Even though Sexual Assault Awareness month has come to an end, the resources for survivors of sexual assault are always available at Cass County Health System. Sara Beth Jones, RN, Lead House Supervisor and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), says “Sexual assault is a crime, and in addition to the physical harm inflicted, it’s also emotionally and mentally overwhelming. When a sexual assault occurs, we advise that the survivor should go to the nearest  Emergency Department as soon as possible.”

SANE nurses. Pictured left to right: Darcy Young, RN, Sydney Amdor, RN, Shelly Atkinson, RN, and Sara Beth Jones, RN. Not pictured, Lori Glassel, RN.

At the Emergency Department, the patient will be cared for by a SANE. A SANE is a registered nurse who has completed specialized training and clinical preparation in the medical forensic care of a patient who has experienced sexual assault or abuse. Jones said “We always have someone on-call to respond when a survivor comes into our emergency department.” The sexual assault forensic exam is free for survivors. “Worrying about money should be the last thing on their mind,” said Jones. The State of Iowa pays for expenses related to the forensic exam,  including immediate preventive treatment of sexual transmitted diseases.

Survivors also dictate the entire process of the forensic exam. “Anytime they want to take a break or end the exam, we stop — no questions asked. The survivor’s wishes are honored all the way through the process.” Once the exam is complete, all evidence from the exam will be packaged and sealed appropriately. “We’re also here to help connect survivors to resources such as a trained sexual assault advocate,” said Sara Beth. Sexual assault advocates are available 24/7 from the Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program (they also offer a 24/7 crisis line at 1-888-612-0266). These advocates provide information about community services, crisis counseling, legal rights and options, assist with transportation needs, as well as any other needs the survivor might have.

click on the graphic to enlarge

Advocates and SANE nurses work closely with local law enforcement, too, if the survivor wishes to have them involved. “Whenever we can use local resources to assist victims it is a win for us,” said Darby McLaren, Cass County Sheriff. “I think the victim is more comfortable, and we know who we are working with at CCHS which always helps.” Having the SANE nurses available at CCHS also eliminates the need for a deputy to transport a survivor to a larger hospital, which can take several hours. “We currently have five SANE nurses, and our plan is to add three additional SANE nurses, because we are very committed to supporting survivors the best we can,” said Sara Beth.

A call to Clarinda Police Wednesday afternoon from a local bank, resulted in the arrest of a man on forgery, theft and drug charges. Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports Officers responded to the unidentified bank, where 21-year old Jason Lee Sarabia, Jr., of Braddyville, had allegedly had presented a forged check in an attempt to obtain cash. Officers arrested Sarabia Jr. on felony forgery and felony theft charges, along with a misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge.

Sarabia was taken into custody without incident and was being held in the Page County on $11,000 bail. Additional charges against are anticipated pending the completion of the investigation into the incident. Reports concerning the incident have been submitted to the office of Page County Attorney Carl M. Sonksen for review regarding the filing of formal charges.

A Union County woman was arrested today (Thursday) at around 2:45-a.m., on drug and other charges. Creston Police report 47-year old Anita Michael, of Creston, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense, OWI and Driving while suspended. She was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $3,300 bond. Wednesday night, 21-year old Klay Evans, of Creston, was arrested on a Union County warrant for Failure to Appear in court, on an original OWI/1st offense charge. His bond was set at $1,000.

And, at around 2:30-a.m. Wednesday, 18-year old Amber Parmenter, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Suspended. She was later released on a $300 bond.

(7-a.m. News)

(Radio Iowa) — The Board of Regents had the first reading of a proposal to raise base undergraduate tuition rates for instate students by three-point-nine percent at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. The tuition at the University of Northern Iowa would stay the same. The board says the increase is needed after they requested 18 million more state dollars — but the budget approved by lawmakers provides 12 million dollars. I-S-U student body president, Austin Graber spoke to the board during the meeting. “No one is thrilled to be having this discussion once again on the tuition increase proposal,” Graber says. “These discussions in these meetings are happening too often.”

Graber says they need to work harder at telling the story of each school to lawmakers. “I understand that the Board of Regents is doing everything they can with the limited resources available, but we have to find solutions for our hardworking students and my fellow classmates. Clearly higher education is not a top priority for our state based on the current proposal. We have to put more emphasis on the importance of higher education and showcase an our alumni are doing at each university,” Graber says.

He say the Regents need to consider how a vote to raise tuition will impact students. “Although the tuition at Iowa Regent institutions is low when compared to peer intuitions — this does not minimize the impact these increases have on students and families that are struggling to pay the current tuition,” Graber says.  U-I student body president Noel Mills thank the board for waiting to consider tuition until they knew how much money the state would provide. “We value the ability to budget and make sound financial decisions. However, we implore the administration to seriously consider how big of a burden just a few hundred dollars can place on students,” Mills says.

She went on to illustrate her point. “A mere 300 dollars would require around 30 hours of work, eight appointments donating plasma, or skipping around 60 meals,” according to Mills. “These are very real consequences for my peers and for me. With scholarship opportunities dwindling, rent prices increasing, and a cap of 20 hours per week on university affiliated jobs — students are already struggling to make ends meet.”

Mills says students want to find other solutions. “We are committed to working with you to find other ways to lighten the load — but we ask that you continue pressuring our legislators to consider the value our university brings to Iowa, and fund it appropriately,” Mills says. The Board of Regents will vote on raising the tuition at its June meeting.