(Des Moines, Iowa) – Two western Iowa nursing homes with a history of regulatory violations have been added to a federal list of the nation’s worst care facilities. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah, and the now-shuttered Aspire of Lake Park nursing home, were recently added to the nationwide list of nursing homes whose quality-of-care issues make them eligible for what’s called “special-focus status.” The Special-Focus Facilities list is updated periodically by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and includes homes deemed by the agency to have “a history of serious quality issues.” Nationally, there are 88 nursing facilities designated Special-Focus Facilities, with one or two slots filled by each state. Those homes are enrolled in a special program intended to stimulate improvements in their quality of care through increased regulatory oversight.

It’s not clear why the federal government added Aspire of Lake Park to its list of homes eligible for special-focus status. In the wake of dozens of regulatory violations cited last year, the state revoked the home’s license to operate. On Sept. 30, 2024, CMS announced it was shutting off all Medicare and Medicaid money to the home, which was two months before the agency added the home to the special-focus eligibility list. Asked why a closed facility would be added to the list, a CMS spokeswoman stated that because of a recent order by the Trump administration, the agency is pausing all communications with the public and the media that are not directly related to emergencies.

The now-closed Aspire of Lake Park nursing home. (Photo via Google Earth)

Because the number of Special-Focus Facilities in any given state is capped, additional facilities — even those that have earned CMS’ lowest ratings for quality — cannot be enrolled in Special-Focus Facility program until other special-focus facilities in that same state have either shut down or improved and “graduated” from the program. That’s a process that can take four years or more. As a result, there are several homes in each state that are designated “eligible” for special-focus status due to their ongoing quality-of-care issues, but they are unable to benefit from actual enrollment in the program.

Currently, three Iowa nursing homes have been eligible for special-focus assistance for more than a year without actually receiving it, including Des Moines’ Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation Center, which has been deemed eligible for 29 months. Currently, the two Iowa nursing homes actually designated as Special-Focus Facilities are the Aspire care facility in Gowrie, and the Arbor Court facility in Muscatine. Aspire of Gowrie has been a special-focus facility for 14 months, and Muscatine’s Arbor Court has had the designation for 20 months.

In addition to the Aspire of Lake Park, Garden View Care Center and the Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation Center, the Iowa nursing homes currently deemed eligible for  the special-focus designation are Des Moines’ Bishop Drumm Retirement Center, Correctionville Specialty Care, Harmony West of West Des Moines, The Ivy at Davenport, Parkview Manor in Wellman, Pine Acres Rehabilitation and Care Center in West Des Moines, and Via of Des Moines.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – An investigation Friday into a single-vehicle accident that took place last month in Montgomery County, resulted the arrest of an Adams County man. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 31-year-old Devon Briggs, from Corning, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, following the investigation into an accident that occurred December 13th on Highway 34 near Highway 71, in Montgomery County.  Separately, the Sheriff’s office said 38-year-old Ryan Wells, of Bronson, KS, was arrested Saturday, on an active Montgomery County warrant. Wells was being held in the Montgomery County Jail for OWI/3rd offense.

Police in Red Oak report 29-year-old Alec Thomas, of Red Oak, was arrested Saturday in Red Oak, for OWI/1st offense. Thomas was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond. Red Oak Police said also, no injuries were reported and no citations were issued, following a collision Friday afternoon in the parking lot of Woodland Apartment complex. Vehicles driven by 50-year-old Jill Schaefer, and 55-year-old Linda Bradway, both of Red Oak, collided at around 3:55-p.m. as Bradway was backing out of a parking slot. Police say with her vision obstructed, Bradway failed to see a Ford F-150 pickup driven by Schaefer, that was traveling north through the parking lot. Bradway’s 2011 Ford Focus struck the pickup on the rear passenger side, causing a police-estimated total of $3,500 damage. Both vehicles were driven from the scene.

