(Radio Iowa) – Iowans may be more grouchy than usual this week, as they’re not getting enough sleep due to the time change, but there’s also a greater health risk from springing forward an hour. Dr. Denise Sorrentino, a cardiologist with the Iowa Heart Center in Ames, says it’s only 60 minutes, but that can be enough to cause serious trouble. “We see the big rise in atrial fibrillation rates, heart attack, stroke, and even motor vehicle accidents,” she says, “often related to inadequate sleep and just bad decision making while driving the vehicle for that first seven to ten days.” Some of us adjust to the shift in time more quickly than others. Sorrentino says our bodies get used to going to bed and getting up at a certain time, and it’s a jolt to our system to move it.

“That 60 minutes can change what we call the circadian rhythm, which is the rhythm at which our blood pressure and heart rate change in the early morning hours to help wake us up,” Sorrentino says. “And people can have difficulties with sleep, blood pressure can become elevated and a lot of people can also feel very groggy, have poor decision making and jetlag.” One thing that can help us to adjust is to start adjusting our bedtime for a week or so before the time change, though that doesn’t do us any good right now.

“Usually, it’s a week for adults to adjust,” she says, “and to really make an effort to be out in sunlight, if available, while the day is ongoing to help that body’s circadian rhythm adjust for this hour change.” The best remedy at this juncture is to simply try and get more rest, and if your schedule permits, a power nap here and there.

(Massena, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board is hosting an Introduction to Turkey Hunting program this Saturday, at the Outdoor Classroom shelter, located at 76977 Tucson Road, Massena, IA. (Two-miles south and two-miles east of Massena. Two-miles east of Highway 148 on Tucson Road, on the south sign….just look for the sign. The program begins at 10-a.m.  Cass County Conservation Director Micah Lee says turkey hunting remains popular.

Lee explains there is a big difference in hunting for pheasant and turkey: the time of year.

This Saturday’s program will focus on “Becoming a Turkey Hunter,” for first-timers and can serve as a refresher for those who may be a bit rusty where their hunting skills are concerned. CCCB employees will talk about scouting, calling, and equipment needed as well as different techniques and equipment used by successful turkey hunters.

This program will be great for someone who wants to start turkey hunting or those with more experience. The CCCB will have examples of calls, decoys, blinds and other tools used in the turkey woods. And, as with last year, there will be a drawing for a prize at the end of the event.

Bring a notepad to take notes, if you want, otherwise just show-up at the Outdoor Classroom this Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 10:00-a.m., to learn a few things and get started on your turkey hunting adventure. Micah reminds you, that we’re about three-weeks away from Youth Turkey Hunting Season.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports two separate arrests, Wednesday. Authorities say 52-year-old Charles Ray Balius, of Creston, was arrested for Failure to Appear. He was taken to Union County Jail and held without bond until seen by a judge.

And, 53-year-old Michael James Post-Houseman, of Creston, was arrested at a hotel, on charges of Interference With Official Acts, and Disorderly Conduct – Fighting/Violent Behavior. Post-Houseman was taken to Union County Jail. His bond was set at $600.

(Massena, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board is holding Vermicomposting (Worm Composting) Workshop. Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning says the program will be held at the Outdoor Classroom shelter, located at 76977 Tucson Rd, Massena, IA on Saturday March 25th 2023, 1 PM, all ages are welcome to attend.

Kanning says “Let worms EAT your kitchen waste! All types of composting will be discussed as well!” There is an option, she says, to make and take your own worm bin, for a suggested donation of $25/bin.

(Monroe County, Iowa) – A single vehicle accident north of Albia late Wednesday night, resulted in the death of a man from Pella. The Iowa State Patrol reports 29-year-old Michael Hurley Raper died at the scene, when the 2007 Honda Ridgeline he was driving left the road on southbound Highway 137, just south of 655th Avenue. The pickup entered a ditch, went airborne, and rolled over. The accident happened at around 11:30-p.m.

(Radio Iowa) – A new A-A-R-P report finds the 330-thousand unpaid family caregivers contributed work that would be worth five-point-two BILLION dollars in 2021. A-A-R-P Iowa director, Brad Anderson, says that’s an increase of one BILLION dollars — due in part to severe shortages of workers in the field. “There are a lot of people that are out there right now looking for home based care services, but they’re unable to find them because of the workforce shortage. And so that means that family members are having to step up,” Anderson says.

Anderson says another the reason for this increase is the population of residents over the age of 65continues to grow. “Now we have more people that are going to need care, and then fewer people providing that care. So caregivers are going to be asked to do a lot in the coming years and we need policies in place that support them,’ Anderson says. The study found family caregivers contributed an estimated 310 million hours in unpaid care with the dollar figure derived from pay rate of 16 dollars, 80 cents an hour.

(Reporting by Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – As March Madness starts in Des Moines today (Thursday) with the opening rounds of the N-C-double-A basketball tournament, betting is sure to be big business, especially with six Iowa teams in the men’s and women’s contests. The Iowa Gaming Association reports Iowans wagered 233-million dollars last March, with college hoops accounting for most of it. Susan Sheridan Tucker, an educator on problem gambling, says those office bracket pools can be a lot of fun.

