(Radio Iowa) – Iowa State University is “restructuring” a campus L-G-B-T-Q center to comply with a state law that will go into effect next summer that prohibits state universities from funding Diversity Equity and Inclusion offices and programs. A report released last week detailing D-E-I university changes says the center will be open to all students as a general reservation space and study center. Erin O’Brien is a part of I-S-U Students Against S-F-24-35 and says the change is redundant.

“It’s always been available to all students,” O’Brien says. “In Senate File 2435, it specifically defines a diversity equity and inclusion effort as something that shows preferential treatment to certain groups, but it’s really not preferential. Anybody can show up at any time.” Other changes include changing the job description of two staff members. The center also cannot host its own events anymore and student groups can reserve the space for events. O’Brien, a junior at I-S-U, says the changes show that the L-G-B-T-Q community in Ames is “expendable.”

“It is an area I can go to and be absolutely certain that I will be fine, which helped a lot, especially in my freshman year, when I was way less confident in myself,” O’Brien says. “It’s led to me meeting some of my best friends, and now that chance is sort of being taken away.”

The facility’s full name is the Center for LGBTQIA+ for Student Success at Iowa State University. It’s not clear when the changes will go into effect, but the report says all D-E-I changes should be done by the end of the year. Republicans in the legislature say the offices pursued what they consider a woke agenda and were designed to indoctrinate students into a partisan ideology.

(Radio Iowa) – Voters in a dozen Iowa counties are deciding whether to raise local taxes to support emergency medical services. Page County’s referendum would raise property taxes to support the six ambulance services in the county. One of them is in Shenandoah, where Ty Davison is Emergency Medical Services director.

“A long time ago legislation came down and deemed law enforcement and fire protection an essential service,” he says. “…EMS has been excluded from that and therefore we receive zero tax funding or assistance in order to operate and respond to calls and emergencies every day.” That state law was adjusted three years ago, so county-wide referendums may be held to establish a property tax levy that supports emergency medical services. Davison says Shenandoah’s ambulance service assists small volunteer departments in the county.

“EMS is not a profitable money maker service,” he says. “…We do bill insurance agencies, however on average we are only reimbursed at a 35% rate.” Since 2022, state records indicate voters in 11 counties and parts of Worth County have passed E-M-S referendums. State law requires 60 percent approval to raise local property taxes and E-M-S referendums have failed in a few counties.

In November of 2022 voters Jones, Kossuth, Osceola, Pocahontas, and Winnebago Counties passed EMS referendums. In November of 2023, voters in Cedar, Benton, Ida, and Shelby Counties approved EMS property taxes. In March of THIS year, Louisa County voters approved an EMS measure and in September, voters in Henry and parts of Worth County did so as well. The following counties have referendums on this year’s General Election ballot: Appanoose, Buchanan, Butler, Cass, Floyd, Guthrie, Hamilton, Jefferson, Page, Sac, Tama, Taylor.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – To celebrate being Iowa’s number one Christmas destination, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a ‘Christmas in Atlantic Holiday Shop’ with custom gifts and more surprises for the holiday season.

Chamber Executive Director Bailey Smith says “We knew we couldn’t be the number one Christmas destination in Iowa without some ‘swag’ for residents and guests to purchase when visiting us this time of year. We’re kicking things off with three ornaments that are designed to represent the whimsical nature of our celebration, like Santa’s Cabin, and celebrate the nostalgia of what makes us unique, which is our downtown lights display. More items will be added to the shop as the holiday season continues.”

The ornaments are available for purchase at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and are $15 each or all three for $40. To sweeten the deal, ornaments will be available at a discount this Saturday, November 9th during the annual Discount AtlantiCash event, presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust. Saturday only, ornaments will be available for $12 each or all three for $35 when you purchase AtlantiCash.

“We wanted to offer a deal to sweeten the excitement of Discount AtlantiCash and give shoppers the opportunity to start the Christmas magic early,” Smith said.

From 9 AM – 12 PM Saturday, November 9th only, AtlantiCash will be available in packs of $100 for $80, a 20% discount. Shoppers can purchase up to three packs. Payment must be made at time of purchase in the form of cash or check only. There is a first-come, first-purchased basis with only a limited amount of AtlantiCash available.

