(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry Branstad today (Friday) signed the following bill into law…House File 291: an Act relating to employment matters involving public employees including collective bargaining, educator employment matters, personnel records and settlement agreements, city civil service requirements, and health insurance matters, making penalties applicable, and including effective date, applicability, and transition provisions.

“I’m very pleased to sign this bill into law,” said Gov. Branstad. “These necessary reforms to our antiquated 43 year old public employee collective bargaining law bring fairness for Iowa taxpayers and flexibility to public employees. This bill also gives local governments, schools and state government greater freedom in managing their resources with the opportunity to reward good public employees. I want to thank all of the legislators who worked diligently and thoroughly to pass these much needed reforms, including Speaker Linda Upmeyer, Majority Leader Chris Hagenow, Majority Leader Bill Dix, President Jack Whitver, Chairman Dave Deyoe, Representative Steve Holt and Chairman Jason Schultz.”

Lt. Gov. Reynolds also applauded the reforms adding, “I’m excited about the long overdue reforms that have been put in place today. My experience as county treasurer for 13 years gave me a firsthand look at how out of balance the system had become. Finally, Iowa taxpayers have a seat at the table and local governments are empowered to make decisions in the best interests of their communities and schools. These changes will improve our educational system by giving local districts the ability to recruit and retain the best teachers in every classroom across the state. This new, balanced system is something all Iowans can celebrate.”

The bill passed the Iowa House 53-47 on Feb. 16, 2017 and the Iowa Senate on Feb. 16, 2017, 29-21.

The Red Oak Police Department said today (Friday), 27-year old Bruce Anthony Kaimann, Jr., of Red Oak, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree.  Kaimann, Jr. was taken into custody a little after 9-a.m. in the 1400 block of Forest Avenue, after he allegedly damaged a kitchen table and chairs valued at $1,500. His bond was set at $5,000.

The Iowa Supreme Court says the ban on mandatory life sentences for juveniles does not impact restitution levied in the same cases.  Daimonay Richardson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2013 when she was 15. She admitted to helping her boyfriend D’Anthony Curd stab Ronald Kunkle to death in his Cedar Rapids apartment. She was given a sentence not to exceed 50 years in prison, with 25 years suspended and ordered to pay 150-thousand dollars in restitution.

Richardson appealed the restitution amount saying should fall under Supreme Court rulings that banned mandatory prison sentences for all juveniles as unconstitutional. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that a prison sentence is different from restitution. The ruling says restitution is a matter of financial obligation, while the prison sentence is a matter of liberty and keeps someone from being rehabilitated.

It says restitution repayment plans do take into account a person’s income and other circumstances.
The Supreme Court issued a similar ruling in the restitution appeal of Shannon Breeden, who was 16 when she pleaded guilty to attempted homicide in 2002 and was ordered to pay 150-thousand dollars in restitution.

(Radio Iowa)

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a man from Lorimor reported last Saturday (Feb. 11th), that sometime over the previous couple of weeks, someone broke into his storage facility in Lorimor, and stole a 1988 Plymouth Aries K Car, which was being used as a parts vehicle. The car was valued at $200.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman from Pacific Junction was arrested Thursday night for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 63-year old Teresa Ann Dillard was taken into custody at around 9-p.m. and held in the Mills County Jail on $5,300 bond.

In an update to our earlier reports, the Mills County Sheriff’s Office says all six suspects in the alleged abuse of clients at a Glenwood Resource Center home have been arrested. Earlier, three of the suspects had been reported as taken into custody. Deputies arrested 25-year old Ayla Ann Yates, of Glenwood, today (Friday). 43-year old Dana Renee Case, and 49-year old Darrel Justin Case, of Tabor, along with 28-year old Tyler Benjamin Palmer, of Glenwood, and 35-year old Ryan Anthony Belt, of Malvern, as well as 23-year old Kayla Marie Stevenson, of Council Bluffs, were arrested Thursday. Each faces charges that include Wonton Neglect of a Health Care Resident. Darrel Case faces five counts of Wanton Neglect. He was being held in the Mills County Jail on $10,000 bond. Belt’s bond was set at $3,000. He was also charged with Dependent Adult Abuse.  Bonds for the other suspects was set at $2,000 each.

