Atlantic, IA — Cass Health Chief Executive Officer Brett Altman, DPT, MBA, FACHE was recognized by Becker’s Healthcare on two separate lists: Rural Hospital and Health System Presidents and CEOs to Know and Community Hospital CEOs to Know.

Becker’s Hospital Review noted that rural and community hospital CEOs play a pivotal role in shaping the future of local healthcare by developing and executing strategic plans that elevate patient care, expand services and enhance hospital facilities. In close collaboration with their leadership teams, they actively engage with the communities they serve, ensuring hospital offerings are tailored to local needs.

Cass Health CEO Brett Altman

Becker’s Healthcare is proud to recognize these visionary leaders for their dedication to improving community health, fostering strong workplace cultures, driving sustainable growth and securing the long-term success of their hospitals.

Altman joined Cass Health in January 2017 as CEO. During his tenure, Cass Health has received the Performance Leadership Award for being in the top quartile in the country for quality and outcomes every year since 2017. The National Rural Hospital Association has named Cass Health a Top 20 hospital each year since 2021 and a Top 100 critical access hospital since 2017.

Becker’s Healthcare is the go-to source for healthcare decision-makers and one of the fastest growing media platforms in the industry. Through print, digital and live event platforms, Becker’s Healthcare equips healthcare leaders with information and forums they need to learn, exchange ideas and further conversations about the most critical issues in American healthcare today.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa shelter seeks help caring for critters from hamsters to horses Iowa’s largest non-profit animal shelter has taken in an average of more than four dozen animals every day this month, and it’s putting out a plea for help to the community across central Iowa. K.C. Routos, director of development for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, says today is the agency’s annual Day of Giving, an effort to raise lifesaving funds. “We currently have over 1,400 animals in our care, and we care for anything from hamsters to horses,” Routos says. “So far in July, we have averaged 52 animals coming into our shelter each day.”

The Des Moines-based shelter has a $93,000 goal today and all gifts will be matched up to ten-times, thanks to a generous donation. “Summer is our busiest season and it takes a lot to care for those animals, so we need the community to help us do that,” she says, “and today is a great way to participate.” Many pets run away after becoming frightened by the volleys of fireworks that are set off during the month, which is part of the reason July is always so busy for the shelter.

ARL photo

“July 4th, lost pets. People tend to travel a little bit more, so maybe they have a house sitter, there’s a variety of reasons,” Routos says. “Generally, we see a big uptick during the summer because of community cats. They tend to mate more during the summer and so we see a lot of kittens coming into our care. We see a lot more puppies coming through the summer as well.”

Donations can be made online, through the mail, or in person at any of the ARL’s locations.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – An annual tradition in Atlantic is back and better than ever. Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce report Discount Dayz happens Friday, August 1st and Saturday, August 2nd. Two days of shopping, dining, and community connection are highlighted, as businesses roll out their summer deals just in time for Iowa’s Tax-Free Weekend. Formerly known as Crazy Days, Discount Dayz has evolved into a more inclusive celebration of all that Atlantic has to offer. From unique retail finds and delicious food to professional services this event showcases the spirit of Atlantic’s business community.

“The great deals are still here, but now we’re opening the door for more businesses to participate and giving shoppers even more reasons to stay local and explore Atlantic,” said Kelsey Beschorner, Program Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition to local deals, Discount Dayz is perfectly timed with Iowa’s Tax-Free Weekend, making it the ideal time to stock up on clothing, shoes, and more with no sales tax on qualifying purchases. Shoppers can also win big. One lucky local supporter will be awarded $200 in AtlantiCash. To enter, simply share a selfie while shopping or dining in Atlantic on August 1st or August 2nd and post it to Facebook using the hashtags #MyAtlanticIA on the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. The winner will be announced live on Facebook on Monday, August 4th.

“This is a fun way to reward people for choosing Atlantic,” said Beschorner. “Whether you’re grabbing lunch, shopping for school clothes, or just exploring, it’s a weekend to feel good about supporting local.”

For a full list of participating businesses, featured deals, and more Chamber happenings, visit www.atlanticiowa.com or contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712.243.3017. Let’s make this summer weekend a vibrant celebration of all things local! Discount Dayz is proudly sponsored by First Whitney Bank & Trust.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Coca-Cola Days 2025 will be held September 26th & 27th in Atlantic. The event is the second largest collectors’ show in the United States and includes a tailgate barbecue open to the public, a Show, Swap & Sell, Coca-Cola themed raffle and many more activities for all ages. This year’s featured theme is, “Catch the Wave” and will be held at the Cass County Community Center.

T-Shirts for the 2025 Coca-Cola Days celebration are now available for $22 online at https://cocacoladays2025.itemorder.com/shop/home/. The t-shirts are a District Tee with a soft, polyester and cotton blend. T-Shirts can be picked up on the day of the event, or at the Chamber following Coca-Cola Days. For an additional fee, your purchase can be shipped right to your door!

Coca Cola Days Committee members: Standing – Dolly Bergmann, Ray Paullin & Kelsey Beschorner; Seated – Kurt Roberts & Bailey Smith.

For more information on Coca-Cola Days, please visit www.atlanticiowa.com, call the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017, email chamber@atlanticiowa.com, or pick up a brochure at the Chamber office. Coca-Cola Days is sponsored by Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, this (Tuesday) morning, passed a resolution accepting a bid for a new pipe culvert on G Avenue. Barry Byers, Assistant to County Engineer Karen Albert provided the Board with a report on Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities.

