The deadlines are quickly approaching for several scholarships that are available to area students through Cass County Health System and its affiliate organizations.
· Cass County Health System offers a $1,000 scholarship to southwest Iowa students pursuing a four-year degree in a health-related career. Deadline is April 1, 2015.
· Cass County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary provides two $1,000 Grant-in-Aid scholarships for students pursuing a health-related career. Deadline is March 31, 2015.
· Cass County Memorial Hospital Foundation offers two $5,000 Louie and Elsie Hansen Memorial scholarships for graduates of a Cass County high school who will be attending a medical or nursing school leading to an MD, RN, or LPN degree. Deadline is April 1, 2015.

Applications are available on the Cass County Health System website, www.casshealth.org, and can be turned in to the Human Resources Office or Cass County High School guidance offices by the respective deadlines listed above. For more information, contact Sara Nelson, Director of Public Relations, 712-243-7408.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The House has passed a bill that would make several changes to Iowa’s gun laws, including removing the age limit for children to use pistols and revolvers under a parent’s supervision. The House voted 75-24 Tuesday to advance the bill to the Senate, where lawmakers are considering a similar bill. The bill would make it legal for a child under 14 to use pistols and revolvers under a parent’s supervision. It would also block public access to the names of people with permits to carry guns.

The bill would legalize the use of suppressors to help silence guns. It also makes changes to how some people acquire and renew their permits. It’s unclear what kind of support the bill will get in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A prosecutor says a former Air Force captain who oversaw contracts in Afghanistan will plead guilty to an influence-peddling charge stemming from his later employment representing a vendor. Adam Pudenz is charged with making false statements and violating a law that bans ex-federal employees from trying to influence matters in which they were involved. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Murphy wrote in a court document Friday that the 35-year-old has agreed to plead guilty to both counts Tuesday and forfeit his home in Carroll, Iowa.

Pudenz managed contracts for clothing, shoes and boots for Afghan National Security Forces while stationed in Kabul in 2009-2010. Two went to Kabul Milli Trading Co. After leaving the Air Force, investigators say Pudenz was paid $247,000 by the boot manufacturer to influence his former colleagues.

The Atlantic Police Department has informed the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce about a purse that was stolen at around 5:15-a.m. today (Tuesday). The Chamber is warning its member businesses not to take any checks or credit cards with the name Karla Michael. If you receive a check, credit card or debit card with the name Karla Michael on it, contact Atlantic Police Depot at 712-243-3512.

Details about the checks and credit cards:

Checks: Karla Michael Iowa State Savings Bank, Lenox, IA
Debit Card: Karla Michael US Bank
Debit Card: Karla Michael PCSB Bank
Credit Card: Karla Michael Capital One

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A prison official says an Iowa work release inmate who’s been on the loose since Jan. 1st has been apprehended. Corrections Department Assistant Director Fred Scaletta said Tuesday that Timothy Denney was caught somewhere in Nebraska. Denney was placed on escaped status after he didn’t return to the work release center in Sioux City on New Year’s Day.

Denney was sentenced in August 2004 to 15 years in prison on convictions for robbery and going armed with intent. He’d been transferred to work release on Oct. 8.