(Radio Iowa) – A bill to make changes in Iowa’s “Bottle Bill” has made it farther in the Iowa legislature this year than any previous attempt to adjust the deposit and redemption system. Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig guided the bill through Senate debate yesterday (Tuesday).

“Ladies and gentlemen, I didn’t fully expect to get to this point where we’d be on the floor offering Iowans an opportunity to extend the life of what polling shows 83% of Iowans want it to survive either in its current form or expand it,” Schultz said. Schultz and his fellow Republicans in the Iowa Senate have voted to let grocery stores in Iowa refuse bottle and can returns starting next summer.

The bill would increase the handling fee for redemption centers from one cent to three cents of every nickel deposit on a beverage container. The wholesalers that distribute beer and pop to retailers would be able to keep un-redeemed deposits. Democrats in the Senate opposed the bill. There are only 60 redemption centers operating today and Senator Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames, says this plan will kill the Bottle Bill.

“We’re asked to believe in this mythology that somehow redemption centers will all of a sudden pop up across the countryside. I think that’s ridiculous,” Quirmbach says. “I saw the redemption center in Ames disappear about 25 years ago and I don’t see it coming back.” Senator Bill Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo, says when grocery stores opt out of the system, consumers won’t be able to easily find a place to take their empties.

“The consumer is basically paying five cents for something they’re not going to be able to get back,” Dotzler says, “and that’s a big mistake.” Schultz says the bill offers an incentive to expand and open new redemption centers. “I think if you triple the amount of money that goes into a certain sector whether it’s cotton candy, a gun shop or a luxury car dealership, you’re going to get more of them,” Schultz says. “It happens that way.”

A bill that takes a slightly different approach is eligible for debate in the Iowa House. The Republican who’s leading development of that House plan says negotiations with the Senate are underway and he’s hopeful about reaching an agreement on a Bottle Bill re-do this year.

(Radio Iowa) – Opponents of proposed carbon pipelines have staged what they’re calling a public hearing in the Iowa Capitol rotunda. Shelby County Supervisor Steve Kenkle says there’s been little public input and county officials lack the authority to have any say about the projects. “I call a spade a spade and if it doesn’t make sense or people are not accountable, I ask a lot of questions and so I’ve been at meetings asking questions…I think the process is flawed,” Kenkel said to applause and cheers. “It’s flawed and that’s the reason I’m here.”

Kenkel lives on a century farm near Earling, about a mile from the proposed route for the Summit pipeline. Some of the other speakers were landowners who don’t want to sell easements on their property so the pipelines can pass through. They oppose letting the Iowa Utilities Board invoke eminent domain authority so property can be seized for the projects. Carolyn Raffensperger, executive director of the Science and Environmental Health Network, also addressed the crowd.

“They want to take your property through this unique power of government and hand it over to a private corporation so they that they make their profit using your land…and I say: ‘No!'” Raffensperger said, to cheers. A small group of union members attended the rally with the counter message that good-paying jobs are connected to pipeline construction.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh says “Thanks to community partnerships and grant funding, over the past six months a number of free mental health programs and resources were provided in Cass County. Furthermore, many of these resources continue to remain available.”

Hoegh says “Last fall, the Atlantic Public Library received a grant from Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) District 6 to fund mental health resources and programming in Cass County. As a result of this grant, each Cass County library received 42 items for circulation on mental health covering topics from nonfiction books for adults, teens, and children to documentaries to games and kits. All items remain available at all six Cass County libraries—Anita, Cumberland, Griswold, Lewis, Massena, and Atlantic. But the grant didn’t just fund books, it also funded mental health programming.”

In the fall of  2021, the Atlantic Public Library hosted a virtual program, “Therapy FAQ,” during which local mental health experts answered common questions about therapy such as when someone might seek therapy and how to go about finding a therapist. A recording of the one-hour program remains available on Atlantic Public Library’s Facebook page.

In the winter of 2022, the Atlantic Public Library hosted another virtual program, “Restart: designing a healthy post-pandemic life,” during which author and psychologist Doreen Dodgen-Magee shared insights by her book of the same name, including tips such as creating a list of self-care activities and hosting boredom parties. Copies of Dodgen-Magee’s book are available at all Cass County libraries.

