(Radio Iowa) – Temperatures are going to warm up in Iowa as we hit midweek. National Weather Service meteorologist, Alexis Jimenez, says temperatures will be more normal. “With highs tomorrow in the low to mid 40s. And then kind of dropping off into the 40s, low 40s again on Thursday, with a passing system and with some rain to the far southeast,” she says. Those temperatures would melt the snow, and that helps keep things warmer.

“Certainly with snow on the ground it keeps our temperatures lower a little bit, but once we push above freezing, that snow melts off and that effect kind of goes away,” Jimenez says. Jimenez says there doesn’t appear to be any big cold stretches coming up for now. “We’ll just sort of just trend on those lower temperatures as we get into December and approach the winter months here. But thankfully, generally we’re going to be near average for the foreseeable future,” she says.

Jimenez works out of the Johnston office and says the monthly snow total for Des Moines is running a little ahead of average. “The normal value is right at two inches for the month and we’ve had two-point-six inches so far. So we’re right on par with what we would usually want to see. November is generally a pretty dry month is because it’s getting into that colder season,” Jimenez says.

She says we might get some more snow into late Saturday into Sunday, especially for northern Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa has filed a federal lawsuit that seeks to overturn parts of a new state law that forbids instruction about sexual orientation in elementary classrooms. It also requires schools to remove books with graphic sexual content and school administrators are to notify a parent when a student asks to be known by a different name or pronoun at school.

The lawsuit is filed on behalf of Iowa Safe Schools, a group that advocates for LGBTQ youth, and seven families with students in Iowa schools. Berry Stevens, a student in West Des Moines, spoke during an online news conference late this morning. “I am participating in this lawsuit because this law hurts all kinds of kids and it hurts many of my personal friends,” Stevens said. “We deserve to be able to express ourselves safely at school and we deserve to see ourselves in media, especially in books.”

Joe, Berry and Brigit Stevens, plaintiffs in the lawsuit (Lambda Legal photo; used with permission)

Percy Batista-Pedro of Waterloo, the leader of his high school’s gay-straight alliance, called the law blatant discrimination. “I’m scared of being harassed if I wear pride apparel or if I talk about my identity in class,” the 16 year old said. “This fear, which is shared by many of my transgender friends, is why I have chosen to be a plaintiff in this case.”

Belinda Scarott, Percy’s mom, said the law is unnecessarily cruel. “This law only serves to make life more perilous for him and more terrifying for me,” Scarott said. “…I spend my days worrying about what potential damage the school day might do to my child’s physical or mental well-being.”

Thomas Story, staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, contends the state law violates free speech and equal protection provisions in the U.S. Constitution. “This law is deeply confusing and schools have been at a loss on how to comply, even after consulting with their attorneys,” Story said. “This law has thrown the school year into chaos.”

Lambda Legal, which represented same-sex couples who successfully sued for the right to marry in Iowa, is also representing the students and parents who’ve filed this lawsuit.

“Protecting children from pornography and sexually explicit content shouldn’t be controversial,” Governor Kim Reynolds said in a written statement released early this afternoon. “…Books with graphic depictions of sex acts have absolutely no place in our schools.”

Atlantic, IA – Cass Health officials said Tuesday (Today), the newest DAISY Award winning nurse is Michelle Gelner, RN, BSN. Her nominator wrote, “I came to the emergency room at about 12:30 am and was seen immediately by the nurse. Her professional manner, knowledge, and care were exemplary. She stayed with me in every respect – her calm manner and kindness relieved my anxiety, which came as a result of convulsive coughing and inability to catch my breath. She accompanied me and helped me through a number of exams, including blood work and x-rays. I felt so cared for an I really appreciated it. She was focused, professional, patient and caring.”

Gelner commented, “It is an honor to be selected for the DAISY Award. I didn’t go into this career looking for gratitude and recognition. When I decided to leave the Army, I wanted a career that would positively impact people’s lives. I also wanted a career that was challenging, flexible, and had diverse opportunities. Nursing also allows you to build a family with your patients, coworkers, and community. I loved hearing that my patient felt at ease, cared for, and valued while in the Emergency Department. This award is not just for me, it is for the team effort to provide that best patient care possible.”

Michelle Gelner, RN, BSN

Since joining Cass Health in 2019, Gelner has lead the way in delivering high-quality clinical care and exceptional patient experiences in many departments – among them, OB, inpatient, emergency and as a house supervisor. Gelner recently took on a leadership role and is now the Director of Cardiac Rehab.

Chief Operating Officer Amanda Bireline presented the award to Gelner and said, “As expected, she is already shining as a leader – gaining the trust of her teams and the patients they serve. Michelle is level-headed, collaborative, steadfast and, more than many, understands the value of the human relationship,”

Nurses at Cass Health are honored twice annually with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.® The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate care nurses provide to patients and families every day. The DAISY Award committee at Cass Health thanks all nominators for their submissions. Each nurse who was nominated will be presented with a special pin and a copy of the nomination.

