The Women’s Health Services committee at Cass County Health System invites women of all ages to a free seminar, “Building Strength.” The free class will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on March 29th at Cass County Health System.

Laura Hickman, DPT, ATC, and Erin Johnson, PTA, will present at the seminar. Hickman says “Resistance training is really important for women because it can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Whether it’s using resistance bands, free weights, or your own body weight—these exercises can also help women burn more calories and achieve a more toned look.”

The class will be held in Conference Room 2. The first portion of the class will cover the basics of resistance training—the why and how behind it—and the second portion will be an active session for the participants. Attendees are encouraged to dress comfortably.

Hickman says “We’ll be up demonstrating these exercises, but all of our attendees will be actively trying them, too. We’ll also send everyone home with a resistance band so they can continue these exercises on their own.”

This is a free event, but because space is limited, reservations are required and can be made by calling 712-243-7479. Attendees are asked to park in Parking Lot C and enter through Rehabilitation Services. Any questions about the event can be directed to CCHS Public Relations Department at 712-243-7405.

An investigation into an accident last December that claimed the life of one teen and resulted in injuries to two others, has culminated in charges being filed against the driver of the vehicle. 16-year old Kaitlyn Renshaw, of Council Bluffs, was charged with Motor Vehicle Homicide by OWI, and Motor Vehicle Homicide by Reckless Driving. Renshaw was taken into custody, processed at Pottawattamie County Corrections, then released to the custody of her mother. The results of a drug screen determined Renshaw tested positive for marijuana in her system at the time of the collision.

The accident, which happened at around 10:20-a.m. Dec. 4th, resulted in the death of front seat passenger, 16-year old Haley Wright, and minor injuries to a back seat passenger, 16-year old Ethan Conger, both from Council Bluffs. Officials say a 2004 Mazda driven by Renshaw was found lying on its side down an embankment on the north side of Interstate 80 in Council Bluffs.

Wright was partially ejected and found deceased at the scene. The Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln student was just three-days shy of her 17th birthday when the accident took her life. Renshaw and Conger were transported on an Omaha hospital for treatment of their injuries.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three, recent arrests. Today (Tuesday), deputies arrested 23-year old T-J Taylor Anderson, of Exira, on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Driving While Barred (an Aggravated Misdemeanor). Anderson was taken to the Cass County Jail where was released later that day on $2,000 bond.

And, two people were arrested Monday, in Cass County. 52-year old Martin Soto Herrera, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a charge of OWI 2nd Offense (An Aggravated misdemeanor). Herrera was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $2,000 bond. And, 30-year old Tony Martin Mayo, Jr., of Lewis, was arrested Monday on a charge of OWI 1st Offense (a Serious misdemeanor). Mayo was also cited for Driving Under Suspension (a Simple misdemeanor). Mayo was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance.

The votes are in and tallied. This year’s Iowa’s Best Burger contest proves that great tasting beef burgers are being served across the state. Officials with the Iowa Beef Industry Council say Iowans submitted more than 6,200 nomination votes between February 15th and March 9th representing 311 Iowa restaurants. The number of votes each restaurant received determined the 2016 Top Ten restaurants and their burgers.

Among the Top 10, was: the Chuckwagon Restaurant, in Adair; Down Right Delicious, and Vaughn’s Café & Bakery, both in Clarinda; and, The Elm’s Club, in Creston. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association counted the nominations that were received via the website, texting and paper ballots.

Also among the restaurants making the Top Ten list (in alphabetical order) is:

– Ankeny Diner, Ankeny
– BW’s Burgers, West Des Moines
– First Street Grille, Keosauqua
– PerXactly Bar & Grill, Maquoketa
– Rides Bar & Grill, Fort Dodge
– The Ritz, Arnolds Park

The quest for the winner of the Iowa’s Best Burger will now begin. All Top Ten restaurants will be visited by a panel of anonymous judges who will evaluate the burgers based on taste, appearance, and proper doneness (160 degrees). The judges’ scores and comments will be accumulated and the winner will be crowned on May 2.

To learn more about the Top Ten restaurants and the contest, visit www.iabeef.org.

Last year, The Cider House of Fairfield took home the title of the 2015 Iowa’s Best Burger. Winners in previous years are: 2014 – Brick City Grill in Ames; 2013 – 61 Chop House Grille in Mediapolis; 2012 – Coon Bowl III in Coon Rapids; 2011 – Rusty Duck in Dexter; and 2010 – Sac County Cattle Company of Sac City.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a Cass County man was arrested today (Tuesday) on a warrant for Theft in the 3rd Degree. 44-year old Stanley Oral Rossell, of Lewis, was taken into custody a little after midnight, and was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond.

A man from Cass County was sentenced Monday in Pottawattamie County District Court to a maximum of 10-years in prison on controlled substance violation charge, after pleading guilty in a plea deal that resulted in two other charges being dismissed. 32-year old Jacob Leary, of Atlantic, was found guilty by Judge James M. Richardson on the Possession of Methamphetamine charge. In exchange for his plea, the charges of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, were dismissed.

Leary was given credit for time served and fined $1,000. He also had his license revoked for 180 days. Leary and 32-year-old Randi Shafer, also of Atlantic, were arrested late last September, following a traffic stop in Pottawattamie County. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 16 grams of methamphetamine and syringes.

Shafer pleaded guilty to a similar charge in November. She was given credit for time served and placed on probation, but has since violated the terms of her probation and is scheduled to appear in court on March 30th for a probation hearing.