(Radio Iowa) – A state panel has approved a legal settlement that will pay millions to two adopted siblings of an Iowa teenager who was abused and starved to death by a couple from Perry. Sabrina Ray was 16 years old when her body was found in a home in Perry six years ago. She weighed just 58 pounds. Her adoptive mother was convicted of kidnapping and sentenced to life in prison. A judge sentenced her adoptive father to 80 years in prison.

The Iowa Appeals Board has approved a five MILLION dollar payment to each of two children who were also adopted by Misty and Marc Ray. Three years ago, a state ombudsman’s report found the abuse Sabrina and other children suffered could have been prevented if state social workers had not dismissed 11 separate allegations against the Rays. The settlement calls for creation of a state task force to address deficiencies outlined in the report from the state ombudsman.

An attorney for the two adopted sisters of Sabrina Ray who are receiving payments from the state says his clients suffered unspeakable abuse and torture and he says the hope is that this settlement marks the beginning of a new era in Iowa’s foster care system. Misty and Marc Ray, who ran a child care center, also took in 23 foster care chidren over a 10 year period and adopted four children, including the teenager who starved to death.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds is joining Republicans who’ve expressed doubts that Donald Trump can win back the White House and has endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for president.  “I’ve thought long and hard about making this decision, about telling Iowans and telling you where I stand,” Reynolds said. “…I could not and cannot sit on the sidelines any longer.” The Iowa Caucuses are the kick-off event in the 2024 G-O-P presidential race and Reynolds says that means Iowans play a critical role in making what she calls the right choice in 2024.

“We need someone who won’t get distracted, but will stay disciplined, who puts this country first and not himself,” Reynolds said. Reynolds did not directly mention former President Donald Trump, who leads in public opinion polls here and elsewhere, but Reynolds described DeSantis as a candidate who’s looks to the future, not the past. “Someone who most importantly, can win and that person is Ron DeSantis,” Reynolds said, “and it is why I’m so proud to stand here tonight to give him my full support and endorsement for president of the United States of America.”

Governor Kim Reynolds and her husband Kevin joined Governor Ron DeSantis and his family on stage on Nov. 6, 2023.

During an interview with the Des Moines Register, Reynolds said she doesn’t think Trump can win next November. During last (Monday) night’s campaign rally with DeSantis, Reynolds made an indirect reference to Trump’s remark that it was a terrible mistake for DeSantis to sign a six week abortion ban. Reynolds, who has twice signed similar legislation, praised DeSantis for it.

“Someone that knows when life begins and knows it’s a beautiful thing to save a beating heart,” Reynolds said. Reynolds also said DeSantis was the only candidate running for president who stood up to Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was Trump’s chief medical advisor during the pandemic. DeSantis thanked Reynolds for the endorsement, telling the crowd that as governor, Reynolds had delivered really big results…when it’s not easy.

“Follow Governor Reynolds’ lead. Take up with our campaign. Caucus for us in January. Bring some friends, bring some family,” DeSantis said. “Iowa has the ability to jump start the comeback of this country.” Casey DeSantis, who spoke just before Reynolds, acknowledged the endorsement may not be politically convenient for Reynolds. “Courageous leaders ignore threats of retaliation and dismiss false promises,” Casey DeSantis said.

Trump has called Reynolds disloyal and Trump posted on his social media site that Reynolds’ endorsement of DeSantis is the end of her political career. A few Trump supporters stood across the street from the DeSantis rally last (Monday) night and a pickup carrying a Trump flag drove around the venue.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, Monday, released information about three, non-injury accidents. Sunday afternoon, a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup driven by 73-year-old Linda Kay Bentley, of Menlo, was traveling north on Talon Avenue, when the vehicle left the road.

The pickup went out of control and collided with a bridge guardrail before leaving the bridge and overturning into a creek below. Bentley was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. Her pickup sustained $7,000 damage and was declared a total loss. The Guthrie County Roads’ guardrail sustained about $750 damage in the collision.

