Local Organizations Partner to Host FREE Suicide Prevention Training in Atlantic, Anita, and Griswold….

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoege asks you to please, say “Yes” to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor. Mental health was identified as the top health need in last year’s 2021 Cass County Community Health Needs Assessment, and local partners continue to make changes and take action to address this need. This month, Healthy Cass County, Cass County ISU Extension, and other area individuals and organizations across the county are partnering to bring a suicide prevention training to Atlantic, Anita, and Griswold. “Question. Persuade. Refer.” (QPR) Is a suicide prevention program delivered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach that teaches three simple steps to help save a life from suicide.

Kimberly Cavalier, Family Wellbeing Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach explained “Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help,” . ISU Extension and Outreach will offer QPR in Cass County at three locations on three different dates so Cass County residents can attend this free 60–90-minute training at a date and time that works best for them.

Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh commented, “It’s really amazing that we are able to offer QPR in three different towns. Thanks to the Anita Public Library, Anita Wellness Center, Anita Community Center, Griswold Public Library, and the Atlantic Public Library, we are able to offer this important program across the county. Additionally, all of the organizations were happy to partner, and more than one mentioned the importance of mental health when asked if they would be interested. We’ve got strong commitments to caring for mental health across Cass County.”

Question. Persuade. Refer. in Cass County February 2022:

• Atlantic: February 14, Noon – 1 PM, Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic); Hosted in partnership with the USDA, Healthy Cass County, Cass County Extension, and the Atlantic Public Library.
• Anita: February 15, 6:00-7:30 PM, Anita Community Center (805 Main St., Anita);  Hosted in partnership with USDA, Healthy Cass County, Cass County Extension, Anita Public Library, and Anita Health and Wellness Center.
• Griswold: February 21, 5:30 – 7:00 PM, Griswold Public Library (505 Main St., Griswold); Hosted in partnership with USDA, Healthy Cass County, Cass County Extension, and Griswold Public Library.

All QPR sessions in Cass County are being offered at no cost, thanks to a grant from the USDA-NIFA 2020-70028-32728 that provides this training for free for rural communities with large populations of farmers and agricultural related business. All adults in Cass County and surrounding areas are invited to attend a QPR program, especially those who work in agricultural areas, health care, mental health, government, schools, libraries, or anyone who has an interest in learning more about mental health and suicide prevention.

Although not required, registration is appreciated. To register for a QPR session in Cass County visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/ or call Cass County ISU Extension at 712-243-1132.
For more information or to schedule a QPR program for your business or organization, contact Cass County ISU Extension at 712-243-1132. QPR sessions are also offered virtually. For more information on virtual sessions visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/. Participants of in-person QPR sessions are encouraged to wear a face covering indoors, particularly if space is limited, crowds are large, or spaces are poorly ventilated.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network that promotes the health and wellbeing of Cass County residents. Healthy Cass County welcomes participants from across the county. For information on community wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty. Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870 for more information.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – NOAA’s National Weather Service has once again recognized Adair & Guthrie Counties as a StormReady counties. The StormReady program helps community leaders and residents prepare for hazardous weather and flooding. StormReady sites have made a strong commitment to implement plans and resources in an effort to save lives and protect property when severe weather strikes. Chad Hahn, National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist says “Adair & Guthrie County Emergency Management has taken proactive steps to plan and prepare for weather impacts in an effort to help build a Weather-Ready Nation.”

The nationwide community preparedness program uses a grassroots approach to help communities and organizations develop plans to handle local severe weather and flooding threats. The voluntary program started in 1999. There are now more than 2,350 StormReady communities across the country working to build a Weather-Ready Nation.

To be recognized as StormReady, an organization must:

• Have access to a 24-hour warning point and an emergency operations center;
• Have more than one way to receive severe weather forecasts and warnings and to alert the public; Monitor local weather conditions;
• Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars;
• Develop a formal hazardous weather plan and hold emergency exercises.

The StormReady recognition will be in effect for four years 2022-2026 then Adair & Guthrie County Emergency Management will go through a renewal process. Adair & Guthrie County Emergency Management is also an Ambassador for the Weather-Ready Nation Program. As an Ambassador, the agency along with the National Weather Service is working with its partners to build a Weather-Ready Nation to support community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett, Wednesday night, announced during a meeting of the City Council, she had received a letter of resignation from Police Chief Dave Erickson.

In the letter, Erickson thanked the officers and staff he’s worked with over the past years, and reflected on what’s been accomplished, especially when it comes to helping children and families.

Chief Erickson’s last day in office will be March 31, 2022. The Mayor said the search for his replacement will begin soon.

Speaking with the media at the end of the City Council meeting, Erickson was asked what he will miss most, when he retires from the Police force.

File photo from when Dave Erickson is sworn-in as Chief of Police for the City of Atlantic.

Dave Erickson has served the City for 25 ½ years, the last 5 ½ as Chief. He said “It’s time to step down and let some of the younger generation take over.”

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Police in Council Bluffs said Wednesday, that Officers have identified the driver of the hit and run that resulted in serious injuries to a pedestrian early Tuesday morning. The driver of the suspect vehicle is 40-year-old Justin Craig Lobato, from Lincoln. Lobato has several warrants out for his arrest. Charges for the collision are pending. If you know his location please contact your local law enforcement agency.

Justin Craig Lobato

Original story, 2/1/22:

Police in Council Bluffs say officers were dispatched at around 2:09-a.m. today (Tuesday), to North 7th Street and West Washington Ave., in reference to a car versus pedestrian accident. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim, who was laying in the middle of the intersection. The victim – whose name was not immediately released – had a severe head injury and was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.

Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Public Health today (Wednesday) reported 156 additional COVID-19 deaths. The additional deaths happened between Oct. 20 and Jan. 27. On the bright side, the data show positive virus tests and hospitalizations continue to decline.

The IDPH dashboard indicates there were 19,161 positive tests reported in the last seven days, down from 23,461 at last report on Monday. The state’s 14-day positivity rate fell from 22.9% to 21.5%. The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 also continues to fall. There are currently 794 patients hospitalized with the virus, down from 849 on Monday.

Of those hospitalized with the virus, 54.1% are unvaccinated, while 70.6% of those listed in intensive care with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. State data shows 55% of those hospitalized have a primary COVID-19 diagnosis, while 45% were hospitalized for another reason but tested positive.

The number of Iowa’s long-term care facilities reporting a virus outbreak continues to climb. There are 109 such facilities, up from 107 on Monday.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds is making a public pitch for a reduction in Iowa’s corporate income tax rate. “When we talk about the corporate tax rate, we are tied for third highest in the nation — 9.8% is our tax rate,” Reynolds says. “Illinois, California, New York are lower than Iowa.” Reynolds did not mention cutting income taxes for corporations when she unveiled her tax plan during her Condition of the State Address in January. During a news conference today (Wednesday), however, Reynolds described Iowa’s corporate tax rate as a liability compared to the zero rate in South Dakota and Nebraska’s corporate income tax of seven-and-a-half percent.

“I’m trying to get to 5.5 flat,” Reynolds said. “There are 11 states today — today! — that have a corporate tax rate under 5%, so that’s what I’m saying. Every state is very competitive because they know that’s what you need to do to be in the game and to compete. We are an outlier.” House Republicans have released a bill that includes most of the governor’s tax proposals, with the exception of a corporate income tax cut. Senate Republicans have a plan that does cut the corporate tax, but not as deeply as Reynolds proposes.

The Senate G-O-P plan also reduces or eliminates some popular business tax credits and exemptions. Reynolds says her goal is to keep the corporate tax rate simple, but she’s not saying what concessions she might make.  “This is not a discussion I’m going to have with the media,” Reynolds says. “We’re going to sit down and talk to legislators and we’re going to take a look at what it looks like, where we agree, maybe where we need to change.”

Reynolds made her comments during a news conference at a business in Des Moines to tout another element of her tax plan that is included in both plans released last week by House and Senate Republicans.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Elite Octane announced on their web page, today (Wednesday) that an expansion of the company’s corn receiving and storage capacity in Atlantic, is under construction, with a completion date in 2022. The Company says it is making a significant investment as it plans to be a preferred destination for southwest Iowa corn farmers for years to come.

The company says the following changes are forthcoming with the expansion project:

• Increasing Storage Capacity going 4-million to 8-million bushels.
• Increase Receiving Capacity from 60,000 to 90,0000 bushels per hour.
  

  Additional storage graphic (from the Elite Octane website)

• Having two truck probes with three inbound lanes.
• and having two inbound scales.

Elite Octane says  “The American farmer continues to raise the standard in production agriculture while preparing for the future. Much like the farmer, Elite Octane is committed to raising the standard of what should be expected for speed and capacity. We’re here to grow with you.”

One person was transported to Cass Health in Atlantic, following a single-vehicle accident that happened this (Wednesday) morning, northwest of Atlantic. Marne 1st Responders, Atlantic Fire & Rescue and Cass EMS were dispatched to the scene off Eastland Road and west of Highway 173 (590th St.). Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Bartholomew explains what happened.

The driver of the 2018 Chevy Silverado was identified as Don Sonntag, of Atlantic. He was conscious and breathing when the Deputy arrived. Bartholomew said it’s not clear what time the accident actually occurred, only that it was discovered by a passing motorist at around 10:28-a.m.

(Radio Iowa) – Retired admiral Mike Franken says he raised more than 300-thousand dollars in January in his bid for the Democratic nomination for the U-S Senate. Franken says he has raised more than 750-thousand in individual donations since launching his campaign last October and says that is a sign Iowans are tired of the divisiveness in government and this country: “I see people wanting answers, they’re wanting action, they’re wanting us to get along better, so even within the family structure, people are getting along better. And that there’s more of a hope for the future in the state of Iowa. There’s also a sense in Iowa that we have lost some of that which has made us unique in the United States,” Franken says.

Franken is from Sioux County and has a home in Sioux City. He says both Democrats and Republicans need to find ways to compromise on issues like President Biden’s build back better bill, which recently failed without support from all Democrats in the Senate. But what I think Joe Biden will do now is back up. He’ll segment and I would hope the Republicans will come to the table and work to do something that is good for all Americans,” he says.

Retired Vice Admiral/Iowa Senate candidate, Mike Franken.

Franken says one of the things he likes in the bill is expanding the electrical grid. “Iowa is in great situation here to be central to having the most reliable, least expensive electricity in a carbon tax environment in the United States. That will be a huge boost to manufacturing in the state, Franken says. Franken served in various policy-making, strategy, and planning roles including Chief of Legislative Affairs for the Department of the Navy. He defends Biden, saying no one president has ever been responsible for a major swing in fuel prices and is optimistic inflation will come down and the economy will turn around this year.

“There’s supply chain problems that are significant causes to inflation. There are treaty manufacturing issues associated with the delivery of technical goods — there’s a host of issues,” Franken says. “There’s also a sense that the interest rates have been too low for too long.” Franken retired from military service as a three-star admiral in 2017.

Marne First Responders and Atlantic Fire & Rescue were dispatched to an accident just west of 590th (Highway 173), on Eastland Road. A call about a truck in the ditch came in at around 10:27-a.m.  According to dispatch reports, one person was injured and possibly trapped in the vehicle. Additional information was not immediately available.