(Radio Iowa) – A sort of snowplow driving school is getting underway this week for hundreds of Iowa Department of Transportation workers who will be using those big orange machines to keep our roads clear of ice and snow in the season ahead. Craig Bargfrede, the DOT’s winter operations administrator, says trailers containing sophisticated snowplow simulators are being set up at many DOT garages across the state.

“It provides realistic training in the simulator,” Bargfrede says. “Ultimately, it’s refreshing our folks on winter driving skills, puts them in scenarios that are similar to being out on the road, but it does it in a much safer environment, and it doesn’t put wear and tear on our trucks.”

DOT Snowplow cam

Ideally, before the snow flies in Iowa, a wide cross-section of DOT drivers will have brushed up on their snowplow skills. “Each year, we shoot to get right around 500 across the state,” Bargfrede says, “which is about a third of our force, when you include both our full-time staff and then the seasonal staff that we get each year.” Bargfrede has been in the simulators himself and says the experience is very close to being in the large, lumbering vehicles in all sorts of difficult conditions.

“The scenarios are very realistic. The seat that you sit in, the controls are very realistic and very comparable to actually being in the truck,” Bargfrede says. “There’s such things as if you should kind of drift over to the edge of the road and you hit the rumble strips, the seat will actually shake.”

While this past Sunday was the start of fall, Bargfrede knows winter weather can sometimes arrive in Iowa early, and his goal is to have all crews and equipment ready for the roads by October 15th.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests took place over the past week. As previously mention, 52-year-ol Donnell Marie Griffith was arrested Sept. 16th in Fontanelle, on an Adair County Class D Felony warrant for Going Armed with Intent. The Sheriff’s report says that on Sept. 11th, Griffith allegedly went armed with a handgun, with the intent to use it without justification. The report said Griffith claimed the weapon  – a Smith and Wesson .38-Special –  accidentally discharged when she pulled it out of her pants and put it on a shelf in the kitchen.

The investigating Deputy informed her he responded because a 911 caller claimed she had pointed a gun at the caller. Griffifth said “If that would have happened, I would just put one right between his eyes.” Four unused rounds and a spent shell casing were taken into evidence at the scene. Griffith was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

Friday afternoon, 32-year-old Amber Leigh Garrison, of Fontanelle, was arrested by Fontanelle Police, on warrants for Harassment in the 3rd Degree, and Reckless Use of a Firearm – resulting in property damage. Garrison was being held in the Adair County Jail without bond until making an initial court appearance. And, Saturday night, 22-year-old Dylon Lynn Dowdell, of Greenfield, was arrested by Adair County Sheriff’s Deputies on an Adair County Felony warrant for: the Domestic Abuse Assault of a pregnant person – impeding the flow of air/blood; Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness; and Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree.

Dowdell was being held in the Adair County Jail without bond until making an initial court appearance.

(Farmhamville, Iowa) – Authorities in northwest Iowa’s Calhoun County report that on Sunday, Sept. 22nd, a juvenile female was reported missing in Farmhamville. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office responded and investigated. During their initial investigation, a male subject was detained. Upon further investigation, law enforcement this (Monday) morning, located the deceased body of the missing person, who they are currently identifying as “Jane Doe.”

Authorities say at this time, they feel there is no ongoing threat to the public. Charges in the case are currently pending. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is being aided in its investigation, by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Iowa State Patrol, the Webster and Greene County Sheriff’s Offices, and several local police departments.

(Cass County, Iowa) – A Town Hall meeting will be held this (Monday) evening in Atlantic, with regard to the EMS public measure that will be on the November 5^th General Election ballot across Cass County (IA). The informational meeting takes place at 6-p.m., at the Cass County Community Center next to the fairgrounds. For those unable to attend, another meeting will be held from 2-until 3-p.m. Tuesday, at the Heritage House, in Atlantic.

The measure asked voters: Shall the Cass County Board of Supervisors, upon recommendation by the Cass County EMS Advisory Council, for the purpose of funding emergency medical services in Cass County, including, but not limited to, ambulance service, personnel, and equipment, be authorized, for a period of 15 years, to 1) levy and impose a local option income surtax of one percent upon the state individual income tax of each individual taxpayer who is a resident of Cass County on December 31 for each calendar year commencing with the calendar year 2025, and 2) levy and impose an ad valorem tax not exceeding seventy-five cents per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation on all taxable property within Cass County commencing with the levy of property taxes for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026?

