(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who are spending part of their Memorial Day looking for a place to rent for their upcoming summer vacation need to be wary of scams. Consumer protection expert Michelle Reinen advises everyone to do their homework first to make sure dream listings on sites like Vacation Rental By Owner or Air-B-N-B are real. “It looks beautiful, has enticing rooms and units, and gives you lots of accessories, if you will,” Reinen says, “and then when you show up and arrive, the lodging is of poor quality or may not even exist at all.”

The old rule about how “If it looks too good to be true,” still applies as Reinen says scammers are making fake listings with bogus reviews to entice people. She says to think twice about booking if the posted reviews are along the following lines. “If they all appear during a very short period of time, or have goofy names,” Reinen says, “or every single one is positive and five stars, there’s no four-star or three-star, nothing ever went wrong.” Reinen says you should be sure to make your payment through whatever program you’re using to find your rental, not a third party, and use a credit card so you’ll have recourse if there’s an issue.

“If you’re asked to move to a different platform to make a payment, cryptocurrency, wire money, pay cash, prepaid gift card, those are telltale signs of a scam,” she says. If you’re looking at more traditional rentals, be sure to read your rental agreement closely before signing. Also, be sure the rental property actually exists by checking out the property’s address with an online mapping program.

(Radio Iowa) – The leader of the Iowa National Guard, Brigadier General Stephen Osborn, was the keynote speaker at today’s (Monday) Memorial Day ceremony at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter. Osborn talked about the long history of the Iowa National Guard in supporting the regular Army back to World War One. “And the National Guard over that timeframe provided combat units and essential reinforcements to the regular army, bolstering the forces and contributing to the Allied victory,” Osborn says.

“The bravery in battle of thousands of Iowans — such as Edward Fleur, Donald McRae, and Harrison McHenry, all serving in France with the 168th Infantry Regiment of the Iowa Army National Guard when they were killed, defending freedom and fighting for their nation” He says out our nation today stands together in gratitude for the selflessness and sacrifice of the men and women who fought and died for our nation.

Brigadier General Stephen Osborn

“We remember their courage, their strength, and their dedication.We remember their actions, their achievements and their words. We remember the lives cut short, and the futures that would not be,” General Osborn says. Osborn says it is also important to remember those who supported the soldiers. “And as we remember those who laid down their lives, I would also like to take a moment to remember the loved ones they left behind. The ones who see these messages and are reminded that their mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives live on in the hearts and memories of so many,” Osborn says.

He says it’s import to remember them on this Memorial Day, and every day. “We must honor the lives of those who sacrifice for our freedoms. We must keep them in our memories. We must keep telling their stories and keep their legacies alive,” Osborn says. “But most of all, we must continue to live and serve our lives with honor so that our nation may be worthy of their sacrifice.” Osborn is a Davenport native who was named Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard in March after serving as the Deputy Adjutant General.

(Radio Iowa) – Hospitals in the Des Moines metro are encouraging people to avoid emergency rooms, if possible, this summer and go to an urgent care clinic for less severe illnesses and injuries. The message comes as hospitals throughout the country deal with a critical shortage of nurses and expect to see the typical summertime increase in trauma cases. Jennifer Olson is the president of MercyOne Medical Group.

“If you have a finger that is possibly broken, then urgent care can definitely take care of something like that,” she says. “If you have a cough, but you’re not short of breath, urgent care is very much appropriate for that.”

Olson says if you have a serious break in a bone or are experiencing serious life threatening symptoms – like chest pains or shortness of breath – then go immediately to the E-R. According to a recent insurance industry analysis, the average wait time in an Iowa hospital emergency room is 123 minutes.

(Radio Iowa) – Three more clinics in rural Iowa are being reclassified as “Federally Qualified Health Centers” — making them eligible for higher government reimbursement rates when treating Medicare and Medicaid patients. The Spencer Hospital operates clinics in Hartley, Milford and Sioux Rapids. The hospital’s board of trustees has voted to rebrand the clinics as “Access Health” and convert them to Federally Qualified Health Centers, also known as Community Health Centers. The move is expected to save the hospital 200-thousand dollars annually.

Not only will the three northwest Iowa clinics get higher reimbursement rates for treating patients enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, there are federal grants available as well. The program, created in 1990, is meant to ensure health care services are available for uninsured and underserved residents in urban and rural areas.

Government records indicate there are 86 Community Health Centers in Iowa. Officials expect to complete the process of converting the clinics in Hartley, Milford and Sioux Rapids to Community Health Centers in August.

(Radio Iowa) – Davenport’s Fire Chief says one more person was rescued from the rubble of the apartment building that collapsed Sunday evening. Chief Mark Carlsten held a briefing this morning (Monday), and says that person was taken to the hospital, but he did not have a condition report. He says there is some good news. “I have no confirmed deaths at all at this time,” Carlsten says.

