Atlantic, IA—Officials with Cass Health say “During National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week is the perfect time to celebrate and announce that for the third year in a row, Cass Health is one of the nation’s overall top 20 critical access hospitals as determined by the Chartis Center for Rural Health.”

Cass Health CEO Brett Altman says “Though the award is called ‘Top 20,’ we understand that for each of the past three years we have actually been in the Top 10 on that list of hospitals. This puts Cass Health in the top 1% of 1,353 critical access hospitals in the country, which is a remarkable accomplishment. What really amazes me is that our team has achieved this status for three years in a row; Cass Health is one of only four hospitals in the country to have ever accomplished that feat.”

This esteemed group of hospitals was selected from the Chartis Center for Rural Health’s 2023 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital list, which was released earlier this year. The determining factors for the top hospitals are based on the results of the Hospital Strength Index and its eight performance measures, based solely on data for: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient survey results, cost, charge, and financial efficiency.

Altman says “Our vision is to be the best rural hospital in the country, and each year we are growing closer to that goal. By staying committed to delivering a superior experience to every patient and family, we hope to continue this trend. Not only are we grateful for our incredible staff, but also, we are thankful for our patients. Every time our patients give us top scores on patient surveys it helps us attain recognition such as this.”

The rankings were recently announced by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), and an awards ceremony will be held during NRHA’s Critical Access Hospital Conference.

(Radio Iowa) – The state’s Enhance Iowa Board has awarded one-point-eight MILLION dollars worth of grants to help finance four community projects. The small southeast Iowa town of Keota is getting a half million dollar state grant toward a project to build an outdoor heated pool that will have a splash pad, a diving board and an area for lap swimming. Another half a million dollar grant is going to the Y-M-C-A of Washington County for an indoor aquatic center, which will include spectator seating around six lanes for lap swimming.

The Enhance Iowa Board has awarded a half a million dollar grant toward improvements around West Okoboji’s Terrace Park Beach, which has a public swimming area in the lake, and the nearby Alex Danborn Memorial Park. The small northwest Iowa town of Marcus is getting a 300-thousand dollar grant for a facility that will include a golf course clubhouse, a recreation center, a restaurant and event venue as well as an area for virtual sports.

The Enhance Iowa Board has awarded sports tourism marketing grants to Carroll for its Kick It Up youth soccer tournament next month and to two groups promoting events during the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa’s overnight stop in Des Moines. This is the 50th anniversary year for RAGBRAI.

(Harlan, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Shelby County have issued a report on arrests that occurred between May 1st and the 6th. Beginning with the most recent:

• Mamuch Diw Guin, age 40, of Harlan, was arrested May 6th for Public Intoxication; and, Trenton Jay Hundt, age 19, of Avoca, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
• On May 5th, 39-year-old Kirby David Stoneking, of Harlan, was arrested for Poss. of a Controlled Substance, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, and Public Intoxication.
• There were three arrests on May 4th, in Shelby County:
  • 39-year-old Christopher A Cue, of Schleswig, was arrested on an active Shelby County Sheriff’s Office warrant. Cue was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with 4 counts of Forgery.
  • 35-year-old Justin Michael Levell, of Irwin, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault, and,
  • 35-year-old Nichole Annmarie Healey, of Dunlap, was arrested following a traffic stop in Shelby County, and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs, Operating a Non-Registered Vehicle, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, and having No Valid Driver’s License.
• On May 3rd, 41-year-old Chad Joseph Ewing, of Irwin, was arrested following an investigation, and charge with Indecent Exposure.
• On the 2nd, Deputies in Shelby County arrested 29-year-old T’Chall Wayne Berg, of Earling, for PCS, Keeping a Vehicle for a Controlled Substance, interference with Official Acts, Poss. of Paraphernalia, and he was cited for Speeding. Also arrested on the 2nd, was 34-year-old Thuy Duc Le, of Harlan, for Driving While Revoked, OWI/3rd Offense, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability (vehicle insurance).
• On May 1st, 27-year-old Emily Emealia Fidone, of Harlan, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa faces a critical shortage of nurses and under the legislature’s proposed budget awaiting the governor’s signature, the University of Iowa nursing program would get nearly three-million dollars to hire more staff. Julie Zerwic, dean of U-I’s College of Nursing, says with the extra funding, they’ll launch a program where people who hold a master’s degree in another field will be able to graduate with a Master’s in Nursing in just 20 months. “We believe that that’s a critical new program. We don’t have one like that here in Iowa,” Zerwic says. “That program will graduate 48 new nurses when we’re at capacity.” Zerwic says by hiring additional faculty, the program on the Iowa City campus will be able to increase admissions.

