(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Cass County (IA) was arrested at around 1:21-a.m. today (Monday, Dec. 18), following a traffic stop at 110th Street and Highway 48. Upon further investigation, Deputies arrested 36-year-old Joshua Kenneth Wolcott, of Griswold, for Driving While Revoked. Wolcott was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

And, Saturday night, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 40-year-old Gary Allen Honeyman, of Villisca, for Obstruction of Emergency Communications. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – State Ombudsman Bernardo Granwehr says complaints to his office about government services were down in the latest fiscal year compared to the past two. “The COVID pandemic really contributed to a surge in complaints in our office, and quite a bit, I think, from the corrections area,” he says. “And so what we are seeing, I think, in terms of our, statistics, and sort of the drop in cases is really kind of a pulling back of some of those pandemic era cases. ” Granwehr says many of the complaints from inmates revolved around health related issues and conditions of confinement. He says some of the complaints were justified, but for many they advised the person making the complaint to first go through any grievance process.

“Because we certainly don’t want to be a substitute for an established grievance process, we instead want to provide oversight if the grievance process maybe failed in some sort of, in some way,” he says. While the number of complaints dropped, they were still the third most his office received behind each of the last two years. Granwehr says outside of complaints about corrections there were concerns raised about the Health and Human Services Department He says families of Medicaid members were concerned they didn’t get enough information that the estate of the person covered would have to repay those fees to the state when they died.

“A little bit of a surprise for people who use those services, and are pleased to report the since that time, the Department of Health and Human Services has really placed an emphasis on providing estate recovery information,” he says. Granwehr says that information in the enrollment notices and letters let people make an informed decision prior to signing up for those Medicaid benefits. He says they don’t want to discourage complaints to his office, but says everyone needs to follow the processes of the government agency first.

“Because obviously, we can’t we can’t evaluate it if we don’t give it a chance to work. But you know, obviously, yeah, that is definitely the first option. And then after that, we can take a look at it and see if, you know, the process worked appropriately and the complainant was fairly treated,” Granwehr says. The nearly six-thousand cases in the last fiscal year was a drop of seven-and-a-half percent from the previous year.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa [KETV]— A shots fired call led Council Bluffs police officers to a man in critical condition Sunday night. KETV reports police found the victim, who is in his 60’s, at a home near Harrison Street and Kanesville Boulevard around 6:30 p.m. The shooter escaped, but police were questioning several people in the home.

A description of the gunman was not available. Paramedics took the victim to Nebraska Medicine. His name has not been released as of this (Monday) morning.

(Radio Iowa) – There’s a Christmas carol that says this is “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for Iowans who’ve lost a loved one in the past several months, or during the holidays in a previous year, this can be a very difficult few weeks. Catherine Pelletier, bereavement director with the Gundersen Health System, says it’s important to remember those who are no longer with us.

“When I talk to my families about grief and the holidays,” Pelletier says, “the thing that I hear most is, ‘Well, we used to do this with this person,’ or if it’s the loss of an infant, ‘I really wanted to do this with my child,’ so it’s a loss of tradition during the holidays.” People will often grieve losses during the holidays more than at any other time of the year, so Pelletier says it can be helpful to create new memories as a means to heal.

“Something that we talk a lot about is how to include our grief in traditions,” Pelletier says. “So a lot of families will have ornaments that they put up on a tree, or they’ll put a picture of the person they lost at the holiday table and kind of include them however possible in those memories that they’re creating now.” If you know someone who’s suffered a loss and is hurting, she says it may be better to address it directly rather than to avoid the subject.

“Sometimes, as friends or family of someone with a loss, we don’t want to touch on it. We think that if we stay away from it, we’re helping, but a lot of times, that makes the people who lost someone feel like you don’t remember or you don’t want to acknowledge it,” Pelletier says. “So we really encourage friends and family to say the person’s name. If you have memories with them from the holidays, sharing those memories with them.”

She says they should also be given the opportunity to rekindle traditions from the past or to create new traditions that honor those who were lost.

The Gundersen Health System includes a hospital in West Union, and clinics in Fayette, Decorah, Waukon, Lansing, Postville and Calmar.

(Radio Iowa) – Two Republican congressmen have just made trips to Iowa in support of two different G-O-P presidential candidates, bringing along their complaints about the U-S House and federal spending. Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie joined Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at events in Fort Dodge and Johnston this weekend. Massie talked about forcing members of the U-S House to vote in person, in March of 2020, on the two TRILLION dollar pandemic relief package.

“Everybody hated me for it, for making them come to Washington, D.C.,” Massie said, “and there were $1200 checks, even among some Republicans.” President Trump, who supported and quickly signed the package, called Massie a third rate grandstander for his parliamentary move, which delayed passage of the bill. Massie says Trump threatened him by phone.

“And he said: ‘I’m coming at you like you’ve never seen…I’m backing your primary opponent and you’re going to lose. I’m more popular than you,'” Massie said, imitating Trump’s voice, then Massie added in his own voice: “Well, I went back in there and I objected anyway.” Massie says that bill has caused inflation for years down the road. Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz made a solo stop for Trump in Cedar Rapids on Friday. Gaetz, who helped oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker, complained about the budget process the new speaker is pursuing.

