May is National Nurses Month, a time designated to celebrate the contributions and commitments nurses make while educating the public about the significant work they perform.  Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS), say nursing managers recently hosted a luncheon to honor the many nursing caregivers who work throughout the health system, including RNs, LPNs, Certified Nurse Anesthetists, Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Medical Assistants, Psychiatric Assistants, and Surgical Technical Assistants.

Some of the nursing staff at Cass County Health System gathered for a photo during National Nurses Month. Left to Right row 1 – Heather Turner, Brittany Thompson, Row 2 – Jeri Orstad, Trudi Nelson, Susan Christofferson, Row 3 – Brenda Euken, Cathie Alff, Jenifer Arp, Row 4 – Linda Hemminger, Lisa Parker, Amber Scott, Row 5 – Diana Krull, Marie Kucera, Kathy Spurr, Row 6 – Crystal Shannon, Tammy Wyman, Row 7 – Kathy Pulido, Tammy Nelson, Nancy Reimer, Sherry Kennon, Row – Jena Waters, Tricia Cook, Brent Goodrich.

CCHS employs over 130 staff in these key caregiver roles.  Their duties range from caring for inpatients, both medical and behavioral health, to working in outpatient clinics, to education, surgery and emergency department care. They care for patients around the clock, 365 days a year.  Some nurses work in administrative roles or manage clinical quality and infection control initiatives. Nursing professionals come from all walks of life, and have varied backgrounds but they all have one thing in common – they take pride in caring for others.

Linda Hemminger, Assistant Administrator of Clinical Services/Chief Nursing Officer, say the nurses at CCHS are truly a group of caring professionals. Hemminger says “National Nurses Month is a great time to have meaningful reflection on the value of nurses’ work to both patients and health care systems. Nurses change lives and save lives!”

Authorities in Page County are investigating the theft of two central air conditioning units and propane furnace. The a/c units were less than seven-years old. The theft and associated damage was discovered during the evening of May 2nd, as a Blanchard man was mowing the lawn at 1830 290th Street, between Blanchard and Coin.
Officials say Scott Langley noticed the air conditioning units on the outside of the residence were missing, and there was damage to a shop window. A deputy notified the property owner, Greg Stone, of Garden City, KS. Stone told the deputy he had neither removed the items nor given anyone else permission to do so.
The loss was estimated at $10,550. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193.

A rural Page County man was arrested Thursday evening for being a felon in possession of firearms, after deputies investigated a report of shots fired. Authorities received word just after 6-p.m. that shots had been heard at 1672 A Avenue, about two-miles north of Shenandoah.
During their investigation, deputies learned 39-year old David Allen Ryan lived at the residence. Ryan is a convicted felon, and had access to the firearms as well as ammunition. He was taken into custody and held in the Page County Jail on $5,000 bond.

A man from Pottawattamie County suffered what were described as “non-life threatening injuries” during an ATV accident that took place at around 12:20-p.m., Thursday. Sheriff Jeff Danker identified the victim of the accident as 46-year old Bruce Campbell, of rural Neola.  Danker told KJAN News the accident took place in a farm field northeast of Teakwood and 240^th Street. It happened when the Kawasaki ATV was traveling north, up an incline. When the machine  met a terrace, it became airborne and Campbell was ejected. 

The accident was witnessed and reported to authorities. Campbell reportedly complained of pain, but the extent of his injuries were not known. He was flown by LifeNet to the Creighton Medical Center for treatment.

A jury in Audubon County has rendered a guilty verdict against a south central Iowa man facing felony charges of Vehicular Homicide by OWI and Serious Injury by Vehicle. According to online court records, 57-year old Kendall Lee Ware, of Lineville, was found guilty Thursday on both counts. A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered, with sentencing set for July 18^th.

Authorities say Ware had a blood alcohol content of more than two-and-half times the legal limit when an SUV and a pickup crashed at around 11:25-p.m. on October 11^th, 2011, near Brayton. The crash claimed the life of 17-year old Kristopher Crawley, and caused serious injuries to his passenger, 22-year old Jason Rattenborg. Both of the crash victims are from Audubon. Ware, and a passenger in his truck, were also injured. 

While an investigation into the crash was being conducted, Ware fled the area. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was taken into custody by the U.S.Marshals last October, in North Dakota before being extradited to Audubon County.

Three Audubon County teens were injured Thursday during a rollover accident about 4-miles west of Exira. The Sheriff’s Department says the driver of the vehicle, 18-year old Brandon Thomas Harter, of Exira, and his passengers: 16-year old Forest Debruin, of Exira, and 17-year old Sadie Rose Ryan, of Audubon, were transported to the Audubon County Hospital by Elk Horn Rescue, following the crash that occurred at around 4-p.m., Thursday.

Officials say a 2002 Buick owned by Bradley Weber, of Audubon, and driven by Harter, was traveling north on 280th Street and approaching a slight curve to the west, when the vehicle went out of control on the gravel road. The car veered toward the west ditch before sliding back and forth across the road and sliding partially sideways into the west ditch.

The front driver’s side door dug into the ditch, causing the vehicle to roll before it came to rest on the driver’s side door, propped up against a small tree. Damage from the crash amounted to $6,500. Harter was charged with Failure to Maintain Control.

(9-a.m. News)

The Danish Villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton are celebrating the 33^rd Annual Tivoli Fest this weekend. Lisa Steen-Riggs, spokesperson for the event which runs Saturday and Sunday, said the weekend is packed with activities, including some traditional favorites. The event kicks-off with a 5-l “Mill to Mermaid” fun run/walk. Registration is just $5, with the top winners in each age group receiving a special t-shirt. At the finish, everyone receives a bag of M&M’s. The parade, themed “Honoring our heroes, begins at 11-a.m. 

There’s also an open-air market. Some new events are in-store for this weekend, as well. A ribbon cutting will be held for the new Veteran’s Memorial at 2-p.m., along with patriotic music, a “Walk-of-Honor,” and information about a national program, “Run for the Fallen.” Of course, it wouldn’t be Tivoli Fest, without food and entertainment. That includes Scandinavian entertainment all day long. Food, including traditional Danish delicacies will served at the new fire station from 8am-until 3-pm both days, or until supplies last. 

The fire station will also serve as the location for a beer garden and dance. For a full list of activities, go to www.danishvillages.com.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Sheriff’s Officials in Montgomery County report the arrest early this (Friday) morning, of a Clarinda woman on a drug charge. 29-year old Lacey Jo Smalley was taken into custody just before 2-a.m., on a Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charge. Smalley was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $300 cash bond.