Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Sunday (today) announced the retirement of Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) Director Teresa Wahlert. Wahlert formally notified the governor late Friday that she would retire effective today, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015.

In his statement, Branstad thanked Wahlert for her work to help lead initiatives like Skilled Iowa, Home Base Iowa, and the National Career Readiness Certificate. Reynolds said “Under her direction, Iowa Workforce Development was a key partner as 168,700 jobs were created in the past 4 years.”

Branstad appointed Beth Townsend, current executive director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, as acting director of IWD. He appointed Don Grove, former Iowa Civil Rights Commission director and current Iowa Civil Rights Commission employee, the acting executive director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. The governor will appoint a permanent director at a later date. A timeline for naming a permanent director has not been set.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials say at least 32 care centers in Iowa have had outbreaks of influenza recently, despite safeguards like vaccination and sanitation measures. Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, the state’s top infectious disease expert, says she’s received daily reports of the disease affecting nursing homes, assisted living centers and other care facilities. She says the rate of infection is higher than it’s been in the past.

At the Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, every resident and employee was vaccinated. But the virus spread at the center in December. Several residents required hospitalization. Quinlisk tells The Des Moines Register that the flu contributes to hundreds of deaths of the elderly in Iowa during a typical year.

Nearly two weeks after a window and doors at business in downtown Atlantic were damaged by vandalism, another, nearby business was hit. Lt. Dave Erickson with the Atlantic Police Department told KJAN News the Designer Portraits by Ann studio at 406 Chestnut sustained damage by someone throwing three field rocks through the business’ windows and doors. The incident happened sometime between 5-p.m. Friday (Jan. 9th) and 9-a.m. Saturday (Jan. 10th). The damage was estimated at $2,200.

During the late night incident on Dec. 29th at Aunt B’s (at 408 Chestnut), a witness reported hearing glass breaking and  saw a short male suspect wearing a black coat, pants and stocking cap, run north in the 400 block of Chestnut and turn east on 4th Street. The culprit had thrown a piece of black asphalt, measuring 5-by 7-inches in diameter through the front, 8-foot by 8-foot plate glass window. The front glass door of the business was also smashed.Damage from that incident amounted to about $1,500.

Designer Portraits is located just north of Aunt B’s. Erickson said there’s no known motive for either incident, other than someone just messing around, probably looking for “something to do.”  Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call the Atlantic Police Dept. at 243-3512.

An icy road contributed to an accident Friday morning, about 5-miles west of Audubon. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday (today), a vehicle driven by 47-year old Marcia Lynette Christensen, of Audubon, was traveling north on Dove Avenue at around 9-a.m.  When she attempted to turn east at the T-intersection with 200th Street, Christensen’s car slid off the road and landed in a ditch on the north side of 200th, coming to rest against the embankment. Christensen was transported to the Audubon County Memorial Hospital by Audubon Rescue.

In other news, the Sheriff’s Office reports two men were arrested Saturday on separate charges. 40-year old David James Elliott, of Guthrie Center, was arrested at around 5-p.m. by authorities in Guthrie County on an outstanding Audubon County warrant for Revocation of Probation. Elliott was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held on $2,500 bond. He’s scheduled to appear in Court Monday afternoon.

And at around 11-p.m., Saturday, a trooper with the Iowa State Patrol arrested 46-year old Jeffrey Robert Albert, of Kimballton, on a charge of OWI/1st offense. The charge was the result of a traffic stop on Highway 173, south of Kimballton. Albert was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later released after appearing before a magistrate. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office assisted in conducting the arrest.

The Audubon Chamber of Commerce held its annual “Audubon Community Banquet” Saturday night. During the event, officials presented the “2014 Citizen of Year” award to 93-year old William P. Roth, who has lived in Audubon most of his life. Roth served in the National Guard, and was held prisoner more than 800 days during World War Two. He’s shared those experiences with school children, clubs and adults, is a published author, and has served the community through many organizations, including the local fire department, American Legion, the Audubon County Conservation Board, Isaac Walton League and Boy Scouts. Roth and his wife Dorothy have three children and two grandchildren.

The Chamber presented Bradley Nissen with its “2014 Junior Citizen of the Year” award, Saturday. Nissen is the son of Mark and Sandy Nissen. He’s been very active in the school system and throughout the community, is an athlete, a past National Honor Society Vice-President, Senior Class President, and Class Officer all four-years at the high school. Upon graduation from high school, will pursue an education with an emphasis on Architecture. He’s been accepted at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA., and at ISU in Ames.  Bradley has two sisters, Amy and Ashley.

And, the Audubon Chamber of Commerce presented the “2014 Community Service Award” to members of the “Firehouse Flames,” for their outstanding commitment and contributions to the citizens of Audubon County. The group was organized in Sept., 2009, and is comprised of 22 women who are the wives or girlfriends of firefighters.  They hold monthly meeting and yearly election of officers.

Some of their activities over the past year include: Monthly bingo for all ages; Garage sale tailgater suppers and bake sales; Babysitter courses for 5th graders; Games at the Audubon County Fair for kids; A Children’s Christmas Carnival, in December; working at some funeral luncheons and other events; and holding the Fire Prevention open house.

The group has donated funds raised from their activities to local fire victims, Caring and Sharing and at least 19 other programs and/or services.