The Women’s Health Services committee at Cass County Health System invites women of all ages to a free seminar, “Building Strength.” The free class will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on March 29th at Cass County Health System.

Laura Hickman, DPT, ATC, and Erin Johnson, PTA, will present at the seminar. Hickman says “Resistance training is really important for women because it can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Whether it’s using resistance bands, free weights, or your own body weight—these exercises can also help women burn more calories and achieve a more toned look.”

The class will be held in Conference Room 2. The first portion of the class will cover the basics of resistance training—the why and how behind it—and the second portion will be an active session for the participants. Attendees are encouraged to dress comfortably.

Hickman says “We’ll be up demonstrating these exercises, but all of our attendees will be actively trying them, too. We’ll also send everyone home with a resistance band so they can continue these exercises on their own.”

This is a free event, but because space is limited, reservations are required and can be made by calling 712-243-7479. Attendees are asked to park in Parking Lot C and enter through Rehabilitation Services. Any questions about the event can be directed to CCHS Public Relations Department at 712-243-7405.

An investigation into an accident last December that claimed the life of one teen and resulted in injuries to two others, has culminated in charges being filed against the driver of the vehicle. 16-year old Kaitlyn Renshaw, of Council Bluffs, was charged with Motor Vehicle Homicide by OWI, and Motor Vehicle Homicide by Reckless Driving. Renshaw was taken into custody, processed at Pottawattamie County Corrections, then released to the custody of her mother. The results of a drug screen determined Renshaw tested positive for marijuana in her system at the time of the collision.

The accident, which happened at around 10:20-a.m. Dec. 4th, resulted in the death of front seat passenger, 16-year old Haley Wright, and minor injuries to a back seat passenger, 16-year old Ethan Conger, both from Council Bluffs. Officials say a 2004 Mazda driven by Renshaw was found lying on its side down an embankment on the north side of Interstate 80 in Council Bluffs.

Wright was partially ejected and found deceased at the scene. The Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln student was just three-days shy of her 17th birthday when the accident took her life. Renshaw and Conger were transported on an Omaha hospital for treatment of their injuries.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three, recent arrests. Today (Tuesday), deputies arrested 23-year old T-J Taylor Anderson, of Exira, on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Driving While Barred (an Aggravated Misdemeanor). Anderson was taken to the Cass County Jail where was released later that day on $2,000 bond.

And, two people were arrested Monday, in Cass County. 52-year old Martin Soto Herrera, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a charge of OWI 2nd Offense (An Aggravated misdemeanor). Herrera was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $2,000 bond. And, 30-year old Tony Martin Mayo, Jr., of Lewis, was arrested Monday on a charge of OWI 1st Offense (a Serious misdemeanor). Mayo was also cited for Driving Under Suspension (a Simple misdemeanor). Mayo was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance.

The votes are in and tallied. This year’s Iowa’s Best Burger contest proves that great tasting beef burgers are being served across the state. Officials with the Iowa Beef Industry Council say Iowans submitted more than 6,200 nomination votes between February 15th and March 9th representing 311 Iowa restaurants. The number of votes each restaurant received determined the 2016 Top Ten restaurants and their burgers.

Among the Top 10, was: the Chuckwagon Restaurant, in Adair; Down Right Delicious, and Vaughn’s Café & Bakery, both in Clarinda; and, The Elm’s Club, in Creston. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association counted the nominations that were received via the website, texting and paper ballots.

Also among the restaurants making the Top Ten list (in alphabetical order) is:

– Ankeny Diner, Ankeny
– BW’s Burgers, West Des Moines
– First Street Grille, Keosauqua
– PerXactly Bar & Grill, Maquoketa
– Rides Bar & Grill, Fort Dodge
– The Ritz, Arnolds Park

The quest for the winner of the Iowa’s Best Burger will now begin. All Top Ten restaurants will be visited by a panel of anonymous judges who will evaluate the burgers based on taste, appearance, and proper doneness (160 degrees). The judges’ scores and comments will be accumulated and the winner will be crowned on May 2.

To learn more about the Top Ten restaurants and the contest, visit www.iabeef.org.

