KHOI | community radio

Emergency Funding bill

Originally broadcast 04/14/2020
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Iowa House Representative Ross Wilburn from District 45 in Ames gave updates to legislative actions like the Emergency Funding bill passed by Congress.

Katie Albrecht with Iowa Moms Demand Action spoke about efforts to curb guns in society and gun safety during housebound isolation during hte current crisis.

Susan Gwiasda, City of Ames Public Relations Officer and Keith Abraham, Director of Ames Parks and Recreation gave a update on restrictions in Ames parks due to Covid-19 precautions.

Anna Banana brought Heart to Heart Messages. Send Anna your message to read on the air. Text it to 515-809-0077 or email it to khoiradio@gmail with Heart to heart in the subject line.

Big Acai: "Healthy Fast-Food," Emergency Management, and the House Finch

Originally broadcast 04/13/2020
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Dennis Hart gives a summary of the past week in Iowa news.

Josh Dingle is co-owner and manager of Big Acai, a fast food place in the “Union” building on the corner of Sheldon Avenue and Lincoln Way, in Ames. Big Acai started as a food truck in Des Moines and Dingle hopes to help build it into a national “healthy fast food” chain. It's menu features a sorbet bowl based in in Acai berry sorbet. 23 and freshly graduated from Iowa State, Josh is committed to socially conscious business practices. One of Ames’ newest arrivals on the business scene, he is starting his business career in the midst of the Corona Virus pandemic. Big Acai remains open for order-on-line for pickup. Josh describes surviving the Pandemic as a business and his bigger vision, beyond.

Keith Morgan, Story County Emergency Management Coordinator, explains how priorities are decided during crisis within pandemic conditions and how the county is addressing the possibility of bed shortages for Corona Virus patients.

KHOI Nature reporter introduces the House Finch, a small bird with a big cheerful song and a red breast. Every Spring, the House Finches return to their nest on top of the speaker over KHOI’s doorway.

Anna Banana brought Heart to Heart Messages. Send Anna your message to read on the air. Text it to 515-809-0077 or email it to khoiradio@gmail with Heart to heart in the subject line.

CLOVID-19: Sen. Sweeney, Decorah Eagles, Health Promotions

Originally broadcast 10/14/2019
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CLOVID-19 dominated the week's news from Ames Tribune as brought to us by Dennis Hart. Continuing our reports from Iowa Legislators, Senator Annette Sweeney from District 25, including parts of Story and Hardin counties as well as Butler and Grundy. She told us about the bills the committees are working on during the COVID-19 mandated legislative recess. While many of us are sheltering indoors, it's a good time to visit the Decorah Eagle Cam as described by John Howe, director of the Raptor Resource Project. Susan Gwiasda, Public Relations Officer from the City of Ames, brought Andrea Cardenas, Ames Health Promotion Coordinator to update us on the local health services available. Anna Banana (Anna Magnusson) ended our show with her "Heart to Heart" segment.

COVID19 RESPONSE: Cy Ride, State Proclamations and Safety Equipment, Scams and Price Gouging, Financial Protections, and Tree Sap Rising

Originally broadcast 04/09/2020
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Iowa House Representative Ross Wilburn gives an update on the governor’s proclamation closing parks, testing availability, the need for protective equipment for health care providers, and alerts small businesses to an additional 20 million dollars for small businesses. Information about this can be found at the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

According to the Attorney General’s office, the COVID19 crisis is seeing more than the usual abuses. Lynn Hicks, Communications Director for Attorney General Tom Miller’s office, describes the complaints and abuses they are addressing, alerting us to various ways we need to look out for scams, price gouging, and for protecting our rights in housing, school loans, and other basic financial issues. By state proclamation, legal relief has been put in place for economic distress, freezing Payment on mortgages, rent, student loans, and other assistance. For forbearance information for students, borrowers, and parents, go here. For general information, go to the Attorney General's information page. There is a form for filing a complaint to the Attorney General. To get help by phone, call the toll free number: 888-777-4590.

