United Group Insurance

Meatpackers cautiously reopen plants amid coronavirus fears

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota pork processing plant took its first steps toward reopening after a virus outbreak among workers that was one of the worst in the nation. Smithfield Foods shuttered its Sioux Falls plant for over two weeks because of a coronavirus outbreak that infected over 800 employees. Two departments opened Monday at the plant. Meat processing plants across the country are cautiously reopening after President Donald Trump’s executive order last week classified them as critical infrastructure. Workers, farmers and meat-eaters alike are watching to see if new safety measures will be enough to prevent the types of outbreaks that have torn through the workforce of many plants.

Iowa City police announce arrest in April homicide

News

May 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Police in Iowa City say they’ve made an arrest in the April shooting death of a man. Police say in a news release that 22-year-old Durojaiye Antonio Rosa was arrested Monday in the April 20 death of 21-year-old Kejuan Winters. Rosa has been charged with first-degree murder in Winters’ shooting death. Police say officers called to the scene of the shooting found Winters inside a home suffering from gunshot wounds. He later died at the scene from his injuries. Police continue to search for a 44-year-old man they say is a person of interest in the case.

4 more COVID-19 deaths in Iowa

News

May 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, today (Monday), said four more Iowans have died from the COVID-19 virus, for a total of 188. The deaths occurred in Appanoose, Jasper, Poweshiek and Wapello Counties. Three were older adults (61-t0 80) one was over the age of 81. All four were residents of Long Term Care Facilities. The Governor said also, one new LTC facility outbreak was reported: at Accura Healthcare, in Marshalltown. The total number of LTC outbreaks currently stands at 28.

There were 534 NEW, positive test results return for COVID-19 in the current report, for a total of 9,703. Reynolds said 85% occurred in the 22 Iowa Counties with restrictions in place. There were 3,441 negative test results returned, for a total of 47, 458. In addition, 57,161 tests have been taken, to-date, or 1-in-55 Iowans, per capita. The recovery rate is 36%, as 3,486 Iowans have recovered from the virus.

The Governor said also, the IDPH and the State Hygienic Lab are working tirelessly to improve the timeliness in processing and reporting the results. Still, not everyone who has taken the TestIowa assessment, has received their results back from the State. Normally, she said individual test results would normally be available within 72, but the backlog caused the high volume of tests has pushed the timeline back just a bit. Reynolds said “Again I want to re-assure Iowans that this is a short-term issue, as we ramp-up testing and process and complete the TestIowa validation process.”

She said if you were tested late last week, your results will still be on the way. Watch your e-mail for results. The governor says the backlog should be resolved today and she reminds, until you know the results of your test, it’s important that you stay home.

Across the RMCC’s:

  • 389 Iowans are hospitalized
  • 37 were admitted over the past 24-hours
  • 143 COVID-19 patients are in the ICU
  • 93 are on ventilators.
  • There are 4,179 In-Patient COVID-19 beds available.
  • 552 ICU beds available.
  • and 666 ventilators available.

6 Woodward Resource Center residents positive for COVID-19

News

May 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

WOODWARD, Iowa (The Des Moines Register) — Iowa Department of Human Services officials say six residents at a central Iowa facility for people with intellectual disabilities have tested positive for the new coronavirus, although none have shown symptoms of COVID-19. The first resident at the Woodward Resource Center tested positive for the virus on April 26. By Saturday, officials said, five more residents — all tied to one home on campus — had tested positive for the virus.

Three employees at the multi-building campus have also tested positive. DHS spokesman Matt Highland says the state is working to get more COVID-19 testing on the campus. Those who have tested positive have been moved to an isolation area, and the home has been cleaned.

SWIPCO/SWITA offices re-open; SWITA Taxi service to resume

News

May 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa May 4, 2020) Effective Immediately: The SWIPCO and SWITA offices in Atlantic have re-opened for essential visits by the public. Essential visits are those that cannot take place via phone, email, fax, or mail. Visitors are asked to call ahead before coming to the office, to wait in the reception area, utilize the hand sanitizer available, and to not come in if they are feeling ill. Business with visitors will only be conducted in the reception area or the conference room, visitors will not be able to go to staff offices. A drop box has been set up and many interactions will still continue to utilize this drop box. Many staff are still working from home, so if you need to meet with a specific staff member you should call ahead at 712-243-4196 to make an appointment.

