(Radio Iowa) – A health care provider in the Sioux City metro has agreed to pay over 12-and-a-half MILLION dollars to settle a federal investigation of alleged kick-backs. The U-S Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa says kickbacks make health care more expensive and create the potential for health care decisions that are not in the best interest of the patient. The Dunes surgical hospital in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota was accused of making significant payments to a non-profit affiliate of a physician group whose physicians made referrals to the facility.

Those payments allegedly funded the salaries of athletic trainers who generated referrals to the surgical hospital. The settlement also resolves allegations that the surgical hospital provided free or below-market-value clinic space, staff, and supplies to another group of physicians.

The news release from the U-S Justice Department indicates the Dunes surgical center cooperated with the government’s investigation and has taken a number of significant steps to reach a resolution to the case. The facility was also accused of false billings to Medicare, Medicaid as well as TRICARE, the health care program for active duty military, veterans and their families. As part of the settlement, the surgical center has agreed to pay the states of Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska will be paid nearly one-four-four MILLION for the Medicaid infractions.

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School Board met Monday evening. Superintendent Dave Henrichs told KJAN News the Board officially approved the hiring of Cathy Brown as Middle School/High School Cook. He says she actually started on September 3^rd. Henrichs said the Griswold School Board approved a bid, under the Safety Grant, to install push button locks on classroom doors. The bid was awarded to Red Oak Glass, in the amount of $169.68 per door.

He said they’re still waiting to get bids for other items. The Board also approved a request for Allowable Growth and Supplemental Aid for 2023-24 Special Education Deficit in the amount of $411, 200.74. That’s down from last year’s approximately $420,000.

There are no tax implications. Henrichs explained the reasons why there was an increase in the deficit.

Dave Henrichs said also, the Griswold School Board authorized Transportation Director Jeff Peck, to purchase two buses coming off from a lease in another school district, in the amount of $125,000 for both buses.

The Board approved the first reading of various 100-, 500- and 900-series Board Polices, and they received an open enrollment report, which shows a net change of six students (11 more open-enrollments in, and five more open-enrollments out.). Henrichs says the net open-enrollments is negative 65 (-65), but the district is “Trending in the right direction.”

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports six arrests over the past week. Most recently, Monday night, 53-year-old Dennis Paul Archer-McLain, of Malvern, was arrested for Domestic Abuse. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

Saturday afternoon, 45-year-old Jolyn Morales-Padilla, of Carter Lake, was arrested for Burglary in the 3rd Degree. Bond: $500.

There were three arrests in Mills County last Friday:

• Glen Alan Kroll, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense. Bond: $2,000.
• 36-year-old Jose Timotoe Espinoza Morales, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. Bond: $1,000.
• 24-year-old Reajean Ann Byers, of Branson, MO, was arrested on a warrant for Contempt – Other Act or Omission of District Court. She was being held in the Mills County Jail without bond.

And, on September 12th, Mills County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 66-year-old John Michael Brown, of Tiptonville, TN, for OWI/1st offense – Speeding. Bond: $1,000.00

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Cass County (IA) today (Tuesday), received a monthly report from Cass/Guthrie County Environmental Health Sanitarian Mike Stringham. He mentioned the costs associated with well plugging and rehab’s recently increased.

He recommends homeowners at least get their well(s) tested.

Cass County BOS meeting, 9-17-24

The Board discussed giving consent for an extension of the division of revenue in the urban renewal area for the City of Atlantic, from 10-to 15-years, with regard to the Camblin Hills Subdivision Project. Their discussion was followed by approval of the extension as presented.

The Board set October 1^st, and 8:30-a.m., as the time and date for a public hearing on a zoning change request by Farmer’s Electric Cooperative for  proposed electrical substation at Highway 148 and Jackson Road.

Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken provided the Board with his regular, Secondary Roads Department report.

And, the Board opted to appoint Wendy Richter to the Southlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery Commission. She said the Commission is working on getting all the shared records between the City of Atlantic, the County and the Township, sorted and organized, with regard to the Cemetery’s finances. A court order is currently in-place that stipulates those responsibilities are to be shared equally.

DES MOINES, Iowa (Sept. 17, 2024) – Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book, who has led the state’s largest hunger-relief organization for nearly nine years, has announced she will retire Dec. 31, 2024. Book transformed Food Bank of Iowa from once underperforming to a premier Feeding America food bank, receiving awards of excellence in 2022 and 2023. Food Bank of Iowa also is consistently voted among the metro’s most influential nonprofits. Today, Food Bank of Iowa serves more Iowans facing food insecurity than ever before, distributing more than 25 million pounds of food annually to 700 partners across 55 counties.

‘Exceptional progress’
“During Michelle’s tenure, Food Bank of Iowa has made exceptional progress in its mission,” said Terri Vaughan, chair of Food Bank of Iowa’s board of directors. “She took an organization with financial and operating challenges and turned it into one recognized as best in class. Thanks to her leadership, the food bank has been able to dramatically increase the amount of food distributed while improving financial stability. We have increased space for food storage, added partners, implemented efficient distribution plans and provided support for food pantries in schools. The board is grateful for Michelle’s leadership in enabling this amazing transformation.”

