(Des Moines, IA) The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), in collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), recognizes March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM).

Throughout March, a wide range of stakeholders, including public health organizations, prevention and treatment providers, advocacy groups and gambling operators work collaboratively to let people know that hope and help exist for problem gambling. Groups nationwide will hold conferences, air Public Service Announcements, provide counselor training, host health screening days and implement social media campaigns to increase public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment and recovery services.

The PGAM theme for this year is “Awareness +Action” and participants are encouraged to use the hashtag #PGAM2022 on social media platforms.

Problem gambling is defined as all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. Approximately 2 million U.S. adults (1% of the population) are estimated to meet criteria for severe problem gambling. Another 4-6 million (2-3%) meet the criteria for mild or moderate problem gambling.

The Office of Problem Gambling at IDPH raises awareness about the availability of gambling prevention and treatment services offered statewide. “Iowans who are impacted by problem gambling are encouraged to visit Your Life Iowa to learn more or to connect with a qualified professional. Help and hope are only a call, text, or chat away,” said Katie Bee, Project Director of the Office of Problem Gambling at the Iowa Department of Public Health.

If you have questions you’d like answered, support and assistance is available through Live Chat, by calling 1-800-BETS OFF, or by texting (855) 895-8398.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Cass/Atlantic Development Corporation on Thursday, March 3rd, 2022, to welcome the new Executive Assistant, Gwen Weirich. Gwen joined the CADCO team in January of 2022 and says that Jen McEntaffer, Executive Director, has been great to work with and has been eager to share her knowledge and passion for economic development. Gwen oversees many aspects of the office and enjoys being the friendly face welcoming community members and businesses owners into the office.

Cass/Atlantic Development Corporation directs economic development initiatives, facilitates community cooperation, and assists organizations of their pursuit of local development efforts to enhance the Cass County quality of life. CADCO is currently focusing on creating additional housing & childcare opportunities in Cass County. Cass/Atlantic Development is located at 14 West 6th Street. Contact 712-243-2022 for more information or visit http://www.atlanticiowa.com/cadco/

Des Moines, Iowa — A man who made his way into a Des Moines hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and briefly cared for a baby that was NOT his and he was NOT authorized to care for, was found guilty, Thursday, of Trespassing.

Thirty-six-year-old Adam Wedig was sentenced to pay $736 in fines, charges and costs, according to court documents. He’s also facing another misdemeanor charge. According to reports, Wedig has also agreed to a no-contact order with the baby’s family, with whom has has no known relation. In addition, the baby’s family is suing Wedig as well as MercyOne Hospital. MercyOne called the incident “extremely troubling” and said it has changed policies to ensure a similar incident does not happen in the future.

Adam Wedig (Polk County Jail booking photo)

Court documents show the child’s parents were living at the Ronald McDonald House at the time while the child received treatment for heart problems. In December, the child’s parents got a call about a man handling their child. They rushed to the hospital, where the father tried to follow Wedig. The man told police he didn’t intend to hurt the child. Authorities say he slipped past a nurse as she was walking through a secure door. He then entered the NICU and bottle fed the baby. Wedig also changed the baby’s diaper.

(Creston, Iowa) – Two people were arrested on separate charges Thursday, in Creston. Creston Police reports 57-year-old James Chandler Sash, of Creston, was arrested a little after 4-p.m. at the Creston Wal-Mart, for Theft in the 5th Degree, and Possession of Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine. Sash was taken to Union County Jail and later released after posting a $1,300 bond.

And, at around 6:25-p.m. Thursday, 20-year-old Elyice Bolin Stow, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Courthouse/Sheriff’s Office, for Probation Violation. Stow was taken to Union County Jail and held without bond until seen by Judge.

Authorities said also, a woman residing in the 200 block of N. Dodge Street, in Creston, reported Wednesday afternoon, that a tire on her vehicle was slashed. The loss was estimated at $200.

(Radio Iowa) – Basketball isn’t the only sport with its state finals in Des Moines this week. The National Archery in the Schools Program is holding its state-level tournament Saturday and Sunday at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Zach Benttine, the Iowa D-N-R’s archery coordinator, says hundreds of students from all corners of the state will be taking part in what’s now the largest youth archery tournament in Iowa.

The competition begins at 8 A-M both days for the bullseye and 3-D competitions. The bullseye involves shooting at a traditional round target, while the 3-D competition involves foam animals ranging in size from a turkey to a ram. Iowa student participation in the National Archery in the Schools Program has grown each year since being launched in 2006 to more than 45-hundred participants this year.

This weekend’s top archers are wide ranging in age and they can earn money for college.

Learn more about the Iowa Archery in the Schools Program at: www.iowadnr.gov/nasp

Police in Red Oak report a man was arrested Thursday afternoon, on a felony assault charge. 42-year-old Christopher Mickel Mattingly, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 4:20-p.m. on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault/4th offense, a Class-D Felony. Mattingly was being held without bond, in the Montgomery County Jail.

(Radio Iowa) – By a nearly unanimous vote, the Iowa House has passed a bill that would put new restrictions on food delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash. If the bill becomes law, the companies would face fines if driver are caught eating some of the food they’re supposed to be delivering. Representative Brian Meyer of Des Moines cites a 2019 study that found one in four delivery drivers sample the food.

“That is a pretty alarming number of people stealing fries,” Meyer said, “so I think that it’s important that we have those provisions in there on the food safety.” Restaurants would be required to put food in tamper resistant containers. Delivery drivers would be prohibited from smoking and they could not have kids or pets in the vehicle when food is being delivered. The bill also would force delivery companies to have an agreement with a restaurant before they could advertise and deliver the restaurant’s food. Republican Representative Shannon Lundgren of Peosta owns a restaurant.

“What really isn’t fair is when a national company privates our menus and places them on their website and acts as though they are us,” Lundgren says. “…In January of this year, my menu was pirated and we had to go through some very interesting steps to try to get removed from that website.”

The bill passed the House on a 97 to two vote. A similar bill is eligible for debate in the Senate..

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says any unused U.S. military weapons and equipment originally intended for use in Afghanistan should be shipped to Ukraine. “I will continue to advocate for already procured programs and capabilities that are programmed, budgeted, contracted, purchased and sitting in containers unused to go to those who need it the most,” Ernst says.

Yesterday (Thursday), the Biden Administration asked congress to approve 10 BILLION dollars more in emergency spending on humanitarian and military aid for Ukraine. Ernst says she’s encouraged by the request, but still reviewing the proposal, which is linked to additional pandemic-related spending. During a speech on the Senate floor yesterday (Thursday), Ernst called for logistical support and medical supplies as well as weapons that were originally purchased for Afghanistan to be sent to Ukraine immediately.

Ernst says the U.S. has an obligation to Ukraine that dates back to 1994. That’s when Ukraine gave up the world’s third largest stockpile of nuclear weapons — weapons abandoned as the Soviet Union fell apart. “The United States intervened,” Ernst says. “In exchange for protection from the greatest super power in the history of the world, Ukraine dismantled and surrendered their nuclear armament entirely. That agreement made the world a safer place.”

Now that Russia has invaded Ukraine, Ernst says the U.S. must follow through on that 1994 agreement and provide far more lethal aid to Ukraine.