(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn says the suicide rate among Iowa veterans in the first 12 months after leaving the military is four times higher than the national average. He’s introduced a bill that would create a pilot program to offer support to soldiers as they transition to civilian life. “We don’t have a military installation here, so when folks leave the front line and come back home, short of joining one of our guard units or one of veterans’ posts, the American Legion, it can feel really isolating,” Nunn says.

The bill is named in honor of Marines from Iowa and Rhode Island who served together in Afghanistan and died by suicide within a year after they left the military.  “These were two individuals who were in combat zones, came home and what this bill aims to do is recognize not only are you not alone, but you have a resource immediately available to you,” Nunn says. “It’s not just for those who may be susceptible to suicide, it’s for every member getting out to remind them: ‘Hey, let’s check in with my wing man. Let’s see how our battle buddy is doing,’ and make sure that we do those calls because in that 12 months immediately after a removal from a combat zone is when they’re most vulnerable.”

The bill would set up 10 pilot projects that would counsel exiting service members about the challenges that they might face as a civilian and how that might affect their mental health. Dean and Jill Lambert of Adel are the parents of Marine Corporal Adam Lambert who died by suicide in 2015 after leaving the military, They joined Nunn at a news conference today (Tuesday) to show support for the bill. Dean Lambert says the help that’s offered to returning veterans often seems too clinical.

“The people that veterans trust most are veterans — other veterans,” Lambert says. Part of the pilot project would include group counseling sessions about things that may remind veterans of combat. “They realize, well, that’s not a burn pit or that’s not bullets flying at you,” Lambert says. “You guys have no idea and eventually that wears on them and when they don’t know how to deal with those feelings or emotions, sometimes they just get tired of it all.”

Nunn, who has served in the Air Force and the Iowa National Guard, is currently in the Air Force Reserve. His bill has both Republican and Democratic co-sponsors, including Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who is an Army veteran. The bill would require local V-A hospitals to offer to schedule mental health counseling for ALL veterans within 90 days of their exit from the military

(Radio Iowa) – Davenport city officials gave another update today (Tuesday) on the partial collapse of an apartment building Sunday. Police Chief Mike Blaydel says they now believe two people may have died. “We have five that are unaccounted for and two that we have a firm belief that are potentially still in that building,” he says. Blaydel says they have been checking and double-checking sources of information to try and get a list of tenants. Davenport Fire Marshal James Morris, says it continues to remain an unsafe site.

“As been noted since day one that we’ve responded there that building is unstable and it continues to worsen as time progresses,” Morris says. He says they are hoping to figure out a way to safely conduct another search. “It’s the opinion of the structural engineer that any additional search operations in the area of that pile debris should be avoided due to potential collapse. We are currently evaluating the risk assessment of where we can go back into that building to do this other search,” Morris says.

A woman was rescued last night from the building. Davenport Mayor Mike Matson says they do not know how the woman was missed in multiple searches of the building or how she got there. Matson also addressed concerns raised by protestors when the city said it was preparing to demolish the building with the possibility of people remaining in the rubble. He says they want to do what they can while ensuring no one else is injured or killed.

” We have talked in depth about the being the respectful dignity peace, knowing that this could be a place of rest, for some of the unaccounted.” Matson says. “We are investigating and evaluating as best as we can with a lot of assistance from places other than here.” A relative of one of the men who is believe to be in the rubble of the building asked people not to protest, as she says the city has a plan.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – In an update to our earlier report, a traffic stop at around 4:37-a.m. today (Tuesday), in Red Oak, resulted the arrest of 31-year-old Bengerman Jordan Housh, of Whiting, for Driving Under Suspension. Housh was held in the Montgomery County Jail on slightly more than $491 bond until his release at 9:45-a.m., Tuesday. Authorities say at around 10:50-a.m., Housh proceeded to get into his vehicle and was arrested again for Driving While Suspended. He was taken into custody in the 2400 block of N. 4th Street, in Red Oak.

Housh was transported back to the Montgomery County Jail and once again held on slightly more than $491 bond.