Gamblers are no longer just betting on the outcome of games, but a wide variety of in-game opportunities. With the wide availability of sports books in Iowa, Sheridan Tucker says she has concerns about how easy it is to bet on mobile apps.

Sheridan Tucker says it’s no coincidence that Problem Gambling Awareness Month and the basketball tournament are both in March. An estimated 68-million Americans will wager more than 15-billion dollars on the N-C-A-A tourney this year. Anyone who thinks they may have a problem can call the Your Life Iowa hotline at 1-800-BETS-OFF.

(Radio Iowa) – Water utilities in Iowa and nationwide would be required to monitor drinking water for six so-called “forever chemicals” under a proposal from the U-S Environmental Protection Agency. The measure sets legally enforceable levels for PFAS chemicals in drinking water. The health concerns of these chemicals include cancer and decreased fertility. University of Iowa researcher David Cwiertny says the proposal is a fairly aggressive nationwide standard.

Cwiertny says, “It puts a lot more community water systems in play that will need to figure out treatment to be in compliance and deliver water that the EPA would deem as safe.” Corey McCoid, supervisor of Water Supply Operations at the Iowa D-N-R, says the agency has been testing for PFAS across the state. He says the department can only require drinking water providers to notify the public about what’s in their drinking water, at least until the E-P-A limit is in place.

“One of the big challenges to this point is nobody knew what to treat for, or at what level,” McCoid says, “so you can’t design a new treatment plant, if that’s what’s needed, until you know what that final number is going to be.” The D-N-R says six Iowa water supplies exceed the limit of the four-parts-per-trillion level that’s proposed by the feds. The E-P-A is taking public comments on the rules and hopes to finalize them by the end of this year.

(Kellerton, Iowa) – A two-vehicle crash in Ringgold County, south of Kellerton, Wednesday night, claimed two lives and resulted in one person being injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2010 Chevy pickup driven by 54-year-old David Patrick Love, of Mount Ayr, was southbound on 170th Avenue (a gravel road) at around 8:45-p.m., approaching 110th Street. A 2022 Chevy pickup driven by 44-year-old Donna Kay Allen, of Afton, was northbound at the same location.

Both vehicles were traveling in or close to the center of the road and not yielding half of the roadway as they traversed a hill. The pickup drivers could not see each other coming, and collided, with their left front corners striking.

Following the impact, Donna Allen’s pickup bounced backwards, coming to rest on the east road edge. The other pickup veered off the road. Dispatch reports said there was a fire as a result of the collision. Both drivers died at the scene. Neither was wearing a seat belt. A passenger in the Allen pickup, 46-year-old Shawn William Allen, of Aften, was also not wearing a seat belt. He was transported by Mercy helicopter to Mercy Hospital.

Multiple emergency and law enforcement agencies responded to the scene.

(Atlantic, Iowa) [Updated]– The City Council in Atlantic, Wednesday evening held a longer than normal session, as part of their busy agenda. First-off, the Council recognized Adult Services Librarian II Jody Allumbaugh, who began working in the Library in 2013 as a Library Page, working downstairs and in Youth Services. Mayor Grace Garrett said Jody progressed upstairs to Adult Services and has multiple responsibilities.

Mayor Grace Garrett congratulated Jody on her 10 years of service. Library Director Michelle Andersen presented her with a personalized pen and pencil set for her dedicated service.

(Left) Atlantic Library Director Michelle Andersen presents Jody Allumbaugh (right) w/a personalized pen/pencil set on her work Anniversary.

Next, the Council heard from Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator & 911 Services Director Mike Kennon, who spoke about Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 27th through the 31st. Kennon said Wednesday March 29th at 10-a.m., is the Statewide Tornado Drill.

Kennon says the sirens will be tested this Friday and likely next Friday, also, at Noon on both days, to make sure they are all functioning. The City has over a dozen sirens spread out in the community. Statewide Severe Weather Preparedness/Awareness Weeks are an opportunity to increase awareness of and response to severe weather hazards.  They are scheduled throughout the spring, targeting a time before the spring severe weather “season” typically begins in that state.

Please mark your calendar and plan to participate in the tornado drill for your local area, as this is an opportunity to test your communication methods as if it were a real situation. You should note also, when there is a Tornado Warning, once the danger has passed, there will not be an “All-Clear” siren, as was traditionally practiced.

There will only be a siren during a Tornado Warning or if one has been visually confirmed. On a related note, he reminds residents of Cass County, to sign up for Alert Iowa. And, a Storm Spotter training course will be held April12th in the courthouse courtroom, featuring a representative from the National Weather Service in Johnston. Kennon said also, the Dispatch Center (Comm. Center) is currently looking to fill an open position.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council passed a Resolution setting April 5th for a public hearing on a proposal to enter into a General Obligation Solid Waste Management Loan Agreement and to Borrow money…in a Principal Amount not to exceed $90,000. They also passed a resolution establishing a job description for an Animal Shelter Assistant, Opening a Position, and Setting Compensation for FY 2023.

One of the final matters the Council approved, was agreeing to sell City-owned property at 1310 Chestnut to Jay and Kelsi Eden, in the amount of One-dollar. The house is in serious disrepair, and has foundation issues. The Eden’s intend to take care of the issues and landscaping, to the tune of about $200,000, and then “flip” the property, allowing it to have a higher valuation on the tax rolls.