The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission unanimously approved a development agreement today (Thursday) between the Hard Rock Casino and Sioux City for an 11 million-dollar parking ramp that will add up to 580 spaces and result in part of the casino being remodeled. Commission member Jeff Lamberti says the ramp helps the casino and city.

“We see it as being really good for both, to be able to provide that kind of parking — because it does matter you know when you get bad weather, I mean we have bad weather half of the year. Quality parking matters and certainly for the Tyson Center…it’s just a win-win for both,” Lamberti says. The commission met at the Hard Rock and they also approved a 20-thousand dollar penalty for Harvey’s of Council Bluffs after an underage girl got onto the gaming floor. The girl’s parents distracted the casino security guard while her grandparents quickly sneaked her in. Lamberti says this is something that’s been tried at other casinos too.

“This is becoming a little more common. You know I’ve been on the commission now almost seven years and when I was first on I don’t recall where we were seeing family members and other adults really trying to facilitate or assist someone in breaking the underage gaming rules,” according to Lamberti. Lamberti says they commission members want to see everyone involved face a penalty.

“We have spent some time talking about it. We strongly encourage local law enforcement to charge not only the minor — but the family members that assist,” Lamberti says. The girl’s family has been barred from entering the facility following the violation.

(Radio Iowa)

ATLANTIC – Officials at Cass County Health System announced they have recently changed their patient survey vendor and process.  They have begun working with Press Ganey Associates, a leader in the healthcare performance improvement industry, to gather patient feedback.  Press Ganey utilizes a confidential, anonymous survey process to gather information the health system can use to improve patient experience and outcomes.

CCHS CEO Brett Altman said “Press Ganey provides a way for us to learn what our patients are experiencing and we can then use that information to improve our processes and service.”

Press Ganey will mail and email surveys to a sampling of patients who have been seen in the CCHS hospital and clinics.  This is a change from the telephone survey process the health system has used in recent years. Surveys are returned directly to Press Ganey, where the data is collected, analyzed and then provided to the hospital.  The surveys are completely confidential.

Altman noted.  “Patient feedback is very important to us, so we want to make it as easy as possible for our patients to share their perceptions with us.” The survey process for inpatients and surgical patients is regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  A sample of patients in these areas will receive a survey in the mail; if a response is not received within 21 days a second survey must be mailed.

A sample of patients seen in clinics, outpatient departments and the Emergency Department will also receive a survey in the mail.  Others will receive an email survey; a second email survey will be sent if there is no response in 5 days. Altman said “Patient feedback has been a key tool in our becoming one of the top 100 rural hospitals in America, and will help us work toward our mission to become the best rural hospital in America.”

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Cedar Rapids man has been imprisoned for forcibly trying to steal an internet domain name from another man. Federal court records say 43-year-old Sherman Hopkins Jr. was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids to 20 years in prison. He’d made a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to one count of interference and attempted interference with commerce by threats and violence. It’s unclear why Hopkins wanted the domain name.

The records say Hopkins acknowledged breaking into the man’s home on June 21 last year, brandishing a stolen handgun and demanding that the man get on his computer and move the domain name of doitforstate.com from one account to another. The man reported that Hopkins hit him with the gun and used a stun gun as well. The man gained control of the handgun during a struggle in which he was shot in a leg. He then shot Hopkins several times.