(Lenox, Iowa) – The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies were called to the Lenox Pocket Park for damage that occurred overnight Monday, into Tuesday morning. Officials with the City of Lenox and the Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the incident. As result of the investigation, it was determined that at around 1:58-a.m., Tuesday, a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500, driven by 39-year-old Miguel Zapata,of Lenox, was traveling south bound on Main Street, when the pickup collided with the Lenox Pocket Park Landscaping.

Taylor County S/O photo

Damage to the landscaping and Lenox Town Clock occurred. Zapata’s vehicle came to rest on the south planter. Authorities say Zapata proceeded to remove the truck and left the scene of the accident without notifying proper authority or City of Lenox.

The Sheriff’s Office said citations were being issued for leaving the scene of an accident and failure to have insurance – accident related.

DES MOINES – Governor Reynolds’ landmark Students First Education Savings Account (ESA) program, which promotes universal school choice for K-12 students in Iowa, officially opens for applications on Wednesday, May 31, at 8 a.m. Parents and guardians can access the online application from a link on the Department of Education’s ESA webpage at educateiowa.gov/pk-12/students-first-education-savings-accounts. The link will redirect them to the Students First ESA platform managed by Odyssey, the program administrator selected by the state. The link will not be activated until 8 a.m. on May 31 when the application period opens. Applications are available in English and Spanish, and will be accepted until Friday, June 30, at 11:59 p.m.

The Students First Act was signed into law earlier this year and will provide state funding for eligible students who attend accredited nonpublic schools starting in the upcoming school year.  Students must be residents of Iowa and attend an accredited nonpublic school located in Iowa. All incoming kindergartners and all K-12 students currently attending a public school who choose to enroll in an accredited nonpublic school for the 2023-2024 school year are eligible for the ESA program regardless of income.

Students who attended an accredited nonpublic school at any time during the 2022-2023 school year are eligible for the 2023-2024 school year if their household income is at or below 300% of the 2023 Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Income eligibility will be automatically verified during the application process using the parent’s or guardian’s 2022 Iowa State Tax Return. If a parent did not file a 2022 tax return in Iowa, other documentation will be required to complete their application.

Parents planning to apply can find answers to frequently asked questions about the application process, eligibility, and more on the Department of Education’s ESA webpage.  After the ESA application period opens, technical support will be available from Odyssey representatives by phone at 515-368-9564 or email at help.ia@withodyssey.com.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, today (Tuesday), reported the arrest last Friday, following a traffic stop on I-29 at around 2:25-a.m., of 33-year-old Kevin Lee Marco, of Omaha, for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000. And, 33-year-old Darontae Demar Orduna, of Omaha, was arrested Friday afternoon at the Douglas County, NE., Jail, on Mills County charges that include: Kidnapping in the 3rd Degree; Harassment in the 1st Degree; Criminal Mischief in the 3rd; Domestic Abuse Assault W/Intent 1st, and Eluding. His bond was set at $17,000.

And, at around 2:30-p.m. on May 25th, 20-year-old Connr Loren Gray, of Tabor, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, with bond set at $1,000.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood say there were three arrests over the past few days. Today (Tuesday), 25-year-old Roman Williamson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, with bond set at $1,000. On Monday, 24-year-old Travis Barrett, of Glenwood, was arrested for Serious Assault. His bond was set at $1,000. And, on Sunday, 48-year-old Stacey Barrett, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. Bond was set at $300.

Glenwood Police said also, that last Friday, a Glenwood woman reported an incident of Criminal Mischief, and on Sunday, the Mills County Museum reported a Theft had taken place.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday (today), approve funding for the Cass County (Employees) Wellness Plan, which they discussed during a work session last week. Board Chair Steve Baier and Supervisor Steve Green…

Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken updated the Board on Secondary Roads Department activity, which includes the continuation of road rock hauling in the Atlantic District, and various bridge construction projects, including Bridge #32, the deck for which is expected to be poured later this week, and work on Bridge #380 is continuing in Anita.

He said also, some new equipment has arrived, including a forestry head for an excavator that helps to clear ditches. It’s currently in use about three miles south of Cumberland. Other pieces of equipment are scheduled to arrive.

The Board approved Iowa Retail Permit Applications for nicotine products (Cigarettes/Tobacco/Nicotine/Vapor), for the Griswold Dollar General, and Massena 21st Century Co-Op C-Store.