(Radio Iowa) – Many of us woof down an occasional hot dog, but a health care professional is urging Iowans not to make a steady diet of what are known as ultra-processed foods. Cindy Lueck, a registered dietician at Gundersen Health System, says there are whole aisles of ultra-processed foods in many supermarkets. Besides hot dogs, the list includes soft drinks, deli meats, packaged cookies, other packaged desserts and more.

Lueck wouldn’t go so far as to say these foods are dangerous, but she says they’re miles from being close to beneficial.

Cindy Leuck (Gundersen photo)

Having a packaged cookie or a soft drink now and then won’t likely do much harm, but Lueck says if you make a routine of eating this type of food, the bad habit will eventually catch up to you.

For most of us, it’s tough to completely avoid ultra-processed foods, but she says it can become a problem is someone makes a practice of eating that type of food all the time.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has unveiled a state website that lists child care openings.

A couple of years ago, the state created an online platform that licensed child care providers could use to track enrollment and manage payroll. The governor says the 35-hundred child care providers using that system are now part of this new website that shows child care openings and the range of services provided.

State officials believe Iowa is the first state to offer this kind of real-time data in one place online. The website is called Iowa Child Care Connect.

The price for child care is not included, but the site’s designed for smart phone use, so parents can click on a phone numbers and call a provider.

Gov. Reynolds talks about Iowa Child Care Connect (8/22/24 Radio Iowa photo)

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia says the site gives parents a way to drill down into the types of child care available nearby.

Governor Reynolds says she and other policymakers will be able to use the website to pinpoint communities that are child care deserts.

For example, Reynolds says they may discover unmet demand for infant care.

(Radio Iowa) – A long-term recovery group has been formed to help with building materials, food, financial support, and mental health services for part of western Iowa. Jean Logan of the Community Action Agency of Siouxland says the assistance is mainly focused on Woodbury County but is also available for other areas just outside the Sioux City metro area.

Logan says recovering from a natural disaster takes time and money.

Logan says one of the biggest challenges is finding contractors to fix homes.

She says people can also get help with food, financial assistance, and mental health services. Logan hopes the group will continue expanding into other communities as more organizations offer assistance.

(Atlantic, Iowa)  – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two recent arrests:

On Monday, August 19th, 31-year-old Ianangi Kosuo, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense.  Kosuo was transported to the Cass County Jail and later released on his own recognizance.

And, on August 15th, 18-year-old Javen Jespersen, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana/1st Offense.  Jespersen was also later released on his own recognizance.

“All criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.”

(Radio Iowa) – The State Auditor’s Office is citing a small town in Guthrie County town for significant delays in developing and approving the city’s budget. Citizens in Bagley, a town of about 230 residents, asked the state auditor’s office to review the city’s finances. The auditor’s report shows city officials held a public hearing about the city’s budget plan more than a month after the 2024 fiscal year had started. Bagley’s budget was not finalized until six months of the 12-month fiscal year had already passed by.

The report also says auditors could not find invoices or receipts to support a few purchases made with the city’s credit card — specifically snacks and candy bought at a Dollar Tree and about 100 dollars worth of laundry-related items purchased at a Menards.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports a homeless man and woman were arrested Wednesday evening on charges of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree/1st offense. Authorities say 38-year-old Timothy Wayne Trusty and Cheyenne Beth Murry were arrested near the intersection of Howard and Spruce Streets, and the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center, respectively. Both were being held without bond, with Trusty in the Union County Jail and Murry being held in the Adams County Jail. Additional details concerning their arrests was not available.

Creston Police report also, 50-year-old Regina Deanne Sanchez, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at the Creston Walmart Store, for Theft in the 5th Degree. She was cited and released from the scene on a Promise to Appear in court.

Wednesday evening, 26-year-old Isaac Wayne Hayes, of Creston, was arrested at his residence for Assault – Fear of Immediate Contact. Hayes was taken to Union County Jail and held on a $300 bond.

In other news, the Creston P-D said officials with the Agriland Fast Stop reported Wednesday, that equipment was missing from their lot at 705 W. Ringgold St. The missing equipment was described as a black, single axle 2014 Finish utility trailer with a full fuel tank, and an orange, Ditch Witch RT24. The loss was estimated at $11,150 altogether