United Group Insurance

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli Contamination

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

The raw ground beef items were produced on March 28, 2024. The products have a “Use/Freeze by” date of April 22, 2024, and packaging date of “032824.” The list of products that are subject to the public health alert can be found here. The labels for these products can be found on the FSIS website [view labels].

The products subject to the public health alert bear establishment number “EST. 960A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to food service institutions and retail locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered by the establishment while conducting an inventory of product that was on hold because it was found positive for E. coli O157:H7. The company notified FSIS that they inadvertently used a portion of the contaminated beef to produce ground beef products that they subsequently shipped into commerce.

There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ and food service institutions’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them and food service institutions are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart.

Consumers and members of the media with questions about the public health alert can contact Gina Adami, Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc. Representative, at 402-575-4702 or gadami@gmail.com.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.

DERALD “Bucky” LEE ANDERSEN, 69, of Atlantic (4-24-2024)

Obituaries

April 20th, 2024 by Jim Field

DERALD “Bucky” LEE ANDERSEN, 69, of Atlantic died Friday, April 19, 2024 at his home under hospice care.  An Open visitation with the family of DERALD LEE ANDERSEN will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic.

————————————————————————————-

Private burial will be held at Atlantic Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family in memory of Derald. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

DERALD ANDERSEN is  survived by:

His children sons – Brian (Megan), and Daniel.

His daughter – Sarah (Isaac).

His Brother – Larry and his son.

His spouse Brenda and her children: Bradley (Carley), and Jennifer.

Together they had 13 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Council Bluffs Police ask for help in locating a missing man

News

April 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The Council Bluffs Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing Council Bluffs man. Authorities say 48-year-old David Wittwer was last seen Tuesday, April 16th, at the Walmart Store in Council Bluffs (1800 N. 16th St.).

Wittwer was wearing grey shoes, blue jeans and a black leather coat.He is 5-feet 7-inches, tall, weighs 160-pounds, has brown hair and a mustache. (see the attached photo)

David Wittwer

His family has not seen or heard from him, and are concerned for his well-being. If you know where David Wittwer is, or have seen him recently, please call 9-1-1 or the Pottawattamie County Communications Center, at 712-328-5737.

2024 Iowa legislature session ended early this morning

News

April 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The 2024 Iowa legislative session ended overnight. The Senate adjourned just before 3:30 a.m. today (Saturday). And the House wrapped up the year at 4:23 a.m. (Saturday).

The final day of decisions and votes stretched over 20 hours. Lawmakers approved a billion dollar cut in the state income tax that will take effect next year. A nearly nine BILLION dollar state spending plan was finalized. The final bill sent to the governor calls for redeploying a dozen Division of Criminal Investigation agents who work at the state casinos to a task force tht will work on illegal immigration cases.

The governor recently signed a bill into law that authorizes law enforcement to arrest undocumented immigrants — and gives Iowa judges authority to issue deportation orders. It’s similar to a Texas law that hasn’t taken effect due to a legal challenge. Early this (Saturday) morning the House voted overwhelmingly to extend a moratorium on new casinos in Iowa, but the bill didn’t come up for a vote in the Senate.

Gov. Reynolds Statement on 2024 Legislative Session

News

April 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Gov. Reynolds today (Saturday) released the following statement in response to the conclusion of the 2024 legislative session:

“Iowa has set a course for transformation, and it was the driving force of the 2024 legislative session. We prioritized special education reform and early literacy instruction to help all students reach their potential, and increased teacher salaries to attract and retain the best educators for our schools. We cut taxes, further reducing and accelerating the implementation of a flat tax for all Iowans with taxable income. We aligned the state’s behavioral health system to support consistent, coordinated care and improve outcomes, and established Thrive Iowa to help at-risk individuals find local support and create a plan for self-sufficiency and long-term independence. We reformed an outdated system of board and commissions, further reducing government’s size and scope, and protected Iowa’s farmland by strengthening foreign ownership laws.

“Iowa is a state that values education, rewards hard work, and encourages strong families. A place where government is driven by a sense of responsibility to the people it serves. I’m proud of what we accomplished this year and I look forward to continuing to build upon our strong foundation, ensuring prosperity and stability for every Iowan.”

Lt. Governor Gregg released the following statement:

“Governor Reynolds set out to have another transformational legislative session, and she has done just that. From increasing teacher salaries to attract and keep the best educators in our state, to protecting Iowa’s farmland, to providing healthcare to the mothers that need it the most, she has set forth and accomplished a broad range of reforms and initiatives that will better serve all citizens of our state. I am proud to serve alongside Governor Reynolds as she executes a bold vision for serving Iowans.”

