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IHCA Foundation Offers Health Care Scholarships for Long-Term Care Employees, High School Students, Veterans and Rural Iowa Residents

News

March 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (March 31, 2024) – The Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) Foundation announced today the opening of its application cycle, which in 2024 will make more than $200,000 available to individuals interested in pursuing or advancing their career in long-term care. Applications are open now through May 31 for current long-term care employees, as well as high school seniors, veterans or individuals residing in rural Iowa counties who are pursuing an education in health care.

“With Iowa’s senior population on the rise and a growing demand for long-term care services, the IHCA Foundation remains dedicated to expanding its scholarship offerings to meet our sector’s evolving needs,” said IHCA Foundation Program Director Natalie Thompson. “Through our 2024 scholarship programs, generously supported by donors, we aim to empower driven individuals to pursue their career aspirations in long-term care.”

Scholarship Offerings
The IHCA Foundation is now accepting applications for the following scholarships:

* John W. & Kimberly D. Grubb Registered Nurse (RN) Scholarship Program – This $4,000 scholarship, made possible by the John R. and Zelda Z. Grubb Charitable Foundation, is for employees of IHCA member organizations who are pursuing an accredited RN degree or seeking to advance their nursing degree. A total of 40 scholarships are available.

* MolinaCares High School Scholarship Program – This $2,000 scholarship, made possible by The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation (MolinaCares), is for Iowa high school seniors who are in their senior year during the 2023-2024 academic year. This scholarship covers tuition fees to pursue a certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), RN, or Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program for the 2024-2025 academic year. This scholarship is intended for those interested in a future career in long-term care. A total of nine scholarships are available.

* Linda Juckette Family Rural and Veteran Scholarship Program – This $2,000 scholarship, made possible by the Linda Juckette Family Gift Fund, is for anyone residing in a rural Iowa county or is a veteran who is interested in pursuing a health care education, including nursing, health care administration degree programs or long-term care certification programs, with the goal of joining the long-term care profession. A total of five scholarships are available.

* Iowa Total Care Leadership Training Scholarship Program – This $1,500 scholarship, made possible by Iowa Total Care, is for leaders at IHCA member organizations accepted, or planning to enroll, into the 2024-2025 IHCA Executive Health Care Leadership Institute. This program is specially designed for leaders who work in long-term care and includes the leadership fundamentals necessary to lead others and the specific technical skills in demand in long-term care settings. A total of nine scholarships are available.

* Care Initiatives Director of Nursing (DON) Scholarship Program – This scholarship, made possible by Care Initiatives, is for assistant directors of nursing (ADONs) or RNs who are employed by an IHCA member facility and are interested in pursuing the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) DNS-CT (Director of Nursing Services – Certified) certification, a DON certification program held at IHCA on Nov. 12-15, 2024. Scholarships will be offered to provide for the registration fee to participate in the AAPACN DNS-CT (DON Certification Program) held at IHCA.

* IHCA Member Employee Scholarship Program – This $1,500 scholarship is for employees of IHCA member organizations who are pursuing a nursing, health care administration or a physical or occupational training program. This scholarship is made possible by the Iowa Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (IPALTC), IHCA Districts and Nurse Connect. A total of 13 scholarships are available.

How to Apply 
Eligibility requirements, application guidelines and materials are available online at iowahealthcare.org/foundation. Completed applications are due by May 31. Winners will be announced in July.

About the Iowa Health Care Association Foundation
Founded in 1988 by the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA), the mission of the IHCA Foundation is to foster excellence in long-term care for Iowans by building a stronger workforce. The IHCA Foundation carries out this mission by empowering individuals to reach their career goals in the long-term care profession through scholarships, career education and career access programs. IHCA Foundation programs help support career opportunities available in the long-term care continuum, including nursing facilities, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living programs, residential care facilities, senior living communities and home health agencies.