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

This is one initiative of The DAISY Foundation to express gratitude to the nursing profession. Additionally, DAISY offers J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, The DAISY Faculty Award to honor inspiring faculty members in schools and colleges of nursing, and The DAISY in Training Award for nursing students.

More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org. An online nomination form is available at https://www.casshealth.org/daisy.

Atlantic, IA – The December session of Cass Health’s Healthy U lunch-and-learn series will feature cardiologist Dr. John Henry. The session will be held on Tuesday, December 5 at noon in Conference Room 2 at Cass Health.

Space is limited! A free boxed lunch is provided for all attendees, so reservations are required. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board will hold a regular, Annual meeting beginning at 5:30-p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29th, in the High School Media Center (On YouTube, HERE). On their agenda is the Final Meeting of the Retiring board, and Organizational Meeting of the New Board. Those respective agenda’s are as follows: (Updated agenda as of 3:34-p.m. 11/28)

Final Meeting of the Retiring Board
1. Call to Order, Board President
2. Roll Call, Board Secretary
3. Approve agenda
4. Welcome Visitors/Communication from the Public
5. Unfinished Business
a. Approval of November 8, 2023 Board Minutes
b. Highlights from Iowa School Board Convention
c. Presentation of IASB Award(s)
d. Resignations and/or Recommendations to Hire
i. Resignation: Kelli Evans, High School Nurse
ii. Resignation: Tori Brummer, Freshman Volleyball Coach
iii. Resignation: Megan Andersen, Kitchen Staff
iv. Recommendation to Hire: Kelli Evans, Director of Health Services
v. Recommendation to Hire: Megan Andersen, Media Center Para
e. Modification consideration for Early Retirement Plan for Certified Staff
f. Consideration of Early Retirement for Non-Certified Staff
g. Review 2022-2023 fiscal year
h. Review of Election Results, Abstract of Votes
i. Recognition to Jenny Williams and Nick Hunt
6. Adjournment of Retiring Board

Organizational Meeting of the New Board
Board Secretary as President pro tem will preside over meeting until new board president is elected
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Oath of Office to new Board Directors (Gini Jordan & Jodi Stowater-Goodrich)
4. Election of a President for the Board, Ask for nominations. Nominations do not need seconded
a. Administer Oath of Office to new Board President
5. Election of Vice President, President asks for nominations. Nominations do not need to be seconded
a. Oath of office to new Board Vice-President
6. Appoint Board Secretary and Treasurer
a. Oath of office to Board Secretary/Treasurer
7. Appoint Cass County Conference Board Representative
8. Determining dates, time and location for regular board meetings
9. Establish Official Publication
10. Designate Legal Counsel
11. Appoint signers for District checks
12. Resolution for District’s Depository Institution and maximum deposit amount
13. Adjournment of Organizational Meeting

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) issued reports on recent accidents. Authorities say at around 6:10-p.m. Monday (Nov. 27), a 2017 Ford Explorer driven by 72-year-old Kenneth Alan Bahrke, of Panora, struck a deer on eastbound Highway 44, causing $2,500 damage. Bahrke was not hurt.

A single-vehicle rollover accident took place Nov. 25th, in Guthrie County. Officials say a 2008 Ford F250 pickup driven by 31-year-old Jared Kopaska, of Guthrie Center, was traveling north on Highway 44 at around 7:15-p.m., when the vehicle crossed a small bridge that was slick due to the weather conditions (It was snowing at the time). The pickup went out of control after crossing the bridge, and entered the east ditch where it ended-up on its side. Kopaska failed to notify law enforcement about the accident until the next day. The vehicle was discovered by a citizen, who notified law enforcement. While investigating the scene, law enforcement removed for safe keeping, firearms from the vehicle that had been left behind. The pickup sustained $5,000 damage. Kopaska was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

On the 24th,a 2022 GMC pickup driven by 56-year-old Michael Schwabe, of Breda, struck a deer on Highway 4. The vehicle sustained $6,000 damage, but was able to be driven from the scene. On Nov. 23rd, a 2023 Nissan Frontier pickup driven by 52-year-old Jason Plumb, of Harlan, struck a deer on Justice Road in Guthrie County. Plumb wasn’t hurt, but his pickup sustained $2,000 damage.  The previous day (11/22), a 2020 GMC SUV driven by 32-year-old Kegan Schultz, of Panora, struck a deer on Highway 4 and 170th Street, causing $5,000 damage.

And, the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Nov. 21st, a 2011 Chevy pickup driven by 53-year-old Jason Westfall, of Norwalk, was hit from behind by a 2001 Chevy truck driven by 17-year-old Carter Pugh, of Granger, at the intersection of Highway 4 and Chirma Road. The accident happened at around 8:43-a.m.  Authorities say Westfall was at or near a stop, and about to turn left, when his vehicle was rear-ended. Pugh was cited for Failure to Stop in a safe and sure distance. Damage from the collision amounted to $6,000.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department reports slightly less than a dozen arrests took place from Nov. 17th through the 26th.

