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Planning for 2023 A-PD Christmas Programs underway

News

November 3rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Police Department say they “are excited to announce that planning for the 2023 APD Christmas Programs has begun.”  The 2023 APD Reserve Unit “Family Dreams Christmas” program will be held on Saturday December 16th. The program accepts nominations and applications for families to be chosen for shopping. The families who are chosen will be taken shopping around Atlantic to purchase items they are in need of and some items on their wish list.
Applications can be picked up at the police department (23 East 4th Street) and can also be filled out on line by vising https://atlanticia.seamlessdocs.com/f/FDC2023. Applications are due back by December 6th at 4:00PM to be considered. This program is available to Cass County (IA) residents only.
The 2023 APD “Shop with a Cop” program will be held on December 17th. The A-PD DOES NOT accept applications for this program. This program is for children of Cass County (IA) invited by the department to participate.
As always, the Atlantic Police and Reserves thank all of the generous donors who have supported these programs in years past and to those who intend to donate this year. Officials say “We would not be able to hold either of these programs without the communities support.”
The APD has been helping Cass County families have a more enjoyable holiday for over 20 years and we are excited to continue the tradition. In 2022, the department’s programs assisted 73 children and 20 adults from 27 different families. In the last 10 years, they have assisted over 650 children and 200 adults from 250 families with these programs!!
Donations to support these programs can be dropped off at the police department, or you can give them a call to schedule a donation from your group or business. “We are happy to smile for pictures!” officials added.

Hart condemns U-of-I letter deemed Antisemitic

News

November 3rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) — Rita Hart, the head of the Iowa Democratic Party, is condemning a letter from the University of Iowa Democrats that she says was antisemitic. KCRG says according to the Daily Iowan, the group drafted and signed the letter before posting it to social media. The letter included a phrase associated both with genocide and solidarity with Palestine.

In a statement released by Hart, she said: “The Iowa Democratic Party was recently made aware of a statement made by University Democrats at Iowa, which included problematic anti-semitic slogans including ‘from the river to the sea Palestine will be free.’ Let’s be very clear. That is a call for Jewish genocide and we wholly condemn that offensive language. The Iowa Democratic Party stands with the innocent civilians, Israeli and Palestinian, that have had their lives ruined by the terrorist group Hamas. The Iowa Democratic Party has requested the resignations of the student representatives who signed the letter.”

The student group took the original letter down and posted a new version without the phrase later. It then took that version down after several lawmakers reached out and asked to have it removed.

The group’s vice president told the Daily Iowan the letter was not intended to imply genocide but show support for Palestine.

Daylight Saving Time begins 2-a.m. Sunday

News

November 3rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(National News) – Most United States residents, with some exceptions, will turn back their clocks this weekend, to mark the end of Daylight Saving Time, which takes place at 2-a.m. Local time, Sunday. The annual ritual means catching up on an extra hour of sleep, but some members of Congress would prefer to stay on daylight saving time year-round, something which has been tried unsuccessfully in the past.

Nextstar reports that in March, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act which is designed to do just that. Despite a rare show of support from senators of both political parties, the measure has been stalled after it was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Both Rubio and Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) have been outspoken in support of doing away with clock changes, which happen twice a year except in most of Arizona, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) says “current evidence best supports the adoption of year-round Standard time, which aligns best with human circadian biology and provides distinct benefits for public health and safety.”

USDA Invests $3 Million In Clean Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Rural Iowa

News

November 3rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa, Nov. 3, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today (Friday) announced that USDA is investing $2,189,000 in loans and $900,000 in grants to three rural Iowa projects to ensure Iowans have clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems for years to come. Director Greenfield says “Iowans depend on clean water for their health and well-being. Since day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has been delivering funding resources to improve water and wastewater systems, eliminate lead in pipes, and ensure access to clean water across Iowa.”

The announcement is part of a larger national announcement detailing $5 billion in support for projects in rural America. A full list of projects from is available online.

USDA Funded Projects:

Three Iowa projects received $3,089,000 in funding from the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program, a program that provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. The announcement is part of President Biden’s Investing in America efforts to rebuild the physical infrastructure of our country to grow the economy for decades to come, create good-paying jobs, and better position rural America to compete in a global economy.

In Carroll County, the City of Arcadia received an $800,000 loan to provide additional financing for improvements to its water system. This project will help install a new 150,000 gallon water tower and provide water main piping. Once completed, the project will reduce water loss, uphold water quality standards, and promote the health and safety of residents and visitors in the rural community.

In Crawford County, the City of Deloit received a $580,000 loan to help repair its wastewater collection system. The project will fix damaged infiltration and inflow components to prevent sanitation hazards.

In Monona County, the City of Ute received a $809,000 loan and a $900,000 grant to provide additional financing for water system improvements to its facilities. This project will construct a water tower and replace an old undersized water main for more reliable service which meets Iowa Department of Natural Resources requirements. The water storage tank was built in 1908 and has outlived its useful life.

