712 Digital Group - top

Ombudsman finds problem with jail’s handling of health expenses

News

March 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A report by the State Ombudsman’s Office found that some county jails were not following Iowa law by taking money directly out of inmate commissary accounts for medical care. Ombudsman Bernardo Granwehr says Iowa law requires jails to go through the courts to recoup these co-pays.   “This is not a money maker for jails it’s really a drop in the bucket compared to the services provided,” he says.

Granwehr says this practice violates the prisoner’s due process rights.  “We’re calling for the Department of Corrections to make a change. We had a constructive dialogue with the department and they understand what the problem is so we want to encourage them to take the step of amending the rule that is causing the confusion,”Granwehr says.

Bernardo Granwehr State Ombudsman in Iowa

Jails can charge adult inmates for medical services if they are convicted of a crime or sentenced for contempt of court for violating a domestic abuse order. But they still have to seek that money through the courts. They cannot remove it directly from a commissary account. The Ombudsman has attempted to bring jails in Wapello, Scott, and O’Brien counties into compliance with state law. But as of its release, those jails had not changed their policy.

Iowa Tourism Organizations, Individuals Receive Awards at 2024 Conference

News

March 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

March 21, 2024 (Des Moines, Iowa) — The Iowa Tourism Office presented 24 awards recognizing excellence in the tourism industry during the 2024 Iowa Tourism Conference in Des Moines this week. State Tourism Manager Amy Zeigler says “These awards recognize the hard work and dedication of our tourism industry partners and the appeal of Iowa as a destination. We look forward to building on the positive momentum for continued success in 2024.”

Awards, divided into metro and rural distinctions, were made in 13 categories. In addition, conference attendees voted for the People’s Choice Award; nominees were the second-highest scoring nominations.

The complete list of 2024 Iowa Tourism Award recipients (*=area awards):

Outstanding Attraction

  • Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, Sioux City (Metro)*
  • Mt. Crescent Ski Area, Honey Creek (Rural)*

Outstanding Community

  • Cedar Rapids (Metro)
  • Jefferson (Rural)

Outstanding Dining Business

  • 7 Hills Brewing Company, Dubuque (Metro)
  • The Centennial, Jefferson (Rural)

Outstanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative: Catch Des Moines (Metro)

Outstanding Event

  • Des Moines Arts Festival (Metro)
  • Tri-State Rodeo, Fort Madison (Rural)

Outstanding Individual Leader: Diane Van Wyngarden, Oskaloosa (Metro)

Outstanding Lodging Property

  • DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Center, Cedar Rapids (Metro)
  • Corning Hotel LLC, Corning (Rural)*

Outstanding Marketing Collaboration

  • Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau (Metro)*
  • Emerge Marketing Solutions, Manning (Rural)*

Outstanding Niche Market Initiative

  • Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau (Metro)*
  • Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce (Rural)

Outstanding Promotional Material

  • Cedar Rapids Tourism (Metro)
  • Fayette County Economic Development & Tourism (Rural)

Outstanding Retail Experience

  • Modern Dress, Boone (Metro)
  • Harvestville Farm, Donnellson (Rural)

Outstanding Social Media Execution

  • Catch Des Moines (Metro)
  • Emerge Marketing Solutions, Manning (Rural)*

Outstanding Website: Visit Pella (Metro)

People’s Choice Award: Grow Cedar Valley

The Iowa Tourism Office, part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, works closely with community partners, attractions and events, to promote the state’s beautifully vast scenery and unique history. Tourism in Iowa generated $6.9 billion in expenditures in 2022, with more than $1.1 billion supporting state and local governments, while employing a total of 68,607 people statewide. For more information on everything Iowa has to offer tourists, visit traveliowa.com.

Hawkeyes Win Six Matches in Session I

Sports

March 21st, 2024 by admin

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – The University of Iowa wrestling team won six of nine matches, including 4 bonus point victories, during Session I of the 2024 NCAA Championships on Thursday afternoon at the T-Mobile Center.

Iowa got the day started with three straight bonus point victories. At 125 No. 3 seed Drake Ayala put together a 10-2 major decision over 30th-seeded Elijah Griffin of California Baptist. No. 15 seed Brody Teske followed with a 12-4 major decision over the No. 18 seed South Dakota State’s Derick Cardinal at 133.

At 141, No. 3 seed Real Woods needed only 4:36 to record a technical fall over 30th seeded Kai Owen of Columbia. It was Wood’s 10th victory all-time at the NCAA tournament.

10th seeded Jared Franek won in tiebreakers against No. 23 Joey Blaze of Purdue. After being tied 1-1 through four periods Franek escaped with four seconds of riding time remaining to earn the win.

