(Radio Iowa) – A bill that would strengthen penalties for crimes against Iowans who are 60 or older has cleared its final legislative hurdle this week. The bill creates new criminal penalties for emotional abuse and neglect of elderly Iowans. Senator Julian Garrett of Indianola says the bill also deals with alleged cases of fraud.

“The bill establishes a crime of financial exploitation of an older individual,” Garrett says, “and this occurs when a person who is in a position of trust abuses that trust to misuse the assets of the older individual.” Representative Dustin Hite of New Sharon says in 13 years as a lawyer, he’s seen cases of hucksters and even family members taking advantage of elderly Iowans.

“What this bill does is it says to those people who are looking for vulnerable victims: ‘Not here,'” Hite says. “…When somebody when somebody picks on the most vulnerable of Iowans, they deserve a harsher punishment.”

The bill has been a top priority for A-A-R-P for several years. It won unanimous approval in the House and Senate and is headed to the governor for her approval.

Atlantic, Iowa – Cass Health officials have announced the addition of Emily James, MSN (Master of Science/Nursing), ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner), FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified), to the team of providers in the Emergency Department and AMC Rapid Care. As a board-certified family nurse practitioner, James will provide care to patients of all ages. A familiar face to many, she has worked in the Cass Health Emergency Department as a nurse since 2017.

Emily James, MSN, ARNP and, FNP-BC

James says , “I always knew I wanted to continue my education. One of the advantages of the healthcare field is the constant learning and continual change. I’ve already had the experience of caring for patients as a nurse, but now as a nurse practitioner, I can provide care to patients on a different level.”

Emily James earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Purdue University Global and is board-certified by The American Nurses Credentialing Center. She received her Associates of Applied Science in Nursing from Southwestern Community College in 2015, and her bachelor’s in 2018 from Purdue University Global. Emily is also a DAISY award nominee; she received nominations in 2016, 2018, and 2019.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s rulings indicate she’s a judicial activist and that’s why he voted “no” today (Thursday) on her nominating to the U.S. Supreme Court. “Her record clearly shows she does not believe in or act within the limited and proper role of a judge,” Grassley said. Grassley was among the handful of senators who gave speeches explaining their votes on Jackson’s nomination right before 53 senators voted to confirm her as the next U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

Grassley says the judicial philosophy of a Supreme Court nominee should be the primary consideration for senators. “Judge Jackson explained to us that she does not ‘hold a position’ on whether individuals possess natural rights. Now that ought to be very shocking,” Grassley says. “Natural rights are basic to our constitutional system and principles of limited government.” Grassley also criticized Jackson for a sentence she handed down in a drug-related case.

“Judges should weigh against the charge, the danger to society, and the risk of recidivism,” Grassley said. “At her hearing, Judge Jackson said that she based her extraordinary and compelling finding on the non-retroactive change in the law. This radical misinterpretation is terrible and dangerous.”

Iowa’s other U.S. Senator, Republican Joni Ernst, also opposed to Jackson’s nomination. Three Republicans, an independent and all the Democrats serving in the U.S. Senator voted to confirm Jackson. She’ll be the first black women on the Supreme Court. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Ross Wilburn says it’s a historic day for our nation. Wilburn, the first black man to lead a major Iowa political party, says Jackson was masterful in demonstrating her qualifications during her confirmation hearing and will be an exceptional justice.

(Radio Iowa) – State officials plan to close the state-run facility in Glenwood that provides residential care to Iowans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Governor Reynolds and the top two Republicans in the legislature issued a joint written statement, announcing the Glenwood Resource Center will close in 2024. Residents may be transferred to the Woodward Resource Center, but it’s likely the majority will be placed in community-based care.

A U.S. Justice Department report released in December concluded that with the right services, nearly all of the residents at Glenwood could live in community-based settings — and the cost of their care would be less. According to a news release from the governor’s office, employees at the Glenwood Resource Center will be offered bonuses to keep working at the facility during the two-year transition period or get assistance in finding new jobs. After the Glenwood facility closes, Reynolds pledges to work with local officials to find a new use for the campus.

