United Group Insurance

Iowa COVID-19 update: 7/26/20

News

July 26th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The State’s Coronavirus dashboard, late this (Sunday) morning showed 389 more positive, confirmed cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths from the virus. The IDPH says: 449,608 Iowans have been tested for COVID-19; 42,016 tested Positive; 406, 032 tested Negative; 29,604 have recovered from the virus, and 826 have died. Hospitalization data show: 226 are hospitalized across the State from COVID-19, six more than reported Saturday; 77 patients are in an ICU, up 5 from yesterday; 34 were admitted to a hospital since Saturday, an increase of 4 from the last report, and 29 persons were on ventilators, up one from Saturday. Cass County reports one new positive case, for a total of 37, and one more recovered, for a total of 29.

Hospitals in western/southwest Iowa report: three more hospitalized, for a total of 11; five persons are in an ICU (up 1 from yesterday); two were admitted since Saturday, and one person remains on a ventilator.

Long-Term Care facility (LTC) data show no change in the number of outbreaks (22), 607 staff/patients have tested positive for COVID-19, 147 have recovered, and 447 have died (unchanged from Saturday).

Current County Positive case counts, and the number of reported recoveries ( )

  • Cass: 37, (29)
  • Adair: 20, (16)
  • Adams: 12, (Recovery data not available)
  • Audubon: 26, (no recovery data available)
  • Guthrie: 118, (66)
  • Montgomery: 36, (20)
  • Pottawattamie: 1,032, (741)
  • Shelby: 133, (126)

Posted in News |

TURNER RUSSELL, 23, of Atlantic (Svcs. 7/31/20)

Obituaries

July 26th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

TURNER RUSSELL, 23, of Atlantic, died Friday, July 24th, at home. Funeral services for TURNER RUSSELL will be held 10-a.m. Friday, July 31st, at the Evangelical Free Church, in Atlantic. Roland Funeral Service has the arrangements. (The service will be live-streamed at www.rolandfuneralservice.com shortly before service time, with additional overflow seating at the funeral home for those who wish to gather. Masks are recommended, and social distancing will be followed at the service.)

Visitation at the funeral home is on Thursday, July 30th,from Noon until the time of family visitation at 4-p.m. The family visitation is from 4-until 7-p.m., Thursday.; Online condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Burial is in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the fund for a scholarship fund to be established in Turner’s name.

TURNER RUSSELL is survived by:

His Parents – Ronald (Pamela) Russell, of Atlantic.

His Sister – Lauren Russell, of Atlantic.

Posted in Obituaries |

Pott. County man arrested on a drug charge Saturday, in Montgomery County

News

July 26th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Pottawattamie County was arrested on a drug charge at around 3:55-p.m. Saturday. 23-year old Daniel Steven Meehan, of Council Bluffs was arrested for Possession of Marijuana. He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, booked-in, and held on bond

Posted in News |

Hazardous Weather Outlook for Cass & area Counties: 7/26/20

Weather

July 26th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Today and tonight: Hot and humid conditions are expected to persist today, mainly across the southern half of the state with highest heat index values of 100 to 105.

Thunderstorms are also expected today into tonight, moving generally from north to south across the state. There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms across much of central Iowa with the main concern from strong to damaging thunderstorm winds. Locally heavy rainfall is also possible.

Monday through Saturday: Some isolated thunderstorms are expected late in the work week across Iowa. The severe threat appears low at this time.