Last year, The Cider House of Fairfield took home the title of the 2015 Iowa’s Best Burger. Winners in previous years are: 2014 – Brick City Grill in Ames; 2013 – 61 Chop House Grille in Mediapolis; 2012 – Coon Bowl III in Coon Rapids; 2011 – Rusty Duck in Dexter; and 2010 – Sac County Cattle Company of Sac City.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a Cass County man was arrested today (Tuesday) on a warrant for Theft in the 3rd Degree. 44-year old Stanley Oral Rossell, of Lewis, was taken into custody a little after midnight, and was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond.

A man from Cass County was sentenced Monday in Pottawattamie County District Court to a maximum of 10-years in prison on controlled substance violation charge, after pleading guilty in a plea deal that resulted in two other charges being dismissed. 32-year old Jacob Leary, of Atlantic, was found guilty by Judge James M. Richardson on the Possession of Methamphetamine charge. In exchange for his plea, the charges of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, were dismissed.

Leary was given credit for time served and fined $1,000. He also had his license revoked for 180 days. Leary and 32-year-old Randi Shafer, also of Atlantic, were arrested late last September, following a traffic stop in Pottawattamie County. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 16 grams of methamphetamine and syringes.

Shafer pleaded guilty to a similar charge in November. She was given credit for time served and placed on probation, but has since violated the terms of her probation and is scheduled to appear in court on March 30th for a probation hearing.

Forecasters say scattered showers and thunderstorms are in today’s (Tuesday) forecast for much of Iowa with the chance of severe weather this afternoon. That includes the possibility of hail, high winds and tornadoes. A High Wind Watch is posted for late today into tomorrow, according to Frank Boksa, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in metro Des Moines.

High Wind Watch for counties shaded in brownish-gold

Boksa says, “We’re going to see winds out of the north and they’re going to increase to 30 or 40 miles an hour sustained and we could see gusts of 60 miles an hour or higher.” While the calendar says spring is due to arrive this weekend, Iowa may be returning to winter weather later this week.

“Since we’re bringing in colder air, especially at night, temperatures will likely drop to cold enough to change that rain over to snow or at least a wintery mix of rain and snow,” Boksa says. “That’s what we’re expecting Thursday into Friday.”

(Radio Iowa)

An ATV accident in Harrison County Monday afternoon claimed the life of a woman, her unborn twins and resulted in injuries to her three-year old son. The Iowa State Patrol says 27-year old Jordan Muxfeldt, of Logan died in the crash that happened at around 1:25-p.m. as she and 3-year old Wade Muxfeldt were traveling north on Morgan Avenue, north of Highway 127.

Officials say for reasons unknown, the 2010 Polaris four-wheel ATV they were riding made a sudden, right turn, causing the machine to roll over. The woman and her child were thrown onto the pavement. Jordan Muxfeldt was flown by LifeNet helicopter to Creighton Hospital in Omaha, where she was pronounced dead. Wade Muxfeldt was transported by Logan Rescue to the hospital in Missouri Valley, and later transferred by helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Sioux City is considering an ordinance amendment that would prohibit the use of BB and pellet guns. The Sioux City Journal reports that the City Council voted 3-2 on Monday to approve a first reading of the amendment. City Attorney Nicole Jensen says the change follows a national trend to restrict the public use of simulated guns. The punishment for breaking the ordinance would be a misdemeanor charge.

Police Chief Doug Young says he wants air rifles and some projectile devices outlawed so that police don’t mistake them for deadly weapons and shoot at suspects. Councilman Pete Groetken, a former police officer, supported the proposal, saying it would prevent a tragedy someday. Mayor Bob Scott and Councilman Keith Radig voted against the ordinance, saying enforcement could be difficult.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday morning, will receive a request from the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department and Members of the Parks Board, for financial support in advance of an application for a CAT (Community Attraction and Tourism) grant. The grant application is for funds needed for the next phase of improvements at the Schildberg Recreation Area. The Supervisors are expected to act on pledging up to $40,000 as a grant match from the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) revenues.

Earlier this month, the Atlantic City Council approved a request for $100,000 in support of the $360,000 grant application, which must be submitted to Vision Iowa by April 15th. The Parks and Rec Department must raise $180,000 in 50-percent matching funds in order for the Vision Iowa Board to consider the request for a CAT grant.

The Board of Supervisor’s meeting begins at 8:30-a.m., in their Board Room at the Cass County Courthouse.