(Radio Iowa) – A new report finds about one in every six Iowa kids is obese, which is on par with national figures. Jamie Bussel is a senior program officer with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation which released the annual State of Childhood Obesity report. That report studied obesity rates in children nationwide between the ages of ten and 17.  “For Iowa, it’s 16.9% and that’s in comparison to the national average which is 16.2%,” Bussel says, “so Iowa is essentially right at the national average.” Iowa ranks 18th in the nation on this report, a rise from 22nd place last year and a drop from 14th the year before. Bussel says we shouldn’t get too hung up on those national rankings.

“We’re not seeing any statistically significant changes from the year before,” Bussel says. “The most important message here is that childhood obesity rates are far too high across the nation and kids of color and those that live furthest from economic opportunity are at greatest risk.” The pandemic has forced many Iowa kids — and adults — to live a more sedentary lifestyle, and Bussel says it’s absolutely having an impact on our weight and our health.

“I have a feeling that we’re going to continue to see over the next couple of years impacts on obesity specifically related to COVID,” Bussel says. “The fact that kids are getting back into schools, have access to more secure meals at schools, more opportunities for physical activity, certainly those are great signs of hope.” The study suggests solutions which include making universal school meals permanent and broadening federal programs like WIC and others which are designed to pull families from poverty.

See the full report at: https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org/

(Audubon, Iowa) – Two US Senate candidates seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination in 2022 will be in Audubon this Sunday (Oct. 17, 2021) from 11:00 to 2:00. The event will be held at Albert the Bull Park rain or shine.

Abby Finkenauer

Abby Finkenauer served as the U.S. Representative for Iowa’s 1st congressional district from 2019 to 2021. Before being elected to Congress, Finkenauer served in the Iowa House of Representatives for the 99th district from 2015 to 2019. Her committee assignments included Economic Growth, Labor, Transportation, and Ways and Means. She was also a member of the Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee.

Dr. Glenn Hurst chairs the Iowa Democratic Party’s Rural Caucus and the party’s 3rd District Central Committee. He served as a founding member of a branch of Indivisible, a progressive activist organization, in western Iowa. He operates a private medical practice in Minden that has convinced him that our Nation should have Medicare for All.

Abby Finkenauer, Glenn Hurst, and Dave Muhlbauer are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on June 7, 2022. The general election against Grassley will occur on November 8, 2022. Also appearing in Audubon at the event is Ross Wilburn, the chair of the Iowa Democratic Party. Wilburn was elected to Iowa House of Representatives from House District 46 in November 2018. Wilburn has served as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party since January 2021.

Dr. Glenn Hurst

The public is invited to meet Dr. Glenn Hurst, Abby Finkenauer and Chairman Wilburn on Sunday the 17th at Albert the Bull Park after church from 11-2.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday (today), approved an office new hire for the County Attorney Melissa Larson’s Office, and the transfer of another employee. Larsen said there was a good deal of interest in the position.

(She requested to hire Nellie Griffith as legal assistant, and move current employee Donnell Griffith to a paralegal position.)

Larson said the salary remains the same.

The question of nepotism was brought up. Larsen said Donnell Griffith – a Victim Witness Coordinator and Nellie Griffith, are sisters-in-law, related by marriage. Board Chair Steve Shelley asked what would happen in the event a case arises where someone involved happens to be related to either woman. Larson said it’s not an issue.

In other business, the Adair County Board of Supervisors acknowledged receipt of an Annual Report from County Conservation Director Dominic Johnson, who provided an update on the various county parks. One of which was the Mormon Trail Park, southeast of Bridgewater. Johnson said it will remain open for a few more weeks.

Johnson said if American Rescue Plan Act funds are used for recreation, it would be nice if those funds were used to fix park roads

Some figures he presented did not account for the cost of camper pads. No action was taken on assigning any funds at this time. And, the Supervisors in Adair County approved a low bid from Gus Construction for the Lakeview Drive Culvert project, in the amount of $467, 194.35.

Engineer Nick Kauffman said the bids were above the project engineer’s estimate of $334,000. The price reflects an increase in the cost of materials and grubbing (removal of trees) in the area. The trees will have to be hauled when removed. Excavation costs were also underestimated in the original assessment.

(Creston, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Union County report the arrest on Tuesday, of 44-year-old Shane Richard Hunter, from Afton. Hunter was being held in the Union County Jail without bond while awaiting a court appearance. He’s been charged with Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense, and Interference with Offical Acts.

(Anita, Iowa) – Members of the CAM School District’s Board of Education, Monday evening approved a couple of resignations, and an SBRC Modified Supplemental Amount application for the Special Education Program Deficit. Shared CAM/Nodaway Valley Superintendent Paul Croghan said (as a fire drill was underway)…

As for the SBRC application…

Mr. Croghan wants to remind patrons of the CAM School District about upcoming informational meetings set to take place prior to the November elections.

He says there are many other ways to be an informed voter with regard to the bond election measure, as well.

(A reminder also, there is an informational meeting on the bond measure tonight (Oct. 13th), at the CAM North Elementary Gym, in Anita. The meeting starts at 6:30-p.m.)

(Creston, Iowa) – A motorist distracted by their back seat dog, ran into the back of a car Tuesday evening. According to Creston Police, a 2011 Toyota Corolla driven by 33-year-old Rachel E. Campbell, of Creston, was traveling west on Highway 34 at around 6:20-p.m., and approaching an intersection controlled by stoplights. A 2015 Toyota Tacoma pickup driven by 75-year-old Minnie Marie Penno, of Creston, was also westbound on 34, when Penno was distracted by her dog.

When she failed to see the stopped car in front of her, Penno’s pickup struck the rear of the Toyota, causing significant front end damage to the pickup, which was towed from the scene. The car was able to be driven following the accident. No citations were issued.