(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Michelle Anderson, Director of the Atlantic Public Library, on Thursday, February 24th, to learn about the new resources that have been made available through different grant programs.

The library has applied and received a few different grants in the last year that has allowed all six libraries in Cass County to receive new resources for all ages. With the help of an ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) grant and Public Library Collaborative Grant, the library was able to purchase 6 unique tablets along with a self-serving kiosk. The tablets have three different types of user profiles which is chosen based on the user’s needs. The tablets can be used anywhere in the library, and once they are returned to the kiosk, they begin charging and all information is erased from the device. The tablets allow users to access an endless number of resources including mental health resources, which was identified as a top need in the Health Needs Assessment that was completed in 2021 by Healthy Cass County.

In addition to the tablets, the grant also allowed all six Cass County Libraries to purchase 8 children books, 13 teen books, 14 adult books, 4 documentaries, 2 faith-based book kits, card games, a children’s yoga kit, and meditation chimes. The remainder of the grant funding has allowed the addition of programs such as suicide prevention trainings, therapy FAQ sessions, author presentation, and faith-based book discussion groups.

The library has been added as a Dolly Parton Imagination Library in the last year, which allows children under the age of 5 to sign up to receive one free book a month in the mail. The Dolly Parton program covers the overhead cost of ordering and selecting the books, and the remainder of the cost is covered by individual or business sponsors. Currently, the Cass County Program has 235 children registered and the cost to the library is about $25 per child per year. Sponsors are continually needed to fund the program. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about sponsoring, please reach out to Michelle, Atlantic Library Director.

Atlantic Public Library is located at 507 Poplar Street. For more information about programs and resources, contact 712-243-5466 or visit http://www.atlantic.lib.ia.us/

(Radio Iowa) – Both of Iowa’s U.S. Senators serve on the committee that will hold the confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee. Senator Chuck Grassley is the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In a written statement, Grassley congratulated Judge Jackson on her nomination and he said it is critical that all nominees to the nation’s highest court receive a most thorough and rigorous vetting in the committee.

Republican Senator Joni Ernst, a member of the Judiciary Committee since 2019, said justices must be impartial and must not bend to the political winds of the moment. Both Ernst and Grassley said they are committed to a fair and respectful review of Judge Jackson’s qualifications.

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court rules a former massage therapist who was convicted of third-degree sexual abuse of a client should get a new trial because of improper use of evidence. The client filed a complaint against Kevin Thoren in 2019 after she says he inappropriately touched her chest and between her legs during a massage session. Thoren denied touching her — and presented evidence that some clients experience phantom touching with the technique he used.

The Supreme Court ruled said the testimony of five other clients who claimed Thoren abused them prejudiced the jury. It also says allowing testimony that Thoren gave up his license to the Board of Massage Therapy after the investigation of a complaint could have created prejudice by making the jury believe it was an official, state-sanctioned finding under the law — when in reality it was the result of a settlement.

(Clarinda) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office today (Friday), released information about a collision that happened on Sunday, Feb. 20th. The accident happened at the intersection of Cherokee Ridge and Highway 2, or about 1.5-miles west of Clarinda. An investigation determined 16-year-old Connor Aron Owens, of Clarinda, was driving a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser owned by Dons Auto, eastbound on Highway 2.

A 2020 Mercedes van driven by 29-year-old Chrystle Ann Wichman, of Clarinda, owned by the United States Postal Service, was waiting to turn north into Cherokee Ridge from Highway 2, when the Chrysler hit the rear of the van. Deputies cited Owens for following too closely. No injuries were reported.

A man from eastern Iowa was arrested today (Friday), in Page County. The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies arrested 39-year-old Justin James Boose, of Waterloo, on a Page County Warrant for Violation of a No Contact / Protective Order – Contempt and Providing False Information. He was arrested at the Page County Sheriff’s Office. Boose was unable to post a $1,000 cash-only bond, and was being held in the Page County Jail pending further court proceedings.

Des Moines, Iowa – Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller today (Friday), announced the final approval of the $26 billion opioid agreement with the nation’s three major pharmaceutical distributors – Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen – and Johnson & Johnson. Following successful state sign-on and subdivision sign-on periods, the defendants will start releasing funds to a national administrator on April 2, 2022. Money will start flowing to state and local governments in the second quarter of 2022.

In a press release, Miller said “The opioid crisis never should have happened. While we can’t change the past, we can look toward a future where those responsible for this tragic situation are held accountable. That is what this settlement does. The funds from this agreement will go a long way toward addressing Iowa’s opioid crisis and provide help to those who need it.”

The agreement marks the culmination of three years of negotiations to resolve more than 4,000 claims of state and local governments across the country. It is the second largest multistate agreement in U.S. history, second only to the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. Fifty-two states and territories have signed on to the agreement as well as thousands of local governments across the country.

In Iowa, all 99 counties, as well as 43 cities have signed onto the agreement. As a result, Iowa will receive its full share of the settlement. Over the course of 18 years, the state expects to receive $174 million, which will be split evenly between the state and local governments to abate the opioid crisis in Iowa.

The AG’s office is working with partners —including the Iowa Department of Public Health, Department of Human Services, and University of Iowa Health Care— to determine use of the settlement funds.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A collision in Red Oak early this (Friday) morning, caused an estimated total of $7,500, but no one was injured. Red Oak Police say the accident happened at around 6:30-a.m., at N. 4th and E. Prospect Streets. Upon investigation, it was discovered a 2018 Chevy Equinox driven by 37-year-old Christina Marie Solt, of Red Oak, was traveling west on E. Prospect, and was unable to come to a complete stop at the intersection with N. 4th Street, due to the snow covered road conditions.

Her vehicle struck a northbound 2020 Ford FedEx cargo van broadside. The driver of the van was identified as 41-year-old Scott Howard Turnbull, of Red Oak. Both vehicles were driven from the scene. No citations were issued.