COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A Council Bluffs man faces an attempted murder charge for allegedly trying to run over a police officer in an attempt to escape authorities. The Daily Nonpareil reports that 27-year-old Jamie Kennedy was arrested Sept. 12 in connection to the June 2nd incident. He was being held without bond in the Pottawattamie County Jail. Police say officers recognized Kennedy and one of them pulled his cruiser into the driveway where Kennedy was parked. Another officer in plain clothes but with a badge visible approached Kennedy and ordered him out of the car. Police say Kennedy intentionally turned his truck toward the officer and accelerated at him. The officer jumped out of the way. Kennedy had several warrants for his arrest at the time.

It’s not the first run-in Kennedy has had with Bluffs Police. In Nov. 2013, a report about a stolen car from rural Mills County resulted in Kennedy taken into custody on suspicion of first-degree theft, eluding police, a warrant for probation violation and a host of other traffic violations. His arrest occurred following a pursuit that ended with him fleeing a disabled, stolen car into the Missouri River before he was ordered out by a K-9 unit.

ATLANTIC, IOWA – Cass County Health System (CCHS) has been awarded a 2017 Top Workplaces honor by The Des Moines Register.  This is the third consecutive year the health system has been honored. Officials say this year, CCHS was ranked 25th among mid-size employers across the state, up eight spots from 2016. The Top Workplaces lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by WorkplaceDynamics, LLC, a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Several aspects of workplace culture were measured, including Alignment, Execution, and Connection, just to name a few.

Doug Claffey, CEO of Workplace Dynamics, said in a press release that “The Top Workplaces award is not a popularity contest. And oftentimes, people assume it’s all about fancy perks and benefits. But to be a Top Workplace, organizations must meet our strict standards for organizational health. And who better to ask about work life than the people who live the culture every day—the employees. Time and time again, our research has proven that what’s most important to them is a strong belief in where the organization is headed, how it’s going to get there, and the feeling that everyone is in it together.” Claffey adds, “Without this sense of connection, an organization doesn’t have a shot at being named a Top Workplace.”

Brett Altman, CEO for CCHS says “We have great bricks and mortar and top-of-the line equipment, but the secret sauce is our people. This award is a reflection on our great staff and their commitment to providing a superior experience for our patients and families.” Cass County Health System is a regional healthcare provider located in Atlantic. It brings together medical providers, clinics and a hospital to provide a well-coordinated, comprehensive local healthcare system. With more than 350 staff members from over 20 surrounding communities, the health system is the largest employer in the county.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports three recent arrests. On Sept. 3rd, 23-year old Kyler Jay O’Brien, of Atlantic, was arrested on an active warrant.  O’Brien was turned over to Council Bluffs authorities. On Sept. 13th, Audubon Police arrested 25-year old Chae Thomas Michael Malone, of Audubon, for Disorderly Conduct.  Malone was cited and released on promise to appear later in court. And, today (Tuesday), 64-year old Thomas Duane Vogelzang, of Hamlin, was arrested in Audubon, for Shoplifting.  Vogelzang was arrested and transported to the Audubon County Jail where he pleaded guilty before a magistrate.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports four people were arrested Monday evening following the execution of two search warrants in Gray. 33-year old Brandon Donald Nichols and 26-year old Samantha Jean Bartlett, were each charged with Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and two counts of Child Endangerment, after a search warrant was executed at 408 Main Street, in Gray.

51-year old Rodney Ryan Nichols and 49-year old Jessica Lorraine Nichols, were charged with Possession of Marijuana with the intent to deliver (within 1,000 feet of a public park), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs, and Child Endangerment, after a search warrant was executed at 103 4th Street, in Gray.

Audubon County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted in their search by K-9 Axel, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol. The incident remains under investigation.

The Cass County Memorial Hospital’s Obstetrics (OB) Department has announced the “Love Steps Up” walk will be held on Saturday, October 7th at 10 am at the Atlantic High School track. Love Steps Up is an initiative created by the OB Department to raise awareness and support for families impacted by pregnancy and infant loss. The annual walk is held in October, and a support group meets monthly at the hospital.

