(Radio Iowa) – More than 500 people were lined up this (Friday) morning as the annual free dental clinic known as the Iowa Mission of Merch opened its doors in Waterloo. Iraq War Army veteran and Independence resident Cassidy Collins says he’s had trouble getting into a dentist.

Collins says it’s been eight years since his last dental checkup.

The 100 volunteer dentists and hygienists anticipate providing all levels of dental care. The clinic is on a first-come first-severed basis and runs today until everyone it taken care of and then will open again Saturday at 6 a-m.

Police are releasing few details about how a man was killed in southwest Cedar Rapids Thursday, but do say it’s a homicide. Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports.

The man was found in a parking lot near a Cedar Rapids liquor store shortly after 5 p.m. A news release from Cedar Rapids Police does not indicate if there are suspects. Investigators are asking witnesses who may have information about the man’s death to call police. ANNOUNCER OUT: Two people were killed and one person was seriously injured last week in a shooting on the northeast side of Cedar Rapids.

(Radio Iowa) – In an update to our earlier report, the state’s first Safe Haven Baby Box is now available on the north side of the Fort Dodge Fire Department. The box was christened Thursday with a blessing and ribbon cutting ceremony. The founder and C-E-O of the company that makes the boxes, Monica Kelsey, is a retired firefighter medic, ex military and says she has always been on the frontlines of trying to protect something.

Kelsey says she was abandoned by her 17 year old mother who had been sexually assaulted in 1972 and sees the mission of bringing baby box’s to communities across the country as a calling.

Monica Kelsey (Ft.Dodge FD photo)

The box comes to Fort Dodge after a case where a mother and father drowned their newborn in the bathtub. The next closest baby box to Fort Dodge is in St. Louis, Missouri.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Local community members are invited to attend a free Mental Wellness Fair on Tuesday, October 17th at the Atlantic High School (1201 E. 14th Street, Atlantic, IA). The event takes place from 4-until 7-p.m., and is being co-organized by Cass Health Senior Life Solutions and Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services, and is open to anyone who wants to learn more about community resources and building a supportive community atmosphere.

Participants will be able to explore a resource fair and meet representatives from local community organizations serving Cass County, including Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services, Cass Health Senior Life Solutions, Family Connections Inc, Cass County Public Health, Family Crisis Centers, Healthy Cass County and Cass County ISU Extension.

Throughout the night, a series of short presentations will be taking place in the high school media center, including education from Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services on Stress Management, Sleep Hygiene, and Coping Skills, a Connections Matter presentation by Nancy Gibson, Cass County Public Health Parents As Teachers Coordinator, and a Talk Saves Lives presentation by Joani Wolfe from the Iowa Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The evening will be offered as a come-and-go event, and the public is invited to stop by at their convenience to learn all about local resources and make connections. Mental health was identified as the top health need in Cass County in the 2021 Cass County Community Health Needs Assessment, and these local presenters and partners are excited to share the many resources and programs they offer to address this important topic. With questions on the Mental Wellness Fair, please contact Karmen Roland, Senior Life Solutions Program Director at (712) 250-8215 or Amanda McCall, ZION Integrated Behavioral Health Services, Inc. at (712)-254-3415.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network formed to promote the health and well-being of Cass County residents. For information on community wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty.