(Radio Iowa) – A state senator who’s tried for years to ban traffic cameras is pairing a proposed ban with a plan to crack down on motorists who use their smart phones while driving. Republican Senator Brad Zaun of Urbandale began the effort in 2011 after a camera ticketed his vehicle speeding in Cedar Rapids, but it was his son behind the wheel at the time.

“I believe fundamentally that they’re against our constitution,” Zaun says. “It doesn’t matter who’s driving the car, whoever the car’s registered (to), the ticket goes in the mail.” Zaun held a subcommittee hearing this (Tuesday) morning. Relatives of three Iowans who’ve been killed by a driver distracted by a smart phone pleaded with Zaun to just advance the requirement that drivers’ smart phones be in hands-free mode on the road.

Peter Bengston told senators his daughter Ellen was riding her bicycle near Charles City in 2020 when she was struck and killed by a driver who was opening an app on his cell phone.  “She did nothing wrong, but the driver confessed and walked free because of the current (law) out there,” Benston said. “This is an issue of public highway safety and we ask that you have a clean hands-free-while-driving bill made public and prevent other families from going through the loss my family is going through right now.”

Veronica Young, of Altoona, on right, holds a photo of her son as she speaks at Senate subcommittee hearing on Jan. 30, 2024. (RI photo)

Veronica Young of held a photo of her 22 year old son Derrius who was killed near Sumner on February 5th of last year by a driver who ran a stop sign.  “Hands free is such a big deal and could save so much heartache,” she said. “My son was important. My son meant the world to a whole lot of people other than just family and he had a bright future that was taken away for absolutely no reason.”

Kristi Castenson of Harcourt held up a photo of her husband and their family. Dave Cartenson and his 85-year-old mother were killed in 2015 by a driver using a smart phone. The driver, who was convicted, was sentenced to probation in the first case of distracted driving prosecuted in Iowa.  “We need to do something as citizens to protect the people in Iowa and everywhere because we’re losing way too many people or people are being injured,” she said. “It affects the rest of their life.”

State troopers and. police officers from Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque and Fayette urged Senator Zaun to drop his proposal to ban traffic cameras in Iowa after July 1st of 2025. Fayette Police Chief Ben Davis says he doesn’t have the staff that many metro areas have and traffic cameras are important in his town. “We were one of the first agencies in the state to start a rural traffic program,” Davis said. “Since then we’ve been able to reduce traffic incidences to nearly zero in four years. It helps protect our town and it’s a force multiplier. Technology for law enforcement is always a force multiplier.”

Last year the Iowa Senate did pass a bill to require that drivers only use a smart phone in hands-free mode, but it stalled in the House.

(Radio Iowa) – Brainstorming sessions are used in all levels of the corporate world, but a University of Iowa professor of management and entrepreneurship suggests those sessions don’t work, and he has a better idea. Professor Eean Crawford, in the U-I’s Tippie College of Business, says brainstorming with a group often isn’t productive because it forces our brains to do at least four things at once, and that overloads us.

“One, you’re trying to come up with ideas, so you’re trying to think about them,” Crawford says. “Two, you are trying to listen to other people’s ideas. Three, while you’re doing that, you’re trying to remember the ideas you came up with. And then four, simultaneously, you’re trying to evaluate the ideas that people are suggesting.” Brainstorming sessions may simply lead to meetings that go nowhere or, even worse, bad decisions. Instead, he suggests “brainwriting” sessions that start with a simple problem statement.

“Each of you individually sit down and write as many ideas as you can, quietly,” Crawford says. “Then having written them, you don’t have to remember them anymore, so you’ve relieved your brain from doing that. Then, you gather together and share those ideas. You just take turns going round robin around the group, and each person just reads off their ideas, and at this point, no one evaluates them, you’re just listening.” After all the ideas are vocalized, everyone can discuss the pros and cons and pursue a solution with a fresher perspective. Crawford says it’s a more effective way to get the creative juices flowing.

Prof. Eean Crawford (UI photo)

“I was just this past weekend at a mini-conference and we had brain writing sessions, and it was awesome!” he says. “One of them started with not after the problem statement coming up with your best ideas, the facilitator suggested for the next five minutes, I want you to come up with as many bad ideas as you can, like generate the worst possible ideas to solve this problem. And in the 30 minutes that followed, when we shared those ideas, it was hilarious.” By injecting humor and laughter, the positivity was evident, he says, and that led to another session of writing out -good- ideas, during which there were more ideas and of higher quality. While it may sound like a no-brainer, Crawford notes common sense isn’t often put into common practice.

