(Iowa News Service) – With wintertime cold still gripping much of the nation, health experts are offering ways to overcome seasonal depression, which can accompany bitter temperatures and long, dark days. Lows in Iowa are forecast to be below zero for the rest of the week. A recent survey found 40% of Americans reported their mood worsens during the dark, cold winter months.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said the gray days and bitter cold can have a direct effect on Iowans’ mental health. “We’re seeing increased suicides and drug overdose in our country,” Randall noted. “It really is important to recognize when you’re feeling blue and it’s persistent, when to seek help and get an assessment by a trained medical professional.”

Randall recommended spending time around friends to help overcome seasonal affective disorder and added it is important to connect with a mental health care provider, often accessible now by telehealth. Sometimes, the family doctor will do. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can get help by texting or calling the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Randall acknowledged seasonal depression is not new and suggested some time-tested ways to get ahead of it. “The first is getting access to some true sunshine,” Randall advised. “30 to 60 minutes outside every day. Whatever it is that you do outside during the hours that the sun is up.”

The days are getting longer but Iowa still only gets about 10 hours of daylight each day in February.

(Elliott, Iowa) – Firefighters from Red Oak, Elliott and Grant responded to a reported structure fire southwest of Elliott this (Wednesday) afternoon. The call about a steel utility building fire at 2015 137th Street went out at  around 2:20-p.m.  According to the Red Oak Fire Department’s Facebook page, when firefighters arrived, they found the structure fully engulfed in flames, and the roof had collapsed. (Photos are from the Red Oak FD Facebook page)

It took just under an hour to bring the flames under control in extremely cold conditions. Fireground operations were terminated at approximately 4 p.m. The cause of the fire remained under  investigation.

The building and property inside are a total loss, but a dollar amount of the damage was not immediately available. The owners were identified as Christian Vanscyoc and Mariah Cody.

The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency and Montgomery County 911 assisted in handling the incident.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill to require that Iowans be a registered voter with a political party at least 30 days before voting in a primary or caucus has been revived in the Iowa House. The policy was discussed by lawmakers, but not adopted before the 2024 Iowa Caucuses. Republican Representative Derek Wulf of Hudson is sponsoring a bill on the topic this year.

“I served as a caucus captain last year…in rural Black Hawk County and there was a lot of concerns that came up of, you know, Democrats who were switching parties as they came into the caucus process. There was a lot of discussion around, ‘Was there going to be sabotage efforts?’ Wulf says. “I don’t know if we saw that widespread, but I know that concern came out of and that’s what this bill spawned out of.”

Iowa Capital Building

The bill has cleared a House subcommittee, but a Republican who agreed to support the bill today (Wednesday) said it needs work before it advances further. The bill would also require Republicans and Democrats who candidates for political office to have been a registered party member for at least a year before filing to run for office.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has issued an executive order that bans state agencies from using Chinese owned apps marketed as an alternative to TikTok.

In late 2023, Reynolds banned state agencies from having TikTok accounts and it cannot be loaded on any state-owned device. She’s now extended the ban to include RedNote and Lemon8. The apps feature photos and short videos and have become the most downloaded apps in the U.S. since TikTok was banned in the United States.

Governor Kim Reynolds speaking at a news conference on Feb. 18, 2025. (RI photo)

In the executive order, Reynolds said like TikTok, both apps collect a lot of data from users and, since both companies are headquartered in China, they are “compelled to support, assist and cooperate” with the Chinese Communist Party.

Reynolds has also forbid the use of a new artificial intelligence product in state government. DeepSeek was developed in China and Reynolds said it, too, “poses a security risk to Iowa.”

Reynolds posted a message on X to announce the executive order.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court will decide whether suicide is considered an emotional or physical injury as it relates to workplace liability. Union Pacific Railroad worker Phil Morgan died by suicide after his supervisor allegedly intimidated him, and his wife sued, saying the company created an unsafe working environment.

Her attorney Paul Slocomb, says current laws aren’t up to date with medical research about suicide and the case the court is using as guidance doesn’t account for workplace negligence that pressures someone into taking their own life.