Barbara Neal, Director of CyRide, explains that their buses are being cleaning 4 times a day with a special safe and non-toxic disinfectant spray. The process can be seen on line. Fees have been waived and riders are asked to enter the bus from the backdoor to prevent contact with the driver. Social distancing is being enforced on the bus. Cy Ride

Susan Gwiasda, Ames Public Relations Officer reminds you to fill out your census form. You cando so on line.

Pat Schlarbaum, KHOI Nature reporter, reminds that Spring is happening with sap rising in the trees, some which we love to eat.

Anna Banana brought Heart to Heart Messages. Send Anna your message to read on the air. Text it to 515-809-0077 or email it to khoiradio@gmail with Heart to heart in the subject line.

COVID-19 Response: We're All In This Together: All species, Immigrants, Housing

Originally broadcast 04/08/2020
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Carolyn Raffensperger started our program with a discussion about the cornoavirus crossing between species, which illustrates the importance of recognizing the inter-relatedness of all nature, and how much we rely on the nature around us. Then Rick Exner and Nancy Heideman of the COVID-19 Fund for Immigrants told us about a partnership of churches and civic groups concerned with the desperate situation of our immigrant neighbors. Susan Gwiasda, Public Relations Officer for the City of Ames, was joined by Vanessa Baker-Latimer, Ames Housing Coordinator; to tell us about housing projects during the crisis, available programs, as well as where to get help. (the phone numbers for both Susan and Vanessa are available by clicking their links).

COVID-19 RESPONSE: Ames Chamber of Commerce, Energy & Young Birders

Originally broadcast 04/07/2020
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Iowa Young Birders Director Tyler Harms describes how and why they were created and how they promote engagement with the natural world and conserevation issues by empowering young Iowans to study and enjoy birds and birding.

Dan Culhane, Executive Director of Ames Chamber of Commerce, explains how the Chamber is adapting to help the area business community cope with the COVID-19 disaster, helping with accessing resources and support. Challenges businesses are facing are centered on closure, supply chains, the health and welfare of their employees, and their customer bases. Chamber of Commerce Resources on line. Any business, can call the Chamber of Commerce for help at 515-232-2310. You must not be a member of the Chamber.

Susan Gwiasda Public Relations Officer with Ames included Kayley Lain, Energy Services Coordinator. For online information about energy or for general energy inforamtion, call 515-239-5170. For any questions regarding bills, payment options, and rebates, call 515-239-5120. Call the City if you have concerns about paying bills. Rebates are available from the city for replacing certain energy-efficient appliances.

The Ames Skatepark is now closed. Playgrounds are closed. Trails in parks are still open

Anna Banana brought Heart to Heart Messages. Send Anna your message to read on the air. Text it to 515-809-0077 or email it to khoiradio@gmail with Heart to heart in the subject line.

COVID-19 RESPONSE: Mary Greeley Medical, Ames City Operations

Originally broadcast 04/06/2020
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Dennis Hart gave a review of the past week's news in Iowa.

As of today, there are 5 known and tested cases of COVID-19 in Story County, Boone 3, Marshall 10, Hamilton, Hardin, and Webster Counties are all reporting 1.

Steve Sullivan, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for MaryGreeley Medical Center, provided an update from the hospital serving Central Iowa. Currently two COVID-19 Patients are in the hospital and about 5 others are waiting for test results. Iowa State is helping the hospital with protective gear, made from unused materials. Sullivan described the hospital as feeling confident about its supplies and constantly re-assessing.

As of Tuesday April 7, visitors will no longer be allowed in Mary Greeley. The hospital asks for your cooperation with this safety measure. There are exceptions to this ban for certain extreme cases and children. To speak to the hospital about this, call 515-239-2129, or if you have any other questions.

The nurse's hotline (Monday - Friday) to call with health questions or if you suspect having the virus is: 515-500-6711.

More information / Hospital Updates / COVID-19 Q&A

Susan Gwiasda, Public Relations Officer for the City of Ames, asked for residents' cooperation with staying away from playground and to refrain from congregating. Vital resources are needed to maintain city infrastructures and Ames hopes to not be required to use city staff for fencing off areas. Hydrant flushing will begin soon in the city. City Hall is closed; call 515-239-6570 to speak with city staff.