County officials have previously said the levy will have very little impact on taxation.

A third Town Hall meeting will be held at the Legion Hall in Massena, on October 1st.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports an individual was arrested on a warrant, last Wednesday. 40-year-old Jamie Lee Stephens, of Macedonia, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on the warrant for False Report to Public Entity. Her bond was set at $1,000.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Police Department say two people were arrested on separate charges, Saturday. 39-year-old Summer Cole, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense. And, 28-year-old Weneity Seker, of Atlantic, was arrested for Driving while License Denied or Revoked. Both were transported to the Cass County Jail, and booked-in.

(Corrects some information in the original report) (Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Police Department say a minor-age male was injured when his bicycle ran into the back of a truck this (Monday) morning, at 3rd and Hazel Streets.

The Atlantic Police Department said the unidentified child was traveling north in the alley and failed to stop before entering the street. His bicycle struck the back of a truck driven by Jawuantael Willaby of Chicago. The vehicle was undamaged, and the bike sustained minor damage. The youth was transported to Cass Health in Atlantic, for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The accident happened a little before 7-a.m. The name of the child was NOT released.

(Radio Iowa) – The internet is making shopping easier for all sorts of products, including used cars, but Iowans are warned to pump the brakes and yield if they’re considering that online option. Lisa Schiller, at the Better Business Bureau, recommends sticking with trusted retailers for such a big purchase, and she’d steer away from social media offerings like Facebook Marketplace. “Be very, very cautious. You want to always contact the seller by phone,” Schiller says. “Speak with the sales manager on the phone. See the car. Never buy a car without making an in-person inspection.”

Buying a car online versus in-person can actually make some things easier, Schiller says, but you still need to be wary. “One of the main perks of purchasing a car online is that there’s even less emotion involved,” she says. “It’s easier to stay detached when you’re chatting with someone remotely, and this can actually help you make a purchase that is more clear-headed for you.” Schiller says to never pay for a vehicle you haven’t inspected yourself and taken for a spin.

Find a link to retailers and more tips on buying a car, including in-person at a dealership, at BBB.org.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Council Bluffs area residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®  this Saturday, Sept. 28th, 2024, at Iowa Western Community College. Registration begins at 9-a.m. with an Opening Ceremony and 2-mile Walk to follow. There is no fee to register for Walk, however, all participants are encouraged to raise critical funds that allow the Alzheimer’s Association to provide 24/7 care and support and advance research toward methods of prevention, treatment and, ultimately, a cure.

Jessica Duncan, Alzheimer’s Association Program Director, says “This is a pivotal moment in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementias, including Frontotemporal Dementia that my dad lost his life to at 58 this year. There are now treatments that can give families more valuable time with their loved one. We hope that everyone in the community can join us by starting a Walk team to help the Alzheimer’s Association raise awareness, raise funds for free care and support services and education for families facing the disease, vital research to find more treatments, and ultimately a cure.”

On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with a meaningful Promise Garden Ceremony that signifies solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers – purple, yellow, blue and orange – represent the different reasons why people walk to end this disease. Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Iowa, there are more than 62,000 people living with the disease and nearly 100,000 caregivers.

To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org/walk.

(Atlantic, Iowa) — Cass Health in Atlantic was recently awarded the honor of “Top Workplaces 2024,” by Iowa Top Workplaces. Achieving the award is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including employees feeling Respected & Supported, Enabled to Grow, and Empowered to Execute, to name a few.

Energage CEO Eric Rubino says “Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees. That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

Officials at Cass Health say their mission is to provide a superior experience to everyone that they are privileged to serve, while working towards the vision of becoming the best rural hospital in the country. The team at Cass Health, officials say, cares for patients with medical needs ranging from minor aches and pains to life-threatening emergencies, and everything in between.

Cass Health is the largest employer in Cass County and a huge economic engine for the region. Cass Health has been recognized as an Iowa Top Workplace, a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the country, and as a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital in the country.