(Radio Iowa) – University of Iowa researchers are studying the mental health and well-being of faculty and staff at college campuses across the state.

Barry Schreier, director of higher education programming at the UI’s Scanlan Center for School Mental Health, says the first phase of the survey was conducted last April in seven community colleges. When the second phase is launched next month, Schreier says it will broaden in scope.

“We are going to try to pick up as many schools as possible, which is going to expand out to additional community colleges,” Schreier says. “We will have at least over half the community colleges in the state, which is a pretty good sample, and we are expanding out to the private schools. There are 30 some in the state and we have picked up several of those, and then we will begin to sample the three regent universities as well.”

Student mental health is not the focus of this study, he says, as many others are already doing that.

“This is unique because it is sampling staff and faculty, which is not very typical,” Schreier says. “Most services and research about campus mental health and well-being are largely student-facing, and that certainly has been the case in Iowa. This is a first-of-its-kind survey of staff and faculty in higher education in the state of Iowa.”

One finding of the survey’s first phase was that nearly 75% of community college staff had referred students to mental health resources in the previous year, which he says was an unexpected and large percentage.

“Staff and faculty, whether they feel ready or not to assist students when they’re in distress, they’re doing it,” Schreier says. “Staff and faculty then apparently have a good understanding of what resources are on their campuses and are making those referrals, understanding that they are first-line responders.”

The survey also quizzed faculty and staff about whether they considered themselves “flourishing,” and most did, but 30% also reported feeling burned out.

“One of our recommendations that we think is a really critical finding of this study is that when campuses are talking, when the press is talking to campuses about campus mental health, it is critical that they talk about both sides of the coin,” Schreier says. “Folks are struggling, a percentage of folks certainly are struggling and living with mental health concerns, and at the same time, can also be flourishing.”

The Scanlan Center is considered the state’s hub for school-based mental health research, training, professional learning, and clinical services.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Officials with the Atlantic Police Department today (Tuesday), released a report on arrests that took place from February 14th through March 2nd.

• Tami Schulz, 52, of Atlantic, was arrested February 14th for Theft 1st and Counterfeiting/Forgery.
• Kalee Nolte, 30, of Atlantic, was arrested February 14th for Theft 1st.
• Sean Phillipson, 23, of Atlantic, was arrested February 15th for Theft 4th (Shoplifting).
• Taify Amumu, 28, of Atlantic, was arrested February 18th for Public Intoxication.
• Kevin Viether, 44, of Atlantic, was arrested February 18th for Operating While Under the Influence 1st offense.
• Donovan Brunning, 30, of Atlantic, was arrested February 19th for Driving While Barred.
• Sonia Jaramillo, 43, of Atlantic, was arrested February 20th for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug, and Gathering Where Marijuana is Used.
• Madleen Hadley, 41, of Atlantic, was arrested February 22nd for Operating While Under the Influence 2nd Offense and Child Endangerment.
• Anthony Germann, 42, of Shelby, was arrested February 26th for Threat of Terrorism, Interference with Official Acts, Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree and Domestic Abuse Assault.
• Taify Amumu, 28, of Atlantic, was arrested February 28th for Public Intoxication.
• Shaylee Riesgaard, 31, of Hamlin, was arrested March 2nd for Assault Causing Bodily Injury.

All individuals were taken to the Cass County Jail and booked in. Tami Schulz, 52, of Atlantic, was cited into court and released on February 23rd for Theft 5th. Charles Burns, 62, of Atlantic, was cited into court and released on February 27th for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Gathering Where Marijuana is Used.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, during their meeting today (Tuesday), set May 21st as the date for a Public Hearing on a Resolution to declare Emergency Medical Services to be an essential service. And, they set March 26th at the date for a Public Hearing on the proposed FY2025 Tax Levy. Auditor Kathy Somers explained the budget isn’t finished yet, but so far it seems the County is “in a good spot.”

A letter to property owners won’t be mailed-out until March 20th.

In other business, the Board authorize Chairman Steve Baier to sign a 28-E agreement with Juvenile Detention.

The agreement says the County will have to contribute about $6,700 less this year, which Baier says is a good deal, because there’s no way the County could handle those services with stand-alone funding. They also authorized a letter of response with regard to a jail and ICE Detainment Policy. Cass County Chief Deputy Sheriff John Westering said it’s essentially the same policy they’ve had for years. Their action was in response to an inquiry into the question of whether or not Cass County was a “Sanctuary City” for illegal immigrants.

