- KJAN studios in Atlantic .28″
- Audubon .31″
- Guthrie Center .2″
- Randolph .66″
- Red Oak .66″
- Underwood .33″
- Carroll .12″
- Oakland .17″
- Corning .56″
- Massena .33″
- Mount Ayr .33″
- Clarinda .28″
(Radio Iowa) – If your holiday weekend plans involve paddling kayaks or canoes, there are areas of Iowa which the experts say you should absolutely avoid. Todd Robertson, paddling instructor and outreach coordinator for Rivers Programs at the Iowa D-N-R, says the recent rains across northern Iowa have led to near-record flooding on some waterways in that region. “In northeast Iowa and eastern Iowa, we have rivers that are extremely high and dangerous. Paddling on those is not a good idea at this time,” Robertson says. “Then, you look at rivers here in central or western Iowa and we’ve got rivers that are actually still super low.”
Swollen rivers are very powerful and produce unpredictable currents along with tons of wood debris coming downstream to form big piles of limbs called “strainers.” Those strainers are the number-one hazard on Iowa’s rivers and streams, Robertson says, and they can be deadly. “You really have to have paddling skill to know how to navigate around these things,” Robertson says. “It’s a lot easier to navigate around them when the rivers are a little bit lower, but when you’re on a high, fast river after a rainfall, you can easily get sucked into these things.”
All paddlers, especially those who are relatively inexperienced, are urged to check with a local county conservation board to learn about water conditions before heading out. “This weekend, depending on what part of the state you’re in, you’re going to want to stick to just paddling on the lakes and just enjoying the flat water, because a lot of these rivers are too high,” Robertson says. “Here in central Iowa, if you look at the Raccoon River, it’s still extremely low to where you may still bottom out.”
No matter how good of a swimmer you might be, he says everyone who’s on the water should wear a life jacket.
(Des Moines, Iowa) – Trees for Kids, a program through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is offering a program that targets public lands for the planting of trees to provide shade and help clean-up the atmosphere. Trees for Kids Coordinator Gabi Edwards says the program has been around for at least a couple of decades in one form or another.
Edwards says there are other State programs targeted toward private landowners. The Trees for Kids Program is targeted to public properties.
The purpose is to get kids to think about trees, and that can start with school groups.
Grant awards of up to $2,500 per project are available.
Beyond the requirement to plant on public property, there is requirement for some form of youth engagement. Prior to COVID, Trees for Kids staff and groups of young people would gather to plant trees. But with pandemic still making news, the organization is trying to be more flexible with the educational aspect of the program.
That includes viewing videos on how to plant trees, science teachers live-streaming the planting of trees, and other-types of curriculum to get the message across. The process begins with finding an organization to help pay for the trees, such as a county conservation group, local FFA chapter, 4-H group, Scouts, etc.
Applications are for the reimbursement of costs associated with the purchase of trees. Your application must include a description of the project you have in mind, including the area where they will be planted, why you want to plant them there, and a long-term (3-to 5-year) maintenance plan. The applications are available on the Iowa DNR’s website at iowadnr.gov., and searching under the “Forestry” category for “Educational Opportunities.” The direct link can be found here.
DES MOINES, Iowa – The unofficial end to summer this weekend is expected to draw thousands of Iowans out to their state parks and waterways. The weekend weather forecast appears to be favorable for various outdoor activities. The DNR reminds users to abide by all safety measures in order to have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day holiday weekend.
Boating Safety
Boaters headed out to a lake, river, pond or any other waterway should adhere to the following safety tips:
Beach & Swimming Safety
Wherever you choose to swim this Labor Day weekend, whether it’s a backyard pool, a pond or lake, or a public pool, please follow these safety tips:
Because the beaches are busier this summer, staff are encouraging visitors to utilize the non-peak times and days. For the busier beaches/parks, the non-peak days usually include Sundays through Thursdays, and Fridays before 5:00 pm. If you plan to go to the beaches on Saturdays, the non-peak hours are usually before noon.
Parks staff may temporarily close parking lots when they become full and limit the number of visitors at that point. The DNR recommends visitors go to another nearby park or beach that is not as heavily populated. Visitors are reminded to only park in designated parking spaces. All violators will be cited by staff.
