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GERALD E. WILSON, 92, of Arizona, formerly of Anita and Atlantic (

Obituaries

July 8th, 2024 by Jim Field

GERALD E. WILSON, 92, of Arizona, formerly of Anita and Atlantic died Friday, July 5, 2024 after a brief illness. Burial for GERALD E. WILSON will be in South Dakota.

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GERALD E. WILSON is survived by his two daughters, Gina and Sheila, and several nieces and nephews.

Davis Thompson wins the John Deere Classic

Sports

July 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A record setting finish at the John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities. Davis Thompson birdied five of his first six holes and cruised to the win. He finished at 28-under par, a new tournament record.

It was Thompson’s first win on the PGA Tour.

CT Pan earned the other spot in the British Open after finishing in a ties for second place.

All things in moderation, including Iowans’ decaf coffee

News

July 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Several health advocacy groups are raising concerns about cancer risks linked to a chemical that’s used to decaffeinate coffee, but a local expert says you can still likely trust that morning cup of joe. Michaela Eckstein, a registered dietician with Gundersen Health System, says a solvent is commonly used on coffee beans to wick out caffeine, and the F-D-A is being petitioned to ban the use of that chemical compound.

“Methylene chloride is in the same category as the sun in terms of being a possible carcinogen,” Eckstein says, “but with the rest of that process, the coffee beans are then rinsed and heated to a super-high temperature so the methylene chloride all evaporates off, in order to be approved by the FDA and end up on our grocery store shelves.” Coffee beans are typically roasted at 400-degrees, which is up to four times higher than the evaporation point of the chemical. Eckstein says only very small amounts of methylene chloride may remain in the beans, or fewer than ten drops for every ten gallons of coffee. Studies find drinking coffee can have a variety of health benefits, including weight management, preventing heart failure, and a lower risk of developing multiple cancers and chronic diseases. Still, Eckstein says moderation is key.

“If we’re drinking caffeinated coffee, usually I recommend less than two cups per day, otherwise we start becoming more at risk of that shaky, jittery feeling,” Eckstein says. “When it comes to the decaf coffee, there’s definitely health benefits up to that three cup per day mark, or about 24 ounces a day.” Iowans who love their decaf coffee don’t have to go without, she says, as that chemical can be avoided with a little effort.

“If we are concerned about that methylene chloride, there are other options readily available,” Eckstein says. “You could get solvent-free coffee, certified organic coffee, or decaf coffee that’s made with the Swiss water processing method as well, or try some of those other great decaf drinks, like herbal tea or sparkling water.” The F-D-A is being asked to ban or restrict the use of several chemicals in food preparation, including methylene chloride, as it’s been connected to causing cancer. Groups making the request include the Environmental Defense Fund, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Center for Environmental Health, and Environmental Working Group.

State program gives grants to 13 small meat processors

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Thirteen businesses, including one here in Cass County (IA), will get state money this year from a fund designed to help small-scale meat processors. Iowa Economic Development Authority spokesperson Kanan Kappleman says the grants total more than 970-thousand dollars.”Eligible projects under the Butchery and Revitalization Fund would include expanding or refurbishing an existing facility or establishing a new business,” she says. Kappleman says the money is often used for buying equipment.”Refrigeration facilities, freezer facilities, or equipment that is necessary to expand the processing capacity of a facility,” Kappelman says. Kappelman says the fund was created after the need was revealed for these type of processors when the large-scale meat processors were shut down during the pandemic. She says there are just a few requirements to get the grants.

“Number one they would be authorized to do business in Iowa. The second is that they employ less than 75 individuals,” she says. There also some limits on the amount of the grants. “The maximum award amount for any one company was 100-thousand dollars and no more than 50 percent of the eligible project expenses can be made with these grant funds,” Kappelman says.

