Governor Terry Branstad has approved the creation of an anti-human trafficking office within the Iowa Department of Public Safety. “This office will provide a main focus point of contact for human trafficking issues in the state,” Branstad says, “as well as the leadership necessary to help leverage other resources necessary to better address this heinous crime.” Foster care advocate Ruth Buckels of Story City says some Iowa law enforcement officials still don’t believe trafficking is a problem in their community.

“It is in small towns. It’s on the road. It’s in gas stations. It’s at hotels. It’s at motels. It’s at strip malls. It’s at the movie theater,” Buckels says. “It’s any place that youth are.” Buckels says she knows about 140 former human trafficking victims in Iowa. Six of them are now her adopted children. Legislators unanimously passed a bill that creates the new state government office to address human trafficking concerns. It’s expected to collect data about forced labor and sexual enslavement to determine the extent of the human trafficking problem in Iowa.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — House Republicans have announced a new proposal for state oversight of Iowa’s privatized Medicaid program that they say emphasizes transparency. The plan released Thursday would require three private companies to provide information for quarterly and annual reports to lawmakers that would show progress under the new system. Data would also be posted online.

A spokesman for the Democratic-controlled Senate, which has its own plan, says lawmakers are reviewing the Republican proposal. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Council Bluffs Democrat, said at a press conference held before the release of the GOP plan that his chamber wants to work with Republicans to reach consensus on the issue. Medicaid provides health care to poor and disabled residents in Iowa. It was switched to private management on April 1.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests took place Wednesday. 22-year old Robert Douglas Fauteux, of Shelby, on was arrested on charges of OWI 1st Offense (Serious); Possession of Marijuana (Serious); and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple). Fauteux was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance.

And, 46-year old Bradley Leo Ranney, of Massena, was arrested on a Cass County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Ranney was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $2000 bond.

For the second time in two months, two lottery prizes worth thousands of dollars are getting closer to going unclaimed . The Iowa Lottery says a 50-thousand dollar winning Powerball ticket purchased at a Casey’s in Altoona remains unclaimed. That ticket was purchased on May 6th of 2015. You have one year from the date of the jackpot drawing to claim your prize in a lottery drawing, so that ticket expires on May 6th of this year.

A Powerball ticket purchased in Ankeny worth 30-thousand dollars is also set to expire in May. The ticket was purchased at a Kum & Go store on May 27th of 2015. Lottery officials are hoping to avoid what happened in March, when a ticket worth 40-thousand dollars that was sold in West Des Moines and one worth 10-thousand dollars that was sold in Manly expired without being claimed. You can check for the winning numbers in each drawing on the Iowa Lottery’s website, or at a lottery terminal where tickets are sold.

(Radio Iowa)

Two people were injured during a collision Wednesday afternoon, in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Office says Larry Bludorn, of Omaha, and his passenger, Jo Myers, were transported by Glenwood Rescue to Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, following the crash that took place at around 4:55-p.m. at the intersection of Highway 34 and Hilman Road, just west of Glenwood. Their injuries were described as minor.

Officials say a 1999 Dodge driven by Bludorn was traveling east on Highway 34, when Gavin Kruse, of Glenwood, failed to yield as he was crossing the Highway from Hilman Road. Kruse’ 1997 Ford struck the Dodge on the driver’s side, causing the Dodge to enter the ditch.

Kruse was cited for Failure to obey a Yield Sign.

The Montgomery County Extension Council and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach have announced the hiring of Chelsea Cousins as Montgomery County’s Youth Coordinator.  Cousins began working for the Extension Service April 4th.

As the County Youth Coordinator, her primary duties are to strengthen youth development through research-based education and interactive learning opportunities. Cousins will coordinate the planning and implementation of 4-H development and youth outreach programs, such as summer day camps, babysitting clinics, afterschool programs, Family Fun Night and more.

As an integral part of the 4-H program, she will focus on positive youth development by establishing community partnerships, supporting volunteers, county youth council, 4-H youth and committee and other project committees.

Chelsea Cousins is originally from rural Nebraska and was a member of the Nemaha Valley 4-H Club in Gage County. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing, including emphases in Spanish and Ag Journalism.  Cousins brings several years of experience working with youth, leadership development and community collaboration.  Cousins resides just outside of Griswold with her husband.

Chelsea Cousins

She’ll will work closely with Montgomery County’s 4-H program and coworkers, Stephanie Langner, Program Coordinator and office assistant Jodie Smith, as well as other Field Specialists serving Montgomery County. Feel free to contact Chelsea at ccousins@iastate.edu or 712-623-2592 regarding any questions you may have about Montgomery County’s 4-H program and other resources available through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Montgomery County.