Posted in News |

Bookin-Nosbisch Sets 800m School Record

Sports

March 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (HawkeyeSports.com) – University of Iowa senior Alli Bookin-Nosbisch set the new women’s program record in the outdoor 800 meters on Saturday, racing 2:03.24 to place sixth in the premier national event at the Florida Relays.  Bookin-Nosbisch’s time ranks seventh in NCAA Division I this season. Seven new top-10 national marks were set in the women’s 800 meters at the Florida Relays on Saturday.  The Ottumwa, Iowa, native was previously second on the Iowa all-time list, improving on her time from 2023 by over one second. Bookin-Nosbisch is also the indoor 800 meter record-holder at Iowa (2:03.42).

Iowa had two finalists in the 100-meter hurdles. Senior Page Magee placed fourth, running 13.14, while senior Tionna Tobias was sixth with a time of 13.18.  Freshman Ella Meeuwsen won the high jump, leaping 1.66 meters (5’ 5.25”). The jump marks a season best for the Green Bay, Wisconsin, native.

At the Mike Fanelli Track Classic in San Francisco, senior Amber Aesoph placed second in the 800 meters. Aesoph raced 2:09.44 to take runner-up.  On the men’s side at the Florida Relays, freshman Josh Pugh placed seventh among a heavy-hitting field in the 400 meters. Pugh set a new personal best in 46.83.

At Fanelli, sophomore Hayden Kuhn and junior Yohana Yual closed the night out with a pair of top-10 finishes in the 3,000m steeplechase. Kuhn placed fourth racing 9:01.92, while Yual finished seventh with a 9:09.20 time.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa Elite: Hawkeyes Down Buffs to Advance to Elite Eight

Sports

March 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Via HawkeyeSports.com) – ALBANY, New York – The top-seeded University of Iowa women’s basketball team led for all but 14 seconds in an 89-68 blasting of fifth-seeded Colorado, Saturday afternoon, at MVP Arena. The Hawkeyes, who have advanced to their sixth Elite 8 in program history, defeated the Buffaloes in back-to-back years in the Sweet Sixteen.

All five starters finished in double figures with All-American Caitlin Clark leading the way, recording her 66th career double-double with 29 points, 15 assists and six rebounds. She was 13-of-22 from the floor with three 3-point field goals.

Junior Sydney Affolter, who has finished in double figures in five of the last six games, added 15, and sophomore Hannah Stuelke recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds – her second straight double-double. Kate Martin finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Gabbie Marshall went 4-for-5 from the behind the arc, finishing with 14 points.

“I’m proud of the way that we played today. I thought we played really good team basketball,” said P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Head Women’s Basketball Coach Lisa Bluder. “We got everybody involved. We had five people in double figures and did a great job on the boards. They only got four offensive rebounds in the whole second half. I’m proud of my group. Caitlin comes out and has 15 assists, only two turnovers.

“I thought there’s so many people that played well in this game. Syd Affolter has the highest plus/minus of anybody, Gabbie Marshall knocks down 3s, Kate Martin her leadership out there was unbelievable. Hannah Stuelke didn’t let their center have a single O-board. That’s hard to do. That’s really hard to do.”

The Hawkeyes got off to a hot start with a 9-3, run in the first two minutes. Iowa continued the momentum throughout the first, closing out the quarter with a 22-14 lead. Clark led the way with six points and six assists.

Martin had a quick layup to start the second followed by an and-one from Stuelke to give the Hawkeyes a 13-point lead. The Buffaloes were able to close to within eight in the second, but Iowa kept the momentum, taking a 48-35 lead into the break.

The Hawkeyes went on a 6-0 to start the second half, forcing a Colorado timeout. The Buffaloes responded with back-to-back buckets, but Iowa took control, maintaining a double digit lead throughout the half. Iowa had a 22 point advantage (69-47) heading into the fourth.

