(Atlantic, Iowa)  — Cass County Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee says Healthy Cass County invites all residents and community members to attend the next Healthy Cass County meeting at Noon on Monday, December 9, 2024. This gathering is an opportunity for us to come together, share ideas, and tackle an important issue: food insecurity. Let’s explore fresh and creative solutions to ensure everyone in our community has access to nutritious food.

Here’s a sneak peek at what will be discussed:

• Innovative food access initiatives that can make a real difference in our neighborhoods.
• Ways to boost participation in nutrition programs and make them more accessible.
• Ideas to expand the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program through policy changes.
• Strategies to increase school-based food pantries, supporting our kids and families.
• How to identify and fill gaps in access to culturally preferred foods, ensuring everyone feels included and cared for.
  

  Healthy Cass County logo

Grace McAfee says “This is more than a meeting—it’s a chance for community members, leaders, and organizations to come together, share ideas, and build a stronger, healthier Cass County. We all have a role to play, and your voice matters!” If you are interested in learning more or signing up for updates, please reach out to Grace McAfee at mcage@casshealth.org or call 712-250-8710.

Follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty (https://www.facebook.com/HealthyCassCounty/). Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee at mcage@casshealth.org or call 712-250-8170 for more information.

(Cumberland, Iowa) – An account has been established to assist a Cass County (IA) family whose home was destroyed in a fire the day before Thanksgiving. Cumberland Fire Chief Jason Rouse deemed the residence a total loss. Clint and Dawnelle Humbert escaped their burning home with just the clothes on their backs on November 27th.

Organizer Maggie Morehouse, in Cumberland, set up a GoFundMe page for the couple so the community can help them get back on their feet.

Follow this LINK to the GoFundMe page established for Clint and Dawnelle Humbert if you can help with their recovery process, and would like to donate.

Photo courtesy Cass County EMA Coordinator Mike Kennon

(Des Moines, IA) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reports, “Through the Safe Haven Law, a baby girl, born November 11 is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined.”

The latest case brings the overall total to 72 infants since the law went into effect more than two decades ago.  The DHS says this is the sixth case so far in 2024. In 2023, ten infants were relinquished to HHS custody under the Safe Haven Act.

Iowa’s Safe Haven Act is an option for parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old. Designated safe havens are locations like hospitals and police and fire stations. Iowa HHS then works to place infants in an approved foster home while awaiting permanent adoption.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting a child, visit https://iowafosterandadoption.org/ to learn more about becoming an approved foster or adoptive family. For more information on Iowa’s Safe Haven, visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/CPS/safe-haven.

CLARINDA, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports 38-year-old Patrick James Smith, Jr., was pronounced dead Sunday night, Dec. 1st, 2024 at the Clarinda Regional Hospital.

Smith had been serving a five-year term for crimes from Polk County. His sentence began on Jan. 20, 2023.

(Glenwood, Iowa) –  The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four recent arrests:

• On Dec. 2nd, 62-year-old Thomas Dean Schroder, of Carson, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a warrant for Violation of Probation.
• On Dec. 1st, 23-year-old Noah Steven Kittle, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving While Revoked/Denied.
• On Nov. 28th, 62-year-old Gene Edward Jerome, of Glenwood, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order.
• And, on Nov. 27th, 37-year-old David Eugene Snyder, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Public Intoxication.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Council Bluffs police are asking for your help in a homicide investigation. The body of 44-year-old Lilia Maria Gonzalez-Lainez, of Omaha, was found May 8, 2024 in the area of Veterans Memorial Highway and E. Manawa Drive. Skeletal remains were discovered in a field about 200-yards off the roadway. A forensic anthropologist determined the remains were those of an adult female. An autopsy conducted by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the manner of death to be homicide. DNA evidence resulted in identification of the remains being those of Gonzalez-Lainez.

The woman was last seen Dec. 11, 2023 in South Omaha. Authorities say the investigation has stalled, and Council Bluffs Police detectives are asking for the public’s assistance, in hopes someone may have knowledge of Gonzales-Lainez’ whereabouts and/or the circumstances surrounding her death and discovery of her body.

Anyone with information that may be helpful in the investigation is asked to call Detective Benson at 712-890-5113, anonymously at 712-328-STOP (7867), or by email tdbenson@councilbluffs-ia.gov.

