The fee for investments in the state-managed “College Savings Iowa” program have been reduced. State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald says the fee has now dipped to one-fifth of one percent. “This is the seventh decrease in price we’ve been able to initiate over the last 10 years,” Fitzgerald says. The fees have fallen 65 percent over the past decade, primarily because administrative costs have remained steady, while participation has increased dramatically.

“We take great pride in having a low-cost, professionally-managed college fund,” Fitzgerald says. “…We’re up to over $4.2 billion in the fund. We have over 240,000 accounts and that speaks for itself that people love it.” The reduced investment fee took effect January 1st. It means investors each year pay only two-dollars for every thousand ($1000) invested.

“We want the message to get out to all corners of the state of Iowa, to every parent and grandparent because a third of the people that own these accounts are grandparents. They’re the ones that have the money,” Fitzgerald says. “The bigger we can get the fund, with more people in it, we can pass the savings on to Iowans. And that’s what we’re doing.”

The governor and legislators created the College Savings Iowa program in 1998. In the past decade, investments in the fund have nearly quadrupled. The fund is only open to Iowa taxpayers.

(Radio Iowa)

While influenza spread in Iowa remains low, surveillance indicates activity is increasing and the number of flu-related deaths in Iowa now stands at two. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Tuesday) confirmed the influenza-related death of an elderly (81 years of age and older) Central Iowa male who had underlying health conditions. In addition, surveillance indicates all four of the flu viruses covered by the 2016/2017 vaccine are circulating in Iowa.

IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says “This year’s influenza vaccine appears to be a good match to the virus strains being seen in Iowa. With flu season potentially lasting at least another two months, it’s certainly not too late to get a flu vaccination.”

The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. The flu comes on suddenly and may cause severe illness or even death in people such as the very young or very old, or those who have underlying health conditions. Symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches. Illness typically lasts two to seven days, and often puts healthy people in bed for days.

Contact your health care provider or local health department to find out where the flu vaccine is available in your community or use the Flu Vaccine Finder at https://vaccinefinder.org.

Police in Council Bluffs report a man was arrested this (Tuesday) morning, on Eluding and other charges, following a foot chase that began with a traffic stop for a seat belt violation, at around 8:10-a.m. Officials say a front seat passenger in the vehicle, 25-year old Gary A. Schultz, of Council Bluffs, took off on foot, after it was learned the driver, had a valid No Contact Order against Schultz.

Gary A. Schultz

Schultz ran north through a field and into the Indian Creek ravine. Due to the frigid temperature of the water, Schultz surrendered and was assisted out of the water. He was transported by Council Bluffs Fire and Rescue to Jennie Edmundson Hospital, where Schultz was treated for hypothermia.

He was later released from the hospital and transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail, where he was charged with Violating a No Contact Order, Eluding and failure to wear a seat belt.

Atlantic Police report seven arrests over the past couple of weeks. Yesterday (Monday), 28-year old Kayla Millam, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear (in court). On Sunday, 32-year old Adam Morris, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense.

Last Friday, 29-year old Ryan Juhl, of Atlantic, was arrested on Cass County warrants for two counts of Possession of Drugs with Intent to Deliver, Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana w/the intent to deliver, and a Drug Tax stamp violation.

On Dec. 27th, 35-year old Aaron Latus, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Probation Violation. On Dec. 24th, 23-year old Austin Alff, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. And on Dec. 23rd, 18-year old Skyler Peters, of Atlantic, was arrested after he turned himself-in on charge of OWI/1st offense and Possession of a Controlled Substance. That same day, 26-year old Devin Register, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Probation Violation.

All subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad says it “makes sense” for Iowa to consider legislation that would require voters to show identification when casting an election ballot. The Republican governor told reporters Tuesday that such a requirement would ensure voters are valid and aren’t voting in more than one state. State officials do not track voter fraud statewide, but cases of fraudulent voting are exceedingly rare in Iowa.

