DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The chairman of Iowa’s leading health insurer says the company will not participate in the state’s new health exchange during 2014. Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield CEO John Forsyth said Monday that the insurer will enter the online insurance marketplace in 2015. He said the decision to delay was not financially motivated, but based on concern that implementing the exchange would be bumpy in year one.  Sunday was the deadline for insurance carriers to file to be included in the Iowa exchange. 
 
Under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, all states must have a health exchange, with enrollment starting Oct. 1 and coverage on Jan. 1.  Iowa’s insurance commissioner is expected to soon release more information on the exchange participants.

A Malvern woman was injured last week, when the vehicle she was driving plowed into the wall of a Post Office in Malvern. The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports June Malcom was attempting to park her 2005 Buick at around 9:35-a.m. Wednesday, when she stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake. He car hit the west wall of the Post Office. Malcom was transported to Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, by Malvern Rescue. There was no report on the extent of her injuries, or a dollar figure on the damage to the car and building.

Later that same day, Brooke Paulsen, of Malvern, was driving a 2002 Buick westbound on Keys Avenue, when she lost control of the vehicle prior to crossing a bridge. The car hit the south side of the bridge and came to rest on a gravel road. Paulsen was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. No injuries were reported.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a Glenwood man was arrested last week on assault and child endangerment charges. 33-year old Dwight Allen Leach was arrested Thursday evening on charges of Domestic Abuse Assault (no bond), Assault, Child Endangerment and Interference with Officials Acts. His bond on all charges except that which was related to domestic abuse, was set at $2,600.

Also arrested Thursday, was 52-year old Julie Ann Vore, of Council Bluffs. Vore was taken into custody at around 2:30-a.m., for Driving While Barred. Her bond was set at $2,000.

Last Wednesday night, 49-year old Marlin David McDaniel, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Simple Assault. About an hour earlier, 24-year old Christopher Lee McDaniel, also of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Interference with Official Acts. His bond was set at $600, while Marlin McDaniel’s bond was $300.

A more than century old barn that has stood the test of time was reduced to rubble in less than an hour this (Monday) morning, near Atlantic.

Fire fully engulfs the barn.

Firefighters from Atlantic and Marne were called to the fire at Indian Creek Farms at 57202 Indian Creek Street, at around 9:15-a.m. Doug Redinbaugh and his son Matt own the property. Doug told KJAN News he thinks the blaze started with an animal that ran from a burn pile a distance away from the barn.

The burn pile which likely resulted in the barn fire.

He says they were burning trees from last week’s storm at around 7-a.m.. Cats near the fire were on the prowl for mice escaping the fire, and it’s possible, according to Redinbaugh, that a raccoon living in the debris caught on fire and ran to the barn, catching it on fire. 

Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon speculated that embers from the burn pile may have caused the blaze, but he acknowledged the winds weren’t very strong at the time the burn pile was ignited. The barn and its contents were a total loss. Doug Redinbaugh said they were using the wood framed and metal coated structure as a storage facility. 

He says hay racks, saddles, a dozen new drive tires for trucks were inside, along with antiques, which were stored in the upper floor hay mound. No injuries were reported.

(Ric Hanson/photo’s)

Firefighters from Atlantic and Marne have been called to a barn fire, west of Atlantic. The call about the fire at Indian Creek Farms, located at 57202 Indian Creek Street came in just before 9:15-a.m.  No other details are immediately available.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reports T-shirts for the 2013 Coca-Cola Days Celebration are now available for purchase. The shirts feature the theme, “Coca-Cola, Born in the USA; Coca-Cola Days, Born in Atlantic, IA.”

Members of the Coca Cola Committee wearing the new shirts.

Short sleeve shirts are $16 and long sleeve shirts are $22. Both styles are available for purchase at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, located in the Rock Island Depot at 102 Chestnut Street and online.            

Coca-Cola Days will be held September 27^th and 28th. Events include a tailgate barbeque dinner, a Show Swap and Sell Meet, and a parade. More information is available at CocaColaDays.org.

With the Fourth of July coming up this week, Iowans are being reminded that most fireworks are illegal in the state. Dave Linkletter, with the State Fire Marshal’s office, says there’s a simple reason why – they’re dangerous. “Last year, there were 53 fireworks-related fires in Iowa,” Linkletter says. In 2011, there were 26 fireworks-related fires in the state. Linkletter is especially concerned about keeping illegal fireworks out of the hands of children. And even the legal fireworks – such as sparklers, snakes and caps – can cause injuries.

“The risk of fireworks injuries is highest among children 5 to 19,” Linkletter says. “So, we want to make sure that when we are using legal fireworks, they are being used in a responsible manner and when they’re used by children, they’re supervised by adults.”

Anyone caught igniting illegal fireworks in Iowa could face a fine of $750, plus court costs.

(Radio Iowa)

As the Independence Day holiday nears, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans to keep food safety in mind at picnics and barbeques. IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says “When large gatherings like holiday-related picnics and meals happen, we typically hear about people getting ill with diarrhea and vomiting from foodborne illnesses.” Quinlisk said most of these illnesses are caused by foods that are improperly cooked or stored.

Food safety begins at the grocery store, according to Quinlisk. She says “When shopping, buy cold foods like meat, poultry and dairy products last, right before checkout. Plan to drive directly home from the grocery store so the food doesn’t sit in a hot car any longer than necessary.” In addition, she says it’s a good idea to take a cooler with ice or insulated grocery bags to transport perishables home – especially if your drive home is more than half an hour. And, once you’re home, place cold foods like meat, poultry and dairy products in the refrigerator right away.

To make sure you, your family, and friends have a healthy holiday, remember the following tips:

• Cook all meats thoroughly; especially ground meats like hamburgers and sausages (like bratwursts). Use a meat thermometer to ensure the middle of the meat has reached a temperature that will kill the organisms that can make us sick. Cook chicken to 165 F, ground meats like hamburger to 160 F, and whole meats like steaks or pork chops to 145 F.

• Marinate foods in the refrigerator – not on the kitchen counter or outdoors. In addition, if you plan to use some of the marinade as a sauce on the cooked food, set aside a portion before adding the raw meat, poultry, or seafood. Don’t reuse marinade as this can re-contaminate the food.

• Cook thoroughly and immediately after “partial cooking.” If you partially cook food in your kitchen to reduce grilling time, do so immediately before the food goes on the hot grill.

• Keep cold food cold and hot food hot. Whether in your car or on the picnic table, illness-causing bacteria can grow in many foods within two hours and during the summer heat, that time is cut down to within one hour.

• Don’t reuse platters or utensils. Using the same platter or utensils that previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood allows bacteria from the raw food’s juices to spread to the cooked food. Instead, have a clean platter and utensils ready at grill-side to serve your food.

• Have a way to wash your hands prior to eating. For example, if picnicking, bring soap and water or hand wipes so that everyone can clean their hands before they eat.

For more information on preventing foodborne illness, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/Cade/Foodborne.aspx.

Police in Atlantic arrested two Atlantic men, Sunday. 31-year old Brian Stout was taken into custody for Simple Assault, and, 38-year old Troy McCurdy was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Tampering with a Witness. Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

No injuries were reported following an accident Friday afternoon, here in Atlantic. The Police Department reports a vehicle driven by Robert Hansen, of Atlantic, was traveling east on 7th Street from Linn, when it was rear ended by a vehicle being driven by Travis Fulk, of Atlantic. Damage to the vehicles amounted to $5,500. There were no citations issued.