Governor’s Key Legislative Priorities:

Income Tax Cuts: Accelerates the flat income tax at a reduced rate of 3.8 percent, lowering the tax liability for every Iowan who pays income taxes. Returns over $1 billion to the hard-working men and women of Iowa. (SF2442)

Special Education Reform: Focuses on improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities, and providing transparency, accountability, and consistency to the state’s Area Education Agency (AEA) system. (HF 2612)

Teacher Pay Increases: Increases the minimum salary for teachers in Iowa to $47,500 and sets a $60,000 minimum salary for teacher with 12 or more years of experience for FY25 and grows those minimums to $50,000 and $62,000 starting in FY26. (HF 2612)

Improving Early Literacy: Implements evidence-based reading instruction to help students move from the critical phase of “learning to read” into a lifelong practice of “reading to learn.” Requires schools to create personalized reading plans and to notify parents of retention options if a child does not meet proficiency in grades K-6. (HF 2618)

Expanding Work-Based Learning: Establishes a $30 million Workforce Opportunity Fund, provides schools more flexibility to offer core credit for Work-based Learning opportunities, finalizes the transition to a State Apprenticeship Agency, and allows Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship participants to accrue classroom time toward student teaching requirements. (SF 2411)

Charter School Expansion: Adjusts per pupil funding to support educational freedom opportunities and allows vacant or underutilized public school district facilities to be available for lease or purchase by nonpublic or charter schools. (SF 2368)

Behavioral Health Alignment: Aligns Iowa’s 13 mental health regions and 19 substance use regions into seven unified behavioral health districts to provide consistent, coordinated services statewide and improve outcomes. (HF 2673)

Post Partum Coverage Extension: Extends post-partum Medicaid coverage from two months to one year for thousands of mothers. (SF 2551)

Thrive Iowa: Authorizes the use of resources to support the launch of Thrive Iowa, a platform that will connect individuals and families in need of assistance with support outside of government leveraging faith-based organizations and private sector networks. (HF 2698)

Strengthening Iowa’s Foreign Ownership of Land Laws: Further protects Iowa land by increasing reporting requirements, giving the Attorney General subpoena power to investigate potential violations, and strengthening penalties for foreign owners. (SF 2204)

Mega Sites: Establishes a MEGA project tax incentive program to recruit major development projects (> $1 Billion) to locate in Iowa. Includes funding for rural certified sites to also be established. (SF 574)

Streamlining Boards and Commissions: Returns accountability to the people of Iowa through their elected representatives by eliminating 83 unnecessary and redundant unelected boards and commissions. Requires an ongoing annual review process of boards and commissions. (SF 2385)

Gender Balance: Repeals gender balance requirements for appointive bodies ensuring the most qualified Iowans can serve regardless of gender. (SF 2096)

Government Regulation Review: Cuts red tape and improves Iowa’s regulatory environment, requires a regulatory analysis of all new rules, and sunsets rules unless they undergo a substantive review and are re-adopted at least every five years. (SF 2370)

Government Alignment: Eliminates barriers for newly aligned agencies to fully implement new efficiencies across state government, unlocked in last year’s legislation, to better serve Iowans. (HF 2686)

Other legislative priorities that passed during the 2024 Legislative Session:

Religious Freedom Restoration Act: Prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person’s constitutional right to religious freedom unless it has a compelling interest and uses the least restrictive means to support that interest. (SF 2095)

Immigration: Prohibits certain aliens, as defined in 8 U.S. C. § 1101, from coming to Iowa following their illegal reentry into the United States. The bill also prohibits arrest in certain locations like churches and schools, provides immunity from liability and indemnification for enforcement actions, sets sentencing restrictions, and provides penalties. (SF 2340)

School Safety: Addresses the use of school security personnel by school districts and authorizes school employees to be issued professional permits to carry weapons. (HF 2586)

DEI Elimination: Prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion at institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents with exceptions for compliance with federal law and accreditation. (SF 2435)

Civil Statute of Limitations for Boy Scout Victims: Allows child sexual abuse victims to make claims in the Boy Scout bankruptcy proceeding without being time barred. (SF 2431)

Graduation Requirements: Requires the department of education to conduct a comprehensive review of the state’s high school graduation requirements, core curriculum, core content standards, and educational standards, and to recommend policy changes. (HF 2545)

Mutual Insurance Industry: Allows flexibility to utilize reinsurance resources and introduces new options to acquire capital to stabilize the mutual insurance market. (HF2100, HF2490, SF2361)

Livestock Capital Gains: Reinstates the capital gains deduction from the sale of cattle or breeding livestock. Retroactive to January 1, 2023. (HF2649)

