The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports 34-year old Kristin Jan Gross, of Des Moines, was arrested Monday evening at the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office. Gross was arrested on four Union County warrants for failure to appear on drug violation charges.  She was being held for Union County in the Ringgold County Jail on $27,300 bond.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, of Nebraska, is seeking answers from the Department of Veterans of Affairs following reports that VA employees kept a secret waiting list of patients from Nebraska and Iowa that obscured the actual wait times for veterans who sought appointments. Sasse sent a letter to the department Tuesday after the Omaha World-Herald reported that an audit included whistleblower complaints about unauthorized lists for appointments at the VA’s mental health psychotherapy clinic in Omaha.

VA officials acknowledged the audit’s conclusions but wouldn’t say how many Nebraska or western Iowa veterans were affected. They also declined to say who kept the unauthorized list and why, or say how many employees were involved. Sasse says the agency’s refusal to answer questions is “unacceptable and must be remedied immediately.”

You’re invited to join the Iowa Department on Aging in Creston on Oct. 25th for the final session in its 2017 Dialogue on Aging Series. The topic for this event is “Technology in Aging: Improving the Quality of Life and Care for Older Adults” and will include thought-provoking presentations by speakers representing the University of Iowa Barbara and Richard Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence and the Iowa State University Gerontology Program/Human Development and Family Studies Department.

Lunch is included and will feature the recognition of Iowa’s centenarians – those who will be 100 years or older by Dec. 31, 2017! Cost is $25 per person. To securely register, go to: https://www.iowaaging.gov/content/2017-dialogue-aging-event-registration?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Sponsored by: AARP Iowa ; University of Iowa Barbara and Richard Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence; & Iowa State University Gerontology Program.

If you use tobacco, it has probably crossed your mind once or twice to quit. About 82% of Iowans who use tobacco, want to quit. The older you become the less you may think quitting will make any difference to your health. By quitting, tobacco users are taking an important step towards a healthier quality of life. The first benefits of quitting will begin in as little as 20 minutes, when your heart rate and blood pressure lower. The longer you quit, the more benefits you receive, even lowering your risk of heart disease to half that of someone who is still using tobacco products.

Some may consider tobacco use a thing of the past, but tobacco companies come out with new products every year trying to hook new users, especially youth. Cass County Iowa Youth Survey results show that 18% of our youth admit to trying electronic cigarettes.  You can influence your children’s decision about whether to use e-cigarettes. Even if you have used tobacco yourself, your children will listen if you discuss your struggles with nicotine addiction. Be clear that you don’t approve of them smoking or using e-cigarettes, and that you expect them to live tobacco-free. No matter how it’s delivered, nicotine is harmful for youth and young adults. E-cigarettes typically contain nicotine as well as other chemicals that are known to damage health. Tobacco use and secondhand smoke account for an estimated 6 million deaths per year nationally.

You may also find it more difficult to quit for good the older you become due to the strong nicotine addiction that has built up. Here are a few tips to get you started:

·        Set a quit date, recommended 30 days out.

·        Write down reasons why you want to quit and keep them handy.

·        Talk to your physician about options on how to quit.

·        Build a positive support group of friends, family, and other who are quitting.

·        Take it one minute/day at a time.

·        Celebrate the little achievements – each day without tobacco is a celebration!

There are many great resources out there to help tobacco users quit. A local option for Iowans is the free statewide resource Quitline Iowa, available to all Iowans age 13 years old and older. Trained quit coaches help every participant develop a personalized, easy-to-follow quit plan. You can either call Quitline Iowa at 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) or by accessing their website at www.quitlineiowa.org. This article is brought to you by Healthy Cass County.

Audubon County Sheriff Todd Johnson reports an incident that allegedly took place Tuesday in the 100 block of East South Street, in Exira, resulted in the arrest of 56-year old David Scott Porter, of Exira. Porter was charged with Harassment and Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. He was booked into the Audubon County Jail and later released on bond, with a court appearance set for Oct. 19th.

And, a 15-year old was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center Tuesday, on a charge of Criminal Mischief. The youth was charged in connection with damage done to a school-issued laptop computer. The device was valued at over $900. The incident remains under investigation.

(9-a.m. News)

A teenager at the Atlantic High School was cited into juvenile court, Tuesday, for possession of a prescription medication. Atlantic Police Sgt. Dustin Pieken told KJAN News school officials notified the Police Department late Tuesday morning a student 14 or 15-years of age, was found in possession of two-pills (less than 5-milligrams) of the drug Alprazolam (the generic name for Xanax), in an unlabeled pill bottle. The students’ name was not released because of his age.

Pieken said the school is doing a good job of trying to crack down on the pill problem, which he said “Is horrible all throughout town and in the school.” He added that “It’s hard to catch that (usage of pills).

