DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a proclamation declaring this Sunday, March 6, 2022, as a Day of Prayer for Ukraine in Iowa.  “Iowans, Americans and nations across the globe are watching the events unfolding in Ukraine with disbelief and sadness,” stated Gov. Reynolds. “As soldiers and civilians stand united to protect their homeland, Iowans can unite in our support for the Ukranian people through the power of prayer.”

On Sunday, Iowans are encouraged to join in the Day of Prayer for Ukraine to show solidarity in their fight against Russian forces and to restore peace and civility in their country.

A video reading of the proclamation is included below:
Day of Prayer for Ukraine Proclamation Video

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has rejected an appeal filed on behalf of a man diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia who was convicted of a sex crime. Dantreon Newman was arrested in Des Moines in 2019. A 13-year-old girl told police that Newman, who was 22 at the time, had forced her to have sex in an abandoned apartment. Police described him as homeless. He pleaded guilty to lascivious acts with a child. The attorneys handling his appeal argue the district court judge should have held a competency hearing before Newman’s trial.

The Supreme Court has ruled Newman — who was taking medication for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and A-D-D at the time of his trial — was competent, had a lucid conversation with the judge about his guilty plea and appreciated the consequences of that plea.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County 4-H Endowment committee is hosting the annual 4-H Endowment Pancake Supper on Tuesday, March 15 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. The Pancake Man will be dishing up fresh pancakes while 4-H members serve juice, coffee and more. Supporters can enjoy all you can eat pancakes for $7. Proceeds from the 4-H Pancake Supper directly benefit Cass County. The money raised goes to the Cass County 4-H Endowment, a fund to defray the 4-H Program Development Fee, support scholarships, and start up dollars for youth programs including Clover Kids and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

The 4-H Program Development Fee is $30 per youth each year to enroll. Instead of having individual 4-H’ers and families take on that expense, the Cass County Extension Council, and the 4-H Endowment Committee pick up this expense. The Cass County 4-H Endowment also offers opportunities for youth to get involved in the 4-H program by attending camps and conferences and offering scholarships to graduating seniors. “These opportunities are very important to the success of the 4-H program in Cass County,” stated Shelby Van Horn, Cass County Youth Coordinator. “It certainly would not be possible without a great deal of support from the community.”

There is also a silent auction during the supper. The 11 4-H clubs in Cass County, as well as additional friends of 4-H and local business supporters, donate items. “This is a great part of the pancake supper,” says Van Horn, “it will be exciting to see what items are up for auction this year!” If a community business is interested in supporting the Pancake Supper with a Silent Auction donation, please contact the Extension Office.

For more information on the Pancake Supper, Endowment or 4-H contact Shelby Van Horn, Cass County Youth Coordinator, at 243-1132 or xcass@iastate.edu.

(Cumberland, Iowa) – The next-to-last Cass County Legislative Coffee sponsored by the Progressive Rural Iowa Development Enterprise (P.R.I.D.E), takes place tomorrow (Saturday, March 5th), at the Cumberland Fire Station, beginning at 9:30-a.m.  P.R.I.D.E Vice President Clark Gerlock is hosting the event. Unlike the last time a legislative coffee was held in Cass County, there will be no ZOOM access to Saturday’s meeting.

During the event, Senator Tom Shipley, of Nodaway, and Representative Tom Moore, of Griswold, will take about five-minutes to update persons attending, on the happenings in their respective chambers. A time for questions from the public, will follow.

The final legislative coffee will be held on April 2, at 9:30 a.m. at the Marne Community Center.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Union County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following a rollover accident this (Friday) morning. Authorities report a 2002 Nissan Xterra SUV driven by 16-year-old Bryce Kelly Hull, of Creston, was entering a curve and traversing a hill, while traveling westbound in the 1600 block of REA Road. When the rear side wheels of the vehicle went onto the gravel, Hull swerved and over-corrected, causing the SUV to enter the north ditch and roll over one-time. The accident happened at around 7:51-a.m.

