(Atlantic) Healthy Cass County is a community-focused network to promote the health and well-being of Cass County residents. Along with our larger coalition meeting, we have five steering committees that meet in smaller teams to accomplish goals aligned with our Community Health Improvement Plan. Our “Promoting Healthy Lifestyles” steering committee addresses a broad range of topics related to health.  One of the plans of the Healthy Lifestyles committee is to implement three of the “Blue Zones Power 9 Strategies.”

These strategies have been researched throughout the world and have been shown to lead to longer, healthier, happier lives. That’s exactly what Healthy Cass County wants to see in our communities as well! Three of the strategies we are currently focused on are Move Naturally, Eat Wisely and Family First.  With Atlantic Parks and Recreation represented on the Healthy Lifestyles committee, we are reminded of the endless opportunities we have to “Move Naturally” and put our “Family First” as we enjoy our beautiful outdoor spaces in Cass County, especially surrounding Atlantic.    

·         Beat the heat by swimming at Sunnyside Pool

·         Take a walk with your family at Schildberg’s Recreation Area

·         Go for a weekend bike ride on the T-Bone trail

·         Let your dog run loose at the Buck Creek Dog Park

·         Play a round of disc golf at Sunnyside, it’s one of the best courses in Iowa

·         Enjoy the beautiful native prairie that surrounds you along the AMU Well Field Trails

·         Cast a line at one of our many county lakes or Schildberg’s Recreation Area.

Don’t forget to join for these fun-filled activities brought to us by Atlantic Parks and Recreation:

·         Sunnyside Pool Party on July 27th and August 2nd; Back to School Party date TBD in August

·         Movie in the Park on August 11th at Kiddie Corral. Activities starting at 7:00pm with the movie beginning at 8:15pm

These are just a few ideas to help you “Move Naturally” and put your “Family First.” Watch for future articles promoting health and well-being from Healthy Cass County. As always, if you’d like to be part of Healthy Cass County, call 712-243-7552, for monthly meeting locations. All are welcome to attend!

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a man convicted of robbery has walked away from the state work release center in Des Moines. The Iowa Corrections Department said in a news release Tuesday that 67-year-old Clarence Willis left the Fort Des Moines Residential Facility at 5:15 p.m. Monday. The department says Willis was transferred to the facility on Feb. 28.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A national report has found that Iowa is lagging behind much of the U.S. in foreign language instruction for K-12 students. The Des Moines Register reports the study was conducted by the American Councils for International Education and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. It says slightly more than 15 percent of Iowa’s K-12 students were enrolled in a foreign language course for the 2014-15 academic year. Iowa ranked 35th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia for foreign language instruction.

Jason Noble is president of the Iowa World Language Association. He says larger school districts can typically offer more foreign language options, which creates a rural-urban divide. In Iowa, teacher shortages and budget issues have forced some districts to cut programs in recent years.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections said today (Tuesday), at at approximately 6:28-p.m. Wednesday, July 19th,  a staff member at the Clarinda Correctional Facility was assaulted by Kelby Klicker, an inmate at the facility. The staff member was assessed at the local community hospital, received treatment, and was then released.

Authorities say Klicker is serving time for burglary, assault on peace officer & others, eluding, and OWI out of Wapello County.  His sentence began on May 15th, 2017.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety, which includes the Division of Administrative Services, Investigative Operations Division and Division of the Iowa State Patrol, is scheduled for an on-site assessment as part of a voluntary program to achieve accreditation by verifying it meets internationally recognized professional law enforcement standards.

Administered by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (C.A.L.E.A.), the accreditation program requires agencies to comply with state-of-the art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the public are invited to offer comments through a public information call-in session Monday, July 31, 2017, between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.  Interested parties should call (515) 314-9898 to participate.  Telephone comments are limited to ten minutes, and must address the agency’s ability to comply with C.A.L.E.A.’s standards.  To obtain more information about C.A.L.E.A. you may visit their website at www.calea.org.

After the call-in session there will be a Public Hearing Session beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Public Meeting room located at the Oran Pape State Office Building, located at 215 East 7th Street Des Moines, 50319. If you wish Information about C.A.L.E.A.’s standards, you may contact Department of Public Safety Accreditation Managers Director Charis Paulson, 515-725-6277 or Major Todd Misel, 515-725-6286.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s ability to meet standards for accreditation may send them to:  Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (C.A.L.E.A.), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155 or www.calea.org.

The driver of an SUV was injured and subsequently cited for careless driving, following a collision Monday afternoon, in Pottawattamie County. Sheriff’s officials say 82-year old Carolyn Loring, of Oakland, suffered minor injuries in the accident that happened at around 3-p.m., two-miles west of Oakland on Highway 6.

Loring was traveling east in a 2010 GMC Terrain, when he vehicle hit a westbound 2000 Ford Ranger pickup that was pulling a small trailer. The pickup was driven by 43-year old Max Nelson, of Omaha. Following the collision, Loring’s SUV rolled over and came to rest on the driver’s side, trapping the woman inside until she could be freed by mechanical means. She was then transported to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Nelson was not hurt in the crash.

AMES, Iowa – July 25, 2017 – The Iowa Department of Transportation is conducting a planning study of Interstate 80. The study is being developed and released through a series of technical reports that identify the existing condition of I-80, the way the system is performing, short- and long-term issues, and strategies to improve the route. Each report will be accessible online as it becomes available on the Iowa DOT’s I-80 Planning Study website at: www.iowadot.gov/interstatestudy.

The second online meeting is now available to view on the website. To view the meeting, navigate to https://iowadot.gov/interstatestudy/public-meetings, or select the “PUBLIC MEETINGS” tab on the home page, and then select “Meeting 2.” The meeting was recorded allowing persons to view it anytime and will be available on the website throughout the duration of the planning study. Three new technical reports have been included on the website, these include:

Truck Accommodations.
Diversion Strategy (Evaluation of Viability of Alternate Route Improvements).
Automated Corridors.

The Iowa DOT is asking interested parties to take a few minutes to view the online public meeting and review the information on the website. The website also offers a way for those interested to receive future emails or text messages regarding the study. Use the “STAY CONNECTED” link on the I-80 Planning Study website to subscribe.