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Branstad plans trade mission to China and Japan in November

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad says he’s planning a trade mission to China and Japan in November that will focus on Iowa’s beef and pork exports. Branstad said Monday a delegation that includes Iowa business representatives will depart Nov. 11 and return Nov. 18. Stops will include Beijing and Tokyo.

Branstad says the trip will allow Iowa companies involved in meat processing to expand their markets abroad. The governor’s office says Iowa companies exported $564 million in meat products to Japan in 2015. China recently announced plans to lift a 13-year ban on beef imports from the United States.

Branstad is scheduled to speak at a food summit and a meat conference during the trip. He will also attend a reception at the residence of Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. ambassador to Japan.

County reopens courtroom after falling marble forced closure

News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Months after a falling chunk of marble prompted the closure of a Woodbury County courtroom, officials say the space will reopen and ease scheduling problems in the 98-year-old courthouse. The Sioux City Journal reports Courtroom 203 will reopen Monday, about five months after county supervisors ordered its closure.

They took the action after a 6-foot marble section detached and fell from a window assembly. Windows in the courtroom also bowed out. Closure of the courtroom has been a headache for court officials, who have tried to shift hearings to other courtrooms. Repairs to the courtroom will cost about $175,000. Supervisors have set aside $450,000 for additional work on other courtrooms.

The Woodbury County Courthouse opened in 1918 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Griswold School District Patrons to receive open enrollment-out survey

News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Griswold/Lenox School District Superintendent Dave Henrichs reports patrons of the Districts will be receiving a survey in the near future pertaining to families who open enroll-out their students. Henrichs says the purpose of the survey is to “Help determine if a change in facilities would encourage their (the students’) return to the district, and to determine why they have elected to leave the district.”

The goal, he says, is “To make sure the district does not do something in terms of facility changes that would cause others to leave the district.” Hinrichs says also, he has put together a list of steps and requirements required for a bond election.

The District’s Facilities Committee is set to meet today (Monday).

Backyard & Beyond 10-3-2016

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

October 3rd, 2016 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with CCHS Dietician Emily Krengel about the 20th anniversary of the walking school bus program.

Play

USA wins Ryder Cup

Sports

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

For the first time in eight years, the United States defeated Europe to win the Ryder Cup 17-11 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. Cedar Rapids native Zach Johnson won his match on Sunday to be part of his first Ryder Cup winning team and credited the fans in Minnesota.


It was the first time since 2008 that the U-S won the Ryder Cup.

(Learfield Sports)

Union County residents report incidents of theft

News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says two residents of the County have reported incidents of Theft. On Sept. 21st, an Afton woman told authorities someone had entered her shed during a period spanning Sept. 16th and 21st, and stole property valued at approximately $2,820. Among the items reported missing: 2 one gallon chainsaw gas cans; a five gallon gas can; collapsible milk crate with canvas tool liner; 50’ air hose; 3 extension cords; a Fox Pro electric game call; a Stihl 230 chainsaw; an MS311 Stihl chainsaw; Predator generator; 3 fishing poles, tackle box and lures; a Makita angle grinder, small air angle grinder, muck boots, and chore boots.

And, on Saturday, a Union County man reported that someone took his father’s .22 Magnum Cobra Derringer pistol from his father’s home in Kent. The theft happened  sometime over the previous few days, with the loss estimated at $200.

Audubon County Sheriff’s report: 1 accident; 1 drug-related arrest

News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports a traffic stop near 130th Street on Bluebird Avenue Saturday, resulted in the arrest of 20-year old Andrew James Nippert, of Harlan. Nippert was charged with OWI/1st Offense and Possession of Marijuana. He was also issued multiple traffic citations. Nippert was later released from the Audubon County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court this Thursday.

The Sheriff’s Office said also, no injuries were reported following an accident early Friday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 71 and South Street, in Brayton. 49-year old Richard Dean Andersen, of Brayton, was stopped at the intersection on Highway 71 southbound and waiting to turn left. 34-year old Foad Jassem Mohammad, of West Des Moines, was also southbound, but failed to notice Andersen’s 2006 Chrysler Pacifica.

Mohammad’s 2007 Chevy Silverado hit the back of the Pacifica, causing a total of $3,000 damage. Deputies charged Mohammad with Failure to Maintain Control. Andersen was charged with Failure to have Insurance, and a Registration Violation.