Posted in Weather |

Midwest Sports Headlines: 7/26/20

Sports

July 26th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

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

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt homered, Adam Wainwright pitched six solid innings, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-1 on Saturday. Wainwright pitched out of a bases loaded, no-out jam in the second, giving up just one run. He retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced as the Cardinals beat the Pirates for the 12th time in their last 13 games. The Pirates managed just three hits. Josh Bell had a single and scored Pittsburgh’s lone run.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Greg Holland struck out the top of Cleveland’s order to strand the tying run at second base and Maikel Franco hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to give the Kansas City Royals a 3-2 win over the Indians in just the third major league game decided by the debated extra-inning runner rule. Holland fanned César Hernández, José Ramírez and Francisco Lindor for the unique save. Jorge Soler and Salvador Pérez hit back-to-back homers in the first for Kansas City. Royals right-hander Brady Singer pitched five solid innings in his major league debut.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes acknowledges there is “some risk” in returning to the team facility for training camp. But he is comfortable with the protocols established by the NFL and its players’ union to ensure a safe environment leading to the season. Mahomes spoke with a group of local reporters on Zoom on Saturday. The Super Bowl MVP was at the facility along with rookies and select veterans one day after the league and union agreed to a proposal opening camps in earnest next week.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Matt Crafton won his first race in three years Saturday when the three-time and reigning Trucks Series champion held off Christian Eckes over the final 20 laps to win the second race of a doubleheader at Kansas Speedway. The 19-year-old Eckes, chasing his first career win, came across in second for the second week in a row. Grant Enfinger was third, Tanner Gray fourth and Ben Rhodes rounded out the top 5 on a stifling afternoon under the sun.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — NASCAR Hall of Fame member Maurice Petty has died. He died Saturday and no cause was given. He was the son of Lee Petty and brother of Richard Petty, and his ability to turn a wrench earned him the nickname “The Chief” in the garage. Maurice Petty was the first engine builder to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He helped the Petty family dynasty win 198 races and seven championships in NASCAR’s premier series. Maurice Petty was 81 years old.

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma has moved its football opener against Missouri State up a week to Saturday, Aug. 29. The Sooners said the NCAA approved a waiver request from both schools to change the date to allow more schedule flexibility amid the coronavirus pandemic. Oklahoma is set to face Tennessee in another home game Sept. 12, then travel to Army for a Sept. 26 contest.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa News Headlines: Sunday, July 26, 2020

News

July 26th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:25 a.m. CDT

NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) — The suspect in the shooting death of a northeast Nebraska woman has been arrested in Sioux City, Iowa. Sioux City police say Deshawn Gleaton Jr. was arrested without incident Friday night. He is facing a possible first-degree murder charge in the killing of 29-year-old Hailey Christiansen in Norfolk on Friday morning. Christiansen was found suffering from a gunshot wound at a Norfolk home and died during surgery. Gleaton was out of prison on bond on suspicion of third-degree domestic assault and first-degree trespassing. Authorities say Christiansen was the victim in those cases.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office has lifted a cap on the number of COVID-19 tests a Dubuque clinic will be able to perform. Earlier this week, the governor’s office said Epic Health and Wellness could not conduct more than 100 tests per day. Officials said the clinic was not able to handle the volume of tests it was administering, leading to long lines and unusable samples. On Friday, the governor’s office said the cap would be lifted but testing would be done only by appointment, starting Monday. The governor’s spokeswoman said the clinic had cooperated in making scheduling changes to improve its testing procedures.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack says he’s “deeply concerned” about a report showing that the first known coronavirus outbreak at an Iowa meatpacking plant was far more severe than the state publicly acknowledged. Loebsack wrote a letter to Gov. Kim Reynolds requesting information about the state’s response to the outbreak at the Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Columbus Junction. The letter came two days after The Associated Press reported on documents showing Tyson officials told safety inspectors on April 30 that 522 employees were known to be infected. A dozen were hospitalized and two died. But at a May 5 news conference, the Iowa Department of Public Health said that only 221 workers at the plant had tested positive.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation extending an order that bars and restaurants require patrons to remain at least 6 feet apart to limit spread of the coronavirus. The proclamation signed Friday also extends other requirements, including that bars and restaurants patrons each have seats at a table or bar and that operators maintain “increased hygiene practices.” In addition, the governor’s order extends existing rules for fitness centers, casinos, senior citizen centers and other businesses. Reynolds actions came as Iowa’s online virus tracker showed a total of 820 deaths from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. It also showed 451 new confirmed cases by 10 a.m. Friday from the day before, bringing the state’s total to nearly 41,000 cases.