There were five projects that requested grants that didn’t win awards this year. Locally, Bailey Beef Processing in Anita received a grant for $41,500 toward their total project cost of $83,000. As KJAN News reported in May,The Cass County Board of Supervisors received a request for County participation in helping the Anita Locker receive an economic development grant. Supervisor’s Board Chair Steve Baier said he wrote “a general letter of support” for the grant, because other projects that have flourished under similar grants.

Scot and Cheryl Bailey, along with their son Jackson, own the Anita Locker. Scot and Cheryl appeared before the Board to explain the need for funds to update their facility, especially in light of business coming from the Minden Locker, which had to close due to damage from the April 26th tornado.

Cheryl Bailey said they applied for a matching grant from the IEDA (Iowa Economic Development Authority) because of the need to improve their freezer capacity.

She said they had also applied for a CIS (Cooperative Interstate Shipping) license, which allows participating state-inspected meat and poultry establishments to ship products across state lines. To qualify for the CIS program, a meat processor must have fewer than 25 full-time employees and comply with all federal food safety, sanitation and facility regulations. Anita Locker has six employees, including two full-time and two part-time, and if the locker can update it’s compressor, that would bring in more business and allow them to hire three-to-four more people.

Here is a list of the rest of the grant recipients with the amount of the project and amount of the grant awarded:
Amana Farms Beef Homestead project cost $16,640; grant awarded: $8,320
Cooks Meat Locker LLC Parnell project cost $200,000; grant awarded: $100,000
Double Dutch Meat Processing, Inc. Pella project cost $200,000; grant awarded: $100,000
Edgewood Locker INC project cost $200,000; grant awarded: $100,000
Friedrichsen Meat Company LLC Sutherland project cost $200,000; grant awarded: $100,000
Grimm Family Farm LLC Williamsburg project cost $176,503; grant awarded: $88,251
Jakes Meat Market Sibley project cost $60,418; grant awarded: $30,209
LDL Investsments Brighton project cost $99,210; grant awarded: $49,605
Northcote Meats Inc. Melcher project cost $200,000, grant awarded: $100,000
Regenerative Food Processing Stacyville project cost $105,350; grant awarded: $52,675
Skoglund Meats & Locker Inc West Bend project cost $200,000; grant awarded: $100,000
The Good Butcher LLC Des Moines project cost $200,000; grant awarded: $100,000

Severe storms once again impact western Iowa

News, Weather

July 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Severe storms that moved over the Omaha/Council Bluffs area Sunday evening moved into western Iowa, bringing penny to golf ball-size hail to the Crescent area. Several funnel clouds were observed as well, including this one near Minden at around 6:50-p.m. (Photo courtesy of Zach Ploen).

The National Weather Service reports a personal weather station six-miles NE of Orient (Adair County) recorded a 64 mph gust of wind at around 9:34-p.m., Sunday, as storms moved into the County. Hail three-quarters (.75) of inch in diameter was reported one-mile NW of Shenandoah at around 9:36-p.m., Sunday. A funnel cloud was observed by Shelby County Emergency Management at around 6:50-p.m. one-mile NW of Shelby. Hail the size of ping-pong balls (1.5 inches in diameter) fell 4 miles NE of Council Bluffs at around 6:57-p.m. A few minutes earlier, the hail had been the size of half dollar coins.

 

 

2 kayakers rescued in Marshall County

News

July 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Two stranded kayakers were rescued Sunday afternoon in the Boone River near Webster City. The Webster City and Stratford Fire Departments along with Van Diest Medical Center EMS and the Hamilton County Sheriff and Conservation Departments responded to rescue the kayakers who were stuck on a log in the Boone River. The two were reported last seen around the Albright landing of the river between Webster City and Stratford. They were rescued by boat and safely made it to shore.

The two individuals were checked over with no injuries reported. It was reported that the river had risen up an additional six inches and was moving very rapidly.

