A top Democrat in the Iowa Senate is angered by Republican Governor Terry Branstad’s declaration this past Monday that as the state’s chief executive he has broad authority to close state institutions without legislative approval. Pam Jochum, a Democrat from Dubuque, is president of the Iowa Senate. “The last time I checked, we elect a governor, not an emperor,” Jochum told reporters Thursday. According to Jochum, Branstad has shown a “pattern” of abusing executive power since he returned as governor in 2011.

“We just, out of the blue, closed a Juvenile Home for young women and then we start closing two Mental Health Institutes,” Jochum said. “And now, out of the blue, we’re privatizing an entire Medicaid system.” The Branstad Administration is in the process of hiring managed care companies to handle the state’s Medicaid program.

Branstad says he was elected by the people of Iowa to reduce the size and cost of state government and he intends to make “tough decisions” like closing two of the state’s four Mental Health Institutes to do it. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs says the governor’s comments on Monday were “a bit over the top.”

“I don’t think the governor meant that he had unlimited power,” Gronstal says. “I’m pretty sure he wishes he had unlimited power, but I don’t think he really meant that. I think it’s time to calm this stuff down, look for common ground, work together.” The top Republican in the legislature is House Speaker Kraig Paulsen. Paulsen says he’d like to see exactly what Branstad said about executive branch authority before commenting on behalf of the legislative branch.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled Branstad overstepped his authority in closing regional Workforce Development offices a few years ago, but the court challenge of Branstad’s decision to close the Iowa Juvenile Home without legislative action is pending before the Supreme Court.

(Radio Iowa)

The Atlantic Police Department reports 5 people were arrested Thursday. Among them, 29-year old Summer Cole, of Atlantic, who was taken into custody on a Cass County warrant for a Controlled Substance Violation.

Four other people were arrested on Theft charges. 20-year old Heidi Murphy and 22-year old Drew Gagnon, both of Missouri Valley, were charged with 4th Degree Theft. 31-year old James Riggle, of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of Theft in the 5th Degree, and 34-year old Dennis Riggle, Jr., of Atlantic, was arrested for Theft in the 2nd Degree, and Ongoing Criminal Conduct.

Each of those individuals were booked into the Cass County Jail.

Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) report Peggy Perkins, R.N., was among the honorees named in the 100 Great Iowa Nurses program this year. Patients, colleagues, and nurse leaders nominated more than 350 nurses across the state for this prestigious award. The honored nurses are recognized for their outstanding courage, competence, and commitment to patients and the nursing profession.

Peggy Perkins, RN (Photo submitted)

Perkins graduated from the Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in Des Moines in 1973. After graduation, she worked in many areas of nursing including ICU, ER and House Supervision. Her expertise is in cardiac nursing, and Peggy has worked in this specialty for more than 35 years. She previously worked at Clarke County Hospital in Osceola, and has been the Director of Cardiac Rehab at Cass County Memorial Hospital since 2011.

Alison Bruckner, Chief Operating Officer of Cass County Health System said “Peggy is not only a great nurse – she’s a strong leader, a compassionate friend, an experienced teacher, and an amazing resource for others. We are thrilled to see her recognized for her work and character.”

Each year, the 100 Great Iowa Nurses are honored at a ceremony, created for the state of Iowa by nurse and community leaders. This year’s 100 Great Iowa Nurses will be honored on May 3, 2015 – the beginning of Nurses Week – at the 11th annual celebration in Des Moines.

Nurses selected for the honor represent many sectors of health care, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and school and office nurses. This is a statewide event that belongs to the people of Iowa, and is made possible through the generous support of sponsors. Similar celebrations are held in Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas.

Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) Foundation say they’ve begun their annual 2015 Fundraising Campaign. Dawn Marnin, CCHS Foundation Director, said the focus of this year’s campaign is to raise funds for the purchase of a Central Monitoring System for the Cass County Memorial Hospital’s (CCMH) Obstetrics (OB) Department, which costs $100,000.

Central Monitors

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, Marnin says the two systems utilize electronic fetal monitoring to create a powerful tool to monitor and protect infants.

Marnin says “Every hour a baby is born in the US with a serous birth injury.” Approximately half of these are preventable, and the information provided by high quality fetal monitoring during labor she says, is critical to prevention.

For more information or to make a gift, contact Dawn Marnin, CCHS Foundation Director, at 712-243-7409, dmarnin@casshealth.org or via the CCHS website, www.casshealth.org.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa has one of the highest percentages in the nation of bridges that are in need of major repairs or upgrades, according to a new report. The analysis was done by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. Its chief economist, Alison Black, said the group found that more than 20 percent of Iowa’s bridges, numbering more than 5,000, are structurally deficient.

“A bridge is classified as structurally deficient,” she said, “if one of the key structural elements – and usually that’s either the deck, the super-structure or the substructure – is rated in poor condition or worse.” Black said the challenge in Iowa is that, in addition to some of the more highly traveled bridges in urban areas, there is a large number of smaller, local bridges that are considered structurally deficient.

Black said the bridge problem in Iowa and nationwide could get even worse, since the latest extension of federal highway and transit funding through the Highway Trust Fund is set to expire on May 31, absent congressional action. “This is something that is an issue, funding both at the federal, state and local level,” she said. “It’s something that all levels of government need to address. But the uncertainly over the federal-aid situation is a big issue for state DOTs (departments of transportation) and local governments.”

Nationwide, according to the report, about 61,000 bridges are considered structurally compromised. Many of those are on Interstate highways, which carry the bulk of truck traffic and passenger vehicles. The report is online at slideshare.net.

(Iowa News Service)

Iowa ranks as the eighth worst state for hail damage in 2014, according to an insurance company survey. Ann Avery, spokeswoman for State Farm, says Iowa had more than 12-thousand-800 hail claims last year for home and auto policyholders. Avery says if you’re considering remodeling your home or building a new one, impact-resistant roofing may be a good option.

“This is a product that can be your first line of defense against hail damage,” Avery says. “These are shingles that are designed to withstand hail and perhaps reduce the risk of hail damage. It prolongs the life of your roof. That’s something to consider and ask about if you’re thinking about that.” If the weather forecast calls for the potential of hail, Avery says to take common sense precautions with your vehicle.

“Park your car in a garage or a carport,” Avery says. “Avoid parking under a tree where branches can fall on your vehicle. Also, good tree pruning can prevent a lot of the problems associated with a hail storm. Removing dead, diseased or damaged plant parts can reduce the possibility of future storm damage.”

Nationwide, hail claims cost State Farm more than two-point-four billion dollars in 2014. While Iowa was 8th on the list, Texas was the most expensive state for hail damage with more than 51-thousand claims. Rounding out the top five: Illinois, Colorado, Missouri and Nebraska.

(Radio Iowa)

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund has donated $1000 to the Atlantic Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Fund spokesperson Melanie Petty say the money is to help the PTO with their final phase of purchasing new computers for Washington School.

The mini IPads will be used for research, reading skills, Iowa core programs and 21st century programs. The fund also donated $5000 to the Atlantic Little League for a new playground the group is adding this spring.

Petty says “It is our hope that we will be able to continue to donate to worthy projects in the Atlantic area that meet our mission statement.” She said also, “The community support of our annual golf tournament makes this a reality every year. We look forward to another huge event this year on August 8th when we hold our 7th Annual TFred Memorial Golf Tournament at Nishna Hills Golf Course.”