(Radio Iowa) – University of Iowa Health Care unveiled its new medical center in North Liberty between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday. U-I vice president of medical affairs, Denise Jamieson, says the 469-thousand square foot facility was designed with a special focus on orthopedic care. “This facility offers a new level of comprehensive orthopedic care that has not previously been available in the state. We’re really excited, and we’re really proud,” Jamieson says.

U-I Healthcare chief executive officer Bradley Haws says they hope to make new developments in the field. “We view this as an ideal place where we can innovate and actually challenge and develop orthopedic care into an even more renowned service that we provide. And this will provide us a learning laboratory from which we can do that.”

The new hospital will have a walk-in clinic, emergency room, pharmacy, laboratories, and a state-of-the-art physical therapy center. It will have 700 employees. Construction for the new hospital began in October 2021. It is scheduled to open later this month.

(Radio Iowa) – A 53-year-old Carroll County paramedic has been suspended and is facing criminal charges after being accused of stealing a powerful pain medication while on duty. Teresa Johnson of Manilla has been charged with unlawfully obtaining a controlled substance while working as a paramedic. According to court records, Johnson allegedly obtained fentanyl while working as a critical care paramedic for the Carroll County Ambulance Service.

Johnson’s arraignment hearing is scheduled for April 21 at the Carroll County Courthouse. The Iowa Bureau of Emergency and Medical Trauma Services has suspended Johnson’s paramedic license. According to board records, Johnson is accused of stealing a full vial of fentanyl and removing a portion of fentanyl from three other vials — replacing the missing fentanyl with a saline solution.

(Radio Iowa) – The west-central Iowa town of Jefferson, with a population around four-thousand, is receiving national recognition for its historic preservation and investments in public art. The nonprofit Jefferson Matters is one of three recipients across the U-S to receive the 2025 Great American Main Street Award. Matt Wetrich is Jefferson Matters’ executive director.

“Having this outside perspective and folks from around the United States look at us and say, ‘Yeah, you guys, you’re one of the best,’ it’s good for us to keep telling that story to our local folks,” Wetrich says, “and certainly we hope that brings folks to visit and also maybe want to live in Jefferson.” Since 2012, Jefferson Matters has led efforts to rehabilitate over 100 buildings and open new businesses. Rooftop murals are visible from the top of the town’s bell tower, which attracts an average of 65-hundred visitors each year.

Public art installations, events and studios are another draw. Wetrich says visitors often come into the office. “They say, ‘Gosh, there’s way more to do here than I was expecting. We’re going to stay longer than we planned,'” he says, laughing, “or they’ll say, ‘Gosh, everyone’s so friendly here.” By making the downtown an attractive and welcoming place, Wetrich says Jefferson can continue to attract new families and businesses.

Jefferson is the 10th Iowa community to receive a Great American Main Street Award. The previous recipient was Woodbine in 2014.

(Radio Iowa) – The stock market has been on an up and down roller-coaster ride that may be making some retirees queasy. A-A-R-P Iowa director Michael Wagler says it is important to take a measured approach with your investments and get some outside advice. “Having a trusted financial advisor is always important, it’s even more important now as we see the volatility of the markets, as we see the volatility of everything that’s happening around the country, making sure that you have your team in place and that trusted environment is important,” Wagler says. He says there are many resources available.

“Whether that be your financial advisor or even just representatives at your local bank who can help provide support and protection, or just basic advice as well,” he says. ON the state level, there are several bills working through the Iowa Legislature that could impact retirees. Wagler says it is important to for you to let express your opinion to lawmakers. “Building that relationship and being comfortable with the many different ways that you could connect with your legislator, whether that be in person at a town hall, whether that be through an email or a call, but making sure your voice is heard is important,” he says. “And no, it’s not just your single voice that makes a difference, it’s all of our voices together that creates that powerful voice. ”

Wagler says that powerful voice can make a big difference on many issues.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The AgSafety4U certificate course replaces the tractor and farm machinery safety course which has been held for many years. Federal law restricts youth under 16 from using certain farm equipment unless their parents or guardians own the farm. This online certificate course provides an overview of the hazards common to farms and rural agricultural businesses. The course is offered locally through the ISU Extension and Outreach Shelby County office.

This program can be used for the classroom portion of the Hazardous Occupations Order for Agriculture (HOOA) safety certification program for youth 14 and 15 years of age who are seeking employment and must be certified to drive or operate tractors and machinery for hire. Additional hands-on training is required for issuing a US DOL certificate. Visit the registration site ag-safety.extension.org/agsafety4u-certificate-course. There is $10 fee for the course. 

