(Radio Iowa) – A leader in the union that represents 19-thousand federal employees who work in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and the Dakotas says some of them will be required to work, without pay, if there’s a federal government shutdown. Ruark Hotopp is a national vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees. “TSA employees would still go to work during a shutdown, however,” Hotopp says, “without a paycheck.” Hotopp joined an online news conference organized by the Iowa Democratic Party.

“In our union, we had many discussions with a lot of federal lawmakers up on Capitol Hill,” Hotopp says. “The indication we had as of a month ago was that there was going to be a deal struck amongst House Republicans to avert this, only for them to then renege on that deal and to come back and hold us all hostage with the threat of a shutdown.” Hotopp says a shutdown would bring the country to a screeching halt.

“I don’t know that folks really realize how many government agencies really exist and what they all do,” Hotopp says. “…We run the full gamut of law enforcement agencies, agriculture — you name it.” Some U-S-D-A employees are represented by Hotopp’s union, but the U-S-D-A would shut down — with the exception of critical functions, like fire fighters in the U-S Forest Service who protect property.

(Radio Iowa) – Recent court filings show a southeast Iowa man who skipped the jury verdict in his murder trial and went on the run faces another charge after his capture. Sixty-three-year-old Gregory Showalter of Ottumwa was not present in court on Friday when a Wapello County jury returned a guilty verdict for first-degree murder, willful injury, abuse of a corpse, and domestic abuse. Authorities say Showalter murdered his wife, Helen Showalter, in July 2021. Police say Showalter, who was out on bail, cut off his ankle monitor and turned off his phone before leaving his home on Friday. A search commenced and Showalter was found in his home on Saturday morning hiding behind a chair.

Showalter was apprehended and transported to the Wapello County Jail where he is being held without bond. Showalter faces an additional charge of interference with official acts. His sentencing in the murder trial is scheduled for October 16th.

(Rural Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Fire and Rescue along with two Cass EMS ambulances were dispatched at around 12:18-p.m. to the area of 570th and Galveston Road (west of Atlantic), for a two-vehicle accident. Both vehicles rolled, but there were reportedly only minor injuries. The road is blocked at this time. No other details are currently available.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Conservation is looking for volunteers for their 30th biannual Halloween Hike! The CCC Department is looking for Actors, Hike Leaders, and Treat Makers!! The 30th biannual Halloween Hike, will be held on Saturday, October 28th, as you follow a trail where meet the Little Red, her forest friends like Brown Bat, Mice, and The Wolf! Starting at 7:00 p.m. small groups will depart from the Camblin Addition of Sunnyside Park every ten minutes. Please call 712-769-2372 or online at https://form.jotform.com/232684779061163, to sign up as a volunteer!

Officials say it is not their intent to scare or frighten anyone, but to educate and entertain people of all ages! The hike is sponsored by the Cass County Conservation Board.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, September 26, 2023– On Saturday, September 23, a record-breaking 700 Council Bluffs area residents participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Iowa Western Community College. Walkers helped raise a record-breaking $90,000 to fund the care, support and research programs of the Alzheimer’s Association. Fundraising continues through the end of the year, so there is still time to donate at alz.org/walk.

This year’s Top Team is EJ-REG290 Team Jensen, led by Ross Jensen, and they raised over $4,300 through in memory of Jensen’s grandmother, aunt and other family and friends affected by the disease. This year’s Top Walker is JoDee Junkman who raised over $4,000 in honor of her husband Tim who is living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Her Team Big Time Timmy is a Top Team as well raising over $4,100.

The other top teams and walkers are:

·       Team Primrose Retirement Council Bluffs, led by Tiffany Eggett, raised over $4,000.

·       Walker 100 Block Story on Team Poppy raised $3,200.

·       Team Midstates Bank, led by Bridget Epperson, raised over $3,300.

All top teams and walkers can be found at act.alz.org/CBWalk.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Iowa, there are more than 66,000 people living with the disease and 98,000 caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.  Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.979.3900.