WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (Dec. 29, 2021) — Officials with West Des Moines-based Hy-Vee Food Stores said Wednesday, that “As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the health and safety of both its customers and employees, Hy-Vee is introducing its new Hy-Vee Retail Security team to retail stores across its eight-state region.” According to company president and COO Jeremy Gosch, Hy-Vee Retail Security officers will be present in Hy-Vee stores during operating hours.

These officers, many of whom come from a law enforcement background, are specially trained to defuse situations and equipped to protect the safety of both Hy-Vee customers and employees. The officers have been through training designed by Hy-Vee retail security leaders alongside law enforcement partners. Gosch says “Hy-Vee has a strong history of doing anything for our customers, and these officers will be held to that same standard.”

He added “These officers will help provide another layer of safety and security for our customers, and will work alongside our store employees to deliver the same helpful smiles and outstanding service everyone expects at their local store.”

Officers are in several stores now, and more officers are completing the Hy-Vee Retail Security Training program so they can begin serving in other Hy-Vee stores across the company’s eight-state region in the near future. Hy-Vee is actively recruiting for officers to join the new Hy-Vee Retail Security team.

Interested applicants can connect with the Retail Security team at RetailSecurity@hy-vee.com.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of 39-year-old Bill Joe Gillespie of Red Oak on a valid warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree. Gillespie was arrested at 106 W Coolbaugh Street in Red Oak at 12:44 p.m. on Wednesday. Gillespie was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on $5000 cash bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who got D-N-A testing kits as Christmas gifts can learn more about their ancestry — and perhaps much more. Consumer consultant Claudia Lombana says the advanced kits go well beyond your genetic roots and can give you access to more than 25 D-N-A-based products, including what type of wine may best suit you to a host of health and fitness information.

Lombana says, “If we talk about fitness and nutrition, there are a couple of kits that will tell you based on your specific DNA the types of exercise that are best for you, the type of nutrition that is best for you.” For the purchase price, the consumer simply has to spit into a tube, seal it, send it in and wait for the results to come back. The data can be fascinating and very helpful.

“You might be predisposed to high cholesterol but it doesn’t mean your sibling will be,” Lombana says. “It doesn’t mean you’re going to get it but at least it lets you know, ‘Wow, I have a predisposition to this so maybe I should cut back on my salt,’ or cut back on sugar if you have a predisposition to diabetes. There are differences and a lot of great insights and information you can find out.” For those who want to stick to the basics, Lombana says some kits can follow your D-N-A back centuries.

“You can dive deeper into your ancestry and it will even tell you the migration paths of your ancestors and the percentage of Neanderthal that you have in you,” she says, laughing. “So, some really interesting and cool things that you can find out.” Lombana says if you want to buy a kit, do some homework first. Prices vary on what you want to find out, from as little as 50-dollars to several hundred dollars.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Healthy Cass County and Cass County ISU Extension have released an updated version of the Cass County Urgent Need Community Resource Guide. The guide lists Cass County resources under categories such as Crisis, Abuse, Financial, Legal, Food, Health, and more.

The Cass County Urgent Need Community Resource Guide can be found on the Cass County ISU Extension website. Print copies of the guide will be distributed throughout the county at locations such as public libraries and are available for pick-up at the Cass County ISU Extension Office at 805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, IA 50022. The Cass County ISU Extension Office
can be reached at (712) 243- 1132.

The organizations collaborating on the document ask for assistance in making sure the document is available to all people in Cass County. For more information on local health and wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – You may have already noticed some of the funeral announcements on KJAN mentioned Steen Funeral Homes in Greenfield, Fontanelle and Massena was in the process of changing its name. Effective January 1st, 2022, the change to Lamb Funeral Home becomes official. Todd and Lisa Lamb have owned Steen’s Funeral Homes since 2000, and according to Todd have “Finally decided to put their name on the building!”

Their business locations, address and phone, along with the Tax ID numbers and services, will remain the same. So will their dedication to caring, detailed, quality service. Todd and Lisa Lamb want to thank families for putting their trust in LAMB Funeral Home, and wishes everyone a very Happy New Year!

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic will hold a special meeting and public hearing on Monday, January 3^rd at noon in the council chambers on the city’s proposed redistricting plan. View a PDF of the proposed City of Atlantic Wards, on this link: Atlantic Wards 2021

Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 web portal, Wednesday, said there were 59 additional COVID-19 virus deaths, bringing the total to 7,858. The additional deaths were reported between July 16 and Dec. 23. Iowa’s key virus indicators are up slightly since last report on Monday. The number of positive tests in the last 7 days is up from 9,506 to 10,162. The state’s 14-day positivity rate is up from 10.6% to 10.9%.

The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Iowa increased slightly from 706 to 711. Of the patients hospitalized with COVID-19, 80.6% are unvaccinated, while 83% of those listed in intensive care with COVID-19 are unvaccinated.

The number of long-term care facilities reporting a virus outbreak in Iowa increased from 22 to 23.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors,today (Wednesday), received an update from County Auditor Mandy Berg, with regard to County Employee Health, Dental and Vision Insurance rates. As for health insurance, Berg says it’s recommended they stay on the same plan, based on the rates.

She says there is an option for a PPO plan, but it comes with a 14% increase, and doesn’t carry a lot of benefits. The Dental plan saw a 2.99% increase, while the rate for Vision coverage is unchanged, and remains a 50-50 cost share, County/Employee. The Board voted to approve a 5.6% increase in the rates to allow 5% for their Insurance reserve fund.

Berg also presented documents for Board Chair Steve Shelley to sign, with regard to an Opiod Litigation settlement agreement the State is part of. Berg said Adair County Attorney Melissa Larson has reviewed the documents and recommended the Board Chair to sign them.

All 99 counties have to sign-on to the agreement in order for the State to get all of its allotted funds. Cass County will act on authorizing participation during Thursday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. Following discussion, the Adair County Board authorized Board Chair Shelley to sign the documents.

Berg says there are certain items and/or services the County’s share of the funds can be used for, especially Emergency Medical Services and related matters. The Board also authorized an agreement with Cott Systems for the digitization of certain county records, but it did come with a slight increase from what the Board was told during their meeting last week.

And, they discussed the use of American Rescue Plan funds (1st half payment) for COVID relief, including improvements to parks and recreation sites and for the County Fair. They voted to approve Board Member Matt Wedemeyer’s suggestion on how those funds are dispersed.