(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa Department of Public Health reports preliminary data shows the number of deaths involving opioids fell from 137 to 89 in the first eight months of this year compared to the same time period last year. The director of the department’s Opioid Initiatives, Kevin Gabbert, says several factors are involved in the drop. “Expanded access to Naloxone — which is the opioid reversal drug — and it’s also been things like expansion of medication assisted treatment. We’ve had great legislative support in creating new legislation to address the issue. We’ve had expanded use of the Prescription Monitoring Program,” Gabbert says.

While the opioid-related deaths have dropped, Gabbert says it is only a start on addressing the problem. “It’s difficult for us to hang our hat on that fact that we are down to 89 — because 89 is still too many. One is too many,” according to Gabbert. “And when you think about the family member of friends who have been affected by an opioid overdose — to tell them that things are better, I really don’t think provides enough support.”

The second National Drug Take Back day was Saturday, as Iowans turned in thousands of unneeded prescription drugs. Gabbert says that is another effort that can help cut opioid deaths. “Where we’re seeing the most significant increase in the number of overdoses is among the elicit substances. So things like fentanyl,carfentanil,” Gabbert explains. “What we know is that four out of five individuals who first used heroin started with a prescription painkiller. The problem is, the majority of those individuals that prescription painkiller wasn’t one that was prescribed to them. That means it was a surplus of somebody else’s supply that was made available to them.”

The number of opioid-related deaths started climbing in 2000 when there were 23, and rose steadily to a high of 206 in 2017. Gabbert says state, local and federal officials have worked together on the various programs to address the rise. He says those efforts are still continuing. Gabbert says last week President Trump signed the Support for Patients and Communities act, which he says further expands efforts for treatment, recovery and prevention and fighting fentanyl.

He says this is preliminary data and all the numbers aren’t finalized until four to six months after the year ends. That means the effort is far from done. Gabbert says there’s lots of help available Get help at Your-Life-Iowa-dot org (YourLifeIowa.org). There’s a variety of resources available there in addition to live individuals that they can talk with about their issues and also receive referral information for treatment services.”

(Radio Iowa) — A book about the struggles and rewards of family farming is the pick for the 2019 All Iowa Reads program. It’s called “This Blessed Earth: A Year in the Life of an American Family Farm.” Helen Dagley, a research librarian at the State Library of Iowa who oversees All Iowa Reads, says the author Ted Genoways is a fourth-generation Nebraskan, but he used to live in Iowa City and got one of his degrees from the University of Iowa. “Our current choice for 2019 is about the land and good use of the land and water and resources and things like that,” Dagley says. “All of those things and more are of common interest to both states.”

For the first time, the same book will also be read next year in the state next door as part of “One Book One Nebraska,” which operates much like All Iowa Reads. Dagley says, “The two states have so many things in common, including the author who loves both states and writes words that will resonate with both sets of readers.”

The goal of All Iowa Reads is to create a sense of unity through reading by encouraging Iowans to come together in their communities to read and talk about a single book title in the same year. Libraries, book clubs, schools and other local organizations are encouraged to sponsor discussions of the title.

“It will give rise to discussions within the people who are reading it whether they are farmers themselves or city dwellers,” Dagley says. “The issues from the farms really resonate with people who are living in the city when it comes to crop production and clean water and different things we see in the headlines almost daily.”

The two programs picked a joint selection for the upcoming year as the combined Iowa and Nebraska Library Associations Conference will be held in Omaha in the fall of 2019. Genoways lives outside Lincoln and his book tells the story of a farm family from harvest to harvest, facing challenges from rising corporate ownership, encroaching pipelines, groundwater depletion, climate change and shifting trade policies.

On the web at https://www.iowacenterforthebook.org/

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — A Roman Catholic diocese in Iowa has hidden for decades a priest’s admission that he sexually abused dozens of boys, a silence that may have put other children in danger. The Associated Press has learned that the Rev. Jerome Coyle, now 85, was stripped of his parish assignments in the 1980s but has never been defrocked or publicly identified by the church as a pedophile, even though the Diocese of Sioux City has been aware of his conduct for 32 years.
He recently moved into a retirement home in Fort Dodge, Iowa, across the street from a parochial school. He refuses to comment. A diocese letter obtained by the AP shows that Coyle told the bishop in 1986 that he had victimized 50 youngsters over a 20-year period. The diocese says it will respond later in the day Wednesday.

