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Des Moines police arrest dozens after using tear gas

News

May 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police arrested more than two dozen people after using tear gas to break up a protest and stop vandalism near the Polk County Courthouse in downtown Des Moines. Live video from WOI-TV showed a small group of people spraying paint on the courthouse and breaking at least one window on the building’s first floor. Police arrived about 9:40 p.m. and shot tear gas about 10 minutes later, causing what appeared to be about 250 protesters to scatter.

The protest Saturday night started at the Des Moines police station and later moved across downtown. That incident and an earlier peaceful march were held to protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Cass County Primary set for June 2nd

News

May 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Primary Election is set to take place Tuesday. Winners of any contested races advance to the General Election in November. In Cass County, here are the candidates for Office:

On the Republican Ballot:

  • Supervisor/District 1 – Incumbent Stephen S. Green, of Atlantic.
  • Supervisor/District 4 – Incumbent Steve Baier, of Griswold; Travis Erickson, of Cumberland
  • Supervisor/District 5 – Bernard Pettinger, of Anita; Linda Reineke, of Massena.
  • County Attorney (To fill a vacancy) – Vanessa Strazdas, of Atlantic.
  • County Auditor – Incumbent Dale Sunderman
  • County Sheriff – Incumbent Darby McLaren

U-S Senator: Incumbent Joni Ernst

U-S Representative/District 3: Bill Schafer; David Young (Winner faces Cindy Axne in November)

State Senator/District 10: Incumbent Jake Chapman

State Representative/District 20: (Incumbent) Ray “Bubba” Sorensen

State Representative/District 21: (Incumbent) Tom Moore

On the Democrat Ballot:

  • Supervisor/District 1 – No candidate
  • Supervisor/District 2 – No candidate
  • Supervisor/District 4 – No candidate
  • Supervisor/District 5 – Russell Joyce, of Atlantic
  • No Democrat candidates have filed for the offices of County Attorney, Auditor and Sheriff.

U-S Senator (Winner faces Senator Joni Ernst in November)

  • Michael Franken
  • Kimberly Graham
  • Theresa Greenfield
  • Eddie J. Mauro
  • Cal Woods (he ended his campaign in early May)

U-S Representative District 3: Incumbent Cindy Axne

State Senator/District 10: Warren Andrew Varley, of Stuart.

State Representative/District 20: Ryan Morrison

State Representative/District 21: No candidate

Iowa sees coronavirus cases surpass 19K, another 9 deaths

News

May 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials reported another 345 coronavirus cases Saturday, surpassing 19,000 total for the pandemic. It also reported another nine COVID-19-related deaths Saturday. The state Department of Public health reported that the number of coronavirus cases rose 1.8% since Friday afternoon to bring the total to 19,243. The department said the number of COVID-19-related deaths in the pandemic rose 1.7% to 531. More than half of the state’s confirmed cases were concentrated in six counties. They are Polk, Woodbury, Black Hawk, Linn, Marshall and Dallas counties. While adults 61 and older accounted for 19% of confirmed cases, they were 87% of the deaths.

In updated information this (Sunday) morning, the IDPH says:

  • 154,109 Iowans had been tested for COVID-19.
  • 19,336 tested Positive
  • 134,339 have tested Negative
  • 11,059 have recovered from the virus, and 533 have died.
  • Across the State: 341 Iowans are hospitalized with COVID-19; 116 are in an ICU, and 23 were admitted over the past 24-hours. Officials said also, 70 of the hospitalized patients are on ventilators.
  • Regional Medical Coordination Center (RMCC) Region 4 (southwest/western IA) data show: 17 Iowans are hospitalized; 9 are in an ICU; 4 were admitted over the past 24-hours; 3 are on ventilators.

As for Long-Term Care Facility Outbreaks: Officials report the number of outbreaks is unchanged, at 39; 7 more LTC facility patients/staff were diagnosed as COVID-19 positive (for a total to date of 1,5600; 711 have recovered (9 more than Saturday), and 250 have died (3 more than Saturday).

In the immediate KJAN listening area, there have been few changes in the number of positive cases and those recovered, since Saturday. The only differences are: In Adair County, where three people have recovered from COVID-19 (down 2 from Saturday); Adams County saw two more recoveries; and in Pott. County, which recorded two more positive cases (for an IDPH dashboard total of 259).

A reminder also, that a TestIowa Covid-19 test site is operational in Council Bluffs. The site, located at the Western Historic Trails Center (3434 Richard Downing Ave.), is open by appointment, on June 1st, from Noon until 6-p.m., and from Tuesday through June 12th (Monday thru Friday) from 8-a.m. To 6-p.m.