“I don’t know why brainstorming persists in most organizations, other than it’s kind of the default,” Crawford says. “People don’t put a lot of thought into structuring a session where you need to generate ideas. They just kind of get in a room and say, ‘Okay, what ideas do you have?'” The idea of brainwriting isn’t new, Crawford says, as it was first suggested in print in the late 1960s. He says studies find, brainwriting sessions can increase productivity and idea quality by 20-percent over traditional brainstorming.

(Radio Iowa) – Dr. Deborah Turner, a Mason City native and the national president of the League of Women Voters, died Sunday from complications after a pulmonary embolism. Turner was born in Mason City in 1950 and graduated from Mason City High School in 1969. After graduating from medical school at the University of Iowa in 1978, she became the first black doctor certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the specialty of gynecologic oncology in 1985.

Iowa native Dr. Deborah Turner was elected national president of the League of Women voters in June of 2020 and reelected in 2022. (League of Women Voters photo)

Turner practiced medicine for 35 years and worked at hospitals in Mason City, Davenport and Des Moines. She also taught medical residents in programs at the University of Iowa, University of Nebraska and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Turner first joined the League of Women Voters of Metro Des Moines in 2010 and later served as president until 2015. Turner was elected president of the national organization in June 2020 and was re-elected to the same position in June 2022.

(Winterset, Iowa) – Officials with the Winterset Police Department today (Tuesday), updated information concerning a man who was reported missing since January 18th. Authorities say while the search for 25-year-old Joshua Aaron Graham-Caskey continues, they have “been able to confirm through law enforcement license plate readers, financial transactions, and business surveillance cameras, the Graham-Caskey has been traveling south through Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.” His last known location was Mena, Arkansas, on January 19th (2024).

Authorities say “Efforts to locate Mr. Graham-Caskey through phone records, phone GPS pings, Sirius Satellite Radio, Ford Motor Company GPS, purchase history (beyond 1/19/24), and law enforcement license plate readers (beyond 1/18/24) have been unsuccessful thus far.”

The most recent photos of Mr. Graham-Caskey and his 2004 Ford Taurus (Iowa license plate KNZ 677) are shown below.

Officials reiterated that “This investigation is not a criminal investigation, and is purely to ensure the safety of Mr. Graham-Caskey.”

Joshua Caskey

Atlantic, IA — Cass Health is excited to announce that a new partnership with Urology Center of Iowa will bring Dr. McCabe Kenny and Physician Assistant Marc Goeders to Atlantic. “Urology is currently one of our most in-demand specialties, and we’re excited to bring these new providers to our Specialty Clinic. We’re happy to provide this care close to home for our community,” said Chief Operating Officer Amanda Bireline.

Dr. Kenny grew up in Osage, Iowa, and received his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine. He completed his residency training at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and he is board-certified in urology.

Marc Goeders

McCabe Kenny

Marc Goeders, PA-C graduated from Des Moines University with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies in 2000. Since then, he has practiced in Iowa and began working with Urology Center of Iowa in February 2023.

Dr. Kenny and Goeders treat patients with a wide variety of urological needs including urinary incontinence, kidney stones, enlarged prostate, elevated PSA, vasectomies, and more. Goeders will only treat patients over the age of 18, while Dr. Kenny is able to provide both pediatric and adult care.

Both Dr. Kenny and Goeders will be in Atlantic twice each month on Wednesdays. To make an appointment, patients can call 712-243-7590.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Local Food Policy Council has released the dates for upcoming mobile food pantries in Cass County. The first 2024 mobile food pantries in the county will take place on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at locations in Atlantic, Anita, and Massena. The mobile pantries are hosted by community partners across Cass County. 

A mobile pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to families in need for a one-day distribution. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome. Mobile food pantries are available free of charge. Anyone in need is welcome, and no documentation is required. Each car can take food for up to two households at a time. For any additional information or questions please contact Grace McAfee, Community Wellness Coordinator, at (712) 250-8170 or by email at mcage@casshealth.org.

 Additional mobile food pantries have been scheduled for Atlantic, Anita, Griswold, and Massena. (See below for details)

Atlantic 2024 Mobile Food Pantries

Where: Cass County Fairgrounds (1000 Fair Ave. Atlantic, IA 50022)

2024 Dates: February 14, April 10, June 12, July 10, September 11, October 9

Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm 

Anita 2024 Mobile Food Pantries

Where: Anita Food Pantry (208 Chestnut St. Anita, IA 50020)

2024 Dates: February 14, May 15, August 14, October 16

Time: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Griswold 2024 Mobile Food Pantries

Where: Central Church of Christ (51 Harrison St. Griswold, IA 51535)

2024 Dates: May 4 and November 2

Time:  10:00 am – 11:30 am              

Massena 2024 Mobile Food Pantries

Where: East Side of Massena’s City Park (500 5th St, Massena, IA 50853)

Dates: February 14,  April 10,  June 12,  July 10,  September 11, October 9. 

