(Radio Iowa) – There’s a Christmas carol that says this is “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for Iowans who’ve lost a loved one in the past several months, or during the holidays in a previous year, this can be a very difficult few weeks. Catherine Pelletier, bereavement director with the Gundersen Health System, says it’s important to remember those who are no longer with us.

“When I talk to my families about grief and the holidays,” Pelletier says, “the thing that I hear most is, ‘Well, we used to do this with this person,’ or if it’s the loss of an infant, ‘I really wanted to do this with my child,’ so it’s a loss of tradition during the holidays.” People will often grieve losses during the holidays more than at any other time of the year, so Pelletier says it can be helpful to create new memories as a means to heal.

“Something that we talk a lot about is how to include our grief in traditions,” Pelletier says. “So a lot of families will have ornaments that they put up on a tree, or they’ll put a picture of the person they lost at the holiday table and kind of include them however possible in those memories that they’re creating now.” If you know someone who’s suffered a loss and is hurting, she says it may be better to address it directly rather than to avoid the subject.

“Sometimes, as friends or family of someone with a loss, we don’t want to touch on it. We think that if we stay away from it, we’re helping, but a lot of times, that makes the people who lost someone feel like you don’t remember or you don’t want to acknowledge it,” Pelletier says. “So we really encourage friends and family to say the person’s name. If you have memories with them from the holidays, sharing those memories with them.”

She says they should also be given the opportunity to rekindle traditions from the past or to create new traditions that honor those who were lost.

The Gundersen Health System includes a hospital in West Union, and clinics in Fayette, Decorah, Waukon, Lansing, Postville and Calmar.

(Radio Iowa) – Two Republican congressmen have just made trips to Iowa in support of two different G-O-P presidential candidates, bringing along their complaints about the U-S House and federal spending. Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie joined Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at events in Fort Dodge and Johnston this weekend. Massie talked about forcing members of the U-S House to vote in person, in March of 2020, on the two TRILLION dollar pandemic relief package.

“Everybody hated me for it, for making them come to Washington, D.C.,” Massie said, “and there were $1200 checks, even among some Republicans.” President Trump, who supported and quickly signed the package, called Massie a third rate grandstander for his parliamentary move, which delayed passage of the bill. Massie says Trump threatened him by phone.

“And he said: ‘I’m coming at you like you’ve never seen…I’m backing your primary opponent and you’re going to lose. I’m more popular than you,'” Massie said, imitating Trump’s voice, then Massie added in his own voice: “Well, I went back in there and I objected anyway.” Massie says that bill has caused inflation for years down the road. Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz made a solo stop for Trump in Cedar Rapids on Friday. Gaetz, who helped oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker, complained about the budget process the new speaker is pursuing.

“I am trying to bring some sanity to Washington, D.C.,” Gaetz said, “and they all think I’m crazy, but I kind of think they are.” Gaetz says it’s crazy for congress to vote on the entire budget of the United States of America all at once. “We would all want to be there for our troops and our veterans and the elderly and the disabled,” Gaetz said, “but when you are required to vote for those programs alongside all of the waste and wokeness, then you don’t get the type of itemized review that can put downward pressure on spending.”

Gaetz says the process lets members of congress from both parties avoid making tough decisions. Trump is scheduled to speak in Waterloo tomorrow (Tuesday). DeSantis is campaigning in Adel this (Monday) morning with Governor Reynolds.

(Radio Iowa) – Quaker Oats has recalled 40 different granola bar and granola cereal products due to salmonella concerns. The affected products include various flavors of Quaker Chewy Bars and seven types of Quaker Puffed Granola or Simply Granola Cereals. Go to the Quaker Oats website for a  list of all the products and the use-by dates on the boxes.

The products were sold in all 50 states. The company says there have been no confirmed cases of salmonella linked to their products, but it recommends throwing away the products that have been recalled

Police in Creston (IA) say a woman residing in the 300 block of S. Maple Street reported on Dec. 12th, that someone had vandalized two vehicles, while they were parked outside the residence. The 2014 Chevy Silverado and 2009 GMC Sierra pickups sustained a total of $2,000 damage.

(Shenandoah, Iowa) – The Shenandoah Police Department reports there were six arrests between December 2nd and the 15th (2023). On Thursday (Dec. 14th), 34-year-old Shane Michener, of Norfolk, NE, was arrested in Shenandoah for Attempted 3rd Degree Burglary, Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree, Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, and Interference with Official Acts.

On Dec. 10th, 47-year-old David Berry, of Hamburg, was arrested in Shenandoah for Possession of drug Paraphernalia.

Authorities say 38-year-old Nicole Nicholas, of Shenandoah, and 47-year-old Clinton Glasgo, of Essex, were arrested Dec. 8th. Both were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. Nicholas was additionally charged with Furnishing a Controlled Substance at a Detention Center.

