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Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., 11/25/20

News

November 25th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:20 a.m. CST

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds is offering no new measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus in Iowa, even as a federal report warns of the unmitigated community spread that continues to claim lives, particularly in nursing homes. Iowa on Tuesday reported coronavirus outbreaks in 143 nursing homes. State data shows more than 4,500 care center residents are infected with the virus and 1,008 residents of long-term care facilities with COVID-19 have died in the past eight months. The deteriorating situation for nursing homes reflects overall trends in Iowa, which on Tuesday reported 18 additional deaths and 3,860 new confirmed cases.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Church officials say a Roman Catholic professor will return to teaching and the ministry, with restrictions, after an inquiry found he misbehaved sexually in the 1990s but not against minors. A Diocese of Des Moines investigation found that the allegations against the Rev. Robert “Bud” Grant did not involve a minor because the complainant was “above majority age” at the time. The diocese says Grant engaged in behavior in the early 1990s that violated the 6th Commandment ban on adultery and his priestly promises. Grant is expected to return to teaching at St. Ambrose University in Davenport in the spring.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A panel has determined that a white Iowa police officer who shot and paralyzed a Black man during a 2016 traffic stop will not get his job back. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that the city’s Civil Service Commission on Monday voted not to reinstate Officer Lucas Jones. His attorney says an appeal is planned. Jones was fired in June, but not for the 2016 incident in which critics say he unfairly pulled over and needlessly shot a fleeing Jerime Mitchell. He was fired over his handling of a traffic stop two days before he shot Mitchell in which he gave a Black female motorist a major break.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A man has been arrested in connection with the September shooting at a private club in Iowa that left two people dead and several others injured. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 21-year-old Willie Edward Saffold Jr., 21, was booked Monday on a charge of intimidation with a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm., the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported. Police say in an affidavit he was observed shooting multiple times into a crowd of people. Deputies with the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office picked Saffold up Monday at the Cook County Jail in Chicago. He is the first person charged in connection with the Sept. 26 shooting.

Prison inmate Frederick Lewis dies

News

November 24th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY – Another prison inmate in Iowa has died from COVID-19. The Iowa Dept. of Corrections said Tuesday, 68-year old Frederick William Lewis was pronounced dead Monday afternoon, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Officials his his death was likely due to complications related to COVID-19 and other preexisting medical conditions. Lewis is the 10th prison inmate in the Iowa prison system to die from the virus.

Originally housed at the Anamosa State Penitentiary, Lewis  had been taken to the hospital several days earlier for more advanced care as his medical condition began to worsen. He was serving a life sentence for Sexual Abuse 1st Degree and other crimes from Dubuque County. His sentence began on July 18, 1997.

Charges filed in connection with Iowa private club shooting

News

November 24th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A man has been arrested in connection with the September shooting at a private club in Iowa that left two people dead and several others injured. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 21-year-old Willie Edward Saffold Jr., 21, was booked Monday on a charge of intimidation with a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm., the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported. Police say in an affidavit he was observed shooting multiple times into a crowd of people.

Deputies with the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office picked Saffold up Monday at the Cook County Jail in Chicago. He is the first person charged in connection with the Sept. 26 shooting.

 

Fareway stores to close earlier than usual beginning Friday

News

November 24th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Officials with Fareway’s Corporate Headquarters said Tuesday (Today), beginning Friday, November 27th, and until further notice, all Fareway stores and meat markets will be open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. The early closure will provide additional time for cleaning and sanitation and for restocking inventory. Closing earlier will also give their employees additional time off through the holiday season.

As part of these new hours, the first hour of business from 8 – 9 a.m. will continue to be reserved for those customers who are 65 and over, expecting mothers, those living with a serious chronic medical condition, and anyone with an underlying medical condition that increases the susceptibility to serious illness from COVID-19.

Gun & paraphernalia found in Clarinda High School student’s vehicle

News

November 24th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Police in Clarinda report a male 16-year old at the Clarinda High School is being referred to juvenile authorities after a gun and paraphernalia were found in his vehicle. Officer were summoned at around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday (Today) to the Clarinda High School, to assist school officials with the search of a vehicle.

During the search of the vehicle, a Ruger .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a glass pipe believed to be used for the ingestion of controlled substances and tobacco products were located. Authorities say “It is believed the items belong to a 16-year-old student who attends Clarinda High School. The student is being referred to juvenile court authorities for unlawful possession of firearm on school property, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of tobacco products.”