The Iowa Department of Human Services has said its investigation found seven clients were physically abused and 13 were subjected to verbal abuse or neglect. The center provides services for 230 clients.

The latest charges come six weeks after the DHS disclosed that 12 workers at the Glenwood State Resource Center had quit or were fired over the allegations. The department has said a 13th worker has been dismissed since then.

Ayla Yates

Tyler Palmer

Ryan Belt

Kayla Stevenson

Darrel Case

Dana Case

The Cass County Health System (CCHS) is offering low-cost community blood screenings for people ages 18 and Spring in Atlantic, Anita, Griswold, and Massena. CCMH Lab Director Mitch Whiley says “We want people to be healthy—and the first step is knowing some of your basic bloodwork, like cholesterol, blood sugar, and kidney function. By knowing what your numbers are, you and your medical provider can talk about what they mean for your health.”

Appointments are available in Atlantic for March 23rd, 24th, and 25th, from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. The screenings will be held in CCHS Conference Room 2. You can also make an appointment for the low-cost blood screenings Anita on March 27th, Griswold on March 28th, and Massena on March 29th.

Appointments can be made by calling 712-250-8091. The cost for the blood profile is $35, and it includes the following: Lipid Panel (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL), Glucose, Complete Blood Count (CBC), Liver Function, Kidney Function, and Thyroid Screening. With the $35 blood profile, you can also add these screenings for an additional fee:

·         A1c: $12

·         PSA: $20

·         Vitamin D: $30

Participants should fast overnight before their appointment, although a small amount of water or black coffee the morning of the blood draw is fine.

The Cass County Health System Foundation says it will be hosting a speakeasy-themed gala on Saturday, March 25th at the Atlantic Golf & Country Club. Foundation Director Dawn Marnin says “The décor, drinks, dinner, and dueling pianos all play into the theme. We are encouraging attendees to join in the fun by dressing in 1920’s style attire.”

The gala is one part of the CCHS Foundation’s 2017 Campaign to raise funds for a 3D Mammography Unit. At a cost of more than $400,000, CCHS Foundation Board Member Dave Chase says it is a huge undertaking. “This is a significant investment, but early detection is still the key to successful outcomes for breast cancer patients.” Chase says in Cass County alone, there are “More than 3,000 women who are in the recommended age range to receive mammograms. 3D mammography has been shown to find breast cancer up to 15 months earlier than traditional 2D imagery – just think,” he says “about what a huge impact this new technology could have for those 3,000 women.”

Seats are limited for the event. For more information about sponsorships and tickets, contact Dawn Marnin at 712-243-7409 or visit casshealth.org/ccmh-foundation.

Fresh on the heels of Thursday’s announcement by officials with Elite Octane, LLC., that the company intends to move forward with plans for a $196 million ethanol plant in Atlantic, the Cass County Board of Supervisors next Wednesday (Feb. 22nd) plan to act on a Resolution approving an $8.5-million Development Agreement with Elite Octane that authorizes Tax Increment Payments, and pledges Certain Tax Increment Revenues toward the payment of the agreement.

The Board had tabled action on approving the Development Agreement Resolution late last month, when it became clear the future of the ethanol plant was in doubt over the matter of electrical supply rates.

In other business, the Board will: Act on a Resolution abating the tax for a parcel of land owned by the City of Atlantic; Approve a lighting upgrade assessment and proposal by Energyficient Lighting Systems; And, act on appointing a person to serve a 3-year term as Commissioner representing Cass County for SIRHA (the Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority).

The Cass County Supervisor’s meeting gets underway 8:30-a.m., Wednesday in their Board Room at the Courthouse, in Atlantic.