Iowans who are fighting A-L-S, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, can get some help for themselves and their family members through an effort being launched by the A-L-S Association’s Iowa Chapter. Spokeswoman Sarah Loghry says the Volunteer Family Assistance Program pairs volunteers from all over the state with families affected by A-L-S — and more volunteers are needed.

“We need people who would be willing to do yard work, people who would be willing to cook, do grocery shopping, clean houses, walk dogs, water plants,” Loghry says, “anything anyone is willing to help out with, we are looking for volunteers.”

Those with A-L-S generally live only two to five years after diagnosis. It’s a progressive disease that attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control muscle movement. A-L-S robs you of your ability to walk, to talk, to eat, and ultimately to breathe.

“Being a caregiver is a fulltime job,” Loghry says. “You have to eventually do everything for this person and it really drains the energy out of anyone who is taking care of someone with ALS. Volunteers come in and they can basically help out even in the smallest ways, just to give those caregivers and family members a little break.”

Some volunteers have lost a friend or family member to the disease and they see participation in the program as a way of honoring that person they’ve lost. “We also have a lot of people who are retired who are just looking to help out in the community and they contact us to get connected with our volunteer program,” Loghry says. “Anyone who’s looking to volunteer, or has free time in the mornings or in the evenings, anyone who wants to volunteer can.”

Each volunteer will go through an interview, reference and background check before working with a family in their area. To learn more, visit: www.alsaiowa.org

(Radio Iowa)

The Creston Police Department reports four recent arrests. At around 11-p.m. Sunday, 41-year old Mandi Stowers, of Blockton, was arrested in Creston for Driving While Suspended. She was later released on a $300 bond. And, at around 8:50-p.m. Sunday, 31-year old Colan Hanner, of Creston, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Trespassing. He was being held in the Union County Jail this (Monday) morning, on $300 bond.

Saturday morning, 27-year old Trevor Loudon, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a Union County warrant for Violation of Parole. He remained held in the Union County Jail without bond. Friday morning, 28-year old Brenda Davis, of Afton, was arrested at the Union County LEC on a Union County warrant for Probation Violation, on an original charge of Criminal Mischief in the 4th degree. Davis was later released on a $1,000 bond.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Results from a monthly survey of business supply managers show a slight slip in the economic conditions in nine Midwest and Plains states. The Mid-America Business Conditions Index report released Monday says the overall economic index for the region dropped to 60.1 in March from 60.5 in February. It’s the first index decline in five months.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the figures still point to a healthy regional manufacturing economy. The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the heroin overdose death of a West Des Moines woman is scheduled to be sentenced next month. On Friday a Polk County jury also found 30-year-old Travis West guilty of delivery of a controlled substance. His sentencing is set for May 18.

Authorities say West provided the heroin to 26-year-old Bailey Jo Brady, who was found unconscious in an apartment on June 5, 2015. She died later at a hospital.

Police in Red Oak, Sunday night, arrested a man for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. 40-year old Richard Allen Straw, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 8:25-p.m. in the 200 block of W. Washington Avenue. Straw was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond until making an appearance before a magistrate.

And, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 21-year old Chase Paul Palmer, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 8:27-a.m. Saturday, for Interference with Official Acts.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa union leaders approached this legislative session with apprehension but say they never envisioned lawmakers would approve such dramatic changes governing worker rights and pay. GOP legislators, with support from Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, tightened the workers’ compensation system, limited the scope of collective bargaining rights for public employee unions and banned local minimum wage increases. Republicans say the changes will spur business activity.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Prolonged protests in North Dakota have failed to stop the flow of oil through the Dakota Access pipeline, but they’ve provided inspiration for protests against pipelines around the country. Tactics used in North Dakota such as resistance camps, social media and online fundraising are now being used against pipeline projects in nearly a dozen states. Some people don’t think their efforts will pan out under the Trump administration, which strongly backs the fossil fuel industry.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an Iowa man’s drowning in the Mississippi River might have been avoided if the 52-year-old had been wearing a life jacket. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports James Kenneth Freeman of Lansing, Iowa, drowned Friday after his fishing boat capsized and went under the dam gates near Genoa, Wisconsin.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police are investigating a shooting that injured five people in Des Moines early Sunday. Investigators found more than 40 shell casings and evidence of drug activity at the scene of the shooting near J&J Pizza.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Parents and Sioux City residents are lamenting the latest delay in the opening of a new elementary school after several homes were demolished to make room for it. The Sioux City Journal reports that plans to start classes at the new Bryant Elementary School in the fall of 2019 unraveled March 14 after the low bid for the project’s final phase came in nearly $3 million higher than estimated. The main reason for the high bids is likely rising concrete costs.

The school board decided to revisit the architectural plans to save costs rather than pay more money, which superintendent Paul Gausman says will push the school opening to August 2020. Resident Erik Peterson says the dirt blowing from the construction site has created an annoyance for neighbors.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa union leaders approached this legislative session with apprehension but say they never envisioned lawmakers would approve such dramatic changes governing worker rights and pay.

GOP legislators, with support from Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, tightened the workers’ compensation system, severely limited the scope of collective bargaining rights for public employee unions and banned local minimum wage increases. They also cut budgets amid a tax revenue shortfall.

Republicans say the changes ensure stability and will spur business activity. Others describe it as a war on workers. The director of labor education research at Cornell University, Kate Bronfenbrenner, says the changes may push more workers onto Social Security disability and Medicaid.

Union leaders worry the multiple changes regarding worker rights will spark unintended consequences, calling this session a nightmare scenario for workers.