LE MARS, Iowa (AP) – Operators of a northwest Iowa nursing home that authorities ordered to close have agreed to pay $100,000 to settle allegations that they provided worthless care. Federal prosecutors said in a news release Wednesday that The Abbey of Le Mars Inc. violated the federal False Claims Act by submitting Medicaid claims when the care provided residents was “grossly substandard.”

The facility’s Iowa license has been revoked. Prosecutors say the facility’s staff let skin conditions go untreated, used unnecessary physical restraints and medications and provided inadequate nourishment and bathing and toileting care. The allegations relate to care provided for 16 residents between January 2009 and February 2015.

The City Council in Walnut will meet this evening at their City Hall Council Chambers. During the 5-p.m. session, the Council will receive information concerning the installation of Fiber to the Home (FTTH), from Janell Hansen and Leanne McCarthy, with Walnut Communications.

The Council will also discuss the Streetscape Enhancement Project, streetscape and building facade improvements. Other discussion will revolve around operation of the Walnut Welcome Center, School Property, and the Well Project, as well as a possible amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan. They’ll also hold a preliminary review the FY 2017-18 City of Walnut Budget, and consider the adoption of a Resolution scheduling the time and place for a Public Hearing, to solicit written and oral comments on the proposed FY 2017-18 Budget.

The Atlantic City Council received the preliminary Fiscal Year 2018 City Budget from City Administrator John Lund. Lund says the proposed budget amounts to slightly more than $12.493-million, which is a decrease over the FY 2017 budget of 14.78%, or more than $1.847-million. He said the budget is lower this year because the City won’t be borrowing so money much for Capital Projects, such as finishing the street improvements. (Click on the left side of the audio bars to listen)

(This year, the City will only have to borrow $360,000, as opposed to the millions of dollars that has been borrowed in past years.)

He says the Budget calls for a property tax increase of 1.48-percent due to actions by the Iowa Legislature.

Lund says cities in Iowa can’t rely on the Governor to protect them from future losses in tax revenue when the Legislature enacts tax reform that benefits commercial property owners and results in a loss of property tax backfill and funds from the State.

The City will see notable losses in collections from tax revenue, amounting to a combined $126,718 to the General, Employee Benefit and Debt Service Funds. On the bright side, the City’s Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) Fund posted 2.33% growth in FY 2017 over 2016, and Lund predicts an even more robust growth in FY 2018. And, the City expects to resume minimal debt in FY 2018.

The Council also heard a presentation from SWIPCO’s John McCurdy, with regard to a Comprehensive City Plan, which is required by the State, and was last adopted in 2002. The process to undertake and devise a new or updated plan will take about nine months, at a cost to the City of $19,500, the funds for which will come from the LOST Progress Fund for FY 2018. The also acted on approving an updated retainer agreement with the Otto, Lorence and Wiederstein law firm, which mentions Mark Bosworth is the Primary Attorney, but the position of City Attorney is still managed by the firm. Compensation will increase from $20,000 to $24,000.

Police in Red Oak arrested a man Wednesday afternoon on a charge of Theft in the 5th Degree. 28-year old Andrew Dean West, of Malvern, was taken into custody at around 3:30-p.m. in the 100 block of W. Coolbaugh Street. West was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $300.

Police in Shenandoah, Wednesday night, arrested a woman who allegedly took a vehicle without permission. Officers received a stolen vehicle report at around 10:50-p.m. The vehicle was later located near the Valley View Apartments. A suspect in the theft, 50-year old Shelly Graham, of Shenandoah, was taken into custody and charged with Operating Without Owner’s Consent, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana), and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

During the booking process, it was discovered that Graham also had a valid Page County warrant for her arrest for Theft in the 5th Degree. Graham was transported to Page County Jail, where she was being held on $2,000 bond.

There’s a race in the Iowa Senate to determine the future of traffic enforcement cameras — and it’s NOT clear which side will win. One bill under consideration in a senate committee would ban the cameras. The other bill cleared the Senate Transportation Committee Wednesday and it would keep the cameras, but fines would be slashed and the D-O-T would have to approve the placement of all the cameras. Senator Dan Zumbach of Ryan says the cameras are making some Iowa roadways safer.  “A place for people to drive without being fearful,” Zumbach says.

Senator Tod Bowman of Maquoketa is also lining up on the side of keeping the cameras operating. “I think it’s a way, in certain situations, that we can minimize fatalities and accidents,” Bowman says.

The bill that allows the cameras to continue policing the roads would redirect the money from the fines to road projects. Senator Tony Bisignano of Des Moines supports keeping the cameras, but he argues the money from the fines should be used to support the police. “We’re telling ’em where they can put their cameras and then we’re telling how they can spend their money,” Bisignano said. “Why don’t we just do a bill and get rid of city councils?”

Senator Jim Lykam of Davenport has a message for people who complain about tickets generated by a traffic camera: “If you don’t speed and you don’t run a red light, it doesn’t take your picture.” Senator Jeff Danielson of Cedar Falls was the only member of the Senate Transportation Committee who voted against the bill that would keep traffic cameras operating, but with some new restrictions. He warns putting the Iowa D-O-T in charge of WHERE the permanent AND mobile cameras can be positioned means all the complaints about tickets will filter up to legislators.

“I think this potentially could turn into a political nightmare for us,” Danielson says, “…but also a bureaucratic nightmare in trying to sort through all those applications and the process it would take.” Over the past few years, Iowa legislators have passed bills that have called for limits on traffic camera fines, plus bills that would ban the cameras altogether, but NONE of those proposals has gotten enough support to clear both the House AND Senate. The Senate Republican Leader who decides which bills get debated hasn’t indicated which path he may pursue.

(Radio Iowa)