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Backyard & Beyond 5-11-2021

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

May 11th, 2021 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Elk Horn Public Library Director Alissa LaCanne.

Play

Another Monday, another triple-digit speeder caught in Iowa

News

May 11th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State Patrol Trooper/District 3 Public Information Officer Ryan Devault, Tuesday (Today), mentioned on social media that another triple-digit speeder was caught. It’s the second Monday in a row someone has been clocked and ticketed for exceeding the speed limit by 100 miles per hour or more. In a Tweet, Trooper Devault said “We will see you at 102!!!!! District 3 troopers on I-80 Monday stop this motorist who “ Didn’t realize I was going that fast.” Do you believe you wouldn’t realize 32 MPH over the posted speed limit?”

Devault emphasized “We need to get back to paying attention to DRIVING!!!

Iowa Korean War veteran to be laid to rest more than 70 years after he died

News

May 11th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(George, Iowa) – The body of an Iowa soldier missing in action for over 70 years is finally coming home. Army Cpl. Eldert John Beek fought during the Korean War, and was presumed Killed In Action/Missing In Action (KIA/MIA) Dec. 1, 1950 following a battle in the Chosin Reservoir Eastern Shore in North Korea. His remains, were finally accounted for in April, 2020.

In 2018, North Korea delivered 55 boxes of human remains as part of a deal with the Trump administration. Beek will be buried June 14 in George, Iowa.

CPL. Eldert J. Beek. KIA 12 Dec. 1950, North Korea.

Iowa COVID-19 update for 5/11/21: 346 additional cases; No additional deaths

News

May 11th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Public health, Tuesday, said there were 346 new COVID-19 positive tests over the previous 24-hours. There were no additional deaths to report. The total number of COVID-related deaths statewide amount to 5,985. The health department reports 398,056 total positive tests since the start of the pandemic. The state’s positivity rates were unchanged from Monday, at 3.8% for the 14-day rate, and 3.6% for the seven-day rate.

COVID hospitalization data show a slight decline in the numbers: There are 163 hospitalized, 43 persons in an ICU, 21 people were admitted, and 22 were on a ventilator. In RMCC Region 4 (hospitals in western/southwest Iowa), there are 12 COVID patients hospitalized; three are in an ICU; one person was admitted, and there was no one on a ventilator.

There have been over 2.5-million doses of a COVID vaccine administered in Iowa, and nearly 1.2-million persons who have completed their respective vaccination series.

The state reports there remains only one Long-Term Care Facility Outbreak. The Urbandale Health Care Center has 19 positive cases among residents and staff,  with 17 total recoveries. The state reports 2,327 care facility deaths since the pandemic began.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:
Cass, 1,463 cases; {+1}; 54 deaths
Adair, 984; {+1}; 32
Adams, 349 {+0}; 4
Audubon, 527 {+1}; 10
Guthrie, 1,292 {+2}; 29
Harrison County, 1,928; {+2}; 73
Madison County, 1,756; {+1; 19
Mills County, 1,784; {+0}; 22
Montgomery, 1,111;{+2}; 38
Pottawattamie County, 12,203; {+14}; 168
Shelby County, 1,367 {+2}; 37
Union County, 1,361; {+0}; 33

Waterloo man wins $2M in Powerball drawing

News

May 11th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A Waterloo man is a millionaire after winning the second-largest Powerball prize of the year, so far. Anton Garrett bought five plays on one ticket for Saturday evening’s Powerball drawing and ended up winning over two million dollars. Garrett corrected picked the first five numbers but missed the Powerball, which made his ticket worth one million dollars. However, Garrett purchased the Power Play, which doubled his winnings. Garrett also had a second winning ticket that was worth 21 dollars.

The Tyson Foods forklift operator says he picked his own numbers, which were a combination of several of his most different important dates. Garrett bought his winning ticket last week at a Waterloo convenience store and claimed his prize Monday at the Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive.

The winning numbers for Saturday’s Powerball drawing were 12-17-20-21-26 and Powerball 8. The Power Play number was 3. Since no one matched all six numbers, the jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing climbs to an estimate 168-million dollars.

Iowa City leader calls for abolishing police department

News

May 11th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa City leaders will meet today (Tuesday) at 3 P-M to consider restructuring the city’s police department and one councilmember is calling for a serious discussion about -abolishing- the police department. In an opinion piece published in The Cedar Rapids Gazette, Councilmember Laura Bergus wrote that policing relies on a system of force and violence, which she says cannot be undone. “I just want to start the conversation, as I said in the piece, about imagining a future where public safety isn’t provided by armed police,” Bergus says. “I believe that modern policing isn’t a sustainable model.”

A different policing system can replace the current one, she says, built on addressing basic human needs and diverting calls for service to other unarmed professionals. The opinion piece has already drawn backlash from the right and the left, but Bergus hopes a good faith, big-picture discussion is possible. “I guess I just hope that anyone who sees and hears this conversation approaches it with an open mind and an open heart and a consideration for what’s possible in our community in the future,” she says.

In the article, Bergus says, “Nearly every level of police violence is enshrined in the law. If an officer oversteps, accountability is rare.”

