(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne is co-sponsoring legislation to prohibit companies from ending health care benefits for striking workers. “I think across this country we’ve seen too many places where Americans are under threat of losing their health care because they’re standing up for workers’ rights,” Axne says. Axne, a Democrat, says she learned about the issue this fall as she walked the picket line in Ankeny with striking John Deere workers.

Deere and Company continued paying health care premiums, but under current law, it could have stopped providing health care benefits after October 27th. “How can they do that to families?” Axne asks. “How can they do that to children, who need this? How can they do to pregnant mothers? How can they do that people who have cancer or some other disease?” One-hundred-40 union workers who’ve been on strike at a California baker lost health care coverage January 1st. Axne says corporations sometimes use termination of health care benefits as a tactic to end a strike.

“People across the country understand that it’s not fair for workers who are still employed by those companies while they’re on strike,” because if you’re still employed, you shouldn’t be losing those benefits.” Axne is seeking reelection to a third term in the U.S. House this year. The Des Moines Register reported this week Axne has begun accepting contributions from political action committees connected to corporations. Axne had refused PAC donations in past campaigns.

“I came to understand that those PACs are nothing when compared to the real threat, which is dark money,” Axne says. “The Republicans have been spending millions running false and misleading ads against me. I’ve got to make sure I have the opportunity to push back against those who are trying to smear my record.”Republicans say Axne’s reversal on this campaign finance issue shows she can’t be trusted to keep her word.

Atlantic Public Library to Host Virtual Event Feb. 10 with Author and Psychologist Doreen Dodgen-Magee….

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Feeling ready for a restart? You’re not alone. Join the Atlantic Public Library and Healthy Cass County for
a free virtual presentation with author and psychologist Doreen Dodgen-Magee on designing a healthy post pandemic life on Thursday, February 10 from 7:00-8:00 PM. Register for the link for the online presentation at bit.ly/Feb10restart.

The virtual event will begin with an informative review of where we were when quarantine hit and how the lock down impacted us behaviorally and interpersonally, and then address how to restart and find opportunities for growth and health. The event is based on Dodgen-Magee’s latest book, Restart: designing a healthy post pandemic life. Atlantic Public Library Director Michelle Andersen described reading the book as, “talking to your best friend who just happens to be a psychologist and getting all the best advice.”

As a starred review in the December 2021 summarized, “Psychologist Dodgen-Magee comprehensively details all the things society has lost and reconfigured during the pandemic—neglect of physical activities, over-reliance on screens, and increased substance abuse—and offers steps to counteract these behaviors and build new healthy habits.” The review goes on to note Dodgen-Magee, “aptly describes this late-pandemic period as ‘running a marathon with a constantly moving finish line’ and provides specific ways to support our own and other’s mental health, create new realities, and nurture healthy relationships with technology… Dodgen-Magee’s advice hits home at a vulnerable period in our
lives.”

Dodgen-Magee’s latest book is available at all Cass County libraries, and the free, virtual event is open to anyone with internet connection. For those in the area without internet access, the Atlantic Public Library will be open to watch the online event.

Event: Restart: Designing a Healthy Post Pandemic Life

• Date: Thursday, February 10
• Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
• Where:
  
  • Online: Register for the link for the online presentation at bit.ly/Feb10restart, or
    
  • Watch the online presentation at the Atlantic Public Library (507 Poplar St. Atlantic, IA 50022)

This program is made possible by a Mental Health Resources grant from the Network of National Library
of Medicine Region 6.

Milford, Iowa –– Around 8:30 AM on February 3, 2022, the Milford Police Department responded to a shooting in the parking lot located at 2501 Boji Bend in Milford, Iowa. Upon arrival a female was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to the Lakes Regional Hospital in Spirit Lake.  The female was later air lifted to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls in critical condition.

Around 9:30 AM Law Enforcement arrested Christian Goyne-Yarns (age 25) of Spirit Lake without incident in Spirit Lake.  Goyne-Yarns was transported to the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office where he has been charged with Attempted to Commit Murder, a Class B Felony.

This is an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by the Milford Police Department, Spirit Lake Police Department, Arnolds Park Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, The Iowa State Patrol, The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.  No further details are being released at this time.  As the investigation continues further charges may be applied.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.  