Hull was able to exit the vehicle on his own.  The SUV was declared a total loss ($7,000 value). No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley has formally declared his bid for reelection to the U.S. Senate, submitting more than nine-thousand petition signatures to qualify for the June Primary ballot. Surrounded by campaign staff and volunteers, Grassley gave a speech in the Iowa Secretary of State’s office, emphasizing his 40 year tenure in the Senate.  “It’s not about Chuck Grassley,” Grassley said. “It’s about serving the people of Iowa, about being the senior member of the United States Senate, to work for the people of Iowa in a stronger position.”

The most senior member of the U.S. Senate today is a Vermont Democrat who’s not seeking reelection. That means Grassley — who’s been a Senator since 1981 — would gain that top seniority spot next January if he’s reelected in November. “Being chairman of the Judiciary Committee if we’re in the majority,” Grassley said. “Being the president pro tem of the United States Senate if we’re in the majority.”

Grassley, who is 88 years old, is seeking an eighth six-year term. Grassley says the political environment is leaning in Republicans’ favor.  “If the election were held today, we’d take control of both the Senate and the House,” Grassley told reporters. “Eight months ahead, to make sure that happens, is just to keep up the hard work.” The key issues for the 2022 election aren’t going away, according to Grassley. “Whether it’s Afghanistan, inflation, open borders, parental rights — you know, things of that nature, crime, energy policy — those things,” Grassley said. “I don’t want to say about the bad handling of Ukraine because I think it takes time to come to the conclusion of where we are there, but we probably know that the bad handling of Afghanistan probably emboldened people like Putin to do what he’s doing.”

Abby Finkenauer of Cedar Rapids, one of the Democrats running for the U.S. Senate, has been criticizing Grassley’s long tenure in office and has pledged to exit the Senate after 12 years if she is elected in 2022 and reelected in 2028. Retired Admiral Mike Franken, western Iowa physician Glenn Hurst and veterans advocate Bob Krause have also announced they’re running for the Iowa Democratic Party’s U.S. Senate nomination.

A pursuit was reported this morning in Adair County. According to scanner traffic, an Adair County Sheriff’s Deputy was in pursuit of a black Dodge Charger, eastbound from Orient, at around 10-a.m. At last report, the suspect vehicle was apparently on I-80 near mile marker 102, in Dallas County.

And, we understand a collision between a car and a semi took place north of Harlan at around 10:10-a.m.  The crash occurred at the intersection of Highway 59 and Shelby County Road F-32. Both vehicles ended-up in the ditch.

Additional details on these incidents are currently not available. If we receive any updates, we’ll pass them along on this post.

(Des Moines, IA) The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), in collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), recognizes March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM).

Throughout March, a wide range of stakeholders, including public health organizations, prevention and treatment providers, advocacy groups and gambling operators work collaboratively to let people know that hope and help exist for problem gambling. Groups nationwide will hold conferences, air Public Service Announcements, provide counselor training, host health screening days and implement social media campaigns to increase public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment and recovery services.

The PGAM theme for this year is “Awareness +Action” and participants are encouraged to use the hashtag #PGAM2022 on social media platforms.

Problem gambling is defined as all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. Approximately 2 million U.S. adults (1% of the population) are estimated to meet criteria for severe problem gambling. Another 4-6 million (2-3%) meet the criteria for mild or moderate problem gambling.

The Office of Problem Gambling at IDPH raises awareness about the availability of gambling prevention and treatment services offered statewide. “Iowans who are impacted by problem gambling are encouraged to visit Your Life Iowa to learn more or to connect with a qualified professional. Help and hope are only a call, text, or chat away,” said Katie Bee, Project Director of the Office of Problem Gambling at the Iowa Department of Public Health.

If you have questions you’d like answered, support and assistance is available through Live Chat, by calling 1-800-BETS OFF, or by texting (855) 895-8398.