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Creston Police report, 2/22/22

News

February 22nd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report two arrests over the past few days. On Friday (Feb. 18). 41-year-old Justin Alan Robertson, of Greenfield, was arrested at a residence in the 200 block of N. Birch Street, in Creston. He was charged with Violation of a no contact order. Robertson was taken to the Union Co Jail and later released on his own recognize after seeing the Magistrate.

And, late Sunday night, 70-year-old Timothy Lynn Siefkas, of Creston, was arrested at a residence in the 200 block of S. Lincoln Street, in Creston. Siefkas was charged with OWI 1st and Interference with Official Acts. He was transported to the Union Co Jail and held on $1,300 cash or surety bond.

Posted in News |

Supreme Court hears COVID closing case

News

February 22nd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) -The Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case involving the closing of a business after the COVID emergency proclamation. The insurance company for the Wakonda Club in Des Moines refused to pay for loss of income under its business interruption policy. Wakonda attorney, James Carney, says the lower court was wrong to say the loss required a physical alteration to its property. Chief Justice Susan Christensen asked this question. “Tell me, what caused Wakonda’s situation,” Christensen said. Carney responded, “A proclamation was entered. Without the proclamation, of course, Wakonda would not have been closed.” The policy also has an exclusion for viruses causing a closing — but Carney says COVID was not the cause.

“The question becomes, is that the cause tied to the virus. No. Because the virus didn’t have anything to do with it,” Carney says. He says Wakonda could have stayed open even with the virus — but had to close because of the proclamation. The Attorney for the Selective Insurance Company, Doug Haag says there was no damage to the building to cause the shutdown. He says the policy specifies that damages can be paid if there is damage. “The policy defines that period of time as the period of restoration. So it’s during that period of restoration that the business income benefits are paid,” Haag says. He says Wakonda didn’t have damages to repair.

“There has to be some tangible change or alteration or injury of some sort… Something tangible,” he says. The Supreme Court heard the arguments in a special session Monday evening. They will rule on the case at a later date.

Posted in News |

UI study: If the weather is bad, work from home or delay your commute

News, Weather

February 22nd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Studies find nearly 75-percent of crashes in Iowa happen in less than two inches of snow, and researchers at the University of Iowa are looking into the ideal commute times. Professor Jon Davis, in the U-I Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, says the timing of your drive can make a world of difference.  “The commute is something that we often don’t think about as part of the actual work day in regards to health and safety,” Davis says, “but it really is, for a lot of people, the most dangerous thing they do all day.” More people on the roads means more opportunities for a collision, and when the roads are slick from rain or snow, the risks of a fender-bender rise exponentially — especially during the busy morning commutes.

“In our work, we actually looked at the different commute times and where we saw winter weather really playing a role in crashes began around 6:30 and didn’t start to taper off until 9,” Davis says. “So, if you can wait longer or avoid it all together, you are going to improve the safeness of your drive.” During the height of the pandemic lockdown, 40-percent of Iowans were working remotely, and that number is still 25-to-30-percent. When the weather’s foul, Davis suggests if you can work from home, do, or at least go in later. “If you delay your commute into work, you’re really increasing your safe drive,” Davis says. “It’s a lot less hazardous. Even waiting 30 minutes or an hour to go into work — and for those who can work remotely, you can completely remove that risk. It only takes a small amount of snow to make that drive more hazardous.”

The U-I research found workplaces that adopt policies for flexible work start times or for telecommuting will empower workers to avoid hazardous driving conditions. “We put time and resources into making work-from-home easy. People have set up home offices, learned how to use different software to do virtual meetings, so let’s make use of that infrastructure,” Davis says. “For those people who have that option, it’s great if they can exercise that option when weather is bad.”

If you have to be at work in person and the weather’s foul, remember to dress for the conditions, bring along blankets, snacks, water, have a fully-charged cell phone and a full tank of gas.

Posted in News, Weather |

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area: Tue., Feb. 22, 2022

Weather

February 22nd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Today: Cloudy w/a mix of freezing drizzle-light snow (<.5″ snow expected). High 20. N @ 15-30. **WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY in effect until 9-a.m.**
Tonight: P/Cldy to Cldy. Low -2. N @ 10-20.
Tomorrow: P/Cldy to Cldy. High 16.
Thursday: Cloudy w/light snow. High 18
Friday: P/Cldy. High around 20.

Monday’s High in Atlantic was 63. Our Low this morning was 15. We received a trace of freezing drizzle overnight. Last year on this date, the High was 43 and the Low was 23. The Record High was 71 in 2017. The Record Low was -14 in 1894. Sunrise is 7:06-a.m. Sunset is at 6:02-p.m.

Posted in Weather |

Beware slippery road/sidewalks this morning (2/22)

Weather

February 22nd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Many roadways in the KJAN listening area are partially covered with a glaze of ice this morning. Please slow down if driving, allow for rapidly changing road conditions, and approach intersections with caution. Sidewalks are treacherous, as well. The latest road conditions are available at 511ia.org, or by calling 5-1-1. Here were the road conditions at 4:45-a.m.:

Roads in blue: partially covered with ice; Green means normal WINTER driving conditions.

