Today (March 24th), is designated as the “American Diabetes Association Alert Day®.” The Cass County Memorial Hospital Diabetes Center and the American Diabetes Association are encouraging the public to take the Diabetes Risk Test, as well as to share the test with everyone they care about – friends, family members and colleagues.

The Diabetes Risk Test asks users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risks for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Preventive tips are provided for everyone who takes the test, including encouraging those at high risk to talk with their health care provider.

You can be part of the movement to Stop Diabetes and get your free Diabetes Risk Test (English or Spanish) by visiting the Association on Facebook, diabetes.org/risktest or by calling 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Although Alert Day is a one-day event, the Diabetes Risk Test is available year-round.

The Cass County Memorial Hospital Diabetes Center can be reached at 712-243-7833 or 7834 if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

WALL LAKE, Iowa (AP) – Two Wall Lake residents are accused of distributing marijuana in a home with several children.  The Sac County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday the arrests of 37-year-old Laura Lawler and 37-year-old Jason Ransom. Lawler is charged with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and child endangerment. Ransom is charged with child endangerment.

The Sioux City Journal reports four children were removed from the home, and the Department of Human Services was contacted. Lawler and Ransom are being held in Sac County Jail. Bond for Lawler is set at $14,000 and bond for Ransom is set at $8,000.

Police in Red Oak report two women employed by a local convenience store were arrested Monday night on Theft charges. Authorities say following an investigation, Debra Ann Lamb and Katherina Ann Gurney, both of Red Oak, both employees at the Red Oak Kum-and-Go Store, were taken into custody at around 10:30-p.m.  Lamb was charged with Theft in the 3rd Degree, while Gurney faces a 4th Degree Theft charge. Both women were being held in the Montgomery County Jail Tuesday morning. Lamb’s bond was set at $2,000, while Gurney’s bond was $1,000.

And, Red Oak Police investigated two, separate, non-injury accidents Monday. Authorities say Police were called to 6th and Elm Streets where a two-vehicle accident took place. When officers arrived, they found a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider sitting on the west side of the intersection on the traveled portion of the road. A second vehicle was near a power pole facing southeast across the road. An investigation determined the Eclipse, driven by 18-year old Teanna Pafford, of Red Oak, was traveling westbound. Pafford failed to see the other, southbound car. The vehicles collided at the intersection The damage was estimated at $6,000 altogether. Pafford was cited for Failure to Yield to a vehicle on the right.

The other accident happened at the intersection of Hammond and 1st Streets in Red Oak, at around 3:35-p.m., Monday. Officials say a 2007 Chevy Suburban driven by 15-year old Nathan Fournier, of Red Oak, was traveling west on Hammond Street, while a 1992 Chevy pickup driven by 46-year old Justin Nuckolls, of Red Oak, was traveling south on 1st Street. Nuckolls told police he put his truck in neutral and thought he was slowing down. The collision happened after he looked up from his dash. Damage from the crash amounted to $4,800. Nuckolls was cited for Failure to Obey a Yield Sign.