While springtime is the worst time of year for most Iowans who suffer from allergies, thousands are also struggling this fall with sneezing fits, itchy eyes and runny noses. Allergist Dr. Leiana Oswald says about one in every four Iowans have seasonal allergies which are spiking now as the leaves start to change color and drop. “While we know that about 76% are going to experience symptoms in the spring, fall is the next most common allergy season,” Dr. Oswald says. “There’s a lot of change in season, a lot of change in pollen counts and a change in the weather often, which for patients who suffer from seasonal allergies, it can start those symptoms up.”

On the plus side, it’s much easier and cheaper now to keep seasonal allergies under control with medication. “Over the past 10 years, we’ve seen a lot of shifts of medicines go over the counter,” Oswald says. “You used to have to get prescriptions from your doctor. Now, patients are able to access these over the counter in the pharmacies, grocery stores and other retail outlets.” It may be difficult on sunny fall days when temperatures are in the 60s and 70s, but staying inside can be a big help for allergy sufferers. “The #1 tip for seasonal allergies is to avoid the allergen,” Oswald says. “Everybody has to breathe, so that’s difficult to do, but if you can limit your time outside, keep your windows closed when pollen counts are up. The average consumer can use Google now to check pollen counts by typing their city and the words “pollen count” afterwards, to know if those counts are going to be higher.”

She suggests making an effort to keep your clothes pollen-free and to shower often. Avoid drying clothes on a line outside as pollen like ragweed can stick to them. Change your clothes after you’ve been outside. Taking a shower before bed will also help keep allergens out of your hair, off your body and out of your bed.

(Radio Iowa)

DETROIT (AP) – Ford is recalling about 1.3 million 2015-17 F-150 and 2017 Super Duty vehicles in North America because of potential door problems. The company said Wednesday that in some vehicles a frozen door latch or bent or kinked actuation cable may cause a door to not open or close. If consumers are able to open and close such doors, the door may appear closed, but the latch may not fully engage, increasing the risk for a possible injury.

Ford said it’s not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue. The company’s dealers will install water shields over door latches and inspect and repair door latch actuation cables if necessary free of charge to customers.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Atlantic City Council meets this (Wednesday) evening at 5:30 in their Chambers at City Hall. During his presentation to the Council, City Administrator John Lund will report on a proposed Mandatory Garbage pickup to help offset costly issues at the Cass County Landfill. Lund says the original proposal made in August of 1997, was updated for tonight’s meeting. The City is not currently involved rate regulation or collection. Those rates are set by one of the three available private sanitation companies operating in town.

In 1997, it was suggested anywhere from 70-to 80-percent of households in Atlantic pay for garbage collection, with others taking their refuse directly to the landfill, and still others sharing a bill with their neighbors, dumping refuse in a commercial dumpster, or illegally disposing of garbage. The current proposal calls for the sanitation companies to remain independent businesses and existing customers would remain with them. The City would assume the role of fiscal agent, and AMU would manage billing and payments. New customers would be assigned to a hauler.

Mandatory collection was deemed desirable in the 1997 report, because less staff time would be spent dealing with nuisance properties with regard to junk and garbage, with better results. There was also a theory collection costs would decline because the costs would be spread over a wider customer base. In his report, however, John Lund says implementing a Mandatory garbage service has many negatives, including: the elimination of free-market competition and issues regarding any complaints filed by customers; The City would have no direct control over business costs or expectations; and it could result in disputes between the City Council/Administration and the three private businesses, along with overpriced service.

Lund says AMU officials have said they are not eager to participate in being part of the billing and surcharge process. And, if the system is to be fair to all customers, there would have to be a slight adjustment in the rates the three in-town sanitation services charge. Lund says a regular account would have to be charged $24.50, and Senior Citizen accounts $17.50. That means a slight loss in profits for one provider and a slight gain for the other two. Lund says “the haulers can’t stay in business with the proposed pricing system, and the most likely pricing structure would resemble that of Cherokee, which charges $30 across the board, and no Senior discounts.

He notes that Tommy Gaines, with Gaines Sanitation, has proposed that since the issue lies with rental houses, and when the City institutes its landlord inspection system, it could require those landlords provide proof of a garbage contracting service with one of the three haulers. That alternative, Lund says, possesses none of the risks of mandatory garbage service and should help the City address the core problem without the need to be integrated into the current, and well functioning private sector model for solid waste removal.

He concludes in his report, that Mr. Gaines’ proposal will cause no increase in the costs to residents and should address the problem of solid waste in alleys and elsewhere, that the Council wants to see resolved. No action is expected on the matter during tonight’s meeting.