Michelle Book

With Book as CEO, Food Bank of Iowa:

• Increased food distribution by 230%, expanding food assistance to children, older Iowans, veterans and immigrant populations
• Acquired then-Food Bank of Southern Iowa in 2018 and later completely renovated the facility. This became Food Bank of Iowa’s Ottumwa distribution center, which supports 13 southeast Iowa counties.
• Modernized transportation from three old trucks to a fleet of 20 vehicles, including three semi tractor-trailers.
• Devised a delivery schedule providing free delivery to all partners
• Raised $20 million to renovate and expand the Des Moines facility twice
• Created volunteer centers of excellence, increasing volunteerism by more than 600%
• Opened 162 school pantries to serve children and their families

Book became Food Bank of Iowa’s third CEO in 2016. She previously led global community relations for DuPont Pioneer (now Corteva) and global compliance at John Deere Financial.

‘Extraordinary privilege’
“It has been an extraordinary privilege to make a difference in the lives of neighbors struggling to make ends meet,” Book said. “On this journey I have been honored to walk beside a community of individuals who care – my passionate teammates, stalwart partners, generous donors and energetic volunteers. Together, we fight hunger every single day to achieve our shared vision of a hunger-free Iowa.

“This role opened my eyes to the difficult choices people must make when money is short. Although the next chapter will bring more time to enjoy my family and outside interests, I will continue to seek opportunities to improve the human existence. As Maya Angelou said, when we know better, we can do better.”

The board of directors will conduct a national search for Food Bank of Iowa’s next leader.

About Food Bank of Iowa
Established in 1982, Food Bank of Iowa provides nutritious food for children, families and older Iowans to live full and active lives, strengthening their communities. Serving 55 of Iowa’s 99 counties, Food Bank of Iowa delivers more than 25 million pounds of food (21 million meals) to 700 partners annually. Learn more at foodbankiowa.org.

(Council Bluffs, IA) – (UPDATED) – Officials with the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency today (Tuesday), announced the agency’s upcoming Annual Preparedness Fair is scheduled to take place September 26, 2024, from 5-until 8-p.m. The community event will be held at the Pottawattamie County Emergency Operations Center (205 S Main Street, Council Bluffs). The Preparedness Fair is designed to bring together local residents and organizations to enhance community preparedness related to hazards that could impact county residents. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with a variety of community resources, including emergency services, health organizations, and human service organizations, all aimed at ensuring that Pottawattamie County remains resilient in the face of emergencies and disasters.

Event Highlights Include:
• Disaster Survivor Assistance: Disaster survivors can engage with local human service organizations, as well as state and federal representatives, regarding their assistance applications and to identify any ongoing or unmet needs.
• Interactive Booths: Engage with representatives from emergency services, health departments, and community organizations to learn about vital resources and preparedness strategies.
• Flu Shots: Pottawattamie County Public Health will be providing flu shots with current insurance card or $20 cash payment.
• Resource Demonstrations: Witness firsthand demonstrations of a tornado simulation machine, CPR demonstrations, and preparedness techniques.
• Family-Friendly Activities: Enjoy a range of activities designed to educate and engage all age groups, including interactive games and safety challenges for children.
• Free Food: Rapid Relief Team (RRT) will be providing hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks to attendees of the fair.
• Alert Sign-Ups: Assistance will be available to assist community members to sign up for the public alerting system, AlertIowa.

Doug Reed Pott. County Director of Emergency Management says “This event is an excellent opportunity for our community to come together and learn about the resources available to keep us safe and prepared. We encourage everyone to attend, whether you’re a seasoned preparedness expert or just starting to think about your family’s emergency plan.”

The Preparedness Fair is open to all residents of Pottawattamie County and surrounding areas.

(Creston, Iowa) – A woman from Creston was arrested early today (Tuesday), on a couple of charges. 26-year-old Valen Roseana McKown was arrested at around 12:15-a.m., at the Creston/Union County LEC (Law Enforcement Center). McKown was charged with Driving Suspended and OWI/2nd Offense. She was taken to the Union County Jail and later posted a $2,300 bond before being released.

(Radio Iowa) – The Des Moines City Council voted last (Monday) night for a ban on camping and sleeping on public property that targets homeless people. The council also approved lowering the notice time before removing tents and shelters from ten days to three. After each ordinance passed, crowds outside the chamber booed and chanted in dissent. Council member Josh Mandelbaum said the bans would create more problems for homeless people rather than helping them. Mandelbaum says, “When we do this piecemeal and at the last minute and in an untransparent way, we’re not optimizing what we could be doing.” Under the new bans, people who do not agree to move to a shelter can be arrested, charged with a simple misdemeanor and fined 15-dollars.

The ordinances both passed 5-to-2 with Council members Mandelbaum and Mike Simonson voting no. Councilman Chris Coleman, who chairs the Homeless Coordinating Council, said the original idea for the bans came from a group of council members. “The five people that voted for it tonight all ran for election in the fall. We all got elected,” Coleman says. “I think it was loud and clear that people wanted us to find better long term solutions both to help the homeless but also to make sure that we are accountable for keeping our parks and sidewalks safe so that the public can enjoy them.”

Before the vote, Coleman introduced a 50-thousand dollar housing fund that could be used for services such as rental deposits and moving expenses. Coleman said the city would distribute the money through a nonprofit provider which the city has not chosen yet. The council does not have a timeline yet for when the bans will go into effect.