The six-seed at 165 pounds, Michael Caliendo used three takedowns and riding time to put together an 11-3 major decision over the No. 27 seed Blane Brenner of Minnesota.

Bradley Hill gave the Hawkeyes an upset victory as the 25-seeded heavyweight dispatched No. 8 seed Owen Trephan, 4-2.

Iowa fell to the consolation bracket at 149, 174 and 197 pounds. No. 13 Caleb Rathjen got caught in a cradle and gave up seven points at the end of the third period in a 12-5 loss to Oklahoma State’s 20th-seeded Jordan Williams and No. 12 seed Patrick Kennedy gave up a takedown with 17 seconds remaining to lose to North Carolina’s 21st-seeded Tyler Eischens.

No. 7 seed Zach Glazier gave up a takedown in sudden victory to fall to No. 26 seed Andy Smith of Virginia Tech.

Iowa is ninth in the team standings heading into the second session with 10.5 points.  Penn State is leading the team race with 15.5 points, while Nebraska is second with 14 points.

UP NEXT
Session II of the 2023 NCAA Championships will begin at 6 p.m. (CT) and it will be televised live on ESPN.

Third AEA alternative likely coming up for debate

News

March 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa House has been in a holding pattern today (Thursday), waiting for the public release of the latest plan to change the operations of Iowa’s nine Area Education Agencies. House Republicans passed their first plan in February. Republicans in the Senate approved their alternative Monday and House Republicans have another proposal in the works. The public normally gets at least 24 hours to review proposed legislation, but House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst says Democrats have been told this latest plan is a lengthy amendment — and it will come up for votes within hours.

“You can’t tell me this is for Iowans,” Konfrst said. “You can’t tell me this is for Iowa kids. This is for the governor, This is for politics and it shows me ho they work for.” In January, Governor Reynolds said test scores among Iowa students with disabilities are behind other states. She’s called for an overhaul of the A-E-As. which have staff that travel to schools to help students with disabilities. “This is Republicans fighting with each other in a way that’s politics pure and simple and Iowa kids are the ones being left behind,” Konfrst said.

Melissa Seitz, a spokesperson for House Republicans, says Democrats know the concepts in this latest plan have been debated on the House and Senate floor and Iowans have been able to weigh in on these pieces of policy for weeks. She says House Republicans have worked hard to take feedback from the AEAs, superintendents and parents to resolve this topic — and move on to the rest of the priorities for the 2024 legislative session.

When insurance won’t cover tele-health, Iowa clinic has to eat the costs

News

March 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Officials with a rural healthcare center in northern Iowa are rethinking their care strategies post-COVID. The Belmond Healthcare Clinic turns increasingly to forms of remote care to better serve its three-thousand patients, whether through video, over the phone, or online, but some insurance providers don’t recognize tele-health as covered care. The clinic’s business development coordinator Robyn Hardman says that leaves the nonprofit clinic fronting the costs.

“There are a lot of times where you’re trying to serve your patients and give them that remote access, and at times we’re having to cover the cost of that because the insurance payers haven’t caught up,” Hardman says. “We’re not getting paid for these services, but it’s patients who critically need it.” Hardman says rural hospitals could struggle to maintain that consistent care if tele-health continues to go uncovered.

“There is definitely technology ahead of what is covered by insurance at this time, for sure,” she says. “Balancing that for other hospitals who don’t have additional funds will be challenging in the future.” Nearly 70 percent of the Belmond clinic’s patients utilize some form of remote healthcare.

Stakey files for Cass County (IA) Board of Supervisors in District 5

News

March 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports Phyllis Stakey, of Massena, has filed her nomination papers for the Cass County Board of Supervisors in District 5. Stakey is running on the Democratic ticket in the June Primary.

The filing period for persons wishing to run for County Offices ends at 5-p.m. Friday, March 22nd.

As previously mentioned, the following Republicans have also filed their nomination papers (Name/Office/date filed):

Kathy Somers, of Atlantic – County Auditor (March 4th) – Incumbent

John Westering, of Atlantic – County Sheriff (March 4th)

Bernard Pettinger, of Anita – Supervisor/District 5 (March 6th) – Incumbent

Stephen S. Green, of Atlantic  – Supervisor/District 1 (March 13th) – Incumbent

Steve Baier, of Griswold – Supervisor/District 4 (March 19th) – Incumbent

Iowa State women play Maryland Friday night in the NCAA Tournament

Sports

March 21st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Iowa State women open the NCAA Friday night at Stanford by taking on Maryland. It will match ISU coach Bill Fennelly against a former Cyclone assistant in Maryland’s Brenda Frese.

Fennelly hopes freshman center Audi Crooks can be a difference maker.

Fennelly on the concerns Maryland causes.

The Cyclones are 20-11 and Crooks says they are excited with the opportunity to play in the tournament.

ISU guard Emily Ryan says it has been a fun season for a team that has overachieved.

Iowa State vs. Texas Tech Weekend Series Altered

Sports

March 21st, 2024 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Due to low temperature concerns in Ames this Sunday, the Iowa State softball program has changed the weekend schedule for its series against Texas Tech at the Cyclone Sports Complex. The Cyclones and Red Raiders will now play a doubleheader on Friday, March 22, and a single game on Saturday, March 23.

Sunday’s previously scheduled game has been moved to Friday at 1 p.m. at the CSC. Friday’s original 4 p.m. game will remain at the same time, as will Saturday’s 1 p.m. finale.

The weekend schedule is still subject to change and the situation is considered to be fluid, so please stay tuned to cyclones.com to stay up-to-date on any and all game time/date changes.

This is the third-straight Big 12 series that the Cyclones have seen altered due to weather, as ISU saw its opening weekend in Oklahoma changed before last week’s Houston series did the same. Overall, it’s the fourth weekend series that ISU has had impacted due to weather.

Page County Sheriff’s report, 3/21/24: 18 arrests March 5th through the 15th

News

March 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office, today (Thursday), issued a report on arrests that took place between March 5th and 15th.

3/5/2024 Mark Duane Harvey (64) of Shenandoah Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail to serve time
3/5/2024 Derek Jason Ellis (50) of Tarkio Missouri. Booked into the Page County Jail for ongoing criminal conduct, theft and dependant adult abuse.
3/7/2024 Andrew William Berner (53) of Omaha Nebraska. Booked into the Page County Jail for forgery and theft
3/8/2024 Sean Dylan Watson (28) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for theft
3/8/2024 Paige Jamie Ruthe Vincent (34) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail to serve time.
3/8/2024 Dustin Eugene Kalkas (42) of Shenandoah Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail to serve time.
3/8/2024 Jordan Allen Mick (30) of Shenandoah Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for public intoxication and interference with official acts.
3/8/2024 Clinton Keith Glasgo (47) of Essex Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for probation violation. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office at the Mills County Jail.
3/8/2024 Andrew Stephen Oneal (35) of Clearmont Missouri. Booked into the Page County Jail for OWI
3/9/2024 Alex Jeremy Hansen (39) of New Market Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for criminal mischief, burglary, driving while suspended, eluding, theft and reckless driving.
3/11/2024 Clinton Keith Glasgo (47) of Essex Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for an active warrant out of Mills County Iowa for failure to appear. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office at the Page County Jail.
3/11/2024 Joslyn Renea Dale (25), and 19-year-old Thomas Gabriel Uhl, both of Yorktown, were booked into the Page County Jail for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
3/11/2024 Shaun Michael Webber (35) of Shenandoah Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for violation of a no contact order.
3/11/2024 George Daniel Ellison (33) of Braddyville Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for violation of probation. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office.
3/12/2024 Jeremy Lynn Martin (46) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for malicious prosecution. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office.
3/14/2024 Clinton Keith Glasgo (47) of Essex Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for violation of probation. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office at the Page County Jail.
3/15/2024 James Linly Moses (65) of Shambaugh Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for driving while suspended. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office.

A charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

New state funding distribution plan proposed for community colleges

News

March 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Senate has passed a bill that would let the leaders of Iowa’s community colleges would meet every fall to decide how state funding will be distributed among the 15 institutions. Senator Tim Kraayenbrink, a Republican of Fort Dodge, says the presidents and chancellors asked to get rid of the distribution formula that’s set in state law. “A hundred percent of the presidents in our community agreed to this change,” Kraayenbrink said. “I think it’s 100% of anyone to agree on anything when it comes to funding for their institutions, so I thought that was fairly impressive.” Kraayenbrink says while the legislature this year approved a general level of funding that equals about 35-hundreds of dollars per student, the money is distributed differently due to the formula.

“That distribution between all of our community colleges come in somewhere between 75% of that $3500 and 170% of that $3500 for some of our schools,” Kraayenbrink says. Senator Claire Celsi, a Democrat from Des Moines, was the only senator to oppose the plan.  “This bill would essentially allow a backroom meeting for community colleges to decide their own funding,” Celsi says.

If the bill becomes law, at least 10 of the 15 community college chief executives would have to agree by October 31st on how state funding in the following academic year would be distributed. If the community college leaders can’t agree, officials in the Iowa Department of Educaion would make the decision. This plan will have to get House approve and be signed into law by the governor before it could take effect.