Juvenile killed in head-on crash Sunday afternoon

News

July 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A juvenile was killed in a head-on collision near Cottonwood Recreation Area on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a two-vehicle crash was reported at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday near the 740 block of N.W. Fisher Lane. Each vehicle was occupied by two people. The occupants of the northbound vehicle — a driver and a juvenile passenger — were both transported to an area hospital, the driver in serious condition and the passenger in critical condition.

Authorities say the juvenile passenger died from their injuries after arriving at the hospital. The driver and passenger of the southbound vehicle were treated for minor injuries at the scene and released.

The crash remains under investigation. The names of the individuals involved and the status of the driver who was transported to the hospital have not been released at this time.

Iowan with disability wins federal support

News

July 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa News Service) – The U.S. Office for Civil Rights has issued a ruling ensuring that an Iowa man with disabilities is able to live in his home and receive round-the-clock medical care. Advocates for people with disabilities hope the move sets precedent for other people in Iowa and around the country.

When he was about five, Cedar Rapids resident Garret Frey suffered the same spinal cord injury that Superman star Christopher Reeve did in an equestrian accident.  Reeve lived for about a decade after his accident. Frey is closing on 40 years, and sued the state, claiming it violated his rights by failing to provide the 24-hour home-based support and services he needs to live at home, where he said people with disabilities want to be. “It is truly where most of us are happy, healthy,” said Frey, “and it’s most cost-effective.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agreed to raise the provider reimbursement rate for in-home caregivers, allow for respite services, expand the health-care provider base – and help secure overnight, in-home nursing care for Frey. HHS will monitor Iowa’s progress for a year. Frey said he wants this ruling to set precedent for other people with disabilities in Iowa and across the country.

Garrett Fry was honored with the Lifetime Advocacy Award from the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council in 2023 (Photo courtesy IDDC)

“It’s one baby step in the right direction,” said Frey, “because there are many other disability-related concerns and issues that are ongoing.”

The ruling requires Iowa Health and Human Services to work with federal officials to ensure Frey’s needs are met during that year, and report on their progress monthly.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area: Monday, July 8, 2024

Weather

July 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming west northwest 5 to 10 mph this morning.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm this evening.
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday: A 30% chance of afternoon showers & thunderstorms, otherwise mostly sunny. High near 83.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 84.

Sunday’s High in Atlantic was 83. Our Low this morning was 57. We received .04″ rain Sunday night, in Atlantic. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 77 and the Low was 50. The All-Time Record High in Atlantic on July 8th, was 102 in 1937, and the Record Low was 42 in 1908. Sunrise: 5:53; Sunset: 8:56.

State climatologist says forecasts indicate 10-15% increase in precipitation in next decade or so

News

July 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – State Climatologist Justin Glisan says most infrastructure — like levies and storm sewers — is not built for the type of torrential rain and flooding that’s occurring. “You look at 2019 with the ‘bomb cyclone’ and then the epic flooding along the Missouri River basin, all the Corps levies south of Council Bluffs were damaged or destroyed,” Glisan says. “Those have since been rebuilt.” And Glisan says urban infrastructure can’t keep up with high intensity rainfall.

“Instead of getting these historic quarter inch, half an inch over 24-48 hours, you’re getting an inch to three inches,” Glisan says. “Our systems can’t keep up with that type of behavior and we’re only seeing that behavior increase into the future.” Forecasts indicate there will be a 10 to 15 percent increase in precipitation in Iowa over the next 10 to 15 years — and Glisan says that will sadly lead to more flooding. As for the other severe weather that’s hit the state this spring, Glisan says mobile radars deployed during the Greenfield tornado may help improve forecasting tornadoes.

“The science that we’re going to get out of it I really think is going to move us forward in terms of advanced lead times,” Glisan says. “and even predicting these types of tornadoes further out.” As Radio Iowa reported last month, the preliminary data from the Greenfield tornado includes a measurement that wind speeds were 318 miles per hour at 160 feet above the ground. That means the Greenfield tornado was the second strongest tornado ever recorded. “It’s hard to fathom,” Glisan says.

Glisan made his comments during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S.