This course is designed for youth, new and beginning farmers, and for employers and employees of agricultural operations looking to enhance their knowledge and/or to provide professional development with a heavy emphasis on tractor and machinery. Individuals who take this course and pass the online quizzes will be able to print a certificate of completion. There are two components to this certification, the online course work and a tractor driving test. A driving test will be given on Saturday, May 17 in Harlan. The online coursework must be completed prior to the tractor driving test. Participants will need to bring their course certificate to the driving test.

Contact the Shelby County Extension office to sign up for a testing time or for questions, 712-755-3104.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report a man was arrested this (Monday) morning on an Assault charge. 38-year-old Jesse Ray Nelson, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 10:05-a.m. on Highway 48, for Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense – a Serious Misdemeanor. Nelsen was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond pending an appearance before a Magistrate.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests occurred last week. On April 7th, 33-year-old Tyler Lee Carter, of Adair, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order, and charges of Trespass as well as Disorderly Conduct. The latter two charges were with regard to an incident that took place at around 9:45-a.m. April 7th, at a bank in Adair. Bond on the charges was set at $800 altogether. Carter was released April 11th for time served.

Last Friday (April 11), 26-year-old Miranda Marie Nichols,of Allison (IA), was arrested on Interstate 80 near Menlo, in Adair County, after she called to request help for a flat tire, and was found to be Driving While Barred. Nichols was released a short time later from the Adair County Jail, on a $2,000 bond.

And, a woman from Earlham was cited and released from the scene of a traffic stop April 12th, after being detained for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports 44-year-old Annie Joy Massure was pulled over for an equipment violation (malfunctioning brake light), and subsequently found to be in possession of paraphernalia.

DES MOINES – Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith is reminding soon-to-be and former graduates of any Iowa high school who plan to pursue post-secondary education in Iowa, there is still time to apply for the Robert D. Blue Scholarship. Awards are based on financial need, an original essay, academic achievement and letters of recommendation.

“Last year, we awarded $8,500 to seven outstanding students,” said Treasurer Smith. “I encourage all Iowans with a student in their life to push them to apply for this scholarship because this year, it might be a student you know.”

The scholarship is funded by the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation, which Governor Robert D. Blue created in 1949 to encourage students to attend Iowa’s institutions of higher learning.

Scholarship applications are only accepted online and must be submitted by May 10. Visit rdblue.org to apply and learn more.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says while there’s been a little bit of disruption in the federal government this year, the Trump Administration and Republicans in congress are on the right path. “You know you’re over the target when they’re in your district and they are protesting and they’re doing fake town halls and they’re sending money in,” Miller-Meeks said. “…You know you’re going where God wants you to go and we’re going to keep going and keep charging until David slays another Goliath and that is the behemoth of the federal government that is taking away our rights and liberties,” Miller-Meeks said. Miller-Meeks, who represents Iowa’s first congressional district, spoke at an Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition fundraiser this weekend.

Miller-Meeks told the crowd the first days of the Trump Administration are evidence policies like banning biological males from female sports and abortion restrictions are popular. “We were told that Donald Trump would not get re-elected. We slayed that dragon,” Miller-Meeks said. “…We were told that men could be women just because they say they are. We’ve slayed that dragon…We’re going to continue one after another and after another until every one of those ‘woke’ dominoes fall.” A long-time G-O-P consultant has suggested Miller-Meeks and the other members of Iowa’s congressional delegation might be considering a run for governor in 2026 now that Governor Reynolds isn’t seeking a third term. Miller-Meeks began her remarks Saturday by saying Reynolds will be missed.

Marianette Miller-Meeks. (photo from Miller-Meeks office.)

“Iowa’s had some great governor, but Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds was the best of the governor and the best governor Iowa has ever had, bar none,” Miller-Meeks said before leading the audience with a round of applause. Miller-Meeks says Republicans have more to do — in D-C or Des Moines. “We’re not going to stop. We are not going to let down,” Miller-Meeks said. “We are undeterred, undefeated and we will be unstoppable.”

Miller-Meeks won her first race for the U-S House by six votes. She won her third term in 2024 by a margin of about 800 votes.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says there were two arrests over the past week. Saturday night (April 12), 55-year-old Rosendo Martinez, Jr., of Omaha, was arrested on I-29 in Mills Couty, on charges that include OWI/3rd offense, and Violation of Probation. Bond was set at $5,000.

And, on April 7th, 49-year-ol Brent William Michael, of Malvern, was arrested in Malvern, for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $2,000.