WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (March 31, 2024) – The Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) Foundation announced today the opening of its application cycle, which in 2024 will make more than $200,000 available to individuals interested in pursuing or advancing their career in long-term care. Applications are open now through May 31 for current long-term care employees, as well as high school seniors, veterans or individuals residing in rural Iowa counties who are pursuing an education in health care.

“With Iowa’s senior population on the rise and a growing demand for long-term care services, the IHCA Foundation remains dedicated to expanding its scholarship offerings to meet our sector’s evolving needs,” said IHCA Foundation Program Director Natalie Thompson. “Through our 2024 scholarship programs, generously supported by donors, we aim to empower driven individuals to pursue their career aspirations in long-term care.”

Scholarship Offerings
The IHCA Foundation is now accepting applications for the following scholarships:

* John W. & Kimberly D. Grubb Registered Nurse (RN) Scholarship Program – This $4,000 scholarship, made possible by the John R. and Zelda Z. Grubb Charitable Foundation, is for employees of IHCA member organizations who are pursuing an accredited RN degree or seeking to advance their nursing degree. A total of 40 scholarships are available.

* MolinaCares High School Scholarship Program – This $2,000 scholarship, made possible by The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation (MolinaCares), is for Iowa high school seniors who are in their senior year during the 2023-2024 academic year. This scholarship covers tuition fees to pursue a certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), RN, or Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program for the 2024-2025 academic year. This scholarship is intended for those interested in a future career in long-term care. A total of nine scholarships are available.

* Linda Juckette Family Rural and Veteran Scholarship Program – This $2,000 scholarship, made possible by the Linda Juckette Family Gift Fund, is for anyone residing in a rural Iowa county or is a veteran who is interested in pursuing a health care education, including nursing, health care administration degree programs or long-term care certification programs, with the goal of joining the long-term care profession. A total of five scholarships are available.

* Iowa Total Care Leadership Training Scholarship Program – This $1,500 scholarship, made possible by Iowa Total Care, is for leaders at IHCA member organizations accepted, or planning to enroll, into the 2024-2025 IHCA Executive Health Care Leadership Institute. This program is specially designed for leaders who work in long-term care and includes the leadership fundamentals necessary to lead others and the specific technical skills in demand in long-term care settings. A total of nine scholarships are available.

* Care Initiatives Director of Nursing (DON) Scholarship Program – This scholarship, made possible by Care Initiatives, is for assistant directors of nursing (ADONs) or RNs who are employed by an IHCA member facility and are interested in pursuing the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) DNS-CT (Director of Nursing Services – Certified) certification, a DON certification program held at IHCA on Nov. 12-15, 2024. Scholarships will be offered to provide for the registration fee to participate in the AAPACN DNS-CT (DON Certification Program) held at IHCA.

* IHCA Member Employee Scholarship Program – This $1,500 scholarship is for employees of IHCA member organizations who are pursuing a nursing, health care administration or a physical or occupational training program. This scholarship is made possible by the Iowa Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (IPALTC), IHCA Districts and Nurse Connect. A total of 13 scholarships are available.

How to Apply 
Eligibility requirements, application guidelines and materials are available online at iowahealthcare.org/foundation. Completed applications are due by May 31. Winners will be announced in July.

About the Iowa Health Care Association Foundation
Founded in 1988 by the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA), the mission of the IHCA Foundation is to foster excellence in long-term care for Iowans by building a stronger workforce. The IHCA Foundation carries out this mission by empowering individuals to reach their career goals in the long-term care profession through scholarships, career education and career access programs. IHCA Foundation programs help support career opportunities available in the long-term care continuum, including nursing facilities, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living programs, residential care facilities, senior living communities and home health agencies.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet at 9-a.m. on Tuesday, April 2nd, in their Atlantic Courthouse Board Room. Some items on their agenda include:

• Discuss/Approve the Second Amendment to Ambulance Services Agreement Between City of Atlantic, Cass County Memorial Hospital (Cass Health), Cass County and Midwest Medical Transport Company, LLC for April 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024 and July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
• Approve Resolution 2024-08 Setting Weed Control Program for 2024
• Discuss an ARPA funding request for $14,000 to replace a drone for the sheriff’s department
• Approve Resolution 2024-09 Secondary Roads Five-Year Construction Program
• Approve Secondary Roads Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
• Approve hiring a jail staff member

The meeting will be for viewing. Join Electronically https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2899195216?pwd=R0hSa2FOOTh0NUdra1ZSdVhVW
HpMUT09
Meeting ID: 289 919 5216
Passcode: 012064
For those who wish to Call-In, do so at 312-626-6799, press *9 to indicate you wish to speak.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors are set to discuss and pass a resolution with regard to bonds for Courthouse Improvements. The matter will come before the Board during their meeting that begins at 8:30-a.m.* Tuesday (April 2nd), in their courthouse Board Room. (see the agenda below)

In other business the Board will hear from Jackie Laire, with Montgomery County E911 Communications, with regard to a Dispatch Headset Project and the use of ARPA funds.

