(Radio Iowa) – Iowa and several other states have reached an opioid agreement with a drug maker based in Ireland.The agreement says Endo International will provide up to 450 million dollars to participating state and local governments. It bans the promotion of Endo’s opioids and requires Endo to turn over millions of documents related to its role in the opioid crisis for publication online.

Endo filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday night, and the agreement resolves allegations that Endo boosted opioid sales using deceptive marketing that downplayed the risk of addiction and overstated the benefits. Further details of the settlement and the amount of money each state will receive are still being worked out.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Atlantic Rising, in partnership with West Central Community Action, the Atlantic Police Department and New Life Church, are helping kids get back to school by filling backpacks with school supplies just in time for school. “Our community is always willing to step up in times of need. With costs of all items and materials going up, we wanted to do our part in helping the children in our community feel excited and prepared to go back to school,” Kelsey Beschorner, Atlantic Rising Board Member said. The organizations have already received an overwhelming number of backpacks and are asking the community to help fill them with much-needed school supplies. The items most in need are the following:

Crayons
Markers
Colored Pencils
Highlighters
#2 Pencils
Blue & Black Pens
Large Eraser OR Package of Pencil Top Erasers
Scissors
Notebooks
Wide ruled spiral notebook
2 Pocket Folders
Headphones or earbuds
Calculator- TI-30 or higher
Pencil Tool Box/Bag large enough to fit most supplies
On August 19th, members of Atlantic Rising and West Central will help fill and deliver the backpacks and school supplies to the surrounding Cass County schools in anticipation for school starting on August 23rd.

“We recognize that back-to-school time can be hard on families. We are so grateful for the continued generosity of this great community that allows us to uphold this tradition,” Beschorner stated. If you, or someone you know, are in need of community resources, please contact West Central Community Action at 712-243-5421. If you are interested in learning more about Atlantic Rising, contact 712.243.3017 or kelsey@atlanticiowa.com.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Deputy Auditor Doreen South reports nomination papers were filed Tuesday for a seat on the County Soil and Water Commission. Greg Zellmer has filed for re-election to the non-partisan post.

The Auditor’s Office will update persons who have filed their nomination papers, on a daily basis, as necessary. Previously, the Auditor’s Office reported:

• Chad Becker is running for the Agricultural Extension Council. And,
• Mike Klocke is running for Hospital Trustee.

The filing periods for the November 8, 2022, General Election are:

• U.S. Senate, U.S. Rep and State Office: August 1 – August 27 (5:00 p.m.)
• Partisan County and Township Offices: August 8 – August 31 (5:00 p.m.)
• County Ag. Extension, Soil and Water, and Hospital Trustees: By August 31, 2022 (5:00 p.m.)

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors met Wednesday morning and acknowledged the receipt of two separate manure management updates, a Urban Renewal Amendment Notice from the City of Stuart, and a withdrawal request for Public Assistance from FEMA. Auditor Mandy Berg explained…

The Board acted on Homestead & Military Disallowances, and heard approved a request from County Treasurer Brenda Wallace with regard to a request for a tax abatement from the City of Greenfield.

In his Annual Report to the Board, Adair County V-A Director Duane Avey said they registered 55 new veterans for VA Benefits and Programs.

VA Commissioner John Schildberg, III, noted also, that President Biden signed a bill recognizing the health affects of Agent Orange on Vietnam-Era Vets, and the burning of toxic waste, with regard to Persian Gulf War Veterans.

The bills expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras:

• Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures
• Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
• Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care

In other business, Adair County Conservation Director Dominic Johnson provided his Annual Report to the Board. And, the Board passed a Resolution to Award a Contract in the amount of $237,714 to American Pavement Solutions, Inc., for crack filling on Farm-to-Market Roads in Adair County. There were four bids received for the projects. County Engineer Nick Kauffman discussed the project, and provided a weekly report on his department’s maintenance and activities.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is urging Iowans to apply to be poll workers in this fall’s election. Poll workers check in voters on Election Day and hand out ballots. Pate says more than ten-thousand pollworkers are needed across the state for each election. He says while a good number of poll workers have signed up, county auditors tell him they still need more people.  “Some counties perhaps are looking for some more Republicans, some counties are looking for Democrats, because, you know, we require it to be balanced and that’s where people can help us out as well,” Pate says.

