(Radio Iowa) – Sam Clovis, a former Republican candidate for the U-S Senate, is suing a Sioux City hospital and its affiliates for alleged medical malpractice. The Iowa Capital Dispatch says the 71-year-old Clovis is suing UnityPoint Health and St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center of Sioux City, along with Regency Square Center and Family Health Care of Siouxland. The lawsuit also names four doctors as defendants.

The lawsuit states the defendants were responsible for Clovis’ medical care for three months up to June 2019, when he awakened to discover that he was a paraplegic. Clovis, who is from Hinton, claims the defendants missed multiple opportunities to diagnose and intervene with regard to a thoracic spinal cord abscess that has resulted in permanent spinal cord damage.

Clovis, according to the lawsuit, is now wheelchair-bound as a paraplegic, requiring significant round-the-clock care. He is suing the defendants for negligence and is seeking unspecified damages for medical expenses; loss of function of the mind and body; physical pain and mental anguish; and lost earning capacity.

The Hinton resident served in 2016 as one of the national co-chairs of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, and later became a senior White House adviser to the U-S Department of Agriculture.

(Radio Iowa) – A new online map can be used to educate Iowans about the air quality around them with a few mouse clicks. Brian Hutchins, the air quality supervisor at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says the colorful map is called simply, AirNow, and it’s focused on fires and smoke.  “What you can find there is the Air Quality Index (AQI),” Hutchins says. “It’s easy to read and essentially the higher the number on that chart, the worse the air quality is. It’s a great tool for those with underlying health conditions, like asthma, to keep an eye on.”

The first time you log in, you’ll see a map of North America, with a series of green, yellow, orange and red dots stretching across Canada, the U-S and Mexico. “You can zoom in on Iowa and you can see the monitoring sites that we have in the state, and the AQI is represented by a dot on the map,” Hutchins says. “It’s a colored dot and you can compare that to the AQI number.” In recent years, Iowa’s air has been polluted by wildfires as far away as Canada. The next time it happens, Hutchins says the map will come in handy, as there are things Iowans can do to stay safe.

“It’s a good idea to limit outdoor activity, especially physical activity like exercising, that sort of thing,” Hutchins says, “if you are an individual that is susceptible to that type of impact.” He also suggests limiting your time near pollution sources — like busy roads. This is National Clean Air Week.

The Adair County Engineer’s Office reports the 110th Street Bridge replacement project over the North River, between Riverside and Quebec Avenues, in northern Adair County, was completed ahead of schedule, and the road is open. The project began Jan. 19th and was scheduled to be finished May 31st.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office says a man from Yorktown was arrested April 30th, for Indecent Contact with a Child. 42-year-old Justin Allen Sickler was taken into custody following an investigation conducted by the Page County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Department of Human Services. Sickler was booked into the Page County Jail and later released on $4,000 bond, pending future court proceedings.

Justin A. Sickler

The Page County Sheriff’s Office, Monday, received a complaint about a woman walking up and down Main Street in Coin, yelling and screaming causing a disturbance to the neighborhood.
A Page County Deputy made contact with 30-year-old Destiny Estalin Louise Graham, of Coin, in the 400 block of Main, after she was pointed out by a witness as being the female causing the disturbance.

Destiny Graham

The Deputy witnessed Graham yelling while talking with the witness. Graham became agitated and allegedly began causing a loud ruckus with her yelling and screaming while the Deputy was attempting to calm her down. Graham refused to lower her voice and talk with the Deputy and began yelling and screaming, causing even more of a disturbance. When Graham refused to calm down after several attempts from the Deputy speaking with her and warning her of the criminal offense she was committing, she was told she was under arrest and began to scuffle with the Deputy.

Graham was arrested and transported to the Page County Jail on charges of Disorderly Conduct, and interference with Official acts. She later posted a $600 bond and was released pending future court appearances.

A traffic stop Tuesday (today) in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest of 61-year-old Dale Ellsworth Burns, of Red Oak. Burns was taken into custody for Driving While License Suspended, x3. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $491.25 bond.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies arrested 37-year-old Jarod Brown, of Corning, on April 28th, following an ongoing investigation. Brown was charged with Lascivious Acts with a Child, and Drug Distribution to persons under the age of 18. His cash-only bond was set $25,000.

Last Sunday, Adams County Deputies were contacted about a vehicle that had been broken into, which resulted in the theft of two handguns. On Monday, it was reported that a handgun and rifle were stolen from another vehicle in a different location. Upon further investigation, a 16-year-old male was charged with four Class-D Felony counts of Trafficking stolen weapons, two counts of Burglary from a vehicle in the 3rd Degree, and Theft in the 5th Degree. The juvenile was released to the custody of their parent. A 17-year old male faces the same charges associated with the incidents. That juvenile was transported to the Eldora Juvenile Detention Center.

And, at around 10:30-p.m. Sunday, a traffic stop on Highway 34 in Adams County, resulted in the arrest of 22-year-old Damion Cappello, of Winterset, for OWI/2nd offense, Driving While Barred, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense. A passenger in the vehicle, 19-year old Callysta Lage-Guttormson, of West Des Moines, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense. Both subjects were transported to the Adams County Jail.

