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Connections Area Agency on Aging conducts community Bed Bug Survey

News

July 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Connections Area Agency on Aging works every day to Build Strong Support for Older Iowans, their Family Caregivers and community.  Throughout the year they partner with local organizations and agencies to better serve Older Iowans, their caregivers, and communities. Connections Area Agency on Aging has partnered with other community partners to gain awareness of the impact Bed Bugs have on our community members to begin to explore ways to help eradicate the bugs and create a healthier environment for all.

Connections AAA had partnered with the SWIA Mental Health and Disability Region previously to test a pilot program to learn the cost of eradication and creating a healthy home. They learned the average cost is $6000 for necessary prep work and treatment of bugs. Beg bugs are more than a common bedtime saying, “Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.” They impact families more than financially, there are mental wellness effects such as anxiety, sleep deprivation, depression and lack of access to needed support in the home or community due to the presence of bed bugs. However, unlike most public health pests, bed bugs are not known to transmit or spread disease.

Beg bugs are a nuisance bug that can impact multiple areas of our community (i.e.: Doctor’s offices, movie theaters, shopping centers, hotels, hospitals and even grocery stores). Bed bugs do not jump but can catch clothing items when passing by, having clothing/luggage on the floor in an affected area or sitting on furniture where bugs may be present. Bed bugs are smaller and hard to detect and are no respecter of person and can affect individuals of all income levels and areas of town not just certain areas as many may think.

Connections AAA and the Caring for Our Community Partners have created a survey to gather the impact of bed bugs on area communities, to be able to explore funding to help create healthy homes for all. If you or someone you know is currently experiencing an impact with bed bugs, please consider completing this confidential survey (listed below) to give Connections an idea of the need for support in area communities to explore funding and support for future program.

To access the survey, you can follow this link https://tinyurl.com/BBSurveyCB or contact Connections AAA at 800-432-9209 and be connected to a confidential extension to leave a message and staff will contact you to answer questions and complete the survey. Connections will host the survey until August 31, 2024.

Some proactive ways to prevent bed bugs are:

  • Reduce the number of hiding places — Clean up the clutter.
  • Regularly wash and heat-dry your bed sheets, blankets, bedspreads and any clothing that touches the floor.
  • Check secondhand furniture, beds and couches for any signs of bed bug infestation before bringing them home.
  • Be watchful when using shared laundry facilities. Transport items to be washed in plastic bags (if you have an active infestation, use a new bag for the journey home). Remove from dryer directly into bag and fold at home. (A dryer on high heat can kill bed bugs.)
  • Use a protective cover that encases mattresses and box springs to eliminate many hiding spots.
  • When traveling look at hotel reviews or check https://www.bedbugreports.com/ for any reports made
  • When traveling inspect your room and bed for any signs of bed bugs and place luggage on non-upholstery areas such the tile floor or luggage rack

Get more information about how to make a complete the Bed Bug Community Impact Survey or information about bed bugs call 1-800-432-9209 or email info@connectionsaaa.org to explore local community services and supports.

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Connections Area Agency is one of six Area Agencies on Aging in Iowa, and part of a nationwide network. With a mission of enhancing the quality of life for elders in 20 counties through education, planning and coordination of services, Connections Area Agency on Aging is the premier agency for assisting elders, caregivers, and their families to access the information and services needed for independence and life transitions. Offices are located in Council Bluffs, Creston and Sioux City. For more information, contact Connections AAA at 800-432-9209 or at www.connectionsaaa.org

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Thursday, July 18, 2024

Weather

July 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny, with a high near 77. East wind around 5 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. .
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tom. Night: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Low around 60. .
Saturday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 74.
Sat. Night: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low around 58.
Sunday: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 76.
Monday (RAGBRAI): A 30% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. High near 78.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 82. Our Low this morning, 52. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 79 and the Low was 59. The All-Time Record High in Atlantic on July 18th, was 107 in 1936. The Record Low was 44 in 1953. Sunrise: 6:01; Sunset: 8:50.

Ernst warns GOP about being overconfident in 2024 victories

News

July 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa)  – U-S Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, says next month’s DEMOCRATIC National Convention will be a spectacle. “Get the popcorn ready,” she said, “because this is going to be the most hilarious exercise that we have ever seen.” Ernst spoke to the Iowa delegation at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee yesterday (Wednesday).