(Radio Iowa) — An historic landmark in Elk Horn is getting a major facelift this week. A Danish Windmill, originally built in 1848, is being outfitted with a new cap, sails, and other components so the mill will be turning in the wind again for the first time in two years. Lisa Steen Riggs, general manager of the Danish Windmill, says big problems were discovered in 2016 when the mill’s sails stopped turning.  “We found wood rot where the two 66-foot sails cross,” Riggs said. “We knew we had to get them to the ground before they fell to the ground.”

Work on the installation of the windmill sails

A massive crane arrived on Monday to place a 15,000-pound mill turret with the cap frame, wind shaft, brake wheel, and fantail on the top of the windmill. The sails that are being replaced today (Wednesday) were installed as new when the windmill arrived in Elk Horn 42 years ago. You can follow their progress in videos posted on the Danish Windmill page on Facebook, or millcam.metc.net.

The entire project carries a price tag of roughly $200,000. Volunteers are doing most of the work and donors are paying for the parts and specialized labor. “It’s been quite a project, we’re still about $80,000 short in our fundraising, but it’s been a labor of love for the community,” Riggs said.

The installation of all the new components for the Danish Windmill will be completed just in time for a 9th annual dinner and auction happening this Saturday to support the project. “We hope to raise around $15,000,” Riggs said. “We’ve raised as much as $17,000 at our annual event. It’s just a constant asking for donations, which we don’t like, but it’s something to restore this nonprofit museum so it’s back in working condition.”

Elk Horn and the neighboring town of Kimballton are the two largest rural Danish settlements in the United States. Combined, around 1,000 people live in the two communities. According to Riggs, last year, over 57,000 people visited the Danish Windmill in Elk Horn – which is located six miles north of Interstate 80 in Shelby County.

The Atlantic Police Department reports two arrests took place earlier this week. On Tuesday, 19-year old Spenser Denison, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. And, on Monday, 52-year old Mark Winston, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication, as well as Theft in the 4th Degree. Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

Emily Saeugling from the Atlantic FFA Chapter, competed in the National FFA Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) at the National FFA Convention & Expo advancing to the National Semifinals. The event was held in conjunction with the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. Emily presented her speech titled “Herding the Beef Industry to a Traceable Future”. In the first round Emily competed against 6 students, who were also State winners in 2018. Emily advanced the semi final round where she competed against 3 other individuals for the right to advance to the final round. While Emily did not advanced to the final 4, she did an outstanding job presenting and answering questions from the judges.

Emily

Emily said, “Competing at the National FFA Convention was an opportunity for me to research and speak about an issue that I am passionate about. I am also thankful for all the Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development Event has taught me about advocating for agriculture.” The prepared public speaking LDE is designed to recognize outstanding FFA members for their ability to prepare and present a factual speech on a specific agricultural issue in a well thought-out and logical manner in a competitive setting. Members prepare and deliver an eight to ten minute speech from memory and respond to five minutes of questions. The event is just one way FFA members can develop their ability to communicate in a powerful, organized and professional manner.

The event, held at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown and the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, is one of many educational activities at the National FFA Convention & Expo in which FFA members practice the lessons learned in agricultural education classes.

Cale Pellett from the Atlantic FFA Chapter competed as a national finalist for the National FFA Proficiency Award in Grain Production Entrepreneurship. Pellett was one of only four people chosen to compete for this award at the national finals that was held at the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. The proficiency awards recognize outstanding student achievement in agribusiness gained through establishment of a new business, working for an existing company or otherwise gaining hands-on career experience. Pellett began the contest on Thursday by spending time taking pictures, speaking with members of the media and having a luncheon with fellow FFA members that were also competing in this event. An interview followed where Cale was asked to describe his grain entrepreneurship and spent 15 minutes answering judges questions.

Cale

On Friday during the 6th General Session Pellett and his FFA Advisor, Eric Miller went on stage to find out the results of the contest. Eric Miller Atlantic FFA Advisor said, “Unfortunately Cale did not win, but it was still an awesome experience and I believe that Cale will be better off for participating.”  Cale Pellett said, “Being selected as a national finalist was the highlight of my FFA experience through these four years. It was a true honor and blessing to be selected as not only a representative from the Atlantic FFA chapter, but the whole state of Iowa in grain production, a category highly regarded in this part of the country. This moment will never be forgotten and I have to thank my advisor and fellow members for getting me this far.