Sports Headlines: 5/31/20

Sports

May 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander David Price will give $1,000 each to 220 of the team’s minor leaguers as a goodwill gesture, according to a club spokesman. Price has yet to play a regular-season game for the Dodgers because the start of the season has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. He was acquired in a February trade with the Boston Red Sox. The 34-year-old left-hander is on a $217 million, seven-year contract that runs through 2021.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Pro Football Hall of Famer Floyd Little has been diagnosed with cancer, according to a former Syracuse Orange teammate who has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for treatment costs. Pat Killorin created the Friends of Floyd page last Sunday to help raise money for costs associated with curing what he calls “a treatable but aggressive form of cancer.” Little was a three-time All-American at Syracuse from 1964-66 and was selected sixth overall in the 1967 combined AFL-NFL draft by the Denver Broncos.

UNDATED (AP) — United States Tennis Association officials continue to work on plans to hold the U.S. Open as scheduled. Among the possibilities are charter flights to ferry players and limited entourages from Europe, South America and the Middle East to New York. There could be negative COVID-19 tests before traveling, centralized housing and daily temperature checks. USTA chief executive for professional tennis Stacey Allaster tells The Associated Press that all plans remain fluid, and no decisions have been made.

UNDATED (AP) — The English Premier League has been given government approval to press ahead with its June 17 restart, although players will have to stay apart during goal celebrations and disputes to maintain social distancing. Further details of the league’s plans for dealing with coronavirus cases have been disclosed with clubs likely to have to play even if they only have 15 fit squad members. The league says there have been no positive results in its latest round of COVID-19 testing.

UNDATED (AP) — A former sports minister in France says the government was too hasty in calling off soccer leagues this season. Patrick Kanner thinks the leagues were pressured into canceling, saying in a French radio interview that they weren’t given any choice and could have possibly resumed play in June. France is the only one of Europe’s five major soccer leagues to cancel its season.

NWS forecast for Atlantic & the area: 5/31/20

Weather

May 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly cloudy this morning, w/scattered showers and thunderstorms, then gradually becoming sunny & breezy, with a high near 73. S/SE winds at 5-15mph w/gusts to near 25 this afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Partly cloudy w/a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Low around 62.  SE @ 10-20mph.
Monday: Sunny, windy & warmer. High near 88. S/SW winds @ 15-35 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear & breezy, with a low around 68. S/Sw @ 15-25.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Tuesday Night: P/Cldy, w/a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low around 68.
Wednesday: P/Sunny w/a 20% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. High near 87.

2 fatal crashes in separate IA counties, Saturday

News

May 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Two people died in separate Iowa crashes Saturday, in Warren and Mahaska Counties. The Iowa State Patrol reports a crash near the Warren/Marion County line claimed the life of a Knoxville man. Authorities say 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by 48-year old Gary Eugene Bender was traveling north on Highway 316 north of Cleveland Street and navigating a curve to the left, when the cycle left a portion of the road to the right, and overturned. Bender was thrown from the motorcycle into a tree. He died at the scene. The accident happened at around 2:53-p.m., Saturday.

A Fresno, California man is dead after a vehicle pursuit in southeast Iowa. Authorities say at around 5:10-a.m. Saturday, the Mahaska County Dispatch Center received a complaint of a vehicle traveling westbound at a high rate of speed, in the eastbound lane of Highway 163, between Oskaloosa and Pella. Not long afterward, Marion County Dispatch received a similar report. A Marion County deputy located the vehicle, a 2005 Mitsubishi passenger car, and made a traffic stop near Otley, Iowa on Highway 163. After the deputy stopped the vehicle and made contact with the driver, the driver then placed the vehicle in gear and sped off, resulting in the pursuit.

Near the intersection of Highway 163 and Eaton Avenue, in Mahaska County, the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle then rolled several times, struck a building and the driver was ejected. The person died from their injuries. The man’s identity is being withheld by authorities, pending notification of family.

The incident remains under investigation.

