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Carbon monoxide is always a danger, but it’s even worse during an Iowa winter

News

December 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Technically, we’re still in late fall, but frigid wintery weather has moved in and Iowans are now at much greater risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. As we fire up the fireplace to take off the chill, or warm up the car in the garage, the dangers of poisoning from the potentially-deadly gas can mount. Janna Day is a nurse and the education and outreach manager for the Iowa Poison Control Center. “Carbon monoxide could be an issue all year long, but we see more exposures during the winter months,” Day says. “We’re closed into the home. We have our gas furnaces, potentially gas stoves. Carbon monoxide can come from a lot of different things anytime we burn a carbon-containing fuel, there’s the potential for carbon monoxide.”

A battery-operated carbon monoxide detector can cost about 20-dollars, but it can provide invaluable protection. “We really strongly recommend that you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, whether that be its own carbon monoxide detector or one that is combined with your smoke detector as well,” Day says. “If you only have one carbon monoxide detector in your home, though, we want you to put it by the sleeping area.” Ideally, she says you should have a CO detector for every level of your home, but especially outside bedrooms. This type of poisoning can be deadly and the warning signs may be confused with something else entirely — and they can even ignored.

“Some of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can look a lot like flu or other illnesses where we see potentially a headache, nausea, tiredness, maybe you’re dizzy,” Day says, “so it can be hard to identify that it could be coming from carbon monoxide.”

For questions about this or any other poisons, call the Sioux City-based Iowa Poison Control Center anytime, any day, at 800-222-1222.

No. 6 Iowa State men top No. 5 Marquette 81-70

Sports

December 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The sixth ranked Iowa State men used a 14-0 run in the second half to take command in an 81-70 win over fifth ranked Marquette in Hilton Coliseum. The Golden Eagles had used a 10-0 run to tie the game at 61. Cyclone coach T.J. Otzelberger.

It was another big game for Cyclone guard Keshon Gilbert. He finished with a game high 24 points and also dished out seven assists.

Iowa State shot 64 percent in the opening half to lead by nine at the break and finished with 42 points in the paint. Marquette coach Shaka Smart.

The Golden Eagles trailed by 15 points early in the second half before rallying to tie the game with under 10 minutes remaining.

Royce Parham led four Golden Eagles in double figures with 1y points as they fall to 8-1. Iowa State improves to 6-1.

IRS holding tax security awareness week

News

December 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Internal Revenue Service is holding a National Tax Security Awareness Week. I-R-S spokesman, Christopher Miller says holiday scams ramp up in December, especially ones involving taxes. “And these frequently involve unexpected good news, like you have a tax refund waiting. But they may also involve variants which tell people they’ve got a tax bill or maybe tax documents available to download. It’s all a scam,” he says. Miller says that’s not the way the organization operates. “The I-R-S does not contact people via email or text, and we don’t ask people for their personally identifiable information. That’s a big red flag,” he says. Miller says scams involving holiday packages also ramp up in an effort to get your personal information. You can prevent big problems by being aware.

“Remember, don’t click on anything unknown, even if you just ordered gifts and you’re expecting packages, double check before you click,” Miller says. Miller says catching the scammers is not easy. “A lot of times these crooks are operating from places that are abroad or they’re simply not easily tracked down. And once they have your personal information, whether it’s your credit card or a password, they have the time to do bad things quickly, and there’s not time to stop them, even if authorities could,” he says.

This is the ninth annual Tax Security Awareness Week, and Miller says they keep on reminding you about the dangers of scammers because the scammers are not letting up.

DOUGLAS KIESEL, 92, of Shelby (Celebration of Life 12/7/24)

Obituaries

December 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DOUGLAS KIESEL, 92, of Shelby, died Wed., Dec. 4, 2024, at the Elm Crest Assisted Living Facility. A Celebration of Life for DOUGLAS KIESEL will be held 11-a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at the Harlan Legion Hall (702 Chatburn Ave., in Harlan). Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca has the arrangements.

Burial is in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, at a later date.

DOUGLAS KIESEL is survived by:

His wife – Betty Kiesel, of Shelby.

His son – Mike (Vicki) Kiesel, of Villisca.

His daughter – Linda (Brian) Kock, of Harlan.

His brothers – Darrell (Sharon) Kiesel, and Ronnie Kiesel, all of Shelby, and Merle Kiesel, of Custer, SD.

4 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 4 step-great-grandchildren

Winds gusted to nearly 65 mph in parts of Iowa, Wednesday

News, Weather

December 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The National Weather Service, Wednesday evening, posted a list of peak wind gusts Iowa experienced while the State was under a Wind Advisory. Preliminary data from airport weather data sites show the highest gust of 63 mph was recorded at the Des Moines International Airport, at 5:40-p.m.  17 sites recorded gusts anywhere from 50- to 59 mph. The Atlantic airport recorded a peak wind gust of 44 mph at 3:35-p.m. There were no immediate reports of damage caused by the high winds.

Top wind gusts Dec. 4, 2024 (courtesy the NWS):

Iowa woman charged w/child endangerment resulting in death in her child’s drowning

News

December 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(West Des Moines, Iowa via WHO-TV) — A woman was arrested Wednesday in connection to the drowning death of her child on October 31st in West Des Moines. Police and emergency crews responded a reported drowning at around 7-p.m. that day and found a 20-month-old who appeared to have drowned in a bathtub. The child was transported to a hospital, but despite life-saving efforts the child died, the police department said.

