(Radio Iowa) – It’s already morel hunting season in several Iowa counties, as foodies who crave the taste of the elusive mushrooms — battered in bread crumbs, butter and garlic — hike to their closely guarded locations in the woods in hopes of finding a coveted crop. Dr. Benjamin Orozco, an emergency physician with Gundersen Health, says there are also “false morels” starting to sprout across Iowa, and they can be dangerous.

“With just a little bit of knowledge, you can avoid mistaking the two. The morel mushroom that is enjoyed by many is delicious, very safe, should be cooked and eaten,” Orozco says. “The false morel, on the other hand, is actually poisonous, and if you consume enough of it, it can cause seizures and even death.” Morel hunting can be a thrilling challenge that gets you out exercising in the sunshine, but Orozco says you absolutely need to know what you’re looking for — and what to pass by.

Common morel mushroom (Photo by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach)

While newbies may be fooled, he says a seasoned hunter can easily identify a false morel. “The cap is kind of misshapen. Sometimes it can be saddle-shaped or kind of brain-like in its appearance. And if you cut that false morel in half, the stalk is filled with kind of a fibrous material like the rest of the mushroom. So if that stalk is solid, or if there’s material within the mushroom, then that’s not a morel,” he says. “A morel should have a continuous stalk that goes right into the cap, and that interior should be hollow.”

Every spring, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers classes for anyone interested in being certified to sell wild-harvested mushrooms within Iowa. The extension also offers Wild-Harvested Mushroom Certification Workshops during the wintertime. The dates for next year will be posted in January 2026.  “I recommend anyone who wants to get into mushroom foraging to look at your local clubs and consult a reference guide,” Orozco says, “and the most useful thing is to be out in the woods with someone knowledgeable who has experience and expertise with the identification of wild mushrooms.”

Gundersen Health System has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.

• A person under 19 years old
• A person who is over 64 years old
• A person who is disabled
• A person who is medically frail or medically exempt under Medicaid
• A caretaker of a dependent child under six years old
• A woman with a high-risk pregnancy
• A person receiving unemployment benefits
• A person participating in substance use disorder treatment

Iowans who do not meet the new requirements will be given time to do so; those who choose not to will no longer be eligible for Medicaid coverage. This proposed change aims to help members take an active role in their health and well-being, while preserving Medicaid for those who need it most. Today approximately 171,000 able-bodied adults are enrolled in Iowa’s Medicaid program through the Iowa Health and Wellness plan. Nearly 100,000 of those members report no income.

(Creston, Iowa) – In an update to our earlier report, officials with the Creston Police Department say two people were transported by private vehicles to the hospital in Creston, following a three-vehicle collision Monday evening. Authorities say 79-year-old Anthony Groumoutis, of Creston, was driving a 2010 Chrysler 300 sedan southbound on Spruce Street at around 5:40-p.m., when he failed to stop at the posted stop sign at the intersection with Prairie Street.

His car struck a 2022 Nissan pickup driven by 41-year-old Kristina Harris, of Creston, as she was traveling west on Prairie Street. As a result of the impact, the pickup swung-around and hit a 2021 Dodge pickup, driven by 35-year-old Brandyn Lilienthal, of Creston, who was traveling east on Prairie Street. The car driven by Groumoutis then struck the Dodge pickup, away from the intersection. A running dash cam in Lilienthal’s pickup, police say, shows Groumoutis running the stop sign and striking the other two vehicles.

Groumoutis was not injured in the crash. Damage from the collisions amounted to a police-estimated $37,500 altogether. No citations were issued, but the police reported stated Groumoutis’ “Old age may be impeding his ability to drive properly.”

(Osceola, Iowa) – Two people were injured in a chain-reaction crash this (Tuesday) morning, in Clarke County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2024 Ford Explorer (SUV) driven by 42-year-old Mathew Allen McCuddin, of Osceola,was traveling north on Interstate 35 near mile marker 25 at around 5:15-a.m., when his vehicle rear-ended a semi tractor-trailer. The impact caused the SUV to overturn before it came to rest in the right lane, and was struck by a 2012 Ford Escape (SUV) driven by 21-year-old Destiny Lynn Beener, of Lucas.

The collision caused the Escape to rollover and come to rest in the left lane. The semi involved in the collision left the scene of the accident. McCuddin and Beener were transported by Clarke County Ambulance to separate hospitals. The Patrol says McCuddin was not wearing a seat belt.

