IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — It has been nearly 10 months since Neil Bennett of Iowa City became Iowa’s first person hospitalized for the coronavirus. The 74-year-old is still dealing with the impact. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Bennett was admitted to a hospital in early March. Though he long ago returned home, Bennett still uses a cane and walker and undergoes physical therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation to build up strength in his body and lungs. Bennett says he sometimes becomes impatient with his progress and craves a sense of normalcy. He urges people to wear a mask, maintain social distancing and wash their hands frequently.

Connections Area Agency on Aging is offering a Powerful Tools for Family Caregivers program, which is an evidence-based class. The classes begin January 12th, 2021 and are designed to benefit Family Caregivers, by providing them with the tools and strategies to better handle the unique caregiver challenges they face. You are considered a caregiver if you often 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, January 12, 2021 and ending Tuesday, February 16, 2021.  You can choose one of two time slots to attend:  1:30-3:00 p.m. or 6:30-8:00 p.m.  Each class runs 90 minutes.  It is for caregivers of adults with chronic conditions.

Class size is limited, and registration is required by January 4, 2021 to ensure materials will arrive on time or upon filling the class.  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 Specialist at Connections Area Agency on Aging at 800-432-9209, Ext. 8116 or JSchnack@connectionsaaa.org

(Radio Iowa) – Casinos in western Iowa will have some competition in the future after Nebraska voters approve gambling legislation in November. Iowa Racing and Gaming administrator, Brian Ohorilko says there are still many unknowns. “There’s no question that the authorization of gambling in Nebraska will have an impact on the markets in Council Bluffs and in Sioux City. So, the operators are watching very closely,” Ohorilko says. He says Iowa casinos will know more once gambling details are worked out in the Nebraska market. “What specifically is permitted in the state and what those facilities will look like in terms of size and scope,” he says.

Ohorilko says new casinos always get attention. “That Council Bluffs market is the largest market in terms of overall volume in Iowa and most people in the industry do believe that it will have some impact in Iowa,” according to Ohorilko. “Just typically when there is new competition we’ll see folks that will try those facilities and at the end of the day customers will go to where they feel most comfortable and what is most convenient in terms of proximity.”

He says the key is for Iowa’s casinos to take steps to hold the customers from across the boarder — and they are working on that. “Many of the facilities in Iowa are looking at potentially capital projects that will keep their facilities fresh and able to compete,” Ohorilko says.

Ohorilko says this is somewhat similar to the way casinos on the eastern border had to make changes to meet the increased competition from Illinois.

A traffic stop Sunday in the vicinity of 7th Avenue and 3rd Street in Montgomery County, resulted in the arrest of a woman, and a citation for another woman. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 19-year old Bradlie Elizabeth Wilmes, of New Market, was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense. Her bond was set at $1,000. During the same incident, 18-year old Jordyn Elaine Figgins, of Villisca, was cited for Possession of Alcohol Under the age of 21. She was released from the scene with the citation.