CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Luther College is set to rename an athletics facility after receiving the largest monetary gift in the school’s 162-year history.

The school announced on Monday that Michael and Nicole Gerdin gifted $10 million to help renovate the Regents Center which is home to Norse athletics and the wellness center.

Luther College will rename the facility the ‘Gerdin Fieldhouse for Athletics and Wellness.’

Michael Gerdin is the CEO of Heartland Express in North Liberty and a 1992 graduate of Luther.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Cass County (Iowa) Democratic party report that on November 14th, first-term State Representative Josh Turek (House District 20: Council Bluffs, Carter Lake) visited Cass County to discuss voter concerns and legislation he’s championing. Born with Spina Bifida, and the first person who uses a wheelchair to be elected to the Iowa State Legislature, local party officials say Representative Turek brings important personal experience and perspective to legislation impacting Iowans with disabilities.

Last Spring, Representative Turek introduced HF403, legislation referred to as Work Without Worry, which is a Medicaid Buy-in plan for permanently disabled Iowans seeking employment. As Turek explained, currently in Iowa only 7% of permanently disabled individuals are employed, and this is mainly due to the low income and asset limits to qualify for Medicaid; Medicaid is the only health insurance coverage available to many Iowans with disabilities, and current laws prohibit people on Medicaid from earning more than $15,000 or holding assets of value more than $2000. Turek’s legislation would allow Iowans with disabilities the opportunity to work without the fear of losing their Medicaid
coverage.

Denise O’Brien (L) with State Representative Josh Turek in Cass County.

Representative Turek, according to the local organizers, is also passionate about banning cancerous carcinogens from
catheters, which many people with disabilities rely on. He introduced The Better Caths for Iowa Act (HF 387), and in addition to working on legislation in Iowa, he has visited Washington D.C. to lobby for similar laws at the federal level. For more information on this issue visit bettercaths.com.

Additional legislation Turek has introduced in Iowa includes HF502 Capping Insulin Prices, HF79 Housing Tax Credit for Disabled Veterans, HF121 Reducing Driver Registration Fees for Disabled Veterans, and HF692 Funding Mental Health Professionals in Schools.

The Cass County Democrats hosted Representative Turek at their November monthly meeting, which was open to the public. For more information on the Cass County Democrats, monthly gatherings, or to join the Cass County Democrats email newsletter, contact casscountyiadems@gmail.com or follow the Cass County Democrats on Facebook @CassCountyIADems or on Instagram @CassCountyDemocrats.

The Cass County Democrats’ December gathering will be a holiday party and cookie bake-off fundraiser held Tuesday, December 12, from 6-8 PM at Heritage House (1200 Brookridge Circle, Atlantic, IA 50022). All are welcome.

Council Bluffs, Iowa – Based on precipitation over the last week, officials with Pottawattamie County Emergency Management has requested the State Fire Marshall lift the current ban on burning in Pottawattamie County, effective today (Monday, 11/27/23).

Open burning is now allowable throughout the county EXCEPT in any municipal city limits where there is a standing ordinance prohibiting open burning on a regular basis. Before burning within any city limits, check with your local fire department or city clerk to determine whether your community has such an ordinance.

Residents are to continue using extreme caution whenever burning. The county is still experiencing abnormally dry conditions and seasonal outlooks indicate that will remain the case or even deteriorate in the upcoming months.

Emergency Management urges all residents to sign up for Alert Iowa emergency notifications at https://pcema-ia.org. During emergencies or critical events communication is key, and the Alert Iowa system is our primary method of distributing alerts and information.

(Radio Iowa) – Police in Fort Dodge are trying to determine what lead up to a dog attack that left a woman seriously injured Friday. Brooke Bickford reports:

(Radio Iowa) – Investigators have not yet determined the cause of a Saturday afternoon explosion and fire at the Poet ethanol plant in Shell Rock. There were no injuries. Witnesses reported seeing a fireball at that time and felt the explosion for a radius of several miles around the plant. Butler County Emergency Management reports that by the time emergency crews arrived on the scene, the fire had taken care of itself.

