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Report suggests regional approach to mental health in IA

News

October 31st, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa should revamp its mental health system by replacing its county-based approach with regional services and new crisis intervention programs, according to a report by the Department of Human Services that was released Monday. Agency head Chuck Palmer said the current system needs to be changed because there are inequities from county to county. The recommendation calls for creating from five to 15 regional divisions. Palmer said the next six weeks will be spent developing implementation plans with a final report ready for the Legislature in mid-December. DHS officials conducted nine regional forums to hear ideas on reshaping mental health programs in the state, a major issue that the next session of the Legislature will face.

Roughly $1.3 billion is spent each year on mental health programs in the state, with services delivered at the county level. About $120 million of that comes from local property taxes, with the rest coming from state and federal funding. Critics have pushed to overhaul that system, arguing that services vary widely from county to county.

A legislative interim committee will examine the recommendations and key lawmakers of both parties predicted lawmakers will reach agreement. The study committee is evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, and the issue has not caused partisan divisions. During the last session, lawmakers approved a measure effectively ending the current mental health system in the summer of 2013. The move was designed to put pressure on the Legislature to overhaul the system.

Iowa State Looks to Build From Stunning Upset

Sports

October 31st, 2011 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State, a double-digit underdog to a Texas Tech team fresh off perhaps the most stunning upset in the country in 2011, crushed the Red Raiders 41-7 on Saturday night. It was by far the biggest win over a ranked team in school history.  Iowa State (4-4, 1-4 Big 12) hadn’t been within two touchdowns of any conference opponent all season, yet had no trouble against a team that had won at Oklahoma just a week earlier. The Cyclones offense found its rhythm early under new quarterback Jared Barnett and their defense stifled Texas Tech’s high-powered passing attack.  The trick, of course, will be to keep it going starting with Saturday’s home game against woeful Kansas (2-6, 0-5).

Atlantic Chamber to host ‘Meet the Candidates’ forum

News

October 31st, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Meet the Candidates Forum this Thursday, November 3rd, from 7-8 p.m. at the Cass County Community Center.  Megan Roberts, Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, says “With the number of candidates, particularly in the Supervisor race, we anticipate this forum will be full of great questions from the citizens of Atlantic.”   Roberts says “The Chamber Board chooses to offer these forums as a public service to encourage community involvement.”  

According to Roberts, all five of the County Supervisor candidates will be in attendance including Gaylord Schelling, Jeff Richter, Donald Lappe, Pat McCurdy and Kathy Somers.  Atlantic Parks & Recreation Board candidates Jolene Smith and Mary Strong also plan to attend. One City Council representative, Ashley Hayes for District 3, will also be at the forum. 

Questions can be presented in writing to the Chamber office in advance or brought to the forum Nov. 3rd. A moderator will then ask the panel of candidates each question allowing them all the same allotted time to answer. Questions for individual candidates will not be permitted, and no anonymous inquiries will be accepted.

Roberts said the forum will air on Channel 18 on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. for those who are unable to attend. For more information contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712.243.3017

Regional Volleyball Site Changes

Sports

October 31st, 2011 by Jim Field

  • Nov. 1, Class 1-A Region 2 final: LeMars Gehlen Catholic and River Valley has been moved from  Mapleton to Sioux City East. Start time remains 7:00 p.m.
  • Nov. 1, Class 1-A Region 3 final: Corning and Stanton has been moved from Corning to Red Oak. Start time remains 7:00 p.m.
  • Nov. 1, Class 1-A-Region 4 final: North Mahaska and East Union has been moved from Winterset to Indianola. Start time remains 7:00 p.m.
  • Nov. 1,  Class 2-A Region 2 final: Sioux Center & Sheldon has been moved from Sioux  Center to  MOC-Floyd Valley HS (Orange City). Start time remains 7:00  p.m.
  • Nov. 1, Class 2-A Region 8 regional final: Davis County & West Liberty has been moved from Durant to  Mount Pleasant. Start time remains 7:00 p.m.
  • Nov. 2, Class 4-A Region 5 final: Cedar Rapids Washington & Iowa City West has been moved from  Cedar Rapids Washington to Cedar Rapids Jefferson. Start time remains  7:00 p.m.

Protect Program Eligibility Before Working Wet Areas of Farm

Ag/Outdoor

October 31st, 2011 by Ric Hanson

According to USDA, net farm income in 2011 is forecasted to be the highest recorded (adjusted for inflation) since 1974. Fueled by several years of higher grain prices, farmers have been reinvesting some of this increased income into their operations. As seen in fields this fall, many producers are choosing to spend this money on installing tile drainage systems. Higher land prices have also caused many landowners to squeeze more production out of the acres they currently farm by removing fencerows, filling low areas and clearing trees. 

