October is National “Talk About Your Medicines” Month, as promoted by the National Council on Patient Information and Education. As part of this national effort to “talk about your medicines,” Cass County Memorial Hospital pharmacists, Crystal Starlin and Sara Arnold will be presenting at the October 22nd session of Healthy U.

Starlin says “Medications are a powerful healthcare tool. It is important that patients talk about medications with their healthcare team to ensure they are using them safely and effectively.”

The session will be held at Noon on Thursday, October 22nd, in CCMH Conference Room 2. Healthy U is a free educational series offered by Cass County Health System that focuses on a different health topic each month. Attendees receive a healthy sack lunch in addition to an educational program presented by medical professionals. Future topics will include nutrition and diabetes, mental illness, and joint health.

For more information, or to make a reservation for the October 22nd Healthy U, call 712-243-7479.

CCMH Pharmacists Crystal
Starlin, Pharm-D (left), and Sara Arnold, Pharm-D, will present the October 22nd Healthy U session, “Talk About Your Medicines.”

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office Monday (today) released their report on recent arrests. Officials said 39-year old Gabriel Aaron Dabney, of Pacific Junction, was arrested Friday for Public Intoxication and Interference with Official Acts. Bond was set at $600. And, 31-year old James Fredrick McClellan, of Glenwood, was arrested for Assault Causing Bodily Injury, and Child Endangerment. His bond was set at $6,000.

Deputies in Mills County arrested 42-year old Reynel Nava of Omaha, on Saturday, for OWI/1st offense. Bond was established at $1,000. That same day, 42-year old Hurl Luther Beechum, III, of Urbandale, was arrested on a Warrant for Intimidation with Dangerous Weapon, Going Armed with Intent, Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury, and Assault use/Display of Weapon. Beechum was later released on $10,000 bond.

(Noon News)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad has reiterated he does not have the legal authority to stop a Planned Parenthood affiliate in Iowa from receiving state funding, despite public calls to do so from presidential hopeful Bobby Jindal and others.

Branstad said Monday his office has spoken with the Iowa Attorney General about the state’s options in removing taxpayer funding that Planned Parenthood of the Heartland receives for Medicaid services. He says the state would need to show Planned Parenthood has violated terms of the grant money it receives. Branstad emphasized no state dollars are used to fund abortions.

Republicans around the country have targeted Planned Parenthood after several videos were released by an anti-abortion group. Louisiana Gov. Jindal and Republican legislators in Iowa have asked Branstad to cut funding.

The 2015 Atlantic Coca-Cola Days Coloring contest was held in September and was a huge success with over 100 participants from Atlantic, CAM, Lewis, and Walnut school districts. The first and second place winners each received a Bonnesen’s Gift Card. The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says the Kindergarten classes were sponsored by the Atlantic Business and Professional Women and Bonnesen’s.  First Place winner Madison McLaren of Atlantic. Second Place winner Kyler Nichols of Anita.

First Grade classes were sponsored by Salute Gymnastics and Steffens Cycle Shop. First place went to Alexia Larson from Atlantic. Second place went to Rayden Wheeler from Atlantic.

The Second grade classes were sponsored by McDermott & Son Roofing and Salute Gymnastics. Daphna Wahlert from Anita was the first place winner. Jayci Reed from Atlantic was the second place winner.

Third grade was sponsored by McCurdy’s Pumpkins and Nishna Valley Credit Union. First place went to Luke Irlmeier of Atlantic. Second place went to Claire Mertz from Walnut.

Police in Glenwood report four recent arrests, two of which took place Saturday. Officials say 34-year old Christopher Chardoulias, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI 3rd offense. His bond was set at $5000. And, 37-year old Wendy Meadows, of Glenwood, was arrested for Public Intoxication. With her bond set at $300.

The other two arrests took place Friday. 30-year old Chanel Nord,  of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills County warrant for Driving under suspension. Her bond was set at $500. And, 39-year old Gabriel Dabney, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Motor vehicle theft, Burglary, Criminal mischief 2nd degree, Obstruction of emergency communication and domestic Abuse assault causing bodily injury. He was being held in the Mills County Jail on $37,300 bond.

(updated 11:30-a.m.)

Two people were injured this (Monday) morning during a two-vehicle accident on Highway 6 west of Atlantic, near the Lewis turn-off (Cass County road M-56). The crash was reported at around 10:45-a.m. Both persons were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. One of the victims suffered from head injuries during the crash, and was transported by LifeNet helicopter to a trauma center, presumably in Omaha.

No other details were immediately released.

Iowa’s governor and lieutenant governor say they plan to work with educators and the business community to find new ways to ensure that 70 percent of Iowa workers have more than just a high school degree by 2025. Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds calls it the “new minimum.”

“The goal demonstrates that we want to empower more Iowans with the degrees and the credentials that really will enable them to attain the rewarding careers that are available right here in our great state.” Neither Reynolds nor Governor Branstad are calling for more state spending on their “Future Ready” initiative. They’re calling for collaboration between colleges, universities and businesses to get more Iowans earning two- and four-year degrees, becoming apprentices and taking courses for new work certifications.

“We’re excited about the initiative,” Reynolds says. “I think it’s the next step that we need to take to make sure that we have a talent pipeline to meet employers’ needs.” According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 68 percent of jobs in Iowa in 2025 will require some form of training beyond a high school degree. Nicole Smith is a senior economist at Georgetown.

“A perennial problem for every state, indeed especially since the Great Recession, is how to find the skilled workers necessary to compete,” Smith says. Smith says Iowa has more advanced manufacturing jobs than its Midwestern neighbors and those jobs require more skills — and they pay higher salaries, too. The governor and lieutenant governor will hold public meetings in Waukee, Cedar Falls and Sioux City this month to discuss their “Future Ready” initiative.

(Radio Iowa)