The Pottawattamie Sheriff’s Office, Monday evening, identified the second victim of Friday’s fatal accident as 17-year old Michael Bent, from Council Bluffs. The State Medical Examiner’s Office will make the official identification later in the week. A vehicle that was reported to have been involved in the incident has also been located. An investigation into the involvement that this vehicle may have had in the crash, is ongoing.

As we reported over the weekend, deputies with the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at around 1:23-p.m., Friday, to the area of Pioneer Trail and Humbolt Lane for a two-vehicle accident with injuries. Upon arrival, deputies located a 2017 Ford F-350 and a 1998 Honda CRV involved in the accident. The Ford F-350 was driven by 46-year old Rollin Hansen, of Council Bluffs. Hansen was eastbound on Pioneer Trail near the intersection with Humbolt Lane. The driver of the Honda CRV had not been determined. The Honda CRV was westbound on Pioneer Trail near the intersection with Humbolt Lane. The two vehicles collided near the intersection, causing both to travel into the south ditch and the Honda CRV to overturn. One occupant of the Honda was identified as 17-year old Floyd Quick, of Council Bluffs.

Quick and Bent were pronounced dead at the scene. Bent’s identity had not been released until today (Monday). The initial investigation indicated speed was a factor, and that another vehicle was involved and failed to stop.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies responded on Nov. 21st to a single motor vehicle accident near the intersection of Highway 2 and Anna Crose, on the Southeast edge of Shenandoah.  An investigation determined 59-year old Steven Merrill Heard, of Tabor, was traveling westbound on Highway 2 in a 2005 Chevy Silverado pickup, when for reasons unknown, the pickup went into the north ditch and hit a tree, before coming to rest. Heard was transported to the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital with unknown injuries. Charges were pending. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the accident, which remains under investigation.

Democrat Presidential candidate and South Bend Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg campaigned in western Iowa today (Monday), releasing a plan to address retirement security. He stopped in Atlantic at around 3:30-p.m. at The Venue, and spoke to a crowd of 219 people, which packed the site. Buttigieg covered numerous topics during his 15 minute speech and 30 minute Q&A session, in Atlantic.  He spoke about the freedom to “retire with dignity,” and Medicare for All who want to have access to it.

Pete Buttigieg

He says he will usher in an era for older Americans that empowers everybody to age with dignity and independence. That begins, he said, with strengthening retirement. He said those on Medicare Advantage get the option to keep their plans, and “Asking more fortunate Americans to pay their fair share.” That means an income above $250,000 be taxed at the same level to pay into Social Security. Buttigieg says that will shore-up Social Security for future generations. He says 62-million Americans lack a workplace retirement account, and over one-third have less than $5,000 set aside for retirement. He proposes a Public Option 401-k that allows workers to supplement Social Security benefits if they choose. There would be a mandatory 2-to-1 employer match on contributions into the 401-k, so the typical American, he says, would have over $500,000 in the bank to live from, as they retire. When we do that, everyone in this country will be better off.”

He also proposed a Long Term Care America program that provides every senior who needs it, a $90 per day cash benefit, to go toward to cost of long-term, in-home or facility care. He said for Iowans, that would cut the average cost of care 39% for nursing facility services, and 57% for assisted living services. He also wants the public and private sectors to work together and make sure those are quality services. He said part of that includes mandating better oversight, a fully funded Ombudsman program that allows complaints and issues to come to light, and improved access to mandate that Medicaid cover home and community-based services.

Buttigieg says those who provide those care services, are under-appreciated, under-compensated, and there are not nearly enough of them. He says that’s why we need a $15 per hour minimum wage in America. He also supports make more E-15 fuel available year around, and small refinery waiver that doesn’t go to the big refineries around the world.

The Mills County Emergency Management Agency reports Interim Mortgage Assistance is immediately available to qualified property owners of Mills County impacted by the March 2019 flooding. To qualify for the assistance those individuals must have signed up for the buyout option by October 11, 2019. The funds for Mortgage Assistance are made available through the Iowa Flood Recovery Fund and the assistance will be paid directly to the lenders. Applications must be filled out either on the Mills County Flood Page or in person at the Mills County Auditor’s Office to begin the process.

The online application will be shared across multiple social media platforms to ensure it is available and accessible to potential applicants. Property owners must provide a mortgage statement from the lender, a forbearance letter (if applicable), and tax and/or insurance statements if not paid through an escrow account, along with any other correspondence with the mortgage holder that shows a need for assistance. Qualified property owners should contact Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) by email at SWIPCO@swipco.org or by telephone at 1866-279-4720 if they have any questions.