The Cass County Health System invites the public to attend “Healthy U” on Thursday, November 19th at noon, to learn about “Diabetes & Your Holiday Plate.” November is American Diabetes Month, a time to call attention to this serious health condition that affects so many people. In 2012, 29.1 million Americans had diabetes and approximately 86 million Americans over the age of 20 had pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not yet high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.

“Diabetes & Your Holiday Plate” will be presented by Barb Petersen, RN, CDE and Emily Krengel, RD, LD. A variety of material will be covered to help prepare people to make healthy choices during the holidays. Krengel says “Diabetic or not – these suggestions are good for all of us. Two of the things we’ll talk about in particular are carbohydrates and over-eating.”

The session will be on Thursday, November 19th at noon in Conference Room 2 at Cass County Memorial Hospital. Healthy U is a free educational series offered by Cass County Health System that focuses on a different health topic each month. Attendees receive a healthy sack lunch in addition to an educational program presented by medical professionals.

For more information, or to make a reservation for Healthy U, call 712-243-7479.

U-S District Court Judge John Jarvey, Tuesday, sentenced an Audubon County man to nearly six-years in prison on a drug charge. 50-year old Randy Mark Heinrichs, of Exira, was required to serve 70 months in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Heinrichs also will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release following his release from imprisonment.

On August 6th, 2015, Heinrichs pleaded guilty to the charge and admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Southern District of Iowa beginning as early as June 2004 and continuing through August 2004. The charge was the result of an investigation by law enforcement of drug trafficking that occurred in both Omaha, Nebraska, and Exira, Iowa.

The investigation was conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

A veteran from Indiana is walking through Iowa now to raise awareness for soldiers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.  “We lose 22 brothers and sisters a day to suicide and I think the public is unaware of that issue and we’re just trying to band together all veterans, to raise that awareness and be there for each other in times of struggle.” That’s Jack McIlwain, an Iraq war veteran. He left Indiana October 29th and walked over Burlington’s Great River Bridge to cross into Iowa on Veteran’s Day. McIlwain is the Indiana State Commander for Warrior Pointe. It’s a nationwide, non-profit organization focused on helping fellow veterans in the communities they call home.

“Sometimes all it takes is someone to talk to, just pick up the phone and that can save someone’s life,” he says. McIlwain says local Warrior Pointe chapters provide a safe place for veterans to meet, connect, network and help other veterans. “Just knowing that I have those brothers and sisters there to lean on in times of need, to talk to,” McIlwain says. McIlwain and another Iraq war veteran who’s a member of Warrior Pointe (http://www.warriorpointe.org/) walked the state of Indiana this summer. McIlwain’s Facebook page says he crossed the 770 mile mark in his current walk on Veteran’s Day.

You can chart his journey on Facebook by searching for Support Jack McIlwain on his Walk for Warrior Pointe www.facebook.com/Aaronswalk?fref=ts

(Radio Iowa)

A Red Oak man informed police this (Thursday) morning, that someone had stolen items from his SUV. Items taken from the 1993 Jeep Wrangler included a Nebo Redline Flashlight, 12×40 Bushnell pocket binoculars, and about $13 in coins and cash. The incident remains under investigation.