In addition to virtual events, the Atlantic Public Library pushed to bring Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) suicide prevention trainings to Cass County. Healthy Cass County and Cass County Iowa State University Extension partnered with the Atlantic Public Library, the Anita Public Library, the Anita Health and Wellness Center, and the Griswold Public Library, to offer QPR suicide prevention training in three locations across Cass County, reaching over 60 people in March 2022.

The trainings received very positive feedback. Participants commented, “Everyone needs this course,” and, “it was  reassuring to see the level of interest and sincerity of the participants.” QPR training continues to be available through ISU Extension. Virtual training sessions are offered through https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/QPR, and local businesses or groups interested in scheduling in-person trainings can contact the Cass County ISU Extension office at 712-243-1132.

The grant funds were also used to purchase two faith-based book kits. Holy Vulnerability: spiritual practices for the broken, ashamed, anxious, and afraid by Kellye Fabian and Rhythms of Renewal: trading stress and anxiety for a life of peace and purpose by Rebekah Lyons are available for checkout at the Atlantic Public Library. The Rhythms of Renewal kit also has a 5-session DVD to use in addition to (or instead of) the full book. Both kits have been used and received excellent feedback from participants.  Individuals and local faith groups are invited to use the kits at their convenience. The kits have 10-12 copies of the book and check out for six weeks.

Mental health was identified as a top health need in the 2021 Cass County Community Health Needs Assessment. Programs and resources such as those mentioned above wouldn’t be possible without community support and participation. Healthy Cass County thanks everyone who has funded, attended, and promoted mental health events in Cass County. People in Cass County can expect to hear more about additional mental health events soon, as May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network that promotes the health and well-being of Cass County residents. Healthy Cass County welcomes participants from across the county. For information on community wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty. Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870 for more information.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s refugee resettlement agencies expect to host some Ukrainians after President Biden announced the U-S would accept up to 100-thousand refugees. It’s unclear how many may come to Iowa, but the agencies face challenges. Kerri True-Funk is the director of the Des Moines field office of the U-S Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. She says finding permanent housing for Ukrainian refugees in Iowa could be difficult, but she says Iowans are already showing support.

“Similar to when people from Afghanistan were being evacuated, people wanted them to come here,” True-Funk says, “and I think it will be a very similar situation for Ukrainian people.” To complicate matters, she says they’re still working on finding permanent housing for refugees from Afghanistan.

True-Funk says, “We’re hopefully going to get more information about what’s going on with the situation in Ukraine and what’s happening with either refugee processing or other pathways for arrival in the U.S.” Many Iowans are voicing how they’re ready to help Ukrainians, she says, especially with translation support.

(reporting by Kassidy Arena, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – Two more commercial bird flocks have been confirmed with the avian flu. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig announced today (Tuesday) that a Guthrie County layer facility with one-point-five million birds and a Hamilton County turkey facility with 28-thousand birds are infected. “We are now at nine cases total in the state of Iowa, two backyard flocks, seven commercial operations,” Naig says.

Naig says this year’s outbreak is a little different than the major one in 2015. “What’s notable about what is happening this year is there is a strong indication that the virus is being carried in the wild bird population. That what we are seeing largely across the entire country — starting on the East Coast and now moving into the Midwest — is that these are independent wild bird introductions into these operations,” according to Naig.

Naig says it does not appear there is any facility to facility spread now and they want to keep it that way. He says it remains important for producers to closely monitor the animals and report any signs of the disease immediately. Information on the disease is available at IowaAgriculture.gov. State Veterinarian Jeff Kaisand says protocol requires the birds to be destroyed within 24 hours once the bird flu has been detected.

He says they start talking with producers about what typ of depopulation method they want to use at the first signs that they may have an infection and then work with them to carry it through. Kaisan says they so far have been able to meet the 24-hour timeline. “They’re doing it on-site and we are not moving anything bird wise from an infected site,” he says. Kaisand says they are monitoring the wild bird migration as part of their efforts.