There were seven people who were rescued from the building shorting after firefighters arrived on scene Sunday. There were some injuries, but no information on them has been released. Carlsten says they believe there were 84 residents in the building — and are still working to determine if there are any who are still unaccounted. They have brought in specialized dogs who are searching the rubble. Mayor Mike Matson credited the quick response in saving people.

Davenport Mayor Matson (R-I Photo)

“A lot of people were escorted out, assisted by our wonderful first responders, immediately,” he says. Matson says the first responders entered the building knowing it was unstable without thinking about their own safety so they could help others. “Because of that, they saved lives. They saved the lives,” Matson says. He says they are hoping and praying that the search efforts will wrap up without anyone ending up dead.

There are a lot of questions about the safety of the building and what may have caused the collapse. The mayor and fire chief say it is too early to determine that and they will know more once they are sure there is no one left in the building.

(Radio Iowa) – The search continues this (Monday) morning in Davenport after an apartment building collapsed Sunday. The city held a briefing where Fire Chief Mark Carlsten described the situation. “Crews arrived on scene and found a six-story apartment complex with a portion of the rear building and actually collapsed and separated from the building,” he says. The apartment complex collapsed just before 5 p-m. “Fire crews were able to rescue seven individuals on their initial response and escort more than a dozen individuals out as they were self-evacuating from the building, Carlsten says.

Mayor Mike Matson says crews are continuing to search the rubble for survivors. “We will continue to work, continue to evaluate and with the whole purpose of trying to find people and trying to get them out,” Matson says. Chief Carlsten says the building is very unstable and they have to be cautious in their search.

This is Memorial Day, a time we set aside to pay tribute to our nation’s honored veterans who died in service to our county. Look for a video provided by the Iowa National Guard, showing the names and faces of those Iowan’s who sacrificed themselves so that we may be free. Here are some of the area events in observance of Memorial Day….

Memorial Day Services will be held at the Atlantic Cemetery.  The service will begin at 10:00 am. with a cannon fire.  Alan Cranston deliver the keynote address.   The Atlantic High School Band will play several selections.  The service will be live-streamed on KJANTV.

Memorial Day Services will be held at the Brayton Town Hall beginning at 10am.  Sponsored by Brayton Legion Post 350. Everyone is welcome.

Morning Hike at Prairie Rose State Park will take place at 9:00 a.m.  Meet at the park office and hike around the east side of the lake.  This hike is about two miles and relatively easy.

Kimballton/Jacksonville Memorial Services will be held beginning at 9:30am at the Jacksonville Cemetery; at 10:15am at the Bethany Cemetery and at 11am at the Kimballton Cemetery.

Memorial Day Services will be held in the Elk Horn are…at 9:30am at the Clay Township Cemetery; Monroe Cemetery at 10am and at 11am at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church followed by freewill offering lunch.

Memorial Day Services will take place oat the Grave of the Unknown Soldier at Sunnyhill Cemetery in Adair beginning at 10:00am. Services will be held at the Adair Fire Station in case of rain. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8877, American Legion, V.F.W Firing Squad and Color Guard will be attending.

Memorial Services will be held at the Exira Cemetery beginning at 10:30am. Following the service, they will travel to St. john’s Cemetery and Holy Trinity cemetery, then a service at the river will be held.

First Baptist Church in Cumberland will host a Memorial Day Service beginning at 10:30am at the Cumberland Community Building.

Griswold Cemetery Circle of Flags will take place at 10:30am. Dr. Robert Peterson will be the speaker. Lunch, served by Legion Auxiliary, will following service at the Griswold Community Building. In case of rain, services will be held at the community bldg. Sponsored by American Legion Post #508

Anita American Legion Post #210 will hold their Memorial Day Services at the Anita Evergreen Cemetery beginning at 10:30am. Legion members of the community are invited to a meeting at the Legion Hall on Saturday, May 27 and after  services on Monday, May 29 at 4:00pm to help with flags.In the event of rain, the service will be held in the CAM High School commons.

Anita Congregational Church will host their annual Memorial Day dinner beginning at 11:00am at 501 Locust in Anita. Ham balls, cheesy potatoes, green beans, salad, roll, pies and drinks will be served. Cost is $13 for adults, $7 for kids. Carry out is available. Call 712-249-2392… 712-250-0307 …or 712-250-0121

Grant United Methodist Church will hold their Memorial Day Dinner from 11:30-1:00. Sloppy Joes or Ham Sandwiches, Baked Beans, Assorted Salads, Pies and Desserts. Coffee, Tea or Lemonade will be served along with the meal. All for a free will donation. Proceeds go to supports the Grant Church and the Grant United Women in Faith and their mission work.

Massena Memorial Day Services will be held online on facebook or youtube. No in person, live services.

The Iowa National Guard (Which has provided the video above), invites you to join them today (Monday, May 29th, 2023) for two special Memorial Day events:

– The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum ⭐️ is hosting a FREE observance with complimentary breakfast from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Live music and vendors will be present as well.

– The Adjutant General of Iowa, Maj. Gen. Steve Osborn, will be giving keynote remarks during a ceremony at the Van Meter Veterans Cemetery at 8:30 a.m.