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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
KJAN News can be heard at five minutes after every hour right after Fox News 24 hours a day!
Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Court of Appeals has ordered a lower court judge to review the murder conviction in which jurors were accused of making racially charged comments during the trial. The appeals court ruling Wednesday came in the case of Doncorrion Spates, who was 18 when he was convicted in 2018 of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison for a 2016 shooting death.
A juror in Spates’ trial testified that two other jurors made the comments, including that most young Black men are in gangs and are desensitized to killing. Now, the trial court must determine whether the defense proved that racial hostility was a significant factor in the verdict. If so, Spates will be given a new trial. If not, his conviction will stand.
Red Oak Police report two men were arrested following a call at around 11:20-p.m. Saturday, with regard to an altercation. Officers responded to the 200 block of E. Valley Street, and upon further investigation, arrested 25-year-old Matthew Allen Ray Nicholson, of Elliott, for Simple Assault. At about the same time and location, Officers arrested 23-year-old Kyle Andrew Nicholson, of Red Oak, for Public Intoxication and Interference with Official Acts.
Both men were transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond each. Red Oak Police were assisted by Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, along with Red Oak Fire and Rescue.
Iowa’s Coronavirus dashboard, today (Sunday), reports (as of 10-a.m.), five additional deaths are attributed to the virus, including one more in Cass County, and two more in Mills County, bringing the total in both counties to three, and the state total to 1,634. Officials say 1,079 deaths have been attributed to pre-existing medical/health conditions.
There are 813 new, Positive cases of COVID-19, as confirmed by State Labs. Health officials say 4,598 test results were returned since 10-a.m. Saturday, with 3,771 coming back Negative, and 809 returned as Positive. The total number of tests completed thus far is 936,811, with 819,393 total Negative results and 115,775 total Positive results. The individual positivity rate is 12.4%, and the statewide 14-day rolling average is up to 10.6%. Harrison County has the highest 14 day positive average, at nearly 24% (23.9). In Cass County, the 14-day rate is 21.2%, which ranks fourth in the State.
Sixteen counties in Iowa report 14-day positivity rates above 15%, including Harrison (22.8%), Cass (21.1%), Carroll (18.6%), and Adams (16.1%). Delaware County has surpassed Harrison with the highest 14-day rating, at 23%.
The IDPH says 87,712 Iowans have recovered from COVID-19. In the KJAN listening area, there are: Seven more positive cases in Cass County (386 total); 39 more positive cases of the virus in Pottawattamie County, 16 in Mills County, 10 more in Harrison County, five additional cases in Guthrie, Mongtomery and Shelby Counties, and four or less new cases in other area counties. (See the chart below).
There are currently 541 Iowans hospitalized with the virus, which is down from a record 545 the previous day. There are 119 patients in an ICU, down from 130, previously. IDPH show 85 persons were admitted to a hospital statewide, down from 101 Saturday. There are 42 patients on a ventilator, 7 fewer then on Saturday. Hospitals in western/southwest Iowa report: 40 hospitalized (compared to 36 yesterday); 13 are in an ICU (compared to 14 previously); eight persons were admitted, and one person remains on a ventilator.
Long-Term Care facility (LTC) stats show: 67 facilities have outbreaks; 1,960 patients/staff at those facilities tested positive for COVID-19; Patients/staff who have recovered at LTC’s amount to 771, and those who have died number 807. That’s two more than reported Saturday.
In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases in each county, along with the 24-hour change in case numbers {+#}; the number of persons recovered, and the total number of [deaths] (if any), since the pandemic began,
Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:50 a.m. CDT
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Black man who was shot by police outside an Iowa nightclub five years ago has agreed to a nearly $400,000 settlement. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 33-year-old Jovan Darnell Webb alleged in his suit that he was singled out because of his race in April 2015 when he was wounded while attempting to pull out of the parking lot of the New World nightclub in Waterloo during a disturbance. His suit also alleged excessive force, equal protection violations and battery on the part of the police officers. The lawsuit had been scheduled to go to trial this month. The decision to settle for $399,999 was made by the city’s liability insurance carrier. The city’s attorney, David Baker, declined to comment.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge has ordered a Quad Cities couple who operated two telemarketing firms to pay $820,000 for consumer fraud. The Des Moines Register reports that Misty and Paul Barnes and their companies, telemarketing firms PM Specialties and Milestone Consulting, were sued in February by the Iowa Attorney General for a range of allegations. They included calling businesses to demand payment for fraudulent invoices and selling advertisements in fictitious publications.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa voters are casting ballots early in person or by mail at a record pace for the Nov. 3 election with several days of early voting still remaining. The Iowa secretary of state’s office reported that 685,234 absentee ballots have been returned to county auditors statewide by Friday morning. Those include people who voted by mail or early in person at auditor’s offices or satellite voting locations. While Democrats typically lead in early voting in Iowa, their advantage this year is significantly bigger than 2016 or 2012. About 51% of the ballots returned have come from registered Democrats compared to 31% from Republicans and 18% from those that do not belong to either party.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials are rolling out a new system to test sexual assault evidence collection kits more quickly as they work to clear a backlog that once numbered in the thousands. The system, called Track-Kit, was rolled out in phases this year. It helps law enforcement, health care providers and labs keep track of kits moving through the system. The Des Moines Register reports that about 75% of Iowa law enforcement agencies are now connected, with the remainder expected to join soon. Each person examined for sexual assault evidence also will be given a login to track the progress of their kit.
