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.

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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.

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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.

A Republican from southwest Iowa who has been a member of the Iowa Senate since 2011 is considering a bid for the U.S. Senate. Forty-two-year-old Joni Ernst of Red Oak also serves as a major in the Iowa National Guard. “Most of my adult life has been service-driven through the National Guard, the Reserves, public service,” Ernst says. “This is one way to take it a step further and try and be part of a solution to what I see as a problem right now in Washington, D.C.” Ernst says if she were a member of the U.S. Senate, tackling the federal deficit would be her top priority.

“We haven’t had a federal budget in four years now. That to me is a huge issue, so that’s number one,” Ernst says. “But with the budget concerns and our deficit, then it ties into national security which is something that I am very, very concerned about as a member of the military. My husband’s retired military. This is an issue we talk about daily.” Ernst and her husband have three daughters. Their youngest is 13 and will be entering high school next year.

“That’s something that my family and I discussed,” Ernst says. “My husband is a very good father/mother when I am away and I have a very tight-knit family also with a brother and sister that are close and a mother that just lives up the street. My father still lives in the area and all are very active with my family.” Ernst hopes to make a final decision about running for the U.S. Senate in 30 days.

“I really would like for Congressman King to make his decision because if he says he’s pursuing this, I will not be pursuing it,” she says. Republican Congressman Steve King has been considering a bid for the U.S. Senate since Democrat Tom Harkin announced in January that he would not seek reelection. Earlier this week King said he was “still on the bubble” about the race. Ernst served six years as the Montgomery County Auditor before running in a special election for the state senate seat Kim Reynolds gave up to become Iowa’s lieutenant governor. The district changed for the 2012 election. Between the two districts, Ernst has represented 10 different counties in southwest Iowa.

(Radio Iowa)

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