“One of the problems is that we have more individuals who are interested in coming into nursing than we are able to actually admit,” she says. Studies show Iowa hospitals will be short hundreds of nurses in the coming few years, due in large part to retirements and nurses quitting due to burnout.

Zerwic made her comments on the Iowa Public Radio program “River to River.”

(by Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio)

(Washington, D-C) – U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today (Wednesday) announced the 59th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing 161 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.  The Iowa scholars include (hometown, scholar, school, location):

IA – Cedar Rapids – Tejas Kishan Gururaja, Linn-Mar High School, Marion, Iowa.
IA – Diagonal – Alaina Marie Whittington, Diagonal Jr-Sr High School, Diagonal, Iowa. 
**IA – Johnston – Eshaan S. Chandani, Johnston High School, Johnston, Iowa. (**U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education)
IA – West Des Moines – Claire Gu, Valley High School, West Des Moines, Iowa.

Secretary Cardona says “U.S. Presidential Scholars have always represented the future of our country and the bright promise it holds. I want each of these remarkable students to know: your passion and intellect, pursuit of excellence, and spirit of service are exactly what our country needs. On behalf of President Biden, I am delighted to join your family, friends, and communities in celebrating your accomplishments. Aim high, share your talents, and continue embracing opportunities to lead as your exciting future unfolds.”

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership.  Of the 3.7 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,000 candidates qualified for the 2023 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams or through nominations made by chief state school officers,  other partner recognition organizations and YoungArts, the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists.

As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education.  Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,000 of the nation’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

The Presidential Scholars Class of 2023 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer with an online recognition program.

A complete list of 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available at http://www.ed.gov/psp.

(Radio Iowa) – When Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley sits down for a budget committee hearing today (Wednesday), a familiar person will be on the witness list to testify. Former Iowa Governor and former U-S Ambassador to China Terry Branstad will be offering his perspective on climate change. “I particularly wanted Governor Branstad,” Grassley says, “because being ambassador to China, he can tell the Congress how far China is behind the United States in making changes in their economy that it takes to overcome it.” Grassley says Chinese industry is continuing to ignore the warnings from scientists about the looming ramifications of polluting the environment.

“China has got about 15% of the world economy. They have about 31 or 32% of the global warming gases put in the air,” Grassley says, “compared to the United States having about 21 or 22% of the world economy, and we’re putting in 13%.” Grassley, a Republican, notes there are many large and populous nations around the globe who are contributing to the specter of climate change, and action is needed. “We have to get the rest of the world, particularly China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, doing the same things that the United States is doing,” he says, “and it’s very important that we get that point of view across.”

While China is in the process of putting policies in place that would mitigate some of the impact of climate change, including a focus on ending the use of coal, Grassley says it’s too little, too late. Grassley’s schedule says the hearing at 9:30 A-M/Central time is called “Lessons Learned: Leadership Perspectives and Experience on the National Costs of Climate Change.”

(Atlantic, Iowa) – This Saturday, May 13th, marks the 31st annual NACL (National Association of Letter Carriers) food drive across America. Postal carriers in Atlantic will be participating again this year, to benefit the local food pantry. Post Office Supervisor Mark McNees says “The carrier food drive is one of the largest efforts in the country and the Atlantic post office, and carriers, are proud to be a part of the effort to help out our customers who may be in need of assistance.”

Atlantic customers are asked to leave non-perishable food items in bags at their mailbox, and the carriers, and management, will collect the items and deliver them to the Atlantic food pantry. Atlantic Pantry Manager and Operations Coordinator Ken Burkhart says donated food items are always welcome, but so are monetary donations.

Burkhart said they can’t possibly store all the donated food the Pantry needs for everyone, so they purchase it on a weekly basis, as needed. Your cash or check donations can be left with your letter carrier this weekend, mailed to the Atlantic Food Pantry at P.O. Box 285 (Atlantic, IA 50022), or dropped-off at the Pantry, which is located at 704 W. 7th Street (The former “After 5 Somewhere” building). Drop-off hours for monetary donations are Mondays and Thursdays, from 9-until 11-a.m.