On Dec. 6th, Shenandoah Police arrested 37-year-old Chad Cody, of Shenandoah, for Poss. of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense, Poss. of paraphernalia, Keeping a vehicle or premises for Controlled Substance, and Driving While Suspended.

And, on Dec. 2nd, 61-year-old Jeffrey Pape, of Emerson, was arrested for PCS/3rd offense.

Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School Board is scheduled to meet 5:30-p.m. Monday (Dec. 18), in the Conference Room at the school. Their agenda is as follows:

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

1. Thank You Card(s) (I)
2. The Month in Review – Administration (I)
3. Board Learning Opportunities (I)

– Honor November Recipients

– Select December Recipient(s)

– Annual Review Of Policies – 200.2, 200.3, 202.5, 204, 213, 213.1

• Consent Agenda (D.R.)

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Financial Statements

Approval of Bills

4. Personnel

5. Gifts, Memorials, Bequests

Old Business

6. Board Policies – Second Reading (D.R.) – 401.1, 503.1, 503.2, 503.8, 503.8R,

706.1, 706.2, 706.3, 706.3R1, 707.1, 707.2, 707.3, 707.4, 707.5, 707.5R1

7. Consider Approval Of The 2023-2024 Individual Career And Academic Plan – ICAP (D.R.)

8. Consider Approval Of Middle School / High School Attendance Policy

Pilot Program (D.R.)

9. Consider Establishing A Board Work Session (D.R.)

10. Discussion On Facilities Walk Through (D.R.)

11. Closing Of FY23 Financial Books (D.R.)

• Adjourn

New Board

• Call To Order – By Superintendent

12. Official Canvass Results (I)

13. Administer Oath Of Office To Newly Elected Board Members

• Acknowledge Retiring Board Member

14. Election of Board President And Vice-President (D.R.)

15. Select IBB Representative (Replacement For Retiring Board Member) (D.R.)

16. Set Regular Board Meeting Time & Date (D.R.)

New Business

17. Green Hills AEA Presentation (I)

18. Consider Approval of Activity Fund Transfers (D.R.)

19. Consider Approval Of Fire Monitoring Service Contract (D.R.)

20. Consider Approval Of Early Graduation List (D.R.)

21. Consider Approval Of Softball And Baseball Scoreboard Purchase (D.R.)

22. Consider Approval Of Amendment To MS/HS Handbook – Eligibility (D.R.)

23. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 708, 709, 710.1, 710.1E1, 710.1E2, 710.2, 710.3, 710.4

• Adjourn

(D.R.) = Decision Required

(I.) = Informational

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon School Board will meet 7-p.m. Monday (Dec. 18), in the High School Board Room. Action items on their agenda, include approval of:

• An SBRC request for MSA – Dropout Prevention
• Garbage Collection Bid
• Feld Quote for Security Improvements (Pending grant approval)
• Change Orders
• A Sharing Agreement with Exira/EHK
• Contracts with Denovo and Melee for the design/building of a Bus Garage
• approving Jason Walter to take freezers at the Bus Garage.

In his report to the Board, Superintendent Eric Trager is expected to provide updates on: The Building Project; Bus Garage, and Security Grant.

(Anita, Iowa) – A man from New York died following an accident Saturday afternoon on westbound Interstate 80, in Cass County (IA). The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2022 Volvo tractor-trailer driven by 29-year-old Malak Singh, of S. Richmond Hill – Queens, NY, left the road near mile marker 72, for reasons unknown.

The semi rolled onto its side and crashed into the north ditch. Singh died at the scene. The accident happened a little before 4-p.m., Saturday.

The Patrol was assisted by Deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

(Radio Iowa) – The drop in temperatures can lead to an increase in stolen cars as people leave them unlocked and running. Sioux City Police Officer Valerie Rose says they had four cars stolen Thursday. She says it can happen any time of the day.

Officer Rose says you can avoid the temptation for thieves by not giving them something to steal.

Rose says car thefts always increase this time of year because there are more vehicles left running and unattended.

(Buena Vista County, Iowa) – A crash between a pickup and a small SUV Friday morning, north of Storm Lake, resulted in two deaths. The Iowa State Patrol reports the SUV driven by 30-year-old Mayra Lopez-Zavala, of Storm Lake, was travel east on 550th Street at around 7:10-a.m., Friday, at the same time a Dodge RAM 2500 pickup driven by 47-year-old Jeffrey Kies, of Sioux Rapids, IA, was traveling south on Highway 71.

When Zavala pulled away from the intersection stop sign, her vehicle was struck on the driver’s side by the pickup. Zavala, and her passenger, 62-year-old Maria Zavala-Saldana, of Storm Lake, were injured. Both women were wearing their seat belts. Mayra Lopez-Zavala died the scene. Maria Zalava-Saldana died at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center. Kies suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

The Patrol was assisted at the crash site by the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office, Storm Lake Police/Fire and Ambulance, and the Buena Vista County Medical Examiner.