DES MOINES, Iowa – Governor Kim Reynolds and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens honored heroic citizens and first responders at the 2024 Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards ceremony held this (Wednesday) morning in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda. A total of seven individuals from communities across the state were recognized for their courageous responses.

“Today’s award winners met moments of sudden, life-threatening danger or severe hardship with inspiring courage and presence of mind,” Governor Reynolds said. “They are true heroes who represent the very best of our state, and it was a privilege to recognize them this morning.”

Added Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens, “These Iowans intentionally and selflessly provided aid and assistance in times of need. It’s an honor to celebrate those who placed the needs of others above their own and answered the call to serve.”

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards Program recognizes recipients in four different categories, including:
Meritorious Service, which is awarded to those individuals in recognition of courageous and unselfish service rendered during a time of distress.
Outstanding Service, which is presented to persons who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save an individual who was in danger of losing his or her life or to individuals who unselfishly rendered service in a time of emergency.
Lifesaving, which is awarded to those individuals who have attempted to save the life of another individual, but did not put their own life in jeopardy.
Lifesaving with Valor, which is awarded to those individuals who at the risk of their own life, attempted to save that of another.

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards honored four civilians:

• Randy Hartley, Adel – Outstanding Service Award
  

  Randy Hartley, Adel – Outstanding Service Award

• Tyler Borneman, Waterloo – Lifesaving Award
• Evan Scheck, Spirit Lake – Lifesaving with Valor Award
• Joseph Salmon, Spencer – Lifesaving with Valor Award

The Sullivan Brothers’ Awards of Valor honors the memory of George, Frank, Joe, Matt, and Albert Sullivan – all in their 20s – who served together on the USS Juneau in the Guadalcanal naval battle in the fall of 1942. All five brothers died together in a tragic attack when two Japanese torpedoes struck their ship.
Kelly Sullivan, the granddaughter of Albert Sullivan, participated in this year’s ceremony. Kelly is a third-grade teacher in Waterloo who sits on the commissioning committee of the new USS Iowa and also commissioned the USS The Sullivans. A total of three first responders, all with the Oelwein Police Department, were honored at today’s ceremony:

• Officer Gage D. Voshell
• Officer William E. Ward
• Officer Codi R. Wurzer

Click for event photos 
Click to visit the web page for lifesaving summaries and recipient photos

To make future nominations, or for general information on the Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards, visit the DPS website.

(Radio Iowa) – More than 62-thousand Iowans are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, and if one of them is on your holiday gift list, some well-intentioned presents may no longer be appropriate or practical for them. Lauren Livingston, spokeswoman for the Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, says some gifts can help a loved one in the early stages of the disease continue to navigate and maintain their independence.

“Something like a label maker, so they can stay organized and keep track of everyday household items that they might have trouble remembering,” Livingston says. “Same thing with dry erase calendars to keep them organized. Also, gifts for ride-sharing if they’re not able to drive anymore, because it’s still important that they get out there and stay active and social.”

Other gifts for someone in the early stages might include a G-P-S tracker which can help to keep them safe while allowing them to stay independent, or a “memory” calendar featuring family photos and filled in with birthdays and anniversaries. Livingston says the gift of music is always a plus.

“Music can be something that helps trigger memories for people in the middle to later stages,” she says. “So putting a playlist together of their favorite artists and songs from back in the day can really help spark those memories, and it oftentimes just makes them happy or puts them in a good mood to listen to that music that they loved.” For people in the mid to later stages, Livingston says soothing gifts can help with anxiety, like a handheld massage ball, a soft blanket, or a fluffy bathrobe.

“Comfortable, loose fitting clothing that’s easy for them to get themselves dressed and not need someone else to help as much,” Livingston says. “Another thing to think about is adaptive dining accessories, so no-spill cups, plate guards, silverware with special handles that make it easier to grasp so they can be more independent while they’re eating.”
Another thoughtful gift might be framed photographs or a photo collage created specifically for your loved one, and include people’s names on the photos.

Other suggestions include: A memory phone that can store pictures with names and contact information, puzzle and activity books, card games and board games, or an outing to a movie, play or sporting event.

Find more ideas at https://www.alz.org/iowa.

• John Johnson, Engineer, has been with the department for 42 years.  He will be retiring at the end of this month.
  

  Pictured: Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett, Wayne Brosam, John Johnson, Tom Cappel, AFD Chief. (Photo submitted)

• Wayne Brosam, Assistant Chief, has been with the department for 27 years. Brosam has resigned from AFD due to a move outside of the fire district.
• Others recognized:
  • Russel Peck (38 years)
  • and Rich Smith (32 years).

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood report 31-year-old Shawna Watson, of Glenwood, was arrested Tuesday on a Mills County Warrant. Her cash-only bond was set at $300.