Thousands of Iowa elementary schoolers will be improving their physical and mental health — as well as their self-esteem — through a program called the Kids Heart Challenge. Amy Knoll (NOLE), school engagement director for the Iowa chapter of the American Heart Association, says the program gets kids moving through things like dance, jumping rope and basketball, while teaching them life-saving skills.

The program employs eight colorful creatures, with each one teaching a lesson, including:

Youngsters taking part in the program can earn digital badges as well as keychains that feature the critters.

In addition to the C-P-R training, kids learn how to spot a stroke, ways to combat stress, and ideas for healthy eating. Knoll says studies find that kids who are regularly active will feel better, have improved mental health, build self-esteem, and are less likely to develop anxiety and depression.

There’s clear evidence the hands-on C-P-R program works, as Knoll says a five-year-old on the East Coast who recently took the course helped save the life of a man who collapsed from cardiac arrest while at church. The program runs throughout the school year and Knoll says more Iowa schools are welcome to sign on at: www.heart.org/getstarted

The new drought monitor shows the same old story for Iowa, the drought conditions are not getting better. Tim Hall of the Iowa D-N-R says the areas that didn’t get some of last week’s rain show up in the drought map.

Northeast Iowa has the most counties in extreme or severe drought conditions. Both of those designations increased statewide last week with nearly 26 percent of the state in extreme drought and almost 73 percent in severe drought. Hall says the water levels in some rivers and streams are much lower than normal for this time of year.

He says flows tend to be low this time of year anyway, and being 10 percent below normal really indicates how little rainfall we’ve had. Hall says water systems that pull from rivers have one thing in their favor.

But Hall says there is a lot of concern about when we might get some rain to replenish the dry areas.

He says the short term forecast doesn’t call for much precipitation to help with the problem.

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, September 15, 2023, in honor and remembrance of Kevin Cram of the Algona Police Department who was shot and killed in the line of duty on September 13, 2023. Cram was attempting to arrest a suspect when he was killed. Cram was a 10-year veteran of Iowa law enforcement, a husband, and a father. He was 33 years old. 

“Officer Kevin Cram died a hero, protecting his community and upholding the rule of law. Kevin and I are praying for his family, the Algona Police Department, and all the law enforcement officers in Kossuth County,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds. “As flags are lowered across the state, Iowans honor Officer Cram’s legacy and stand united with his brothers and sisters in uniform. We will never forget his service and sacrifice.”

Flags will be flown at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be at half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.    

Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.     

(Radio Iowa) – Cedar Rapids lost around two-thirds of its tree canopy in the 2020 derecho and today (Thursday) was awarded millions of dollars from the U-S-D-A Forest Service grant program. U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack joined Cedar Rapids officials to announce six million dollars for the city’s reforestation plan.

Other cities in Iowa will receive a total of six and half million dollars for its trees. The funding comes for the Inflation Reduction Act. The federal government’s traditional budget for funding urban tree planting is 36 million dollars each year for the entire country — but has increased that to one-point-five billion dollars with the Inflation Reduction Act money.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Police in Council Bluffs report warrants have been requested for the arrest of a man involved in a serious injury accident that took place the night of Aug. 10, 2023. Authorities say 24-year-old Bryce Tyree Smith of Council Bluffs, is wanted for Serious Injury by Vehicle-OWI, No Insurance – Accident related, and Failure to Yield Upon Left Turn.

During an investigation, police determined Smith tested at more than twice the legal limit for alcohol at the time of the crash near S. 24th Street and 23rd Avenue, in Council Bluffs.

Bryce Tyree Smith

The collision between a motorcycle and an SUV happened at around 9:27-p.m.  As we previously reported, a 2017 Grom motorcycle operated by 18-year-old Kaden Desantiago, of Council Bluffs, was eastbound on 23rd Avenue, when a 2003 Chevy Tahoe driven by Smith, made a left turn in front of the cycle.

Following the crash, Desantiago was transported to an area trauma center for treatment of life threatening injuries.

(Radio Iowa) – Nearly a century after she first appeared in print, girl-detective Nancy Drew is still thrilling young readers — and the original writer of the mystery series was an Iowan. Mildred Augustine Benson was a Ladora native who had a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa. Barbara Lounsberry, a retired University of Northern Iowa English professor, has researched Benson’s life and career.

The first book, “The Secret of the Old Clock,” was released in 1930 under the pen-name Carolyn Keene. Lounsberry credits Benson with shaking up the formula of the day and dreaming up a young detective who would have wide appeal.

The collection of Nancy Drew books continued to grew well into the 1980s and eventually encompassed 78 separate mystery stories. The decades-long series all started with that first book, released during the early days of the Great Depression.

Benson died in 2002 at age 96. Lounsberry will give a presentation about Benson at Mulberry Center Church at Wilson Brewer Park in Webster City at 1 P-M on Saturday.

(Radio Iowa)- The Iowa D-C-I says the Algona police officer shot last night (Wednesday night) has died. D-C-I assistant director, Mitch Mortvedt, says 33-year-old officer Kevin Cram was trying to arrest a man on a warrant around 8 p-m.

Cram was taken to Kossuth Regional Health Center, where he died. Mortvedt says Rickey was arrested after a “Blue Alert” was sent out to surrounding law enforcement, indicating a police officer had been shot.

Officer Kevin Cram (DCI photo)

Mortvedt says Cram was a 10 year veteran of the Iowa law enforcement, serving on the Nora Springs Police Department before joining the Algona Police Department in 2023. Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens (Steven Bay-enz) says Cram died a hero.

He says Cram murdered by a coward.

Bayens says the hearts of law officers are heavy.

Bayens says they will continue to honor Cram’s legacy by being that beacon of light in their communities.

Kimballton Municipal Utilities has lifted the drinking water advisory for the city of Kimballton effective immediately.  The manganese levels have dropped to below the Iowa DNR regulation limitations for all ages.  The construction process is nearing the final stages of completion.  The water conservation watch is still in effect.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a break in and theft from rural Page County. The incident occurred sometime during the night of September 7, 2023 through the early morning hours of September 8, 2023. The location of the incident is northeast of College Springs, IA in rural Page County.

Some of the items taken were: Gray 2022 Ford 550 pickup with a service box equipped with a small crane, Bobcat welder, gas torch set, and numerous tools for the truck and shop. The 2022 Ford was parked inside of the victim’s shop. Suspect(s) loaded up more tools from the shop before leaving with the vehicle and contents.

Page County Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to $1500.00. An anonymous person is offering an additional reward of up to $1000.00. Both rewards are conditional on information leading up to criminal charges being filed on the person / persons responsible for these crimes.

Person’s leaving tips can remain anonymous and will be given a number as identification.

Below is a photo of the pickup supplied by the owner. It depicts the service box on the back with the crane and some of the items that were stolen.