(Johnston, Iowa) – The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum will host a presentation on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 1:00 PM of Governor Reynolds Proclamation designating December 16, 2024 as a day of remembrance for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. Presentation of the Proclamation is held at the Museum’s COL Al Rolfes Education Center followed by a short program regarding the importance of the Battle of the Bulge, the contributions and sacrifices by those who served, and the Battle’s impact on the ultimate victory by the Allied forces in World War II.

In addition to the Proclamation, the museum will host a Living History WWII Exhibit and a holiday open house with refreshments from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. The Museum’s Gallery will also
remain open until 3:00 PM.

Iowa Gold Star Musuem

Visitors can enter Camp Dodge through the main gate at 7105 NW 70th Avenue, Johnston, Iowa (scan the QR code or follow the website address below). Photo identification is required for
admittance to Camp Dodge for individuals 16 years and older.

More info. at https://goldstarmuseum.iowa.gov/

(Radio Iowa) – The Siouxland Salvation Army is offering an incentive to volunteers who will ring the bells at their red kettles during their ongoing fundraiser. Captain Teri Ellison says they’ve teamed up with a jewelry store. program. “I think this is unique to Sioux City. It’s called ‘Ring for the Bling’, and for every two-hour shift that you ring, you get your name put into a kettle, and that drawing will be on Christmas Eve. Riddles, Jewelry has been setting aside jewelry all year long. I think they have 12 pieces,” she says. Ellison says they have many open spots for bell ringers.

“We are really struggling to get volunteer bell ringers, so we’re hoping to entice people today to come out and even think about it if they haven’t for the first time,” Ellison says. Ellison says they do have some indoor locations if people are worried about being out in the cold. She says they are also seeking out groups of people who want to help with the fundraiser. “Church groups, youth groups, maybe school organizations, banks, you name it. Can just get a group together and go out and take a day and ring a kettle,” she says.

Anyone interested in helping out can go to registertoring.com (register to ring dot com) to sign up. You must complete your shift to be eligible to win some jewelry. The Siouxland Salvation Army has a fundraising goal of 107-thousand dollars and says all funds go to local program. The Red Kettle campaign runs through Christmas Eve.

(Radio Iowa) – A key lawmaker says Senate Republicans will propose that most Iowans receiving government-paid Medicaid insurance coverage work, be looking for a job or be training for one. Republican Senator Mike Bousselot of Ankeny says the incoming Trump Administration is likely to be more willing to grant Iowa a waiver for this work requirement. “Health care in Iowa — it’s important that people have it, but it shouldn’t be something that keeps people in poverty,” Bousselot says. “Getting people job training and having them seek a job while they’re receiving free health care from taxpayers I think is a common sense proposal that incentivizes getting back to work, incentivizes job training and also makes sure the safety net exists, that they have health care while they’re down on their luck.”

Senator Mike Bousselot, a Republican from Ankeny, will be chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee in the 91st Iowa General Assembly, which convenes January 13, 2025. (RI file photo)

Senate Republicans have made similar proposals in the past, but the work requirements for Medicaid coverage were not proposed for Iowans with disabilities or a parent with young children. The first Trump Administration granted waivers to several states that sought to require able-bodied citizens to work or be enrolled in school, but federal courts and then the Biden Administration blocked the policy from taking effect. Bousselot says there’s an opportunity to revisit the issue once Trump returns. “A common sense administration in Washington that’s going to work with us instead of attack us,” Bousselot said.

Bousselot made his comments after speaking at a forum organized by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. The group represents chambers of commerce in 11 counties, including (in this area) Adair, Dallas, Guthrie, and Madison.

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Des Moines police identified a 70-year-old suspect armed with a pellet gun and the officers involved in a deadly shooting last week. It happened at an apartment complex on Nov. 26th. Police say Charles Leonard repeatedly threatened a woman with the gun before raising it towards officers who responded to the scene.

Police say the pellet gun did not have its orange-colored safety cone attached. Two officers fired at Leonard, killing him.

The officers involved are Senior Police Officers Christian Bishop and Lanny Herzog. Both have served with the Des Moines Police Department since 2022. Both officers are on paid administrative assignment, which is department policy.