A bill before the U.S. Senate would require any potential nuclear agreement with Iran to be reviewed by Congress. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst calls it a “crucial” measure to ensure preservation of the country’s interests and security. “This enables the American people to have a voice in that process,” Ernst told reporters in a conference call today (Thursday). “Congress must have more oversight of this process and the opportunity for thoughtful consideration to ensure that we have been very clear about our demands and the framework of any final agreement.”

The bill would give Congress a 30-day review period if and when a final nuclear accord with Iran is struck. Ernst believes Congress should be allowed to vote to approve or reject any such accord. “Iran’s more than a quarter century long effort to obtain a nuclear weapon will not subside overnight and it is a faulty assumption that Tehran is on the side of the rule of law,” Ernst said.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously approved the bill earlier this month and President Obama pledged his support — but promised a veto if there are amendments added that are unrelated to Iran’s atomic program. Ernst and others who are trying to push the bill through the Senate have been fending off proposed amendments by a few Republicans, including several running for president in 2016.

(Radio Iowa)

Supporting a great local cause can be as easy as buying flowers. On Friday, May 8th, Hy-Vee will donate $1.00 from every hanging basket purchased to the Cass County Health System (CCHS) Foundation. Volunteers from CCHS will be at Hy-Vee to help customers pick out a beautiful hanging basket, and the funds raised will go towards the 2015 Annual Campaign.

CCHS Foundation Director Dawn Marnin and Hy-Vee Gen. Merchandise Mgr. Aaron Siggins.

“Hy-Vee has been a great supporter of the CCHS Foundation for years,” said Dawn Marnin, Foundation Director. “This promotion is just in time for Mother’s Day, which seems appropriate since our campaign’s goal is focused on new mothers and infants.”

This year’s campaign goal is to purchase a Central Monitoring System for the Cass County Memorial Hospital OB Department, which costs $100,000. Last year’s campaign enabled CCMH to purchase new fetal monitors, which need to be read at the patient’s bedside.

Adding the Central Monitoring System will allow nurses and physicians to closely monitor multiple babies at the same time. Together, these two systems create a powerful tool to monitor and protect our newborns and their mothers.

(Press Release)

An Atlantic man was arrested Wednesday, on drug and other charges. The A-PD says 24-year old Devin Register was taken into custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug, and Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. Register was booked into the Cass County Jail.

If you’re the type of person who can’t resist a garage sale, you’ll be in heaven this weekend. City-wide garage sales will be held in Atlantic, Griswold, Lewis, and in the communities of Audubon, Brayton and Exira. Some early bird sales take place in Atlantic and along the Highway 71 communities Friday evening, for those who want to get a jump on the throngs of people who’ll be competing for great bargains and finds. There will be crafts, small appliances, toys, adult and children clothing, furniture, bake sale items and much more available.

The Atlantic City Wide Garage Sales will takes place Friday, May 1st, from 2-until 6-pm, and Saturday, from 10-am to 4-pm. Maps will be available at Casey’s, Fareway, and HyVee. The sale is hosted by the Atlantic Business and Profession Women’s (BPW) organization. For more information call Becky Bonney at 712-254-0838.

In Griswold, the City Wide Garage sales take place on Saturday with most starting at 8 a.m. Garage sale maps will be available on Saturday at Casey’s General Store and Main Lil’ Market in Griswold. Garage sale map will also be available online at www.griswoldamerican.com.

In Lewis, the City Wide Garage sale takes place from 7-a.m. until 1-p.m., Saturday.

And, the Audubon-Exira-Brayton Highway 71 Community Garage Sale will be held Saturday from 7-a.m. until 1-pm. Shane Lange, President of the Audubon Area Chamber of Commerce, says flags will mark those residences whose owners or vendors have paid to have their garage sales indicated on free maps. He says there are between 55-and 60 garage sales on the map in Audubon, alone.

Shane says he’s not into garage sales, but he knows others absolutely love them. Free maps are available at most local businesses in Audubon, Exira and Brayton. Residences on the maps will have bright orange flags on their lawns to better identify their location.

Retail sidewalk sales will also be held during the garage sale weather permitting, so be sure and check at individual businesses. The Highway 71 Community Garage Sale is sponsored by the Audubon Chamber of Commerce, Exira Community Club & Brayton Community Club. For more information go to www.auduboniowa.org.