(Des Moines, IA) The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced two initiatives focused on healthy habits, nutrition and addressing food insecurity for Iowa families. “Though these programs have different goals and execution, helping Iowa families and communities lead healthier lives is deeply embedded in the HHS mission. Food insecurity, exacerbated by the rising cost of food and an increasing rate of obesity in Iowa drive the need for HHS to focus our attention on nutrition and health education. Through these programs, we reach Iowans in in 20 counties with programming that is collaborative, targeted and measurable,” said HHS Director Kelly Garcia.

Iowa Stops Hunger Pilot Program: 

The Iowa Stops Hunger is a statewide initiative formed by Business Publications Corporation (BPC) in 2020 to bring awareness and inspire action to combat food insecurity in Iowa. With the support of Presenting Sponsor Hy-Vee and Supporting Sponsor Mom’s Meals, Iowa Stops Hunger has explored hunger in Iowa, created ongoing media content and events to discuss food insecurity in Iowa, showcased actions taken by businesses, and connected participants from the business and nonprofit communities across the state.

The dialogue generated throughout 2020 and 2021 sparked interest in further action. A small group led by Hy-Vee, Mom’s Meals and HHS, facilitated by BPC, have joined forces in a public/private coalition to reduce food insecurity in Iowa through targeted programming. The Iowa Stops Hunger Coalition will launch a pilot program targeting women between the ages of 21-44 who are food insecure but may not qualify for SNAP, WIC or Free and Reduced Lunch programs. Many of these women are young mothers who are in the workforce at low-wage jobs or who have left the workforce, making this project of particular relevance to Iowa employers.

The pilot project timeline is being finalized by the public/private coalition. Managed Care Medicaid providers Amerigroup Iowa, Iowa Total Care and Molina Healthcare will provide outreach and coordination of services with community-based nutrition partners including each of the Iowa area Food Banks. Hy-Vee and Mom’s Meals will be providing coordination, food and nutrition education and support. BPC is assisting with Coalition facilitation and communications support. Iowa Medicaid will administer the pilot.

The program includes short-term food insecurity stabilization and resources and longer-term food and nutrition access and education. The pilot will focus on women ages 21-44 in eight Iowa counties who have indicated that they are experiencing food insecurity. Among the counties included, are Pottawattamie and Woodbury. Participating counties were identified by HHS through analysis of screenings which showed a higher-than-average rate of food insecurity for residents. The selected counties represent a statewide cross section of rural and urban populations. An estimated 23,000 individuals are identified as part of the pilot. Specifically targeting moms with kids will help address the systemic challenges families often face.

HHS also announces $265,000 in grants to 15 counties across Iowa through 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! : An evidence-based prevention framework for early care and education programs, K-12 schools, out-of-school programs and health care practices to encourage Iowa kids to adopt healthy habits. First year, $30,000 awards went to Dallas and Woodbury Counties in our area. And a Third-year, $8,000 award went to both Woodbury and Madison Counties.

(Villisca, Iowa) – Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies, Tuesday night in rural Villisca, arrested a wanted fugitive. Authorities says Sheriff’s Deputies were looking for 35-year-old Jessie Bruce Fitzwater, of Villisca, at 3262 150th Street. When they arrived at the house, Fitzwater attempted to run but was taken into custody. During the investigation, Deputies obtained a search warrant for the residence, which resulted in Fitzwater being arrested for two Class-D Felony counts of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and a Class-D Felony charge for Possession of Meth/3rd Offense.

Also arrested was 24-year-old Ashley Nicole Fitzwater, of Villisca. She faces two aggravated misdemeanor charges for two counts of Child Endangerment, and Possession of Meth/1st offense, a Serious Misdemeanor.

Both subjects were transported to the Montgomery County Jail.

(Radio Iowa) – An event that has become one of the largest annual gatherings for Iowa Republicans is scheduled for today (Saturday). Senator Joni Ernst is hosting her “Roast and Ride” fundraiser. Proceeds from the event will be going to the Cpl. Daegan Page Foundation. The organization was founded in honor of Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page, a Red Oak native who was killed on August 26, 2021 in the bombing at the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan.

Ernst’s fellow G-O-P Senator Chuck Grassley will be among the speakers. Polls suggest Grassley’s in his toughest campaign since 1980 and Republican strategist Eric Woolson says the value of the Roast and Ride is that it will attract G-O-P voters from all across the state.

“As important as attracting people is that it energizes them,” Woolson says, “and so Grassley, having that opportunity to piggyback off a big event like that, is important to his campaign and it’s important that he gets his message out there to Iowa Republicans, to the base.” Woolson was a spokesman for Grassley’s 2010 campaign, when Grassley won re-election by a 30 point margin.

Ernst held her first “Roast and Ride” fundraiser in 2015. Back then, Ernst said she intended it to showcase G-O-P candidates in the same way Senator Tom Harkin’s annual steak fry had for Democrats. Ernst says this Saturday Republican activists will get a chance to see Grassley, as well as Governor Kim Reynolds and three G-O-P congressional candidates.  “To me it’s worth its weight in gold when you can be at an event, really see the body language of someone speaking in front of you, and then hopefully have the opportunity to mingle with them, too, and maybe ask them a question off line or just to see them in action, how they communication and get along with others,” Ernst says.

“I just think it’s a great opportunity in such a low key, friendly atmosphere.” The speaking program is scheduled to start around noon at the state fairgrounds, but before that Ernst is hosting two other events. There’ll be a mid-morning motorcycle ride (10:30-11:15-a.m.) and an early morning “Ruck March” (from 7:30-8:30-a.m.). It’s a fast-paced walk, with participants carrying a backpack. In the military, a “ruck march” typically has soldiers covering rugged terrain and carrying packs weighing at least 45 pounds.

The Ernst fundraiser’s ruck march will be held on the state fairgrounds. The roast takes place from 11-a.m. to 1:30-p.m.

A crash in Mills County Friday afternoon claimed the life of a teen from Emerson. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 1998 Honda Civic driven by a 17-year-old female, was traveling east on Noyes Avenue at around 4:05-p.m., when the car went out of control after crossing the intersection with 290th Street.

The vehicle left the road and rolled several times before coming to rest on its wheels, in a field. The teenage driver was ejected from the vehicle. She was not wearing a seat belt. The girl died from her injuries at the scene.Her name was not immediately released.

Mills County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted the State Patrol at the crash site.