The Hard Rock Casino in Sioux City agreed to a penalty today (Thursday) from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission for allowing minor to gamble. Racing and Gaming administrator, Brian Ohorilko, says it happened in November.

“She was on the floor for 56 minutes and had gambled at two different slot machines. The facility did notice her after she had been on the floor — approached her requested identification — and she refused and exited the casino quickly. It was determined later that she was indeed underage,” Ohorilko says. He says the situation met all the three criteria to be considered a violation of underage gambling.

He says the past precedent is for an administrative penalty of 20-thousand dollars and the Hard Rock agreed to pay that penalty. He says the penalty was based on the past history of the casino. Ohroilko said the casino has not had such an incident in the last 365 days, so it is considered a first offense. He said also, state agents will determine if the minor is charged.

“There is a state law which would allow for a minor to be cited criminally. And so in a situation like this what typically happens — and what happened in this case — is it would be be turned over to the Division of Criminal Investigation.”

The I-R-G-C took the action at their meeting in Council Bluffs.

(Radio Iowa)

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and D-C-I are trying to sort out an early morning shooting today (Thursday) in the town of Breda. When law enforcement arrived on scene, they found 35-year-old Andrew Wempe and 39-year-old Jacob Helken, both of Breda, had suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds to their lower body.

Authorities also determined that the shooter, 48-year-old Robert John Morris, of Carroll, exhibited injuries unrelated to the use of a firearm. The three men were transported to St. Anthony Regional Hospital.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Cass County Conservation service report the Conservation Board is offering a great opportunity for you to observe spring woodland wildflowers not far from Atlantic. A Wildflower Walk program will be held at the Pellett Memorial Woods beginning 9-a.m., April 28th. There is no charge to participate.

Oak Strollers Nature Club for Families are welcome to join at this event. You’re invited to walk through the early spring wildflowers with Cass County Interpretive Naturalist Lora Kanning, and learn the names, uses and history of the Wildflowers.

Those in attendance will meet at Pellett Memorial Woods- located just outside of Atlantic, ½ mile north and ¾ mile east of the KJAN radio station.

The Cass County Conservation Board is now taking Pre-orders for their Native Plant Sale. The order form and payment will be DUE April 27th 2018 at 4PM.  Forms can be found online http://www.atlanticiowa.com/county/county-departments/conservation-office/

Native Local Eco-type live Plants will be sold. Live plants from nursery will come as small plugs; cells are 5” deep x 2” wide at top or 4.5”deep x 2” Cone. 2 Species of Native grass, and 9 Native Forbs including many that benefit Pollinators.

All orders must be picked up during designated times at the Conservation offices in Lewis, unless prior arrangements made. Designated pick up times will be: Thursday May 24th 8-a.m. to 6-p.m., or Friday, May 25th, from 8-a.m. until 4:30-p.m. Plants not picked up will be donated, with NO REFUND.

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Sioux City construction office reports repairs at the Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad crossings at Iowa 37 in Dunlap, will require closing the roadway to traffic beginning at 9-a.m. Wednesday, April 18, until Thursday, April 19, weather permitting.

During the closure, traffic will be detoured around the work zone using U.S. 30, Remsen Street, Harrison County Road F-14, and Iowa 37.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — School districts would be required to adopt return-to-play rules for students who may have concussions under a bill that is headed to Gov. Kim Reynolds. The Iowa Senate approved the bill 46-0 on Thursday, days after it was approved by the House.

Jean Berger, executive director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, says the legislation wouldn’t be a substantial change for most Iowa schools. Her organization, along with the Iowa High School Athletic Association, developed a medical review protocol in 2013, but schools aren’t required to follow it.

The legislation doesn’t require schools to have a health care provider present at games, but it limits legal liability if they do. The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency says the bill would have “minimal” costs for local school districts.

NEVADA, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Lottery officials say a Powerball ticket bought at a central Iowa convenience store is worth $1 million. The ticket bought at a Casey’s store in Nevada (nuh-VAY’-duh) matched the first five numbers drawn Wednesday night but not the Powerball number. No one won the nearly $90 million jackpot in the multistate lottery. The figure is expected to reach $106 million for Saturday’s drawing.
Prizes of $1 million or more must be claimed at the Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive.

When you are looking for health information online, how can you know if the information you find is credible and trustworthy? That’s the topic for the next session of Healthy U, which is scheduled for April 19th at Cass County Health System. Kathy Spurr, RN, Systems Analyst with CCHS, says “More and more people are looking online for information about health. It’s great that people are interested in their health and want to know more, but not all information out there is accurate or safe.”

Kathy worked as an RN for 15 years before transitioning to a role in the Information Systems department at CCHS. She has an extensive nursing background – she has worked in medical/surgical and intensive care inpatient units, the Emergency Department, and as a House Supervisor. That experience, coupled with her current position on the technology side of healthcare, gives Kathy the unique position of knowing why patients are looking for answers online, as well as how to find good, quality information.

Her presentation will include information about what healthy web surfing looks like, such as looking for sources, checking on who made the website, how current the information is, and more. She will also share information about avoiding internet scams. Healthy U is a free educational lunch series at Cass County Health System held monthly in Conference Room 2. The public is invited and welcome to attend, but reservations are required as lunch is provided for all attendees. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has declined to confirm a doctor to the Iowa Board of Medicine because of an online comment she made about the LGBT community. The Des Moines Register reports that Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ appointment of Katherine Asjes failed Wednesday. All 18 votes against the appointment were cast by Democrats. Democratic Sen. Tony Bisignano says Asjes’ supportive comment on an online article in the Catholic World Report that criticized the LGBT community is concerning.

Senate Minority Leader Janet Petersen says the comment raises concerns about whether Asjes would protect the health of all Iowa residents. Asjes says that while she expressed agreement with the author, her comment was made seeking additional information. The state Board of Medicine regulates physicians and surgeons, osteopathic physicians and licensed acupuncturists.

Jason Wickizer, Shelby County Emergency Management Operations Director, report the Fire Danger index in Shelby County, will remain in the HIGH category through Monday.  On Friday, Low Relative Humidity’s, and winds gusting to over 30-MPH could approach RED FLAG conditions. Wickizer said “However, on Saturday we will see a Strong System bring moisture, and snow to the area quickly moderating Fire Danger.  We will reevaluate Fire Danger Monday – please remain aware that our Fire Risk changes within 1 hour this time of year, due to the large availability of standing fine dead fuels.”