“For well over a year now when I am meeting with national political figure, when I a meeting with Iowans, I’ve been saying: ‘I’m a conspiracy theorist. I don’t think President Biden is going to be the nominee,'” Ernst said. “Well, now that’s kind of coming to fruition.” Ernst points to an Associated Press poll that found two-thirds of Democrats do not want Biden as their 2024 nominee.

“While I don’t want to say we’re going to waltz into the White House with Donald J. Trump this fall — we can’t take it for granted, I don’t want you to take it for granted — but I can tell you with the enthusiasm and the excitement that we have felt during this convention and what we will feel leading up to the election, we are going to sweep this election,” Ernst said.

Ernst says the tide is turning in key U-S Senate races and there are tremendous odds Republicans will win a majority of seats in the Senate this fall. Ernst won election to a second term in the senate in 2020 and plans to seek a third term in 2026.

DeSantis warns Iowa Republicans Biden unlikely to be Democrats’ nominee

News

July 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is urging Iowa Republicans to be wary because he doubts Joe Biden will be the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. DeSantis spoke yesterday (Wednesday) at a luncheon for Iowa delegates at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. He said the knives are out for Biden.

“The entire media that’s trying to push Biden out, they’re doing that for a reason,” DeSantis said. “They’re not doing it to help Trump. They’re doing it to beat Trump because they think they need a different candidate to do it.” DeSantis says it would be rare for someone in Biden’s position to set aside — and a Biden versus Trump rematch would turn out well for Republicans. “But I think we need to prepare that something can happen,” DeSantis said, “and something probably will.”

DeSantis was the second place finisher in the Iowa G-O-P’s Caucuses in January. There’s speculation he’ll run again for president in 2028.

Seibert Earns Promotion with Iowa MBB

Sports

July 17th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Long-time University of Iowa men’s basketball staff member Al Seibert has added the role of General Manager to his Chief of Staff duties with the program.

Seibert is entering his 14th season on head coach Fran McCaffery’s staff, including stints as the director of operations and video coordinator.

In his expanded role, Seibert becomes the program’s point person between athletics administration and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). He will direct a recruiting process for NIL, while maintaining the NIL-related records and contracts for student-athletes.

Seibert will also serve as the program’s liaison with the Athletics Department senior staff.

Prior to joining the Hawkeyes, Seibert served as head coach at the University of New Haven from 2005-10.  He also spent time coaching at the University of Hartford, Western Kentucky, Duquesne and Pittsburgh.

FREYLER A WUERFFEL TROPHY/AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE

Sports

July 17th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State senior defensive back Beau Freyler is a nominee for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, a pair of awards recognizing players for their performance on the field as well as their impact in the community. 

Freyler, a Colorado Springs, Colorado, native, has been a significant contributor to the Cyclone football program since first stepping on campus in 2021. He was a co-captain in 2023 and earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors from the Associated Press after compiling 107 tackles and three interceptions. He became the 10th player in program history to earn Academic All-America honors.

Freyler has made 25 career starts, including 22 consecutive, and played in 37 games.

At Iowa State’s annual O.S.C.A.R.S. celebration, Freyler took home the Cyclone Serve Award, presented to the male and female athletes with the most community hours served during the 2023-24 academic year.