Board Chair Steve Baier added…

And, the Board passed an amended Resolution allocating $10,000 in ARPA funds for the Atlantic Splash Pad Project. Supervisor Wendy Richter…

SplashPad Fundraising Committe Chair Jeremy Butler said the project is currently out for bids. Those bids are due by March 15th. The bids will be opened later this month and either accepted or rejected.

The Cass County Supervisors, today (Tuesday), heard from Craig Meyer, from Lewis, who attended the meeting to thank the Supervisors for approving during their last regular meeting, the powdercoating of benches at the Freedom Rock site, in Lewis. The benches are finished and returned to their places in the park.

In other business, Board approved the County’s contribution to Connections Area Agency on Aging, for FY 2025.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Master Gardeners (CCMG) are again offering a $1,000 scholarship to local students, with applications due April 1, 2024.  The purpose of this scholarship is to provide post-secondary funds to individuals who are studying and intend to pursue a career in a horticulture-related field. This scholarship is available to students who are graduating seniors in any of the following Iowa school districts, in which currently reside members of CCMG: Atlantic, AHSTW, CAM, Griswold, or Red Oak. This scholarship is also available to previous graduates, of any age, of any of these school districts.  Scholarship committee members want to emphasize that students of any age studying in a horticulture-related field are encouraged to apply, regardless of the type of program they are studying, as long as they intend to obtain some degree or certificate in a horticultural-related field.

The goal of the Master Gardener program is to support horticulture education and community service.  CCMG members provide many hours of volunteer service and gardening education within their local communities. This scholarship is designed to further that focus on education and community service. Enrollment in a horticulture-related program of study is required for consideration. Examples of horticultural-related fields are included on the application to give applicants an idea of degree fields that may be eligible to apply. The scholarship winner will be selected based upon horticulture-related career goals, history of community service, academic success, and quality and completeness of application. (Financial need is NOT a criterion.)

The scholarship is for any student pursuing post-secondary education during the 2024-2025 school year. A scholarship check will be issued in January 2025, in the student’s name directly to the academic institution, upon receipt of an official grade transcript for the completed Fall 2024 semester, demonstrating a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. A previous scholarship recipient may re-apply, but an individual may only receive a total of two scholarships from this program.

The application form is available through the high school guidance departments of any eligible school district, or on the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/.  Applications should be submitted to the Cass County Extension Office, 805 W 10^th St, Atlantic, Iowa 50022, or emailed to keolson@iastate.edu on or before the April 1 deadline for consideration. Questions can be directed to the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132.

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports a man has died in a grain bin accident. Authorities received a call about the incident in rural Tabor, Monday (March 4, 2024). The caller said the accident happened at the site located 2922 120th Street. Officials say it appears 94-year-old Robert Wayne Smith was helping in a bin unloading soybeans while running a grain vacuum. Smith’s son was out moving the semi that they we loading. When the son came back to the bin Robert was found under the beans.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was being sent to the State Medical Examiners Office in Ankeny to determine the cause of death.

Tabor Fire and Rescue was assisted at the scene by Randolph Fire and Sidney Fire and Rescue.

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says he noticed two surprises in the latest Census of Agriculture, as he says it’s always interesting to see where Iowa bucks the national trends. Naig says Iowa was among few states that saw an increase in the number of farms, and Iowa also saw an upturn in the number of farmers, including farmers under 35. He gives part of the credit to the launch of Choose Iowa, a branded program for Iowa-grown, Iowa-made, Iowa-raised products. Naig says some younger farmers are also getting into diversified agriculture, selling things direct to consumers.

(Radio Iowa) – Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s seeing momentum grow for passage of his bill that would put new restrictions on a drug called xylazine. It’s also known as the “zombie drug,” as it’s used by veterinarians and farmers as a tranquilizer for large animals. “The drug is not intended for human use, but you know what happens with drugs today. Some people are now mixing that substance with fentanyl,” Grassley says. “This is a deadly combo that’s taken a lot of American lives.” The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act is bipartisan, as Grassley teamed up to introduce it with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat from Nevada.

