(Radio Iowa) – Governor Reynolds has signed a bill into law that will create a new, merged system to provide mental health services and substance use treatment to Iowans. “To build a system to change lives for the better,” Reynolds says. The state currently has 13 regions to provide mental health treatment and another 19 regions to serve people with substance use disorders. “The result is duplicative and inconsistent programs statewide, an inefficient system and — worst of all — poor outcomes,” Reynolds says, “and we can do better for Iowans in need and we are. We will.” Seven Behavioral Health Districts will be established.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia says they’re working on the timeline to complete the merger by mid-2025. “For the first time we will have an intentionally planned system that includes, in statute, prevention, treatment and recovery,” Garcia says.

Governor Reynolds signed the bill creates seven behavioral health regions into law in Cedar Rapids at Foundation 2 Crisis Servies. (RI photo)

Reynolds signed the bill at Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids. Emily Bloome, the C-E-O of the organization, says the merger is a step in the right direction.  “To help individuals achieve stability and remain mentally well,” Bloome says.

The law gives the state authority to manage the unified system and state officials may choose a public or a private agency to lead each of the seven districts.

(Radio Iowa) – Red Lobster shut down more than 50 of its restaurants and is putting them up for auction, and the auctions are billed as containing “the entire contents” of the closed eateries. TAGeX Brands, a company that helps firms with closures and liquidations, says all of the auctions are now live. Included among the Red Lobsters which closed are those in Council Bluffs and Waterloo.

The auctions come after the chain announced last month it was considering filing for bankruptcy. The chain still has Iowa locations in Ames, Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Davenport, Des Moines and Sioux City.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on persons arrested from May 5th through the 13th. Most recently:

On May 13th, 38-year-old Scott Edward Biekkola, Jr., of Omaha, was arrested for Theft. And, 52-year-old Rachelle Dawn Hunt, of Clarinda, was arrested for Driving While Suspended (DWS), Theft, Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS), and Violation of the Drug Tax Stamp.

On the 11th, 31-year-old Payne David William Dotson, of Lincoln, NE, was arrested in Page County for DWS.

On May 10th, Page County Deputies arrested 38-year-old David Dale Morelock, of Farragut, for DWS, PCS, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

There were three arrests May 9th in Page County: 43-year-old Alexandra Dawn Lasley, of Shenandoah, was arrested for PCS and Poss. of Paraphernalia; 48-year-old Matthew John Stubbendieck, of Essex, was booked into the Page County Jail to serve time; and, 28-year-old Joseph Jace Blakley-Luddington, of Clarinda, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct.

On the eighth of May, 36-year-old Samantha Jill Brown, of Clarinda, was booked into the Page County Jail for Theft; 26-year-old Sayj Elizabeth Martin, of Clarinda, was arrested on an active warrant for Failure to Appear.

On May 7th, Page County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 45-year-old Neal Ray Hacker, of Elmo, MO., on three-counts of Violation of Probation. He was arrested at the Marlboro County, SC Detention Center in Bennettsville, SC.

On May 6th, 18-year-old Hunter Travis Kaufman, of Thurman, was booked-into the Page County Jail to serve time.

And, three people were arrested May 5th, in Page County: 56-year-old Kirk Samuel England, of Red Oak, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct; 25-year-old Lyndon Daniel Bright, of Shenandoah, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, and, 30-year-old Jules Lee Daniel Gould, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Domestic Abuse, Criminal Mischief, and Harassment.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Members of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center Community School District Boards of Education met Monday and Tuesday evening, respectively. Shared Superintendent Josh Rasmussen said the Adair-Casey Board started-off their meeting with a presentation from Mrs. Betterton, on the DECA organization trip for the district’s business students.

The Adair-Casey Board approved two resignations and contract recommendations, which includes Summer School Instructors. The resignations include…

The Adair-Casey Board also approved a pay application amounting to $136,000, for the bleacher project in Adair.

Mr. Rasmussen said both school district Boards approved their 2023-24 Amended Budgets. The Guthrie Center Board approved two resignations and contract recommendations.

The District Boards also discussed matters related to technology.