Cass County Deputy assists in the arrest of NE men on drug charges in Walnut

News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Two men from Nebraska were arrested Saturday night on drug charges, in Walnut. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports 21-year old Aaron Mark Dye, of Hastings, NE, and 18-year old Martin Peyton Hord, of Harvard, NE., were arrested with the help of Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Shiels and his K9 partner. Dye and Hord were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, after deputies were called to the Cenex gas station on Antique City Drive in Walnut, for a report of Vice activity. Authorities recovered from the suspects’ 4 syringes (1 loaded with an unknown content, 1 empty), the bottom half of a burned aluminum pop can, a baggie containing a clear plastic stamp with bags of unknown quantity and Q-Tips. The suspects’ 1997 Nissen Sentra was impounded following their arrest.

The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office said also, 36-year old Randy Lee Nixon, of Crescent, was arrested Saturday night for OWI/1st Offense, after the vehicle he was driving was pulled over for a malfunctioning headlight on Old Lincoln Highway.

And, 40-year old Thomas Dwight Keyser, of Underwood, was arrested late Friday morning following a disturbance in Underwood. Keyser, who has a Protection Order issued against him, is alleged to have taken the phone from his ex-girlfriend and left the area prior to his arrest at the Underwood gas station. He was charged with Violating a Protection Order and Obstruction of Emergency Communications.

Iowa Public Television Cancels Iowa Press Debate: U.S. Senate Race

News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Officials with Iowa Public Television today (Monday) announced they have cancelled the Iowa Press debate for the U.S. Senate race scheduled for October 20th, 2016. Senator Grassley (R-New Hartford) rescinded his acceptance of IPTV’s invitation, leaving former Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge (D-Albia) as the sole participant. Judge accepted IPTV’s invitation on September 23, 2016. Grassley’s campaign issued a press release on August 5, 2016, announcing his participation in IPTV’s debate.

The hour-long debate had been scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in front of a live audience in the Maytag Auditorium at IPTV’s studios in Johnston. The program would have aired live on statewide IPTV and been live streamed on Iptv.org. The candidates had previously agreed to answer questions and discuss their platforms, concerns and future plans for the state of Iowa.

IPTV Executive Director and General Manager Molly Phillips said “Iowa Public Television has a longstanding tradition of candidate debates through Iowa Press, the longest-running statewide public affairs program. We are disappointed the debate will not be available to all Iowans on our air, online or in our studio.”

New CCHS CEO to start later this year or early 2017

News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Officials at Cass County Health System announced today (Monday), that Brett Altman, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), will be the new Chief Executive Officer for the organization.  The Board of Trustees approved the contract for Altman during a special meeting this (Monday) morning. In a Press Release, Cass County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Ned Brown said  “After a thorough search and interview process, it became apparent that Mr. Altman has the vision, leadership skills and industry expertise to continue to move our organization forward.”

Altman has served as President and CEO at Skiff Medical Center in Newton, Iowa for the past 2 ½ years.

Brett Altman, DPT, MBA, FACHE (photo submitted)

Brett Altman, DPT, MBA, FACHE (photo submitted)

He began his career at Skiff as the Director of Physical Therapy in 1994. Over the past 22 years he has moved up through the organization, serving as Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Interim CEO, Clinical Operations Officer and Chief Operating Officer before becoming CEO in 2014.

Altman said “I’ve loved my career at Skiff, but this opportunity was too good to pass up. Cass County has a fantastic health system that is vital to the community. My family and I are very excited about becoming part of the Cass County community.”

Six candidates were invited to participate in on-site interviews for the position.  The CCHS Board established four teams with a total of 25 people to conduct the interviews.  The teams included board members, administrators, medical providers and department directors. Ned Brown said he was  “Very pleased with the candidates [they] were able to bring to CCHS,” noting also that “Much credit should go to a number of people – Pat Markham and our existing Admin Team for helping prepare the candidate interview plan, the interview teams that spent time preparing for and interviewing the candidates, and perhaps, most of all, the staff who showcased all we have to offer here at CCHS.” Brown said also he thought their selection “Was an easy sell.”

Altman also noted the strength of the CCHS staff.  He said “I was tremendously impressed with everyone I met, and I can’t wait to get started. I am honored to have the opportunity to help lead CCHS into the future, and I look forward to working together with a very engaged team.”

Altman and his wife, Sarah, have four children.  They will be moving to the Atlantic area, and he will begin his work at CCHS in late 2016 or early 2017.