Posted in News |

BETTY FOKKEN, 81, of Irwin (Svcs. Pending)

Obituaries

July 25th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

BETTY FOKKEN, 81, of Irwin, died Friday, July 24th, at the Hansen House. Services for BETTY FOKKEN are pending for a later date. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan is in charge of the arrangements.

BETTY FOKKEN is survived by:

Her husband – John Fokken, of Irwin.

Her daughters – Julie (George) Bernstein, of West Chester, PA., & Tracy (Kurt) Pattee, of Omaha.

Her sons – Todd (Kathy) Fokken, of Papillion, NE., & John Fokken, of Irwin.

Her brothers  – John (Anita) Morrison, of Chariton, & Lonnie “Junior” Morrison of Kellogg.

and 6 grandchildren.

Posted in Obituaries |

2020 Cass County Fair FFA/4-H Horse show Awards

Ag/Outdoor

July 25th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

FFA Awards:

  • Grand Champion FFA Halter Horse: Taylor McCreedy, Atlantic FFA (Parents Marty & Shelby McCreedy)
  • Reserve Grand Champion FFA Halter Horse: Colton Becker, Atlantic FFA (Parents John & Abby Becker)
  • Grand Champion FFA Game Horse: Colton Becker
  • Reserve Grand Champion FFA Game Horse: Taylor McCreedy
  • Grand Champion FFA Western Pleasure: Taylor McCreedy
  • Grand Champion FFA Western Pleasure: Colton Becker
  • Champion FFA Horse Showman: Taylor McCreedy
  • Champion FFA Horsemanship: Taylor McCreedy
  • Reserve Champion FFA Horsemanship: Colton Becker

[Award Sponsors include: CAM FFA; Atlantic Rotary; Atlantic FFA Alumni; Blaine Service, LLC; Berg Electric; Stine Seed; Iowa State Troopers Association; FFA Association]

4-H Awards:

  • Champion 4-H Pony: Colton Rudy, Cowpokes (Parents Chuck & Jill Rudy)
  • Reserve Champion 4-H Pony: Callie Rudy, Cowpokes
  • Champion 4-H Mare: Belle Wickman, Cowpokes (Parents Erich & Tammy Wickman)
  • Reserve Champion 4-H Mare: Nollan Smith, Griswold Clubsters (Parents Ryan & Windy Smith)
  • Champion 4-H Gelding: Taylor McCreedy (Parents Marty & Shelby McCreedy)
  • Reserve Champion 4-H Gelding: Colton Becker, Benton-Franklin (Parents John & Abby Becker)
  • Champion 4-H Junior Trail*: Lilly Barber, Cowpokes (Parents TJ & Jess Barber)
  • Champion 4-H Intermediate Trail: Colton Rudy, Cowpokes
  • Champion 4-H Senior Trail: Taylor McCreedy, Cowpokes
  • Champion Senior 4-H Showman: Taylor McCreedy
  • Runner-Up Senior 4-H Showman: Belle Wickman
  • Champion Intermediate 4-H Showman: Colton Rudy
  • Runner-up Intermediate 4-H Showman: Lilly Barber
  • Champion Junior 4-H Showman**: Julienne Schutt, Griswold Clubsters. (Parents Derrick & Tiffany Byers, and Curt Schutt)
  • Runner-Up Junior 4-H Showman: Drew Barber, Cowpokes (Parents TJ & Jess Barber)

[Award Sponsors include: Atlantic BPW; Mike & Jess Jacobsen; Cumberland Telephone Company; Hunt Brothers – Fred & Nick; Carspecken Family; Atlantic Dental Center; In Memory of Haley Jo Baker*; Dan Miller Family;Rawhiders Saddle Club; Sandbothe Firestone; Cass County Fairboard; Barber Quarter Horses; Jody Zellmer Memorial** and Tim & Corissa Dean]