Branstad says the state Secretary of State’s Office is working with members of the Iowa Legislature to introduce legislation that could make changes to Iowa’s voting system, though details are still being sorted out. Branstad says the goal is voter integrity, though it’s still unclear if voter identification will be included in any proposed legislation.

The new GOP-majority Legislature convenes Monday.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports numerous arrests over the holiday weekend. Officials say 23-year old Brandon Bradley Pospisal, of Avoca, was arrested Friday night following an investigation into a reported disturbance at a residence in the 200 block of N. Maple Street, in Avoca. The caller advised the man was threatening them with a kitchen knife and acted like he was going to harm himself. Pospisal placed under arrest without incident at around 11-p.m. for Domestic Assault with Intent or weapon.

Saturday afternoon, 40-year old Daniel Patrick Campbell, of Walnut, was arrested in Walnut for OWI/1st offense, Eluding and Driving While Revoked, after a deputy saw Campbell driving a moped without registration or a required flag. When he attempted to stop the moped, Campbell refused to stop, and eventually dumped the machine in the yard of a residence in the 700 block of Pacific Street. He then fled on foot into his home, where he was apprehended. In addition to the arrest charges, Campbell was cited for no registration, failure to provide proof of insurance, and failure to maintain control.

Just before 2-a.m. Sunday, a Deputy in Pottawattamie County arrested 21-year old Drew Michael Mohr, of Oakland, for OWI/1st offense, and Possession of a Controlled Substance, following a traffic stop south of Oakland, near the intersection of Highways 59 and 6. Authorities say Mohr was in possession of 2.8-grams of marijuana at the time of his arrest.

A man who had residences listed as being in Omaha and Harlan was arrested Sunday night for OWI/2nd offense and Harassment in the 2nd Degree, after a 2000 Pontiac he was driving allegedly tried to run a man over in the 100 block of N. Chestnut Street, in Avoca, and that the occupants of the vehicle was threatening or harassing the resident. The vehicle was located after it broke down on the road. As the driver, 38-year old Joseph Duane Cue, was being questioned, the deputy noticed the man had an odor of alcohol, bloodshot and watery eyes. He acknowledged his license had been suspended. In addition to the charges, Cue was cited for careless driving, operating a vehicle without registration, and driving while suspended.

And, a Council Bluffs man was arrested at around 1:30-a.m. today (Tuesday), for Possession of a Controlled Substance with intent to deliver, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 29-year old Joshua M. Brizendine was pulled over for failure to have a functioning license plate light. Brizendine was arrested after he was found to be in possession of 15 grams of methamphetamine and a meth pipe.

Atlantic, IA – The Cass County Memorial Hospital Obstetrics (OB) Department will be hosting the first “Love Steps Up” Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group on Thursday, January 5^th at 7 pm. Kate Nachtman, RN, says “As OB nurses, we work directly with patients who suffer miscarriages and still births. But we’re also moms who have experienced losses, too, and we know how critical it is to feel supported and loved when you are grieving the loss of a baby.”

The support group will meet every other month. Nachtman said “We hope that parents will come and make connections to other parents and resources.”  The group will meet in Conference Room 7. Attendees are asked to use Parking Lot C and come in through the Emergency Department Entrance. All parents and those affected by a loss are welcome to attend.

There is no fee required, and registration is not necessary. Questions can be directed to the CCMH OB Department at 712-250-8862.

Audubon County Sheriff Todd Johnson reports two arrests took place over the holiday weekend. At around 11-p.m. Monday, 50-year old Timothy Nathan Turner, of Kimballton, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/3rd offense, following an investigation into an incident that allegedly took place at his residence. Turner was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later released, after appearing before the Magistrate.

And, Saturday night, 23-year old Jarrett Douglas Christensen, of Exira, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense and Possession of Marijuana. His arrest was the result of a traffic stop at around 8-p.m. on Littlefield Drive. Christensen was also later released from custody, after appearing before a Magistrate.