“The U-S Supreme Court didn’t address a single suicide case in its analysis, not a single one, when there were multiple FELA suicide cases on the books,” he says. But the Union Pacific Attorney Jon Amarilio says the justices must consider precedent.”The plaintiff can disagree with the Supreme Court’s policy determinations on that point, but they’re still binding,” Amarilo says. Amarilio says while tragic, Union Pacific would not be liable for an emotional injury.

The Supreme Court will release its decision at a later date.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Fire Department held its annual Awards Banquet February 8th at the Venue, in downtown Atlantic. The event is a time for those currently serving, and those that have retired to get together, for an evening of fun. The dinner was catered by the Downtowner and the entertainment this year was game night, games and card playing.

Recent Retirees receiving Ax Plaque: Rich Smith, Russel Peck, John Johnson

AFD retirees attending the banquet: Front row: Dustin McLaren, Norm Clark, Steve Curtis, Mark McNees;Back Row: Darrin Petty, Rich Smith, Russell Peck, AFD Chief Cappel, John Johnson, Shawn Sarsfield, Rick McDermott

Doug Sandbothe, receiving his 25 year certificate & pin, AFD Chief Cappel

Roger Bissen, IFA Representative, Tim Cappel, receiving 25 year certificate & pin, Mark McNees, IFA Representative, AFD Chief, Cappel

Roger Bissen, IFA representative, Jeremiah Thompsen, receiving 20 year certificate & pin, Mark McNees, IFA Representative and AFD Chief, Cappel

Tom with Tyler Thomas & Steele McLaren, with their 1 year award; receiving helmet shield and jacket nameplate

DES MOINES— Gov. Kim Reynolds today authorized a disaster proclamation for Sac County, Iowa effective immediately through March 21, 2025. The USDA has confirmed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock.

This proclamation allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and other agencies to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. The proclamation also waives regulatory provisions related to commercial vehicles responding to affected sites.

The recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern, and it remains safe to eat poultry products. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately.

(West Des Moines, Iowa) – A western Iowa nursing home is facing a lawsuit filed by a woman who fell down a flight of concrete stairs at the home while seated in a wheelchair. According to a report by the Iowa Capital Dispatch, Elaine Gunderson of Battle Creek, Iowa, is suing Odebolt Specialty Care and its owners, Care Initiatives of West Des Moines, for negligence and breach of contract.

The lawsuit alleges that on July 2, 2024, the 88-year-old Gunderson was found at the bottom of a set of 13 concrete stairs that led from the kitchen to the basement of the home. Although the kitchen was considered a restricted area from which residents were barred, a staff member had allegedly propped open the door, allowing Gunderson to wheel herself into the area. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. The home has yet to file a response to the lawsuit.

According to state inspectors’ reports, Gunderson had propelled herself into the kitchen, through two more doors, and then toppled down the stairs leading to the basement. She was later found by a kitchen worker who heard someone yelling for help.

The Odebolt Specialty Care nursing home in Sac County, Iowa. (Photo via Google Earth)

Gunderson had lacerations to her forehead and left forearm, and an injury the staff described as a “huge gash” in her cheek. She was transported to a hospital where, according to inspectors, the records indicate Gunderson was admitted with a head wound that required seven stitches to close as well as “bruises on her head, hands, legs, hips, both eyes and all over basically.” The lawsuit alleges that Odebolt Specialty Care was charging Gunderson $342 per day for its services. She had lived in the facility since 2013.

As a result of the accident, the state proposed but then held in suspension a $9,000 fine. Federal officials imposed a fine of $14,433. Court records indicate there are at least 14 other lawsuits currently pending against the Odebolt facility’s owners, Care Initiatives. Thirteen of those cases are tied to resident deaths, and one stems from an incident involving a male intruder who was found in bed with a female resident at a Care Initiatives facility.

The lawsuits allege negligence at Care Initiatives facilities located in Pleasant Hill, Wapello, Albia, Fonda, Corydon, Waterloo, Marshalltown, Avoca, Oskaloosa, Centerville, West Branch and Corning. Several of the cases have been stayed by the courts with the plaintiffs ordered to bring their case before an arbitrator.