Having quality child care is vital to an employee’s success on the job. It also contributes to the economic success of a community. Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) staff report that parents in Atlantic are discovering it is hard to find child care. It is very difficult if they have an infant or work evening or weekend shifts.

CCR&R provides resources designed to support the operation of a successful child care business. CCR&R provides training on health, safety, and child development. Child Care Consultants offer guidance to start and maintain a quality child care business. They also give information on regulations and additional sources of income. The CCR&R Consultant provides support to all child care businesses, whether it is in a home, a center or a preschool.

In Iowa, an adult can care for up to five children at any one time without being registered. However, there are benefits to being registered with the Department of Human Services. The consultant can explain the rules and help new providers get on track to offer a quality program.

The need for child care is constant. CCR&R is here to offer support during all stages of a child care business. If you are interested in starting a child care business in your home, please contact CCR&R at 712-243-3118.  CCR&R is a program of West Central Community Action. Funding is provided by the Iowa Department of Human Services through the Child Care Development Fund.

CCR&R welcomes your questions about quality child care. Please call 1-800-945-9778 or check out the website at www.iowaccrr.org.

(Press Release)

DES MOINES, Iowa – This is a critical time of year for the more than 500,000 Iowans who rely on Medicare for their health care, as the annual open enrollment period begins today. According to Kris Gross, director of the Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), over the next seven-plus weeks all recipients should take a fresh look at their prescription drug plan and make any needed changes – even if they’ve been happy with it.

“The reason for that is because all of these plans, the Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, have a one-year contract with Medicare,” she says. “They can change their premiums, deductibles, co-payments, co-insurance, the drugs they cover, the networks they work with, all of those things can change from year to year.”

Gross says during last year’s open enrollment, SHIIP helped Iowans save more than $15 million, and most of that was from changing Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. For those who want help reviewing plans available for 2016 to find which one is best for them, Gross says they can contact SHIIP from anywhere in the state.

“We have counselors in most counties in Iowa and they can sit down with someone face to face and get a comparison done, get help understanding the changes or what their options are,” she says. “For people who want to do it themselves, the Medicare website has an option for comparing plans on the Medicare plan finder.”

The Medicare open enrollment period runs through Dec. 7.

(Iowa News Service)

Police in Creston report one person was arrested this (Thursday) morning, while three others were arrested Wednesday. 37-year old Shannon Ranae Danielson, of Creston, was arrested at around 2:20-a.m. today (Wed.), on a Public Intoxication charge. Danielson was being held in the Ringgold County Jail on $300 bond.

Late Wednesday morning, Creston Police arrested 37-year old Robert Gregory, of Creston, on a warrant out of Mahaska County. Gregory was turned over to jail staff for extradition. Early Wednesday afternoon, 25-year old Matthew Jon Buchanan, of Creston, was arrested on a warrant out of Union County, for Contempt of Court. He was later released on $650 bond. And, 25-year old Rojas Filiberto-Manzanarez, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday evening, for Public Intoxication. He was later released on $300 bond.

Creston Police said also, an Ellston woman reported her vehicle was vandalized Wednesday morning, while it was parked at the Creston Fareway Store. The damage was estimated at $2,000.