Cass County Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle says if you are wondering about whether there is food insecurity and hunger in Iowa, the answer is yes. Toelle says while the Cass County Democrats cannot eradicate hunger in our county, they are trying to help meet some of the needs of our neighbors. In fact, over the past several months, they have donated $1200 in total to the four county food pantries, so that they can buy food items that are not donated to them, or buy special foods that some chronically ill people need, that are not usually donated to food pantries.

Toelle says the pantries are always very appreciative of donations, whether it be in actual food items or monetary donations. She said also,  “We encourage all other political and fraternal/civic organizations to also donate to the pantries”.

Terri Smith, Cass County Democrats Vice-Chair and the Lord’s Cupboard in Griswold Reps Barb Schroeder, Eleanor Tietz, and Joy Smith.

Kathy Kerns, Cass County Democrats Vice-Chair, and Anita Food Pantry Reps Pam Miller, JoAnn Poeppe, Jodi Irlmeier, Tracy Lett, and Teresa Chester.

Atlantic Food Pantry Reps Brad Osbourne and Ken Burkhart and Kathy Kerns, Cass County Democrats Vice-Chair.

Kathy Kerns, Cass County Democrats Vice-Chair; Cumberland Care & Share Pantry representatives Julie Brown, Becky Pelzer, and Diane Becker.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County, Tuesday, reported the arrest of a man Monday afternoon, in Carson. 42-year old Kevin W. Hardy was taken into custody at around 4:35-p.m. at a residence in the 200 block of S. Dye Street, following a reported disturbance. Hardy faces charges that include Assault/Use or display of a weapon, and Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, resulting in damage ranging from $300-to $750.

At around 4-p.m. Monday, an inmate in the Pottawattamie County Jail, 25-year old Adrian Cory Lee Rollins, of Council Bluffs, was presented with a warrant for Violation of Probation. He was then returned to the custody of Corrections Staff and taken back to his cell. Late Monday morning, 18-year old Alicin Madison Ross, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in the lobby of the Pott. County Jail. Ross was wanted for (Felony) Child Endangerment by Abandonment, resulting on bodily injury. She was booked into the Jail.

Two men were arrested on separate charges late Tuesday, in Red Oak. Police arrested 22-year-old Dawson Allen Squires, of Red Oak, at around 8:10-p.m., on a warrant for Harassment in the 2nd Degree. Squires was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond. And, at around 5:45-p.m., 36-year-old Randon Daniel Phelps, of Red Oak, was arrested on a Montgomery County warrant for Failure to Appear, on an original charge of Driving while License denied or revoked. His bond was set at $5,000.

(Radio Iowa) – A guard and a nurse were assaulted and killed by an inmate at the Anamosa State Prison yesterday (Tuesday). State officials plan to hold a news conference this (Wednesday) afternoon in Anamosa to discuss the case.

Last night, prison officials said due to the criminal investigation, they can provide only limited information about the incident. Here’s what they have announced: an inmate assaulted staff and other inmates in the Anamosa prison’s infirmary. It happened at about 10:15 Tuesday morning. The inmate was captured by other staff who responded, but the gravely injured nurse and correctional officer died of their wounds.

Governor Reynolds issued a written statement, offering her deepest condolences to their families, friends and co-workers. She promised the state will exhaust every available resource to deliver justice to those responsible. AFSCME Council 61 is the union that represents state prison staff. Danny Homan, the union’s president, says he intends to do everything he can to honor the memory of two staff members who committed their lives to keeping our communities safe. Homan says he’ll have more to say about safety inside the state’s prisons as more information about the incident becomes available.

Over the past few years, the union has been calling on lawmakers to boost staffing levels inside the state’s prison system. Iowa legislators haven’t yet released their plan for next year’s budget for the Iowa Department of Corrections.