Customers wishing to contribute through their postal mail carrier should clearly address an envelope as a food pantry, or food drive donation, and leave visibly as outgoing mail. No stamp is required for this type of donation. Checks should be made out to the Atlantic Food Pantry. Customers may also hand donations to their carrier as well. Ken Burkhart says the pantry can take meat, but there are legal criteria they must abide by.

Burkhart says the need for food has not waned in Cass County, since the pandemic. The Pantry received a grant last year, but that grant is expiring, hence the need for monetary contributions. Food distribution at the Atlantic Food Pantry is on Thursday’s from 12:30-to 3-p.m. Burkhart says a majority of their clients show-up each week as needed. Anywhere from 70-to 80-percent are at or below the Federal Poverty Level. They typically are low income Senior Citizens (35-40% of their clients), persons temporarily laid-off from work, or are new to town and are between paychecks, and displaced domestic violence survivors.

The Atlantic community has donated tons of food and thousands of dollars over the years to the local food pantry by participating in the letter carrier’s food drive. Post Office Supervisor Mark McNees says “Your support is very much appreciated.” For more information about the Atlantic Food Pantry, please call 243-5019.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is leading the bipartisan effort to create a task force to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 outbreak and identify lessons learned regarding U.S. preparedness, response, and recovery to improve our ability to respond to future outbreaks. Ernst, along with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), introduced the bipartisan National Task Force on the COVID-19 Pandemic Act, legislation that would create a 9/11 Commission-style task force to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the COVID-19 pandemic. The task force would investigate the origins of the pandemic, the U.S. response, availability of medical supplies and other resources, public health messaging, the government’s role in the development and distribution of vaccines, and more.

Ernst said, “In hindsight, there were many missteps made in the preparation and response to COVID-19—and possibly even in the origins of the pandemic. Learning from these mistakes is the only way to avoid them in the future. Every day we delay this independent, transparent investigation, we risk a fatal repeat. I am proud to be part of this bipartisan effort to uncover the truth before it is too late.”

SARS-Covid virus (Image from Johns-Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)

The task force would have the authority to hold hearings, take testimony and issue subpoenas, and would be comprised of twelve members, six appointed from each party. The task force would submit an interim report to Congress and the president within six months, and a final report within 18 months of its initial meeting.

Red Oak, Iowa – Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst has announced that former South Caroline Governor, U-N Ambassador and 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley, will be one of her special guests at her annual Roast and Ride taking place on Saturday, June 3, 2023.  Ernst, who is from Red Oak, said she is “Thrilled to welcome Nikki Haley to Roast and Ride this year.” Ernst said also, her annual Roast and Ride is the perfect opportunity for here “…to showcase Iowa to all of our Republican candidates, and for them to speak directly with countless folks from all corners of the state. Iowa Republicans, Ernst says, are maintaining our FIRST in the nation status, and we take our job of vetting presidential candidates very seriously. Roast and Ride is THE event to be at in 2023, there’s no doubt about it!”

Nikki Haley speaks during an event in Denison, IA. April, 2023

Ernst, a combat veteran, donates the proceeds from her annual Ride to a veterans charity. This year, she will be honoring the Freedom Foundation of Cedar Rapids.  Nikki Haley says “America’s veterans are our greatest treasure and have sacrificed so much for our freedoms. We are blessed by their sacrifices, and it is an honor to work with Joni and the Freedom Foundation in supporting Iowa’s veterans on and off the battlefield.”

All 2024 Republican presidential candidates and hopefuls have been invited and additional special guests will be announced soon.  Senator Ernst’s first Roast and Ride was  held in 2015. Over the years, the event has featured some of the biggest names in Iowa and national politics, including President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Ambassador Nikki Haley, Senator Tim Scott, Senator Marco Rubio, Governor Mike Huckabee, Governor Terry Branstad, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and many more.

Sen. Joni Ernst on a “Roast and Ride.” (2016 file photo from Radio Iowa)

(Creston, Iowa) – A Taylor County man was arrested late Tuesday night on an assault charge, in Creston. According to Creston Police, 51-year-old Pedro Quintanilla-Flores, of Lenox, was arrested at 611 W. Adams St., at around 10:17-p.m.

Quintanilla-Flores was charged with Assault. He was cited and released on a Promise to Appear in court.