Iowa-ISU Game Sold Out

Sports

July 17th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa’s 2024 home football contest against Iowa State on Sept. 7 at 2:30 p.m. CT, scheduled at Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium, is officially sold out. The announcement was made Wednesday by the UI Athletics Department.
Single game tickets went on sale to donors and season ticket holders beginning Monday. Tickets to Iowa’s other six home games go on sale to the general public tomorrow (Thursday) at 9 a.m. (CT).
Currently, less than 500 tickets remain for Troy (Sept. 14, 3 p.m.), and fewer than 1,600 are left for Illinois State (Aug. 31, 11 a.m.), Northwestern (Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m.), Wisconsin (Nov. 2, TBD) and Nebraska (Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m.). Approximately 2,100 tickets are available for the contest against Washington (Oct. 12, TBD).
Limited Hawkeye Village Ticket & Tailgate packages remain for select home games. Secure your game tickets and the best gameday tailgate here: hawkeyesports.com/hawkeye-village/
Tickets are only sold and issued by the UI Athletics Ticket Office and its authorized agents. Persons buying tickets from other entities do so at their own risk. Fans should use caution if buying tickets from unauthorized outlets and are strongly encouraged to use SeatGeek, the official fan to fan marketplace of Hawkeyes, for sold out events. The UI Athletic Ticket Office (hawkeyesports.com/tickets) is only able to service/support purchases made through that office, or on SeatGeek. Iowa Athletics reserves the right to cancel any ticket purchases, less fees, made for the purpose of resale without notification.
All tickets for University of Iowa athletic events are distributed electronically and should be downloaded to a smartphone device. If you do not have access to a smartphone, please contact the ticket office to make arrangements.
Tickets are distributed no earlier than three weeks prior to the start of a season. If applicable, season tickets and/or parking will not be released until all required contributions have been received and processed by the I-Club. For more information, please visit hawkeyesports.com/mobiletickets.

Tornado clean up continues in eastern Iowa

News

July 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – City crews in Davenport and Bettendorf have been working non-stop to clear fallen trees, power lines, and debris after Monday night’s tornado. Scott County Emergency Management Deputy Director Jim Hawkes says the E-F-1 tornado which tore through eight miles of the cities left a tangle in its wake.

“There’s a lot of tree damage, a lot of powerline damage. The cities are dealing a lot with trees that are tangled up in powerlines and they’ve been unable to clean them up,” he says. As of this (Wednesday) morning, power has been restored to most of the area.

Many trees were damaged in the Davenport tornado. (NWS photo)

The total damage to homes and businesses is still being tallied, but the governor did issue a disaster proclamation for Scott and four other counties for the storms. At least two families were forced to find shelter through the Red Cross due to the damage.

Iowa City woman injured a motorcycle crash following a pursuit

News

July 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Tiffin, Iowa) – A 20-year-old woman was injured during a single-vehicle accident this (Wednesday) morning in eastern Iowa’s Johnson County. The Iowa State Patrol reports Tessa Mae Galloway, of Iowa City, was clocked traveling on a motorcycle at a high rate of speed near Tiffin on southbound Interstate 380 near mile-marker 2, at around 8:35-a.m.

A State Trooper attempted a traffic stop on the 2005 Honda CBR motorcycle Galloway was operating, but she failed to comply. During a resulting pursuit, Galloway failed to negotiate a curve on the I-380 southbound to I-80 eastbound flyover. The motorcycle went out of control and crashed.

Galloway was transported by ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. A report on her condition was not released. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by Tiffin Fire, the Iowa DOT and another agency.

The crash remains under investigation.

Reynolds says RNC2024 shows there’s ‘clarity’ among Republicans

News

July 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says this week’s Republican National Convention is far different from eight years ago when supporters of Donald Trump and Ted Cruz were feuding and Trump won the 2016 nomination with the lowest percentage of delegates in 40 years.

“This is the most united party I have ever seen. It is electric on the floor. The energy, the commitment, you know especially after the assassination attempt on Saturday,” Reynolds said during an interview with Radio Iowa. “I mean there just is a clarity there.”

Tuesday night’s convention speeches from Trump’s 2024 GOP competitors show they are “all in” for Trump, according to Reynolds. “It was really good to have them there, to have them up on stage and just to show the full support for a united Republican Party,” Reynolds said. “Such a contrast from what we’re seeing from the Democratic Party.”

Tonight’s marquee speech is from J.D. Vance, the Ohio senator Trump has picked as his running mate. Reynolds said she’s “biased toward governors” and was secretly hoping North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum would be V-P, but she says the 39-year-old Vance will appeal to younger voters, a critical voting block.

Governor Kim Reynolds (center) and other Republican governors at RNC in Milwaukee. (Republican Governors Association’ photo)

“We talk a lot about restoring the possibility of the American Dream,” Reynolds said. “I feel like it’s been crushed over the last year years and he’s lived it. That’s really his life story.”

Reynolds expects Trump to deliver”an optimistic, hopeful speech” at the convention Thursday. Reynolds endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last November and campaigned with him before the Iowa Caucuses. She publicly endorsed Trump after “Super Tuesday” primary results in March showed Trump had the necessary support to secure the 2024 presidential nomination.