Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said today (Monday), that they are inviting all Iowa middle schools and high schools to submit a video about what their school is doing to prevent bullying and what more might be done. The videos are being requested prior to the Governor’s Bullying Prevention Summit, which will be held Nov. 27th at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.

During the Governor’s weekly Press Conference, Branstad and Reynolds noted that each video should reflect the theme of “Preventing Bullying in Your School and Beyond.” The audience for the video will include students, teachers, school administrators, parents and community leaders.

School, parents and businesses are encouraged to print out this flyer to help spread the word: https://governor.iowa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Bullying-Summit-Video-Contest-Flyer.pdf

Branstad says students should use this as an opportunity to tell your school’s story about how bullying is being stopped, what more might be done, and how to better engage the community as a whole in bullying prevention efforts. Videos that meet all contest guidelines will be posted to Governor Branstad’s YouTube channel, with the public invited to choose their favorite between Nov. 12 and Nov. 21. Guidelines may be found at: https://preventbullying.iowa.gov/.

The top vote-getter will receive a $500 prize to be used for bullying prevention efforts at their school, along with a visit by the governor and lieutenant governor for an all-school assembly. The video contest winner will be announced at the Governor’s Bullying Prevention Summit.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says a truck driver from Pottawattamie County was injured during a single-vehicle accident Friday afternoon. Officials say the accident happened at around 3-p.m.,  on Troublesome Creek Road, about one-half mile west of Highway 71. According to the Sheriff’s Office, a 2006 Freightliner truck pulling a trailer loaded with corn, driven by 48-year old Roger Fred Hobus, of Avoca, was westbound on Troublesome Creek Road when Hobus reportedly drove to the north edge of the gravel road to avoid an oncoming car.

As he pulled to the side, the road edge gave way, causing the truck to roll over onto its right side into the north ditch. Hobus was taken via private vehicle to the Cass County Memorial Hospital,  where he was treated for minor injuries and released. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $20,000. A fence in the north ditch also sustained damages of $500.

The Harlan Police Department, today (Monday), issued a cumulative arrest report. The report covers incidents and arrests having occurred since August 26th. Most recently, on Sept. 11th, authorities say an arrest warrant was issued for 26-year old Zachary Scheffler, of Harlan. The warrant  was issued after officers were called to a domestic disturbance in the 400 block of 6th Street, during which Scheffler allegedly assaulted a woman during an argument. Scheffler had been released earlier in the day on $2,000 bond, in association with an Aggravated Serious Misdemeanor charge of Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender.

The H-PD says also, 17-year old Jessi Gregg, of Paola, KS, was cited Sept. 9th, for being a minor in possession of tobacco. The citation was issued after authorities were called to a disturbance in the 1800 block of 10th Street. Gregg was cited for the offense, and released.

Members of the Adair County Board of Supervisors will gather Tuesday morning at the courthouse in Greenfield, for their regular weekly meeting. During their 9-a.m. session (which is normally held on Wednesday), the Board will canvass the result of a Special School Election, as well as discuss and/or act on: a Tax Abatement Resolution; a Transfer Resolution, and a Fiscal Year 2012 Iowa Municipal Workers’ Compensation Association (IMWCA) Workman’s Comp Audit Report.

At 9:15-a.m., Sheriff Brad Newton is scheduled to discuss the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Cooling) and Fire Suppression contracts. At 9:30, the Board will hear from Joyce Ray, with regard to the Wayne Ray Memorial. And, at 9:45, County Engineer Nick Kauffman will present a proposal from Gus Construction, for culvert extensions on County Road G-30. Kauffman will also give a Secondary Roads Department report, and his regular report on Maintenance and Activities.

Officials with the Lenox Police Department report a two-vehicle accident Saturday afternoon at Brooks and Nebraska Streets was apparently caused by another, unidentified driver. An investigation determined that a 2011 Chevy pickup driven by 71-year old Richard Trucks, of Lenox, was traveling south on Brooks Street, and a 2000 Oldsmobile  van driven by 21-year old Christain Collins, of Lenox, was northbound on Brooks.

Both drivers stated an unidentified silver pickup was southbound next to Trucks’ vehicle, and forced him over the center line. The action caused the Trucks’ and Collins vehicles to side swipe each other. Damage from the mishap amounted to $6,000. Officials say Collins was issued a citation for failure to have a valid driver’s license.

The Iowa Department of Public Health says Iowa will join 45 other states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico in recognizing Falls Prevention Awareness Day on the first day of fall, September 22nd, 2012.  IDPH Director, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks says “Falls are a significant concern for Iowans, especially with our aging population. Falls are the leading cause of injury hospitalizations and emergency room visits in Iowa and the leading cause of injury deaths for those over age 65.” The total cost of fall-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits in Iowa are over $237 million annually.

The IDPH says falls are not a natural consequence of aging; however, aging does contribute to factors that increase the risk of falling, including reduced strength in lower extremities, use of four or more medications, poor vision, chronic health problems and unsafe home conditions. Iowa Department on Aging (IDA) Director Donna Harvey says, “When older adults fall, it often leads to a loss of independence and reduced mobility. Research indicates that fall prevention programs for high-risk older adults have a net-cost savings of almost $9 in benefits to society for each $1 invested. Through appropriate risk management, falls are preventable.”

There are ways older Iowans can prevent falls:

• Take your time – get out of chairs slowly. Sit for a moment before getting out of bed.
• Wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes with low heels and non-slip soles.
• See an eye specialist once a year. Poor vision can increase your chances of falling.
• Be aware that some medications have side effects that can cause dizziness.
• Increase physical activity – regular exercise increases balance and strength.

Follow these tips to make living areas safer and help reduce the risk of falls:

• Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
• Have grab bars installed next to the toilet and in the tub or shower.
• Have handrails on both sides of stairways.
• Improve lighting in the entire home.
• Remove tripping hazards like throw rugs and clutter in walkways.

For more information about falls prevention, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/FallPrevention/.