State Parks/Campgrounds Safety
This weekend will be another very busy one if you plan to visit a state park and campground, use these safety tips to ensure an enjoyable time:
Paddling Safety
Whether it be tubing, kayaking or canoeing, paddlers are enjoying the splash of the water, scenic views, and wildlife viewing from Iowa’s rivers, rapids and streams, stay safe each time you paddle with these simple safety tips:
Jim Field speaks with Mitch Whiley, Cass Health Laboratory Director, about how national shortages of testing supplies is impacting COVID-19 testing in the area.
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(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department is partnering with Brad and Lorrie Rasmussen, to bring you music in the park. The event takes place 5-p.m. September 18th, at the Sunnyside Park Bandshell, during Hyggefest. An accumulation of local talents is lined-up for a night of music and entertainment. Bring you own lawn chair/blankets, food and drinks.
For more questions or information on this event please contact Brad Rasmussen at (712) 243-4238.
(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Democrats are calling on Governor Kim Reynolds to let local school districts with rising Covid cases require face coverings to try to stop the spread of the virus. Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls is a Democrat from Coralville. “If we learned anything about the fight against Covid-19, it’s that one-size-fits-all policies don’t work,” Wahls says. The number of Covid cases among kids is on the rise — Iowans under the age of 18 accounted for 22 percent of the new Covid cases confirmed in Iowa this past week. Reynolds says the state law she signed in May forbids mask mandates in schools — so parents decide whether their child wears a mask at school. “They will make an informed decision on what’s the best thing for their child,” Reynolds says, “and that’s where I believe it needs to stay.”
Reynolds says she’s heard from parents who say mask wearing has harmed their kids. Representative Ross Wilburn of Ames, who is the Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, says many respected public health institutions are recommending masks in schools. “The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control, just to name a few have all recommended a multi part approach in responding to the pandemic and that includes masks,” Wilburn says.
Governor Reynolds says such a recommendation would be meaningless because school mask mandates are illegal. “It doesn’t really matter because it’s a law at this point,” Reynolds says. “…It is a law that elected officials that are elected by Iowans and constituents across this state listened to the people that they represent, passed a bill, sent it to my desk and it was signed into law.” Reynolds says vaccinations are the best tool for combating Covid-19. Earlier this month, the Iowa Department of Public Health issued an advisory that warns Iowans not to use a horse drug as treatment for Covid.
The broadcast News at 8:07-a.m., from Ric Hanson.
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(Atlantic, Iowa) – With COVID-19 cases on the rise again across Iowa and much of the country, testing supplies are in high demand. Cass Health Laboratory Director Mitch Whiley, says the supply of rapid tests are being limited these days, after a sufficient supply was on-hand earlier this summer.
He says the determination of who gets the rapid tests is driven by their test suppliers.
In Cass County, outpatient testing options include free home testing kits from Test Iowa, and Outpatient testing at Cass Health. The home test kits can be ordered from testiowa.com, or picked up from Cass County Public Health.
The saliva-based test results are typically available 48-hours after it is received by the State. Outpatient testing according to Whiley, is appropriate for those persons who need to be tested prior to travel, prior to a medical procedure, or who are mildly ill. The tests will be offered by appointment at Cass Health, and then sent on to a reference laboratory for processing. Results typically take 48-to-72-hours, and are delivered in the patient’s MyChart account.
Whiley says the manufacturer who makes Cass Health’s COVID tests, also makes the Flu and RSV Tests. He says RSV has been hitting hospitals hard, lately, so that impacts the amount of tests available.
Whiley says to help prevent the spread of illnesses, all patients with symptoms who are tested for COVID-19, should isolate themselves while they wait for their result. For more information about COVID-19, visit coronavirus.iowa.gov.
The Creston Police Department (Friday, 9/3), reports a Ringgold County man was arrested Thursday afternoon. 39-year-old Benjaman Lee Hunsucker, of Benton, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a charge of Violation of No Contact/Protective Order – Contempt, Stalking – Violation of Protective Order, Harassment – 1st Degree. Hunsucker was being held in the jail without bond, pending an appearance before the Magistrate.