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Red Cross blood shortage continues as thousands answer the call to give; Emergency need remains; critical call for type O blood donors to donate now

News

July 25th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (July 25, 2018) — Thousands of people have responded to the emergency call for blood and platelet donations issued by the American Red Cross in early July. Still, there continues to be an emergency need for donors of all blood types, especially type O, to give now to address a severe blood shortage. Red Cross blood donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in, and right now there is less than a five-day blood supply on hand. The Red Cross strives to keep a five-day supply of blood to meet the needs of patients and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood products. There is a particular need for type O blood, which plays an important role in ongoing patient care and emergencies. Type O positive is the most transfused blood type and can be given to patients with any Rh-positive blood type. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be given to any patient. It’s what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations.

In thanks, all those who come to donate blood or platelets July 30 through Aug. 30, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.) Donors of all blood types are urged to make an appointment to give now using the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 25-Aug. 15

American Red Cross Blood Donation Center: Loess Hills Blood Donation Center, 705 N. 16th St. Council Bluffs.

Adair County: Greenfield, 8/15/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Methodist Church, 108 SW 5th Street

Audubon County: 8/8/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Patrick’s Parish Center, 2050 Hwy 71 N

Carroll County: Arcadia, 8/7/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, 210 Head Street; Manning, 7/27/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, 203 Sue Street

Cass County: Atlantic, 8/15/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Atlantic High School, 1201 East 14th Street.

Crawford County: Denison, 8/7/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, 113 South 14th Street; Manilla, 8/9/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 537 3rd Avenue

Harrison County: Logan, 7/31/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 108 West 4th Street

Mills County: Glenwood, 8/13/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 512 2nd St.

Montgomery County: Red Oak, 8/6/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Montgomery County Hospital, 2301 Eastern Ave; 8/8/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Red Oak YMCA, 101 E Cherry St

Page County:  Clarinda, 7/27/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Clarinda Academy, 1820 North 16th Street; 8/10/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 322 N 16th

Pottawattamie County: Carson, 8/6/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Carson Community Center, 316 South Commerical St; Council Bluffs – 7/28/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.,  7 S 4th St; 8/3/2018: 6 a.m. – 12 p.m., Mid-America Center, One Arena Way; 8/3/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mid-America Center, One Arena Way; 8/12/2018: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Queen of Apostles Campus, 3304 3rd Avenue; 8/12/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Community of Christ, 140 Kanesville Blvd; Shelby, 8/11/2018: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Shelby Community Building, 500 East Street

Shelby County: Earling, 7/30/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Joseph’s Hall, 118 Main Street; Harlan, 8/7/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., CDS, 3107 Shelby Street

Taylor County: Bedford, 7/27/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Legion Hall, 301 Main St; Lenox, 7/31/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 210 E. Dallas St

Cass County Extension Report 7-25-2018

Ag/Outdoor, Podcasts

July 25th, 2018 by Jim Field

w/Kate Olson.

Play

Nebraska man dies in northwest Iowa train accident

News

July 25th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a Nebraska man died when a train moved as he was crawling underneath it in northwest Iowa. Sioux City police say the accident occurred just after 11 p.m. Monday. Police say the train had stopped in downtown and the man tried to crawl under it to continue on his way. But it moved, running over him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have identified him as 45-year-old Kalmer Crowe. He lived in Winnebago, Nebraska.

Cass County Fair opens today in Atlantic

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 25th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Fair opens today (Wednesday), here in Atlantic, with a light schedule: From 9-a.m. until 2:30-p.m., there is 4H Static Exhibit Judging; 9-a.m. until Noon is the Clover Kids Showcase entry; The Food Sale takes place at the Community Center beginning at 10-a.m., and Fairgrounds set-up is this evening, beginning at 6.  There’s lots more going on tomorrow through the end of the Fair next Tuesday, at the Cass County Fairgrounds. Some highlights tomorrow night include: The “Little Miss and Mister” contest, at 7; King and Queen contest at 7:30; Senior Recognition at 8-p.m., and a movie in the Outdoor Show Ring, beginning at 8:45-p.m., Thursday.

For more on the Cass County Fair Schedule, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/cass, or look for The Cass County Fair (IA) on Facebook.

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz addresses Big Ten Media Day

Sports

July 25th, 2018 by admin

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says he is ready for the talking to be over the preseason practice to begin. Ferentz addressed Big Ten Media Day in Chicago and big things are expected from quarterback Nate Stanley, only the second junior Ferentz has taken to Media Day.

Ferentz says Stanley is also the second junior he has had be elected a captain.

The biggest hole on offense is at center where James Daniels left early for the NFL. Senior Keegan Render moved over to center during spring drills.

Iowa has found success with a number of players who moved to a different position in college. Senior defensive end Parker Hesse (hess-ee) was a quarterback and linebacker as a standout at Waukon.

Junior tight end Noah Fant has received plenty of preseason recognition and Ferentz says he continues to make progress.

The Hawkeyes open September first at home against Northern Illinois.

