Health centers in five Iowa communities have received nearly two million dollars in federal funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration for dental care. HRSA spokesman, Martin Kramer, says the money is going to facilities in Council Bluffs, Fort Dodge, West Burlington, Urbandale and Ottumwa.

“Health centers can use this funding to hire more staff, to increase their capacity to see more patients, to build or expand on oral health facilities in order to make sure that people who go to the health centers –who need oral health care along with high-quality primary care — have a place to go,” Kramer says. He says the centers are private and public non-profits.

Kramer says the federal funding is usually 18-20 percent of the facilities funding. They apply for a grant and the request is reviewed by a committee of experts outside of government. That review committee assigns a rank to each request for money. “HRSA funds down the rank order list until all the funding has been allocated,” according the Kramer. “So these are health centers who through their applications demonstrated that they have a need and a capacity to see more patients.”

Kramer says oral health problems can be a sign of illness elsewhere in the body, and lack of access to preventive and routine dental care can result in dental conditions requiring more costly emergency dental treatment. “It’s important to have good oral health care and access to good oral health care services in order to maintain overall health,” Kramer says. The All Care Health Center in Council Bluffs won 350-thousand dollars, the Community Health Center in Fort Dodge won 525-thousand, the Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa in West Burlington won 350-thousand dollars, as did Primary Health Incorporated in Urbandale and River Hills Community Health Center in Ottumwa.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Council Bluffs say two women and a child riding in an SUV were injured when the vehicle they were in was struck broadside by a van, Monday night. The accident happened when the SUV, a Hyundai Tucson, ran a stop sign at the intersection of 25th Street and Avenue E, at around 8:55-p.m.

Authorities say an investigation determined the SUV stopped at a residence in the 2400 block of Ave E. An occupant got out an allegedly stole package off of a person’s porch. When confronted by the homeowner, the thief told the driver to “go” and they fled westbound on Ave E.

After the SUV was struck broadside at the intersection of 25th and Avenue E by a Chrysler Minivan, the SUV flipped onto its top. The occupants of the SUV were transported by Council Bluffs Fire and Rescue to Jennie Edmundson Hospital, but immediately fled prior to police arriving to question them. The driver of the the van, 63-year old Dianne Tuttle, of Council Bluffs, and the occupants of her vehicle, were transported to Mercy Hospital’s E-R. None of the injuries were considered life threatening.

Officers are currently looking for the suspects who fled. Their identity is known, but is not being released at this time due to the on-going investigation. Charges are currently pending. Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to call 712-328-STOP (712-328-7867).

Police in Council Bluffs late Monday night, released information about an incident of 1st degree robbery that took place early Monday morning. Officers were sent to Creighton Medical Center in Omaha at around 3:11-p.m., Monday, in reference to an assault report. Upon arrival officers made contact with a 31 year old female victim, who said she was walking eastbound in the 3400 block of 9th Avenue between 2-and 3-a.m. Monday. 

During that time, she was struck with a blunt object behind her head causing her to fall to the ground where she was struck several more times. Police say it’s possible the victim lost consciousness for a short time. They said the victim believes there was more than one person who was involved in assaulting her as they also took some cash from her.

The victim transported herself to the Creighton Medical Center before 3:00 pm, due to severe pain and bruising on her face, head, and chest. She also suffered a nasal fracture with a large bump on the front and back of her head. The victim’s injuries are not considered life threatening.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Council Bluffs Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 712-328-4728 or Crime Stoppers at 712-328-STOP (7867).