(Atlantic) – The Cass County Genealogical Society is celebrating a new look. During the recent Atlantic Public Library remodeling, the Genealogy room was moved from the east side to the west side in the ground level floor. You are invited to take a look today (Thursday, October 29), from 3 to 6 pm. The open house will be a come-and-go event. Activities will be available in the Library meeting room and the Genealogy Room. A video of important historical houses and buildings in Atlantic will be shown during the entire time. Research sources available through the Library web site will be demonstrated.

A detective game will help you find a wide variety of resources in the Genealogy Room. There’s information about churches, schools, businesses, Cass County and much more. There are 175 family histories. Two new computers make it possible to search national and world wide records. Membership is $15 per year which includes a newsletter. Programs are usually offered monthly. Access to resources and assistance from Mary Hoegh, Executive Director and other members is available to everyone in person, by phone and email. The email address is casscgs@gmail.com

Prizes for completing the game and door prizes will be awarded. No refreshments will be served. Masks are required in the Library. Number of people in the Genealogy Room will be monitored. Plan to visit the Cass County Genealogy Room at the Atlantic Public Library today, from 3 to 6 pm.

(Des Moines, IA) – Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) officials have used the state’s safe haven procedure for the 47th time since the law went into effect. A baby girl, born Oct. 12, was released to the custody of DHS. Specific details are withheld in order to protect the identity of the parents and the children. Through Iowa’s Safe Haven law, parents, or their authorized representative, can leave infants age 30 days or younger at a hospital or health care facility without fear of prosecution for abandonment.

“The purpose of this law is to protect the lives of newborns who are in danger of abandonment,” said Janee Harvey, DHS Division Administrator of Adult, Children and Family Services. “We want to ensure Iowans know that Safe Haven is an available option if they cannot care for their newborn safely. We recognize that these decisions are often made in the midst of crisis and the protocols are built accordingly.” Safe Haven prioritizes the health and physical safety of the infant(s), as well as the anonymity of the parent or authorized individual who relinquishes custody of the child.

The Safe Haven law was approved in the wake of a high-profile case in 2001 involving a teen mother in eastern Iowa who killed her home-delivered newborn. Infants who are safe haven babies are placed with currently-approved foster or adoptive families. All states have Safe Haven laws, although provisions differ.

If you are interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent, please visit
www.iowafosterandadoption.org.

For more information on the Safe Haven procedure: http://dhs.iowa.gov/safe-haven.

(Radio Iowa) – A group of Black leaders and activists are holding events around the state, trying to get the word out that most Iowans with past felony convictions are now allowed to vote. Representative Ras Smith of Waterloo is a member of the Black Caucus in the Iowa House. “If we have to stand up as citizens and make sure that we empower people and let them know of their rights, we will do that,” Smith says.

Governor Kim Reynolds signed an executive order in early August that restored voting rights to an estimated 35-thousand Iowans with felony convictions. The secretary of state’s office says at least 25-hundred of them had registered to vote by mid-October. Smith says it’s not too late to reach the other 30-thousand with a social media campaign or some sort of direct contact. “I’m calling upon our state government to do your job,” Smith says. “Step up. Support us in these efforts.”

On October 2nd, just before the early voting period began in Iowa, the secretary of state launched a website — restoreyourvote.iowa.gov — to inform people with felony convictions about their voting rights. Last weekend was the deadline for PRE-Election Day voter registration, Iowa law allows voters to register at their precinct on Election Day and cast a ballot.

The Creston Police Department reports the arrest at around 2:20-a.m. today (Thursday), of 27-year-old Dustin Michael Boyd. Boyd, who is from Creston, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.  He was taken to Union County Jail and released after posting bail. There were two separate arrests on Wednesday, in Creston. Wednesday afternoon, 27-year-old Mariah Kay Bernita Swanson, of Creston, on a warrant for Failure to Appear. She was taken into custody and transferred to Adams County Jail. And, Wednesday night, 25-year-old Indra Bahadur Guragai, of Creston, was arrested at his residence for Public Intoxication. Guragai was taken to Union County Jail, where his cash or surety bond was set at $300.