“I am trying to bring some sanity to Washington, D.C.,” Gaetz said, “and they all think I’m crazy, but I kind of think they are.” Gaetz says it’s crazy for congress to vote on the entire budget of the United States of America all at once. “We would all want to be there for our troops and our veterans and the elderly and the disabled,” Gaetz said, “but when you are required to vote for those programs alongside all of the waste and wokeness, then you don’t get the type of itemized review that can put downward pressure on spending.”

Gaetz says the process lets members of congress from both parties avoid making tough decisions. Trump is scheduled to speak in Waterloo tomorrow (Tuesday). DeSantis is campaigning in Adel this (Monday) morning with Governor Reynolds.

(Radio Iowa) – Quaker Oats has recalled 40 different granola bar and granola cereal products due to salmonella concerns. The affected products include various flavors of Quaker Chewy Bars and seven types of Quaker Puffed Granola or Simply Granola Cereals. Go to the Quaker Oats website for a  list of all the products and the use-by dates on the boxes.

The products were sold in all 50 states. The company says there have been no confirmed cases of salmonella linked to their products, but it recommends throwing away the products that have been recalled

Police in Creston (IA) say a woman residing in the 300 block of S. Maple Street reported on Dec. 12th, that someone had vandalized two vehicles, while they were parked outside the residence. The 2014 Chevy Silverado and 2009 GMC Sierra pickups sustained a total of $2,000 damage.

(Shenandoah, Iowa) – The Shenandoah Police Department reports there were six arrests between December 2nd and the 15th (2023). On Thursday (Dec. 14th), 34-year-old Shane Michener, of Norfolk, NE, was arrested in Shenandoah for Attempted 3rd Degree Burglary, Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree, Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, and Interference with Official Acts.

On Dec. 10th, 47-year-old David Berry, of Hamburg, was arrested in Shenandoah for Possession of drug Paraphernalia.

Authorities say 38-year-old Nicole Nicholas, of Shenandoah, and 47-year-old Clinton Glasgo, of Essex, were arrested Dec. 8th. Both were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. Nicholas was additionally charged with Furnishing a Controlled Substance at a Detention Center.

On Dec. 6th, Shenandoah Police arrested 37-year-old Chad Cody, of Shenandoah, for Poss. of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense, Poss. of paraphernalia, Keeping a vehicle or premises for Controlled Substance, and Driving While Suspended.

And, on Dec. 2nd, 61-year-old Jeffrey Pape, of Emerson, was arrested for PCS/3rd offense.

Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School Board is scheduled to meet 5:30-p.m. Monday (Dec. 18), in the Conference Room at the school. Their agenda is as follows:

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

1. Thank You Card(s) (I)
2. The Month in Review – Administration (I)
3. Board Learning Opportunities (I)

– Honor November Recipients

– Select December Recipient(s)

– Annual Review Of Policies – 200.2, 200.3, 202.5, 204, 213, 213.1

• Consent Agenda (D.R.)

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Financial Statements

Approval of Bills

4. Personnel

5. Gifts, Memorials, Bequests

Old Business

6. Board Policies – Second Reading (D.R.) – 401.1, 503.1, 503.2, 503.8, 503.8R,

706.1, 706.2, 706.3, 706.3R1, 707.1, 707.2, 707.3, 707.4, 707.5, 707.5R1

7. Consider Approval Of The 2023-2024 Individual Career And Academic Plan – ICAP (D.R.)

8. Consider Approval Of Middle School / High School Attendance Policy

Pilot Program (D.R.)

9. Consider Establishing A Board Work Session (D.R.)

10. Discussion On Facilities Walk Through (D.R.)

11. Closing Of FY23 Financial Books (D.R.)

• Adjourn

New Board

• Call To Order – By Superintendent

12. Official Canvass Results (I)

13. Administer Oath Of Office To Newly Elected Board Members

• Acknowledge Retiring Board Member

14. Election of Board President And Vice-President (D.R.)

15. Select IBB Representative (Replacement For Retiring Board Member) (D.R.)

16. Set Regular Board Meeting Time & Date (D.R.)

New Business

17. Green Hills AEA Presentation (I)

18. Consider Approval of Activity Fund Transfers (D.R.)

19. Consider Approval Of Fire Monitoring Service Contract (D.R.)

20. Consider Approval Of Early Graduation List (D.R.)

21. Consider Approval Of Softball And Baseball Scoreboard Purchase (D.R.)

22. Consider Approval Of Amendment To MS/HS Handbook – Eligibility (D.R.)

23. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 708, 709, 710.1, 710.1E1, 710.1E2, 710.2, 710.3, 710.4

• Adjourn

(D.R.) = Decision Required

(I.) = Informational

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon School Board will meet 7-p.m. Monday (Dec. 18), in the High School Board Room. Action items on their agenda, include approval of:

• An SBRC request for MSA – Dropout Prevention
• Garbage Collection Bid
• Feld Quote for Security Improvements (Pending grant approval)
• Change Orders
• A Sharing Agreement with Exira/EHK
• Contracts with Denovo and Melee for the design/building of a Bus Garage
• approving Jason Walter to take freezers at the Bus Garage.

In his report to the Board, Superintendent Eric Trager is expected to provide updates on: The Building Project; Bus Garage, and Security Grant.