DES MOINES, Iowa/KCCI —Iowa’s 14-day COVID-19 test positivity rates continue to climb. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, the state’s 14-day positivity rate climbed from 9.7% on Wednesday to 9.9% Friday. There were 8,698 positive tests reported in the last seven days, up from 8,254 on Wednesday.

Hospitalizations are also on the rise. There are now 569 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Iowa, up from 544 at last report on Wednesday. Of those hospitalized with COVID-19, 73.3% are unvaccinated, while 80.2% of those listed in intensive care with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. There have been 4,039,408 vaccine doses administered in Iowa, with 68.7% of those 18 and older fully vaccinated and 71.6% of those 12 and older with at least one dose.

The number of long-term care facilities reporting outbreaks decreased from 29 to 28.

(Radio Iowa) – The state board which oversees the medical marijuana program remains down four board members — but there is hope that will soon change. Program Bureau Chief, Owen Parker, updated the four members present for today’s (Friday) meeting.

“I can let you know that we’ve been in touch with the governor’s office. This week they did conduct three interviews for neurology, pediatrics, and psychiatry. I received an update that those went well — nothing has been finalized yet,” Park says. Parker says all of those interviewed had been referred by board members or those we recently left the board.

“So I will update you all when I officially get word on that. But we are optimistic,” he says. Parker says the best case would have new members on the board by their next meeting in February.

(Radio Iowa) – A photo went viral this fall of an Iowa high school football player helping a player from the opposing team stretch his cramped-up leg — and both boys are stunned by the sudden fame. They’ll attend an awards event together in St. Louis this weekend. Marc Schreiber, executive producer of the Musial Awards, says the photo will be highlighted as a great example of sportsmanship.

“When a player goes down in football, it’s not often that it’s the opponent that’s the lone person out there coming to the aid of his opponent to help him out,” Schreiber says. “That was powerful in itself. What really strikes us is that photo. It’s just such a wonderful image. You just look at it and it instantly conveys sportsmanship.” The game was between Charles City and New Hampton on September 3rd. The photo shows the Comets’ Mario Hoefer helping out the Chickasaws’ Carter Steinlage.

(photo taken by Wendy Luft, via KCHA)

The encounter already won the players a joint interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America 3.” Schreiber says they’ll get more national TV exposure after the Musial Awards are presented before a live audience tomorrow (Saturday). “We package it into a one-hour special, so Mario and Carter will be featured in that,” he says. “It airs on CBS around the country on Christmas Day, sort of the perfect show that connects to the holiday spirit. It will air at 4 o’clock Central time.”

The sportsmanship awards honor Cardinals’ baseball legend and Hall of Famer Stan Musial. They are coordinated by the St. Louis Sports Commission which will cover the air travel, hotel accommodations and ground transportation for Hoefer, Steinlage, and their parents.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors visited with Stacey Ashton, owner of Elixir Downtown, and her parents on Thursday, November 18th, 2021, to celebrate the Grand Opening of her coffee shop and eatery located inside the Franklin Market in Downtown Atlantic.

Stacey grew up in California with her parents Dusty & Steve Turner. About 22 years ago, during a cross-country trip, Steve spotted a Danish windmill and ventured into the town of Elk Horn where they bonded with the community and purchased an acreage with the hope to give their grandchildren memories of summers at the farm.

Through the years, Stacey decided to leave her elementary education career to move to Iowa for a slower, more cost-effective pace. Stacey dreamed of opening her own coffee shop that could provide a unique and comforting atmosphere while featuring fresh homemade appetizers, meals, and desserts.

(Photo submitted)

With the help of her parents, Stacey acquired a space in the Franklin Market and quickly went to work creating her vison. In July of 2021, she opened her doors serving coffee, tea, lemonades, and specialty espresso drinks and slowly started adding items such as specialty salad, sandwiches, soups, and pizzas that have grown quickly in popularity.

Elixir Downtown is excited to begin taking reservations for “Elixir After 5.” This is an opportunity for customers to reserve time in the evening for an intimate dining experience while bringing in wine and/or beer for Stacey to pair with charcuterie boards, flat bread pizzas, and desserts.