“That’s what we talked about in the locker room at halftime, is to come out and dominate that third quarter from the start and that’s exactly what we did, we forced them to use a time-out,” said Clark. “I thought we really controlled the game. Once we got that lead, we were able to sustain it. Even when they went on a few runs, we were able to switch up our player defense, our zone defense — that caused them a few problems.

“Overall I just thought we executed offensively, whether it was in zone, whether it was in man-to-man, whether it was in transition, and then we did a great job on defense. It was a complete basketball game is what it felt like.”

Iowa maintained at least a 20-point lead throughout the fourth to give the program its second straight Elite 8 appearance. The 21-point win is the largest margin of victory in a Sweet Sixteen game in program history.

Posted in Sports |

Cass County Supervisors to discuss/act on a 2nd amendment to an Ambulance Svcs. Agreement

News

March 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet at 9-a.m. on Tuesday, April 2nd, in their Atlantic Courthouse Board Room. Some items on their agenda include:

  • Discuss/Approve the Second Amendment to Ambulance Services Agreement Between City of Atlantic, Cass County Memorial Hospital (Cass Health), Cass County and Midwest Medical Transport Company, LLC for April 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024 and July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
  • Approve Resolution 2024-08 Setting Weed Control Program for 2024
  • Discuss an ARPA funding request for $14,000 to replace a drone for the sheriff’s department
  • Approve Resolution 2024-09 Secondary Roads Five-Year Construction Program
  • Approve Secondary Roads Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
  • Approve hiring a jail staff member

The meeting will be for viewing. Join Electronically https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2899195216?pwd=R0hSa2FOOTh0NUdra1ZSdVhVW
HpMUT09
Meeting ID: 289 919 5216
Passcode: 012064
For those who wish to Call-In, do so at 312-626-6799, press *9 to indicate you wish to speak.

Posted in News |

TERESA RUTH PETERSON-SMITH, 65, of Boone (Memorial Svc. 4/5/24)

Obituaries

March 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

TERESA RUTH PETERSON-SMITH, 65, of Boone, died Friday, March 29, 2024, under hospice care at her home in Boone.  Memorial Service for TERESA PETERSON-SMITH will be held 11-a.m. Friday, April 5th, at the Anita United Methodist Church. Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Anita has the arrangements. A celebration of life gathering for Teresa’s friends will also be held in Boone, at a date to be determined.

Visitation with the family will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the start of the service, Friday, at the Anita Methodist Church.

Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery following the memorial service. A luncheon will be held following the committal in the fellowship hall of the Anita Methodist Church.

Memorials may be directed to the Boone County Humane Society in memory of Teresa and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

TERESA RUTH PETERSON-SMITH is survived by:

Her husband – Scott.

Her brothers – Brian and Bruce.

Her sister-in-law: Sandy Kellet.

She is also survived by Grace Mackrill, who was like a second mother to Teresa, and numerous cousins.

Teresa was especially fond of the two children, Lindsay and Brandon, of her childhood friends Jean and Jeff Gregersen.

Posted in Obituaries |

Montgomery County Supervisors to act on Courthouse Improvement Bond Resolution

News

March 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors are set to discuss and pass a resolution with regard to bonds for Courthouse Improvements. The matter will come before the Board during their meeting that begins at 8:30-a.m.* Tuesday (April 2nd), in their courthouse Board Room. (see the agenda below)

In other business the Board will hear from Jackie Laire, with Montgomery County E911 Communications, with regard to a Dispatch Headset Project and the use of ARPA funds.

They are also expected to set the date for a Public Hearing on a Fiscal year 2024 Budget Amendment for the Courthouse Improvement Project. Following their regular meeting (**and at around 9:30-a.m., Tuesday), the Board will hold the first Public Hearing on the FY25 Budget, including the proposed FY 25 Property Tax Levy.

Their second regular meeting begins at 9:45-a.m., Tuesday***, and includes a county employee Health Insurance update, and set the date for a 2nd hearing on the FY25 Montgomery County Budget.