Atlantic, IA — Cass Health is looking for local photographs to be featured at their facility — your photo could be chosen to be printed and displayed in Atlantic. “We recently removed old wallpaper and updated the wall finish in the corridors near Radiology, Emergency, and the cafeteria. It’s now the perfect blank canvas, ready to showcase the works of local photographers, which we think is a fun way to involve the community in making Cass Health a welcoming place,” said Ann McCurdy, Director of Marketing and Communications. The photo contest is open to the public. Officials at Cass Health will review and select the winning entries, which will be printed as large, framed canvases and installed in the hallways of the first floor.

“Whether you’re a professional photographer, enthusiastic amateur, or a 4-H club member – we hope that people participate and are excited about the prospect of having their works displayed for the community to enjoy,” said McCurdy. Participants are encouraged to submit their entries at casshealth.org. Entrants are limited to five hi-resolution images per individual, with a limit of 10 MB per file. The recommended minimum file size is 3 MB with a recommended minimum pixel size of 1200 x 1600.

Photos must be original work; no photos that infringe on the trademark, copyright, intellectual or rights of privacy will be accepted. All entries must be received on or before April 28, 2025. The completed artwork will be installed in May and will remain on display for at least one year. Winners will be recognized on a display at Cass Health and casshealth.org.

For more information or to submit photos, visit casshealth.org or call the Marketing and Communications Department at 712-243-7405.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors regular meeting was held this (Tuesday) morning, in Atlantic. Hunter Scott, with SecureTech Systems out of Irving, TX, discussed courthouse security and the company’s wireless system that sends out a pre-recorded message detailing the location of the emergency to First Responders, including law enforcement and EMS. The idea being it would “accelerate communication and reduce response times by augmenting dispatch,” according to the company’s website. No action was taken by the Board at this time.

Cass BOS mtg. 4-15-25

The Supervisors also heard a monthly report from Cass/Guthrie County Environmental Health Director Jotham Arber. The Board then approved a letter of support for a grant application from Iowa Western Community College Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Program. Board Chair Steve Baier and Supervisor Wendy Richter discussed the application.

The Board discussed and approved by a vote of four-to-one (with Wendy Richter opposed), updated salary recommendations for FY 2025-26. Board Chair Steve Baier explained…

Representatives of the Cass County Engineer’s Department updated the Board on various road and bridge projects, as well as ongoing maintenance activities. And, the Supervisors acted on approving (At the request of Medical Examiner, Dr. Elaine Berry) the removal of Darci Young, RN, from the Medical Examiner Investigator’s Board, and the addition of Erik Johnson, EMT, and Kristy Libby.

The Board’s next meeting on April 22nd will include a Public Hearing on the FY 26 Cass County budget.

(Radio Iowa) – The legislature has unanimously voted to give Iowa race tracks a legal defense against so-called “nuisance” lawsuits filed by new neighbors. Senator Cherilynn Westrich of Ottumwa says the liability protection would apply if the complaint comes from a property owner who acquired the property after the race track was built. “Some Iowa race tracks are facing a problem where housing developments are being built around them and they currently could be subject to nuisance actions for sound, light and so forth,” she said, “even though the track was built first and they’re in compliance with standard operating procedures for the industry.”

Representative Barb Kniff McCullah of Pella says race tracks could not only face lawsuits over the noise, but for dirt in the air from races held on dirt tracks. “As city development grows out towards longstanding existing raceways, these racing facilities should not be punished for operating their business correctly,” she said, “meaning they are following all relevant federal, state and local laws.” Representative Larry McBurney of Urbandale says suing after moving in next to a race track doesn’t make sense. “I equated it to living next to a golf course,” he said, “and getting mad that golf balls wound up in your backyard.”

The bill passed the House on March 27th and the Senate sent it to the governor yesterday (Monday).

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Fire Department was paged-out to a possible residential fire early this (Tuesday) morning, east of town. The call about smoke in the residence at 65666 Glenwood Road came a little after 7-a.m.    Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel…

Cappel said the occupants of the home were awakened by their two dogs. Everyone safely the residence. No injuries were reported, and no major damage was reported.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Community Protection Committee will gather at 4:45-p.m., Wednesday, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. On their agenda is a review/discussion and possible action on recommending to the full Council, approval of the following Speed control options at 29th & Palm Streets:

• A 4-way stop
• Reducing the speed limit to 35 mph (down from 50 mph) in the 900 block of 29th Street to the 700 block of W. 29th.
• Reducing the speed limit to 25 mph (down from 35 mph) at 700 W. 29th to the intersection of Chestnut Street.
• Placing a “Slow down – Children Playing” sign on Palm Street for the south side of 29th St.
• and, reducing the speed limit to 25-mph (down from 35) at the intersection of Chestnut & 29th Street, targeting the south side of 29th Street, and continuing to the southern City Limits of Atlantic.