This is the fourth state facility to close in the past decade. Governor Branstad cited difficulty in finding qualified staff as he ordered the state Mental Health Institutes in Clarinda and Mount Pleasant to close in 2015. Branstad ordered the closure of the Iowa Juvenile Home for delinquent girls in 2014 after complaints about how residents were being treated. Governor Reynolds fired the superintendent of the Glenwood Resource Center in late 2019.

The U.S. Justice Department concluded residents had been used as human guinea pigs in sexual arousal experiments.

(Radio Iowa) – A committee chairman says he’s not weighing in on recent challenges to nominating forms from three candidates running for state and federal office — but Republican Representative Bobby Kaufmann says the address requirements alongside the signatures on nominating petitions need to be clarified. Last week, a state panel voted to count petition signatures from residents of apartments and college dormitories who did not include their dorm room or unit number — that’s not listed as a requirement on the nominating petition.

“My job is to look at the policy in the Code (of Iowa) and my opinion is the policy in the Code is ambiguous and needs to be fixed,” Kaufmann says. “…It’s not something I’m probably going to dive into with two weeks left in the legislative session, but it is something that I think needs to be addressed before the next primary season, so all candidates of any party have the consistent clarity.”

A central Iowa judge may rule soon on a challenge to three signatures on Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abby Finkenauer’s petitions, but THAT legal question revolves around the DATE listed or left off the signature line. Finkenauer would not qualify to be listed on the June Primary ballot if the three signatures being challenged are thrown out.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – In an update to our previous report on arrests and the recovery of stolen property in Mills County, the Sheriff’s Office in Glenwood said they have “Conducted addition[al] search warrants and recovered additional property. If anyone has been the victim of a theft or burglary, [we are asking that you] call [into] the Sheriff’s Office,” at 712-527-4337.

When you call, you will either speak with Lt. Pittman, or Sgt. Mather. You may inquire from them if any of the recovered property may be yours.

• Event Name: NJCAA Rising All-Stars, Council Bluffs
• Event Dates: July 18-21, 2022, and July 2023
• Total Project Budget: $80,000
• Amount Awarded: $26,000

The Shelby County Community Foundation awarded $133,550 to Shelby County nonprofit organizations and community projects during its Spring 2022 Grant Cycle.

The following organizations are Spring 2022 Grant Recipients:

• Concerned Inc. – $2,000, Safety Light Repair
• Country Care Center Corporation – $2,400, Fire Door Mechanics Installation
• Defiance Fire and Rescue Department – $12,251, Emergency Back Up Generator
• Earling Fire & Rescue Department – $ 20,000.00 , SCBA Refill Station Upgrade
• Elk Horn Public Library – $2,000, Young Adult Library Space
• Friends of Harlan City Parks – $6,000, Water Fountains for Harlan Parks
• Harlan Little League – $2,700, Equipment Replacement Purchase
• Harlan Swim Team – $4,033, Starting Block Tops and Covers
• Irwin Fire and Rescue Association – $15,000, Life Safety Equipment
• Kids in the Village – $14,613, Classroom Furniture and Play Equipment
• Kirkman Fire Department – $8,100, Personal Protection Equipment
• Museum of Danish America – $5,000, Expanding Pedestrian Walking Paths
• Panama Community Club and Betterment Association – $5,000, Welcome Sign
• Panama Volunteer Fire Department – $15,000, 12 Lead EKG Monitoring System
• Petersen Family Wellness Center – $10,000, Resurfacing of Wooden Gym Floor
• Shelby County Community Outreach – $4,500, Building Upkeep – Exterior Painting
• Shelby County Historical Museum – $600 , Visitor Safety Initiative
• Shelby Fire and Rescue – $1,895, Advanced Life Support Portable Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
• Time For Tots – $15,000, Education and Play Revision
• West Central Community Action – $396, Emergency Clothing Room Garment Racks

All grantees met the criteria as Shelby County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. Only organizations providing services in Shelby County were eligible to apply.

