Authorities in Council Bluffs say with the approach of winter weather, the City of Council Bluffs is experiencing an increase in stolen vehicles that are left running to warm up. The Council Bluffs Police Department would like to remind residents that if your vehicle is not equipped with remote start it is not advisable to let your vehicle warm up unless you stay with your vehicle.

They also remind residents not to leave valuables or items such as keys and remote garage doors openers in their vehicles. If your vehicle is stolen and you see it around town, do not approach the vehicle or attempt to block it in. That type of action typically leads to the car thief damaging both vehicles and rarely leads to their apprehension.

Police say you should just contact 911 and stay on the line and provide assistance for responding officers.

(Update 11:50-a.m.) — President Elect Donald Trump, appearing at a Manhattan transition fundraiser today, announced that he had selected Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as the new U.S. ambassador to China. (Story edited to update)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The expected departure of the nation’s longest-serving governor to accept an appointment as U.S. ambassador to China means Iowa will likely be led by its first female governor. Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he has selected Republican Gov. Terry Branstad for the ambassadorship, and that the governor is expected to accept.

If Branstad accepts and is confirmed by the Senate, Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds would become Iowa’s governor. She would hold the position until Branstad’s term ends in January 2019, and she could run for governor in 2018.

The 57-year-old Reynolds was a first-term state senator when Branstad chose her to run for election as his lieutenant governor. Reynolds has focused on economic development and education during her six years as lieutenant governor.

The driver of a vehicle that struck a train Tuesday evening in Council Bluffs was arrested on several charges, including possession of meth and drug paraphernalia. Council Bluffs Police say an Officer on routine patrol was notified by a citizen at around 5:30-p.m., that a car had hit a train in the 1200 block of 2nd Avenue. The train had stopped. As the officer approached the car, the driver and vehicle took off.

The car was located a short time later by a Deputy with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department. After an investigation by Council Bluffs Police, the unidentified driver of the vehicle was taken into custody on the drug charges, as well as several traffic violations that include Driving While Barred, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

Council Bluffs PD Shield

Authorities thank the citizens of Council Bluffs for their assistance in solving the case, and their continuing support. They remind motorists also, to use extra caution when approaching railroad crossings, especially when the crossing arms are down.

Many Iowans have lined their homes’ exteriors with strings of twinkling holiday lights, but they may not be prepared for the electric bill that’ll come in a few weeks. Energy solutions specialist Garry Ruliffson, in Omaha/Council Bluffs, says the price jump you’ll see on your utility bill will depend on what type of lights you’re using.

Example of LED Christmas lights

“A string of ten standard incandescent bulbs is about $35 a month,” Ruliffson says. “If they step up and say, ‘Hey, we’re going to put a few more up,’ and you’ve got 50 strings of lights, it’s going to run up to $175 a month and if they go all out and get 100 strings, it’s going to be closer to $350 a month.”

Advancements in technology over the years have brought us light emitting diodes, or L-E-Ds, which put out just as much light but use much less power compared to incandescents. “If you had the 50 strings up with LED, it’s about $40 a month, save $135,” Ruliffson says. “If you get those 100-string LEDs, it’s only going to be about $80 a month, around $270 difference.”

Another plus for L-E-Ds, due to the way they’re built, they’re more durable, resist breaking and burn much longer.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) say CCHS has been awarded a 2016 Top Workplaces honor by The Des Moines Register. The Top Workplaces lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by WorkplaceDynamics, LLC, a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Several aspects of workplace culture were measured, including Alignment, Execution, and Connection, just to name a few.

Doug Claffey, CEO of WorkplaceDynamics, says “The Top Workplaces award is not a popularity contest. And oftentimes, people assume it’s all about fancy perks and benefits. But to be a Top Workplace, organizations must meet our strict standards for organizational health.” Denise Coder, Chief Human Resource Officer at CCHS, says “It’s a very meaningful award because it comes from within – the people who work here, across all departments, have responded in an overwhelmingly positive way that CCHS is a great place to work. We are very proud of this award, but we’re most proud of the people who work here and the extraordinary things they do every day for our patients.”

About CCHS:

Cass County Health System (CCHS) is a regional healthcare provider located in Atlantic, Iowa. CCHS brings together medical providers, clinics and a hospital to provide a well-coordinated, comprehensive local healthcare system. With more than 350 staff members from over 20 surrounding communities, the health system is the largest employer in the county.  CCHS is made up of a comprehensive team of healthcare providers including Cass County Memorial Hospital, Southwest Iowa Surgery, Southwest Iowa Mental Health Center, Eye Associates, Atlantic Medical Center RHC, Anita Medical Center RHC, Griswold Medical Center RHC, Massena Medical Center RHC.

Every year, thousands of children receive lottery and scratch-off tickets in holiday stockings and as gifts from relatives. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators (APGSA) want to spread the word that lottery and other gambling products are not for children.

Eric Preuss of the IDPH Office of Problem Gambling Treatment and Prevention, says “Research tells us that the sooner a child begins to gamble, the more likely he or she is to develop problem gambling issues in later life. Plus, we know that an estimated 50 percent of people with gambling problems had a big win early in their lives. Bottom line is – lottery tickets shouldn’t be given to kids.”