Effective Wednesday, May 6, 2020: SWITA taxi service will resume in Atlantic, Missouri Valley, Harlan, , Glenwood, Red Oak, and Shenandoah. For the safety of the public and SWITA drivers, please only schedule essential trips. When possible, please ride behind the first row of seats on a bus or ride in the rear of vans. Riders should wear a face mask if at all possible. Riders in mobility devices such as wheel chairs are asked to please turn their face away from the driver while their device is secured. All vehicles have been sanitized and are cleaned daily. The service is open to the public and fares are $2.50 each way in-town for the general public and $2.00 each way in-town for age 60+. Taxi tickets that normally would expire July 1, 2020 will be honored until June 30, 2021. Tickets may be purchased directly from the drivers. If it is necessary for riders to purchase tickets from the office in Atlantic, please call beforehand at 712-243-4196 and they will be ready for you. Additional information is available on www.swipco.org.

Taxi trips may be scheduled by calling the following numbers:

  • Atlantic: 712-249-0566 or 712-250-1200
  • Missouri Valley: 712-642-4489
  • Harlan, Glenwood, Red Oak, Shenandoah: 800-842-8065
  • Deaf or hard of hearing should call 711 or 800-735-2943.
  • Rides may be scheduled in Clarinda by calling Clarinda Area Volunteers at 712-542-4915 and in Fremont County by calling Faith in Action at 712-313-0131.

3 arrested/released on citations in Adair County

News

May 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports three people who were arrested over the past week, were subsequently released from the scene with a citation. At around 3:30-a.m. Saturday, 33-year old Roger Joseph Draman, of Casey, was pulled over by an Adair County Deputy for having an improper brake light on the passenger side of his car, and failure to give a continuous signal. A check of Draman’s license revealed his driving status was revoked until Nov. 2020.  Draman is scheduled to appear in court May 28th.

On April 29th, 38-year old Michael Gail Steward, of Orient, was arrested at around 3:15-p.m. and then released on a citation, for Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. Authorities allege Steward caused damage to property in the 1500 block of 310th Street in Adair County, and owned by Gail and Sharon Steward. About $300 damage was done to walk-in door to the residence.

And, 21-year old Rayvon Dawn McFarland, of Fontanelle, was cited April 26th for Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia, after authorities investigated a single-vehicle  accident at the intersection of 220th Street and Pinewood Avenue, in Adair County.

Big Ten extends ban on campus workouts

Sports

May 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The Big Ten Conference extended its ban on organized workouts and activities from May fourth to June first. The extension means organized workouts with strength and conditioning staffs and on-campus meetings with players cannot happen until at least then. Under normal NCAA off-season rules, you are allowed eight hours per week with your team in the weight room and film room. Right now, the only thing you are allowed to do is to conduct digital meetings remotely with your players. Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle says training facilities may look a lot different when football players return to campus. Doyle is used to having 30 players per shift in the weight room but that may change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Doyle says the coaching staff is looking at a variety of plans that would help lower the risk.

Doyle says they are looking at all aspects of the training facilities.

WEEK OF MAY 4, 2020

Trading Post

May 4th, 2020 by Jim Field

FOR SALE:  I have a handmade basswood plant stand with a metal base I’m asking $35 for. Please call 712-249-9242 ask for Tim.

FOR SALE:  3 tires 80% tread prime well Valera AT 265/70R/17, asking $20/each.  Call 712-250-1005.

WANTED: Female rat terrier puppy. 641-740-1327.

FOR SALE:  an oak tree slice end table with a spiral metal base. I’m asking $100. Please call 712-249-9242 ask for Tim.

FOR SALE: Brush bumper for a Ford F-150. Also giving away firewood. Call 712-323-4890.

FOR SALE: 1) 2 sets of golf clubs. One set is Northwestern brand the other is Delta, both are right-handed and include woods, irons and putters. $50 each set. 2) 2 pair of brand new golf shoes. 1 pair are size 13M Footjoy. 1 pair size 12/13 Wilson white. $10 each pair. 3) 1991 Ford Lariat 1/2 ton 4WD, manual transmission, brown metallic with new tires, brakes, belts, hoses, leaf springs, starter/alternator, thermostat, new head, muffler, tail pipe and tailgate. Asking $2500. Call 712-243-2860.

