Shenandoah Acknowledges 9-11 With Remembrance Ceremony
(Shenandoah) — Shenandoah residents paused at midday today, (Friday) to mark a significant moment in our nation’s history. “A Day to Remember” is the theme of the city’s annual Patriot’s Day commemoration, honoring those who died in the terrorist attacks on September 11th of 2001. As in previous
years, the event started with a familiar sound.
That’s the Shenandoah Fire Department’s sounding of the “Four-Fives,” honoring firefighters and other first responders who lost their lives responding to emergencies that day. Distinguished local residents have provided keynote addresses in past ceremonies — including one directly touched by the 9/11 attacks. In 2018, Kim Leininger of Essex was the speaker. Leininger was the aunt of Douglas Ketcham, a New York stockbroker with Cantor Fitzgerald, who was working on the 104th floor of the
World Trade Center’s North Tower when a hijacked plane crashed into it.
Leininger relayed the story of Douglas’ final moments.
In 2019, Page County Veterans Affairs executive director Janet Olsen recalled how victims awoke on that warm, sunny day in 2001, not knowing of their fates.
Shenandoah Mayor Dick Hunt is this year’s keynote speaker. Shenandoah High School’s Marching Mustangs played the National Anthem. The Shenandoah American Legion’s Color Guard also participated in the 12:10 p.m. ceremony at
Bogart Park.
State Medical Director Discourages Shuffling Students During COVID
(Des Moines, IA) — State medical director Doctor Caitlin Pedati says having students move around a classroom or school building every few minutes creates more opportunities for the coronavirus to spread. Pedati said, “the advice that we’ve provided is that rather than have people interact more and
create more person to person interactions, really you want to have fewer person to person interactions.” A few Iowa school districts are having students get up and move around every 12 to 14 minutes, moves that could avoid quarantining students who were — for at least 15 minutes — within six feet of someone who tests positive for COVID. Pedati says she would not
suggest that as an approach.
Sioux City Stabbing Leaves 1 Dead, 1 Victim Wounded
(Sioux City, IA) — One person is dead and another is wounded after a stabbing in Sioux City. Police called to disturbance early this morning (Friday) found two victims suffering from stab wounds. Both were taken to Mercy Hospital where one victim died. No word on the surviving victim’s condition. Investigators say a suspect has been taken into custody.
Iowa DPS Identifies Officer Who Fatally Shot Suspect in Bettendorf
(Bettendorf, IA) — The Iowa Department of Public Safety is naming the Bettendorf police officer who shot and killed a suspect last week. Officer Patrick Mesick is a seven-year veteran of the Bettendorf P-D and is on paid administrative leave pending the investigation. Police responded to a disturbance September 3rd where a man was reportedly holding a knife to the throat of a four-year-old. Officer Mesick shot 53-year-old Timothy Clevenger once and he died at the scene. Investigators say Mesick’s interview and other facts from the case will be sent to the Scott County Attorney’s Office.
Two Northeast Iowans Accused of Kidnapping in Oelwein
(Oelwein, IA) — Two northeast Iowans are charged with taking part in a kidnapping in Oelwein. Police were advised of an alleged child abduction that took place Thursday night. Following an investigation, authorities found the suspect vehicle in Black Hawk County. A man and woman were then arrested for felony child stealing. Officers identified them as 31-year-old
Raquel Bowser of Oelwein and 27-year-old Justin Green of West Union.
