The Des Moines Register reports 21 Iowa high schools appear in the top third of U.S. News and World Report’s 2019 national rankings. Ten schools ranked in the top 2,000 schools in the country and 11 more ranked within the top 3,000. The Atlantic High School ranks 34th in Iowa, and is the highest ranked high school in the Hawkeye-10 public schools (Harlan 51, Glenwood 91, Shenandoah 99, Clarinda 103, Denison 125, Creston 130, Lewis Central 132, Red Oak 216-319).

The rankings are made up of the top 12,245 high schools in the country. Each school is ranked by a weighted mix of five factors: college readiness, math and reading proficiency, math and reading performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rate. (read more here: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/search?ranked=true&state-urlname=iowa )

Thousands of bicyclists will be rolling into Atlantic on July 21^st for an overnight stop during RAGBRAI 2019 – the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. The event was last held in Atlantic, back in 2011. RAGBRAI Committee members Billie Hoover and Mike Waters say the riders are in process now of looking for host families. Hoover says they will accept requests from riders until about mid-June. (click on the left side of the audio bar(s) below to “Play” the cut)

Hosts can specify how many riders they are willing to accommodate.

The event offers host families and the riders a chance to make long-lasting friendships. Riders and hosts families alike may go to www.Atlanticragbrai.com, to sign-up. There are links directing both riders and hosts to provide their respective information. As for the hosts, they specify what they are willing to provide and if they have preferences.

The Housing Committee she says, will not place anyone who is not a REGISTERED Ragbrai rider, because registered riders have signed a Waiver of Liability, which protects home-owners and hosts. The riders will be notified through e-mail who their host families are and where they are located. And, the hosts will also be notified about who to expect and what their needs are. Most of the riders will be up and on their way out-of-town to the next overnight stay, the following morning.

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.