WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran, joined fellow member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), in leading an effort to honor Gold Star Families. The bipartisan bill, the Gold Star Families Day Act, would dedicate the last Monday in September as a federal holiday in observance and recognition of the sacrifice that all Gold Star Family members make when a father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter or other loved one dies in service to the nation.

“For the countless American families spanning generations who have given and sacrificed so much to defend our nation and protect our freedoms and way of life, our country is eternally grateful to you. As a combat veteran, I’m honored to join with my colleague Senator Warren in leading the Senate on this measure to recognize the sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters of the fallen who solemnly and proudly display the Gold Star,” said Senator Ernst.

“Gold Star Families make incredible sacrifices for our country, and that’s why I’m introducing Gold Star Families Day Act with Senator Ernst – to honor and respect the painful sacrifice that continually lives with the families of our fallen heroes,” said Senator Warren.

(Radio Iowa) – A longtime venue for live theater performances in eastern Iowa has shut its doors for good. After more than 50 years of staging shows, a letter posted on the Old Creamery Theatre website says the facility in Amana has permanently closed. The letter blames “financial pressures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”

What was billed as Iowa’s Premiere Professional Theatre Company shut down temporarily in March of 2020 and reopened for roadshows in the fall and winter of 2021. While there was some federal funding injected, it wasn’t enough to keep the theater afloat. The venue opened in 1971 in Garrison before moving to Amana.

(Radio Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa D-N-R are asking for help in finding the person who shot a bald eagle recently in eastern Iowa. A news release issued Thursday said the eagle was discovered almost a month ago in southeastern Cedar Rapids. The call came in January 9th about an injured eagle along the Cedar River near the Sac and Fox Trail. The bird was captured and taken to a local wildlife rehabilitator where the gunshot wound was discovered during an exam.

Due to the severity of the injuries, the eagle was euthanized. Anyone with information about the shooting can call the state TIP or Turn In Poachers hotline at 800-532-2020.

(Radio Iowa) – A small group in the Iowa House is working on a bill that would tax the liquid used in electronic cigarettes at or near the same rate as combustible cigarettes. Representative Ann Meyer of Fort Dodge says she’s concerned about the kids who’re using E-cigarettes. “I know that these systems were developed to stop smoking. I don’t think the kids in our high schools and middle schools are trying to stop smoking. This is the product they start with,” Meyer says. “Nicotine does have bad effects on the brain. We know that.”

People who buy vaping products in Iowa pay the state sales tax, but people who buy a pack of rolled cigarettes pay a far higher tobacco tax. Opponents of a new tax on vaping liquid says it’s a healthier alternative to combustible cigarettes and should not be taxed like tobacco because there’s no tobacco in it. Representative Steven Holt of Denison introduced the bill to spark a conversation about the products. Holt says his wife, who is a teacher, sees kids at school vaping with things that look like markers and other items that are really an E-cigarettes in disguise. “I think it’s very concerning that kids are vaping at young ages and it may or may not be better than tobacco in the long run,” Holt says. “I’m not sure we know that.”

Holt says he also understands some people use the product to stop smoking cigarettes and that’s something to be weighed as the debate continues. The bill stalled in the legislature last year, but has cleared a House subcommittee this week.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – National School Counseling Week 2022, “School Counseling: Better Together,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 7–11, 2022, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do.

Terry Hinzmann, Atlantic High School social studies teacher, said, “Students in today’s public school system have an ever-increasing need for the services of child psychologists, therapists, or family counselors.  However, school budgets or district priorities prohibit access to these services on a full-time basis for many students who desperately need their services. Therefore, most of these responsibilities fall on our school counselors.  With an already filled schedule and busy workload, our school counselors make the time to handle every student’s needs; whether it’s as simple as a schedule change or as complex and a serious family issue.  Our school counselors’ hard work and their dedication to our students have allowed so many to experience success not only in school but also in their lives beyond the halls and classrooms of Atlantic High School.”

Alyssa Dovenspike (Left); Sarah Rose (right) – photo by Jordi Moss

National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Schuler Elementary principal James Northwick said, “Our school counselors have had a huge impact on our students, especially in the last few years. Social/Emotional needs for some students have been on the rise and our counselors are doing their best to provide those much-needed supports.”