Since AtlantiCash is money that has to be spent at local businesses, it boosts the Local Option Sales Tax, and supports businesses and what they offer this holiday season. Last year, Smith said, the Chamber sold $40,000 in about 45 minutes. The goal this year is to sell another $40,000.  Smith said “We wouldn’t be able to pull off this promotion without the help of our amazing sponsors and First Whitney Bank & Trust. Their partnership helps us support local merchants and put money back into Atlantic.”

The Holiday Open House will also be taking place on Saturday, beginning when retailers open. Businesses will be offering a holiday sneak peek as well as treats, giveaways and special promotions. For a list of participating retailers, visit www.atlanticiowa.com.

Pick up your Christmas brochure from area retail businesses, ‘like’ the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Instagram to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities and a printable version of the brochure at www.atlanticiowa.com.

Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712-243-3017. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Gregg Young of Atlantic.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency said that effective today (Monday, Nov. 4th), the Burn Ban which had been in-place for the entire county, was lifted, and is no longer in effect. (see the notification below).

ATLANTIC, IA – Cass County Public Health has immediate openings for the current session of “A Matter of Balance.” The free class is designed to help decrease falls and help older adults manage their fears about falling. Though the class officially begins the first week of November, there are still slots available for interested participants. A Matter of Balance is an award-winning program to help older adults learn to manage their concerns about falling, make changes to reduce the risk of falling, and increase their physical activity. It includes 8 weekly two-hour sessions for a small group of 8-12 participants led by trained facilitators.

Cass County Public Health has been offering this program since 2018 because falls among adults aged 65 and older are common, costly, and preventable. According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 years and older, with 1 in 4 older adults reporting falling every year. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults ages 65 and older.

For more information, or to sign up now, call Cass County Public Health at 712-243-7443.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Cass Health in Atlantic, Monday, said that on Friday, November 1st, Dr. Elaine Berry was presented with the Iowa Association of County Medical Examiner’s Distinguished Service Award for her 35 years of service.

Dr. Berry began serving as Cass County Medical Examiner in 1989. Throughout the first 27 years of appointment, she was the only medical examiner in Cass County aside from an occasional appointed deputy who took call on the rare occasion that Dr. Berry was out of town. Her nominator and fellow medical examiner investigator Tabetha Smith, RN, said “Being a death investigator can be emotionally, mentally, and physically strenuous, and even more so when you are unable to share the burdens of the role. She recounts memories of having to leave early from her children’s musical concerts and family holiday parties, so she could fulfill her duties to her patients and the role of medical examiner.”

In 2016, Dr. Berry was able to recruit additional help. CCHS officials say thanks to the support of other investigators sharing the duties, Dr. Berry was able to give her time to her other passions: volunteering at her church teaching Sunday school and serving on medical mission trips. Today, Dr. Berry serves as the Cass Health Chief Medical Officer, and she continues to serve in the roles of Director for Emergency Services and County Medical Examiner.

Dr. Elaine Berry (Photo provided by CCHS)

Dr. Angela Weppler said “Dr. Berry, more than anyone I know, has committed to our community in multiple ways, from EMS, hospice, and nursing home directorships to her years of service as our County Medical Examiner. I cannot think of another provider who has sacrificed more of their time and skill or who is more deserving of recognition for their service to Cass County than Dr. Berry.”

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Mills County Emergency Management Agency said that effective 10-a.m. today (Monday, Nov. 4th), the Burn Ban which had been in-place for the entire county, was lifted, and is no longer in effect. (see the notification below).

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five recent arrests.

On Sunday, 24-year-old Makayla Rae Smith, of Malvern, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. Bond $1,000.

Saturday evening, 39-year-old Andrew Christopher Carrera, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/3rd offense; No Valid Driver’s License; and failure to stop or obey a stop/yield right-of-way, sign. His bond was set at $5,000.

There were two arrests Friday in Mills County: 42-year-old Matthew Edward Wallman, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on two-counts of Child Endangerment, and Harassment in the 2nd Degree. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail. And, 23-year-old Chase Jonathan Ives, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested Friday night at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Failure To Appear. Bond was set at $5,000.

On Oct. 30th, Mills County Deputies arrested 31-year-old Matthew Russell Archer, of Glenwood, for Public Intoxication. Bond was set at $300.