An accident at around 4-a.m. Saturday in Guthrie County, caused a total of $11,500 damage. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says a 2006 Ford F350 Super Duty pickup driven by 31-year-old Cameron Joel Hester, of Guthrie Center, was traveling south on Justice Road, when Hester apparently fell asleep at the wheel. When the pickup crossed over into the north lane and the driver’s side struck the bridge and then slid against the guard rail, ripping-off the vehicle’s front left tire. The truck came to rest in the east ditch. Hester left the scene of the accident, which was called-in by a passing motorist about 90-minutes after it occurred. Cameron Hester was cited for Failure to Maintain Control and Failure to Use a Safety Belt.

And, on November 1st, a 2007 Chevy Equinox SUV driven by 81-year-old Virgil Lee Hoehne, of Panora, was traveling west on Highway 44 at around 7:36-p.m., when the vehicle struck a deer. Damage to the SUV amounted to $5,000.

(Rockville, MD) Officials with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Monday, announced seven health centers in Iowa are part of the top 10 percent of health centers nationwide receiving a Gold Health Center Quality Leader badge for their achievements in improving health outcomes and providing high-quality care for patients in rural and underserved communities. The digital badges, part of the Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badge program, honor the health centers across the country that have attained the best overall clinical quality performance.

The CHQR badge program recognizes outstanding performance in a variety of clinical areas, including behavioral health, maternal health, diabetes health, heart health, cancer screening, and HIV prevention and care, as well as overall quality performance.

The health centers in Iowa that received a Gold Health Center Quality Leader badge today are:

·      Community Health Care, Inc., in Davenport

·      Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa, Inc., in West Burlington

·      Crescent Community Health Center, in Dubuque

·      Greater Sioux Community Health Center, in Sioux Center

·      People’s Community Health Clinic, Inc., in Waterloo

·      River Hills Community Health Center, Inc., in Ottumwa

·      Siouxland Community Health Center, in Sioux City

A full list of badges and awardees is available here.

HRSA’s Health Center Program is a cornerstone of our country’s health care system, especially for individuals and families who are uninsured; enrolled in Medicaid; living in rural, remote, or underserved areas; struggling to afford their health insurance co-pays; experiencing homelessness; residing in public housing; or otherwise having difficulty finding a doctor or paying for the cost of care.

Today, approximately 1,400 HRSA-supported health centers operate nearly 15,000 service sites. In 2022, health centers provided care for more than 30 million patients, 90 percent of whom had incomes below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. A 2022 survey of 4,000 health center patients nationwide found 97% would recommend their health center to family and friends.

For information on 2023 CHQR badge recipients by national, state, or individual health center levels, visit: https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-centers/chqr

Learn more about the Health Center Program: https://bphc.hrsa.gov/about-health-centers/health-center-program-impact-growth

Sioux City, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Monday, said that on Sunday morning November 5, 2023, the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office requested DCI assistance with a death investigation involving a female inmate.  Jail staff observed the woman having a medical issue.  She was transported by ambulance to Unity Point Hospital in Sioux City where she was later pronounced dead.

The female has been identified as 27-year-old Asiana Primeaux of Marty, South Dakota.  Primeaux was arrested by Sioux City Police at approximately 1:30 AM Sunday on drug charges.  An autopsy has been scheduled for later this week at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny, Iowa.

This is an on-going investigation, and no further details are being released at this time.

COUNCIL BLUFFS – The Iowa Department of Corrections, Monday, said 34-year-old Brian Jeffrey Combs, II, who was convicted of Robbery 2nd Degree in Pottawattamie County, failed to report back to the Council Bluffs Residential Correctional Facility as required, Sunday.

Brian Combs II

Combs is a white male, height 6’2″, and weighs 257 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on August 17, 2023.

Persons with information on Combs’ whereabouts should contact local police.