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Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area: 6/10/20

Weather

June 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly cloudy & windy w/scattered showers and thunderstorms. High 71. NW @ 20-40.**Flash Flood Watch in effect until 1-p.m.**

Tonight: Becoming mostly clear w/diminishing winds. Low 53.

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. High 80. NW @ 10-15.

Friday: P/Cldy. High 84.

Saturday: P/Cldy. High 80.

Tuesday’s High in Atlantic was 89. Our Low this morning, 58. Rainfall thru 5-a.m. amounted to .55″.   Last year on this date the High was 80 and the Low was 50. The Record High on June 10th was 104 in 1933 and the Record Low was 40 in 1966.

Red Oak woman arrested for OWI/1st offense

News

June 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop at around 8:40-p.m. Tuesday in Montgomery County, resulted in the arrest on an OWI/1st offense charge, of 30-year old Holly Irene Gross, from Red Oak. Gross was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on an undefined cash bond.

AARP leader says COVID-19 a wake-up call for nursing home industry

News

June 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — A-A-R-P’s state director says it’s time to revisit the model of elder care in Iowa. Brad Anderson says surveys consistently show older Iowans would prefer to stay at home rather than enter a nursing home — yet Iowa has among the highest rates of people with low-care needs in nursing homes.

“There are a lot of people in nursing homes right now that could get that care or better at home, which is where they want to be,” Anderson says. “COVID-19 is a wake-up call to this industry and the time has come to start having those conversations at the federal level and at the state level.” A spokesman for the industry says federal standards forbid people from being admitted to nursing homes unless they have a need for skilled care. A-A-R-P urges policymakers to consider shifting spending to in-home and community-based services.

Anderson also says it’s time to ensure the 55-thousand Iowans who care for elderly Iowans are properly compensated for their work. “The median age for a direct care worker right now is $13.80,” Anderson says. “$13.80 is not enough money for the type of work these folks are doing.” The state website indicates there are COVID-19 outbreaks in 39 Iowa nursing homes. Anderson says the employees and the 23-thousand Iowans who live in nursing homes need to be tested regularly for COVID-19, to guard against outbreaks.

“It is incredibly sad what is happening in nursing homes today and we have to do better,” Anderson says. “The virus in nursing homes is just like a prairie fire that is blazing across a dry prairie and we need to do everything we can to stop that fire.” Anderson made his comments recently during an appearance on Iowa P-B-S. State officials have reported 309 residents have died of COVID-19. That accounts for nearly half of the virus-related deaths in Iowa this year.

Sports Brief: 6/10/20

Sports

June 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Baseball players counter … Taiwan baseball trailblazing … Olympic committee on protests

NEW YORK (AP) — A pair of people familiar with the negotiations tell The Associated Press that baseball players moved toward teams but remained far apart on the economics of starting the pandemic-delayed season, adamant they receive full prorated salaries while offering to cut the regular season to 89 games. MLB did not appear to view the proposal as productive but made no comment. Players made their move one day after management cut its proposed schedule from 82 games to 76.

NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan (AP) — The Taiwan baseball league is continuing as a trailblazer for sports resuming after the lockdown in the coronavirus pandemic. An easing of restrictions by the government last weekend allows more fans at the ballparks and allows them to sit closer together while they’re supporting their teams in the Taiwan-based CPBL. Spectators are only required to wear face masks when they’re not in their seats and ball parks can operate up to 50% capacity.

DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is creating an athlete group that will look into loosening restrictions on protests at the games. CEO Sarah Hirshland tweeted the plans for a new group, which is being formed in response to George Floyd’s death last month. The USOPC put out a statement last week signaling its solidarity with black athletes. But the federation received blowback from several athletes, most notably hammer thrower Gwen Berry. Berry is serving a 12-month probation for raising her fist on the medals stand at the Pan-Am Games last summer.

UNDATED (AP) — The Toronto Raptors have an NBA championship to defend, a very long stay at the Disney complex awaiting them and plenty of unanswered questions on how the restart of the season will work. As the NBA’s lone Canadian team, there’s an added complexity: The U.S. border. The Raptors are still deciding whether to have workouts before going to Disney, and where those workouts would take place.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration has ordered closed a small stock-car track that’s allowed large crowds to gather repeatedly for weekend races well above COVID-19 limits for mass gatherings. Cooper’s health secretary says Ace Speedway in Alamance County is an “imminent hazard” for the virus’ spread and can’t reopen unless it creates a safety plan to keep fans away. Media outlets have reported crowds at the speedway exceeding 2,000 people.

UNDATED (AP) — The familiar scene of Confederate flags waved by fans at NASCAR tracks could soon be a relic of racing’s good ol’ boy roots. Bubba Wallace — the lone black driver in the sport — this week declared it is time for the stock car series with deep ties to the South to ban the flag at its properties and formally distance itself from what for millions is a unwelcome symbol of slavery and racism. The signs are everywhere that NASCAR could do so. The series in 2015 asked fans to “refrain from displaying” the flag at its facilities and events.

Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., June 10 2020

News

June 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republican legislators are fast-tracking a bill that offers businesses including meatpacking plants and nursing homes broad immunity from coronavirus lawsuits amid criticism that it would also enable them to ignore workplace safety requirements. A bill passed the Iowa House on Friday after brief debate and it awaits likely approval in the GOP-led Senate before moving to the Republican governor. Limiting liability for businesses has long been a priority of Republicans in many states and the coronavirus pandemic has given them a reason to pursue aggressive action. Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming enacted similar laws and several other states are considering them.

CLERMONT, Iowa (AP) — Two women have died while tubing on the Turkey River in northeast Iowa. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office says 64-year-old Sharon Kahn and 44-year-old Vicki K. Hodges, both of West Union, drowned Monday after going over a small dam in Clermont. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that someone heard a cry for help from the tubers and called the sheriff’s office about 3:40 p.m. Monday. Emergency crews pulled the women from the water and attempted life-saving efforts before taking them to a hospital in West Union, where they were pronounced dead.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Des Moines City Council has unanimously advanced a proposal to ban racial profiling by police in the wake of protests and civil unrest decrying racial injustice. Of the 45 people who spoke before the council Monday in an online meeting addressing the ban, most said more oversight is needed when racial profiling complaints are lodged against Des Moines police. The proposal would ban racial profiling and biased policing. Violations could lead to an officer’s firing. The proposed ordinance will be back before the council at its June 22 meeting for the second of three readings before it can become law.

Wind Advisory continues until 7-a.m. today (6/10)

Weather

June 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Sac-Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-Page Counties: WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM CDT WEDNESDAY.

* WHAT…North winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

Flash Flood Watch extended until 1-p.m. today (6/10)

Weather

June 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
310 AM CDT Wed Jun 10 2020

…Narrow Corridor of Heavy Rainfall Expected to Move across
Portions of Central Iowa This Morning…

Guthrie-Dallas-Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Union-Taylor-Ringgold Counties: FLASH FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON…

* One half inch to 1.5 inches of rainfall in a narrow corridor from southwestern Iowa through central Iowa into northeastern Iowa. Isolated areas of higher amounts in excess of 3 inches is possible.

* Heavy rainfall may result in flooding of low lying or poor drainage areas and ultimately dangerous flash flooding on smaller creeks and streams. Significant rises on larger streams and rivers will also be possible.

Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-Page Counties: FLASH FLOOD WATCH CANCELLED (update 4:45-a.m.)

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

25 new COVID-19 cases in Pott. County

News

June 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Officials with Pottawattamie County Public Health, Tuesday afternoon, reported 25 new cases of COVID-19. Of those, two are from Carter Lake and 23 are from Council Bluffs. Seven of the cases are epi-linked and the others were tested between May 27th and June 6th. The State’s COVID-19 dashboard, Tuesday, showed 4,762 Pott. County residents have been tested for COVID-19, with 383 testing positive. Including epi-linked cases, PCPH reports a total of 437 COVID-19 cases.

A total of 234 persons in Pott. County have recovered from the virus. Six are currently hospitalized, and 178 are self-isolating. Based on PCPH contact tracing investigations, 113 COVID-19 cases in Pottawattamie County are the result of community spread.

Corn planting done, beans almost there

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Warm, dry weather helped with planting and crop growth this past week.  The U-S-D-A says the corn planting is virtually complete and 97 percent of the corn in the ground has already emerged. That’s more than two weeks ahead of last year and ten days ahead of the five-year average. Eighty-five percent of the corn is rated in good to excellent condition. The soybean crop is not too far behind — with just three percent left to be planted. That’s three weeks ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of average. The report says 87 percent of beans have emerged and 82 percent are in good to excellent condition.

Drive-through Mobile Food Pantry to be held in Anita June 22

News

June 9th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh reports that on Monday June 22nd, the Food Bank for the Heartland and the Anita Food Pantry are teaming up to offer a drive-through mobile food pantry. The drive-through mobile pantry will be held at CAM High School from 2:00 – 4:00 PM, or as supplies last. Anyone in need is welcome, and no documentation is needed.

The Anita Food Pantry reminds people who use their services that the Anita Food Pantry will not be open the first Saturday in July because it is the Fourth of July. Therefore, people who may need to visit the Anita Food Pantry in early July are encouraged to visit the mobile pantry on June 22.

Food Bank for the Heartland Mobile Food Pantry
When: Monday, June 22 (2:00-4:00 PM, or until supplies run out)
Where: CAM High School, 1000 Victory Park Rd, Anita, IA 50020
What: A mobile pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to families in need for a oneday distribution. The mobile pantry is available free of charge. Visitors are asked stay in their vehicles
with the trunk open.
Who: Anyone in need is welcome. No documentation needed.

Questions can be directed to (402)331-1213.