This is the first day of summer, yet cooler weather is expected for much of Iowa after unseasonable highs in the 90s the past two days. The arriving cool front brings the risk of severe weather across much of Iowa, according to meteorologist Darren Snively at the National Weather Service. For starters, the storms should bring much-needed moisture. Snively says, “We’re looking at wide-spread rains in the range of a quarter to a half-inch, with locally heavier amounts in the stronger thunderstorms.” He says Iowans may need to stick by their radios later today for updates on possible rough weather moving in.

“There is a risk for some severe storms,” Snively says. “The main threats are large hail, strong winds, probably the heavier rain, and minor street flooding would be the biggest threat out of these.” The forecast calls for nicer weather for Thursday and Friday with sunny to mostly-sunny skies and highs mainly in the 80s statewide. For details, visit: weather.gov.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in western Iowa are working to identify a body that was found  along the railroad tracks near Highway 30, in Crawford County. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from the Union Pacific Railroad at around 3-p.m., Tuesday, with regard to an unidentified body located along the railroad tracks. Sheriff’s deputies responded to scene along with agents from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Union Pacific Railroad Agents, Iowa State Patrol, and the Crawford County Medical Examiner.

DPS Officials say due to the state of decomposition a positive identification cannot be determined until final autopsy results have been completed by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office. An autopsy is scheduled for today (Wednesday). The Denison, and Vail Fire Departments also assisted with the investigation.

(Radio Iowa/DPS)

w/ Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.2MB)

Subscribe: RSS

w/ Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.4MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Thousands of Iowans in dozens of communities statewide are taking part in charitable walks during the next several weeks. They’re known as the Relay For Life and the walks are fundraisers for the American Cancer Society. Agency spokesman Chuck Reed says the number of relays is growing, year by year. “We have 88 events around the state,” Reed says. “That’s one more than we had last year and if you break it down, 99 counties, 88 events, just about every county has a Relay For Life.” 

The events are designed with several purposes in mind, including raising money, educating people about how to reduce their risk of getting cancer, and honoring cancer survivors. “That’s always a terrific moment at a Relay For Life event, when we have that survivor lap, where they get to walk around the track and are recognized by everyone there as having beaten cancer,” Reed says. “We do celebrate survivorship.” 

Participants also remember those they’ve lost to cancer, often by lighting luminaries that spell out “HOPE.” Reed says Iowa isn’t a very populous state, but we’ve distinguished ourselves in the fundraising efforts. “It’s not always the biggest counties that raise the most money,” he says. “In fact, Carroll County is the #1 Relay For Life in the country as far as raising money per capita.” 

2012 Relay For Life events are being held this Friday (June 22^nd), in Cass County: At the Atlantic High School, from 6-11pm; in Montgomery County, at the Red Oak High School, beginning at 6-p.m.; in Union County, at the Creston High School. 

To find other events near you, or for more information, log-on to www.relayforlife.org, or call 1-800-227-2345.

(Matt Kelley-Radio Iowa/Ric Hanson-KJAN)

The Iowa Board of Nursing Home Administrators Tuesday (June 19th), ordered a hearing on a Statement of Charges against a former Tabor Nursing Home Administrator, to be delayed by one-week. 52-year old Mitchell Worcester was set to stand before the Board on October 11th, but his hearing was continued instead, until October 18th at 9-a.m. Worcester faces charges of professional incompetence, negligence, and violation of a regulation, rule or law of the state, in connection with a series of alleged sexual assaults by a resident at the Tabor Manor Care facility, which he oversaw in Tabor from October 2007 through July 2011.

In a Statement of Charges issued on April 12th, 2012, the Board said on Worcester’s watch, a patient at the Tabor Manor repeatedly abused his peers at the facility.  State inspectors confirmed at least five incidents over a 16 week span in 2008 when the patient repeatedly violated others at the facility. The Board also said under Worcester’s administration, the facility lacked adequate policies and procedures to guide staff in the performance of their duties, in several areas including: Completion of Incident Reports; Ensuring proper physician and family notifications regarding residents; Investigating allegations or suspicions of resident abuse, and handling those incidents.

****************

To view additional information on the case visit: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/IdphPLActions/Archive.aspx On the drop-down menu, select Nursing Home Administrators Board, and click on the link to a pdf file on the IBNHA’s Notice of Hearing and Statement of Charges pertaining to Worcester.