Ag Class Credit: Modifies provisions related to the curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve by allowing instruction related to agriculture to meet a portion of the unit requirements related to science and allowing instruction related to applied sciences, technology, engineering, or manufacturing to meet a portion of the unit requirements related to mathematics. (HF 2465)

Biomarker Testing: Improves quality of life and saves lives by including biomarker testing as a covered cost by health insurers. (HF 2668)

Teaching Licenses: Modifies requirements related to teacher intern license programs and establishes a temporary initial teaching license to be issued by the board of educational examiners to applicants who complete an alternative teacher certification program. (HF 255)

Looting: Establishes the criminal offense of looting and providing penalties. (HF 2598)

Grooming as a Crime: Establishes a criminal offense of grooming and provides penalties. (HF 2602)

Psychiatric Medical Institutions for Children (PMIC): Increases reimbursement rates for children behavioral health providers and provides family-centered behavioral health services. (HF 2402)

Meat and Poultry Inspections: Allows state meat and poultry programs to provide the opportunity for state official poultry plants to also preform custom-exempt slaughter and processing, as is currently allowed for official red meat plants. (HF2257)

Small Business Investment Programs for Veterans: Includes veterans in the small business linked investment programs. (SF 461)

Renewable Fuels Infrastructure: Provides a transition period for renewable fuel infrastructure upgrades supported by the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Program. (HF2687)

Swatting: Relates to false reports to or communications with public safety entities, and provides penalties. (SF 2161)

Use of Local/County Funds: Provides additional flexibility to local government to use public funds to tackle the child care needs of their community. (HF 2264)

Insurance Coverage for Diagnostic Breast Exams: Requires insurance coverage for supplemental and diagnostic breast examinations. (HF 2489)

MOMs: Allows HHS to partner directly with pregnancy resource centers to provide maternal supports and services to pregnant women and new mothers. (SF 2252)

Improving Access to Professional Licensure: Several bills reduced unnecessary barriers to entry to professional licensure in high-need health care professions. (HF 2232, SF 477, HF 2515, HF 2512, HF 2013)

Rental Property Management: Eliminates unnecessary licensure for rental property management activities. (HF 2326)

Pharmacy Benefit Managers: Creates additional pricing transparency for pharmacists, prohibits bad faith negotiations as well as retaliatory business practices. Grants insurance division additional regulatory tools. (HF2099)

Traffic Cameras: Pauses the proliferation of unmanned traffic cameras including new regulations and oversight by the Department of Transportation. (HF2681)

Hawkeyes Roll Past Rutgers

Sports

April 20th, 2024 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa baseball team defeated Rutgers, 8-1, on Friday night at Duane Banks Field.
The Hawkeyes and Scarlet Knights were locked in a 2-1 pitcher’s duel until the Iowa offense unleashed for six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to put the game away.
Cade Obermueller made his third straight Friday night start and had his best appearance of the season. The Iowa City, Iowa, native threw 6 1/3 innings and struck out six while scattering five hits and allowing one run.
“I felt like my stuff was pretty good tonight,” said Obermueller. “My velocity wasn’t the best it’s been, but I felt like I was executing my slider when I had to, especially later in the game. And the fastball was there, I felt good with that. My changeup and splitter were good.”
Anthony Watts entered in relief and threw 1 2/3 innings allowing just one hit. Jack Young threw the final inning of the game and struck out two while allowing a hit.
“I just kept telling Cade to stay locked in and pound the zone and he was going to do just fine,” said head coach Rick Heller. “After that inning, for the most part, he did it. Really could have run him out there for another inning, but it felt like his right time. You get us as deep in the game as he did.  That’s how the Friday night game is supposed to go.”
Michael Seegers led the Hawkeyes with a 2-for-3 night with an RBI. Davis Cop added two RBIs for the Hawkeyes and Andy Nelson, Raider Tello, Sam Petersen and Ben Wilmes each added an RBI.
“We’ve been talking about it all week,” said Heller. “That we just had to put everything else aside and just fight and fight hard. Fight the kind of fight where you’re not afraid, the kind of fight like you’re fighting for your life and the kind of fight when you’ve got a chip on your shoulder. That’s what we need to do the rest of the year, and so that was the challenge in the locker room tonight.”
The Hawkeyes were hit .357 (5-for-14) with runners on, 1.000 (3-for-3) with runners on third with less than two outs and .550 (11-for-20) in advancement opportunities.
Iowa and Rutgers will face off in game two of the series tomorrow at 2:05 p.m. (CT) at Duane Banks Field.