FOR SALE: 3 section hand pole trimmer with rope and saw blade. Asking $25. Call 243-2860.

FOR SALE:  Brand new 6 panel solid oak interior door.  Right hand. 36″W 82 1/2″ H. Satin nickel hinges.  Lists for $190.  Make an offer.  Call 712-254-9154.

WANTED:  a working electric dryer. Please email ss@cambridgelawfirm.com.

FOR SALE: Tire mounted/balanced on a steel wheel, approximately ½ tread.  Brand is: “Tour Plus”.  Size is: 215/60/R16.  Price: $25.00.  Phone: 712-249-7187.

FOR SALE: Troy-Bilt tiller. 8HP, industrial commercial engine, very good shape, 22″. Comes with manual and hiller attachment. Tuned up recently by a local professional. Original style Troy-Bilt, not newer cheaper knock offs. $500. Call 402-980-4353 (Cell) or 712-243-2250 (Home with answering machine). SOLD!

WANTED:  metal garden water can in good condition. 712-250-1005.

WANTED: Washing machine. Top load with agitator. Call 712-254-3878.

WANTED: Garden tiller. Something in good shape or fixable. Call 712-769-2426 (Home) or 605-651-3135 (Cell).

FOR SALE:  Acreage sprayer, 110 gallons, PTO Hydro pump with max speed of 1000, total footage on booms is 20′, with new hoses . It is in good condition and everything works. $175.00 cash.  (Tractor not included).  Call 417-876-7103 if interested or if you have any questions. (Kimballton area).  SOLD!

FOR SALE:  1998 Jayco 30′ camper.  Asking $4,600.  Call 712-268-2609.

FOR SALE:  Two 1/2″ Ingersoll-Rand air impact guns in good condition, asking $45 each.  6000 BTU 110 volt window air conditioner with remote, asking $75.  Ryobi electric weed eater, asking $25.  Call 712-304-4998 in Hamlin.

FOR SALE:  Bedroom, dining room and various other pieces of furniture.  Call 402-658-8073.

FOR SALE:  White River Lost Lake open front overalls, asking $50.  Creek Company float tube fins, fits boot foot or stocking foot waders, asking $25.  Bass Pro Shop fish fry kit, 58,000 BTU.  All prices negotiable.  Call 712-250-0066.

WANTED: Mowing jobs, smaller yards, just has a push mower and weed eater, $10-$20 a yard. 712-243-2860.

Eastern Iowa convoy, western Iowa free lunch line honor ‘essential workers’

News

May 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Iowans are finding ways to salute “essential workers” during this pandemic. In eastern Iowa, Greg Preussner helped organize a convoy of semi tractors through Dubuque and Delaware Counties on Saturday. “For the medical, law enforcement, EMS, fire fighters, farmers, truckers, military, grocery store workers, convenience store workers — every body that you don’t think of all the time,” Preussner says. “Radio, TV — everybody there — no matter through this pandemic, they’re there every day for us.” The Honor Cruise began in Farley and wound through 14 other towns, covering about 110 miles. “We honor and respect these people that are out there working,” Preussner says. “And the ones that haven’t been able to, we’ll be there for them when they do open up.”

In western Iowa on Friday, truckers making a required stop at an Iowa D-O-T’s weigh station got a free lunch, courtesy of a company that provides commercial trucking insurance.  “When the government told everyone to go to shelter-in-place, they told the truck drivers to keep on trucking.” That’s Great West Casualty Company C-E-O Jim Jensen. He was on site, helping distribute the sack lunches to truckers. “Our hats off to the men and women making a difference,” he said, “stocking our shelves, bringing medical supplies, doing everything possible to make our lives better in this time of crisis and this time of need.”

The lunch line set up at the Iowa D-O-T’s weigh station on southbound Interstate 29 between Salix and Sloan served about 200 truckers over a three-hour period on Friday.

SHIRLEY MILLER 97, of Marshalltown (formerly of the Adair County area) – Svcs. Pending

Obituaries

May 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

SHIRLEY MILLER 97, of Marshalltown (formerly of the Adair County area), died Saturday, May 2nd, at the Accura Healthcare in Marshalltown.  Funeral services for SHIRLEY MILLER are pending at the Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.