(Crawford & Buena Vista Counties) –  With immigration and deportation being discussed; the Chiefs of Police in Storm Lake and Denison shared messages in both English and Spanish on social media, with their community’s residents, Friday. Storm Lake Police Chief Chris Cole released video messages, Friday. In his videos, Chief Cole said in-part, “Our officers do not and will not stop individuals solely to inquire about their immigration status….While we prioritize public safety and fostering trust, we will continue, as we always have, to cooperate with our federal partners in cases involving wanted or violent individuals with valid criminal arrest warrants.”

“The Storm Lake Police Department,” he said, “will continue our mission of focusing on protecting and serving all members of our community, without bias or undo involvement in federal immigration enforcement. Our officers are not trained to enforce federal immigration laws, nor is it our responsibility to do so.”

Storm Lake Police Chief Chris Cole (Screenshot of his video message on Facebook)

Denison Police Chief Tony Trejo said in written statements posted to social media, “At this time, there is no enforcement changes at the Denison Police Department pertaining to immigration status of individuals. To date, the Denison Police Department has not been requested by our federal law enforcement partners to assist with any investigation enforcement efforts.” Chief Trejo says if such a request does come, that cooperation could consist of information sharing, logistics, scene security and coordination with local resources in and around Denison.

“If requested, the Denison Police Department will cooperate with our federal law enforcement partners on their immigration enforcement efforts as permitted under Iowa law,” said Chief Trejo. Additionally, the police say they will not initiate any state-level immigration enforcement while Iowa’s immigration enforcement law is still under review by the courts.

“As with all of our enforcement efforts, the Denison Police Department will ensure that constitutional and civil rights are protected.” Chief Trejo said, “Our citizens will be treated with dignity and respect.”

Statement on Facebook from Denison Police Chief Tony Trejo

DES MOINES, Iowa [via KCCI — With about six months to go before the start of the 52nd ride, we now know the route for this year’s RAGBRAI© event (The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa). The route was announced Saturday night during an event at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee. This year’s event will take riders west to east from Orange City to Guttenberg, starting July 20 and ending July 26. The route goes 406 miles and has 10,487 feet of climb. It’s the second shortest ride in RAGBRAI history.

From the RAGBRAI 2025 Facebook page

2025 Route Dates/legs:

Sunday, July 20: Orange City to Milford, 70.1 miles

Monday, July 21: Milford to Estherville, 44.6 miles

Tuesday, July 22: Estherville to Forest City, 74.1 miles

Wednesday, July 23: Forest City to Iowa Falls, 68.3 miles

Thursday, July 24: Iowa Falls to Cedar Falls, 49.5 miles

Friday, July 25: Cedar Falls to Oelwein, 38.2 miles

Saturday, July 26: Oelwein to Guttenberg, 61.2 miles

(Area Counties) – Firefighters around southwest Iowa were kept busy battle numerous grass and field fires this weekend. Early today (Sunday), Cumberland and Massena crews were called to assist in fighting a large field fire in northern Adams County.

The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency reported Saturday, area fire departments have responded to numerous grass/field/brush fires Saturday afternoon. Officials said some were controlled burns, others were not. The EMA urged property owners that “If you plan to burn at anytime, please call the Montgomery County Communications Center at 712-623-5107 to report your burn and exact location.

Montgomery County EMA photo

This will allow us to verify the location and responsible party should a fire be reported or grow out of control.” The Montgomery County EMA said also, that “With warm and windy conditions forecasted over the next several days and continued dry fuel loads present everywhere, any fire that starts will quickly spread. Be sure to check any previous burn piles multiple times over the next several days as well.”

The Red Oak Fire Department posted to social media Saturday afternoon, that at around 12:30-p.m., Saturday, Stanton FD, Red Oak FD, and Elliott FD were dispatched to 2513 170th for a reported grass fire – near a barn. Upon arrival, a debris pile fire had spread into a south field/grass area, as well as, within feet of a standing barn. Fire crews made a quick knock down and spent considerable time extinguishing the debris pile fire. No injuries to civilians or firefighters. As of 1:30 p.m Stanton FD and the property owner were extinguishing some hot spots, preparing to terminate fire-ground operations.

