Connections Area Agency on Aging officials say they are pleased to offer Powerful Tools for Family Caregivers, which is an evidence-based class starting on July 13, 2021 to benefit Family Caregivers: Powerful Tools for Family Caregivers provide caregivers with tools and strategies to better handle the unique caregiver challenges you face.

Are you a Caregiver?  Caregiving takes many forms.  You may help a relative or friend with transportation, housekeeping, grocery shopping, personal care, medications, emotional support, or doctor appointments. Powerful Tools for Family Caregiver classes meet online (via Zoom/required equipment – computer/laptop with microphone & camera.  An optional Zoom practice session will be scheduled if needed) once a week for six weeks starting Tuesday, July 13, 2021 and ending Tuesday, August 17, 2021.  Each class runs 90 minutes from 1:30-3:00 p.m.  It is for caregivers of adults with chronic conditions.

Class size is limited, and registration is required.  The Caregiver Helpbook and handouts will be mailed.  No cost for the program but will receive an opportunity to donate.  For more information, contact Jan Schnack, Family Caregiver Community Engagement Specialist at Connections Area Agency on Aging at 800-432-9209, Ext. 8116 or JSchnack@connectionsaaa.org

Connections Area Agency on Aging Family Caregiver Program supports people who care for their parents, spouses, or others aged 60+ by providing information, resources and support.

(Council Bluffs) – Connections Area Agency on Aging is celebrating Older Americans Month and honoring “Communities of Strength” by donating Beyond Driving with Dignity workbooks for older drivers and their families. These workbooks will be distributed as gifts to all of the public libraries in the twenty-county service area which Connections Area Agency on Aging serves.

Connections Area Agency on Aging hopes that having these workbooks in local communities will empower the families and caregivers of older drivers. “It will give them tools to step out of their own comfort zone to help keep a loved-one safe and independent for many years to come” stated Jan Schnack, Family Caregiver Community Engagement Specialist at Connections Area Agency on Aging. She continued, “Our staff at Connections believe this workbook will serve as an invaluable resource for caring and compassionate caregivers struggling with concern for an older driver.” Local libraries play a key role by allowing us to provide easy access to this workbook at no cost to families.

The book distribution and other activities this month are part of an ongoing celebration of Older Americans Month. When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads our nation’s observance of Older Americans Month. This year, we are celebrating all of the ways older adults connect with others to build “Communities of Strength.” Older adults have built resilience and strength over their lives through successes, failures, joys, and difficulties.

Connections Area Agency on Aging Family Caregiver Program supports people who care for their parents, spouses, or others aged 60+ by providing information, resources, and support. For more information on the press release please contact Jan Schnack, Family Caregiver Community Engagement Specialist at Connections Area Agency on Aging at 800-432-9209, Ext. 8116 or JSchnack@connectionsaaa.org.

The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors visited Shaved Tail Louie’s on Thursday, May 27th, 2021. The Ambassadors were able to chat with owner Megan Roberts, who has been in business in Atlantic for three years and is planning an expansion into Audubon this summer. Megan and her husband, Adam, began their business in Atlantic in hopes of providing delicious, shaved ice to the community. Megan worked at a shaved ice business throughout high school and when the opportunity to open one of her own came, she could not pass up the opportunity.

The name Shaved Tail Louie’s came with a lot of meaning. A Shaved Tail Louie is an old war term for a new cavalry U.S soldier with little experience. Megan’s middle name is also Louise, so the name seemed fitting for the new venture. Shaved Tail Louie’s attends many events throughout the summer, including going to Lake Icaria for July 4th. Coming this summer, they will open another shop in Audubon, where they will have 13 employees working hard to bring high quality shaved ice to the community.

Ambassadors Left to Right: Steve Tjepkes, Adam Roberts, Jessi Klever, Dr. Keith Leonard, Ruth Sears, Anne Quist, Steve Andersen, Dolly Bergmann, Colt Doherty, Kelsey Beschorner, Donnie Drennan, Kathy Hockenberry, Rich Perry, Jennifer McEntaffer, Janet Cappel, Megan Roberts, Mike Cook, Anna Wieser, Krysta Hanson, Rachel Zaks, Jessie Shiels, Tori Gibson, Glen Martin, Kim Bowers, Marcus Daugherty

Shaved Tail Louie’s is open from 1 PM-10 PM every day, rain or shine. For more information call (712) 249-5637 or visit their Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/LouiesShavedIce.

Police in Red Oak report a man was arrested Saturday on an assault charge. Authorities say 48-year-old Paul Edward Robinson, of Red Oak, was arrested a little after 9 p.m. for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st Offense. Robinson was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

And, a little after 6-p.m., Saturday, Red Oak Police arrested 18-year old Jordan Leigh Holaday, of Red Oak, on a charge of Simple Assault. He was taken into custody at a location on E. Summit Street and transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where bond was set at $300.

Rescue crews and law enforcement responded Saturday evening, to a single-vehicle, injury accident that took place on Interstate 80 in Cass County. Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Cass EMS responded at around 5:52 p.m. to a report of a vehicle in the median near mile-marker 56. Four occupants of the vehicle were outside at the time the call went out. The driver was still inside. One person complained of abdominal pain; another occupant reportedly had glass in her arm.

Additional details were not available as of early Sunday morning.

A retired K9 from Cass County has passed away after many years of service. K9 “Vader” began his career in 2013 with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Vader was imported as a puppy from a breeder in Vancouver Canada, by Deputy Kyle Quist and his wife Anne. He was raised in trained in Atlantic at I80 K9.

Saturday night, Deputy Quist posted on the I80 K9 Facebook page, “It has been a rough few days here so has taken a bit to post. We said good bye to a warrior, a friend, a family member. Such a great dog from our friends at Canczechdogs. Thank you to Dr. Kate at Atlantic Animal Health Clinic for taking such good care of him. Under the stars and stripes- the country and citizens he worked for and protected. Highly awarded with so many achievements unnoticed. We love you Vader.”

Cass County Deputy Kyle Quist & his K9 partner “Vader”

It was announced last week also, that the Harlan Police Department’s K9 “Jax” had passed away from natural causes, after serving the department for nine-years.

The news at 7:05-a.m., from Ric Hanson.

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(Updated Saturday afternoon) The last two days of this past week have been deadly for motorists in Iowa. The State Patrol reports a total of eight people died and seven people were injured in separate crashes that took place Thursday and Friday. The latest death was reported Saturday afternoon, when 15-year-old Rylon T. Cook, of Osceola, succumbed to his injuries that occurred during a crash Thursday afternoon.