“There’s some days when there’s a lot of movement and when it gets cold there is a little bit of stall out. And some days there’s movement in different directions. We are all hopeful that it moves through quickly and we get to warmer weather. But it all depends on the weather and how quickly they move,” Kaisand says. More than seven million birds have now been impacted.

(Logan, Iowa) – The family member of a teen from Logan who is in critical condition following a head-on crash March 25th, is asking for help in paying for her care and other expenses. 16-year-old Ava Fischer and an adult male from Woodbine were injured in the collision.

Ava Fischer

An “Ava’s fight for life” GoFundme page has been established, with more information on her condition.

(Original story)

(Beebeetown, Iowa)) – An adult male and a juvenile were injured during a head-on collision Friday evening, in Harrison County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2010 Hyundai Tucson (SUV) driven by a 16-year-old from Logan, was southbound on Overton Avenue at around 5:35-p.m., when the vehicle crossed the center line while rounding a curve north of York Road.

The SUV struck a northbound 2009 Toyota Tundra pickup, driven by 43-year-old Jason King, of Woodbine. Following the head-on crash, the SUV came to rest on its top in the east ditch. The pickup came to rest on the road, facing northeast.

The unidentified driver of the SUV – who was wearing a seat belt – was transported by LifeNet helicopter to Bergan Mercy Hospital. Jason King – who was not wearing a seat belt -was transported by Missouri Valley/Logan Rescue to the hospital in Missouri Valley.

Deputies with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

DES MOINES – The State Objection Panel, comprised of Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, State Auditor Rob Sand and Attorney General Tom Miller, met Tuesday to hear several challenges to candidates’ nomination petitions for the June 7 primary ballot.

The following rulings were made:

Tom Miller, Democratic candidate for Attorney General: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected. Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg replaced Attorney General Miller on the panel for this objection.

Abby Finkenauer, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

Kyle Kuehl, Republican candidate for U.S. House, District 1: Nomination petitions rejected, challenge sustained by default ruling.

Anthony LaBruna, Republican candidate for Iowa Senate District 3: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

Ken Rozenboom, Republican candidate for Iowa Senate, District 19: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

Jack Whitver, Republican candidate for Iowa Senate, District 23: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

Jeff Shipley, Republican candidate for U.S. House, District 87: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Parks and Recreation Dept. Director Bryant Rasmussen says, if you’re “Looking for an opportunity to give back to the community?  There is a work day out at Sunnyside Park on Saturday April 2^nd from 1-3 pm.”

Rasmussen said also, ” We are gearing up for a busy summer season and appreciate all the help we can get.” If you have any questions, please give him a call at 712-243-3542, or e-mail brasmussen@cityofatlantic.com

Flyer created by an Atlantic High School student.

The Adair County Engineer’s Office reports Clay Avenue is closed to traffic roughly 0.5 miles south of 210th St. for a culvert replacement project. This project is expected to last 3-4 weeks. (May 29th to April 22nd)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – In a follow-up to our reports about Cass County Primary Election candidates, Wendy Richter has officially announced her candidacy for the Cass County Board of Supervisors, representing District 3. Richter says “I’ve been a resident of Cass County for most of my life, the exception while at college. For nearly twenty-seven years, I have worked and held numerous positions on local boards, as well as regional and state boards/committees. As the Director of Family Crisis Support Network, I served not only Cass County residents, but 7 other counties in southwest Iowa. During that time, I was trained as an expert witness for the State of Iowa, a certified advocate on behalf of crime victims and spent many hours collaborating with individuals & groups in each county working to get services for their residents.

Wendy Richter (Photo submitted)

“I worked with the State of Iowa and numerous other entities to begin programs and bring public and private funds to the area. Without going into details of every committee, group, and volunteer efforts I’ve participated with, I want people to know that I have a vested interest in making Cass County and our communities a place that people are proud to call home and look forward to returning to.”

In announcing her candidacy, Wendy Richter said, “I believe I have the qualifications necessary to hold the position as a Supervisor, making decisions to lead the county in the right direction. The skills I’ve gained have taught me to know how important it is to work together, listen to people, work together, to do your due diligence to get the accurate information, work together and that everyone has a voice to be heard – yes, work together needs to be in there multiple times!”