(Des Moines, IA) The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 in Iowa. This variant is also referred to as the India variant because it was first detected there. We are still learning about the characteristics of this strain.

B.1.617 is not designated as a “variant of concern,” indicating that there is not currently evidence of increased transmissibility or more severe disease caused by this variant. However, we share this information as a matter of public interest given the virus impact and newly issued travel restrictions to India. The P.1 and B.1.1.7 variant strains which were previously confirmed by IDPH are considered “variants of concern.”

The cases were detected in and adult and an older adult in Jefferson County. IDPH and local public health have initiated contact with the individuals to understand exposures and initiate the public health monitoring process. The process includes notifying anyone with whom the individuals have been in close contact. As always, affected individuals are advised to isolate in accordance with IDPH and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance.

The case was identified by the State Hygienic Lab (SHL). SHL is doing sequencing to understand what strains are circulating here in Iowa and contribute to the understanding of COVID-19 activity in the United States. Routine analysis of genetic sequence data assisted in identifying the new variant strain in Iowa.

“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to prevent this, or any other currently circulating strain of the virus from spreading through the population. Since the vaccine is now open to all Iowans over the age of 16, we have the opportunity to use this tool to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities,” said Dr. Caitlin Pedati, IDPH State Medical Director and Epidemiologist.

The CDC is tracking COVID-19 variants here.

Iowans who have not been vaccinated should visit https://vaccinate.iowa.gov/ to find a provider and schedule an appointment.

The emergence of new variants underscores that it remains critical for Iowans to continue the mitigation efforts that we know work to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Get a COVID-19 vaccine
• Wear a mask or face covering
• Practice social distancing with those outside your household
• Clean your hands frequently with soap and water
• Stay home if you feel sick
• Get tested if you are exposed to, or have symptoms of COVID-19
• If you have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, review CDC guidelines here

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office is reporting numerous arrests from the past week. At around 1:10-a.m. today (Tuesday), 27-year-old Alex Michael Clausen, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and Failure to Maintain Control of a motor vehicle, following an accident near the Crescent, at Rosewood and I-29. His bond was set at $1,000. Monday night, 44-year-old Brandy Danielle Kermoade, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Treynor, on a warrant for Violation of Parole. Monday afternoon, 39-year-old Justin Allen Messmore, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Council Bluffs, on a warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice. On Monday afternoon also, 51-year-old Les WAyne Berkenbosch, Jr., of Council Bluffs, a Pott. County Jail inmate, was served with a warrant for OWI/1st offense, and returned to his cell.

Sunday evening, 55-year-old Todd Michael Walker was arrested in Hancock, after authorities received a report a juvenile female had been left at the Casey’s General Store, by her step-father. Walker was charged with Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order – Contempt of Court. Sunday afternoon, 40-year-old Anthony Lee Nielsen was arrested following a traffic stop. He was taken into custody for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked and transported to the jail without incident.

At around 3:40-a.m. Saturday, 38-year-old Victor Harold Wright was arrested following a traffic stop on a vehicle that used the emergency median to make a U-turn on I-680, near Crescent. Wright was charged with Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender.  At around 12:30-a.m., Saturday, 37-year-old Ross Rolland Koley was arrested following a traffic stop on I-29 in Council Bluffs. He was charged with OWI/1st offense.

Late Friday evening, 33-year-old Amanda Jo Larsen was arrested in Council Bluffs, for Theft in the 3rd Degree (property/loss valued at $750-$1,500). And, Thursday evening, 28-year-old Marsaides Angela Kay Byus was arrested in Macedonia, after authorities received a call about a trespasser. Byus was charged with Burglary in the 3rd (non-vehicle), Disorderly Conduct (loud noise), and Interference with official acts. Late Thursday morning, two 17-year-old females were cited for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense, after authorities received a call about the odor of marijuana at the Underwood High School. The teens were released from custody after receiving their citations.

(Radio Iowa) – The southwest Iowa town of Hamburg is taking an important step in the continuing recovery from the 2019 Missouri River flooding. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 11 A-M Wednesday, for a major levee rehabilitation project. Hamburg Mayor Cathy Crain says the reinforced levee will be raised eight feet which will help the community in three primary ways.  “The first is building that three-mile levee, and building it that tall, which means that it’s going to be over a hundred feet wide,” Crain says. “In addition to that, the DOT is going to be raising the two roads that go through the levee to the very same height as the levee.”

Aerial photo of Hamburg – Ditch 6 shows scope of damage from the flooding. Photo taken Mar. 17, 2019. – US Army Corps of Engineers photo

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials and the city signed a project agreement in February to allow raising the levee, significantly increasing the flood risk management benefits the levee provides the city. The expansion is the first project in the nation to utilize the authority to raise the height of a federal levee system. Floodwaters over-topped and severely damaged the levee two years ago, leading to significant flooding in Hamburg. In addition, Crain says the Iowa Department of Transportation is building another levee southwest of Interstate 29 to prevent water from swamping the interstate, as it did two years ago.