(Radio Iowa) – Studies show there are more cooking fires on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year. Fire prevention expert Amanda Swenson says all Iowans should know how to use a fire extinguisher before there’s a sudden flare-up on the stove. “That’s a scary situation and that’s not the time to learn how to use an extinguisher,” Swenson says, “so be familiar with how to pull out the pin, how to unhook a nozzle if there’s a hose with the nozzle attached.”

Twenty lives have been lost in house fires in Iowa so far this year, which tracks closely with last year during which 24 people died statewide during all of 2020. Whenever you’re cooking on the stove, whether it’s in a pot, saucepan or skillet, Swenson suggests you have a big metal lid nearby that could fit over any of them.

“Plan ahead of having a lid close by to the stovetop,” she says, “because the easiest thing to do is if there is a fire on the stovetop, just slide a lid on, turn off the burner and let it sit.” While Thanksgiving is the worst day of the year for cooking fires, officials with the National Fire Protection Association say Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are a close second and third.

(Des Moines, Iowa) — The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports that while fewer Iowans tested positive for COVID-19 in the last seven days, the state’s 14-day positivity rate went up slightly. The IDPH’s latest data released today (Wednesday) shows 9,038 positive tests in the last seven days, which is down from 9,560 in their last report on Monday. The state’s 14-day positivity rate increased from 10.3% to 10.4% since Monday.

Iowa reports 86 additional COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total to 7,354 since the start of the pandemic. The newly reported deaths happened between Sept. 2 and Nov. 17. The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 increased from 579 to 623 since Monday. Of those hospitalized with the virus, 75.1% are unvaccinated, while 85.6% of those listed in intensive care with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. The number of long-term care facilities reporting a virus outbreak remains at 27.

There have been 4,118,565 vaccine doses administered in Iowa, with 68.9% of those 18 and older fully vaccinated and 71.9% of those 12 and older with at least one dose.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Cass Health, in Atlantic, announced today (Wednesday), that Sara Beth Jones, BSN, RN was honored with the DAISY Award on November 17, 2021.

She said also…

Sara Jones says “I am humbled and grateful that someone felt that I deserved this, even though I can think of many others that are just as deserving.”  Jones said that she chose nursing as a career because it is rewarding profession and “Being able to help people and make them feel safe is quite the daily accomplishment.”

Sara Beth Jones, BSN, RN (Photo submitted by Cass Health)

As the Lead House Supervisor, Jones oversees the day to day operations regarding the hospital, specifically working on the communication and workflow between departments.  Additionally, Jones is the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) coordinator, teaches the siblings class, and teaches clinicals to RN students.

Her nominator said, “God called Sara Beth to her workplace because she brings a calm demeanor to people who often are going through a tragedy. She also often covers for the employees when their personal lives call them away from their jobs. She truly is a lifesaver in more aspects than one. She will be the first to say she does not do any of this for the spotlight but more so for her workplace so that it can run smoothly and continue to bring top notch care to southwest Iowa. We are all better people to know, work, and interact with such a shining star!”

Nurses at Cass Health are honored twice annually with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.® The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org. An online nomination form is available at https://www.casshealth.org/daisy.

The Glenwood Police Department reports two people were arrested Tuesday:

• 59-year-old Mark Uebele, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. (Cash or surety bond: $1,000)
• 31-year-old Robert Kramer, of Henryetta, OK, was arrested for Control of a Firearm by a Felon, and 2 counts of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. (C/S bond: $9,000).

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday) reports three people were arrested on separate charges, Monday. 38-year-old Jessica Gonzalez Hernandez, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Mills County Courthouse, on a warrant for Violation of Probation. Bond was set at $5,000.  40-year-old Melissa Louise Gammell, of Shenandoah, was arrested at Pottawattamie County Corrections, on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation. Bond was set at $7,500. And, 65-year-old Lynette Kay Thomas, of Essex, was arrested Monday for OWI/1st offense, with bond set at $1,000.

And, there were amazingly no injuries reported following a crash Tuesday on Bunge Avenue, in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Office reports a 2006 Peterbilt semi tractor-trailer driven by 41-year-old Adam Wyant, of Malvern, was northbound on Highway 275 at around 11:55-a.m., and slowing to turn east onto Pruden Avenue. He told authorities his turn signal was on and when he looked, he was clear to make the turn. When he proceeded to turn, he looked in his mirror to make sure the trailer would clear the ditch. That’s when he saw a northbound 2012 Hyundai collide with the passenger side of the trailer.

The driver of the car, 28-year-old Tabitha Madsen, from Tabor, said she did not see the turn signal and did not believe it was on. She was unable to stop before her vehicle hit the trailer and came to rest beneath the trailer.

(Malvern, Iowa) – Two people were arrested on felony charges of Neglect of a Dependent Person and Child Endangerment. According to the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on Nov. 12th at around 3:42-a.m., Deputies were contacted by the Omaha Police Department in regard to a six-month old child who tested positive for methamphetamine. The child – who resided in Malvern – was receiving care at an Omaha area hospital. The infant was released from the hospital and taken into the protective custody of the Iowa Department of Human Services.

The parents and caretakers of the child were identified as 24-year-old Lydia Ann Hadland, and 34-year-old Benjamin Jay Chenier, both of Malvern. Arrest warrants were obtained for the pair, after which they were taken into custody on the charges mentioned. In addition, Chenier was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Controlled substance violation. His bond was set at $23,000. Hadland’s Bond was set at $12,000.

Hadland & Chenier

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday morning, approved a donation of $5,000 toward the cost of a new Community Center, in Adair. Their unanimous decision followed a brief presentation by Adair Public Works Director Ryan Billheimer, who said the funds will help the City in its efforts to obtain a CAT (Community Attraction and Tourism) Grant, which weighs heavily on community support.

Back in April of this year, the Adair County Board of Supervisors approved the commitment of $5,000 as part of a local match to construct a new Community Center. The funds were contingent upon the City being approved for the CAT grant, for which the maximum grant amount is $250,000. Billheimer said at the time they originally applied for the CAT grant, they were $66,000 short of the threshold required for the application to be considered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).

Since then, other funds have come in that has brought them closer to their contribution and project support goal, but they need a bit more to be considered for the grant.

In other business, the Adair County Supervisors approved a courtyard use permit for a Main Street Greenfield, sponsored event, contingent upon the allowance of insurance. It would take place after the parade on November 26^th.

The Board also approved the resignation of Karen Varley from the Adair County Tourism Council, and the appointment of Greg Dudley, with approval from the City of Stuart. Dudley manages the Saints Center for Culture and Arts, in Stuart, and is a local business owner. The Supervisors also approved a liquor license renewal for the Five by 80 Golf Course, and various reports/resolutions for the Adair County Auditor’s Office.

(Radio Iowa) – A familiar pit stop for motorists traveling along Highway 20 near Rockwell City was reduced to rubble in a massive fire Tuesday. Multiple media outlets report a semi parked at the pumps right beside Sparky’s One Stop caught fire and the flames quickly spread and engulfed the building. The convenience store burned to the ground and is a complete loss with damage estimated around five-million dollars.

The truck driver was hospitalized and treated for smoke inhalation but no one else was hurt. Investigators are working to determine what caused the truck to catch fire.