The Cass County Health System (CCHS) is offering low-cost community blood screenings for people ages 18 and over in late March and early April in Atlantic, Anita, Griswold, and Massena. Mitch Whiley, CCMH Laboratory Director, says “Regular blood screenings are a valuable tool in the early detection and treatment of many chronic diseases.”

The screenings schedule is as follows:

CCMH Conference Room 6, Atlantic, 7 – 9 am
• Wednesday, March 30
• Thursday, March 31
• Friday, April 1
• Saturday, April 2
• Wednesday, April 6
• Thursday, April 7
• Friday, April 8
• Saturday, April 9

Anita Medical Center, 7 – 9 am
• April 11

Griswold Medical Center, 7 – 8 am
• April 12

Massena Medical Center, 7 – 8 am
• April 13

Appointments can be made by calling 712-250-8091. The cost for the blood profile is $35, and it includes the following: Lipid Panel (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL), Glucose, Complete Blood Count (CBC), Liver Function, Kidney Function, and Thyroid Screening. With the $35 blood profile, you can also add these screenings for an additional fee:
• A1c: $12
• PSA: $20
• Vitamin D: $30
Participants should fast overnight before their appointment, although a small amount of water or black coffee the morning of the blood draw is fine.

Officials with the Fremont County Sheriff’s office report that on Wednesday, Southwest Iowa Home Health Services (a Department of the George C. Grape Community Hospital and home of the Fremont County Public Health Department) presented Sheriff Kevin Aistrope with five brand new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) systems.

Jamie Behrends, RN, is the Director of Home and Community Based Services/Disaster Coordinator for SW IA Home Health. She said in a statement, that they learned there are a total of eight vehicles utilized by the Sheriff’s department. All of the deputies are deemed first responders and are CPR certified. Behrends says they were “A bit surprised to learn that not a single [Sheriff’s Department] vehicle is equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator.” She added, that “According to the CDC,less than 8% of people who experience a heart attack while outside of the hospital survive.”

Armed with that information, Behrends said they began the process of obtaining quotes and approval from both state emergency preparedness grant contacts as well from the other members of the Corner 3 Coalition (C3C) [which consists of public health departments and hospitals from Fremont, Page, and Montgomery counties], and used grant funds from both their own allotment as well as from the C3C pot of funds to cover the cost of new AED’s. Behrends said “Our hope is that this gift will reach many and assist our deputies in providing the best possible initial care to those in need.”

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope said “The Sheriff’s Office couldn’t be more grateful for this donation, since the Deputies are first responders and will help the Deputies better serve the people of Fremont County. “

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report seven recent arrests. Among them was 25-year old Marie Ann Cadena, of Glenwood, who was arrested Tuesday night for Going Armed with Intent. Cadena was being held in the Mills County Jail on $5,000 bond. Also on Tuesday, 35-year old Tonya Nicole Fustos, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Ongoing Criminal Conduct, and 12 counts of Dependent Adult Abuse/Exploitation. Her bond was set at $50,000.

On Wednesday, 32-year old Herman Clarence Lewis, of Glenwood, was arrested on a warrant for Forgery. His bond was set at $5,000. Also taken into custody Wednesday, was 22-year old Tyler Allen Dittus, of Carson, for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $2,600.

In other Mills County Sheriff’s News, 32-year old Larry Steven Hutchings, of Emerson, was arrested Tuesday on a warrant for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000. 32-year old Eric Michael Dial, of Hastings, was arrested Tuesday on a warrant for Operating a vehicle without the owners consent. Bond was set at $2,000.

And, on Monday, deputies in Mills County arrested 55-year old Teena Marie Hiers, of Pacific Junction, for Driving Under Suspension. Her bond was set at $300.