DES MOINES, IA (July 14, 2014) –Wellmark announced today (Monday), it will be awarding $75,000 to celebrate 75 years in business and to thank Iowans and South Dakotans for supporting a locally-based health insurer. For the next 75 days, Wellmark will also be giving back to communities in Iowa and South Dakota by inspiring and encouraging healthy behaviors.

Wellmark is awarding $7,500 to ten projects that are able to demonstrate a long-lasting impact on making the healthy choice the easy choice and improving overall community health and wellness. Examples of projects include improving parks or trails in the community, establishing or improving recreational activities, or improving access to healthy foods.

In order to be eligible to receive the funds, applicants must be classified as a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or governmental entity in Iowa or South Dakota. Qualified organizations can submit applications at Wellmark.com/75 until August 5th. On August 20th, all qualified entries will be available for the public to vote for their favorite project. Public votes are one of four final factors Wellmark will use to determine winners.

To learn more about the award, enter a project or see what Wellmark is doing each day during the 75 days to encourage healthier and better lives for Iowans and South Dakotans, visit www.Wellmark.com/75.

U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst delivered the response to President Obama’s weekly address for her fellow Republicans this past Saturday. “The problem in America today is that Washington is fully liberals who think that government is the solution to every problem,” Ernst said. “They think that nothing can be solved unless Washington is involved.” Ernst opened the nearly six-minute speech by discussing her military experience and she closed by stressing her farm roots.

“Growing up on that southwest Iowa farm, my family didn’t have much. My mother canned our food and made our clothes, teaching us the lessons of not spending what we don’t have.” Ernst said. “…Today, to get America back on track it’s going to teach each of us working together to advance real solutions to our problems, not more tired rhetoric.” Ernst repeated her call for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution which would forbid deficit spending and require congress to pass balanced budgets.

“That is how we run our households and we should expect nothing less from Washington,” Ernst said. Ernst faces Democratic Congressman Bruce Braley this fall in the contest for the U.S. Senate seat Democrat Tom Harkin has held for nearly three decades. Braley has been traveling the state since June, citing Ernst statements that “perhaps” younger workers and those just entering the workforce should be able to shift their Social Security taxes into personal accounts and manage their own retirement savings. During her national speech, Ernst said Republicans believe Social Security should “be strengthened.”

“But we also believe, as do some of our friends in the Democratic Party, that these programs must be reformed,” Ernst said. “so America not only keeps its promise to today’s seniors, but is also able to guarantee a safety net is available for our children and grandchildren.” Ernst is a lieutenant colonel and battalion commander in the Iowa National Guard. She’s currently on a two-week training mission in Wisconsin with her troops and she recorded the speech before going on active duty.

(Radio Iowa)

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report two arrests over the weekend. At around 12:30-a.m, Sunday, 52-year old David Lawrence Howe, of Red Oak, was arrested for Public Intoxication, following an incident at 1st and Hammond Streets, in Red Oak. Howe was being held in the Montgomery County jail on $300 bond.

And, at around 4:30-a.m. Saturday, deputies in Montgomery County, assisted by Red Oak Police, arrested 20-year old Dillon Michael Johnson, of West Des Moines, on a charge of OWI/1st offense. His arrest was the result of an incident in the 1900 block of 207th Street, east of Red Oak. Johnson was being held in the Montgomery County jail on $1,000 bond.