• On Sunday (11/26), 25-year-old Joseph Atoliph, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication and Violation of a No Contact Order.
• On Nov. 23rd, Atlantic Police arrested 32-year-old Samantha Wehrli, of Atlantic, for Assault on Person in certain occupations.
• There were two arrests on the 20th: 19-year-old Ashton Knoke, of Oakland, was arrested in Atlantic for Domestic Abuse Assault. And, 18-year-old Tate Conyers, of Atlantic, was arrested on a warrant for Violation of Probation.
• 18-year-old Ryder Burk, of Atlantic, was arrested Nov. 18th for Domestic Abuse Assault.
• And, there were five people arrested in Atlantic on Nov. 17th:
  • 24-year-old Nicole Kinney, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication
  • 46-year-old Jeffrey Ponton, of Atlantic, was arrested for Driving while license is barred.
  • 43-year-old Michael Parrott, of Atlantic, was arrested Nov. 17th on an Audubon County warrant.
  • 44-year-old Casey Stahl, and 42-year-old Matthew Stahl, both of LaCygne, KS, were arrested in Atlantic. Casey Stahl was arrested on a warrant for Violation of Probation. Matthew Stahl was arrested on a warrant for Assault causing bodily injury.

(Creston, Iowa) – Authorities in Creston say no injuries were reported following a collision early today (Tuesday), at the intersection of Townline Road (Hwy 25) and Lincoln Street. The accident happened a little after 8-a.m., as a 2022 Ford F-250 operated by 47-year-old Charles Edmund Baker, of Norwalk, was stopped at the red lights. A 2003 Honda Accord driven by 18-year-old Ruby Esmeralda Torres, of Palmview, TX, an unlicensed driver, approached the intersection.

Police say Torres mistook the gas pedal for the brake pedal as she was slowing to a stop behind the pickup. Her car struck the pickup in the rear, causing a total of $3,500 damage. Torres was cited for failure to have a driver’s license.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Cass County met in a regular weekly session this (Tuesday) morning, at the courthouse in Atlantic. First-up, the Board received a presentation and $500 funding request from the Family Crisis Center’s Lindsay Wilson. She said their offices are in Council Bluffs. Wilson explained the services they provide to the County for victims of violent crimes, and the number of people served over the past year. She said the $500 was based on the services provided to each of the counties they serve. Her request was taken under advisement.

Supervisor Wendy Richter wanted to emphasis the funds are not for the Family Crisis Support Network, in Atlantic which she is a member of. The FCSN is a completely separate entity that serves victims of domestic violence. The Family Crisis Center is based in Sioux Center, and serves 12 area Counties in western Iowa. It serves victims of human trafficking, survivors of homicide and other violent crimes, provides housing and homeless services, and more.

The most recent addition to their programs includes Integrated Advocacy Services. The program offers support and advocacy in three separate medical clinics for 17 Iowa counties. Clients can seek support in ways that are discreet and confidential.

The Board then moved to approve the FY 2022-2023 Urban Renewal Report (as required under the Code of Iowa), and they acted to unanimously approve a Resolution “Allocating ARPA funds (in the amount of $47,932) to [the] Hitchcock House [near Lewis] for foundation repairs.” The funds are for completed repairs to the south wall of the historic building.

In other business, Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken provided the Board of Supervisors with a weekly update on Secondary Roads Department Maintenance and Activities. He said roads crews were out Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning clearing the roads following the recent snow storm.

He said also, Bridge #380 over by Anita is now open.

And, the Supervisors motioned to approve the appointment of Lorilyn Schules to the Cass County Board of Health, replacing Gary Dinkla. Her term is for three-yerars, beginning January 1, 2024.

(Radio Iowa) – Senator Chuck Grassley says if Republicans in the U.S. Senate stick together, they may be able to force Democrats to put immigration policy changes in an aid package for Israel and Ukraine. “Making it more certain who can qualify for asylee,” Grassley says, “the ‘return to Mexico’ issue that Trump put in place — in other words, stay in Mexico while you’re making application to see if you can enter the U.S. legally and maybe some interior enforcement.”

President Biden has proposed security funding for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan along with targeted funding to address U.S. border security, fentanyl smuggling and help U-S cities struggling to accommodate migrants. Grassley says a bipartisan group of senators are discussing the addition of immigration policy changes that also would address border security. “As long as 41 Republicans stick together to do something at the border and the (Biden) administration wants money for Isreal and Ukraine like a lot of senators do, including this one, we might force our hand to do something significant on border security,” Grassley says.

Earlier this month, the U.S. House passed a bill to provide over $14 billion in aid to Israel and cut funding to the IRS, but the U.S. Senate’s Democratic leader says senators will consider a bipartisan package that aligns with President Biden’s request.