DES MOINES – Iowa Governo Kim Reynolds, Friday, announced several additional cabinet appointments. Those cabinet secretaries will serve as important agents as Gov. Reynolds carries out her work to serve Iowans. Among the appointees, was Rod Roberts, who will serve as the next labor commissioner. Roberts previously served as the director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals for eight years.  He also served in the Iowa House of Representatives for 10 years.

A native Iowan, he was born in Waverly and raised in Zearing.  Roberts currently resides in Carroll. He will be replacing current labor commissioner Michael Mauro who is retiring. Roberts said “It’s an honor to be named Iowa’s labor commissioner and I appreciate Governor Reynolds’ confidence in my abilities. In this new role, my focus will be on ensuring Iowans are able to work in safe and healthy environments.”

Officials with Cass County Public Health say registrations are currently being accepted for the next session of “A Matter of Balance.” The award-winning program helps older adults learn to manage their concerns about falling, make changes to reduce the risk of falling, and increase their physical activity, flexibility, strength, and balance. Participants meet for two hours each week for eight weeks total, and the program is offered for free.

The upcoming session will be held from 1- to 3-pm on Wednesdays, beginning on March 13th. Registration is required as class size is limited. To register, or for more information, please contact Victoria Means at Cass County Public Health at 712-243-7543.

Police in Glenwood report two arrests took place late this past week. On Friday, 20-year old Hunter Green, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills County warrant. His cash or surety bond was set at $1,000. And, on Thursday, 30-year old Andrew West, of Malvern, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. His cash or surety bond was set at $1,000.

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, Friday, released a report on arrests and incidents for the week of Feb. 15th through the 22nd. Authorities say on Wednesday:

• Jacob Graham, of Des Moines, was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol following a traffic stop on HWY 141 east of Bayard for Driving While Barred. Graham was transported to the Guthrie County Jail and posted bond.
• Allan Miller, of Stuart, was arrested on a Guthrie County warrant for Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense. Mr. Miller was transported to the Guthrie County Jail and posted bond.
• Rene Atkins, of Yale, was cited and released on a Driving While Revoked charge following a traffic stop in Yale.

And, on Monday, Patrick Beardsley, of Guthrie Center, turned himself into the Guthrie County Jail to serve a ten-day mittimus for probation violation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Board of Medicine has selected a new executive director to replace the man who said he’d been forced out of the job. A news release on the board’s website says Kent Nebel been given the position. He’s been the board’s legal director for nearly 20 years and the interim executive director since July.

Nebel had taken over the duties of Mark Bowden, who announced his resignation July 30. Bowden had been placed on administrative leave for reasons that state officials would not publicly detail. He complained that he’d been forced out of the post and that his work had been hindered by “substantial deficiencies in service and a lack of adequate support” from the Department of Public Health and Department of Administrative Services.

The board licenses physicians and also has the authority to fine or suspend them for poor care or violating ethics rules.