Elixir Downtown is located at 402 Chestnut Street in Atlantic. To learn more about Elixir Downtown, call 510-963-9020 or visit their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ElixirDowntownAtl

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A man from Pottawattamie County was sentenced Friday (11/19) to serve 42 months (3.5-years) in prison, for being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. A Judge in Council Bluffs U-S District Court also ordered 42-year-old Domingo Ace Vasquez, III, of Council Bluffs, to three-years of supervised release following completion of his prison term.

On February 21, 2021, the Council Bluffs Police Department responded to a call at a casino regarding a man with a gun and methamphetamine. Vasquez was located and was in possession of a SIG Sauer, Model P938, 9mm pistol. A drug dog made a positive indication and alert on Vasquez’s vehicle, and a loaded magazine that fit the gun was found inside the vehicle.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Council Bluffs Police Department investigated the case.

**New grants for Anita, Atlantic, Blanchard, Clarinda, Creston, Corning, Fontanelle, Lewis, Orient, Red Oak, and Ringgold County**

Anita, Iowa – Iowa 3rd District Democrat Representative. Cindy Axne, today (Friday), announced $611,360 in new USDA Rural Development grants for cities across Iowa’s Third Congressional District to support a range of municipal improvements, including new equipment for Iowa hospitals, police departments, and fire departments. The new grants cover Adams, Adair, Cass, Montgomery, Page, Ringgold, and Union counties.

The grant amount, (local) recipient and purpose can be found below:

• $136,000 for the City of Anita: $44,000 for the City to assist with the replacement of the roof of the existing fire station. The existing roof has developed leaks and moisture is causing the ceiling insulation to collapse;  $50,000 for the City to purchase essential equipment for the city’s volunteer fire department. This grant will allow the city to purchase a CPR chest compression system and power cot to more efficiently conduct rescue services, and purchase 10 sets of fire protection gear to reduce safety risks for volunteer firefighters. Currently, volunteers manually conduct chest compressions and lift individuals in and out of rescue vehicles, and are using expired fire protection gear; $42,000 for the City to renovate city hall’s restrooms and install a new security window to the city clerk’s office.
• $50,000 for the City of Atlantic to purchase equipment for the city animal shelter. Since July of 2021, the shelter has been constructing an addition to its facility to enable the separation of cats and dogs. The investment will support the addition of an entry way for customers and staff, an office, a public restroom, a holding room for cats and a room for individuals to meet cats before adoption.
• $50,000 for the City of Clarinda to purchase surgical equipment for Clarinda Regional Health Center in its surgical and radiology departments to ensure care continues to meet patient needs. CRHC currently provides medical services to nearly 16,000 patients per year.
• $19,660 for the City of Creston to purchase a law enforcement vehicle, an SUV patrol vehicle, and replace the oldest model in its fleet in order to continue providing public safety services.
• $100,000 for Corning, Iowa: $50,000 for the City of Corning to purchase a new skid steer and trailer to assist with street repairs, snow removal and loading sand into trucks during winter weather conditions; $50,000 to purchase 4 vans for Imagine the Possibilities, a non-profit organization in the Creston area that serves individuals with disabilities throughout rural Iowa. This project will allow the nonprofit to purchase four vehicles to replace those currently not running at full capacity and improve its transportation services for the residents.
• $7,000 for the City of Fontanelle to purchase a portable Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machine for the fire department and local Emergency Medical Transportation unit. The existing AED device is 25 years old and out of service.
• $75,000 for the City of Lewis to replace the sidewalk and curb area serving the city block of City Hall and the public library. A portion of the existing sidewalk has collapsed, creating a public safety hazard for pedestrians.
• $21,000 for the City of Orient to purchase a skid loader. The skid loader will be used by the public works employee to maintain city infrastructure needs.
• $50,000 for the City of Red Oak to make street infrastructure improvements and allow the city to more effectively handle storm water runoff in heavy rainfall events, and provide a safe walkway for pedestrians.
• County of Ringgold: $41,800; $33,000 for the County to purchase a detachable semi-trailer to haul large equipment such as dozers, excavators, track loaders cranes and other off-road construction machinery needed to maintain the secondary road network. The county currently owns a semi-trailer that is beyond useful life; $8,800 for the County to purchase a mower to manage roadside ditch and shoulder vegetation for the city’s residents. The Secondary Roads Department has several pieces of old equipment, including a mower that has reached the end of useful life.