Iowa early News Headlines: Sunday, May 31 2020

News

May 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:50 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officers used tear gas Saturday night to break up a protest and vandalism at the Polk County Courthouse in downtown Des Moines. Live video from WOI-TV showed a small group of people spraying paint on the courthouse and breaking at least one window on the building’s first floor. Police arrived about 9:40 p.m. and shot tear gas about 10 minutes later, causing what appeared to be about 250 protesters to scatter. The protest Saturday night started at the Des Moines police station and later moved to the courthouse. That incident and an earlier peaceful march were held to protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — As if trips to the grocery store weren’t nerve-wracking enough, U.S. shoppers lately have seen the costs of meat, eggs and even potatoes soar as the coronavirus has disrupted processing plants and distribution networks. Overall, the cost of food bought to eat at home skyrocketed by the most in 46 years, and analysts caution that meat prices in particular could remain high as slaughterhouses struggle to so keep workers healthy. While price spikes for staples such as eggs and flour have eased as consumer demand has leveled off, prices may remain volatile for carrots, potatoes and other produce because of transportation issues and the health of workers who pick crops and work in processing plants.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has reported another 345 coronavirus cases Saturday, surpassing 19,000 total for the pandemic. It also reported another nine COVID-19-related deaths Saturday. The state Department of Public health reported that the number of coronavirus cases rose 1.8% since Friday afternoon to bring the total to 19,243. The department said the number of COVID-19-related deaths in the pandemic rose 1.7% to 531. More than half of the state’s confirmed cases were concentrated in six counties. They are Polk, Woodbury, Black Hawk, Linn, Marshall and Dallas counties. While adults 61 and older accounted for 19% of confirmed cases, they were 87% of the deaths.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man died after being shot in a Des Moines neighborhood just east of the state Capitol. Police say officers invested a report of gunshots about 8:30 a.m. Saturday in an area a few blocks from the Capitol and found a 20-year-old man on the ground who had been shot. Officers began lifesaving efforts, and the man was taken to a hospital, where he died just after 9 a.m. The man was identified later Saturday as Robert Lee Trey Freeman, of Des Moines. Police hadn’t reported any arrests as of Saturday night. It’s the city’s 11th homicide of the year.

Iowa COVID-19 status update (4:15-p.m., 5/30/20)

News

May 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Health, said as of late Saturday afternoon, to-date, 19,244 Iowans have tested positive for COVID-19, and 531 people have died. The IPDH said 150,851 Iowans have been tested for coronavirus, and 11,019 have recovered. 131,179 have tested negative. The number of LTC facility outbreaks is 39; 1,557 LTC patients/staff have tested positive; 707 have recovered, and 248 have died.

More than half of the state’s confirmed cases were concentrated in six counties. They are Polk, Woodbury, Black Hawk, Linn, Marshall and Dallas counties. While adults 61 and older accounted for 19% of confirmed cases, they were 87% of the deaths.

Iowa’s hospitalization data continues to show flat or declining rates. Hospitalizations showed a peak around May 6 and have been declining or flat since that date. IDPH reports 368 Iowans are hospitalized with the virus, with 29 admitted in the last 24 hours. There were 118 patients in intensive care and 69 patients on ventilators.

As mentioned in our last report, Cass County has one new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 12. Nine people have also recovered from the virus in the County. Most of the other area counties have had very little if any change in their numbers over the past 24-to 36 hours.

Here’s  a look at the numbers in the surrounding counties, including the number of positive cases (and those who have recovered from the virus):

Adair County: 9 (5); Adams: 7 (3); Audubon: 12 (8); Guthrie: 50 (39); Montgomery: 7 (5); Pottawattamie: 257 (157); & Shelby: 37 (30). Also, in western/southwest Iowa, the latest Regional Medical Coordination Center (RMCC) data show 12 persons were hospitalized over the past 24 hours, 6 were in an ICU, 5 were admitted to a hospital, and 3 people were on ventilators.

BENJAMIN JESSEN, 30, of Atlantic (Memorial Svc. 6/3/20)

Obituaries

May 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

BENJAMIN JESSEN, 30, of Atlantic, died Friday, May 29th, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. A Memorial service for BENJAMIN JESSEN will be held 10:30-a.m. Wednesday, June  3rd, at the Hockenberry Funeral Home, in Atlantic.

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A visitation will take place from at the funeral home from 9-a.m. until 7-p.m., Tuesday, June 2nd, with the family present from 5-until 7-p.m.; Online condolences may be left at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com.

Inurnment will be at a later date at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Audubon County.

Memorials may be directed to the family in Ben’s name.

BENJAMIN JESSEN is survived by:

Wife:  Tara Jessen of Atlantic.

Mother & Step-Father:  Amy (Joseph) Maes of Atlantic.

Father & Step-Mother:  David (Laura) Jessen of Atlantic.

Step-Brother:  Steven (Carolanne) Maes of Fremont, NE.

Grandmother:  Mary Hoegh of Atlantic.

Des Moines man dies after being shot near state Capitol

News

May 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man died after being shot in a Des Moines neighborhood just east of the state Capitol. Police say officers invested a report of gunshots about 8:30 a.m. Saturday in an area a few blocks from the Capitol and found a 20-year-old man on the ground who had been shot. Officers began lifesaving efforts, and the man was taken to a hospital, where he died just after 9 a.m.

The man wasn’t immediately identified but was described as a Des Moines resident. It’s the city’s 11th homicide of the year.