Pellett’s proficiency award is in Grain Production – Entrepreneurship. Pellett owns a business that applies the best management practices available to efficiently produce and market crops for grain production such as corn. Pellett’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) began with land that he rented from his grandfather for the production of corn. In 2015, he rented 11.9 acres and raised a corn crop, 2016 he raised soybeans, and in 2017 back to corn, where he expanded to 47.6 acres. With this project, Pellett decides what seed variety to plant, what chemicals to spray, when to sell the grain, as well as coordinating trucking and transportation to the elevator or ethanol plant. The SAE has allowed him to be able to expand his operation directly with plant systems, such as the raising of crops.

Pellett, a member of the Atlantic FFA Chapter, became eligible for the national award after winning the Iowa FFA state competition earlier this year. In recognition of being a finalist, each of the four finalists will receive a plaque and $500. The award is supported by Valent USA Corporation based in Walnut Creek, CA.

Each year, the National FFA Organization honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. This year three FFA members from the Atlantic FFA Chapter have earned the American FFA Degree award. Alexis Boes, Carly Westphalen and Haley Carlson joined the 28 other members in Atlantic FFA history that have achieved this honor in the past 53 years.

The American FFA Degree is bestowed upon a select group of students in recognition of their years of academic and professional excellence. This year 4,255 American Degrees were awarded the American Degree at the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct. 24-27, in Indianapolis. Sponsored by Case IH, Elanco Animal Health and Syngenta, the award recognizes demonstrated ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing or service programs.To be eligible, FFA members must have earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised agricultural experience program in which they start, own or hold a professional position in an existing agricultural enterprise. Recipients must also complete 50 hours community service and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement.

Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller said he was “very proud of all three of these FFA members and all the hard work they have put into their SAE program and his education. Alexis, Carly and Haley are all very deserving of this award.” Each recipient of the American FFA Degree receives a gold American FFA Degree key and certificate after being recognized on stage at the national convention. Haley Carlson said “Earning my American Degree was the perfect ending to my FFA career. Being able to walk across the stage, earning the highest honor of the organization reminded me of all the memories that got me there and the very first time I put on my blue jacket. I cannot say thank you enough to all the people who influenced my FFA life.” Alexis Boes said “Knowing that all of my hard work paid off to earn this high honor makes me feel honored! Knowing that I am part of the 1% of FFA members to receive their American Degree gives me a sense of accomplishment! I highly suggest that all members apply for their American degree!”

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have arrested a second man in connection with the slayings of two brothers in Fort Dodge. Webster County court records say 46-year-old Paul Keller is charged with obstructing prosecution or defense and with possession of amphetamine. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call Wednesday from The Associated Press. Court documents don’t say what Keller is alleged to have done to merit the obstruction charge.

Another man, 28-year-old Tanner King , is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the Oct. 22 shooting deaths of 37-year-old Marion and 34-year-old Eldominic Rhodes. A criminal complaint says the younger man’s body was found in an alley and his older brother’s body was found in a nearby apartment parking lot.

King’s attorney, Paul Rounds, declined to comment.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors met Wednesday morning, in Atlantic. During their session County Engineer Charles Bechtold gave an update on some current road patching and bridge projects, including one near Cumberland. Bridge 25 south of Cumberland should be open in two-weeks, according to Bechtold.

Cass County Veteran’s Affairs Director Mitch Holmes and County General Relief/Mental Health Coordinator Deb Schuler provided their Quarterly reports to the Board, but the Cass County Conservation Director was under the weather and unable to attend. Weed Commissioner Dennis Vogl submitted a written report and was also not in attendance.

The Supervisors approved Resolutions assigning county-held tax sale certificates to the City of Atlantic, and an agreement to abate the taxes on two parcels of land, if the City acquires ownership of those parcels.

The Board determined also, that they would canvass the votes of the November 6^th General Election at Noon on November 13^th, after their regular board meeting that begins at 10-a.m., that same day.