WILLARD, Mo., Nov. 19, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today (Friday) announced that USDA is investing $222 million to build and improve critical community facilities in 44 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. This community infrastructure funding will benefit nearly 2.5 million people in rural communities (including Kimballton and Red Oak, locally). It also includes $132 million to support health care, food security, and emergency response services for more than 850,000 rural residents in 37 states.

More than 68 rural communities across Iowa will be receiving a total of $11.5 million in loan and grant funding to assist with improvements to 74 infrastructure and critical community facilities. Nationwide, USDA is investing in 537 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The assistance will fund essential community services that will help keep rural America resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The projects will finance emergency response vehicles and equipment; build or improve hospitals and clinics; and combat food insecurity.

Recipients of USDA investments in Iowa will receive $8,411,800 in loans and $3,124,082 in grant funding. View all 74 Iowa projects here. Examples include:

• The City of LeMars is receiving a $8,300,000 loan to help expand and renovate sections of the Floyd Valley Hospital (FVH). FVH currently operates a 25-bed critical access hospital in Le Mars. This project will allow the city to expand the existing clinic by 14,300 square-feet, expand the physical therapy space by 5,300 square-feet, upgrade the facility’s geothermal system, and make other essential mechanical and electrical upgrades.
• The City of Red Oak is receiving a $50,000 grant to assist in making street infrastructure improvements in the community. The section of street being improved is in danger of collapse due to poor storm water drainage, putting pedestrians at risk of injury. This project will allow the city to make the necessary street improvements to more effectively handle storm water runoff in heavy rainfall events and to provide a safe walkway for pedestrians.
• The City of Kimballton is receiving a $99,000 grant to help renovate street infrastructure. An existing 420-foot section of South 2nd Street is currently in disrepair with curbing that does not accommodate individuals with disabilities. This project will help replace the damaged road and also update the curb ramps at the Odense Street intersection to be compliant with ADA regulations for individuals with disabilities.

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman was arrested Nov. 14th on assault and other charges. Authorities say 25-year-old Taylor Rourick, of Wiota, was arrested on charges that include Domestic Assault w/ Intent, Child Endangerment and Reckless Use of a Firearm. Rourick was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was later released after posting bond.

And, a man from Minnesota was arrested Tuesday, following an investigation into an accident that happened on I-80 west bound. Deputies located a single vehicle sitting in the median which had struck the cable barrier. The operator was identified as Shaun Parks of Minneapolis, MN. Parks did not recall what had taken place. Subsequent investigation led deputies to believe that Parks was operating his vehicle while under the influence. Parks was arrested on the charge of OWI 1st offense. Parks was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was later released after posting bond.

The vehicle sustained approximately $3,500 of damage, but the cable barrier was not damaged.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports one arrest and one minor accident. At around 1-a.m. today (Friday), 30-year-old Michelle Lynn Kasha (no address given) was arrested on Myrtle Street, for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Her bond was set at $2,000.  And, a guardrail was damaged Thursday night, when a Kenworth semi driven by 61-year-old Jonathan Swensen, of Aberdeen, SD, was pulling into the parking lot of “The Playground,” an adult entertainment venue. Swensen was turning south when the trailer his truck was pulling failed to make the turn and struck the guardrail.

There were no injuries, and no citations were reported.

(Radio Iowa) – A national chain of drug stores is announcing significant closures, though the impact in Iowa is still uncertain. CVS has nearly 10,000 stores nationwide but plans to close 900 of them, up to 300 a year for the next three years. The company isn’t saying yet which stores it will close. In Iowa, the chain has 38 stores in 19 cities. CVS says it’s adjusting to consumers who are buying more online. In a news release, the company says the closures will bring a retail presence that means it has the “right kinds of stores in the right locations for consumers and for the business.”

CVS lists the following stores in Iowa: Altoona (1), Ames (2), Ankeny (2), Bettendorf (1), Cedar Falls (2), Cedar Rapids (5), Coralville (1), Council Bluffs (2), Davenport (3), Des Moines (4), Dubuque (1), Fort Dodge (2), Iowa City (2), Marion (1), Mason City (1), Sioux City (1), Urbandale (2), Waterloo (3) and West Des Moines (2).