They are also expected to set the date for a Public Hearing on a Fiscal year 2024 Budget Amendment for the Courthouse Improvement Project. Following their regular meeting (**and at around 9:30-a.m., Tuesday), the Board will hold the first Public Hearing on the FY25 Budget, including the proposed FY 25 Property Tax Levy.

Their second regular meeting begins at 9:45-a.m., Tuesday***, and includes a county employee Health Insurance update, and set the date for a 2nd hearing on the FY25 Montgomery County Budget.

*Please note, this is a public meeting; however, it may be conducted via ZOOM

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85039693411

Meeting ID: 850 3969 3411; Or, Dial by your location   +1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak.

**Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85039693411

Meeting ID: 850 3969 3411

Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak.

***Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85039693411

Meeting ID: 850 3969 3411

Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak

Regular Meeting, 8:30 A.M., Tuesday April 02, 2024

Tentative Agenda

1. Call meeting to order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll call of members

4. Approval of Agenda – Order at discretion of Chairman

5. Read minutes as presented. Chairman to call for any additions/corrections to said minutes.

6. Board chairman will ask the audience for any comments, limited to two minutes per person.

7. Supervisors: Weekly committee/assignment updates

8. Secondary Roads Update

9. Nate Summers, UMB Bank- General Obligation Courthouse Improvement Series 2024

1. 1. Discuss and approve – Resolution 2024-16 authorizing and approving a Loan Agreement, providing for the placement and issuance of General Obligation Courthouse Improvement Bonds, Series 2024 and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same

   2. Discuss and approve – Loan Agreement and Registrar and Paying Agent Agreement

10. Jackie Laire, E911 Communications – Dispatch Headset project

    1. Discuss and approve PSAP Agreement with HSEMD for NG911 Shared Services RFP0917005031 MA18258 in the amount of $30,679.53 and FirstWireless, Inc. quote QTE11270 in the amount of $3,050.65 to be paid with ARPA funds.

11. New Business

1. 1. Set the date for Public Hearing for FY24 Budget Amendment Courthouse Improvement Project

   2. Approve Villisca Golf Club Inc. Class C Retail Alcohol license permit

   3. Approve Family Farm Tax Applications

2. Discuss and start agenda items for next meeting

3. Announcements – The next 2^nd regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 02, 2024, 9:45 a.m., following the 1^st Hearing FY25 Budget Tax

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak arrested a man on an assault charge, Saturday afternoon. Authorities say at around 12:30-p.m., Red Oak Police Officers arrested 26-year-old Josiah Ivan Prokes, of Red Oak, was taken into custody for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. He was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail, pending an appearance before the Magistrate.

Waterloo – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports 41-year-old Andrew Lee Stephens, who was convicted of Robbery 1st Degree in Black Hawk County, failed to report back to the Waterloo Residential Correctional Facility as required yesterday (Friday).

Stephens is a 6-feet tall, 227-pound white male. He was admitted to the work release facility on 2/9/24.

Persons with information on Stephens’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Andrew Lee Stephens

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A Public Hearing will be held Wednesday in Atlantic, with regard to the Proposed Maximum Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2025. The hearing takes place in the Atlantic City Council’s Chambers at City Hall, beginning at 5-P.M.

The Council will hold its regular meeting at 5:30-p.m., Wednesday, at the same location. Some of the agenda items for that meeting include:

• The Swearing-in of Atlantic Police Sergeant Brock Thompson.
• Public Hearing on Proposal to Enter into an Essential Purpose Loan Agreement.
• Public Hearing on Proposal to Enter into a General Purpose Loan Agreement.
• Resolution #22-24 “Authorizing and Combining Loan Agreements, Approving the Future Issuance of General Obligation Bonds and Providing for the Levy of Taxes to Pay the Same.”
• Order to Approve Second Amendment to Ambulance Services Agreement Between City of Atlantic, Iowa, Cass County Memorial Hospital d/b/a Cass County Health System, Cass County Iowa, and Midwest Medical Transport Company.
• Resolution #23-24 “Setting the Date for Public Hearing on April 17, 2024, to Adopt the FY 2025 Budget.”
• Resolution #24-24 “Approving Contract and Bonds for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project.”
• Resolution #25-24 “Setting the Date for Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance Vacating the Street Located between 3009 Palm Street and 3101 Palm Street in the City of Atlantic, Iowa.
• Order to Terminate City Clerk Services Contract with Marne Effective May 31, 2024.
• Order to Approve The Retail Coach Contract Extension (Tabled during the last meeting)
• Resolution #21-24 “Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Barb Barrick to Temporarily Provide City Clerk Consulting Services for the City of Atlantic.” (tabled during the last meeting)
• Order to Enter Exempt Session Pursuant to Iowa Code Section 20.17(3) Providing for the Strategy Meetings of Public Employers for Collective Bargaining

