DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The partial shutdown of the federal government has halted the checks for a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children. The program known as WIC is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Based on need, it provides monthly checks for families to supplement their food budgets and offers nutrition education to pregnant women and families with children to encourage healthy eating choices.

The program’s administrator in Iowa, Jill Lange, says the state serves about 66,000 participants a month. If the shutdown lasts the entire month that many people would not get their monthly food checks. If it’s shorter in duration participants could get a check as soon as federal spending is again authorized.

The program received notice Tuesday that no checks can be issued until further notice.

Officials with the Cass County Health System Women’s Health Services report CCHS is hosting a Women’s Health Expo on Thursday, October 10^th. The event will be held in the CCHS atrium from 5 – 7 pm.

In addition to educational information on a wide variety of women’s health issues and services, there will be two speakers during the evening.

·    5:30 pm – Dr. Kerry Rodabaugh, gynecological oncologist, will speak about gynecological cancers and current treatment methods, including robotic surgical procedures. Dr. Rodabaugh is affiliated with the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, and cares for patients in the Cass County Memorial Hospital Outpatient Clinic the second Thursday of each month. 

·    6:30 pm – Mary Fuller, PA-C, certified tobacco specialist, will present a brief program on tobacco cessation.  Mary is a physician assistant at Atlantic Medical Center and provides tobacco cessation services for outpatients and inpatients.

  Jeri Orstad, Women’s Health Services co-chairman, says “Women are the gatekeepers to health for the entire family.“It is particularly important for women to be well informed about health in general, and to remember to take time to care for themselves.  We hope this evening will assist them in both areas, while having a good time with friends and neighbors.”

For more information about the Women’s Health Expo, call Cass County Memorial Hospital at 712-243-3250.

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 Office in Atlantic is reporting a success on a unique bridge project on Iowa 92 near Massena. Monday evening, the contractor was able to slide the new bridge into place, one day ahead of schedule. The road closed Sept. 27 to demolish the existing bridge and prepare for placement of the new bridge. The road is expected to reopen to traffic on Sunday, Oct. 6th.

For more information on this project, go to www.iowadot.gov/MassenaBridge/index.html

An Atlantic man was arrested Monday on a charge of OWI/1st offense. The Atlantic P-D reports 22-year old Nigel Newberry was transported to the Cass County Jail and held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

(12-p.m. News)

Officials with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce say a policy change has gone into effect regarding Chamber Gift Certificates. According to Chamber Director Dawn Cundiff, chamber gift certificates issued today, (October 1st) or later, will now only be redeemable at Chamber Member businesses only. A list of participating businesses will accompany the gift certificates.

The Chamber press release states the decision was made to enhance chamber businesses as they are responsible for making the gift certificate program possible. Chamber President Julie Harryman stated, “This change is honoring the request of our members as it is one of the benefits of their chamber membership.” All gift certificates issued prior to October 1st, will still be redeemable at any business in Shelby County.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

Officials in Shelby County today (Tuesday) discussed a levy error that inconvenienced the county’s treasurer’s office. In a board of Supervisors meeting, Shelby County Treasurer Carolyn Blum said the IKM-Manning School District levy rate error added an additional 110 hours of work load along with making 3,600 copies of tax payments to citizens, $500 to send out the statements and $200 in supplies. The tax levy occurred when the district submitted the wrong levy rate to four counties, Audubon, Carroll, Crawford and Shelby.

The good news was all four counties use the same software system and was not charged by the company. Shelby County Auditor Marsha Carter said that would have been an additional $10,000. Blum was asking for guidance from the board of supervisors on what to charge the district in terms of an hourly rate. The county handbook states certain circumstances but never to this degree. The board agreed to charge the research fee to the school district. A final billing statement will be reviewed by the Supervisors at their next meeting.

Marsha Carter also noted the county and city are working on a joint project to replace flags around the square in downtown Harlan. Carter said she’s had conversations with Harlan City Administrator Terry Cox to create a plan to replace the flags. She noted eventually the current flags will be removed. A timetable has not been established and the item will be brought up at a future supervisor’s meeting. Towards the end of the meeting, the Shelby County Supervisors approved two representatives to the compensation board along with 1 rural Shelby County resident to the Hotel/Motel Tax Committee.

Current representatives Ron Goodside and Ron Roseman were approved for the compensation board while Becky Miller of Portsmouth was approved to the Hotel/Motel Tax Committee. Supervisor Roger Schmitz reported the Supervisors are looking for another Shelby County resident for the Hotel/Motel Tax Committee. He said preferably the board would like a resident in the Irwin area so both sides of the county were represented. If you are a citizen in Shelby County interested in being a rural resident representative for the Hotel/Motel Tax Committee, contact the Shelby County Auditor’s office.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

A public hearing is set to take place Wednesday morning in Greenfield, with regard to a Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Amendment. The hearing will be held at 9:30-a.m. as part of Adair County Board of Supervisor’s meeting which begins at 9-a.m., and will be followed by action on a resolution approving the amendment, as well as a resolution on appropriations.

In other business, the Board will hear from County Engineer Nick Kauffman, with regard to box culvert extension bids; discuss a Geographic Information System (GIS) proposal, with Sidwell’s Mel Obbink; they’ll also hear from Speer Financial’s Larry Burger, with regard to General Obligation and Tax Increment Financing Bonds.