(Radio Iowa) Many Iowans are caught up in enjoying the last weeks of summer with vacations and yard projects, and giving blood isn’t exactly top of mind. Sue Thesenga, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, says this summertime lull is causing a critical shortfall in blood supplies and she’s putting out an appeal for donors.

There are multiple locations in Iowa where you can donate blood and Thesenga says it’s easy to find one.

Thesenga says the need is constant, as every two seconds in the United States someone needs blood.

The Iowa Department of Corrections reports an inmate has died at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville. 60-year-old Georgia Eileen Grau was pronounced dead on Saturday, August 12th at 7:24 a.m. due to an unexpected medical emergency.

Foul play is not suspected but an autopsy will be conducted to determine cause of death.

Grau had been serving a 10-year maximum term for the crimes of Reckless Use of a Firearm with Bodily Injury and Willful Injury-Causing Bodily Injury from Woodbury County. Her sentence began on January 19, 2021.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Cass County (IA) man was sentenced last Friday to n August 11, 2023, an Atlantic man was sentenced to 156 months (13 years) in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.According to public court documents, law enforcement completed several controlled buys from 54-year old Edward Allen Davenport, of Atlantic, in May, June, and August 2022 involving pure methamphetamine.

In August 2022, a search warrant was executed at Davenport’s Atlantic residence. Law enforcement seized additional pure methamphetamine, a scale, pipes, syringes, and bags with residue from Davenport’s residence.

Upon completion of his prison sentence, Davenport must serve a four-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Atlantic Police Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and Division of Narcotic Enforcement investigated the case

(Omaha, NE) – Officials with the Omaha Community Foundation are reminding Cass and Audubon County non-profit organizations that the deadline to apply for grant funds is Thursday, September 1. Applications are currently being accepted online for the fall grant cycle with $29,940 available to support Cass County nonprofit organizations and community projects, and $37,985 available to support Audubon County nonprofit organizations and community projects.

Of the total allocated funds in Cass County, $4,000 is restricted to the community of Griswold, and $25,940 is available to support nonprofit organizations and projects throughout the county.  In Audubon County, $2,375 is restricted to the Exira area, and $5,060 is designated for the community of Audubon.

Full application details, helpful resources, and a link to the application form can be found online by selecting Cass (Or Audubon) County under County Listing at swiowafoundations.org. Applications will only be accepted through the online system. 

Only organizations providing services in Cass County or Audubon Counties are eligible to apply for their respective county grant funds. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and be an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) public charity, a local municipality, or a fiscally sponsored project.

For Fall 2023, the Cass County and Audubon County Community Foundations will entertain requests for capital and program support. General operating support will not be considered. General operating support will only be considered for extenuating, non-recurring circumstances.  

Please contact Sunni Kamp (sunni@omahafoundation.org) or Sydney Calcagno (sydney@omahafoundation.org) at 800-794-3458 with application-related questions. All completed grant applications will be considered at the October Board meeting, with applicants being notified of funding decisions by the end of October. 

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The U.S. Attorney’s Office reports a Shelby County man was sentenced last Friday (Aug. 11) to 21 months in prison for failing to register as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
According to public court documents, 32-year-old Tyrone Peacock, of Harlan, registered as a sex offender in Illinois in May 2020. Yet, in March 2022, Peacock obtained an Iowa identification card listing a residence in Harlan, Iowa. Peacock resided in and was employed in Iowa, and failed to register, in violation of the requirements of SORNA.

After his prison sentence, Peacock must serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Harlan Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case.