(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Department reports a woman from Ankeny was arrested Sept. 10th on an Adair County warrant. 30-year-old Chutaia Marika Kei Brown was arrested at and extradited from the Polk County Jail, on a warrant for OWI/2nd offense, and two counts of Child Endangerment. The offenses allegedly occurred on January 13, 2024. All three charges are Aggravated Misdemeanors.

Brown was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $6,000 cash-only bond. A status hearing in her case is set for Sept. 27th.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa’s Auditor of State Rob Sand, today (Monday), released a report showing that the State of Iowa is failing to meet the federal mandate on inspections of nursing homes certified to accept Medicare or Medicaid and that Iowa is inspecting certified nursing homes at a slower rate compared to neighboring states. Additionally, Iowa ranks 46th nationally in the amount of licensed nursing staff per resident. Iowa has the 17th highest turnover rate among nursing staff. Nearly 11 out of 20 nurses who worked at a certified nursing home in the previous year are no longer employed at the facility.

The Auditor’s Office calculations find that the State of Iowa conducts inspections, on average, every 17.1 months. This is more than 4 months more than the federal mandate requiring certified nursing homes to be inspected, on average, every 12.9 months. CMS also instructs states to inspect individual nursing homes at least once every 15.9 months; 85.4% of Iowa’s 403 certified nursing homes did not meet this expectation on at least one occasion in the past 3 inspections.

In preparing this report, the Auditor’s Office used publicly available data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Specifically, the Auditor’s Office calculated the duration between completed standard inspections across all certified nursing homes to determine the frequency. This report also takes into consideration the national pause on inspections at nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic to reach its findings. Durations that occurred during the COVID-19 stoppage are shortened by 147 days – the length of time between official federal guidance to stop and restart onsite standard inspections.

(Glenwood, Iowa) –  Police in Glenwood report two weekend arrests. 42-year-old Catherine Brown, of Glenwood, was arrested Saturday on an outstanding warrant. Brown was released after posting bond. And, on Sunday, Glenwood Police arrested 35-year-old Ashley Flint, of Glenwood, for Driving While Driver’s License is Suspended. Flint also posted bond and was released.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The  Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet 9-a.m. Tuesday, in their Atlantic Courthouse Boardroom. Among the action items on their agenda is to discuss and possibly approve “Consent to Extend Division of Revenue in Urban Renewal Area for the City of Atlantic, to complete the Camblin Hills Subdivision Project from 10-years-to 15-years. The Board will also discuss and/or take action on a commercial lease with the Fourth Judicial District, Dept. of Correctional Services, for County-owned property at 601 Walnut Street, Suite 1.

In other business, the Supervisors will set the date for a public hearing to consider an application for a zoning change of a parcel by Farmer’s Electric Cooperative (FEC), from Agricultural District to Light Industrial, as approved by the Zoning Commission. The hearing will tentatively take place on October 1st. The Board will also act to appoint a member of the Board of Supervisors to the Southlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery.

See the full meeting agenda below:

DES MOINES, September 16, 2024 — The American Heart Association reports 31 facilities across Iowa have received recognition for participation in the AHA’s Mission: Lifeline Stroke post-acute care initiative to enhance guideline-based care for stroke patients, ultimately improving and prolonging lives.

Locally, achievement awards were presented to the Midlands Living Center, in Council Bluffs, and Myrtue Medical Center, in Harlan. The Audubon County Memorial Hospital received a recognition award from the American Heart Association. (View the full list of Achievement and Recognition Awards below)

Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the U.S. and approximately 795,000 people each year experience a new or recurrent stroke, according to the American Heart Association’s 2023 statistical update. Participation in the American Heart Association’s post-acute care initiative can help facilities support faster and more effective recovery from stroke through standardized coordination, adherence and implementation of evidence-based care.

Evidence-based rehabilitation and secondary prevention interventions improve recovery after stroke and reduce secondary complications. However, stroke rehabilitation expertise, processes of care, and educational resources vary among sites where post-acute care is delivered. The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, developed quality standards based on the Association’s 2016 Guidelines for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery to address these gaps.

The post-acute care initiative provides a framework for assisting facilities to improve care according to the American Heart Association’s rigorous science-based requirements for stroke rehabilitation, including program management, patient and caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management and quality improvement.

Facilities participating in the post-acute care initiative receive a participation stipend and site-specific quality improvement support and process improvement ideas surrounding quality standards for stroke recovery, rehabilitation and secondary prevention. Facilities also have the opportunity to be part of a learning collaborative, working with experts in stroke rehabilitation to build tools and share and create best practices. Participation improves collaboration between post-acute care facilities and others involved in stroke care, including hospitals and outpatient providers.