Registered Nurse Kate Nachtman says “As OB nurses, we work directly with patients who suffer miscarriages and still births. But we’re also moms who have experienced losses, too. During the event, we share a few of our personal stories, which is incredibly difficult, but we know that by being brave, another family out there won’t feel so alone. Coming together, honoring our babies, and sharing our stories all help us heal and raise awareness in the community about just how many families this touches.”

The event is free and open to the public. It will be held on Saturday, October 7th at 10 am at the Atlantic High School. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the AHS gymnasium. Participants will gather for brief remarks, walk, and then the event will conclude with a balloon release. There is no registration or fee for the event, but you can order a Love Steps Up t-shirt at www.casshealth.org through September 21st. Any questions can be directed to the CCMH OB Department at 712-250-8862.

CCHS OB-Team

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa sheriff’s office is warning residents about a scam involving callers who demand money from people to take care of outstanding arrest warrants. The Polk County sheriff’s office said Tuesday that the perpetrators are using the names of current Polk County sheriff’s employees and telling residents they need to pay money to avoid being arrested.

The sheriff’s office says that’s not the right procedure for taking care of warrants. Authorities say they generally do not discuss or take care of valid warrants over the telephone. The sheriff’s office says anyone who receives such a call should contact Polk County Dispatch at 515-286-333 or local law enforcement. A few weeks ago, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office posted a similar warning on their social media page.

Following last Tuesday’s School Elections, area School Boards are dealing with administrative matters as we head into the new school year. In the Exira-Elk Kimballton School District, Board Secretary Tami Jacobsen says their Board re-elected Kevin Petersen as President, and chose Board member Tami Fahn as Vice President. And, Pat Greving was sworn-in as a new Board Member at Exira-EHK. Other than that, they dealt with standard organizational matters at their meeting Monday evening, including approving an allowable growth request to the State for Special Education, in the amount of $36,429.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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This is National Farm Safety Week. It is designed to call attention to the dangers of farming, especially during harvest season. Iowa State University Extension Agricultural Engineer and Safety Specialist Chuck Schwab says agriculture ranks as one of the most dangerous and deadliest. He says agriculture has roughly two-point-two deaths for every 100-thousand workers, which is a highest rate in the U-S, surpassing mining, construction, manufacturing and transportation. He puts the issue in perspective. “It really means that a lot of people leave for the day to go to work and got out there in the fields and do something, and don’t come home,”Schwab says.

Schwab says the most common accidents involving agriculture include: tractor roll-overs, A-T-V roll-overs, roadway collisions with farm equipment, grain suffocation, electrocution, and machine entanglement. He says one reason for the high rate of agriculture injuries and deaths is the wide age demographic of the people involved with agriculture, from the young to the old. “Agriculture doesn’t have that cap where you get to 65 and you stop farming,” Schwab says, “and so we see a lot of older farmers out there. And what happens with older farmers — you tend to have different reaction times, you have balance issues, hearing issues, sight, and so all these issues play a role in how you make good safe decisions.”

The Iowa State University Safety Specialist says the same is true with the younger generation, those 18 and younger. He says they should be given more supervision until they gain experience. Schwab says farmers need to be in shape for the physical demands of the business, and he says the best thing you can do is to take a break from the action and have a moment of rest. He says it’s important to be in top condition, and taking the break allows you to get away from the operation and make sure your mind is thinking clearly.

Schwab says it’s similar to athletes who keep themselves in shape, stay hydrated, and then rest when needed so they stay sharp and focused. Schwab says that helps prevent mistakes on the playing field and can do the same in the farm fields too.

(Radio Iowa)

Two men were arrested late Monday night on drug charges, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, 19-year old Jamie Young, of Humeston, and 19-year old Klay Evans, of Earlham, were arrested at around 11:18-p.m. in the 1500 block of N. Lincoln Street, in Creston. Both were charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Their bonds at the Union County Jail was set at $300 each.