FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — Iowa prison officials are facing renewed criticism from a union representing correctional officers following an attack by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison that left a staffer hospitalized.

Prison officials said in a news release that the inmate used a weapon in the Wednesday attack to strike the staffer several times. A statement later released by the union said the staffer was stabbed five times by an inmate wielding two 10-inch shanks. Prison officials said later Wednesday that the staffer was in stable condition in the hospital.

Danny Homan, president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 61, says the inmate is associated with a white supremacist prison gang, and that prison officials have ignored staff warnings that attacks by inmates were planned.

A Corrections Department spokeswoman on Wednesday declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a two vehicle accident occurred Wednesday morning in Stanton. Deputies responded to the accident at 9:00am at the intersection of Halland Avenue and M-63.

After investigation it was determined that a 2016 Nissan owned and operated by 70-year-old Linda Hicks of Stanton was northbound on Halland Avenue and stopped at the stop sing of the intersection with M-63. A white 2008 Dodge Caravan owned by Dennis Reynolds of Stanton and operated by 43-year-old Tanya Danick of Stanton failed to stop behind Hicks and struck the rear end of the Nissan.  No injuries were reported and no citations were issued.

Damage was estimated at $1,200 to the Nissan and $1,400 to the Reynolds vehicle.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Americans across the country are grappling with unanswered questions as they prepare to select their health insurance plans when the new sign-up period for the Affordable Care Act begins in two weeks.

The uncertainty is especially pronounced in Iowa, which is seeking last-minute federal approval to revamp its insurance market. The confusion, of course, is also coming from Washington, where President Donald Trump is pushing to allow the purchase of stripped-down coverage plans and has moved to cut off subsidies that help keep people’s insurance costs down.

In Iowa, the “navigators” and others whose job is to help people understand the health care market are not sure what to tell callers who want to know what to expect.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has killed a rule designed to protect the legal rights of farmers who raise chickens and hogs for the nation’s largest meat processors. The rule would have made it easier for farmers to sue companies they contract with over unfair or deceptive practices.

It was rolled out in the final days of Barack Obama’s administration. But the USDA delayed it after President Donald Trump took office. On Tuesday, the agency withdrew it for good. Farmers who have waited years for the rule are expressing disappointment. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa farmer, accuses the Trump administration of “pandering to big corporations.”

Poultry and pork industry trade groups say the rule would have reduced competition and driven meat prices higher.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — Iowa prison officials are facing renewed criticism from a union representing correctional officers following an attack by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison that left a staffer hospitalized.

Prison officials said in a news release that the inmate used a weapon in the Wednesday attack to strike the staffer several times. A statement later released by the union said the staffer was stabbed five times by an inmate wielding two 10-inch shanks.

Danny Homan, president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 61, says the inmate is associated with a white supremacist prison gang, and that prison officials have ignored staff warnings that attacks by inmates were planned.

A Corrections Department spokesman didn’t immediately return phone and email messages Wednesday seeking comment.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) – Prison officials say a staff member has been hospitalized after being assaulted by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. The Iowa Corrections Department says the penitentiary restricted inmates’ movement Wednesday after the assault. A news release says the inmate used a weapon to strike the staff member several times. Other staffers helped their injured colleague subdue the inmate.

The staffer was taken to Fort Madison Community Hospital and then to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. The staffer’s name hasn’t been released. Online court records don’t yet show the inmate has been formally charged.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports 34-year old Kristin Jan Gross, of Des Moines, was arrested Monday evening at the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office. Gross was arrested on four Union County warrants for failure to appear on drug violation charges.  She was being held for Union County in the Ringgold County Jail on $27,300 bond.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, of Nebraska, is seeking answers from the Department of Veterans of Affairs following reports that VA employees kept a secret waiting list of patients from Nebraska and Iowa that obscured the actual wait times for veterans who sought appointments. Sasse sent a letter to the department Tuesday after the Omaha World-Herald reported that an audit included whistleblower complaints about unauthorized lists for appointments at the VA’s mental health psychotherapy clinic in Omaha.

VA officials acknowledged the audit’s conclusions but wouldn’t say how many Nebraska or western Iowa veterans were affected. They also declined to say who kept the unauthorized list and why, or say how many employees were involved. Sasse says the agency’s refusal to answer questions is “unacceptable and must be remedied immediately.”

You’re invited to join the Iowa Department on Aging in Creston on Oct. 25th for the final session in its 2017 Dialogue on Aging Series. The topic for this event is “Technology in Aging: Improving the Quality of Life and Care for Older Adults” and will include thought-provoking presentations by speakers representing the University of Iowa Barbara and Richard Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence and the Iowa State University Gerontology Program/Human Development and Family Studies Department.

Lunch is included and will feature the recognition of Iowa’s centenarians – those who will be 100 years or older by Dec. 31, 2017! Cost is $25 per person. To securely register, go to: https://www.iowaaging.gov/content/2017-dialogue-aging-event-registration?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Sponsored by: AARP Iowa ; University of Iowa Barbara and Richard Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence; & Iowa State University Gerontology Program.

If you use tobacco, it has probably crossed your mind once or twice to quit. About 82% of Iowans who use tobacco, want to quit. The older you become the less you may think quitting will make any difference to your health. By quitting, tobacco users are taking an important step towards a healthier quality of life. The first benefits of quitting will begin in as little as 20 minutes, when your heart rate and blood pressure lower. The longer you quit, the more benefits you receive, even lowering your risk of heart disease to half that of someone who is still using tobacco products.

Some may consider tobacco use a thing of the past, but tobacco companies come out with new products every year trying to hook new users, especially youth. Cass County Iowa Youth Survey results show that 18% of our youth admit to trying electronic cigarettes.  You can influence your children’s decision about whether to use e-cigarettes. Even if you have used tobacco yourself, your children will listen if you discuss your struggles with nicotine addiction. Be clear that you don’t approve of them smoking or using e-cigarettes, and that you expect them to live tobacco-free. No matter how it’s delivered, nicotine is harmful for youth and young adults. E-cigarettes typically contain nicotine as well as other chemicals that are known to damage health. Tobacco use and secondhand smoke account for an estimated 6 million deaths per year nationally.

You may also find it more difficult to quit for good the older you become due to the strong nicotine addiction that has built up. Here are a few tips to get you started:

·        Set a quit date, recommended 30 days out.

·        Write down reasons why you want to quit and keep them handy.

·        Talk to your physician about options on how to quit.

·        Build a positive support group of friends, family, and other who are quitting.

·        Take it one minute/day at a time.

·        Celebrate the little achievements – each day without tobacco is a celebration!

There are many great resources out there to help tobacco users quit. A local option for Iowans is the free statewide resource Quitline Iowa, available to all Iowans age 13 years old and older. Trained quit coaches help every participant develop a personalized, easy-to-follow quit plan. You can either call Quitline Iowa at 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) or by accessing their website at www.quitlineiowa.org. This article is brought to you by Healthy Cass County.