Fowler’s homer rallies Cardinals over Reds 4-2 in 11 innings

Sports

July 25th, 2018 by admin

CINCINNATI (AP) — Austin Gomber was ready to start the bottom of the seventh, still working on a no-hitter, when a siren sounded and lights started flashing. Great American Ball Park’s fire alarm had malfunctioned.

That was a new one for the Cardinals’ rookie left-hander, who got an unexpected 7-minute, 30-second break.

Gomber lost his no-hitter and his shutout after the alarm was silenced in the seventh inning, but Dexter Fowler hit a two-run shot in the 11th on Tuesday night, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

For the second straight night, a Cardinals rookie went deep into the game without allowing a hit. Daniel Poncedeleon threw no-hit ball for seven innings in his major league debut Monday before the Reds rallied against Norris for a 2-1 win featuring Eugenio Suarez’s homer.

Joey Votto singled with one out for the Reds’ first hit, and Suarez followed with his 21st homer, ending the rookie’s debut as a starter. Gomber made 15 relief appearances this season before the Cardinals sent him to Triple-A to get in shape to help their depleted rotation. He threw 90 pitches in his first major league start.

Mired in a season-long slump, Fowler connected off left-hander Amir Garrett (0-2) for only his second homer while batting right-handed. Fowler is batting .179 overall.

Sam Tuivailala (3-3) escaped a two-on threat in the 10th. Bud Norris got his 19th save in 22 chances, one night after he took a loss.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Jack Flaherty (4-4) makes his fourth career start against the Reds. He made the shortest start of his career last Sept. 19 at Great American Ball Park, lasting only two innings.

Reds: Sal Romano (5-8) has faced the Cardinals twice, with the Reds losing both games.

State Baseball Schedule 4A Quarterfinals Wednesday 07/25/2018

Sports

July 25th, 2018 by admin

Class 4A Quarterfinals – Wednesday, July 25

11:00—#4 Valley, West Des Moines (27-15) vs. #5 Waukee (29-11)

1:30—#1 Johnston (34-5) vs. #8 Cedar Rapids, Washington (25-17)

5:00—#3 North Scott, Eldridge (28-10) vs. #6 Epworth, Western Dubuque (33-9)

7:30—#2 Urbandale (33-6) vs. #7 Marshalltown (20-18)

Former Atlantic golfer Newell finishes 4th at Iowa Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament

Sports

July 25th, 2018 by admin

Former Atlantic golf star Brooke Newell took 4th place at the Iowa Women’s Amatuer Golf Tournament on Saturday. Brooke shot a three day total +22 238 at Spirit Hollow Golf Club in Burlington. The University of Nebraska redshirt freshman shot rounds of 79, 83, and 76.

The tournament was won by Indiana State University junior Sierra Hargens who finished with a +12 228 for the tournament.

SWI Swarm softball with strong showing at Iowa Games

Sports

July 25th, 2018 by admin

The Southwest Iowa Swarm softball teams turned in some good performances at the Iowa Games this past weekend.

Their are four age divisions that compete for the invite only teams. The team is organized by Trevor Gipple and he said the teams have three coaches for each age group and they all pitch in to coach the entire program.

At the Iowa Games the 8-U team played up into the 10-U bracket and gained some good experience. The 10-U team placed 4th out of 12 teams. The 12-U team finished 3rd. The 14U team placed 2nd.

The older teams will scrimmage some other select teams from here.

Farm Bill heads to conference committee, passage by September?

Ag/Outdoor

July 25th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The near-trillion-dollar Farm Bill is headed to a conference committee where differences between the House and Senate versions will be ironed out. Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman  says he’s encouraged the new five-year piece of legislation will pass before the current Farm Bill expires at the end of September.  “We are still hopeful that we can see some signs that serious compromises need to be made in order to move a good product ahead,” Lehman says. “It’s a good sign but we know there’s quite a bit yet to be done to get us to where we need to be in the end.”

Lehman says members of the conference committee have plenty of work ahead. House Republicans proposed sweeping changes to the food stamp program or SNAP, including a work requirement. Senators didn’t include any major changes in food stamps in the 956-billion dollar Farm Bill. “The window is getting tight to get the work done and that is certainly the issue that we anticipate is going to be front and center between the two versions,” Lehman says, “but I’ve got to tell you, there’s a lot of other issues that are so important that the two versions are very different.”

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley added an amendment to the Farm Bill which aims to close the loophole he says enables Wall Street bankers to get federal farm dollars, even if they’ve never had dirt under their fingernails. Grassley says, “Allowing these types of nonfarmers to milk the farm safety net for millions of dollars in subsidies each year is ridiculous.” Lehman hopes members of the conference committee will include Grassley’s proposal in the final package. “It’s so important to direct our dollars in the right way to family-sized operations as much as possible,” Lehman says. “We’ve got a limited pool of money that we can work with in the farm bill and we’ve always felt that we haven’t dedicated the resources we need to in order to help farmers.”

He adds he’s hopeful Grassley’s proposal will “win the day.”