A survey finds 90-percent of managers say their company does a fantastic job with employee recognition but only 30-percent of workers agree. Mike Gremmer, spokesman for the Office Team staffing service in Omaha-Council Bluffs, says while many companies can’t afford big bonuses or raises, they can do a better job of showing appreciation.

“Simple thank you notes go a long way, public recognition in front of their peers, you can celebrate milestones like production figures and certain anniversaries, maybe take people to lunch,” Gremmer says. “You just have to get creative.” While he’s not surprised by the results of the survey, Gremmer says employers need to make it a priority to create a good work environment.

“We have a thriving economy right now, there’s a labor shortage out there,” Gremmer says. “When you think about your own company and the work environment you want to create, when people are happy, they’re going to give you more performance which positively effects the bottom line of your organization.” Nobody wants to have a miserable work environment and Gremmer says it’s okay for workers to call bosses out, if it’s done carefully.

“Workers should let it be known, in a professional way,” he says. “There’s nothing wrong to mention to your employers that you really appreciate a little positive feedback. You want to be sensitive to the business conditions and budget limitations the company may have but there’s nothing wrong with saying, ‘Thank you, that meant a lot to me.'” Gremmer says it benefits the company to have a policy in place to show recognition and to be a place where people are happy to come to work.

(Radio Iowa)

Omaha Police Officer Kerrie Orozco is being buried in Council Bluffs on Tuesday May 26th. Authorities say as a large contingent of law enforcement and family is expected to attend, the Council Bluffs Police Department with the assistance of other local law enforcement agencies will be shutting down traffic in the following areas at approximately 12:30 PM:

• All of West Broadway both directions. Traffic will be diverted north onto 16th Street.
• Eastbound traffic on Kanesville from 8th Street to North Avenue. No left turns will be allowed across Kanesville. North‐South access is available on 10th Street, 13th Street, I‐29 and 40th Street. Kanesville and Broadway will be re‐opened once the procession is complete.
• McPherson from North Avenue to Indian Hills.
• Canning Street residents may access their homes from North Avenue until
  approximately 1 PM.
• McPherson residents may access their homes from Indian Hills until approximately 3 PM or completion of the service. McPherson will remain closed until traffic has dispersed.

The next “Healthy U” lunch program at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic will take place this Thursday, May 28th. The program, entitled “10 Things We Want Parents to Know,” will be presented by Dr. Angela Weppler.  on Thursday, May 28, 2015. The program will be held at noon in Conference Room 2 at CCMH.

Dr. Angela Weppler

The presentation is geared to parents of young and adolescent children. Dr. Weppler says “It’s information that’s meant to make their life a little bit easier.”  Weppler has worked with Cass County Health System since 2002. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa Medical School, and she is board certified by the American Academy of Family Practice.

Healthy U is a free educational series that focuses on a different health topic each month. Attendees receive a healthy sack lunch in addition to an educational program presented by medical professionals. Future topics will include dementia, joint health, and diabetes. For more information, or to make a reservation for the May 28th Healthy U, call 712-243-7479.

Two Council Bluffs residents came home late Sunday night to find a woman and a man had broken into their apartment. According to Bluffs Police, officers responded at 11:50-p.m. to an apartment complex at 35 Bluff Street, following a report an armed subject had just broken into one of the apartments. The victims, 31-year old Anastaschia Hughes, and 50-year old Shannon Hughes, found 26-year old Jennifer Malone, of Council Bluffs, and a male subject, inside the home.

When the residents confronted the two intruders, the male produced a knife and allegedly attempted to slash Shannon Hughes, who was not injured. The two suspects fled area on foot, but Malone was found and arrested on a charge of Burglary in the 1st Degree. The male suspect was not located.

An investigation into the incident continues. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact the Council Bluffs Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 712-328-4765.

Police in Red Oak say a local man was arrested on drug charges early this (Monday) morning. 33-year old Anthony David Smith, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 1:30-a.m. at E. Oak and N. 6th Streets. Smith was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,000 cash.

About 90-minutes earlier, 47-year old Harry Lee Barnum, Jr., of Red Oak, was arrested near N. 6th and E. Oak Streets. Barnum was taken into custody at around midnight, on a charge of OWI/2nd offense. His cash bond was set at $2,000.