department admissions office.”

CCHS officials continue to work through other components of their surge plan to prepare for the future. This includes frequently communicating with other hospitals in the region and across the state. Brett Altman said “We talk daily with Omaha, Council Bluffs, and Des Moines hospitals. It’s often because they want to transfer patients to us. We’ve accepted some of those patients, and we’ll continue to accept appropriate cases so long as we are able to provide care for our own service area.”  He noted that all hospitals are under a considerable amount of strain, saying “Every hospital is stretched – large and small. That’s why we ask everyone to do their part and follow the recommendations from the Iowa Department of Public Health to slow the spread and prevent hospitals from getting overwhelmed.”

IDPH recommendations include:

  • Wash your hands often, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay at least six feet from others at all times.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
  • Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.

Current data about COVID-19 in Cass County and Iowa can be found online at coronavirus.iowa.gov.

Iowa Restaurant Association Names Industry Award Winners: Elk Horn restaurant among them

News

November 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Restaurant Association based in West Des Moines, report that on Monday, November 16th the Association will present its annual state hospitality awards at the Community Choice Convention Center in Des Moines.  New this year is a Rural Operator of the Year Award which was created to recognize the role and importance of restaurants and taverns in Iowa communities with fewer than 1,000 people. The inaugural recipient of this award is Mike Muller of Grace on Main in Elk Horn (population 610).

Jessica Dunker President and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, says “This event is a much needed celebration of one of Iowa’s most resilient and important industries. After the challenges we’ve faced this year, we’re ready to honor hospitality professionals who exemplify innovation and business acumen, as well as shine a light on the significant contributions they’ve made to their communities and Iowa’s hospitality culture.”

2020 Award Winners include:

  • Operator of the Year– Matt Johnson, Barley’s Bar, Council Bluffs
  • Chef of the Year– Chef Jeremy Moskowitz, Duck City Bistro, Davenport
  • Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year – Katy Nelson, Scenic Route Bakery, Des Moines
  • Hospitality Employee of the Year– David Basinger, Rodina, Cedar Rapids
  • American Dream Award– Suman Hoque, HoQ, Des Moines
  • Faces of Diversity Award– Lorena Bryan, Delicias by Lorena, Des Moines
  • Purveyor Partner of the Year– Justin Woodard, Sysco Iowa, Ankeny
  • Industry Champion– Ryan Achterhoff, Pizza Ranch, Orange City
  • ProStart Educator of Excellence – LaRae Arment, Alburnett High School, Alburnett
  • Restaurant Neighbor Philanthropy Award– Nick Kuhn, The Hall DSM, West Des Moines
  • Legislator of the Year– Senator Craig Johnson, Senate District 32, Independence

In addition to the Celebrating Excellence Awards Ceremony which will feature the honorees, the Association will host its Annual Tasting Gala featuring food and beverage from its statewide Culinary and Mixology Competitions.   Attendees will be able to sample the competition dishes from Iowa chefs as well as cocktail creations from the state’s top mixologists.

Attendees will be able to cast a vote for their favorite dish and cocktail. Wine pairings and spirits will also be available to sample. The tasting event begins at 4:00 pm followed by the awards program at 5:30 pm.   The event is open to the public, Tickets are $25 and available at www.restaurantiowa.com