From Left to Right: Addison, Harper, and Lincoln Kite

Cass Health held their quarterly Siblings Class on August 10, 2021.  Each participant learned to swaddle, change a diaper and hold a baby.

All of the newly minted “Big Brothers” and “Big Sisters” received a teddy bear and an official certificate.

The next Siblings Class will be held on November 2^nd, 2021, those interested can contact Cass Health OB Department at 712-250-8862.

ATLANTIC- The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to the laboratory at Cass Health based on the results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs.

Cass Health Laboratory Director, Mitch Whiley, MLS (ASCP)CM was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. The Cass Health Laboratory is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide.

“We are very proud to achieve this accreditation,” said Mitch. “Our mission is to provide a superior experience to our patients, and for us, that means that we have to hold ourselves accountable to the highest levels of patient satisfaction, accuracy, and efficiency. It is vital that the data we provide to our providers and patients is precise and timely. This accreditation helps validate that we’re living up to that mission.”

The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program as being equal-to or more-stringent-than the government’s own inspection program.

During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program, records, and overall management.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2021 – Organic producers and handlers can now apply for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds to assist with the cost of receiving or maintaining organic certification. Applications for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) are due Nov. 1, 2021.

“USDA is here to help all producers, including those who grow our nation’s organic food and fiber. Many farmers have told us that cost was a barrier to their ability to get an organic certification,” said Zach Ducheneaux, administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “By assisting with the costs, this program can help organic farmers get their certification along with the benefits that come with it.”

OCCSP provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under the USDA’s National Organic Program. Eligible producers include any certified producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent during the 2021 and any subsequent program year. Producers can be reimbursed for expenses made between Oct. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021 including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage.

For 2021, OCCSP will reimburse 50% of a certified operation’s allowable certification costs, up to a maximum of $500 for each of the following categories (or “scopes”):

• crops
• wild crops
• livestock
• processing/handling
• State organic program fees

Organic farmers and ranchers may apply through an FSA county office or a participating state agency.

This funding will be complemented by an additional $20 million for organic and transitioning producers through the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. More information on that funding will be available in the coming weeks.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds declared today, August 18th, as “Solar Day in Iowa.” To celebrate, solar industry leaders and supporters gathered today for “Solar Day at the Iowa State Fair” for a live reading of the Governor’s proclamation by Lt. Governor Adam Gregg.

“Iowa leads the country in renewable energy development, which creates jobs, grows our rural communities and supports a robust economy,” said Lt. Governor Adam Gregg. “Today, we celebrate the role solar energy has played in this energy innovation. With solar projects in all of Iowa’s 99 counties and nearly 1,000 Iowans employed in the industry, the future looks bright.”

The Governor’s proclamation reads:

• Whereas, Iowa is a world leader for the production, development and technology of renewable energy. These industries create jobs in Iowa and grow the state’s economy.
• Whereas, Iowa ranks 16^th among U.S. states in technical potential for solar energy production, ahead of states such as Florida and Georgia, and has the potential to add enough solar to meet the state’s electric needs more than 150 times over.
• Whereas, Solar energy has become an important option for Iowa farmers, businesses and homeowners to manage their energy future.
• Whereas, Solar energy benefits both rural and urban Iowa, with solar installations in all of Iowa’s 99 counties. 
• Whereas, Iowa’s solar industry employs nearly 800 people and nearly 100 businesses involved in the supply chain.  
• Whereas, More than $568 million has been invested in solar in Iowa, growing local economies.
• Now, Therefore, I, Kim Reynolds, Governor of the State of Iowa, do hereby proclaim August 18, 2021 as SOLAR DAY in the state of Iowa. 

“Solar has been a true success story in our state. This technology has become an economic engine that is powering our communities and economy,” said Troy Van Beek, board member of the Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association.

Solar benefits both rural and urban Iowa with solar projects in all of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“Solar energy provides a drought-proof revenue stream for Iowa farmers that’s needed now more than ever. Land leases for solar projects enable farmers to preserve and enhance our natural resources for generations to come,” said Ray Gaesser, Chair of the Iowa Conservative Energy Forum. “Today we are celebrating the sun, but we also celebrate all forms of energy from our farms, including wind energy, ethanol, biodiesel, biogas and more.”

The Danish Villages Improvement Organization is looking into ways to help residents get easier access to groceries in their communities. The organization will be hosting a meeting on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Kimballton Town Hall to discuss the possibility of adding a grocery locker system in the area. Theo Ramsey of Ramsey’s Market/Fresh out of the Box will be speaking at the meeting about their system. DVIO member Klare Chapman said the system works as a day ahead order grocery drop-off solution.

