(Des Moines, IA) – Governor Kim Reynolds has proclaimed June 2023 as Iowa Craft Beer Month. The proclamation celebrates the impact and importance the craft brewing community is having in Iowa. The celebratory month kicks off June 3rd with the Iowa Craft Brew Festival. In the proclamation Gov. Reynolds states, “Iowa Craft Beer month is an opportunity to celebrate the State’s growing brewery businesses and craftsmanship and raise the profile of this outstanding Iowa product.”

The gubernatorial proclamation notes the industry’s impact on the state including manufacturing growth, tourism, and community revitalization. Iowa has over 115 breweries in 76 different communities who generate over $1.0 billion of economic impact annually.  Iowa breweries have received national recognition including medals at the Great American Beer Festival® and the World Beer Cup®.

“The Iowa craft brewing industry touches every corner of the state,” said Noreen Otto, executive director of the Iowa Brewers Guild. “Iowans should be proud to raise a glass of Iowa beer and celebrate all month long.”

For details on the June 3rd Iowa Craft Brew Festival, visit iowacraftbrewfestival.com. The Iowa Brewers Guild exists to unify craft brewing professionals, promote Iowa beer, and advocate for the industry’s growth.  For additional information on the Iowa Brewers Guild, visit iowabeer.org.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and officials with the Iowa Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter in Council Bluffs, say it’s a good time to honor and spread awareness for the more than 6.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, including 300,000 in Iowa and Illinois. As the size of the U.S. population age 65 and older continues to grow, so too will the number and proportion of Americans with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. By 2050, the number of seniors aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is projected to double to nearly 13 million. The City of Council Bluffs is showing their support by lighting the Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge on June 23 and Pearl Street Park all of June.

Although there are no current medications to cure Alzheimer’s, there are two recently approved treatments by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that can slow down the progression of the disease when taken in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. There are also several more promising treatments on the horizon, and after many decades without any treatment options, there is hope on the horizon in the era of new treatments.

During Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in June, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging individuals who are experiencing cognitive issues to schedule an appointment with their doctor. An early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s provides a range of benefits for the individuals, including access to new treatments. While new treatments are a critical benefit to an early diagnosis, there are other important benefits for individuals and their families including:

●      Medical benefits:

○      An opportunity to participate in clinical trials.

○      A chance to prioritize your health with lifestyle changes, like controlling blood pressure, stopping smoking, exercising, and staying mentally and socially active, may help preserve cognitive function longer and can improve your overall quality of life.

●      Emotional and social benefits:

○      Receiving an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis may help lessen anxieties about why you are experiencing symptoms.

○      You and your family also have the opportunity to maximize your time together and access resources and support programs.

●      More time to plan for the future:

○      Planning ahead allows you to express your wishes about legal, financial and end-of-life decisions. You and your family will be able to review and update legal documents, discuss finances and property, and identify your care preferences.

○      You can also address potential safety issues, such as driving or wandering, ahead of time.

●      Cost savings:

○      Early diagnosis saves costs of medical and long-term care for both families and the U.S. government.

The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter has local care and support resources to help Council Bluffs and Omaha area families facing the disease. Find out about local education programs, support groups, events and volunteer opportunities at alz.org/Iowa or call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Police Department today (Thursday, 6/1/23) released a report on arrests conducted during the month of May. From the most to the earliest:

• 31-year-old Rudolph Itatiipei was arrested May 22nd, on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear.
• 30-year-old Jason Mark, of Atlantic, was arrested May 21st for Public Intoxication.
• Atlantic Police arrested four people on May 19th:
  • 23-year-old Justin Rollins, of Atlantic, was arrested for Disarming a Peace Officer, and Interference with Official Acts.
  • 42-year-old Jason Lengyel, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct.
  • 31-year-old Cody Pleis, of Atlantic, was arrested on Cass County warrants for Domestic Abuse Assault (impeding air/blood flow), Child Endangerment, and Violation of Probation.
  • 29-year-old Kalee Nolte, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree.
• On the 17th of May, Atlantic Police arrested:
  • 22-year-old Ansan Ichita, of Atlantic, for Domestic Abuse Assault (impeding air/blood flow).
  • 18-year-old Efrain Sandiego, of Atlantic, was arrested for Burglary in the 3rd Degree, Public Intox. and Possession/Purchase of Alcohol by a person over 18 and under 21 years of age.
  • 32-year-old Devin Register, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order.
• There were two arrests May 15th, in Atlantic:
  • • 27-year-old KR Takauo, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intox.
    • 26-year-old Zen Gross, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI.
• There were also two arrests May 13th, in Atlantic:
  • • KR Takauo, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intox.
    • Dakota Allmer,of Lewis, was arrested for Harassment in the 3rd Degree, and Trespassing.
• 48-year-old Jeptha Vestal, of Atlantic, was arrested May 11th, for Disorderly Conduct.
• 29-year-old Fitson Hans, of Atlantic, was arrested May 7th on a Cass County warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree (shoplifting).
• 25-year-old Nate Tanner, of Atlantic, was arrested May 6th, for OWI.
• And, on May 3rd, Atlantic Police arrested 57-year-old Larry Garner, of Atlantic, for Disorderly Conduct.

All subjects were booked into the Cass County. As of May 31st, Dakota Allmer, and Efrain Sandiego, remained held in the Cass County Jail.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department reports 47-year-old Mandi Lea Stowers, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday evening for Violation of Probation, and Failure to Appear. Stowers was being held without bond for Union County, in the Adams County Jail until she makes an initial court appearance.

And, at around 10:10-p.m., Wednesday, 38-year-old Nicole Dawn Smart, of Creston, was arrested for allowing an animal to run At Large. Smart was cited at the scene, and released on a Promise to Appear in court.

(Griswold, Iowa) – Members of the Griswold School District’s Board of Education will hold a work session next week, to review and discuss continued research on a possible four-day school week, and to consider various staff contract requests. Superintendent Dave Henrichs says the work session takes place Tuesday, June 6th at 8-a.m., in the Conference Room at the High School. No action is expected.

In April, District officials held an all-staff meeting, presented the facts, and polled the staff on the proposal to reduce the school week to four days. The Board informally set December as the deadline for whether the district will move forward with the proposed four-day school week.