Iowans are offering their ideas today (Thursday) on how to improve the quality of life for older residents through innovation. The Disrupt Aging Innovation Challenge is focused on the need to change perceptions on aging. Ann Black, spokeswoman for A-A-R-P Iowa, says 20 Iowans submitted ideas for the contest and the top six finalists were chosen to present their proposals this afternoon.

“The ideas ranged from coming up with better ways to communicate with older Iowans, there were some website ideas suggested,” Black says. “There’s a project to decrease depression and increase social interaction.” Another idea revolved around the use of solar energy to help rural Iowans in the event of a power outage, while another involves a monitor to ensure a stove is not left burning unattended. The competition zeroes in on a product or service that can positively impact the lives of Iowans 50 and older.

“As we age and are faced with challenges to accomplish things that may have been easier at a younger stage of our lives,” Black says, “there are some very unique ways to innovate and keep people healthy and connected and engaged longer.” The top prize is $1,000 cash and a class scholarship at Des Moines Area Community College, with cash prizes for second and third place, too. Perhaps an even bigger prize, Black says the winners will also have an opportunity to see their ideas become reality.

“Absolutely, that’s a big expectation that their ideas will live on beyond this challenge,” Black says. “There were even some ideas that didn’t make the top six that we’ve heard some people are interested in pursuing.” The contest finalists are presenting 10-minute pitches to judges this afternoon at Edgewater senior living center in West Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement have arrested 26 people in Minnesota, marking the largest ICE operation in the state since the Trump administration vowed to increase immigration enforcement. The arrests are part of a broader operation that also resulted in 32 arrests in Nebraska, 23 in Iowa, four in North Dakota and one in South Dakota.

ICE says the operation was routine and targeted those with criminal convictions. It also targeted immigrants who illegally re-entered the U.S. after prior deportations and immigrants with orders for removal — both low priorities under the Obama administration.

Brad Capoch works at Incarnation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, which caters to the Latino community. He tells the Star Tribune that aside from the shift in priorities, the operation appeared similar to those under Obama’s administration.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Newly unsealed court documents in the case of a 16-year-old girl who was starved to death say medics discovered her in an adult diaper lying on a bare floor. A police affidavit says it appeared Natalie Finn had been on the floor of her mother’s home “in her own waste for some time.”

The girl’s parents, 46-year-old Joseph Finn and 42-year-old Nicole Finn, are facing charges of kidnapping, neglect or abandonment and child endangerment in her death and the suspected abuse of two of Natalie’s siblings. Nicole Finn is also charged with first-degree murder.

A medical examiner found that the girl died from denial of critical care. Prosecutors say she was starved and tortured by her parents.

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) — Lottery officials in Iowa say a Powerball ticket worth $2 million was sold this week at a North Liberty tobacco shop — the second big-winning ticket sold in the eastern Iowa city in the last six months.

Officials say the winning ticket matched the first five numbers drawn in the Powerball game Wednesday night, which carries a $1 million prize. The ticket holder had also added an option to the ticket purchase that doubled the prize.

Had the ticket also matched the sixth, or Powerball number, the prize would have been a $123.4 million jackpot. In October, a Coralville man won a $1 million Powerball prize with a ticket he purchased at a North Liberty convenience store.

Bailey Smith

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the hiring of a new Executive Director. The Board of Directors offered the position to current Programs Director, Bailey Smith and she has accepted the position, which begins immediately.

In a press release, Chamber Board President Rob Clausen said “We are very happy to have Bailey on board as the new Executive Director.” Clausen said also, “We are confident that under her direction the Chamber will continue to thrive and serve its members.”

Smith started working at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce two years ago beginning as the Marketing and Public Relations Associate and moving up to the Programs Director a year ago. Smith says she “Spent the last two years learning from an exceptional Director who taught [her] a lot about the organization, our membership and the community.”

Bailey said she’s “Eager to dive in and continue to implement the programs and events we have in store for our membership,” and that she’s “loved working closely with our members and the community and I’m looking forward to continuing that to keep moving the organization in a positive, forward-thinking way.”

An investigation into an incident at a residence in Brayton, late Tuesday night, resulted in two arrests. 47-year old Jeffrey Allen White, Sr. and 53-year old Virginia Katherine Raysbrook, both of Brayton, were taken into custody at around 11:30-p.m., after a 9-1-1 call was received whereby a woman said she was being attacked in her home located in the 700 block of County T, in Brayton.

White was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, while Raysbrook was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both were transported to the Audubon County Jail and later released, after making an appearance before a magistrate. The incident remains under investigation.

Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department said today (Thursday), that Detectives with the Council Bluffs Police Department have completed the investigation into a carjacking incident that allegedly occurred on March 7th, 2017.

Investigators have determined the alleged victim, 26-year old Brittnie Holz, of Council Bluffs, provided several false statements to police during interviews after the incident. The investigation further revealed that Holz knew the identity of the male party involved and that no robbery had taken place.

On Tuesday, March 14th, Holz voluntarily came to the Police Station and was issued a criminal citation for reporting false information to police. The investigation into this incident is now closed as an unfounded report.

Brittnie Holz

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club is appealing to the Iowa Supreme Court its lawsuit challenging the Dakota Access Pipeline. In documents filed Thursday, the environmental group says the Iowa Utilities Board refused to consider whether the crude oil pipeline will promote public convenience and necessity, a requirement in Iowa law.

Sierra Club attorney Wallace Taylor says the utilities board did not discuss the need for, or benefits from, the service alleged to be provided Iowans by the oil pipeline which originates in the Bakken oil fields in northwest North Dakota and carries oil underground through South Dakota, Iowa and into southern Illinois.

The Supreme Court will be asked to review the public benefits of the pipeline to Iowans. A district court judge rejected the argument in February.

The Trevor Frederickson Foundation reports 2003 Atlantic High School graduate, Shawn O’Brien, is coming back to help the Atlantic Baseball program. O’Brien, who was an assistant baseball coach at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge for many years, is bringing his knowledge to Atlantic for a 5 week pitching clinic.

He’s set up programs with the Atlantic Little League and the Atlantic High School team to help youth from 4th grade up to the Trojans Varsity pitchers. O’Brien will stress the mechanics of pitching, pick off plays, arm strengthening drills, wind ups, stretch, and pitch placement.

Funds for the Foundation’s scholarships and other activities are raised at the annual T-Fred Memorial Golf Tournament. The 9th Annual T-Fred Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, August12th, 2017.

Pictured below: Grant Petty, of the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund, presented a $500 check to Shawn O’Brien.

The Mills County Assessor escaped injury Monday, when the vehicle she was driving went out of control on an icy road. The Sheriff’s Office says 53-year old Christina Govig, of Red Oak, was traveling west on Highway 34 at around 7:25-a.m., and had started to cross the Highway 34 bridge just west of 295th Street, when her 1997 Chevy went out of control on the iced-over bridge surface. The car struck the bridge, causing property damage. There was no report on the dollar amount of damage to the vehicle or bridge structure.