Posted in Weather |

(Update) Winter Weather Advisory

News, Weather

February 22nd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

343 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022

.A long duration of mainly light wintry precipitation will continue to impact Iowa this morning. The wintry mix is expected
to transition to snow north by this (Tuesday) morning in northern areas and freezing drizzle may continue through portions of central and southern Iowa. The morning commute may be affected for many locations due to either snow covered or icy roads, especially if left untreated.

Sac-Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Cass-Adams and Taylor Counties: A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM today for mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of less than one inch and a light glaze up to a few hundredths of an inch of ice.

Guthrie-Dallas-Adair-Madison-Union-Ringgold Counties: WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON today.

Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills Counties:

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON TODAY…
…WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY…

* WHAT…For the Winter Weather Advisory, mixed precipitation. Additional snow accumulations of up to one inch and ice
accumulations of a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. For the Wind Chill Advisory, very cold wind chills
expected. Wind chills as low as 30 below zero.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery walkways and road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest travel conditions, check the Iowa 5 1 1 app or dial 5 1 1.

Posted in News, Weather |

No. 25 Iowa hosts Michigan State Tuesday night

Sports

February 22nd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Ranked for the first time this season number-25 Iowa hosts Michigan State tonight (Tuesday night). Iowa is 8-7 in the Big Ten while the Spartans have dropped out of title contention with two straight losses. They are 9-6 in the league race.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery. The Hawkeyes have climbed above 500 in the Big Ten by winning four of their last five games. McCaffery says Iowa’s depth has been a big factor.

McCaffery has been impressed with the way his team has been consistent emotionally.

Sophomore forward Kris Murray on the Hawkeyes being ranked for the first time.

Murray says coming off a couple of losses the Spartans will be motivated.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa to retire Luka Garza’s jersey Tuesday night

Sports

February 22nd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Luka Garza will return to Iowa City tonight (Tuesday night), to have his jersey retired at halftime of the 25th ranked Hawkeyes game against Michigan State. The two-time All American was the National Player of the Year last season and athletic director Gary Barta says they are pleased to have fans back for the ceremony.

It is the second time in the past couple of years the school has honored a national player of the year. Former women’s standout Megan Gustafson won the award in 2019.

Iowa coach Fran McCaffery says it is an appropriate honor for Garza.

Posted in Sports |

Senate bill would raise staff-to-child ratios in Iowa child care centers

News

February 22nd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Republicans in the Iowa Senate have approved a regulatory change that would allow child care centers to have higher staff-to-child ratios. The rules for caregivers in rooms with babies would not change, but if the bill passes, one person could oversee up to 10 three year olds and Republican Senator Jeff Edler of State Center says one person could oversee up to seven two-year-olds.

“This is allowing providers to adjust to a higher ratio. It is solely voluntary,” Edler says. “And this adjustment to Iowa’s child care ratio could not come a moment too soon. As the workforce shortages continue to challenge Iowans, we are providing an outlet for their children, so they can return to work.” Democrats opposed the move. Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque says the bill is a recipe for disaster.

“Seven two-year-olds at one time who are trying to get potty trained, they need to be fed, they make messes, they have to be changed, they’re fighting with each other because they haven’t quite learned how to get along with others yet,” Jochum says. “…This is about the safety of children. Why would we ever think about compromising that?” The bill now goes to the House where members have already begun considering changing the staff-to-child ratios in Iowa child care centers.

Posted in News |

House passes ban on trans athletes playing sports in private & public schools, colleges

News, Sports

February 22nd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Fifty-five Republicans in the Iowa House have passed a bill that forbids trans athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports at all public and private schools and colleges in Iowa. Republican Representative Skyler Wheeler of Orange City says transgender athletes who identify as female have an unfair competitive advantage in girls sports.

“Even if it’s one case, even if it’s a middle school bench slot, even if it’s a C team position in volleyball — I don’t care what it is,” Wheeler says. “You’re displacing a biological girl in her own division and in her own sport.” One Republican and all the Democrats present in the House last (Monday) night voted against the bill. Representative Ras Smith, a Democrat from Waterloo, was one of four members of the House Black Caucus to speak against it.

“I know how it feels to be targeted,” Smith says. “I can empathize with being sought out to being discriminated against and I’ll be damned if I’ll participate in doing that to somebody else and making them feel that way.” Representative Jeff Shipley, a Republican from Fairfield, says he objects to all school policies that encourage or condone transgender students. “I don’t believe the state of Iowa should provide liability protections to any educational institution that affirms mental illness,” Shipley says.

House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights responded. “Kids who are transgender do not have a mental illness,” Konfrst says. “Kids who are transgender are kids.” Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a Democrat from Ames, says the bill is mean spirited.  “Trans Iowans are Iowans. Transwomen are women,” Wessel-Kroeschell says. “Trans Iowans just want to be included and they wants to be treated fairly.” Representative Henry Stone, a Republican from Forest City, is one of the bill’s sponsors. He says critics are forgetting one side of the equation.

“Our daughters and granddaughters deserve to be given a chance to compete,” Stone says, “but more importantly they deserve to compete on a level playing field.” The Iowa Senate may debate the bill this week. Governor Kim Reynolds asked lawmakers to pass this kind of legislation nine months ago.

The only Republican present to vote against the bill was Rep. Michael Bergen of Dorchester. All Democrats present voted no. Here’s the list of absent lawmakers who did not vote on the bill: Fry, Jacobsen, Klein, Maxwell, Prichard and Sunde.

Posted in News, Sports |