Certificate of achievement recipients have committed to establishing a stroke-specific rehab program, providing stroke education to all staff members, implementing evidence-based protocols and policies, and continuous quality improvement.

Mission: Lifeline Stroke is the American Heart Association’s community-based initiative to develop systems of care to improve outcomes for stroke patients. The program launched in Iowa in July 2022 with the support of a $7.5 million grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The goal of Mission: Lifeline stroke is to bring together hospitals, emergency medical services and first responders, rehabilitation facilities, communications and regulatory agencies, state and local government, and payers to forge a proactive system of stroke care that saves and improves lives.

Sites receiving achievement awards included:

• Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital, West Union
• Guttenberg Municipal Hospital, Guttenberg
• Hegg Health Center, Rock Valley
• Jackson County Regional Health Center, Maquoketa
• Jones Regional Medical Center, Anamosa
• Kahl Home, Davenport
• Lucas County Health Center, Chariton
• Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames
• Midlands Living Center, Council Bluffs
• Myrtue Medical Center, Harlan
• NewAldaya Lifescapes, Cedar Falls
• UnityPoint Health- Finley Hospital, Dubuque
• University of Iowa Health Network Rehabilitation Hospital, Coralville

Sites receiving recognition awards are:

• Audubon County Memorial Hospital, Audubon
• Buchanan County Health Center, Independence
• Cedar Ridge Village, Des Moines
• Community Memorial Hospital, Sumner
• Davis County Hospital, Bloomfield
• Genesis Medical Center DeWitt, DeWitt
• Good Samaritan LeMars, LeMars
• Hearthstone, Pella
• Independence Village, Waukee
• Kennybrook Village, Grimes
• Lone Tree Health Care Center, Lone Tree
• On With Life, Ankeny
• Prairie Vista Village, Altoona
• Sanford Sheldon Medical Center, Sheldon
• St. Luke’s, Sioux City
• Solon Retirement Village, Solon
• Van Buren County Hospital, Keosauqua
• West Ridge Care Center, West Ridge

(Radio Iowa) – Leaders of the Iowa Medical Society say the state faces a workforce crisis in the health care sector. Dr. Christina Taylor is president of the Iowa Medical Society’s board of directors. “We actually have a very looming physician shortage and it’s a real issue and we’re concerned about the ability to maintain proper access to Iowans,” Taylor says. Iowa already ranks 45th in doctor-to-patient ratio. “As of recent data, we have about 5778 doctors, down from 5900 a year ago,” Taylor says, “so we are seeing the number of practicing physicians decrease.”

Iowa Medical Society CEO Steve Churchill, Dr. Christina Taylor and Dr. Gerard Clancy were guests on “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS. (Iowa PBS photo)

Dr. Gerard Clancy is a clinical professor of psychiatry and emergency medicine and one of five deans at the University of Iowa’s College of Medicine. He says the number of physicians, nationally, does not match demand. “It’s a complex issue. We have a terrible mismatch of demand for health care versus the supply of health care workers, including the physicians,” Clancy says. “Ten thousand Baby Boomers are retiring every day in America right now. Those Baby Boomers need more health care.” Iowa Medical Society C-E-O Steve Churchill says the group will ask the 2025 Iowa Legislature to provide state funding to significantly increase the residency slots for medical students at Iowa hospitals and academic centers.

“That is the leading indicator of where a resident will choose to practice is where they went to residency school, a residency slot,” Churchill said. “In Iowa, we have a shortage.” The group will be asking lawmakers to fund creation of 200 more residency slots — at a cost of 20 million dollars a year.

The Iowa Medical Society will also recommend expanding state programs that erase college debt for physicians who choose to practice in Iowa after getting their medical license. The Iowa Medical Society leaders discussed the state’s physician shortage during a weekend appearance on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports the following recent arrests and/or citations:

9-13-2024 @6:08 pm

Melody Ann Miller, 59, 1201 W Mills St was arrested at 302 N Pine St. Miller was charged with Animal Neglect w/Serious Injury or Death. Miller was taken to the union county Jail where she later bonded out on a $2,300 bond.

9-14-2024 @3:24 pm

Brice Allen Maxwell, 34, 511 W Irving St was arrested at 509 N Maple St. Maxwell was charged with a Union County Warrant of Criminal Mischief 3rd, as well as Possess Drug Paraphernalia. Maxwell was taken to the Union County Jail where he is being held on a bond of $2,000.

