(Council Bluffs, Iowa)- Officials with Connections Area Agency on Aging have announced their 6th Annual “Secret Santa for Seniors” program is underway. The program that ensures older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and isolated, receive a little holiday cheer during the busiest season of the year, began November 1st. If you or someone you know needs assistance, or if you would like to adopt a senior or donate to the program generally, please reach out to Connections AAA at 800-432-9209 (Extension 8132), or email info@connectionsaaa.org. Together, we can make a significant impact this holiday season.

Connections Area Agency on Aging is dedicated to building strong support for older Iowans and their family caregivers. Throughout the year, Connections collaborates with local organizations to better serve older adults, their caregivers, and our communities. The intent is to create healthier and safer living environments for seniors, whether at home, in nursing homes, or in assisted living facilities.

In 2021, 44.4% of Iowans aged 65 and over lived alone (source: Iowa Data Center). Our program focuses on older adults with little to no family support, ensuring that they experience the joy of the holiday season. Given the rising cost of living, many older adults rely on fixed incomes. This year, we are prioritizing gift cards, allowing program participants to purchase food, personal items, or enjoy a special dinner or treat at local businesses they frequent.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports a man was arrested Saturday on an OWI charge. 28-year-old John Duffy, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He posted a $1,000 bond and was released.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Vietnam War veteran has received the medal he earned, five decades after the war ended. Dan McDowell served in the Marine Corps and finally received his medals last Friday, during a ceremony at the Indian Creek Nature Area auditorium in Cedar Rapids. KCRG reports one of his awards was the Purple Heart, for being wounded in combat. His wife, children and grandchildren attended the ceremony.

Dan McDowell said he was grateful he did not suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), like so many veterans of war have, despite the intensity of combat. He said he was grateful his family was able to be with him when he was presented with his medals.

(Buckingham, Iowa) – A church in the east-central Iowa town of Buckingham was  recently vandalized by spray paint, with profanity and disrespectful images. The Tama County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media, Saturday: “Well, it seems like this rural Buckingham church has caught the attention of some budding “artists” who decided that spray painting on the side of the church was their best creative outlet. To the masterminds behind this masterpiece: congratulations on proving that a lack of intelligence can indeed lead to poor life choices. If you thought this was “cool”, all it really shows is how desperate you are for attention. Our communities deserve better, and we’re committed to keeping it that way!”

Suspect vehicle in the vandalism case

Image edited to blot-out vulgar language

The Sheriff’s Office posted images of the graffiti and a suspect vehicle, and is asking the public for information leading to the identity of the vandals.

(Area News) – While the focus of this Tuesday’s General Election nationwide will be on the Presidential race, and State/National Congressional and/or Legislative races, there are some local races to keep tabs on. In Cass County (IA), Republican incumbent Bernard Pettinger, of Anita, faces a challenge from Democrat Phyllis Stakey for the Board of Supervisors in District 5. Four candidates are in the running for three seats on the (non-partisan) Soil and Water Conservation District Board, including: Terry Langan, of Griswold; Curt Behrends, of Wiota; Chris P. Witzman, of Atlantic, and Chase Wheatley, of Massena.

There are no contested races in Adair and Montgomery Counties. There are two men running for the Adams County Board of Supervisors in District 5: Republicans Christopher Standley, and Karl McCarty. Adams County voters will also determine the fate of Public Measure AJ, which asks if the Board of Supervisors be reduced from five members to three, per Iowa Code.

In Audubon County, four people are hoping to fill two seats on the Board of Supervisors. The candidates include Republicans Kent Grabill and Donald J. Mosinski, Democrat Nathan Wahlert, and incumbent Douglas D. Sorensen. And, Republican incumbent Audubon County Auditor Lisa Frederiksen is facing a challenge from Christena Hemmingsen.

In Guthrie County, voters will choose whether or not to retain County Democrat incumbent Sheriff Marty Arganbright, or replace him with his Deputy, Republican Matt Harmann.

Pottawattamie County voters get to choose one of two candidates for County Auditor: Incumbent Republican Mary Ann Hanusa, or Free/Independent candidate Bryan Jack Holder. In Shelby County, there are six people running for four seats on the County Ag Extension Council. The candidates include: Connie Petersen; Michele Monson; Kathy Fara; Matthew Worthey; Kristi Travis, and Larry J. Wendt, Jr.

There are Public Measures in Cass County, with regard to: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the levy of a local option income surtax of 1% upon the Iowa Individual Income Tax for 15-years, beginning Dec. 31, 2025, plus, an Ad Valorem tax on property not to exceed 75-cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, beginning with the taxes collected June 30, 2026; There is also a $22.5-million General Obligation bond issuance in the CAM School District for building and site construction, improvements and/or repairs. CAM School District patrons in Adair, Adams and Audubon Counties will also have the Public Measure on their ballots. And, there is a $55-million General Obligation Bond Measure for 13 Counties (Including Cass), included in the Iowa Western Community College Merged Area 8, for similar infrastructure purposes.

All counties will have Constitutional Amendments on the ballot, with regard to the voting age and requirements, and authorizing the lieutenant governor to act as governor or lieutenant governor-elect to be the governor or governor-elect, if the governor is temporarily or permanently disabled, resigns or dies in office, thereby creating a vacancy in the office of Lt. Governor or Lt. Gov. elect, as appropriate.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report four arrests since the beginning of November. Most recently:

There were two arrests Sunday (Nov. 3rd) in Creston. 55-year-old David Wayne Kemp was arrested at the Casey’s store on N. Sumner Street at around 7-a.m.  Kemp – who has no known address – was charged with Possess Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd Offense. He was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $2,000 bond; And, at around 10-a.m. Sunday, Creston Police arrested 35-year-old Eric Daniel Batson, of Corning. Batson taken into custody under the authority of a Union County Warrant for Stalking. He was later released on a $10,000 bond.

At around 2:45-a.m. Saturday, Police in Creston arrested 23-year-old Meghan Ashley Mitchell, of Lorimor, for OWI/1st offense. She later posted a $2,000 bond and was released.

And, at about 11:30-p.m. Friday, Creston Police arrested 42-year-old Wendi Sue Pearson, of Creston, for OWI/1st Offense, and Child Endangerment. Pearson was taken to the Union County Jail where she later posted a $3,000 bond before being released.

(Radio Iowa) – Many Iowans are bitterly divided over what results they’d like to see from tomorrow’s (Tuesday) presidential election, and it’s causing stress between some co-workers, friends and family members. Instead of bickering about politics, psychologist Shilagh Mirgain suggests Iowans try to zero in instead on the smaller picture. “I think when we focus on what we can control, taking positive action, that helps us control what we can control,” Mirgain says. “Put down the phone, maybe take a break from social media. Make sure you’re getting out and exercising, engaging in mindfulness, being in the here and now.”

Instead of “doom scrolling” tomorrow night, Mirgain recommends planning out a different sort of Election Day that can help to lower stress levels. “Start off the day with some yoga or practice some meditation. It’s not going to be helpful to just stay glued to the television all night, watching the results come in. Give yourself a break from the election coverage,” Mirgain says. “I think it’s a great day to have some form of distraction that would bring joy.” Mirgain says the chronic stress that comes along with a volatile national election can impact a person physically.

“We find that when our system sustains stress, that can impact overall physical health, mental health, it can impact sleep,” she says. “It can lower our immune system, it can impact our cardiovascular health, it can create a sense of despair or despondency.” Instead of being tempted to respond to internet trolls, Mirgain says to plan safe habits around social media, and try things like “forest bathing” by taking a walk in the woods to de-stress.