The student was released to the custody of his parent pending additional court action.

PATRICIA LOCKE, 76, of Freedom, WI, an Atlantic native (12-3-2020)

Obituaries

November 24th, 2020 by Jim Field

PATRICIA LOCKE, 76, of Freedom, WI (an Atlantic native) died Sunday, November 15th.  A funeral service for PATRICIA LOCKE will be held on Thursday, December 3rd at 11:30 am at St. Pius Church in Appleton, WI (500 W. Marquette Street).  Valley Funeral Home in Appleton, WI is handling the arrangements.

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Visitation will be held Thursday, December 3rd from 10:00 am until the hour of service.

The service will be live streamed on Valley Funeral Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Valley-Funeral-Home-938408146238680 and on St. Pius X Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1mcqZaRpIKSq1RIZ-jyyeg

If interested, you can make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association in Pat’s honor.

PATRICIA LOCKE is survived by:

Children:  Mike (Danette) Locke, Renee (Jon) Truttmann, Randy Locke and partner Sue.

Daughter-in-law:  Amy Locke

Siblings:  Fran (Tom) King, George (Judi) Prescott, John (Jan) Prescott, Kasey (Gary) Pendl, Ralph (Bernadette) Prescott, Theresa (Marc) Delphonse, E.J. (Varyl) Prescott.

7 Grandchildren

and nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

ANITA MEAD, 88, of Clarinda (Formerly of Cumberland) (Svcs. at a later date)

Obituaries

November 24th, 2020 by admin

ANITA MEAD, 88, of Clarinda died Saturday, November 21st at the Clarinda Regional Health Center  Funeral services for ANITA MEAD will be held at a later date. Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be given in her name.

Memories and condolences may be shared on the website www.ritchiefuneralhome.com.

ANITA MEAD is survived by:

Son: Thomas Mead of Clarinda

Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren

Traditional Thanksgiving pheasant hunt will be a little different this year

Ag/Outdoor, Sports

November 24th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines) – With many holiday gatherings put on hold due to the pandemic, pheasant hunting is one way to keep an annual holiday tradition alive, while staying apart. “Pheasant hunting is a big part of Thanksgiving for many families but with health experts advising against gatherings, this tradition won’t look the same as in year’s past, but it can still be part of the holiday,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  He said hunters who do not live in the same house are encouraged to drive separately to the hunting spot and when they arrive, to space out and not congregate while in the field.

What they’ll find in the field is a pheasant season that’s off to a good start. “I’m hearing really good reports, good pheasant numbers from all parts of the state despite the state experiencing an unusual number of days with gale-force winds and temperatures in the 70s,” said Bogenschutz. “Everybody that’s hunting in good cover is finding and getting birds.” That’s good news heading in to the Thanksgiving holiday and might be just enough incentive to delay the trip to the couch until the afternoon hunt is completed.

Iowa’s pheasant season closes Jan. 10, 2021.

Places to Hunt

The Iowa DNR’s online hunting atlas lists nearly 700,000 acres of public hunting land, including 22,000 acres of land enrolled in the popular Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) allowing hunter access to private land.

Each area on the atlas includes a link to a map with property boundaries, the size of the area, habitat type, species of wildlife likely found, if nontoxic shot is required and more. The map is available as a downloadable pdf that can be printed or saved to a smartphone.

To view the atlas, go to www.iowadnr.gov/hunting and click on Places to Hunt and Shoot in the left column.

DEBRA FOSTUN, 68, of Greenfield (Svcs. Pending)

Obituaries

November 24th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

DEBRA FOSTUN, 68, of Greenfield, died Sunday, November 22, 2020, at the Mercyone Hospice in Johnston.  Funeral services for DEBRA FOSTUN are pending at the Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield.

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

Church review finds Iowa professor misbehaved but can return

News

November 24th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Church officials say a Roman Catholic professor will return to teaching and the ministry, with restrictions, after an inquiry found he misbehaved sexually in the 1990s but not against minors. A Diocese of Des Moines investigation found that the allegations against the Rev. Robert “Bud” Grant did not involve a minor because the complainant was “above majority age” at the time. The diocese says Grant engaged in behavior in the early 1990s that violated the 6th Commandment ban on adultery and his priestly promises. Grant is expected to return to teaching at St. Ambrose University in Davenport in the spring.