According to court records, the child’s mother, 21-year-old Kayla Bevar, told officers at the scene that she put her child in the tub at around 6:30 p.m. that night. Bevar told officers she typically sat in the bathroom while her child was taking a bath, but this time she had fallen asleep about 20 minutes after putting her child in the tub, a search warrant states. The search warrant goes on to say that Bevar also told officers that she fell asleep because she didn’t get any sleep the night before.

West Des Moines police said an investigation into the infant’s death began that same day and on Wednesday resulted in the arrest of Bevar. She has been charged with child endangerment resulting in death and neglect of a dependent person. Bevar is currently being held in the Polk County Jail.

Truck driver who was pursued across western IA charged w/eluding

News

December 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa via KCCI) – A New Jersey semi tractor-trailer driver who led authorities on a 75-mile chase from Avoca to Van Meter early Tuesday morning on Interstate 80, is charged with eluding.  According to the criminal complaint, Jose Ariel Rosa Rivera was driving a 2021 Volvo semi-truck registered out of Illinois. When the Iowa State Patrol trooper pulled alongside the vehicle after Rosa Rivera refused to stop, the driver made eye contact with the trooper before looking ahead at the road.

Court records show a search warrant was issued for law enforcement to obtain a blood sample from Rosa Rivera to test for alcohol and other drugs. In the search warrant application, law enforcement said Rosa Rivera had bloodshot, watery eyes, “visible body tremors,” an elevated pulse while laying in a hospital bed, constricted pupils and “sporadic abdominal convulsing and heavy breathing.”

The search warrant application also says Rosa Rivera repeatedly stated “Jesus Christ is coming” to law enforcement and medical personnel. Court documents show the search warrant was executed and blood was collected from the suspect and taken to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Crime Lab for toxicological analysis.

During the incident, various law enforcement agencies deployed stop sticks as the semi approached the Des Moines metro in eastbound lanes of I-80, successfully deflating multiple tires, the Iowa State Patrol says. The vehicle continued driving on its rims until about 8:10 a.m., when pursuing officers forced him to pull off at the weigh station between exits for Van Meter and Waukee.

Authorities used tear gas to the driver out of the cab, and he was taken to a Des Moines hospital for evaluation.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Thu., Dec. 5, 2024

Weather

December 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny & blustery. High near 23. N/NW winds 10-25 mph w/wind chill values as low as -10.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 12. S/SW winds around 5 mph. Wind chill values as low as 5.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 39. SW winds 5-15 w/gusts to near 20. Wind chill values as low as 5.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 49.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 47. Our Low this morning was 7. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 41 & the Low was 13. The Record High here on Dec. 5th, was 66 in 2021, and the Record Low was -14 in 2005. Sunrise: 7:30. Sunset: 4:50.

Report: Iowa’s vanishing wetlands offer very valuable flood protection

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Wetlands in Iowa help prevent nearly 500-million dollars in flood damage every year, according to a new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Report author Stacy Woods says wetlands are natural floodwater barriers that absorb and slow down rushing water like a sponge. Federal data shows a decline in the number of wetlands, especially in the Prairie Pothole region, Great Lakes and southeast. Woods fears the trend could accelerate, as a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year stripped away federal protections in the Clean Water Act for many wetlands.

Woods says, “It’s critically important that we really step up to protect the wetlands that remain, because we’re going to need them as our flooding frequency increases with this warming climate.” The report’s findings build on peer-reviewed research, which estimates one acre of wetlands provides 745-dollars of flood mitigation benefits to residential homes. “We know that flooding is a significant issue,” she says. “It’s expensive, and it’s getting worse as the climate warms.”

Radio Iowa file photo

Along with flood mitigation, the report says wetlands provide habitat and food for roughly half of the endangered species in the U.S. They also act as natural pollution filters for drinking water. In the last two decades, Iowa has had six flood disasters with losses exceeding one-billion dollars.  “In our report, we were only looking at how wetlands benefit communities by mitigating flood damage,” Woods says, “but of course, wetlands bring so many benefits to communities.”

The report recommends boosting conservation programs that help restore and protect these habitats.

Atlantic Trojan Wrestling is poised heading into 2024

Sports

December 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Atlantic Trojan Wrestling team begins their season today with the first dual of 2024 against Earlham. The Trojans bring a roster of 21 athletes and made up of two state qualifiers, a state medal winner in Aiden Smith, and nine letter winners. Despite having a 10-9 dual record a year ago, the Atlantic Wrestling team is bursting with confidence due to the effort and chemistry built in the offseason.

Senior State Qualifier Evan Sorensen was one athlete that noticed the positive energy building for the 2024 season.

Sophomore Collin Harris was another athlete who has enjoyed growing and improving over the offseason. He even commented on the passion that he and his teammates share with the start of a new season.

Senior State medal winner Aiden Smith also pointed out that this Atlantic squad is feeling stronger and they plan on seeing more success in 2024.

On the topic of success, Sorensen noted that Atlantic Wrestling head coach Tim Duff has the goal of seeing his team qualify for state duals.

Harris was also complimentary on the way coach Duff has guided and mold this year’s group.

Smith is confident that if the Trojans dig in to their chemistry and stay hungry, that this year will bring a lot of victories.

Atlantic’s dual with Earlham today will be at the home of the Cardinals, beginning at 5:30 p.m.