Nearly three-hundred people have signed up to attend the 2016 Iowa Arts Summit this Friday in Des Moines. Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs director Mary Cownie  says people from 90 Iowa communities have registered. “Two years when we launched the Iowa Arts Summit as a statewide convening for Iowa’s arts community, the response was overwhelming,” Cownie says, “so this year we will build on that success with local, state and national voices converging.”

The day will allow artists and non-profit groups that work on cultural projects throughout the state to network, learn about success stories in other communities and get fundraising tips. “We’re also excited to add a touch of Hollywood to this year’s summit…presenting a session track for Iowa filmmakers featuring Sarah Pearce, the managing director of the Sundance Institute,” Cownie says, “as well as Iowa native and University of Iowa alum Andrew Steele who is the creative director of the website ‘Funny or Die.'”

Steele grew up in Iowa City and is a former Saturday Night Live writer. He won an Emmy in 2002. Dozens of artists will be doing “pop up” exhibits during the event. More than 50 sculptures created by Waterloo’s Youth Art Team will be on display. Cultural experiences in Iowa cities and communities help keep and attract young professionals, according to Cownie.

“It’s not only the 9-5, because if they know they’re going to get a job, they look at public schools. They may look at public safety, but they also want to know: ‘What am I doing to do?'” Cownie says. “‘Where am I going to take my kids? What am I going to do with my spouse or partner?'”

On Friday, during the summit, Cownie plans to release new data about the impact of the arts on Iowa. Registration is still open for the conference. (Register online at https://iowaculture.gov/arts/get-involved/iowa-arts-summit)

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Creston say a woman residing in the 300 block of N. Sumner Avenue has reported an incident of vandalism. Authorities say sometime between July 24th and 25th, a person or persons unknown shot out the back passenger window of the victims’ vehicle. The damage was estimated at $150. The incident remains under investigation.

Former Cass County Health System (CCHS) CEO Todd Hudspeth has entered a voluntary Guilty plea to a Forgery charge in Buena Vista County District Court. As part of a plea agreement reached Monday (Aug. 1^st), Hudspeth was sentenced to two-years probation, ordered to pay a $750 civil penalty, and must submit a DNA sample.

Hudspeth was charged with Forgery in January after he presented a $10,000 check with a forged signature at Storm Lake MetaBank. He said the check was deposited into a checking account to pay for his son’s college expenses. Hudspeth later acknowledged he had made a poor decision in endorsing a disbursement check that included his name, and that of his ex-wife. Hudspeth admitted that he took “A foolish shortcut to expedite” the process of transferring funds for his son’s expenses.

A felony Forgery charge was also filed in Cass County, in May, based on the Forgery case filed by the Storm Lake Police Department. Hudspeth had entered a written plea of Not Guilty in his Cass County case.  A waiver for his preliminary hearing in Atlantic was submitted on May 24^th.

Hudspeth was fired from his position with the Cass County Health System last month.

Police in Council Bluffs are investigating an incident of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. Authorities say at around 10:50-p.m., Monday, officers were called to Roberts Park in the 900 block of N. 25th Street, where a 17-year old female was allegedly attacked by a male. The victim was able to get away from her attacker and run to a nearby residence. The attacker fled on foot.

The suspect is described as being a white male, approximately 40-55 years old wearing a black shirt and jean shorts. He’s about 6-feet 3-inches tall, and weighs around 200 lbs. The suspect was last seen running east bound in the 1000 blk
of N. 25th St.

The case is being investigated by the Council Bluffs Police Criminal Investigation Division. Anyone with information in reference to this case is urged to contact (712) 328-4728 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-STOP (7867).