Gov. Terry Branstad is preparing the state for a federally mandated health exchange even though he opposes President Barack Obama’s signature law and hopes the U.S. Supreme Court invalidates it. The Republican governor says Iowa should proceed with a state-run exchange only if the controversial law is upheld. The U.S. Supreme Court will rule Thursday on the federal law, which seeks to extend coverage to the nation’s uninsured. Democrats who control the Iowa Senate say they will push for a state health-benefit program regardless of how the court rules, while leaders in the Republican-led House say the state has already enacted pieces of the law in a way that’s tailored to Iowa. A report from the U.S. Census Bureau says 366,000 Iowans are uninsured, roughly 12 percent of the population.

Members of the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors will hold a special meeting Thursday, at Noon. The Board will meet at the Sunnyside Skate Park, to take a tour of proposed sites for the new Parks & Rec Department Office and Maintenance Building. During  a previous meeting, some members of the public had expressed concerns over where the building would be located on the grounds of Sunnyside Park, but no decision has been made as to the final site.

1106 AM CDT WED JUN 27 2012
 
 …HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING…
 
REST OF TODAY…SUNNY. VERY HOT AND HUMID. BREEZY. HIGH AROUND 103. SOUTHWEST WIND 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH. HEAT INDEX READINGS 108 TO 113.
TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOW IN THE LOWER 70S. SOUTHWEST WIND 5 TO  15 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH THROUGH MIDNIGHT. HIGHEST HEAT INDEX READINGS 103 TO 108 THROUGH MIDNIGHT.
THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HOT AND HUMID. HIGH IN THE MID 90S.  NORTHWEST WIND AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHEAST UP TO 5 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHEST HEAT INDEX READINGS 100 TO 105 IN THE AFTERNOON.
THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF  THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE MID 70S. SOUTH WIND NEAR 10 MPH. HIGHEST HEAT INDEX READINGS AROUND 100 THROUGH MIDNIGHT.
FRIDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. HIGH IN THE MID 90S. SOUTH WIND NEAR 10 MPH. HIGHEST HEAT INDEX READINGS 100 TO 103 IN THE AFTERNOON.

The Atlantic Police Department reports three arrests on Tuesday. 19-year old Jason Porter, of Stuart, was arrested on a charge of OWI/1st Offense. 49-year old Larry Will, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication. And, 23-year old Kasandra Mesa, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. All three of the individuals were booked into the Cass County Jail and held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office has issued an alert about a possible text messaging scam. Sheriff Lyle Palmer said his office received information of a possible text messaging scam that occurred to a resident in Page County.  The resident received a text message from a number they didn’t recognize, 1-617-671-5276.  The text message stated that they were Iowa’s winner of the day and directed them to go to a website, http://www.wallmart.com.totalgiveawaymadness.com to claim their $1,000.00 prize.  It also stated that they must claim their prize within 24 hrs. 

The resident called1800walmart (1-800-925-6278), selected the customer (2) service, and the prompt advised that there had been a recent rash of text messages. The Wal-Mart phone service also advised that Wal-Mart doesn’t send text messages.  It also advised to call the Federal Trade Commission (F.T.C.) and gave the phone number of the F.T.C.  The resident did not fall for the message, but looked into it and found that it was most than likely a scam to get information from them that could be used to compromise their identity and or financial holdings. 

Sheriff Palmer warned no information should ever be given to someone that contacts you with regard to personal or financial information.  With today’s technology he says, it is a lot easier to be “scammed” than ever before.  Palmer added that “More than ever, the old phrase ‘if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is’ should be taken to heart.”

High temperatures are expected to settle in over Iowa today and stick around for several days. Afternoon temperatures are forecast to reach the high 90s and low 100s. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans even young and healthy individuals can have a heat-related illness if they are very active during hot weather or the heat index is very high.

“People suffer heat-related illness when the temperature and humidity are high. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn’t enough,” said IPDH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “In such cases, a person’s body temperature rises rapidly. Especially when the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly.”

Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, the people at greatest risk include:

• People age 65 or older.
• Infants and young children.
• Overweight individuals.
• People who are performing manual labor or exercising outdoors.
• People who have chronic health conditions, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as those for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation.

To protect your health when temperatures and humidity are high, remember to keep cool and use common sense. The following tips are important:

• Increase fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. The best way to tell you are well-hydrated is if your urine is light yellow. If it gets dark, stop and rehydrate by drinking water immediately.
• If experiencing a lot of sweating, especially over several hours, replace salt and minerals by eating foods like bananas and salty crackers, or drink rehydrating beverages that contain salts, such as sports drinks and special rehydration fluids.
• Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and wear sunscreen.
• Wear hats that shade your face, such as sun hats, visors, etc.
• Keep in the shade or air conditioned areas as much as possible.
• Work slowly if you are not used to working or exercising in heat and humidity. Stop immediately if you get dizzy, nauseated, or feel weak. Go into an air conditioned space and drink cool liquids.
• Use a buddy system. Watch others for heat-induced illness, since some people may not realize they are suffering heat-related illnesses and can become confused or lose consciousness.

For more information about preventing heat-related illness, visit http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp.

Police in Clarinda continue to investigate the theft Tuesday, of a pickup truck from a residential driveway on East Nodaway Street. The theft of a 1992 Chevy C-15 pickup was reported Tuesday morning. The vehicle was located a short time later, abandoned in the parking lot of the Clarinda West Apartments on South 27^th Street. Police Chief Keith Brothers says there are no suspects at this time.

Brothers says also, that theft of a grill propane tank was under investigation. The tank was reported stolen Tuesday evening, from a residence on West Lincoln Street. The owner reported two bungee cords that were used to secure the propane tank to the grill were cut and damaged during the theft. The tank was valued at $55.00.

w/ Ric Hanson

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