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Impact of pandemic lingers in Iowa with spike in cases of alcohol misuse

News

April 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The pandemic may be over, but ripple effects from all the stresses COVID-19 caused are still being felt in Iowa. Dr. Raymond Garcia, chief medical officer at Rosecrance Behavioral Health in Sioux City, says their Iowa facilities saw a significant spike in alcohol-related cases in recent years. Garcia says many people used alcohol as a way to manage stress during the pandemic, but also to socialize with others, even if they could only meet up online through Zoom.  “When you increase the behavior, that can increase the risk for developing a use disorder with the substance,” Garcia says, “and certainly, we saw that happening with alcohol.” Garcia says Iowa is facing an epidemic-level crisis with opioids right now, but he emphasizes alcohol remains the number-one most misused product. Alcohol use was the most common substance use disorder treated at Rosecrance during the past year, accounting for 20-percent of all cases.

“We did see a spike with COVID, and unfortunately, these things have a lasting effect,” Garcia says. “So people who developed a use disorder or maybe they had a recurrence during that period, they’re still struggling to recover from that within the last few years, even though the pandemic is effectively controlled or over.” During the height of the pandemic, a study found there were about 488 deaths — per day — nationwide that were caused by excessive drinking. Garcia says the same study found the number of deaths linked to excessive alcohol use has surged by 29-percent in just five years. He says Rosecrance is seeing a boost in both residential treatment and outpatient services.

“We’re seeing a higher number of people seeking counseling, and seeking medication management,” Garcia says. “Of course, it’s also triggering co-occurring mental health issues, so we’re seeing more people who’ve had their depression, anxiety disorders triggered by this as well, so there’s there’s been some other fallout.” Experts from Rosecrance are holding a free community discussion on alcohol misuse tonight (Tuesday) at 6 P-M at Spencer Hospital in Spencer.

“Anybody who has any concern,” Garcia says, “not only for themselves, but for people in their lives that they are concerned about, their loved ones, their friends, anybody who has any concern at all about this topic should attend.” Rosecrance facilities in Iowa serve more than 7,000 teens and adults every year at outpatient treatment clinics in Sioux City, Cherokee, Davenport, Le Mars, Spencer and Sheldon.

Structure fire in Montgomery County Monday night

News

April 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Officials with the Red Oak Fire Department report, that at around 9:45-p.m., Monday (April 15th), the Red Oak, Stanton and Elliott Fire Departments were paged out to the Stennett area on a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, firefighters reported a structure, that was completely engulfed in flames and had collapsed. The structure was located directly south of the old mill. Additional mutual aid was requested from the Griswold Fire Department. (Photos from the Red Oak Fire Dept. Facebook page)
Officials say defensive fire ground operations were deployed, limiting all the surrounding structures from any damage (including the old mill). Fire ground operations were terminated at approximately midnight. Assistance with a tractor was requested/received from one of the neighboring farmers (Mr. Pendleton)
No injuries reported. The fire scene remained under investigation, but authorities say there is nothing of suspicious nature at this time.

[Update] Troopers identify woman killed in Muscatine UTV crash

News

April 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

MUSCATINE, Iowa (KWQC) – Iowa State Patrol has identified the woman killed after a side-by-side struck a deer Saturday night.  According to Iowa State Patrol, 58-year-old Elizabeth A Hackett, of Muscatine, died in the crash.

The crash happened just after 8 p.m. along Burlington Rd in Muscatine. Three injured were taken to the University of Iowa Hospital. Troopers identified them as 30-year-old Nathan J Hackett and 33-year-old Jessica K. Weikert of Muscatine, and 33-year-old Gage D. Curry of Letts.

ISP says four people were in the side by side when it struck a deer, went into the ditch, and rolled multiple times.

The investigation is ongoing.

Woman accused of hitting, killing man on Christmas Eve in Council Bluffs enters guilty plea

News

April 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

An Iowa woman pleaded guilty to DUI homicide by vehicle in the death of a man on Christmas Eve, in Council Bluffs. Police arrested 47-year-old Angela Thurman, of Pacific Junction earlier this year. Police said she hit 74-year-old Juan Avalos, who was standing near his vehicle parked near the intersection of Poplar Drive and Birch Street. He later died.

According to a court document filed on April 10, Thurman pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle – intoxication. A second count of possession of controlled substance will be dismissed at her cost, according to court documents.

She faces up to 25 years in prison. Her license will also be revoked for six years and Thurman won’t be eligible for a temporary restricted license for at least two years after that. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 19 at the Pottawattamie County Courthouse.

Iowa House passes bill allowing teachers, staff to obtain a permit to carry a gun on school property

News

April 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa House took the next step in advancing a bill that would allow teachers and school staff to obtain a professional permit to carry a gun on school property. House lawmakers passed the bill in a 61 to 36 vote Monday. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk to sign. The Iowa Senate passed the bill Wednesday.

The bill would allow teachers and other school staff to get a permit to carry a gun on school grounds. In order to get a permit, staff would have to pass background checks and attend at least five training courses. Staff at private schools, colleges and universities would also be allowed to get a permit.