The drop-off mailbox for paying bills is operating. On-line options are available for bill payments.

Information about bike paths

Anna Banana brought Heart to Heart Messages. Send Anna your message to read on the air. Text it to 515-809-0077 or email it to khoiradio@gmail with Heart to heart in the subject line.

COVID-19 RESPONSE: United Way and Neighborhoods

Originally broadcast 04/03/2020
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Dennis Hart's news from the Ames Tribune was full of stories of the ways people are reaching out to their neighbors during the COVID-19 crisis. Carrying on with theme was Jean Kresse, president of United Way of Story County, who described the ways United Way's partnership agencies address the COVID-19 crisis for those in need of food (Food Bank of Iowa) and housing (Emergency Residence Project) to pre-school for essential workers (COR&R). Then Susan Gwiasda introduced us to Julie Gould Ames City Planner responsible for the 25 Neighborhood Associations that exist in Ames. She told us about ways the neighborhood organization support those in their neighborhoods during this crisis, as well as how to find your association and contact information if you need assistance or want to help. Anna Banana ended the program with a "Heart to Heart" story about how furry friends provide love and comfort during this time of uncertainty.

COVID-19 RESPONSE: David Deyoe House District 49, ISU's Digital Transition, City Attorney Mark Lambert

Originally broadcast 04/02/2020
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David Deyoe, Iowa House Representative for District 49 in Nevada, expressed his support for Governor Reynold's leadership during the COVID-19. He informed us of her recent proclamations, increasing financial support for smaller county hospitals and extending restrictions on restaurants to curb-side business only. During this time, with the legislature suspended, he reported that he and other republican legisltors are checking in with constiuents and receiving briefings from the Governor and Republican leadership. To contact him, write to dave.deyoe@legis.iowa.gov .

Jonathan Wickert, who is Senior Vice President and Provost at Iowa State University, overseeing the university's Division of Academic Affairs, gave an update on how ISU, within 6 days, moved on line with over 6,000 classes and having its staff and faculty work remotely. They have developed a philosophy of support and understanding for circumstances affecting everyone connected to ISU, as well as alternatives for students to find Internet access. He describes ISU's support for foreign students who cannot go home and are living on campus.

Ames City Attorney Mark Lambert explains that the City has been able to stay with usual legal parameters for conducting business and transparency during the COVID-19 crisis. They are broadcasting City Council meetings on line and received responses from the public by taking calls. They are planning to use Zoom meetings in the future. Consultations with other CIt Attorneys around the state is helping to problem solve and dilemas in complying with the law while doing things in a new way. Lambert reminded us that local municipalities cannot declare mandatory stay-at-home orders; this comes from the Governor's office.

Anna Banana's Heart to Heart Messages of love and support were aired - send your message over the air, for people you love or to the whole community. Text your message for Anna to read at 515-809-0077 or email it to khoiradio@gmail with Heart to heart in the subject line.

COVID-19 RESPONSE: Library and Mental Health

Originally broadcast 04/01/2020
Listen to the entire episode now!

As part of the KHOI Local Talk series on Clovid19, we heard from Carolyn Raffensperger, executive director of the Science & Environmental Health Network, reflecting on how we are adapting our lives to the Pandemic. On the local level, Susan Gwiasda, Public Relations Officer for the City of Ames, brought in Shiela Schofer, director of the Ames Public Library, to tell us about the many online resources available through the library. Turning to our mental health, Counseling Psychologist Suzanne Zilber gave us lots of insights into how to deal with the emotions we naturally feel at this time. She also left a collection of contacts we can draw on. Here they are:

211 - select mental health support -- CICS crisis line 844-258-8858 Call for anxiety and grief related to the virus or other issues. Live chat at the website Text to 855-895-8398
Warm Line – trained peer listeners 844-775-9276 usual hours are 5 -10 PM but they may have expanded their hours.

Pat Schlarbaum reflected personally on John Prine, iconic musician for half a century, who is hospitalized with Clovid19.

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