The Guthrie Center School Board also discussed matters pertaining to a proposed Dance Team, and SAVE/PPEL purchases (what the needs are for the next year). With regard the dance team…

Commencement for both school districts takes place this Sunday, May 19th, beginning at 1-p.m.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman from Creston was arrested Tuesday on a felony warrant. 46-year-old Hidie Ann Lemon was wanted on the warrant charging her with Theft. Lemon was taken into custody and transported to the Adams County Jail, where she was being held on a $27,000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — Iowa’s Biggest Book Sale, which Planned Parenthood ran for more than 60 years in Des Moines before Altoona’s Caring Hands Outreach took it over last winter, has been canceled this year. Leaders of Caring Hands, a Christian nonprofit agency in Altoona, said Tuesday that they “need to reallocate resources to meet the most pressing needs of our neighbors.”

Caring Hands CEO Jodi Urich said in a news release, “While we deeply value the tradition of our annual book sale, we cannot ignore the urgent call to action in addressing food insecurity within our community.Our primary mission has always been to serve those in need, and at this critical time, our focus must remain on ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry.”

Officials with Planned Parenthood North Central States announced last year that October’s book sale fundraiser would be their last. The biannual book sale raised more than $10 million since it started in 1961 at the now-closed Katz Drug Store. That year, $2,650 was raised on the sale of about 13,000 books. Caring Hands in December said they planned to take over the sale.

Caring Hands leaders said in Tuesday’s news release that they are “committed to supporting the efforts of the book committee in finding a larger organization to continue this beloved community event in the future.” Urich said “Our collaboration with them reflects our shared commitment to enriching our community through literacy and education.”

JOHNSTON, Iowa [KCCI] — A woman from central Iowa has died, less than one-week after a teenager at a youth facility allegedly shoved her, causing the woman to fall and hit her head, and resulting in severe brain damage. 50-year-old Kathleen Galloway-Menke, of Johnston, was being treated for her injuries at Iowa Methodist before her family took her off life support, Tuesday. Trever Hook, an attorney for the family, told KCCI Galloway-Menke was rushed to the hospital on May 8th following the incident.

Hook said Galloway-Menke, who worked at Ellipsis youth home, responded to a 15-year-old boy running away from the Ellipsis property. She and another male employee followed the boy at a safe distance, but the boy turned around and started sprinting toward them. “He had ran by the male employee, passed him to Kathleen and pushed her hard enough she fell and unfortunately hit her head on concrete,” Hook said.

Hook said following the boy was Ellipsis protocol. And now, after Galloway-Menke’s death, the family is considering legal action. “We do have reasonable concerns that Ellipsis do not take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of her and other female staff members in particular,” Hook said.

Hook said the boy threatened to kill Galloway-Menke prior to shoving her down. He also said he has two other workers’ compensation claims for Ellipsis employees that are pending right now. In one of them, a kid assaulted another person.

In a statement, Ellipsis said it is “profoundly saddened” and “deeply and personally” mourns this loss. The organization said it is making mental health services available to staff and to children and families in their care. It said, “Ellipsis remains committed to offering a safe and supportive environment for everyone involved, including our community.”

The Johnston Police Department said in a statement they are remaining engaged with the leadership and staff of Ellipsis, who are cooperating with the investigation. They also said the suspect involved in the incident remains in custody at a secure juvenile detention facility.

(Anita, Iowa) – Members of the CAM School District’s Board of Education met in a regular session Monday evening at the High School in Anita. Superintendent Paul Croghan told KJAN News the Board approves Contracts for the 2024-25 School Year. Croghan said thanks to new legislation and increase in teacher’s salaries, the District was able to provide its staff with a raise.

He says the overall, the dollar raises on hourly staff means a nine-percent package increase. In other business, the CAM School Board approved a bid from Rigid Edge Exteriors, for work on the high school gymnasium roof.

Insurance provided an $82,000 check to help pay for the repairs, which are expected to begin once school gets out for the current year. Mr. Croghan said also, the Board discussed the District’s property at 709 McIntyre Drive, in Anita.

The Board also continued discussion with regard to the District Facility Project.

Public hearings were held before the start of regular business, Monday, with regard to budget amendments for FY 2023-24, and the proposed 2024-25 certified budget. With regard to the budget amendment, Paul Croghan explained…

With graduation just a few days away, Mr. Croghan urged everyone to be safe and enjoy the celebrations.

Graduation for the CAM School District takes place this Sunday, May 19th, at 3-p.m.