Large school districts would also be required to have at least one security officer per high school. School boards would be able to vote to opt out of that requirement. If Gov. Kim Reynolds signs this bill into law, it would take effect immediately.The House already passed the bill in February. That version included a grant program to help recruit and retain school resource officers. The Senate voted to remove that portion of the plan Wednesday and sent it back to the House for review.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Weather

April 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: **Wind Advisory in effect  from 7-a.m. until 7-p.m.**Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1pm. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 73. SE winds 20-45 mph. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low around 48. S/SW winds 15-30 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing. High near 67. W/NW winds 15-30 mph.
Wed. night: Showers likely after midnight, otherwise Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Thursday: Showers, mainly before 1pm. High near 54.
Friday: Partly sunny & breezy, with a high near 55.

Monday’s High in Atlantic was 81. Our Low was 49. As of 5-a.m. in Atlantic, rainfall at KJAN was .06″.  Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 49, and the Low was 33. The All-Time Record High on April 16th in Atlantic, was 88, in 1898. The Record Low was 19, in 1988. Sunrise: 6:39. Sunset: 8:01.

Legislature, by 131-13 tally, votes to regulate traffic cameras

News

April 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Senate has sent the governor a bill to set up state regulations for traffic cameras that generate tickets for speeding. Senator Mike Klemish, of Spillville, says cities and counties will have to get a traffic camera permit from the Iowa Department of Transportation.

“The DOT may grant the permit based on if the local authority can show that a speed camera is the appropriate, necessary and least restrictive means to address the traffic hazards at the proposed location,” Klemish says. Cities and counties will have to submit information to justify the speed limit in the area where a camera is placed, along with data about the number and severity of traffic accidents in the area.

“I think we’ve set up a very robust regulatory framework…and actually require cities and municipalities to prove the concept, to prove they need to have these traffic cameras in these locations,” Klemish says. “We’ve also put in place guidelines for where they can spend their money.” The fines from traffic camera tickets must be used on law enforcement. Legislators have been debating whether to ban or regulate traffic cameras since 2011.

Senator Tony Bisignano, of Des Moines, says there’s a need for automated traffic cameras in urban areas of the state, including the Des Moines freeway where he says it’s too dangerous for police to pull speeding motorists over and issue tickets.  “Those of you in this room who drive I-235 coming to and from the Capitol, if you haven’t sensed that your life’s in jeopardy at times by people who have no regard for your safety and theirs,” Bisignano said.

Senator Lynn Evans, a Republican from Aurelia, was the only senator to vote against the bill. The House passed the bill last Tuesday on an 85-to-12 vote.

High School Girls golf results from Monday April 15th

Sports

April 16th, 2024 by admin

Denison-Schleswig 211 Storm Lake 221

Medalist: Emily Bahnsen, Denison-Schleswig (50) & Maddy Reveling, Storm Lake (50)

 

Kuemper Catholic 204 Harlan 211

Medalist: Macy Mueller, Harlan (48) 

 

East Mills vs. Bedford

Medalist:  Kendra Sleep, Bedford (48) 

 

Mount Ayr 196 Essex NTS I-35 NTS

Medalist: Jaylee Shaffer, Mount Ayr (38)

 

Logan-Magnolia 205 Tri-Center NTS

Medalist: Jazmyn Guritz, Logan-Magnolia (49) & Steph Schmit, Logan-Magnolia (49)

 

IKM-Manning 211 AHSTW NTS

Medalist: Maeve Nielsen, IKM-Manning (45)

 

Nodaway Valley 220 Martensdale-St. Marys 228 

Medalist: Abigail White, Martensdale-St. Marys (49)

 

RVC: Glidden-Ralston 269 Woodbine NTS CAM NTS Boyer Valley NTS Coon Rapids Bayard NTS 

Medalist: Addy Boell, Glidden-Ralston (55)

High School Boys golf results from Monday April 15th

Sports

April 16th, 2024 by admin

Clarinda 161 Lewis Central 172 

Medalist: Justus Fine, Clarinda (38)

 

East Mills 164 Bedford NTS 

Medalist: Kyler Williams, East Mills (37)

 

Mount Ayr 171 Interstate 35 193 Essex 211 Central Decatur 244

Medalist: Dylan Graham, Mount Ayr & Peter Nagel, Interstate 35 (41)

 

AHSTW 187 IKM-Manning 202 

Medalist: Josh Walker, IKM-Manning (42)

 

Nodaway Valley 182 Martensdale-St. Marys 233 Lenox NTS

Medalist: Landon Klobnak, Nodaway Valley (37)

 

Coon Rapids-Bayard 170 Woodbine 178 CAM 178 Boyer Valley 186 Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton 194 Glidden-Ralston 200

Medalist: Chase Jahde, CAM & Logan Kenyon, Coon Rapids-Bayard (39)

 

Spencer Tournament

1st Place — Kuemper Catholic 311

3. Maverick Schwabe (75)

10. Kayden Schon (77)

 

High School Boys and Girls Tennis results from Monday April 15th

Sports

April 16th, 2024 by admin

Boys

Clarinda 6, St. Albert 3

Southwest Valley 6, Red Oak 3

Glenwood 9, Thomas Jefferson 0

Kuemper Catholic 9, Harlan 0

Lewis Central 5, Abraham Lincoln 4

Creston 6, Chariton 3

 

Girls

Red Oak 8, Southwest Valley 1

Kuemper Catholic 9, Harlan 0

Creston 9, Chariton 0

Thomas Jefferson 7, Abraham Lincoln 2