Research indicates the major types of teen betting are sports betting, the lottery, card games like poker, and games of skill like pool or basketball. A study conducted by the McGill University Youth Gambling Research Centre found 70 to 80 percent of adolescents questioned reported having gambled for money in the past year and approximately 30 percent reported gambling on a weekly basis. To minimize the risks associated with youth gambling, be sure to give youngsters age-appropriate gifts.

Signs of problem gambling in youth include:

• Bragging about wins or lying about losses
• Increasing time and money spent gambling
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Excessive phone use, texting and/or internet activities
• Increased interest in the outcome of sports or games
• Personal or home items going missing

Help for individuals or families affected by problem gambling is available by calling 1-800-BETS OFF. Information about problem gambling is available at www.1800BETSOFF.org.

Mediacom Communications today announced the company’s entire broadband network will be gigabit-capable by the end of 2016. Mediacom will become the first major U.S. cable company to fully transition to the DOCSIS 3.1 “Gigasphere” platform, the latest generation of broadband technology. Officials say as a result, virtually all of the 3 million homes and businesses that Mediacom serves across its 22 state footprint will be able to enjoy speeds that are up to 40 times faster than the minimum broadband definition set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

MediaCom founder and CEO Rocco B. Commisso says “Through our $8 billion of cumulative investments over the past 20 years in pursuit of that goal, we have enabled the communities where we operate to successfully bridge the digital divide.” According to Mr. Commisso, “After the Gigasphere modems became available earlier this year, we accelerated the first phase of our previously announced 3-year, $1 billion capital investment plan so that Mediacom’s customers could begin taking advantage of superfast speeds as soon as possible. This will ensure that the predominantly working-class neighborhoods we serve throughout Middle America are not technologically disadvantaged in today’s global marketplace.”

JR Walden, Mediacom’s Chief Technology Officer, said “Deployment of this next-gen technology will considerably enhance the consumer experience today and lay the groundwork for multi-Gig capabilities in the future. With our rapid and seamless transition to this new platform, we have set our communities on an accelerated path into the gigabit era.”

Mediacom’s network enhancements will provide a significant boost to the company’s internet speeds. The company’s new minimum entry level speed for residential customers will increase to 60 Mbps while flagship offerings of 100 Mbps and 200 Mbps will also be available. Moreover, Mediacom will begin rolling out ultra-fast 500 Mbps and 1-Gig (1000 Mbps) products on a market by market basis in the coming weeks.

Mediacom noted that the Gigasphere technology will primarily enhance speeds to its residential and small business customers.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a Nebraska man was arrested on numerous charges at around 1-a.m. today (Wednesday), following an assault that took place at the Underwood Motel. 26-year old Anthony D. Hultquist, of Omaha, faces charges that include Burglary in the 3rd Degree, Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree, Going Armed with Intent, and Possession of Contraband (a cutting tool or knife). The 48-year old victim of the attack, an Underwood man, was not injured. Authorities say he was an acquaintance of Hultquist.

Hulquist suffered minor injuries during the incident, which also resulted in $100 damage to a door and door frame at the motel.

Officials with the Harlan Police Department report five arrests took place over the past week. Last Thursday, 23-year old Brandon Allen, of Harlan, was arrested for Possession of with the Intent to Deliver, Methamphetamine and Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Domestic Abuse Assault, Trespass, and Interference with Official Acts. Allen was taken into custody after officers were called to a residence in Harlan for a reported domestic disturbance.

On Saturday, 33-year old Ronald Anthony Leal, of Harlan, was arrested after Harlan Police were called to the Shopko store for an incident of Theft. Police tracked Leal to an area behind the store and took him into custody for Interference with Official Acts, Theft in the 5th Degree, and Public Intoxication.

On Dec. 1st, 35-year old Lynette Ladd, of Council Bluffs, was arrested following a routing traffic stop. Ladd was charged with Driving Under Suspension. That same day, 25-year old Matthew Romesburg, of Weaubleau, MO., was charged with Simple Assault, following an altercation with another man at the Settle Inn, in Harlan. Romesburg, who had left the Inn, was contacted by Officers and told he would receive a warrant/summons ordering him to appear in court.

And, on Nov. 30th, 25-year old Michael Tremayne, of Harlan, was arrested on a warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday) tentatively set next Wednesday, Dec. 14^th, at 9-a.m., as the date and time for a Public Hearing on a development proposal for the Elite Octane Ethanol plant in Cass County. The hearing is contingent upon lawyers for both the County and Elite Octane reaching an agreement on the County’s financial obligation to help make the plant possible.

Elite Octane’s Nick Bowden said “Time is of the essence,” in reaching an agreement and getting the plant constructed. He said that’s because they have bids for major pieces of equipment and vendor supplies on hold for twice the length of time they would normally be able to hold those bids viable.

Bowden said also President Elect Donald Trump’s policies may also impact on the amount of construction labor that’s available. He says they need to move forward in the very near future to have certainty on the construction price. Every day that goes by without an agreement, he says results in a risk to both the County and Elite Octane, that they can’t hold the construction budget together.

A question was raised about what happens if the company goes out of business after it’s constructed, and how it would affect the county. Bowden said the company has a huge incentive to continue paying the property taxes. If taxes aren’t paid on a regular home, the County files and lean to take over the property. The same is true for Elite Octane’s 101.6 acres which is which be valued at more than $100-million.

The Supervisors were asked if the County and Elite Octane are close on an agreement. Board Chair Gaylord Schelling said he can’t give a definite answer to that at this time.