9-15-2024 @12:14 pm

Nickie Rae Stovie, 60, 300 N Maple St was arrested at 300 N Maple St. Stovie was charged with Violation of No Contact/Protective Order, Theft 5th, and Disorderly Conduct. Stovie Was taken to the Union County Jail where she is being held on a bond of $900.

9-15-2024 @10:23 pm

Erick Antonio Fuentes Chavez, 19, 25305 Narbonne Ave Lomita CA, was arrested at 403 E Townline. Chavez was charged with a Union County Warrant for OWI – 1st Offense Marijuana, as well as Possession of controlled substance Marijuana 1st. Chavez was taken to the Union County Jail where he later bonded out on a bond of $2,000.

9-16-2024 @02:52 am

Christopher Gage Selvy, 22, 400 W Lucas St was arrested Elm and Monroe. Selvy was charged with Driving on Revoked. Selvy was cited and released on a promise to appear.

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – Members of the Elk Horn-Kimballton School Board will gather at 5:30-p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17th, for their regular, monthly meeting at the Exira-EHK Conference Room in Elk Horn. Among the action items on their agenda is:

A student graduation plan, and any personnel matters, such as resignations, hires and/or transfers. The Board will also hold the second review of policies, act on an APEX (online learning) FY25 Consortium, and appointing an IASB (Iowa Association of School Boards) Delegate.

The next meeting of the Exira-EHK School Board takes place at 6-p.m., on Oct. 15th.

(Des Moines, Iowa; via the Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Sunday (Sept. 15th), was “Democracy Day, 2024.” This November, Iowa voters will not only cast their votes for candidates in the upcoming general election, but will also have the opportunity to decide if two measures are added to the state constitution. It’s one of the few opportunities Iowa voters have to weigh in directly on statewide public policy.

This year, Iowans will consider two amendment proposals, making the final decision on whether they will be enshrined in the state constitution:

Gubernatorial line of succession:

One of the constitutional amendments Iowans will vote on this year is about the state’s gubernatorial line of succession. Iowans will vote on whether whether to repeal and replace a section of the Iowa constitution dealing with what happens if an Iowa governor resigns, dies or is removed from office. The proposed new language would clarify that in these circumstances, the lieutenant governor will take over the position of governor until the end of the elected term. The measure also clarifies that this change will create a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor, allowing the new governor to appoint a new lieutenant governor to fill the position. The amendment would change Article IV, Section 17 of the Iowa State Constitution to be:

(Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Governor Reynolds is currently able to appoint a person to serve as her lieutenant governor without stipulations or legislative approval — and has said she plans to make an appointment for the position later this fall. The person appointed will serve for the remaining term of office, until the next gubernatorial election — in this case, until 2026.

Voting age, citizenship language:

Another proposed constitutional amendment would would repeal and replace Article II, Section 1 of the Iowa State Constitution to read:

The change would codify in the state constitution that 17-year-olds are allowed to vote in primary elections if they will be age 18 by the general election, in addition to modifying the voting age from 21 to 18. These voting age regulations are already in practice under state law, but would simply be added to the state constitution if voters approve the measure in the general election. The amendment also includes a language change, replacing the wording that “every citizen of the United States” who meets voter requirements can participate in the state’s elections to instead state “only a citizen of the United States” with needed qualifications can vote.

The amendment passed through the legislative process with unanimous support in all four votes.

What constitutional amendments could Iowans see on future ballots?

Though Iowans will only cast their votes for two measures during the 2024 general election, there are other proposals working through the legislative process that may appear on the ballot in future years. Iowa Republican lawmakers, who hold a majority in the House and supermajority in the Senate, passed two proposed constitutional amendments related to taxes during the 2024 legislative session. House Joint Resolution 2006 would amend the state constitution to require a two-thirds majority vote of legislators for passing increases to individual or corporate income tax rates. Another proposal, Senate Joint Resolution 2004, would enshrine a flat individual income tax rate in the state constitution.

Democrats argued during session that these proposed constitutional amendments would hurt the state’s ability to respond to financial problems, and could mean that future lawmakers are forced to pursue taxes that disproportionately impact lower- and middle-income families, like increased sales or grocery taxes. However, Republicans including Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, said these policies are in place in many Democrat-led states’ constitutions, and that “the sky did not fall, every example of dystopian future did not happen.”

These measures passed largely along party lines in the Iowa House and Senate during the session. However, there’s still time before Iowans will see the tax proposals on a general election ballot. First, the measures must be approved during the next general assembly that will begin after the 2024 election.