Box Pick-Up Time: 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm 

Mobile pantry dates, times, and locations are subject to change. For the latest information on mobile pantries in the county, visit https://foodbankheartland.org/food-resources/find-food/. For information on local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood.

(Griswold, Iowa) – Cass County Democrats and the Cass County Republicans, are co-hosting a Legislative Coffee bringing Senator Tom Shipley and Representative Tom Moore to the Griswold Library (505 Main Street). The bi-partisan event will help bring people up to date on the latest legislation in the Iowa House and Senate. It is also a time for citizens to bring their questions and comments to our lawmakers.

The legislative coffee for Senate District 9 and House District 18, takes place from 9:30-until 11-a.m., Saturday (Feb. 3rd).

Sen. Tom Shipley (R-Nodaway).

Rep. Tom Moore (R-Griswold)

Its the first time the two county political parties are co-hosting the coffee. Organizers says “It is important for citizens to be informed and to discuss the laws and amendments that are passing through the legislature. Saturday morning is an opportunity to bring the community together to learn about pending legislation, to ask questions and offer comments.”

(Radio Iowa) – A bill that would let court-ordered child support extend to the nine months of a pregnancy has cleared an Iowa House subcommittee. Representative John Wills, a Republican from Spirit Lake, is the bill’s lead sponsor. “I’m very passionate about this,” Wills says. “We’ve got to take care of that baby before it’s born. If we do, it’s going to be a better, healthier baby, in better shape to be able to take on the world. The mother is going to be able to finish school. The mother’s going to be able to do all these things, have less stress on her life. It is going to be better for all and maybe we can even keep women off the welfare system because they’ve got this extra support.”

If the bill becomes law, once paternity is established, a judge could order the father to retroactively provide financial support during the entire pregnancy. Wills says no other state has taken this step to force men to support their child from the moment of conception.  “Parenthood is a two person situation,” Wills says. “It takes two people to create a baby and, right now, that dad is just getting off the hook.”

Wills says if the bill becomes law, a court could order the father to provide health insurance coverage to the mother during the pregnancy. Under current practice, judges consider the income both parents earn in determining child support — after the child is born.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday) during their committee/assignment updates, talked about RAGBRAI, the impact of inflation, and other matters. Supervisor Donna Robinson said she attended a recent SWIPCO meeting, during which this Summer’s RAGBRAI was discussed. Red Oak is the first overnight stay on the week-long bicycle trip across the State.

Supervisor Randy Cooper said he had a Southwest Iowa Mental Health meeting, Monday.

Board Chair Mike Olsen said inflation is affecting budgets in Montgomery and other Counties across the State.

Montgomery County BOS mtg., 1-30-24

He said everyone was trying to come up with solutions, but the bottom line, is that there will likely be some cuts in service. In her report to the Montgomery County Supervisors, Engineer Karen Albert said crews have been pushing back snow drifts with their loaders and trucks and conducting maintenance and repairs. She said they now have six of their eight trucks running. She also talked about the progress on a current bridge project.

The Board received a HIPPA update from Public Health Administrator Samantha Beeson, and under “New Business,” discussed with Auditor Jill Ozuna, Beacon and related add-ons, with regard to the Schneider GIS/Mapping service.

She said for an extra, one-time set-up fee of $1,300 and an annual charge of $768, services such as address changes and related matters could be added. And, a property service module could be added for an additional $1,116 per year hosting fee. That element breaks down property taxes, per house and/or parcel.

The Board took the information and request under consideration for their budget discussion. Their next meeting is February 6th, during which they will have a Public Hearing on the budget at 8:45-a.m., and they will act on setting a Bonding Hearing for tuck-pointing, as 8:45-a.m., February 27th.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill in the Iowa House would require students to prove they are U-S citizens or are “lawfully present” in the U-S in order to quality for in-state tuition at the state’s public universities and community colleges. Hector Salamanca Arroyo, of Waterloo, says he qualified for in-state tuition to attend DMACC in 2011 before he received deferred-action status under DACA. He told a House subcommittee Monday that without in-state tuition, college would have been unaffordable.

“Education is supposed to be the mechanism that levels the playing field,” he says, “and if an Iowa student is trying to continue their education, we shouldn’t punish them by putting higher education out of reach.” The only supportive comments on the bill came from G-O-P lawmakers on the House panel who said Iowans should not support the tuition of immigrants who are not legally authorized to be in the U-S.

The bill now goes to the full House Judiciary committee.