The cause is under investigation, but one possibility was a combustible dust explosion. The plant is running and is stable.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Sunday afternoon, of a man on an Assault charge. 54-year-old Patrick Lee Miller, of Malvern, was taken into custody at around 3:36-p.m. at a location on Wilson Avenue. He was transported to the Mills County Jail and charged with Simple Assault. Miller was being held without bond, pending a court appearance.

The Sheriff’s Office says also, a resident of Virginia Beach, VA, reported Friday morning, an incident of Theft in the 2nd Degree in the vicinity of Noyes Avenue, in Mills County. Additional details were not provided.

(Rural Badger, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol has released information with regard to a fatal accident that occurred last week, in Webster County. Authorities say a 2014 RAM pickup driven by 37-year-old Logan Christensen, of Eagle Grove, was westbound on 110th Street northeast of Badger at around 3:42-p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 22nd), at the same time a 2014 Toyota sedan driven by 33-year-old Sara Sanga, of Hardy (IA) was traveling northbound on Union Avenue.

When Christensen failed to stop at the posted intersection, his pickup hit the car. Both vehicles came to rest in a ditch northwest of the intersection. A passenger in Toyota, 13-year Kyle Hilbert, of Hardy, died from his injuries. Sara Sanga and Logan Christensen were injured in the crash. Sanga was transported by LifeFlight to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.  Christensen was transported to Trinity Hospital by Ft. Dodge EMS. All of the crash victims were wearing their seat belts.

Kyle Hilbert was a seventh-grade student at the Humboldt Middle School. Humboldt Community School District Superintendent Jim Murray said multiple counselors were expected to be available to students and staff today (Monday), at the middle school.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Webster County Sheriff’s Dept., Webster County EMS and Medical Examiner, along with the Thor and Badger Fire Departments.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The annual Lighted Parade will fill downtown Atlantic with holiday cheer this Saturday, December 2nd, starting at 6-p.m.  Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith says “The Fireworks and Lighted Parade is a holiday tradition that Atlantic families look forward to every year. It’s always fun to see how creative people get with their light displays each year.”

Each float will have a holiday theme, lighting and music. Awards will be given for: Best Overall, Best Holiday Spirit and Twinkle Twinkle award. Winners will be notified before the parade. Fireworks will kick off the Christmas magic over the Rock Island Depot, starting at 6 PM. The Lighted Parade & Fireworks are sponsored by A.M. Cohron & Son, McDermott & Son Roofing and Rush, CPA & Associates.

Before the parade, Santa will be in his Cabin at City Park from 3 PM – 5:30 PM. Free Carriage Rides, presented by Lloyd & Meredith, will also be at City Park from 3 PM – 5:30 PM. Santa’s Cabin is sponsored by Atlantic Rotary and Farmhouse & Flowers. If you would like to participate in the Lighted Parade, visit www.atlanticiowa.com for a registration form. Line-up begins at 5 PM at 6th & Walnut Street with judging beginning at 5:30 PM. Registration is not required but encouraged.

Here’s a reminder also, to pick up your Christmas brochure and Holiday Punch Card from area retail businesses, like the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Instagram to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.atlanticiowa.com.

Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712.243.3017. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Gregg Young of Atlantic.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly meeting Tuesday (Nov. 28, 2023), in their Courthouse Board Room, beginning at 9-a.m. Among the items on their agenda is:

• A presentation and $500 funding request by Lindsay Wilson with Family Crisis Centers.
• Approval of the fiscal year 2022-2023 Urban Renewal Report.
• Approval of Resolution 2023-40, Allocating ARPA funds to Hitchcock House for foundation repairs in the amount of $47,932.
• A Report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken
• The appointment of Lorilyn Schultes to the Cass County Board of Health for the three-year term from 1/1/2024 – 12/31/2027, replacing Gary Dinkla.

Join the meeting Electronically:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2899195216?pwd=R0hSa2FOOTh0NUdra1ZSdVhVWHpMUT09
Meeting ID: 289 919 5216
Passcode: 012064
Call In:
312-626-6799, press *9 to indicate you wish to speak.