(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh says “Thanks to community partnerships and grant funding, over the past six months a number of free mental health programs and resources were provided in Cass County. Furthermore, many of these resources continue to remain available.”

Hoegh says “Last fall, the Atlantic Public Library received a grant from Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) District 6 to fund mental health resources and programming in Cass County. As a result of this grant, each Cass County library received 42 items for circulation on mental health covering topics from nonfiction books for adults, teens, and children to documentaries to games and kits. All items remain available at all six Cass County libraries—Anita, Cumberland, Griswold, Lewis, Massena, and Atlantic. But the grant didn’t just fund books, it also funded mental health programming.”

In the fall of  2021, the Atlantic Public Library hosted a virtual program, “Therapy FAQ,” during which local mental health experts answered common questions about therapy such as when someone might seek therapy and how to go about finding a therapist. A recording of the one-hour program remains available on Atlantic Public Library’s Facebook page.

In the winter of 2022, the Atlantic Public Library hosted another virtual program, “Restart: designing a healthy post-pandemic life,” during which author and psychologist Doreen Dodgen-Magee shared insights by her book of the same name, including tips such as creating a list of self-care activities and hosting boredom parties. Copies of Dodgen-Magee’s book are available at all Cass County libraries.

In addition to virtual events, the Atlantic Public Library pushed to bring Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) suicide prevention trainings to Cass County. Healthy Cass County and Cass County Iowa State University Extension partnered with the Atlantic Public Library, the Anita Public Library, the Anita Health and Wellness Center, and the Griswold Public Library, to offer QPR suicide prevention training in three locations across Cass County, reaching over 60 people in March 2022.

The trainings received very positive feedback. Participants commented, “Everyone needs this course,” and, “it was  reassuring to see the level of interest and sincerity of the participants.” QPR training continues to be available through ISU Extension. Virtual training sessions are offered through https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/QPR, and local businesses or groups interested in scheduling in-person trainings can contact the Cass County ISU Extension office at 712-243-1132.

The grant funds were also used to purchase two faith-based book kits. Holy Vulnerability: spiritual practices for the broken, ashamed, anxious, and afraid by Kellye Fabian and Rhythms of Renewal: trading stress and anxiety for a life of peace and purpose by Rebekah Lyons are available for checkout at the Atlantic Public Library. The Rhythms of Renewal kit also has a 5-session DVD to use in addition to (or instead of) the full book. Both kits have been used and received excellent feedback from participants.  Individuals and local faith groups are invited to use the kits at their convenience. The kits have 10-12 copies of the book and check out for six weeks.

Mental health was identified as a top health need in the 2021 Cass County Community Health Needs Assessment. Programs and resources such as those mentioned above wouldn’t be possible without community support and participation. Healthy Cass County thanks everyone who has funded, attended, and promoted mental health events in Cass County. People in Cass County can expect to hear more about additional mental health events soon, as May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network that promotes the health and well-being of Cass County residents. Healthy Cass County welcomes participants from across the county. For information on community wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty. Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870 for more information.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s refugee resettlement agencies expect to host some Ukrainians after President Biden announced the U-S would accept up to 100-thousand refugees. It’s unclear how many may come to Iowa, but the agencies face challenges. Kerri True-Funk is the director of the Des Moines field office of the U-S Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. She says finding permanent housing for Ukrainian refugees in Iowa could be difficult, but she says Iowans are already showing support.

“Similar to when people from Afghanistan were being evacuated, people wanted them to come here,” True-Funk says, “and I think it will be a very similar situation for Ukrainian people.” To complicate matters, she says they’re still working on finding permanent housing for refugees from Afghanistan.

True-Funk says, “We’re hopefully going to get more information about what’s going on with the situation in Ukraine and what’s happening with either refugee processing or other pathways for arrival in the U.S.” Many Iowans are voicing how they’re ready to help Ukrainians, she says, especially with translation support.

(reporting by Kassidy Arena, Iowa Public Radio)

(Logan, Iowa) – The family member of a teen from Logan who is in critical condition following a head-on crash March 25th, is asking for help in paying for her care and other expenses. 16-year-old Ava Fischer and an adult male from Woodbine were injured in the collision.

Ava Fischer

An “Ava’s fight for life” GoFundme page has been established, with more information on her condition.

(Original story)

(Beebeetown, Iowa)) – An adult male and a juvenile were injured during a head-on collision Friday evening, in Harrison County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2010 Hyundai Tucson (SUV) driven by a 16-year-old from Logan, was southbound on Overton Avenue at around 5:35-p.m., when the vehicle crossed the center line while rounding a curve north of York Road.

The SUV struck a northbound 2009 Toyota Tundra pickup, driven by 43-year-old Jason King, of Woodbine. Following the head-on crash, the SUV came to rest on its top in the east ditch. The pickup came to rest on the road, facing northeast.

The unidentified driver of the SUV – who was wearing a seat belt – was transported by LifeNet helicopter to Bergan Mercy Hospital. Jason King – who was not wearing a seat belt -was transported by Missouri Valley/Logan Rescue to the hospital in Missouri Valley.

Deputies with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

DES MOINES – The State Objection Panel, comprised of Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, State Auditor Rob Sand and Attorney General Tom Miller, met Tuesday to hear several challenges to candidates’ nomination petitions for the June 7 primary ballot.

The following rulings were made:

Tom Miller, Democratic candidate for Attorney General: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected. Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg replaced Attorney General Miller on the panel for this objection.

Abby Finkenauer, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

Kyle Kuehl, Republican candidate for U.S. House, District 1: Nomination petitions rejected, challenge sustained by default ruling.

Anthony LaBruna, Republican candidate for Iowa Senate District 3: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

Ken Rozenboom, Republican candidate for Iowa Senate, District 19: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

Jack Whitver, Republican candidate for Iowa Senate, District 23: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

Jeff Shipley, Republican candidate for U.S. House, District 87: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.