The Stuart Police Department reports a suspicious device found Tuesday near what was formally the historic All Saints Catholic Church on North Fremont Street in Stuart, was inert, and while apparently intended to instill fear, was in fact, a hoax. Officers responded to what’s now known as the “Saints Center” for cultural and the arts, after receiving reports of a suspicious device that had been found near the front door.

The incident was investigated by Stuart Police with the assistance of members from the Iowa State Fire Marshall Office. Officials say the suspicious device was secured and transported to a remote location where Stuart officers and State Fire Marshall members took actions to render the device safe. It is being sent to the Iowa DCI crime laboratory for further testing and evidence collection.

Due to the history of arson at the Saints Center and recent attacks in Boston, the Stuart Police Department is treating the event as a serious incident, and officials say charges will be filed if a suspect is found.

Officials with the Stuart Police Department report a large amount of drug paraphernalia and drugs were seized Wednesday, from a man who was staying at the Super 8 Hotel, just north of Interstate 80, in Stuart.

Some of the drug paraphernalia seized from the Super 8 Motel in Stuart, Wednesday. (Stuart P.D./photo)

Authorities say officers recovered over 50 various forms of drug paraphernalia, and a large amount of marijuana. The Marijuana and paraphernalia were recovered from the male subject’s vehicle and hotel room, after an officer responded to a separate call at the motel. His K-9 companion alerted the officer to the presence of narcotics. 

The unidentified suspect, who is from Virginia, told officers that he was returning home from a large marijuana festival in Colorado. While charges have been filed in this case, officials stress their investigation in ongoing.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency says due to a warming trend, the likelihood of increased winds and a dryer forecast over the next few days, the fire danger rating will be bumped up to “MODERATE,” through Monday, April 29th. The fire danger index had been in the “Low” category for more than a week, because of recent rains.

Controlled burns should be monitored closely, and property owners should contact their local fire chief before any burns are initiated.

The Atlantic Police Department says no injuries were reported following an accident Wednesday morning, at 10th and Linn Streets. Officials say vehicles driven by Chancey Richards and Samantha Christensen, both of Atlantic, collided as the Richards vehicle was traveling south on Linn and Christensen was headed east on 10th Street. Both drivers stopped at the controlled intersection, but when Richards proceeded, Christensen didn’t see him. Her vehicle hit his on the right side, causing a total of $4,500 damage.The accident happened just before 7:30-a.m.

Christensen was cited for Failure to Yield upon entering a through street.

Cass County Veterans Affairs Director Mitch Holmes provided his 3^rdQuarter report Wednesday, to the Board of Supervisors. Holmes said one of the most popular, yet least know services available to veterans, is the “Veteran” designation on driver’s licenses.

Sample Iowa Driver’s License with the “Veteran” designation.

He said inquires about the program has brought veterans into his office at the courthouse, where they can also learn about the benefits they are entitled to, and apply for those benefits. Holmes said a total of 48 veterans applied for the driver’s license designation over the past quarter, with one dozen persons making their first trip to the VA Office in Atlantic.

Governor Branstad signed Senate File 2112 into law on April 19, 2012, requiring the veteran designation provision of the law to be implemented by July 1, 2013. The designation on Iowa DL’s and non-operator ID’s is a voluntary initiative designed to assist Iowa veterans. The Iowa Department of Transportation implemented the law January 15^th, six months ahead of schedule, to demonstrate the state’s support for its veterans.

To get the designation, an honorably discharged veteran must present a copy of their DD 214 or applicable discharge document to their county Veterans Affairs office. That office will complete an Iowa DOT form and confirm the applicant’s veteran status, which authorizes the Iowa DOT to place the designation on the individual’s DL or non-operator ID. The veteran must then take the completed form to any Iowa DL issuance location and request that the veteran designation be added to his or her DL or non-operator ID card. Veterans may expedite the process by bringing a completed application form with them to the county Veterans Affairs office, along with a copy of their DD 214. The form is available online at:  https://va.iowa.gov. 

Holmes said several people he saw or who contacted his office, weren’t aware a V-A Office even existed in Atlantic. He said many of the veterans he’s spoken with, especially the older ones, didn’t realize they qualify for benefits available to them. Holmes said the VA has done a good job of informing the younger soldiers currently serving in, or just coming out of the military, about their benefits. It’s the older veterans who may not be aware of what they are entitled to. They don’t have to be wounded in combat in order to receive certain benefits.

Holmes said his office helped Vets file a total of 82 claims for Federal VA Benefits last quarter, assisted a little over 200 veterans, and made more than 1,320 contacts with veterans through office and home visits, phone calls and correspondence.

w/ Ric Hanson

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A workshop covering Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and SSI benefits and employment will be held next month, in Atlantic. Cass County Mental Health/General Relief Coordinator Teresa Kanning says the event, which explains how a person can earn significant income and still protect their medical benefits, will take place May 14^th at the Cass County Center of Iowa Western Community College, in Atlantic. Workshop registration begins at 8:30-a.m., with the presentations starting at 9-a.m. and concluding by 4-p.m. Kanning said as of Wednesday (April 24^th), 20 seats were still available for the training program, which will be presented by Michael Walling.

Walling, who has a Masters in Education, is the author of “The Guide to Social Security Benefits and Work Incentives, and other publications on SSA benefits. He’s regarded as an authority in teaching the subject to beneficiaries and professional novices, in a “Plain English,” yet interesting style. The seminar will cover: How benefits impact Employment First initiatives; What is countable earned income?; How to manage benefits to avoid the loss of medical benefits; When can work incentives reduce the amount of income SSA counts?, and How much a person can earn.

Other topics include: The 4 conditions required to terminate from SSDI while working; How a person can earn $31,367 and maintain their eligibility for SSI and Medicaid; How someone earning more then $1,040 per month can still receive SSDI and Medicare, and whether or not a person is receiving the correct information and proper benefit plan from a benefit counselor.

Registration is $75 per person if completed by May 1^st, or $98 per person on or after May 1^st. You can register online at www.benefits-training.com.  For more information, call 610-696-1551.

w/ Ric Hanson

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A national conference in Omaha next month will help long-term care facilities plan for disasters.  The two-day conference will feature speakers from around the country who have been through disasters at nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities. And experts will offer advice on meeting Medicaid and Medicare requirements.

Residents of long-term care facilities are already often in poor health and may need special care after a disaster.  UNMC Dr. Philip Smith says planning and preparation are critical for these facilities. The conference will be held May 21-22 at the CenturyLink Center in downtown Omaha.

More details about the conference, which costs $195, are available online at www.preped.org.

Two teens from Villisca were charged in connection with alledged thefts from two local stores. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 14-year old’s Cordell Ryan Straw and Wyatt Dean Baldwin, both of Villisca, each face two counts of Theft of in the 5th Degree/Shoflifting, after they allegedly took items from the Villisca Foods and Casey’s General stores, in Villisca.

The incidents were investigated by authorities a little after 6-p.m., Wednesday. Straw and Baldwin were cited into Juvenile Court and released to the custody of their parents.