Everyone knows that 9-1-1 is a universal number that should be called in the event of an emergency…or do they? 9-1-1 Centers all over the United States have encountered hurdles when educating the public when it comes to the 9-1-1 and its uses. That’s why the Cass County 911 Center is urging all educational organizations, parents, and caregivers to assist with the “9-1-1 Education Challenge” during the month of April as part of National 9-1-1 Education Month.

The goal is to educate as many people on 9-1-1, its uses, its challenges, and the future capabilities during the month. Cass County 911 Director Rob Koppert said “With all the advances in technology, 9-1-1 has become much more complex. What started out as a simple concept has grown into an amazing infrastructure that needs crucial attention. 

Koppert says nationwide, 9-1-1 has not kept up with advances, especially in wireless technology and we are just now getting the infrastructure in place to handle 9-1-1 calls in the form of text messages and to be able to receive pictures and videos on 9-1-1.” 

He says “In 2011, the Cass County 911 Center received approximately 6,000 9-1-1 calls, of which 80-percent were from wireless phones. This is on top of the 26,000-plus administrative calls answered by the Cass County 911 Center. Koppert says children and adults should have a good understanding of 9-1-1 and how it works in their area. 

Some general guidelines for 9-1-1 are: 

• 9-1-1 is for police, fire and medical emergencies. If the nature of the call is an immediate threat to life or property, call 9-1-1. In non-emergencies, call the Cass County 911 Center at 712-243-2204.  
• Know the location of the incident. Providing an accurate address is critically important especially when making a wireless 9-1-1 call. Not all wireless calls provide accurate location information, especially if the caller is indoors.
• If you call 9-1-1, don’t hang up. 9-1-1 operators are going to assume that something has gone very wrong and will either call you back, or send a police car if the location is known.
• Don’t call 9-1-1 for jokes or prank calls. These calls waste resources and ties up the lines at the 9-1-1 center. Not to mention that making harassing or prank 9-1-1 calls is a crime in Iowa.
• When you call 9-1-1, pay attention to the questions that you are being asked.
• Stay on the line with the 9-1-1 call taker and answer all questions. The more information they have, the better they are able to help you.
• Stay calm and speak clearly. If you are crying or yelling, it can be very hard for the 9-1-1 Operator to understand you.

In addition to April being National 9-1-1 Education Month, the week of April 8th through 14th in National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in the United States.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – New financial disclosures show the candidates in western Iowa’s 4th Congressional District are succeeding in raising lots of campaign cash. Incumbent Republican Rep. Steve King reports raising $450,000 in the first quarter of this year. King says he has more than $800,000 of cash in the bank. Democratic challenger Christie Vilsack says she has raised more than $400,000 in the first three months of 2012 and has more than $900,000 of cash on hand. The new numbers mean King has raised just over $1.2 million for his campaign, while Vilsack has raised just over $1.5 million. That’s the toughest financial challenge Democrats have been able to pose for King, who is seeking his sixth term.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Department reports 34-year old Daniel Scott Gubser, of Hamburg, was arrested last Tuesday (April 3rd), on drug and other charges. Gubser was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was also cited for 3rd degree harassment, having a non-registered vehicle and no motorcycle driver’s license.

And, 31-year old William Howard Bailey, of Hamburg, was arrested April 2nd, for violation of his probation. Howard was sentenced to probation on a Possession of a Controlled Substance charge (A Serious Misdemeanor), in November, 2011.  Following his arrest last week, Bailey was sentenced to 33-days in jail.

An Atlantic man was arrested Saturday on an Assault charge. The Atlantic Police Department reports 32-year old Harold Shoemaker was booked into the Cass County Jail. And, 26-year old Christopher Castillo, of Atlantic, was arrested Saturday on charges of OWI and Driving While Revoked. Castillo was booked into the Cass County Jail.

The Atlantic P-D reports also, no citations were issued following an accident Saturday afternoon in the Hy Vee parking lot. Officials say a vehicle driven by Andrew Theilen, of Atlantic, was backing out of a parking stall when it hit a vehicle owned by Keenan Benn, of Atlantic, in the left rear passenger door. The accident happened at around 2:15-p.m. Damage from the mishap amounted to $2,100.

w/ Ric Hanson

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The Atlantic Kiwanis Club recently received a donation toward their bicycle helmet safety program. The $200 donation was presented to the Kiwanis’ Kellie Jimmerson, from Darrin Petty, representative of the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund. 

The program, now in its 16th year, began when Kiwanian Steve Green learned of a discount program offered by Bell Helmets. After receiving approval from the company, Green sought the support of former Washington Elementary Principal, Gail Casey, and former Atlantic Police Chief, Roger Muri, and with their backing, the program was launched.  

The Atlantic Kiwanis Club, one of 10,000 groups that participate in the Bell Helmet program, was the second organization to start giving the helmets away. It is currently the longest running participant in the nation, having distributed approximately 1920 helmets to Atlantic 3rd grade students to date. 

Green credits the Washington Elementary administration, Atlantic Police Department, and Nishna Valley Trails members for their parts in the program’s success. Darrin Petty said the recent donation was the Fund’s third annual such donation to the program, noting Trevor’s class would have been the second to receive the helmets. For more information about the Fund’s donations and fundraising efforts, “like” the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund on Facebook.

MAPLETON, Iowa (AP) – More than $374,000 in donations has helped people recover from a tornado that pummeled the western Iowa town of Mapleton.  The Sioux City Journal reports that the money for the Mapleton Tornado Relief Fund came in from all over the nation after the April 9 tornado last year.  The fund awarded more than $239,000 for various projects. More than 100 applications were received.
 
Homeowner Allen Mead, who received one of the grants, says the money “was used to help you get started, or do something with your windows … something like that.”  The remaining money is being turned over to a nonprofit group called Mapleton Build and Recovery and will be available as a source for the local match that many grant programs require.

w/ Ric Hanson

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The Wiota Volunteer Fire Department is receiving an Assistance to Firefighters grant amounting to just over $61,340. Senator Tom Harkin made the announcement late last week. Harkin says the grant comes from the US Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which funds the Department of Homeland Security. The grant money awarded to the Wiota Fire Department will be used for operations and safety.

Two Villisca residents were arrested overnight on assault charges. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says 41-year old Harland Keith Belcher was taken into custody at around 11:25-p.m. Sunday, and 42-year old Karen Renee Coleman was arrested just before Two o’clock this morning, for Serious Domestic Assault. The charges were the result of an incident which occurred in the 2400 block of Montgomery-Page Street, south of Stanton.

Belcher and Coleman were being held in the Montgomery County Jail this (Monday) morning, on $1,000 bond. Officers with the Red Oak Police Department and deputies with the Page County Sheriff’s Office along with Stanton Fire and Rescue assisted at the scene.