Conservationists with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) warn producers to be cautious about wetland provisions when installing tile, clearing trees or completing other land altering measures. “Farmers and land managers need to protect their farm program benefits by first checking with their local office for a wetland determination prior to working in wet portions of their farms”, said Richard Sims, state conservationist for Iowa NRCS. 

To maintain eligibility, USDA participants must certify that they have not produced crops on wetlands converted after December 23, 1985, and that they did not convert a wetland to make agricultural production possible after November 28, 1990. Any activity that alters natural wetlands, making the production of an agricultural commodity or forage crop more possible is prohibited. These conversion activities may include:

        •      Filling

        •      Draining (surface ditching or subsurface tiling)

        •      Land leveling

        •      Clearing woody vegetation where stumps are removed

        •      Diverting run-off water from a wetland (i.e. building a diversion) 

If found in violation, farmers would lose eligibility for USDA programs, Sims said. For more information or to request a wetland determination, please visit your local USDA Service Center- NRCS Office, 705 NE 6th Street, Suite E, Greenfield; phone: 641/743-6124.

Cass Co. Supervisors approve exploration of Comm Center expansion options

News

October 31st, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday), agreed to allow Public Safety Commission chairman Steve Livengood, the opportunity to begin a fact-finding mission in advance of a possible, future expansion and/or relocation of the County Communications Center. Livengood said the reason the Commission wants to explore all the options, is because the Comm Center…located in the basement of the Courthouse, is beginning to run out of room, and future equipment needs are likely to press the space to the limit. Livengood said future, Enhanced 9-1-1 upgrades will require new equipment, and quite possibly, additional personnel to run that equipment. Livengood said the fact-finding mission could include observation of other how other 9-1-1 centers operate, an addition to the courthouse, relocation of the Comm Center, and, in the distant future, the possibility of a shared Communications Center with one or more counties or entities. He says the State Patrol may be one of those entities that figures into a future equation. Livengood says it‘s simply an opportunity to explore all the options now, instead of being forced to make a rush decision in the future.

Cass County 9-1-1 Coordinator Rob Koppert says constantly changing technology in methods of communicating with 9-1-1 is the main reason for the Public Safety Commission to explore all the options.  He says communications centers are or will be receiving 9-1-1 text messages and picture or video from the scene of an emergency. All of that requires equipment which will not fit into the current Comm. Center confines.  Koppert says it will likely require and expansion of the current facilities or relocation, and at least one or two more personnel to operate the additional equipment 24/7. He said the likelihood of a “Regional Communications Center” — with two-or-three combined counties and or other entities, is not expected anytime soon, for technical reasons, and because no one has seriously explored that option at this point in time.

Atlantic graduate named to Ia Economic panel

News

October 31st, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Roger C. Underwood, Co-Founder Becker-Underwood

An Atlantic High School Graduate and co-founder of the world’s leading supplier of non-pesticide specialty chemical and biological products has been appointed to a State panel tasked with helping to steer Iowa’s economic development strategy. Roger Underwood, was among the 18 names announced today (Monday) by Governor Terry Branstad. Underwood will serve on the Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress (IPEP)Board, which Branstad says will be central to his approach to economic development, which gives businesses a strengthened hand.

Underwood attended Iowa State University, where he graduated with a B.S. degree in Agriculture Business in 1980. In 1982, he co-founded Becker Underwood with Atlantic native Jeff Becker. Following 23 years as Chief Executive Officer of Becker Underwood, Roger Underwood stepped back from daily operations in January of 2006.
 

 

The governor last week signed an executive order creating the Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress board of directors. Branstad also named the members of the Iowa Innovation Corporation board, which will head a nonprofit corporation funded by the private sector and federal grants that will seek to develop new technologies.

Both panels have been told to shape new approaches to economic development.

Backyard and Beyond 10-31-2011

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

October 31st, 2011 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Rich Kanning about the formation of the Atlantic Chapter of Operation Barnabas to support service members and their families.

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Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa Retires

Sports

October 31st, 2011 by Jim Field

Tony La Russa is retiring after 33 seasons as a manager, and he’s going out on top.  He told reporters his decision today at a press conference, three days after his Cardinals won the World Series.  La Russa captured three World Championships in his career and won Manager of the Year four times.  He managed the White Sox, Athletics, and Cardinals in a career that began in 1979.  Prior to that, La Russa played six seasons in the Majors as a middle infielder.

8AM Sportscast 10-31-2011

Podcasts, Sports

October 31st, 2011 by admin

w/ Jim Field

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