Iowa DOT Roadside Chat – Tires and tired don’t go together. Drive alert.

News

November 3rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

11-3 tires and tiredIt’s time to “fall back” this weekend with Daylight Saving Time ending at 2 a.m. on Nov. 5. Even though the fall time change can mean an extra hour of sleep, the change often means interrupted sleep patterns for many, which can equal danger while driving.

Take an honest look at your sleep habits, not just during time changes, but every day. Do you get enough rest to be safe behind the wheel?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, sleepiness can result in crashes any time of the day or night, but three factors are most commonly associated with drowsy-driving crashes.Drowsy-driving crashes:

  1. Occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m., or in the late afternoon. At both times of the day, people experience dips in their circadian rhythm—the human body’s internal clock that regulates sleep.
  2. Often involve only a single driver (and no passengers) running off the road at a high rate of speed with no evidence of braking.
  3. Frequently occur on rural roads and highways.

How sleep-deprived are you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvfMOPTsU_0

So far this year in Iowa, 311 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of seven since last Friday. In Iowa in 2022, there were 338 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf

NW Iowa confectioner celebrates 100-years of a sweet treat

News

November 3rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) – Palmer Candy is a Sioux City staple recognized nationally for its sweet treats. This year, the candy shop is celebrating 100 years since the creation of its most popular candy bar. The Palmer Candy Company started all the way back in 1878 as a fruit company that also sold dry goods. Palmer didn’t sell candy until the year 1900, and it would be 23 years later when Palmer Candy debuted the Bing Bar, its best known candy bar line.

The Twin Bing by Palmer Candy

Palmer’s Old Tyme Candy Shoppe in Sioux City continues to attract visitors looking for something sweet. Palmer Candy is hosting a week-long celebration of the Bing Candy Bar starting November 6 and they will debut a brand new birthday cake Bing flavor.

Des Moines mom charged for driving while son clung to side mirror

News

November 3rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa [WHO-TV] — A Des Moines woman faces charges after allegedly driving her car while her son was clinging to the driver’s side mirror in September. WHO-TV reports on September 28 at around 3 p.m., 34-year-old Sammi Jo Thurman was driving her vehicle out of the parking lot of Southeast Elementary in Ankeny onto SE 10th Street. According to a criminal complaint, school surveillance video showed Thurman’s 7-year-old son hanging onto the driver’s side mirror the entire time Thurman was driving and while other vehicles were passing them.

Thurman has been charged with child endangerment and a no contact order barring her from her son has been filed.

Thurman is also facing a charge of possession of contraband in a correctional institution after she was found to have a “baggie of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine” on her person when she was booked into the Polk County Jail, a criminal complaint states. Thurman has since been released and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 21.

Strawberry Point Man Convicted of Firearm Possession

News

November 3rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Cedar Rapids, Iowa)- The U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Iowa says a Strawberry Point man, 56-year old Scott Wesley Timmerman, was convicted Wednesday, of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In a plea agreement, Timmerman admitted that he was in a state park after it had closed, and had a short-barreled shotgun in his vehicle.  He admitted that due to a prior felony conviction, he was not allowed to legally possess firearms. The vehicle was searched by law enforcement officers after Timmerman was arrested for unrelated charges.

Timmerman remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. He faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, as well as a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

High school students are using fewer tobacco/vape products

News

November 3rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A report released Wednesday from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) shows that high school students are using tobacco products at a lower rate than the previous year. According to the report, 12.6% of high school students reported using tobacco products compared to 16.5% the year before. 10% reported using e-cigarettes compared to 14.1% the year before. Middle school students reported a slight increase in using tobacco products, going up from 4.5% last year to 6.6.%.

“The decline in e-cigarette use among high school students shows great progress, but our work is far from over,” said Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health. “Findings from this report underscore the threat that commercial tobacco product use poses to the health of our nation’s youth. It is imperative that we prevent youth from starting to use tobacco and help those who use tobacco to quit.”

E-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco product for both middle and high school students. Of active tobacco users, 9 out of 10 reported using e-cigarettes. Officials say that multiple factors continue to influence youth tobacco product use, including flavors, marketing, and misperceptions of harm. You can find more information at the link here.

Welcome to Medicare Seminar at Next Healthy U

News

November 3rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic, IA – The November session of Cass Health’s Healthy U lunch-and-learn series will feature information about Medicare. “Welcome to Medicare” is a one-hour seminar offered by local Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) volunteers. The seminar will be held on Thursday, November 16 at noon in Conference Room 2 at Cass Health.

“Welcome to Medicare” will cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, the prescription drug benefit (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance.

SHIIP is a service of the State of Iowa. SHIIP services are free, confidential, and unbiased. SHIIP counselors are trained by the state and do not sell or promote any insurance companies, policies, or agents. Cass Health is a local sponsor for SHIIP in Cass County.

Space is limited! A free boxed lunch is provided for all attendees, so reservations are required. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.