(UPDATED/Radio Iowa) -Governor Kim Reynolds will allow the COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration to expire next week. Iowa Department of Public Health director, Kelly Garcia, talked with reporters today (Thursday) about the move. “After nearly two years of experience with an ever-evolving virus — we have shifted our response and reporting several times. And that continues with our announcement today. Effective February 16th, so midnight February 15th, the state’s public health emergency declaration will expire,” Garcia says.

Garcia says the department has focused thousands of hours and dollars in responding to the pandemic. “A significant portion of those resources have been dedicated to COVID-19 reporting. Including the creation and maintenance of the state’s COVD website coronavirus.Iowa.gov. And the vaccine resource vaccinateIowa.gov,” she says. “It makes sense that with the expiration of the proclamation we would shift this reporting to an I-D-P-H maintained website.”

IDPH Director Kelly Garcia.

The weekly reports on COVID-19 data will be published on the I-D-P-H website, the state will no longer require long-term care facilities to notify the department when they have three or more infections in residents. I-D-P-H will use C-M-S data to identify facilities with positive cases and will assist in infection control. The vaccine finder tool will also no longer be available.

“With this new phase, does it mean that we will stop thinking about COVID — no, not at all — this change is in line with more than half of other states, and we have been in contact with our regional and federal partners,” Garcia says. Garcia says COVID has not gone away and that is not what this move means.

“Does making COIVD normal mean that we are any less concerned with the health of Iowans? No, it means that we must shift to a more sustainable approach to allow our health professionals to manage this virus like we do others,” Garcia says. Garcia says the change will allow them to focus on some things that have not gotten as much attention with all the attention paid to the virus.

“There is a significant behavioral health crisis that is emerging from the pandemic. We continue to see delayed care for patients and an overtaxed workforce. And recently a significant increase in suicide deaths among young people in central Iowa. And we have made connections with federal partners and locals a messaging strategy and response to reach these young Iowans in crisis.” Garcia says they made the decision after talking with health professionals and it was the ultimate decision of the governor to let the proclamation expire now.

(Radio Iowa) – The Senate G-O-P’s five-year plan to cut the state income tax rate to three-point-six percent has cleared the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The bill also cuts the corporate tax rate, reduces and eliminates some business tax credits, provides a tax break to banks and proposes a new way to finance water quality and outdoor recreation projects. Senator Dan Dawson, a Republican from Council Bluffs, says it’s a tax reform package.

“I feel that this bill goes well beyond just tax cuts,” Dawson says. “It actually modifies and modernizes our system for an economy of the future, the 21st century.” Senator Pam Jochum, a Democrat from Dubuque, says the initial analysis shows the tax cut will amount to no more than 28 cents a week for the more than 560-thousand Iowans who’re at the bottom of the income ladder.

“I’m not opposed to tax cuts,” Jochum says. “I just want to make sure they’re very targeted to those who need it the most.” The bill is now eligible for debate in the full, 50-member Senate.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Rolling Hills Bank & Trust, in Atlantic have announced that Keith Honke was recently promoted to the position of Bank President. Honke has been with Rolling Hills Bank & Trust since 2008 and most recently as Executive Vice President and serving on the Board of Directors. As President his duties will be expanded to overall bank operations.

Keith Honke says “I am very lucky to work with such a dedicated group that truly care about our customers and their needs. I look forward to assuming this new challenge and appreciate the Board’s confidence in me. We will continue to offer a full line of services that will best support our customer’s needs.”

Keith Honke

Rolling Hills Bank and Trust is a locally owned bank with a total of 13 branches; 10 in Iowa including the main office in Atlantic, two in Minnesota and one in Wyoming. Darrell Hockenberry remains with Rolling Hills Bank and Trust as CEO and Chairman of the Board.

(Atlantic, Iowa)- The $500 Reanne Gruhn Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to an Atlantic High School graduate who benefited from Resource Room Services in the Atlantic Community School District, or is planning a career in education. The scholarship was established by Xi Beta Phi Sorority in 2003 as a memorial to their sister, Reanne Gruhn. Reanne was an outstanding educator in the Atlantic Schools, specializing in Resource Room education.

This scholarship is a tribute to her dedication and continuous love for all students. All graduating seniors or alumni are encouraged to apply for the scholarship. More information can be found on the AHS Guidance link on the website-atlanticiaschools.org. Applications must be turned in by March 29, 2022