Iowans with mental health, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, their families, and other interested persons, are being invited to share their views regarding Iowa’s Mental Health and Disability Services (MH/DS) Redesign, at one of five meetings being held around the state in the next few weeks. The meetings are sponsored by advocacy groups, and according to Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Chuck Palmer, are “Important to make sure that policy makers are aware of the needs of those with disabilities.”

Legislation approved last Spring, directs the DHS to recommend a complete redesign of Iowa’s current system of delivering mental health care to those eligible for government services. Workgroups have been appointed to address core services and delivery systems. The groups’ recommendations will be delivered to the legislature, in December.

In western Iowa, meetings on the MH/DS redesign will take place September 30^th in Sioux City, and October 7^th, in Council Bluffs. For more information on the time and place, go to www.dhs.state.ia.us/partners/mhdsredesign.html on the web.

The Atlantic Police Department reports three arrests over the weekend. On Saturday, 24-year old Jeffrey Knight, of Atlantic, was taken into custody for Public Intoxication, 3rd or subsequent offense. And, 42-year old Troy Baker, of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. Both men were brought to the Cass County Jail and held pending a court appearance.  On Sunday, 24-year old Levi Olsen, of Atlantic, was arrested for shoplifting (Theft in the 5th Degree). Olsen was also brought to the Cass County Jail, and held pending a court appearance.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following two separate accidents last Friday. 19-year old Tyler Rich Wood, of Des Moines was cited for having no insurance, after the car he was driving hit a deer on Highway 44, at around 10-p.m., Friday. The 2005 Chevy Cavalier Wood was driving sustained $12,000 damage.

And, at around 11:45-p.m., vehicles driven by 23-year old David Michael Guill, of Macedonia, and 51-year old Dennis Alan Esbeck, of Brayton, collided at the intersection of Highways 44 and 71 in Hamlin. Authorities say when Guill failed to obey the stop sign as he was headed east on 44, the 1991 Honda Civic he was driving was hit by Esbeck’s 1998 Chevy, as it was traveling south on 71. Damage from the crash amounted to $7,000.

In other news, the Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports 50-year old Fred James Muhr, of Exira, turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office this (Monday) morning. Muhr was wanted on an outstanding warrant out of Audubon County, for Driving While Revoked. The charge stems from an incident which occurred in Exira, on August 25^th. Muhr was released from custody after appearing before the magistrate. His preliminary hearing was set for September 29^th.