(Radio Iowa) – As 2023 looms, the experts say about eight in ten New Year’s resolutions are broken by the second week in February. One popular vow that’ll be made on Saturday night is to lose weight. Nutritionist Heather Rasmussen says for Iowans who are positively committed to eating right and getting off the couch, they can absolutely get on course to better health. “It should be done all year ‘round but the new year gives people an opportunity to reevaluate what they’re doing both diet-wise and physical activity,” Rasmussen says, “and maybe to change their mindset and create some goals surrounding their health including diet and exercise.”

Anytime you form a goal, she says it allows you a chance to pause, look over your situation and make changes to your lifestyle, even if the change is temporary. Rasmussen says permanently changing dietary habits is extremely difficult, so for those trying to stay on the diet wagon, a slow-and-steady approach may be ideal. “People get overwhelmed and say, ‘Okay, I’m never going to eat pizza again in my entire life,’ and then they just don’t do it because it’s too much,” Rasmussen says. “Thinking about my patients, what are your short-term goals? I know you want to lose 50 pounds but what do you want to do for this month, or this week?”

If you find yourself slipping on your nutritional mission, it might help to scale back long-term goals in favor of more short-term ones. Good habits, especially ones drastically different from typical lifestyles, are hard to start and even harder to keep. Research shows that on average, it takes about 66 days for a habit to become automatic.

(Shenandoah, Iowa) – A traffic stop at around 10-p.m., Sunday, in Shenandoah, resulted in a man’s arrest on drug charges. Authorities report a vehicle was stopped for an equipment violation in the 800 block of W. Nishna Road, and upon further investigation, the driver, 51-year-old Richard Jay Wells, of Fort Madison, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana. Wells was also cited for Failure to Provide Proof of insurance (non-accident related), and Open Container. Additional charges are pending.

(Carson, Iowa) – Officials with the City of Carson said Monday that the City experienced a loss of water pressure Monday morning, due to a broken water main.  The leaking main was isolated.  Residents were reported to  have water, but the water pressure may be low.

Officials say “It will take some time for the water tower to restore regular water pressure,” and they apologized for the inconvenience.  As a precaution, the City of Carson remains in a boil order for the entire community until further notice.  The water conservation declaration remains in place.  Residents should boil water as a precaution. Bring all water used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth or preparing food to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using. Or, use bottled water. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Tap water can be used for bathing and similar purpose.

For more information regarding the boil order and water conservation declaration visit www.carsongov.com.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department report Officers were dispatched at around 6:12-p.m. Monday, to 11 South Shore Drive at Lake Manawa State Park, to assist the fire department with a water rescue. It was reported a 17 year old male and a 17 year old female were in the water at the time of call.

When officers arrived, the two subjects were at the edge of ice holding themselves up. Water level was currently at their shoulder height. Upon the fire departments water rescue team arrival, divers pulled each of them out of the water and transported them to an ambulance.

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Both subjects were transported and treated at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. At this time it does not appear the injuries are life threatening.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports two arrests:

• On Dec. 11th, 48-year-old Jeremy Leslie Williams, of Clarinda, was arrested for Assault with Bodily Injury, following an incident that occurred at the Page County Jail. Inmate Dylan Joseph Hansen was allegedly assaulted by Inmate Williams. WIlliams’ bond was set at $1,000 (with 10% to the courts).
• On Dec. 19th, 52-year-old Bryan Allen Dennis, of Omaha NE., was arrested on an active Page County Warrant for interference with official acts. Bond was set at $300 (cash or surety).

“A charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”