Poll workers are paid, but the rate depends on the county. Pate calls poll workers the unsung heroes of our democracy. “They’re your friends and neighbors, they go to the same churches and grocery stores that you do and these are the folks that are really there to make sure you can be comfortable that the election results are accurate and that the process itself is a fair one because that’s what’s so important,” Pate says. “You’ve got to believe in the results of those elections for us to really be able to be successful

Visit pollworker-dot-iowa-dot-gov (www.pollworker.iowa.gov) for more information about signing up to be a poll worker. The General Election on November 8th is 83 days away.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Katarina Sostaric)

(Radio Iowa) – Last month’s drawing for the Mega Millions jackpot that exceeded a billion dollars drew plenty of attention in Iowa, and now crooks are using the occasion to try and scam people via text. Consumer advocate Lara Sutherlin says versions of this con have been around for years but criminals are trying to be timely with their message. “You’ve got a purported winner of the lottery that doesn’t want to keep the money all for themselves and they’re graciously trying to give it away,” Sutherlin says. The scammers may claim to be the winner — or to represent the winner — and all they need you to do is contact them. “So they then ask you to call an agent and they give you a number or they ask you to text them,” Sutherlin says, “and that’s the scam. They’re trying to engage you, steal your identity, steal your money.”

Sutherlin says Iowans need to be savvy and not fall for the trick, especially when it sounds too good to be true. “Absolutely ignore these texts offering to give you part of their lottery winnings,” She says. “Block that number, and you certainly don’t respond, and you certainly don’t call back the number in the text.”

Sutherlin says the scam might change, whether they’re trying to get you to send them gift cards or get access to your banking information. The winner of the July 29th Mega Millions drawing, worth one-point-three billion dollars, has yet to come forward. Iowa Lottery officials say one ticket sold in Illinois matched all six numbers.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Atlantic High School Alumni Smackdown Committee and Atlantic Parks & Recreation, will host “Smackdown After Dark,” this Saturday, August 20th, 2022. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, says “We get asked a lot when we’re going to do another outdoor concert since RAGBRAI 2019. While we can’t offer an experience quite to that scale, we’re really excited to partner with the All Class Reunion and offer an evening activity the whole community can enjoy.”

The event will take place at Sunnyside Park with a beer garden, organized by the Atlantic Fire Department, and food vendors beginning at 5 PM. The Classic Rock band “Oreo Meatwagon” will play from 7 PM – 10 PM on the Band Shell. Beer will be one for $5 or 6 for $20. Individuals will purchase tickets when entering the event, cash/check only. Checking IDs will be required, and a wristband will be worn to identify legal age once at the beer tent. No outside alcohol is permitted. 

The event is free admission and is open to everyone of all ages, not just alumni of Atlantic. Smith said “It’s important to stress that you don’t have to be a graduate of Atlantic High School to come to the concert. We want this to be a community experience while also giving alumni in town for the weekend a chance to catch up with old friends.” A 50/50 raffle will also be taking place to benefit the Atlantic Parks & Recreation Department. The Department is looking to construct a roof on the Band Shell, making the space a more usable outdoor event venue. Tickets will be one for $5 or 6 for $20 and can be purchased throughout the duration of the event.

The 8th Annual AHS Alumni Smackdown Tournament will be held the morning of August 20th. The event will take place at both Nishna Hills Golf Course and Atlantic Golf & Country Club. More than 60 teams are registered to play.

Stay up to date on the latest information regarding Smackdown After Dark by ‘liking’ the event page on Facebook or visiting the Community Calendar on www.atlanticiowa.com. Smackdown After Dark is sponsored by Atlantic Parks & Recreation, Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports a man from Henderson, 35-year-old Myles Longcor, was arrested Tuesday on Assault and other charges. Longcor was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail, until seen by a magistrate judge. He faces charges that include: Domestic Abuse Assault; Interference with Officials Acts, and Violation of a No Contact Order.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports two men were arrested Tuesday, on separate charges. At around 11-a.m., Officers arrested 38-year-old Jason Dames, of Creston, at the Creston News Advertiser. Dames was charged with Disorderly Conduct. He was transported to the Union County Jail where he was later released on his own recognizance. And, at around 5-p.m., Tuesday, 31-year-old Kevin Jungers, of Lenox, was arrested at Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston. He was charged with violation of a court order. Jungers was taken to the Union County Jail where he was waiting to be seen by magistrate.