Page County Employees are this year’s winners of the “Live Healthy Iowa 10 week Wellness Challenge,” in the 2014 Corporate Cup’s Small Company with a workforce of 50 to 250 division. The employees averaged 90-percent participation and 97.22-percent completion.

Communities, schools and businesses across the state participated in the Challenge, competing to take possession of the coveted traveling trophies for 2014. An awards ceremony was scheduled to take place today (Wednesday),  at the Iowa Wellness Summit Awards Ceremony in Des Moines, as part of a kick-off to the 2014 Iowa Wellness Summit.

The Cup Challenges take healthy competition outside the individual employers and raise the competition across the state. This year 278 companies, 46 communities and 18 schools competed for the coveted traveling trophy in their respective division. Cup Challenge winners were determined by the combination of participation among the eligible population and completion of the challenge.

Casey’s General Stores won the Mid-sized Company with a workforce of 251-1,000 division, with 53.25% participation and 84.04% completion. And, the Meredith Corporation won the Large Company with a workforce of 1,000 competition, with 97.82% participation and 80.35% completion.

The 2014 Community Cup Winner is Allamakee County, with 10.35% participation and 71.23% completion. And, the Mid-Prairie Community School District won the 2014 K-12 Cup division,  with 97.63% participation, 50% adult completion and 100% youth completion.

For a full list of Cup Challenge rankings, please visit www.livehealthyiowa.org. For more information about the Iowa Wellness Summit Awards Ceremony, please visit www.iowahealthieststate.com.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports 46-year old Randy Lee Rudolph, of Audubon, was arrested Monday evening (4/14), on a charge of Animal Neglect causing death. The charge is the result of an investigation into animals found in cages in Brayton. The animals had no food or water. Rudolph turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office, was cited and released. He’s scheduled to appear in court Monday, April 21st.

And, an arrest has been made in connection with an incident that occurred last week in Hamlin. Sheriff’s officials say 54-year old Jeffrey Dennis Spencer, of Brayton, was arrested Friday evening, on a charge of Public Intoxication/3rd or subsequent offense. His arrest stems from an incident in the 4900 block of Highway 44 in Hamlin. Spencer was brought to the Audubon County Jail and released the following day. He’ s scheduled to appear in court Thursday (4/17).

Police in Red Oak report one person with a long history of arrests was taken into custody again, Tuesday night. 29-year old Kenton Jarvis Schooling, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 9:35-p.m. at a residence in the 200 block of North 2nd Street. Schooling was wanted on a Mills County warrant for OWI/1st Offense. Schooling was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on $1,000 cash bond.

And, the Red Oak P-D reports 35-year old Helen Louise Malone, of Red Oak, was cited for Driving While Suspended, Tuesday. She was pulled over at around 11:45-p.m. in the 1800 block of North Broadway Street, issued the citation and released.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa courthouses have a variety of security features, with about half banning guns and fewer providing secure areas for judges and staff to work outside courtrooms.     A gun incident in March at the Madison County Courthouse has sparked another push from the Iowa State Bar Association for upgraded security procedures at courthouses statewide. The group published a report on the issue in 2005.

The Des Moines Register reports a review show a majority of courthouses lack safety features recommended by the bar association. Those features include metal detectors or entryways that are monitored by deputies.

Guy Cook, a Des Moines attorney and president of the bar association, says a lack of basic security such as restricted entrances has the potential to create dangerous situations.

SIDNEY, Iowa (AP) – A southwest Iowa pastor has pleaded not guilty to charges he sexually abused a 5-year-old girl. The Omaha World-Herald reports 66-year-old Roger C. Kissel, of Sidney, pleaded not guilty to second-degree sexual abuse, lascivious acts and indecent exposure.

When he was arrested in February, Kissel was a pastor at the nondenominational Sidney Cowboy Church. Sidney Police Chief Austin Richardson says the allegations aren’t connected with the church. The crimes are alleged to have occurred over several months in 2013.

Kissel posted bond and has been released from the Fremont County Jail.