The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who “implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century.” Stacey Hornung, Washington Elementary principal, said, “All students go to guidance once in our cycle of every six days.  They learn about self-esteem, self-care, how to help and treat others, how to stay safe, and how to be a good friend.  Their impact on our students is huge, and they make a difference with students and teachers every day.”

The Atlantic Community School District’s school counselors are actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.

Val Stickler (Washington Elem.)

“I appreciate that our school counselors care so much about our children and their wellbeing, as well as their academic success. Our students come from such a diverse variety of backgrounds and family lives, and to some our counselors are more of a parental figure than their own guardians. It takes very special people to fill a role like that, and we are lucky to have them!” Industrial Technology teacher Noah Widrowicz said. Dexter Dodson, Industrial Technology teacher added, “Both our [AHS] school counselors do a great job of understanding, not every student is in need of a 4-year college degree. They are great at encouraging students to explore a career in the skilled trades by informing students of the options like a certification, 2-year degree, or apprenticeship. Our goal as educators should be to set students up for success after they leave our building. The counselors push students into hands-on classes that give a glimpse at potential careers in skilled trades. This is one way they are doing their best to ensure students are contributing members of society after they graduate.”

Instructional coach Amber Moore said, “Our school counselors are one of the first lines of defense in helping students become the best versions of themselves.  They look at a student in their entirety and take them from where they are and help create a pathway to where they can go.  They see past the academic struggles, the trauma, the lack of motivation, and all the other random labels that can be associated with people and they attempt to see each student for who they are at their core. They spend endless hours meeting with students and helping them develop necessary or lacking coping skills.  They are constantly coming up with plans for students to help them stay in the classroom and they work with teachers to better the learning experience for our students.  They offer a safe place for students to deal with the issues that may happen outside of the school walls knowing those issues definitely impact the learning inside our school walls. Our counselors have been our saving grace, especially for our students that struggle with mental health issues. Their impact is both necessary and critical to the success of our students.”

Angele Sieh (Schuler Elem.)

Josh Rasmussen, Atlantic Middle School principal added, “School counselors help students navigate through school and plan for their future. I appreciate their ability to help students with positive conversations and helpful advice.” As part of its celebration for National School Counseling Week, ACSD would like to thank “the hard work, dedication, support, initiative, and resourcefulness demonstrated daily by Val Stickler (Washington Elementary), Angela Sieh (Schuler Elementary and AMS), and Alyssa Dovenspike and Sarah Rose (AHS) and doing the aforementioned with caring, empathetic hearts. They definitely make an impact for all to be ‘Better Together,’” said Heather McKay, AHS principal.

SPIRIT LAKE – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding snowmobilers operating on the Iowa Great Lakes to use caution as ice conditions change throughout the winter.  Freezing, thawing, and refreezing creates ice heaves, berms, and frozen drifts, and heavy snowmobile use has created ruts and rough ice. Snowfall and drifting snow can hide these obstructions.

Officers with the DNR said there were a number of incidents over the past week where snowmobilers have collided with these obstructions. Snowmobilers should always use safe operating practices. Operate at reduced speeds to avoid colliding with hard to see obstacles.

DES MOINES, Iowa – State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is safekeeping money and other valuables in the unclaimed property vault with the hope of reuniting it with their rightful owners. “In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I’m releasing a holiday-themed list of people and businesses across Iowa who have unclaimed property waiting for them in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt,” said Fitzgerald. “See if you or someone you know has something to claim!” Among those (In our area) with unclaimed property is Heartland Family Service in Council Bluffs, and Clara F. Sweet, of Mapleton.

“Don’t give up hope if your name isn’t on this list,” continued Fitzgerald. “We have thousands more in our online database, which you can search anytime at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov.” Since Fitzgerald created the program in 1983, over $310 million has been returned to more than 585,000 owners.

Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the owner. In Iowa, the assets are safeguarded in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt until the owner or heir is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include stocks, uncashed checks, unpaid life insurance benefits, safe deposit boxes and more.

Start your search today at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov.