“Our bill classifies the tranquilizer as a Schedule 3 substance and secondly, enables the Drug Enforcement Agency to monitor its manufacturing,” Grassley says. “Importantly, veterinarians and farmers would still be able to use the tranquilizer for their animals.” Since the bill was introduced almost a year ago, Grassley says 23 co-sponsors have signed on in the Senate, along with 88 co-sponsors in the House.

“The prospects of our legislation becoming law are stronger than ever,” Grassley says. “Too many communities have felt the devastating effect of the nation’s drug epidemic. Inaction is not an option.” A 2022 report from the DEA found 23% of fentanyl powder contained xylazine. It causes depressed breathing and heart rate, unconsciousness, necrosis, and death, while naloxone does -not- reverse its effects because it is not an opioid.

LEWIS, Iowa – The Wallace Foundation will hold an educational event for the public, followed by its annual business meeting, March 13 at the Armstrong Memorial Research and
Demonstration Farm, just west of Lewis. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a welcome address from Mark Bentley, president of the Wallace Foundation.

From 10 a.m. to noon, attendees will hear updates from two Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists: Richard Roth, nitrogen science education specialist; and Doug Houser,
digital ag extension specialist. Roth will discuss nitrogen impacts with the use of cover crops, and address other nitrogen concerns heading into the 2024 growing season. Houser will discuss the many uses of drones for agricultural applications and will touch on other trends within digital agriculture.

Aaron Saeugling, Field Agronomist in southwest Iowa, says “As we head into the spring season, new technology and the efficient use of nitrogen is going to be critical for success this year. Both speakers are new to extension and outreach and bring many years of experience in their respective fields.”

The annual business meeting of the Wallace Foundation will be held at 1 p.m. The event is free to attend and includes lunch by Downtowner Cafe and Catering. Attendees are asked to pre-register in order to help with facility and meal planning. To register, email Farm Superintendent Matt Groves at mjgroves@iastate.edu or call him at 712-769-2402. The meeting will be held inside the Wallace Foundation Learning and Outreach Center, 53020 Hitchcock Ave. Lewis, Iowa 51544.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Cass County (IA) Auditor Kathy Somers has officially announced her intentions to run for re-election in the June 4, 2024 Republican primary. Somers was elected to fill a vacancy following Dale Sunderman’s retirement in the November, 2022 General Election, and is now running for a full four-year term.

Somers served 12 years on the Atlantic City Council from 2010 through 2021. She was chairperson of the city’s personnel and finance committee for 10 years, and credits that experience, along with her committee work as chairman of the landfill board and member of the Cass County Public Safety Commission, with preparing her for the role of county auditor. Somers learned how local governmental finances and budgets work, and became familiar with many issues involving the county as a result of those experiences.

Before becoming the county auditor, Somers worked at A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc., a bridge construction company, as the HR & EEO Officer and Safety Coordinator. The experience allowed her to bring a background in human resources, employee benefits, equal employment opportunity, workman’s compensation and liability insurance claims to the county. She also previously worked at CADCO as the executive secretary where she was involved in various projects that benefited the county and has brought that history to the office as well.

Kathy Somers (official photo)

The auditor’s duties include serving as the county’s financial officer, budget director, clerk to the board of supervisors, commissioner of elections, and registrar of voters. The auditor processes taxable valuation rates and prepares the property tax book. Real estate transfers, payroll, accounts payable, and passport applications are also handled in the auditor’s office.

Somers is the daughter of Dean and Verna Esbeck and is a 1988 graduate of Atlantic High School. She is married to Guy Somers. They have four grown children: Mikayla Stockhaus, Justin Somers, Nadia Coop and Lex Somers. Kathy Somers looks forward to serving the citizens of Cass County for another four years.

JEFFERSON, Iowa [KCCI] — A Jefferson man accused of kidnapping his son will undergo a psychiatric evaluation. On Monday, a judge ruled that there was probable cause to suggest that 34-year-old Brandon Duong is not competent to stand trial.

Duong is charged with second-degree kidnapping and violating a custodial order after he removed his 7-year-old son from Greene County Elementary in January, prompting an Amber Alert. After a chase and hours-long stand-off, Duong surrendered and was taken into custody in northwest Iowa. His son was unharmed.

The case will remain on hold until the psychiatric evaluation comes back.