(Atlantic) Officials with Cass Health, in Atlantic, Monday (today) report Dr. Seann Atkinson, DO, was recently selected as an Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) “2021 Hospital Hero.” Dr. Atkinson will be recognized in October during the IHA annual meeting, which will be held virtually. The Iowa Hospital Heroes award is presented to those who have performed a heroic deed or tirelessly given of their time, talent, and expertise to improve their organization and the world around them. These leaders exemplify honesty, integrity, humility, courage, and commitment.

Dr. Atkinson was nominated by a patient, the family member of a patient, and several colleagues. Most notably, Dr. Atkinson was recognized by Cass Health Board Chairman Ned Brown, who credits Dr. Atkinson with saving his life by quickly diagnosing an aortic dissection. Brown said “I remember him telling me that I was in trouble, but he was so calm. He didn’t seem panicked, just very straightforward. He was thorough; he was certain of the diagnosis. He saved my life.”

Dr. Sean Atkinson

Dr. Atkinson is a board-certified family medicine physician who joined Atlantic Medical Center in October 2011. Dr. Atkinson grew up in Ankeny, Iowa, and graduated from Iowa State University and Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. After completing his residency in Rapid City, South Dakota in 2004, he practiced with the Regional Health Physicians in Sturgis for seven years.

Dr. Atkinson provides the full scope of family medicine care, with the exception of obstetrics. In addition, he performs routine outpatient endoscopy procedures, including EGDs and colonoscopies.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Cass/Atlantic Development Corp. and Cass County Extension have partnered together to offer a county-wide leadership program, “Leading Cass County”, that focuses on cultivating the next generation of community leaders. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, says “Leading Cass County is a program developed by ISU Extension and Outreach and the University of Wisconsin Extension. It’s designed to seek out emerging leaders within your county and teach them skills they need for interacting and working together to promote sustainable community development while also preparing them for positions of public influence and decision-making.”

The program, launched in the fall of 2019, is an 8-month course, meeting the second Tuesday of each month, that focuses on a different topic each session. Participants will interact with local leaders and learn about Cass County resources during community tours and presentations. Class sessions and tours will rotate around the county, showcasing the diversity of services the county has to offer. Class sessions will be held from 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM, followed by lunch and community tours from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM. A certificate will be awarded to participants who successfully fulfill the requirements of the leadership program.

Topics include: Community Leadership; Agriculture & Conservation; Economic Development; Local Government, Crime & Safety; Healthcare & Social Services; State Government, and a Graduation ceremony. Tuition is $350 per participant and will cover the entire program, tours and lunch.

By the end of the program, four core skill sets will be learned:

• Understanding community leadership and your community
• Identifying issues and framing ideas
• Building social capital
• Mobilizing resources for community action

Smith says “We were really pleased with the support we received, county-wide, from businesses and participants in 2019. We graduated 18 students in March of 2020 and look forward to having a full class again for the 2021-2022 year. The goal of this course is to mold young leaders that may be “hiding” throughout the county and give them the resources and confidence to become an active member of their community, stay here for the long haul and work towards making Cass County a great place to live and do business in.”

More information and a detailed list of monthly topics and tours can be found at www.atlanticiowa.com. Applications are due by noon September 15, 2021 by email to keolson@iastate.edu. Applications can also be found at the Extension, Chamber and Cass/Atlantic Development offices. “Leading Cass County” is sponsored by Atlantic Municipal Utilities, Camblin Mechanical and Cass County Health System.

The Creston Police Department reports two arrests from over the weekend. Authorities 62-year-old Gerald Knorr (Who has no known address), was arrested 8-a.m. Friday at 200 W. Howard Street, for Disorderly Conduct and Simple Assault, stemming from an incident on Sept. 9th. Knorr was cited and released from the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a Summons to Appear on both charges.

And, Sunday afternoon, 29-year-old Richie Rodriguez, of Creston, was arrested on a Polk County warrant for Failure to Appear on an original Violation of Probation, charge. Rodriguez was being held without bond in the Union County Jail, pending a hearing, and while awaiting transfer to Polk County.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines Police are working to solve the city’s seventh homicide of the year. KCCI reports officers were called at around 8:35 p.m. Sunday, to the 900 block of Randolph Street to investigate a report of a dispute. Arriving officers found the body of a 42-year-old woman.

“Observations at the scene indicated that this was not a death due to natural causes,” Des Moines police said through a news release. Police said witnesses are being interviewed and evidence is being examined in the case.

This is the seventh homicide investigation of 2021 in the city.

(Washington, D-C) – First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, September 15th. In Des Moines, the First Lady will join Rep. Cindy Axne at Des Moines Area Community College and highlight how the Biden Administration is supporting families through the American Rescue Plan and its Build Back Better agenda.

Dr. Biden is (Tentatively) set to arrive at the Des Moines International Airport at 2:45-p.m., Wednesday. About an hour later, she Representative Cindy Axne will visit Des Moines Area Community College, in Ankeny.