Mills County Public Health officials along with Mills County Emergency Management Agency announced Saturday, there two additional deaths associated with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the county. The first individual had underlying health conditions and was in the age range of 80+. The second individual was in the 61-80 age range and also had underlying health conditions. Both deaths occurred on the evening of October 23, 2020.
Mills County Public Health Administrator Julie Lynes says “Our thoughts and condolences are with the families. This is a sad reminder of how COVID can impact those at high risk for severe symptoms. It is important that we do all we can to contain the spread of this virus by wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and using good hand hygiene.”
Preventive health measures are still the best defense against COVID-19. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces. Wear a face mask and maintain social distance when in public. If you are sick, stay home. Carefully consider whether certain social or recreational activities are worth putting yourself or your family at risk. If you or someone you were in close contact with tests positive for COVID-19 and told to quarantine, take it seriously. By isolating yourself from others during the full 14-day incubation
period you will be doing your part to effectively stop the spread of the virus.
OLLIE, Iowa — The DNR Law Enforcement Bureau is investigating a fatal fall from a treestand. The incident occurred in rural Ollie in Keokuk County on Thursday, October 22nd. Authorities say 76-year-old Raymond Byers was reported missing after he did not return home from hunting during Early Muzzleloader Season on his property.
The Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office and the local fire and rescue teams found Byers deceased. Investigators believe Byers fell from a treestand he was using to hunt.
The DNR continues to investigate the fall and an autopsy will be performed at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny. The DNR reminds hunters of the safety tips of using treestands:
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Black man who was shot by police outside an Iowa nightclub five years ago has agreed to a nearly $400,000 settlement. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 33-year-old Jovan Darnell Webb alleged in his suit that he was singled out because of his race in April 2015 when he was wounded while attempting to pull out of the parking lot of the New World nightclub in Waterloo during a disturbance.
His suit also alleged excessive force, equal protection violations and battery on the part of the police officers. The lawsuit had been scheduled to go to trial this month. The decision to settle for $399,999 was made by the city’s liability insurance carrier. The city’s attorney, David Baker, declined to comment.
(Atlantic) – The annual fall Book Sale was held at the Atlantic Public Library last Wednesday through Friday (yesterday). Special additional hours will be available 9 am to 7 pm on Monday, October 26 and 9 am to noon on Tuesday, October 27. The price will also be special. Bring your own grocery bag and pay one fee of $5 for as many books as will fit in the bag.
The Friends of the Library usually sponsor two sales per year, one in the spring and one in the fall. The spring event was cancelled this year due to the pandemic causing many more books to be available. Also there is an increase in large print books, books on tape and music CDs. A large variety of children’s books and adult hard bound and paper backs are ready for your purchase.
All proceeds are given to the Library to support activities and programs. Friends of the Library is a volunteer group with the purpose of supporting work done for the community by the Library.
Iowa’s Coronavirus dashboard, today (Saturday), reports (as of 10-a.m.), 12 additional deaths are attributed to the virus, and 1,908 new, Positive cases of COVID-19, as confirmed by State Labs. The total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic amount to 1,629. Officials say 1,078 deaths have been attributed to pre-existing medical/health conditions. Harrison and Montgomery Counties each have one more COVID-related death.
Health officials say 4,992 test results were returned over the past 24-hours since 10-a.m. Friday, with 4,213 coming back Negative, and 767 returned as Positive. The total number of tests completed thus far is 931,801, with 815,702 total Negative results and 114, 463 total Positive results. The individual positivity rate is 12.3%, and the statewide 14-day rolling average is up to 10.3%. Harrison County has the highest 14 day positive average, at nearly 24% (23.9). In Cass County, the 14-day rate is 21.2%.
The IDPH says 87,449 Iowans have recovered from COVID-19. In the KJAN listening area, there are: 19 more positive cases of the virus in Cass County, for a total of 379; 75 more cases in Pottawattamie County, 20 more cases in Mills County; there are 14 additional cases in Harrison County; seven new cases in Adams and Guthrie Counties, and six more in Shelby County. Other counties have five or less cases added to their totals. (See the chart below). Health department data shows 17 counties report a positivity rate greater than 15% over the last 14 days, up from 13 the previous day.
Iowa has set two records for hospitalizations. There are 545 hospitalized with the virus, up from a record 536 the previous day. There were 101 patients hospitalized in the last 24 hours, up from 78 the previous day. The previous record was 97, set on Oct. 6th. There is four less people in an ICU, at 130. There are still 49 persons on a ventilator. Hospitals in western/southwest Iowa report: 36 hospitalized (compared to 42 yesterday); 14 are in an ICU (compared to 15 previously); one person was admitted, and one person remains on a ventilator.
Long-Term Care facility (LTC) stats show: 67 facilities have outbreaks (two-less than on Friday); 1,913 patients/staff at those facilities tested positive for COVID-19 (compared to 1,853 previousy); Patients/staff who have recovered at LTC’s amount to 767, and those who have died number 805. That’s six more than reported on Friday
In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases in each county, along with the 24-hour change in case numbers {+#}; the number of persons recovered, and the total number of [deaths] (if any), since the pandemic began,