*Please note, this is a public meeting; however, it may be conducted via ZOOM

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85039693411

Meeting ID: 850 3969 3411; Or, Dial by your location   +1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak.

**Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85039693411

Meeting ID: 850 3969 3411

Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak.

***Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85039693411

Meeting ID: 850 3969 3411

Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak

Regular Meeting, 8:30 A.M., Tuesday April 02, 2024

Tentative Agenda

  1. Call meeting to order

  1. Pledge of Allegiance

  1. Roll call of members

  1. Approval of Agenda – Order at discretion of Chairman

  1. Read minutes as presented. Chairman to call for any additions/corrections to said minutes.

  1. Board chairman will ask the audience for any comments, limited to two minutes per person.

  1. Supervisors: Weekly committee/assignment updates

  1. Secondary Roads Update

  1. Nate Summers, UMB Bank- General Obligation Courthouse Improvement Series 2024

    1. Discuss and approve – Resolution 2024-16 authorizing and approving a Loan Agreement, providing for the placement and issuance of General Obligation Courthouse Improvement Bonds, Series 2024 and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same

    2. Discuss and approve – Loan Agreement and Registrar and Paying Agent Agreement

  1. Jackie Laire, E911 Communications – Dispatch Headset project

    1. Discuss and approve PSAP Agreement with HSEMD for NG911 Shared Services RFP0917005031 MA18258 in the amount of $30,679.53 and FirstWireless, Inc. quote QTE11270 in the amount of $3,050.65 to be paid with ARPA funds.

  2. New Business

    1. Set the date for Public Hearing for FY24 Budget Amendment Courthouse Improvement Project

    2. Approve Villisca Golf Club Inc. Class C Retail Alcohol license permit

    3. Approve Family Farm Tax Applications

  2. Discuss and start agenda items for next meeting

  3. Announcements – The next 2nd regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 02, 2024, 9:45 a.m., following the 1st Hearing FY25 Budget Tax

 

Posted in News |

Red Oak man arrested on an assault charge, Saturday

News

March 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak arrested a man on an assault charge, Saturday afternoon. Authorities say at around 12:30-p.m., Red Oak Police Officers arrested 26-year-old Josiah Ivan Prokes, of Red Oak, was taken into custody for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. He was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail, pending an appearance before the Magistrate.

Posted in News |

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024

Weather

March 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: A slight chance of showers before 1pm, then a chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. East northeast wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 42. Northeast wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Breezy, with an east northeast wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 31. Blustery, with a north northeast wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a north wind 11 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Breezy.

Saturday’s High in Atlantic was 57. The Low was 34. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 75 and the Low was 31. The all-time Record High in Atlantic on March 31st, was 87 in 2012. The Record Low was 12 in 1924. Sunrise today: 7:06. Sunset tonight: 7:44.

Posted in Weather |

JOSIE M. CURTIS, 98, of Atlantic (Visitation & Graveside Svcs. 4/13/24)

Obituaries

March 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JOSIE M. CURTIS, 98, of Atlantic, died Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Heritage House in Atlantic. Visitation for JOSIE CURTIS will begin at Noon on April 13th at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, followed by a Graveside Memorial service at 1:00 p.m. at the Atlantic Cemetery.

JOSIE CURTIS is survived by:

Her son – Russell (Julie) Curtis, of Elgin, IA.

Her daughter-in-law: (wife of the late, Donald Curtis), Karen Curtis of Ames, IA

6 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralserivce.com.

Posted in Obituaries |

Work release escape of Andrew Lee Stephens

News

March 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Waterloo – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports 41-year-old Andrew Lee Stephens, who was convicted of Robbery 1st Degree in Black Hawk County, failed to report back to the Waterloo Residential Correctional Facility as required yesterday (Friday).

Stephens is a 6-feet tall, 227-pound white male. He was admitted to the work release facility on 2/9/24.

Persons with information on Stephens’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Andrew Lee Stephens

Posted in News |