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BOS shows support for CCMH BHU

News

August 18th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors have sent a letter to the County Board of Health, in support of the Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) at the Cass County Memorial Hospital. The BHU employees 21-people.

The facility, which serves the mental health needs of patients in Cass and other counties, is in danger of closing, because, according to officials, since CCMH became a critical access care facility, in-patient behavioral services have become a financial burden. Unlike other services the hospital provides, the costs to care for mental health clients, especially those who come from outside of Cass County, are not reimbursed on a cost-basis. Last year, the unit lost $500,000 in un-reimbursed costs.

During Wednesday’s meeting in Atlantic, Cass County Supervisor Chuck Rieken read a portion of the letter that‘s been mailed to the Board of Health. Rieken said “It is the Cass County Board of Supervisors position and belief that the behavioral unit is an indispensable part of this community but by providing necessary mental health services to those residents in Cass County as well as others who reside or who are placed here in various residential care facilities.”

Rieken and the other Supervisors have said many people are very much in favor of the facility staying in Cass County. He said the current BHU is highly efficient. The average stay for a mental health client at the facility is approximately seven days, or about four-days less than at other, similar facilities.

Supervisor Mark Wedemeyer, said he’s been asked why the BHU should be kept in Cass County. He says because in the long-run, it will save the County money. If it were to close, the county would have to send it’s clients to one of a handful of other such facilities in the State.

The Board of Health is scheduled to make a decision on the matter at a future meeting.

Heartbeat Today 08-18-2011

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

August 18th, 2011 by admin

Jim Field speaks with Ron Rosmann about the upcoming Practical Farmers of Iowa Field Day.

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7AM Newscast 08-18-2011

News, Podcasts

August 18th, 2011 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

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Penn St. Favorite Again in Big Ten Volleyball

Sports

August 18th, 2011 by Jim Field

     PARK RIDGE, Ill. (AP) – Big Ten volleyball coaches have picked Penn State to win a ninth straight conference championship.       The Nittany Lions, who have won four consecutive NCAA titles, also are No. 1 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association national poll.  Following Penn State in the Big Ten poll are Illinois and
Nebraska, which tied for second place, and then Purdue, Minnesota and Michigan State. Nebraska is in its first season in the Big Ten after winning six of the last seven Big 12 championships.  Joining Penn State in the national rankings are No. 5 Nebraska, No. 8 Illinois, No. 12 Minnesota, No. 13 Purdue, No. 21 Ohio State and No. 24 Michigan.

Starling Joyful to Be a Royal

Sports

August 18th, 2011 by Jim Field

     KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Bubba Starling says it’s great to be a Kansas City Royal and be relieved of the pressure of deciding between football and baseball.  The three-sport high school star from Edgerton, Kan., appeared at his first news conference in Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, about 42 hours after agreeing to give up a football scholarship at Nebraska. In return, he was given a $7.5 million bonus by the Royals, who drafted him No. 5 overall in June.  The power-hitting outfielder said being from the Kansas City area and growing up a Royals fan made his decision at least a bit easier. He said he can’t wait to get to the Royals’ instructors in Arizona and start working on his game.

Cardinals 7, Pirates 2

Sports

August 18th, 2011 by Jim Field

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Allen Craig homered twice to break out of a slump and lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.  Craig went 4 for 5 with three RBIs and Yadier Molina added three hits for the Cardinals, who are trying to stay within shouting distance of front-running Milwaukee in the NL Central.  Craig was hitless in his last 11 at-bats before he connected for a two-run homer against Paul Maholm in the first. He added a solo shot in the seventh off Brad Lincoln.  Kyle Lohse (11-7) picked up his 99th career victory by pitching seven solid innings.  Maholm (6-14) dropped his fifth straight decision, giving up three runs – all in the first inning – and eight hits in five innings.

Annual Cyclone Fan Fest Set for Sunday

Sports

August 18th, 2011 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – It’s almost here! The sixth annual Cyclone Fan Fest is here once again. This free event will be held Sunday, Aug. 21 from 2-4 p.m. Don’t miss your chance to meet various Iowa State student-athletes and coaches. This is a free event and will be held in the Bergstrom Indoor Practice Facility located northwest of Jack Trice Stadium.
Fans will be able to interact directly with student-athletes and coaches in numerous hands-on activities. Select Iowa State football players along with head coach Paul Rhoads will be on hand for free autographs. Kids of all ages can shoot hoops with the basketball teams, practice serving with the volleyball team, working on putting with the golf teams and much more.
Inflatable attractions, temporary tattoos, food and beverages and Iowa State merchandise from the new Cy’s Locker Room will also be a part of the festivities.
Be sure to start your day at the ISU Soccer Complex at Noon when the Cyclone soccer team makes its regular season debut vs. Northern Illinois.
Cyclone Fan Fest is a great way for the whole family to enjoy free fun with Iowa State student-athletes and kick off the fall sports season!

USDA Report 08-18-2011

Ag/Outdoor, Podcasts

August 18th, 2011 by admin

From the Audubon and Cass County FSA and NRCS offices.

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Atlantic Mayor warns about hazards on 22nd Street

News

August 18th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones is warning motorists not to try and travel on 22nd Street, due to the dangers resulting from construction currently taking place in the area. Jones issued his warning and plea during Wednesday’s City Council meeting. He says 22nd Street is closed to thru traffic, and is unsafe due to a sharp drop-off.

Jones, who is also an insurance agent, says your insurance may not cover any accidents you get into, when traveling on a closed street.

Atlantic City Council News

News

August 18th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, tabled action on one of the matters placed before them, and agreed to place another item on the agenda for a future meeting. The Council tabled a Resolution granting a sewer line easement to Andrew J. Knuth. Knuth had offered to pay the City $50 for a ten-foot sewer easement on the north side of the City lot which abuts his law office at 3rd and Walnut Streets to install a PVC pipe, but some members of the Council thought that was not enough money, would create problems for future, possible owners of the four vacant adjacent lots, and would it benefit Knuth more than the City. 

Councilpersons Shaun Shouse, Steve Livengood and Kathy Somers expressed concerns about the placement of the sewer line under a potential building. City Attorney Dave Weidersteen said the terms of the easement state the sewer line must be placed so that a building cannot be placed on top of it, but if a change is needed in later years, that can be accommodated. Knuth said the line would be placed as close to his building as possible. The City paid $200,000 to have an old hotel on the lot torn down, in hopes of selling the property to future businesses. Councilman Shouse raised the issue of compensation for the easement, and how an easement would affect the value of the property.

Councilperson Somers asked if Knuth would be interested in buying an adjacent lot. He said he would, but it would only be to install private parking for his business. That would also serve to increase the amount of street parking spaces available for restaurants in the area, especially during the lunch hour, and provide the City with some much needed property tax income. Attorney Dave Weidersteen will draw-up an agreement with Knuth for a fair price on the lot, which will be presented to the Council for its approval during their meeting on September 7th

The Council also voted to place on their next agenda, a request to accept $1,000 compensation from Atlantic resident Ed Leistad, who said he purchased a lot at 706 Walnut Street, under the assumption it was 100-feet, when it was actually only 50-feet. Liestad said he can’t do anything with a 50-foot lot, and offered the money to terminate the purchase agreement. He had originally paid the City $5,000 for the property. After much discussion, the Council agreed it would be in the best interest of everyone involved to accept the proposal, and will include it in a Resolution at their next meeting.

But Councilman Shaun Shouse warned in the future, persons bidding on City property should do their research beforehand, so mistakes aren’t made that would cost the City lost revenue.