A sleepy driver lost control of her vehicle this (Tuesday) morning in Page County, causing a rollover accident. The Page County Sheriff’s Office say 63-year old Linda Diana Sands, of Clarinda, was traveling north on Highway 71 at around 10:15-a.m., when she fell asleep at the wheel of her SUV. As the 2007 Ford Edge crossed the center line of the road, Sands woke up. When she tried to bring the vehicle back into her lane, she over-corrected, causing the SUV to swerve and enter the ditch, where it rolled two and one-half times, before coming to rest on its top. Sands was transported by Clarinda EMS to the Clarinda Regional Health Center, for treatment of possible, minor injuries.

The Atlantic City Council Wednesday evening, is expected to act on a Resolution authorizing Mayor Dave Jones to sign a three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the City and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 234. During their 5:30-p.m. session at City Hall, the Council will also act on approving a Resolution establishing the Pay Plan for non-union employees of the City, for Fiscal Year 2012-2013, which begins July 1st.

City Administrator Doug Harris says the CBA he’s reached with the Union, calls for a 3.5-percent pay increase in FY 2013 and 3% increases in FY 2014 and 2015. The new contract, which requires employees to pay a proportionate share of their medical insurance premiums, and increases the minimum deductible amount, is expected to result in a substantial savings to the City, according to Harris. It does not affect the Police Union contract, which runs through the end of FY 2013. Longevity pay does not increase during the term of the contract. Harris says by negotiating the contract for the City, it also has saved them at least $20,000, which is what the fees for a Labor Attorney would have amounted to, had they handled the agreement.

Harris says the proposed Pay Plan established for non-union City employees, reflects a 3.5% increase in the non-union pay scales, which is the same increase given to union employees, per their contracts. The Health Insurance Plans for Non-Union employees as well as Street and Wastewater Employees (who are represented by  IUOE Local 234) have been modified to do away with the lowest deductible insurance option, and increases employee contributions for their medical insurance premiums.

The City Administrator’s position is not part of the pay plan, and does not receive automatic pay step increases as do other employees, according to Harris. The City Council may grant merit-based step increases based on Harris’ performance evaluation, if it sees fit, and based upon a recommendation by the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee.

The Iowa State Patrol has released the names of the victims who died in Monday afternoon’s fiery crash on Highway 20 near Holstein, in northwest Iowa’s Ida County. Officials say 55-year old Michael Hengel, of Milwaukee, WI, and 38-year old Cory Severson, of Pine River, WI died in the crash that took place at around 1:25-p.m.  Two other people, 45-year old Oscar Alonzo, of Miami, FL, and 55-year old Jeffrey MacGregor, of Spencer, IA, were injured.

Officials say a 2009 Pontiac G-6 driven by Michael Hengel, was stopped in a construction zone westbound on Highway 20 behind a 2007 Freightliner semi driver by MacGregor, while the drivers waited for a Pilot car. The Pontiac was rear-ended by a 2007 Freightliner semi, driven by Oscar Alonzo. The impact shoved the car into the rear of the first semi. The vehicle then rolled on the highway and burst into flames, trapping the occupants, who perished in the fire. Alonzo’s semi entered the north ditch and rolled over following the collision. He was  transported by Holstein Ambulance to Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove. Officials say MacGregor did not require transport to the hospital.  

Authorities say no alcohol or drugs were involved. The crash remains under investigation, and anyone with information concerning the accident is asked to contact the Iowa State Patrol at 712-263-4621.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department filed numerous charges against a Carroll man, following an investigation into a crash early Monday morning, north of Elk Horn. Officials say 21-year old Cody Lee Petersen was charged with Failure to Maintain Control, Open Container, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Authorities say Petersen was traveling north on Highway 173 at around 7-a.m., Monday, when the Chevy Cobalt he was driving went out of control.

The car went off the roadway to the right, crossed 280th Street and entered the right ditch before hitting a pine tree and a fence. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $1,500. Petersen failed to report the accident and left the scene. He was later arrested and brought to the Audubon County Jail. Petersen appeared before the judge this (Tuesday) morning, pled guilty to the charges, and was fined.