JOHNSON COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG & USDA) – This week, the USDA announced cases of bird flu had been found in dairy cows in a few states; Texas, Kansas, and Michigan. Iowa currently isn’t one of those states, but cattle farmers are keeping a close eye it. Last year, the avian flu killed nearly 3 million birds in the state of Iowa. That ranges from commercial poultry farms to backyard flocks.

Iowa State Extension Dairy Veterinarian Phillip Jardon said cows in Texas had contracted an unknown illness, which reduced milk production in older cattle. It wasn’t until this week he said pathologists learned it was the bird flu, but they aren’t sure how it happened.

Jardon said in each of the found cases in Texas, dead birds had been found near the farm. While he said the findings are all still new and research was being done, so far, the virus doesn’t seem to be as deadly to cattle. Jardon said it would still be a good idea for farmers to be vigilant as they get closer to starting selling and moving cattle this season.

In its latest report, the USDA said ” There continues to be no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply because products are pasteurized before entering the market, or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health. Dairies are required to send only milk from healthy animals into processing for human consumption; milk from impacted animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the human food supply.

In addition, pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Pasteurization is required for any milk entering interstate commerce for human consumption. FDA’s longstanding position is that unpasteurized, raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms that can pose serious health risks to consumers, and FDA is reminding consumers of the risks associated with raw milk consumption in light of the HPAI detections.”

OMAHA, Neb.  – The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Omaha field office is seeking the public’s help in locating an Iowa man wanted for alleged money laundering and wire fraud.

The office says William Jack “Bill” Berg, 51, is wanted for allegedly defrauding over a dozen client investors in a scheme that resulted in the loss of over $1.5 million. It’s alleged that the victim investors provided Berg, a financial advisor in the Des Moines metro area, with funds for investment — only for Berg to use those funds for his own benefit.

A federal arrest warrant was issued for Berg on March 19. He most recently lived in the Waukee and Adel areas and is suspected to have been in the Des Moines area as recently as Monday (March 25th).

William Jack Berg, (AKA Bill Berg) – FBI Photo

Berg is described as 5′11″, 195 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI’s Omaha field office at (402) 493-8688.

MUSCATINE, Iowa — The experts have spoken: Iowa’s best pulled pork sandwich is made in eastern Iowa. Voters in a recent social media contest sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association picked Skinny’s Barbecue in Muscatine as winner of the annual Pulled Pork Madness contest, according to a news release.

The Pork Producers say the bracket-style competition, in its seventh year, starts with 16 contenders and follows a narrowing process similar to the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament. The public determines which restaurants advance to the next round.

From the news release:

“At Skinny’s, pork butts are traditionally slathered with mustard to bind an equal mix of salt and pepper. Owner Cord Kleist uses a thick-cut pepper to grow a bark, the flavorful black crust that forms on the outside of the meat during the cooking process. He only recently began adding a special blend of seasonings.

“The pork is then cooked on a gas-powered rotisserie smoker at a low temperature for about 14 to 15 hours, and gets wrapped for the last couple of hours to seal in the moisture and juices. Oak wood is added as the meat cooks, to enhance the taste.

pulled pork sandwich at Skinny’s BBQ in Muscatine

“Each sandwich is served on a shiny brioche toasted bun, with house-made pickles and onions on the side, along with a choice of one homemade side dish. Three flavors of house-made sauces are available — sweet, spicy, or Carolina tangy gold.

“Winning the title ‘brings a tear to my eye,’ says Kleist, who will receive $250 and a Pulled Pork Madness plaque. “It’s crazy to see how far we’ve come and adapted and changed.”

Previous winners have included:

• 2018: Moo’s BBQ in Newton
• 2019: Warehouse Barbecue Co. + Brewhouse in Ottumwa
• 2020: Whatcha Smokin’? BBQ + Brew in Luther
• 2021: Smokin’ Butt Barbeque in Davenport
• 2022: Starbeck’s Smokehouse in Cedar Falls
• 2023: The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown