Trial Date Set For Accused Murderer Thomas Knapp
(Le Mars) — A trial date of December 15th has been set for 82-year Thomas Knapp of Merrill. Knapp is accused of shooting and killing 51-year old Kevin Juzek with a shotgun from an incident that happened on May 11th. This last week Knapp pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him.
591 New COVID-19 Cases in Iowa, 6 Additional Deaths
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting 591 more positive tests for COVID-19, increasing the state total to 47-thousand-728 cases. Six more Iowans have died of complications from the virus which brings the death toll to 912. State health officials say 223 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, 65 patients are in intensive care and 25 are on
ventilators. More than 510-thousand tests have been completed in Iowa since the pandemic began in March.
Spirit Lake Man Turns Himself In To Authorities Following Boating Hit-And-Run Accident
(Spirit Lake) — A 20-year-old has turned himself in to authorities and has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run boating accident on West Lake Okoboji.
The accident happened just after 10:30 on Tuesday evening. A report from the Department of Natural Resources indicates a boat operated by 52-year-old Vaughn Wickham of Spirit Lake was hit from behind and Wickham was seriously injured. Officers say they found the other boat involved in the accident Thursday, up on a hoist at a home on the north end of West Lake Okoboji. After officers seized the boat, 20-year-old Zachery Kruse of Spirit Lake turned himself in. According to a D-N-R news release, Kruse admits he was driving the boat at the time of the crash. He’s been charged with an aggravated misdemeanor for failing to give aid in a vessel, resulting in a serious injury. State officials haven’t revealed what led to their discovery of the boat, but they’re crediting a number of helpful citizens for assisting in the investigation.
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$26 Million Available to Boost School Internet Connectivity in Iowa
(Des Moines, IA) — The state of Iowa is pumping more than 26-million dollars into boosting internet connectivity to schools. The money from Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund will be split between all 327 school districts, non-public schools, and public and private universities.
Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo said, “this is an important step toward ensuring our students and teachers have reliable access to the internet. In an increasingly technology-driven world, it is essential that we overcome the digital divide.” The funding will be sent directly to districts based on the number of households that lack internet access or cannot afford service.
Cedar Rapids Police Investigating Possible Hate Crime
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — Police in Cedar Rapids are investigating a possible hate crime. Officers received at least four reports of plastic bags containing a letter with a swastika and the words “white pride” placed in front of homes Thursday night. Investigators are trying to determine if they are hate crime under federal statutes. The F-B-I and U-S Attorney’s Office
are assisting with the case. Mayor Brad Hart said, “Cedar Rapids is a community where everyone should feel welcome and safe, especially in his or her own home. Acts of hate are not, and will not be, tolerated.” Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact the Cedar Rapids P-D.
Iowans Enjoying “Tax-Free” Holiday
(Des Moines) — If you need a new shirt, a pair of pants or some sneakers, this is the time to go shopping. What’s known as the State of Iowa’s Sales Tax Holiday is underway today (Saturday). John Fuller, spokesman for the Iowa Department of Revenue, says the rules are fairly straightforward.
Iowa shoppers are about to enter their second decade of these sales tax holidays.
Iowans who prefer to do their browsing for new duds on the computer instead of in the store are also in for a discount.
The tax free weekend is in place from 12:01 a.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
Attorney General Office Issues Consumer Alert Regarding Some Masks
(Des Moines) — A consumer alert is being issued for Iowans to avoid certain types of face masks that are being sold using deceptive claims and which may not offer protection from COVID-19. Lynn Hicks, a spokesman for the Iowa Attorney General’s office, says they’re asking stores to remove masks from shelves that are labeled as K-N-95 Stereo Protective Masks.
The masks are advertised as “protective,” which Hicks says is misleading. The packaging also contains confusing and nonsensical content, such as “use funny meltblown filter material,” and “children under three have low vital capacity and are not recommended.” Some masks are priced at $12.99 for a pack of two, while other K-N-95 masks on Amazon sell for about $3 each.
The masks were being sold in at least five stores, including Iowa-based Hy-Vee, which Hicks says has agreed to remove the masks from shelves. While most Iowans don’t need the N-95 level of mask, for those who do, this is an important purchase.
He notes, the CDC does -not- recommend the general public wear N-95 respirator masks, as they’re considered critical supplies reserved for health care workers and other first responders.
State Drought Is Worsening
(Des Moines, IA) — While scattered showers are in the forecast for much of Iowa over the next several days, dry conditions have worsened. The latest report from the U-S Drought Monitor shows all or parts of 11 counties in west-central Iowa are now in the D-3 category, which means extreme drought. Last week, no Iowa counties were in D-3. State Climatologist Justin Glisen says it has been at least six years since we have had this type of dry conditions.
The scale only goes up to D-4, which is exceptional drought, though none of Iowa has reached that level yet this year. The new report shows much of Iowa’s western half is under moderate or severe drought, while much of northern and east-central Iowa is considered abnormally dry.
Glisten says the 30 day forecast is calling for some cooler temperatures which should give crops some relief from drought stress conditions. However, precipitation levels will be below normal.
Glisten says the state would need some significant rainfalls within the next few weeks to bring us out of the drought conditions, something, he says is not in the long-term forecast.
Glisten made his comments during a drought webinar on Thursday hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Only about 20 counties on the southern and far eastern borders are in normal precipitation territory.