ISU Falls in Extras to BYU

Sports

April 20th, 2024 by admin

 

PROVO, Utah – A back-and-forth battle broke out at Gail Miller Field in Provo, Utah, on Friday night as Iowa State (16-24, 5-12 Big 12) fell to the BYU Cougars (25-19, 7-13 Big 12) on a Maddie Bejarano walk-off home run in nine innings, 8-7.

The long ball was the theme of Friday’s battle, as the two teams combined to blast eight homers on the evening. In fact, all eight of BYU’s runs came via long ball as the Cougars recorded six homers – four solo shots and two, two-run shots.

The Cyclones, who are still aiming for their first-ever win in Provo, bounced back offensively after a down series-opener, connecting on 13 hits. Four of ISU’s 13 hits went for extra bases as Carli Spelhaug led the way with a three-for-five outing. Milaysia Ochoa, Angelina Allen and Olivia Wardlow all joined Spelhaug with multiple hits on the night. Ochoa had a team-high two RBI.

Karlie Charles (2-6) matched her career high with 8.1 innings pitched on the afternoon, starting the game, being relieved by Jaiden Ralston, and re-entering to finish the game. Charles struck out three and walked just one.

Huntyr Ava was on fire for the Cougars on the evening, as the first baseman went four-of-four at the plate and towered a pair of solo shots in the game. Returning from injury, Violet Zavodnik and Lily Ownes joined Ava with two RBI on the day and also got in on the action blasting long balls themselves. The hero Bejarano and Hailey Morrow also had homers for BYU.

Gianna Mares got the start for the Cougars and went for three innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. Ailana Agbayani again came in in relief, allowing just two hits in 2.2 innings of work. Kate Dahle also saw action for the Cougars, tossing 3.1 innings.

 

On Deck

Iowa State will return to Gail Miller Field tomorrow, Saturday, April 20, to take on the Cougars in the series finale. Tomorrow’s game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

High School Boys track results from Friday April 19th

Sports

April 20th, 2024 by admin

GREGG BEAM HAWKEYE INVITATIONAL

2. Woodbine (120.5 points)

Evan Estrada, 1600 meter run (5:11.02)

Gavin Kelley, discus throw (139-06)

4×200 meter relay: Landon Blum, Owen Wingert, Adam Barry, Brody Pryor (1:35.99)

4×800 meter relay: Landon Blum, Brody Pryor, Adam Barry, Gunner Wagner (9:02.36)

3. Missouri Valley (119 points)

5. CAM (45 points)

Jack Follmann, 110 meter hurdles (15.03)

6. West Harrison (31 points)

7. East Mills (20.5 points)

High School Girls track results from Friday April 19th

Sports

April 20th, 2024 by admin

UNDERWOOD MEET

1. Tri-Center (167.50 points)

Isah VanArsdol, 400 meter dash (1:04.39)

Tess Casey, 800 meter run (2:32.39) & long jump (16-02.50)

Quincey Schneckloth, 400 meter hurdles (1:12.47)

Sprint medley relay: Avilyn Kilpack, Lucy Elsener, Kaitlin Kozeal, Casey (1:59.95)

Shuttle hurdle relay: Zohie Payne, Layla Meador, Cassidy Cunningham, Schneckloth (1:11.30)

2. Treynor (131 points)

Delaney Mathews, shot put (35-10.50) & discus (108-04.00)

Alyssa Kulesa, 3000 meter run (11:31.32)

Rylee Hemmingsen, 100 meter hurdles (17.97)

3. Riverside (128 points)

Lydia Erickson, 200 meter dash (27.87)

Carly Henderson, 1500 meter run (5:16.09)

4×800 meter relay: Erickson, Elly Henderson, Bentley Rone, Carly Henderson (10:47.44)

4. Underwood (104.5 points)

5. AHSTW (85 points)

4×400 meter relay: Bella Lamp, Makenna Paulsen, Delaney Goshorn, Ava Paulsen (4:26.67)

6. Logan-Magnolia (54 points)

7. Heartland Christian (17 points)

8. Thomas Jefferson (13 points)

9. Hamburg (8 points)

Casino moratorium emerges during Iowa legislature’s closing hours

News

April 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has overwhelmingly voted to extend a moratorium on new casinos in Iowa until 2029. The current moratorium will expire July 1st. Representative Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, says this is a policy decision for lawmakers, not state gambling regulators.

Kaufmann says the commission has vague rules for considering casino license applications and the bill strengthens those guidelines. Representative Sami Scheetz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says the proposed rules would effectively block Cedar Rapids from getting a casino license.

Shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday the House approved the extended casino moratorium and new regulations for casino applications on a 71 to 21 vote. The Senate must approve the policy, too, before it could go to the governor for review.