(Radio Iowa) – House Republicans have introduced legislation that would increase state spending on public K-through-12 schools by two-and-a-half percent. That’s slightly more than Republicans in the Senate have proposed. “We’re in line, obviously, with the governor’s number, so I don’t think we’re out on an island.” That’s House Speaker Pat Grassley, a Republican from New Hartford. Governor Reynolds has proposed that public schools, community colleges and the three state universities all get a two-and-a-half percent boost in state support for the coming academic year.

Grassley says House Republicans are introducing a separate bill that would provide an additional 19-million dollars to Iowa’s school districts. “With the expectation of that being used on support staff, with these increased costs that we’re seeing because of inflation,” Grassley says. That bill stipulates that school districts would only be able to use that extra money to cover pay for substitute teachers, bus drivers and other staff brought into schools to cover worker shortages.

Democrats in the legislature have proposed a five percent increase in per pupil state spending on schools.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne is co-sponsoring legislation to prohibit companies from ending health care benefits for striking workers. “I think across this country we’ve seen too many places where Americans are under threat of losing their health care because they’re standing up for workers’ rights,” Axne says. Axne, a Democrat, says she learned about the issue this fall as she walked the picket line in Ankeny with striking John Deere workers.

Deere and Company continued paying health care premiums, but under current law, it could have stopped providing health care benefits after October 27th. “How can they do that to families?” Axne asks. “How can they do that to children, who need this? How can they do to pregnant mothers? How can they do that people who have cancer or some other disease?” One-hundred-40 union workers who’ve been on strike at a California baker lost health care coverage January 1st. Axne says corporations sometimes use termination of health care benefits as a tactic to end a strike.

“People across the country understand that it’s not fair for workers who are still employed by those companies while they’re on strike,” because if you’re still employed, you shouldn’t be losing those benefits.” Axne is seeking reelection to a third term in the U.S. House this year. The Des Moines Register reported this week Axne has begun accepting contributions from political action committees connected to corporations. Axne had refused PAC donations in past campaigns.

“I came to understand that those PACs are nothing when compared to the real threat, which is dark money,” Axne says. “The Republicans have been spending millions running false and misleading ads against me. I’ve got to make sure I have the opportunity to push back against those who are trying to smear my record.”Republicans say Axne’s reversal on this campaign finance issue shows she can’t be trusted to keep her word.

Atlantic Public Library to Host Virtual Event Feb. 10 with Author and Psychologist Doreen Dodgen-Magee….

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Feeling ready for a restart? You’re not alone. Join the Atlantic Public Library and Healthy Cass County for
a free virtual presentation with author and psychologist Doreen Dodgen-Magee on designing a healthy post pandemic life on Thursday, February 10 from 7:00-8:00 PM. Register for the link for the online presentation at bit.ly/Feb10restart.

The virtual event will begin with an informative review of where we were when quarantine hit and how the lock down impacted us behaviorally and interpersonally, and then address how to restart and find opportunities for growth and health. The event is based on Dodgen-Magee’s latest book, Restart: designing a healthy post pandemic life. Atlantic Public Library Director Michelle Andersen described reading the book as, “talking to your best friend who just happens to be a psychologist and getting all the best advice.”

As a starred review in the December 2021 summarized, “Psychologist Dodgen-Magee comprehensively details all the things society has lost and reconfigured during the pandemic—neglect of physical activities, over-reliance on screens, and increased substance abuse—and offers steps to counteract these behaviors and build new healthy habits.” The review goes on to note Dodgen-Magee, “aptly describes this late-pandemic period as ‘running a marathon with a constantly moving finish line’ and provides specific ways to support our own and other’s mental health, create new realities, and nurture healthy relationships with technology… Dodgen-Magee’s advice hits home at a vulnerable period in our
lives.”

Dodgen-Magee’s latest book is available at all Cass County libraries, and the free, virtual event is open to anyone with internet connection. For those in the area without internet access, the Atlantic Public Library will be open to watch the online event.

Event: Restart: Designing a Healthy Post Pandemic Life

• Date: Thursday, February 10
• Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
• Where:
  
  • Online: Register for the link for the online presentation at bit.ly/Feb10restart, or
    
  • Watch the online presentation at the Atlantic Public Library (507 Poplar St. Atlantic, IA 50022)

This program is made possible by a Mental Health Resources grant from the Network of National Library
of Medicine Region 6.