Officials with the West Central Valley (WCV) School District today (Monday) said on their social media page, that Guthrie County, Stuart Police and State law enforcement officials provided “Solid security” Monday to the district, in light of a threatening note found in the High School commons last Friday, in Stuart. The District says “Stuart Police and our Highway Patrol representative are continuing their investigation to locate the person or persons responsible for the note.”

District officials said also, that “For the remainder of this week, all buildings will be utilizing a single point of access for all students and families. All doors in each building will be locked, and the access point will be monitored (The access point is normally the main entry door). The high school will continue to have a modified contingent of law enforcement personnel onsite for a good portion of this week as their investigation continues. High school students will continue to have their bags checked when they enter the building. The elementary buildings and the middle school will operate under normal conditions with the exception of the single point of access.”

Officials with the Cass County Health System have announced Dr. Elaine Berry has received the Iowa Hospital Association’s 2016 Hospital Hero award. The award was presented on October 19^th during the IHA annual meeting in Des Moines. On hand to present the award was Pat Markham, CCHS CEO and former professional boxer/motivational speaker Sugar Ray Leonard, who was a keynote speaker at the event.

According to the IHA website, the IHA Hospital Hero Award “recognizes hospital employees who have performed heroic acts or have consistently and tirelessly given of their time, talent and expertise to improve their organizations, patients and communities.  These everyday heroes are the role models for other hospital employees and the communities they serve.”

Only 10 people from across the state are chosen as hospital heroes each year.  Dr. Berry’s nomination was submitted by hospital staff with letters of support noting her dedication to the community and her patients, particularly with hospice care and emergency medical services throughout Cass County.

From left to right: CCHS CEO Pat Markham, Dr. Berry, and Sugar Ray Leonard.

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University campus police are using body cameras but because no formal policy for the technology has been adopted, it is unclear when the public has the right to see the videos.  The Des Moines Register reports that campus police began using cameras this summer under a draft policy that the department has refused to release. There is no timeline for when a formal policy may be finalized.

University interim police chief Aaron DeLashmutt says the public safety department wants to make sure privacy rights are looked at before making a policy public. ISU student government president Cole Staudt says that although campus police told the organization that officer were going to wear body cameras, no student input was sought while developing the policy.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa is increasing the amount of money it pays three private insurance companies to administer the state’s Medicaid program. The non-partisan Legislative Services Agency says the Iowa Department of Human Services decided recently to pay more in rates distributed for each Medicaid patient. It’s unclear how the extra $33.2 million will affect the state’s cost projections.

LSA analyst Jess Benson says the agency will predict a $20 million to $30 million shortfall for the current budget year when the agency meets soon with state officials. The figure is preliminary, and it’s unclear if the Department of Human Services would absorb such costs or if Gov. Terry Branstad would request extra state funding.

Branstad said Monday he still believes the state will save roughly $110 million this budget year from privatization. Senate Democrats have challenged those savings.

Police in Council Bluffs say a man from Mississippi is in custody on robbery, kidnapping and assault charges, following an incident that took place Sunday night at the Hampton Inn, in Council Bluffs. 53-year old Allan McGowan, of Olive Branch, MS, was arrested sometime after 7:46-p.m., which was when officers responded to a reported assault at the hotel.

Allan McGowan

McGowan was charged with Robbery 1st Degree, Kidnapping 1st Degree, Assault while Participating in a Felony and Obstruction of Emergency Communications. He was being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail.

The victim of the assault, 37-year old Norma Hineline, of Omaha, told police she was attacked by McGowan inside one of the hotel rooms. She said prior to being assaulted, McGowan grabbed her purse and began to remove some of her cash. The woman said  she attempted to use the hotel phone to dial 9-1-1, but McGowan hung up the phone.

After being unable to get her purse back from McGowan, Police say Hineline attempted to leave the room, but McGowan reportedly grabbed her and pulled her back into the room, putting her in a “choke hold” and strangling her until she lost consciousness. When Hineline awoke, McGowan was removing cash from her purse and had possession of her cell phone. Eventually, McGowan allowed Hineline to leave the hotel room.