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Fatal crash in north central IA Saturday morning

News

July 25th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

A crash in north central Iowa early Saturday morning resulted in a death and injuries. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened in Hamilton County at around 1:45-a.m., when a 2008 Pontiac G5 driven by 41-year old Danyel McFarland, of Stratford, failed to stop at the intersection with Highway 17 and County Road D-56. His car struck the side of a 2020 Freightliner semi tractor-trailer, driven by 46-year old Scott McCloud, of Ogden. The crash happened as McCloud was northbound on Highway 17 and McFarland was traveling eastbound on D-56.

McFarland, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene. McCloud was injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment. The crash remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Stratford Fire & EMS, Stanhope Fire & EMS, and other agencies.

Posted in News |

High School Baseball Tournament News – Class 1A Quarterfinal Results

Sports

July 25th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Saturday 7/25/20 –

Newman Catholic, Mason City 6, St. Albert, Council Bluffs 5

Down 5-2 after five innings, three-time defending state champion Newman Catholic rallied to take the lead and then held off late-inning threats by Council Bluffs St. Albert for a 6-5 win in a thrilling Class 1A first-round game Saturday at Principal Park. Freshman Max Burt started the game — batting second for the Knights — with a towering home run to left field. He finished the game on the mound, pitching the final two innings to pick up the win.

The sixth-seeded Knights — the lowest seed in their 15 appearances at Principal Park — advance to the semifinals at 18-5. Newman is now 27-8 in state tournament games at Principal Park. St. Albert (21-2) was the third seed in their fourth trip to Principal Park and 11th state tournament appearance overall. Newman took a 1-0 lead on Burt’s home run, but the Falcons rallied for a 3-1 lead after three. Newman scored in the fourth to close within 3-2, but St. Albert scored twice in the fifth for a 5-2 edge.

Newman took a 6-5 lead in the top of the sixth with four runs on three hits. Burt had a two-run double to cut the gap to 5-4, then Sam Kratz crushed a two-run double off the left field wall to put the Knights ahead 6-5. The Falcons left two runners on base in both the sixth and seventh innings. Burt’s home run was the 59th hit at Principal Park during state tournament play.

St. Mary’s, Remsen 11, Notre Dame, Burlington 1 (5 inn.) 

Blaine Harpenau tossed a three hitter as second ranked Remsen St. Mary’s cruised to an 11-1 win over Burlington Notre Dame in a 1A quarterfinal. The Hawks improve to 2-0. Remsen St. Mary’s took advantage of five Notre Dame errors. It was Notre Dame’s first trip to the tournament in 18 years and senior third baseman Drew Chiprez says given everything that has happened he appreciates it even more.

Friday, 7/24/20

Kingsley-Pierson 3, Martensdale-St. Marys 2 Kingsley-Pierson (8 inn.)

Eighth-seeded Kingsley-Pierson rallied from a 2-0 deficit and stunned top-seeded and top-ranked Martensdale-St.Marys 3-2 in eight innings in the Class 1A opener of the 2020 state tournament on a hot, steamy, sweaty Friday afternoon at Principal Park. The Panthers advance to the semifinals at 16-2. MSTM ends at 26-2.

Don Bosco, Gilbertville 3, South Winneshiek, Calmar 1

Fifth-seeded Don Bosco broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the top of the fifth inning to defeat fourth-seeded South Winneshiek 3-1 in a Class 1A first-round game at Principal Park. The teams’ pitchers combined for 20 strikeouts.

The Class 2A Quarterfinals take place Monday, July 27th at Principal Park in Des Moines:

10:30—Van Meter vs. Treynor

1:30—Mid-Prairie, Wellman vs. West Lyon, Inwood

4:30—North Linn, Troy Mills vs. Durant

7:30—Dike-New Hartford vs. Des Moines Christian

Posted in Sports |