Representatives with TKE Elevator were on-hand during the meeting to discuss the Montgomery County Courthouse elevator repair/replacement project options that are available. It was estimated a complete “turn-key” elevator could be in-place and ready to go in about four-to-five weeks at the most, once the Board approves the plan.

MC-BOS 7-22-25

The current elevator was installed in 1984. Replacement parts -especially the technology needed to operate the elevator – are either impossible to find or not available. The Board wants to be pro-active in keeping the elevator operational. No decision was made on the project at this time.

The Montgomery County Supervisors passed a resolution with regard to the Interfund Transfer of funds from Capital Projects to the Debt Service Fund. Auditor Jill Ozuna explained…

The Board also discussed a DNR proposed ordinance with regard to a the County’s participation in a National Flood Insurance Plan.

(Griswold, Iowa) – Members of the Griswold School Board, Monday evening, approved the purchase of an app for all students, athlete and non-athlete alike, that will help determine their cognitive ability, following a concussion. The idea came from Griswold Athletic Director Cole Cooper, who conducted a lot of research on ways to better serve the District’s kids.

(That’s Griswold Superintendent Dave Henrichs) Henrichs says Cooper found a program called SWAY that is available to students and parents on a phone app.

The Griswold School Board liked the idea so much, Henrichs said they will ask all students in seventh-through 12th grade to download the app, whether they are an athlete or not.

The app will cost the District roughly $700 plus four-dollars for every student over the 150 student athletes that wishes to use it.

(Polk County, Iowa) – A collision Monday morning in central Iowa’s Polk County, east of Rising Sun, resulted in three adults and two teens being injured. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2019 Honda Insight driven by 74-year-old Bruce Kyle Spates, of Overland Park, Kansas, was traveling south on NE 112th Street at around 9:15-a.m., and had stopped at the posted intersection before pulling away from the stop sign and in front of a 2014 Buick Enclave (SUV) driven by 38-year-old Cody Bryan Hedgecock, of Agency (IA).

The impact caused the car to roll down an embankment and become submerged in water. The SUV was sent spinning following the collision, and came to rest in the median. Both drivers were injured in the crash. Three other passengers in the SUV, 37-year-old Katie Hedgecock, 16-year old Peyton McKenzie Hedgecock and 14-year-old Asa Cole Hedgecock, all of Agency, were also injured. Occupants of the SUV were transported by ambulance to Mercy One Hospital in Des Moines. Bruce Spates was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.

Numerous agencies assisted at the crash scene, Monday morning.

(Radio Iowa) – [UPDATED] A northwest Iowa county is looking at changing its zoning code to permit nuclear power. Woodbury County Supervisor Mark Nelson says for the county to grow, more power is needed, and that could include a small water nuclear reactor. “It’s kind of the future because it’s such a small footprint it’s really not dangerous,” he says, “and you can produce a lot of power without all the carbon emissions and everything else.” Nelson says a small water nuclear reactor would help provide enough energy for a major employer, including a data center.

“We just want to be known and be open that we want to grow,” he says. “And if there’s infrastructure or things that we need to do to entice people to come here, we want to do that.” Nelson says there isn’t a specific project in the works and, if one were to happen, it would take a minimum of ten years. MidAmerican Energy currently operates two coal plants in Woodbury County. Environmental groups say coal fired power plants cause higher rates of asthma and other health issues.

A public hearing was held Tuesday in Woodbury County to discuss a zoning change for nuclear power plants. Following the hearing, the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed the first reading of the zoning ordinance change. The next two public hearings are scheduled for July 29th, and August 5th, at the Woodbury County Courthouse.

The owner of the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in eastern Iowa, near Palo, is considering whether to bring the plant back online to meet growing electricity demand. The plant was scheduled to be decommissioned permanently in the fall of 2020, but was shut down early due to damage from the derecho in August of 2020.

(Radio Iowa) – A federal judge has temporarily blocked parts of a new state law regulating pharmacy benefit managers — the P-B-Ms that negotiate prescription drug prices — but only for businesses that joined in a lawsuit challenging the law. The law does several things, like requiring a nearly 11 dollar fee for every prescription filled. The Iowa Pharmacy Association says that will help independent and rural pharmacies that P-B-Ms are forcing to fill prescriptions at a loss. Critics say the law will escalate costs for companies that provide prescription drug benefits.

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry, the benefit plan for the Iowa Bankers Association, Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons, Iowa Spring Manufacturing in Adel and a health and welfare fund for union members sued — and those groups will not have to follow parts of the law the judge put on hold while the case makes its way through the courts.

The federal judge’s ruling says the law likely crosses constitutional lines in multiple ways — like suppressing the First Amendment rights of companies to tell their employees which pharmacies offer the best price for medications.

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School Board held it’s regular monthly meeting Monday evening (July 21st). Superintendent Dave Henrichs told KJAN News the Board approved resignations, transfers and new hires.

Henrichs said there are still a couple of para-professional positions to fill.

The Board also approved priority maintenance projects for the District’s outside facilities, as a follow-up to their walk-through in May, and prioritization of those projects.

In other business, the Griswold School Board re-appointed Dan Rold as Business Manager/Treasurer, a position he’s held for 12 years, and Hannah Bierbaum as Board Secretary, a position she’s held for 6-years. They set September 4th at 5:30-p.m., as the date and time for a Board Work Session to continue work on their Strategic Plan. The Board has been working on that for a couple of years.

They also discussed the results of staff exit interviews conducted by Hannah Bierbaum or Dan Rold. The administration will dive into further discussion at a later date on how to address matters brought-up by departing District employees that might make for a more positive working environment.