The Audubon County Community Foundation awarded $133,835 to Audubon County nonprofit organizations and community projects during its Spring 2022 Grant Cycle.

The following organizations are Spring 2022 Grant Recipients:

• Audubon County Agricultural Society – $8,000, Audio/Sound System Improvements
• Audubon County Historical Society – $4,700, Exira Museum Displays
• Audubon Recreation Foundation – $25,000, Audubon Recreation Center Gymnasium Expansion
• Exira Community Club – $35,194, New AC Units and Furnaces
• Exira Public Library – $7,075, PLAY Interactive Touch Table
• Friendship Home – $44,866, Memory Care Ceiling Replacement
• The Children’s Nest – $9,000, Staff Work Area Improvements

All grantees met the criteria as Audubon County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. Only organizations providing services in Audubon County were eligible to apply.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Cass County Community Foundation (CCCF) report Foundation has awarded $133,555 to Cass County nonprofit organizations and community projects during the CCCF Spring 2022 Grant Cycle. All grantees met the criteria as Cass County nonprofit agencies or Only organizations with charitable missions supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. Only organizations providing services in Cass County were eligible to apply.

The following organizations are Spring 2022 Grant Recipients:

• Anita Child Care Center – $1,000, Child Interest Areas Equipment
• Anita Health and Wellness Center – $3,200, New Spin Bikes
• Anita Volunteer Fire Association – $3,500, Stryker Stair Chair
• Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center – $2,500, Upkeep of Essential Daily Equipment
• Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise (ARISE) – $2,500, Chairs for Rock Island Depot
• Atlantic Lions Club – $5,000, Healthy Food through Community Gardens
• CAM Youth Sports – $4,500, Batting Cage
• Cass County Fair Association – $5,000, Chuckwagon Food Stand
• Cass County Health System Foundation – $4,000, Telemedicine Stroke Cart
• City of Griswold – $3,000, City Park Revitalization
• Griswold Fire Department – $2,000, Technical Rescue Equipment
• Griswold Pickleball – $1,000, Pickleball Courts Fencing
• Griswold Rescue – $4,500, Video Laryngoscope
• Griswold Youth Sports – $4,000, Ballfield Improvements
• Kiwanis Club of Atlantic, Iowa – $1,000, Bike Helmets for Third Graders
• LC Clinic – $3,000, Atlantic LC Clinic Technology Equipment
• Lewis First Responders and Firefighters Association – $2,500, Compressor and Cascade System
• Lewis Public Library – $1,400, Bookcase for Children’s Section
• Marne Firefighter and Rescue Association – $10,000, Extrication Tools
• Massena Fire and Rescue – $4,500, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Massena Public Library – $1,500, Update to Walls and Community Room
• Noble Initiative Foundation – $50,000, Griswold Child Development Center
• SHIFT ATL – $5,000, The Telegraph – Exterior Tuck Pointing
• Wiota Community Boosters – $8,955, Wiota City Park – Playground Update

The Cass County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Omaha Community Foundation, which meets National Standards for Community Foundations, and is one of nine county members of the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa. It receives funds annually from the State of Iowa County Endowment Fund Program for endowment building and grantmaking throughout the county. This cycle of grants was made possible through the County Endowment Fund Program and is funded by a percentage of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue, which is distributed annually to participating community foundations associated with counties without a state-issued gaming license.

The Cass County Community Foundation works with individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to create permanent and expendable funds that address changing, vital community needs and interests. To inquire about donating to the Cass County Community Foundation, please contact the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa staff or any board member listed below. Gifts to permanently endowed funds through the Cass County Community Foundation may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

The Cass County Community Foundation Advisory Board Members are Chair, Kristi Burg of Massena; Vice-Chair, Mark D. Kyhnn, CPA of Atlantic; Secretary/Treasurer, Sue Hunt of Atlantic; Sandy Bierbaum of Griswold; and Gaylord Schelling of Atlantic. For information about donating or establishing an individual foundation/fund, please contact Stacey Goodman, Iowa Foundations Director, at 800-794-3458 or stacey@omahafoundation.org.