Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, and an additional 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. To raise awareness of the disease and its complications, November was named American Diabetes Month. In conjunction with American Diabetes Month, the Cass County Memorial Hospital’s Diabetes Education Center will host a program by Daphne Haselhuhn from the American Diabetes Association on Tuesday, November 11th.

“This is a free program for the public to attend,” says Barbara Petersen, RN, CDE. “We hope to provide the community with information they can use to manage their diabetes while creating and enjoying a healthy lifestyle.”

Haselhuhn will share information about managing diabetes, current statistics, and local ADA activities. The program is free, open to the public, and no pre-registration is necessary. The event will begin at 6 p.m. in Conference Room 2 at Cass County Memorial Hospital. “Anyone impacted by diabetes, whether they have it or are caring for someone with it, is encouraged to attend,” says Petersen. She also urges everyone to know their risk by taking the Diabetes Risk Test at www.diabetes.org.

The CCMH Diabetes Education Center is state certified and has received recognition from the American Diabetes Association for meeting the National Standards for Diabetes Education. Please contact this office for more information at 712-243-7833.

An Atlantic man was arrested Tuesday. 37-year old Cody Ewing was arrested for Driving While Barred. Ewing was booked into the Cass County Jail. And, Atlantic Police say no injuries were reported following an accident that took place at around 3:15-p.m., Tuesday.

Officials say Nathalee Gilleland, of Elliott, was issued a warning for Failure to Yield while making a left turn, after the vehicle he was driving struck a vehicle driven by Orest Lechnowsky, of Omaha. The accident happened at the intersection of 7th Street (Highway 6) and Hospital Drive, as Lechnowsky was traveling westbound, and Gilleland, who was traveling eastbound, attempted to turn into the Atlantic Shopping Center parking lot.

Damage from the collision amounted to $3,600.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s looking into the federal government’s use of civil forfeiture laws after learning how the IRS seized the bank account of a restaurant owner in northwest Iowa. The Republican served on the IRS Restructuring Commission, which sought to end the agency’s “harassment” of small businesses back in 1998. “Well, here we are 15 years later and we’re still messing around with the same problems,” Grassley says.

In May 2013, the IRS seized almost $33,000 from Carole Hinders, who has operated Mrs. Lady’s Mexican Food in Arnolds Park for 38 years. The restaurant only accepts cash and the IRS used civil forfeiture to seize Hinders’ bank account, claiming by making small deposits, she was evading a federal law that requires banks to report cash deposits greater than $10,000. Officials with the IRS have responded to Grassley’s inquiry about the matter.

“They say that they’re going to reconsider their policy and maybe make some changes,” Grassley says. The Washington, DC-based Institute for Justice is helping Hinders with her case. The law firm reports federal law enforcement agencies — using civil forfeiture — can take cash, cars and other property without charging the property owner with a crime. Grassley says the IRS plays a role in fighting money laundering and other criminal activity, but it should treat business owners fairly.

“Maybe the IRS is smart enough to correct their own silly actions that they’re taking, but whatever the case is, we’ve got to be on top of the IRS once again,” Grassley says. The 67-year-old Hinders, who describes her last year as “Hell,” has borrowed money and used credit cards to pay bills and keep her restaurant in business. The New York Times recently featured a story about Hinders’ plight on its front page.

(Radio Iowa)

The Creston Police Department reports two arrests, Tuesday. 63-year old Donald Barnes, of Creston, was arrested at around 9:15-a.m. for Harassment in the 3rd degree. And, 36-year old Bobbie Jo Wilson, of Creston, was arrested at around 1:30-p.m. at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Both were released on a promise to appear later, in court.

Iowa Republican State Sen. Joni Ernst is inching ahead among likely voters in the U.S. Senate race and now has 49 percent to 45 percent for U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, the Democrat, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Five percent remain undecided. This compares to results of an October 23 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University, showing Sen. Ernst at 48 percent and Rep. Braley at 46 percent.

Today’s (Wednesday’s) results show independent voters backing Ernst 50 – 41 percent. Republicans back Ernst 90 – 4 percent. Democrats go to Braley 94 – 4 percent. The reverse gender gap in this race continues as women back the Democratic man 50 – 42 percent, while men back the Republican woman 56 – 39 percent. Braley leads 57 – 36 percent among those who already have voted.

Just six days before Election Day, 91 percent of Iowa likely voters who name a Senate candidate say their mind is made up, while 9 percent say they might change their mind. Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Poll, says “As Election Day nears, State Sen. Joni Ernst is closing in on Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat. Her lead over U.S. Rep. Brue Braley inches up to 49 – 45 percent, giving her the momentum with less than a week left in the campaign. Nothing is for sure, but one would certainly rather be in her shoes this morning than Braley’s. One piece of good news for the Democrat is that he has a 21-point lead among those who already have voted.”