(reporting by Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)

Iowa to end participation in federal unemployment benefit programs, citing strong labor market and recovering economy

News

May 11th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, IA – Today (Tuesday) Governor Kim Reynolds announced new measures to address the State of Iowa’s severe workforce shortage. Effective June 12, 2021, the State of Iowa will end its participation in federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs. Iowa will continue to provide regular state unemployment insurance benefits to those eligible under the applicable state code.

“Federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs initially provided displaced Iowans with crucial assistance when the pandemic began,” said Gov. Reynolds. “But now that our businesses and schools have reopened, these payments are discouraging people from returning to work. Our unemployment rate is at 3.7 percent, vaccines are available to anyone who wants one, and we have more jobs available than unemployed people.”

The week ending June 12, 2021 will be the last week that the following federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs are available in Iowa:

  • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
  • Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)

Additionally, effective June 13, 2021, Iowa will no longer waive employer charges for COVID-related unemployment insurance claims.

“Regular unemployment benefits will remain available, as they did before the pandemic, but it’s time for everyone who can to get back to work,” Gov. Reynolds continued. “This country needs to look to the future, and Iowa intends to lead the way.”

In addition to the information included in a memorandum to Governor Reynolds, Iowa Workforce Development will provide further details in conjunction with this announcement.

PHILIP JACOB RINK, 79, of Griswold (Celebration of Life 6/5/21)

Obituaries

May 11th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

PHILIP JACOB RINK, 79, of Griswold, died Sunday, May 9th. A Celebration of Life for PHIL RINK will be held June 5, 2021 from 11am – 1pm at the Griswold Community Building. Masks are recommended.

Private family burial will occur at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Griswold Dollars for Scholars.

PHIL RINK is survived by:

His son – Brian Rink, of Griswold.

His daughters – Sheri Vierkant, of Sumner, and Meghann (Bobby) Vasquez, of Missouri Valley.

His sister – Penny Rink (Fred Toth).

His brothers – Mark Rink and Bob (Suzy) Rink

5 grandchildren, and his daughter in law, Tracy Rink, of Atlantic.

Boyer Valley Co-Ed Track Invitational 05/10/2021

Sports

May 11th, 2021 by admin

Boyer Valley Invitational
05/10/2021

Girls Team Scores
1.  IKM-Manning 162
2.  West Monona 134
3.  Boyer Valley 102
4.  West Harrison 75
5.  Whiting 28

Girls Winners:
100 – Alexa Ahrenholtz, IKM-M
200 – Kacy Miller, WM
400 – Bianca Cadwell, IKM-M
800 – Mallory McCall, WM
100H – Anna Seuntgens, BV
1500 – Julianna Stribe, IKM-M
3000 – Morgan Hanson, IKM-M
400H – Lauren Malone, BV
Discus – Addie Wood, BV
High Jump – Maclayn Houtston, WH
Long Jump – Amber Halbur, IKM-M
Shot Put – Lexes Heather, Whiting
4 x 100 – IKM-M
4 x 200 – WM
4 x 400 – WM
4 x 800 – BV
Shuttle Hurdle – IKM-M
Sprint Medley – WM
Distance Medley – BV

Boys Team Scores
1.  Logan-Magnolia 115
2.  Riverside 87
3.  West Harrison 85
4.  IKM-Manning 79
5.  Missouri Valley 61
6.  Tri-Center 57
7.  West Monona 51
8.  Boyer Valley 50

Boys Winners
100 – Aaron Peterson, WH
200 – Sean Callaghan, MV
400 – Jaxon Doyel, IKM-M
800 – Brett McGee, T-C
110H – Hunter Hansen, WH
1600 – Patrick Heffernan, BV
3200 – Brek Boruff, MV
400H – Hunter Hansen, WH
Discus – Tre Melby, L-M
High Jump – Sam Czarnecki, L-M
Long Jump – Eli Marsh, T-C
Shot Put – Tre Melby, L-M
4 x 100 – WH
4 x 200 – WH
4 x 400 – Riverside
4 x 800 – IKIM-M
Shuttle Hurdle – L-M
Sprint Medley – MV
Distance Medley – MV

Full results HERE.

Tri-Center Girls Trojan Relays 05/10/2021

Sports

May 11th, 2021 by admin

Tri-Center Girls Trojan Relays
05/10/2021
Team Scores
1.  Underwood 98
2.  Treynor 87
3.  Nodaway Valley 73
4.  Tri-Center 64
5.  Riverside 63
6.  Logan-Magnolia 44
7.  Audubon 43
8.  AHSTW 42
9.  CAM 32.5
10.  St. Albert 29
11.  MVAOCOU 10
12.  Missouri Valley 3.5
Winners
100 – Rachel Kinsella, Treynor
200 – Lydia Erickson, Riverside
400 – Peyton Pogge, T-C
800 – Peyton Pogge, T-C
100H – Maddax DeVault, NV
1500 – Mya Moss, L-M
3000 – Chloe Falkena, AHSTW
400H – Holly Hoepner, AHSTW
Discus – Stella Umphreys, Treynor
High Jump – Alizabeth Jacobsen, Underwood
Long Jump – Maddie Fry, NV
Shot Put – Zoe Rus, Underwood
4 x 100 – NV
4 x 200 – NV
4 x 400 – Underwood
4 x 800 – Underwood
Shuttle Hurdle – NV
Sprint Medley – NV
Distance Medley – L-M
Full results HERE.