Red Oak FD photo

Red Oak FD photo

Red Oak FD photo

And, Neola Fire and Rescue reported on social media, that Saturday morning, they were paged out to a grass fire. With the dryness and wind conditions they quickly called for mutual aid. Fire officials said they wanted to thank the Underwood Fire and Rescue, McClelland Volunteer Fire Department, Minden Fire & Rescue, Crescent Volunteer Fire Department and Lewis Township Fire & Rescue for their quick response and help! Also thank you to the local farmers who were quick to help!!”

Neola FD photo

Neola FD photo

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Des Moines Police Department posted on social media, Friday, that the Department’s Narcotics K9 “Blaise” sniffed out more than 50 pounds of marijuana at the Des Moines International Airport on Thursday.

Investigators received an anonymous tip Thursday that a large shipment of marijuana was headed to Des Moines on an airplane from Las Vegas. Investigators were able to identify the luggage believed to contain the marijuana, and then K9 Blaise went to work.

After a quick sniff of the exterior of the luggage, K9 Blaise alerted to the odor of narcotics. Investigators began surveillance of the luggage.

Dsm PD Facebook photo

21-year-old Tanitoluwa Arogundade was detained by investigators after he claimed the luggage. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the luggage and discovered over 50 pounds of marijuana.
Arogundade has been charged with the following offenses:
• Controlled Substance Violation (Class D felony)
• Failure To Affix A Drug Tax Stamp (Class D felony)

An investigation into the incident continues.

Des Moines Police said “The exceptional abilities of our K9’s enhances our day to day efficiency and effectiveness. In 2023, our K9 Unit played a vital role in many of the narcotics-related investigations in our city; investigations that led to the seizure of over 300 pounds of illegal drugs.” The drugs were valued at over $5-million.

(Clarinda) – More workers at a Clarinda manufacturing plant are losing their jobs. According to a report, officials with NSK Americas Friday announced the elimination of more than 30 employees from the company’s Clarinda facility. The report says company officials attribute the reductions to “the change in the product mix manufactured at the facility, and the continuous need to be competitive in the market.”

NSK officials add the company is “grateful for the loyalty and hard work of the NSK Clarinda team members, and the support of the Clarinda community over the years.” They add the company will continue to honor commitments and ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved.

Clarinda NKS plant (Photo from the company’s website)

NSK’s announcement follows last September’s announcement that 54 employees at Clarinda’s AKS plant will lose their jobs when the plant closes on March 31st, 2025.

MARION COUNTY, Iowa [WHO-TV]  — An Iowa mom has been charged in connection to the death of her three week old infant. According to court documents, on September 30th deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a three week old who was unresponsive at a home in the 1100 block of 18th Avenue. When first responders arrived at the scene they discovered that the infant had died.

During the investigation into the infant’s death, the sheriff’s office learned that the infant was under the care of 30-year-old Lacy Jo Eiteman, the mother, and 30-year-old Jacob Burns. According to a criminal complaint, investigators discovered that Eiteman and Burns drank alcohol and took methamphetamine on September 29th and early into the morning of the 30th before they fell asleep with the infant in bed, a criminal complaint states. When the two woke up they found the infant lying in-between them and unresponsive.

On Thursday Eiteman was arrested and charged with Child Endangerment – Death and Neglect Or Abandonment Of A Dependent Person. She’s currently being held at the Marion County Jail on a $35,000 cash/surety bond. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for January 30th.

In late December Burns was arrested and charged with Child Endangerment – Death, Neglect Of A Dependent Person, and Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia. Burns waived his preliminary hearing. He remains in the Marion County Jail.