Shelby and Walnut currently have the Fresh out of the Box systems in place and Chapman said they won’t need a large footprint to make it happen in the Danish Villages.

Theo and Bonnie Ramsey currently operate grocery stores in Manning and Lenox and have used this concept to branch out and serve other communities in the region. Chapman said they are trying to figure out the best way to serve their small communities of Elk Horn and Kimballton.

She said they really need to hear what everyone thinks of this possible solution.

Again that meeting is at 7:00 p.m. tonight at the Kimballton Town Hall. You can listen to a full interview with Chapman that aired on KJAN’s Heartbeat Today show on our podcast page.

The CAM School Board met on Tuesday night at the Superintendent’s Office in Anita to discuss the facility committee’s recommendations to upgrade the district’s buildings. The Board voted 4-1 to accept the committee’s recommendation to upgrade facilities in Anita and Massena to house Pre K – 6th grade students at Massena and 7th-12th grade students at Anita.

A large crowd attended the meeting and shared concerns about the options that have been presented. The recommendation followed a recent straw poll last month that narrowed options to two choices; the one voted on and the other which was to realign elementary facilities at both Anita and Massena and all 7th-12th grade students at Anita.

School Board members Gary Dinkla, Julie Williamson, Nick Kaufman, and Mike Plagman voted for the recommendation. Chuck Kinzie was the lone nay vote.

CAM District patrons will vote on the plan on November 2nd and must receive 60-percent approval to pass.

(Radio Iowa) The faculty union at the University of Northern Iowa has filed a workplace safety complaint against the Regents with the U-S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Faculty union vice president Chris Martin, says the lack of mandates is creating an unsafe workplace.

Martin says voluntary mask-wearing is not enough.

Martin says. Faculty and staff say they’re particularly concerned about COVID risks for those with children under 12 and those with medical vulnerabilities.

(Radio Iowa) Students have started moving back to campus at Iowa State University in Ames. Provost Jonathan Wickert, says the fall semester will see things get back to more normal operation after changes for the pandemic.

Wickert says they will have mostly in-person classes, with some online and hybrid classes as well.

Wickert says they in a way have two incoming first-year classes.

He says those second-year students will be getting a more full look at what is like to be on campus and have in-person classes. The Board of Regents says masks aren’t required this year — but Wickert says they are strongly encouraged indoors. The same goes for vaccinations. Wickert says the faculty have been provided standard statements on masks and vaccination they can cut and paste into their class materials.

Wickert says they have received some petitions from students and faculty asking the school to request that the Board of Regents require masks.

Wickert says. ISU residence hall officials say they’ve had a big demand for people wanting to live on campus and they have opened up another dorm to accommodate them.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office has released details on some arrests in the past week.

On August 15th three arrests were made. 51-year-old Michael Sam Prine was arrested following a traffic stop on an outstanding warrant for Probation Violation. 28-year-old Kathryn Naomi White was arrested following a traffic stop for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked. 41-year-old Anthony Lee Nielsen was arrested following a traffic stop also for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked.

On August 14th Deputies responded to a call in the 34000 block of Highway 92 for a disturbance. 38-year-old Becky June Sulley was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault 1st Offense Causing Bodily Injury and Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree.

On August 13th Deputies clock a man traveling 110mph in a 70mph zone on I-29. A traffic stop was conducted at the 59 mile maker and the driver 23-year-old Eduardo Ordaz was arrested for OWI 1st Offense and Reckless Driving.

On August 11th Deputies were call to a disabled vehicle near 23579 Highway 6. Upon arrival Deputies discovered that the plates on the vehicle were stolen. The driver, 36-year-old Jayme Antoinette Lauridsen was arrested for Theft 2nd Degree-Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Absence from Custody.

The Harlan Police Department released details on a number of recent arrests late Tuesday.

On Monday, August 16th Officers responded to a call for service and arrested 50-year-old Douglas Dennis of Sioux Falls on charges of Theft 1st, Theft 5th, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Failure to have a Valid Driver’s License, and Improper Use of Registration.

On Sunday, August 15th Officers arrested 21-year-old Kylee Ann Marie Sargent of LaVista, NE on a charge of Publice Intoxication.

On August 12th 34-year-old Kimberlee Anne Green of Harlan was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant and booked into the Shelby County Jail.

On August 6th 27-year-old Jordan Leigh Confere of Harlan was arrested on a Shelby County Warrant and booked in.

On August 1st 36-year-old Rebecca Ann Boruff of Harlan was arrested on an active Pottawattamie County Warrant and booked in to the Shelby County Jail.