DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A $2.7 million grant will help fund a Dubuque center that will provide treatment and housing for people dealing with substance-use issues. The Telegraph Herald reports that the funds from the Iowa Finance Authority will help the Manasseh House/Operation Empower cover most of the $3.2 million needed for the proposed recovery center. Manasseh Executive Director Michelle Mihalakis says the organization plans to renovate a former bank building into a recovery and training center. The facility will offer support groups, art therapy and drug and alcohol education.

The nonprofit also plans to construct an adjacent apartment building. Liberty Place Apartments will feature 24 one-bedroom units that will provide supportive housing to people dealing with substance-use disorders and issues. Mihalakis says they hope to open the facility in early 2020.

Officials with The Wellmark Foundation today (Tuesday) announced 17 Iowa organizations have been awarded Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grants. Applicants were able to request up to $25,000 in grant funding. To ensure community support for the grant projects, recipients were challenged to match this grant at 50 percent. Each of the grant recipients submitted projects that will help individuals, families and communities achieve better health through built environment initiatives that encourage physical activity and/or access to and consumption of nutritious foods.

Among the 17 Iowa organizations that were selected to receive a 2018 Small MATCH grant is:

The City of Earlham, $15,000 for Tennis court restoration; The city of Earlham plans to restore its tennis courts, which are conveniently located in the center of town. The restoration will include resurfacing and repainting the courts while also installing new posts, nets and lights to enhance the safety and functionality of the area.

The City of Glenwood, $25,000, for a Trail and trailhead project. The project will connect Glenwood to Bellevue, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs. It will create nearly 2.5 miles of paved trails with six bridges that will improve access to parks, youth athletic facilities, the aquatic center and several area schools. The trailhead will include a safe parking area for residents to engage in school and park activities. And, the City of Glenwood was awarded $25,000 for Vine Street pickleball courts. The City of Glenwood and the Southwest Iowa Pickleball Committee are working to create six pickleball courts. The project will replace the city’s dilapidated 50-year-old tennis courts with well-designed, low-maintenance pickleball courts. The new courts will provide the first opportunity for outdoor pickleball play in Southwest Iowa.

Since 2011, The Wellmark Foundation has provided more than $9 million in grant funding to communities across Iowa and South Dakota. Visit The Wellmark Foundation website to learn more about the 2019 grant opportunities, which will be posted in late December.

The Pottawatttamie County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday), came out with a lengthy list of reports on arrests having taken place over the past few days.

At around 8:30-a.m. Friday, 63-year old Gregory Louis Fouts, a homeless person, turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Driving While Barred. Fouts was transported the Pott. County Jail and turned over to Corrections Staff. At around 5-p.m. Friday, 47-year old Janel Renee Robles, of Omaha, was arrested on a Nebraska warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice. She was being held in the Pott. County Jail without bond while awaiting extradition to Nebraska. Robles was also arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, after she was found to be in possession of a small amount of meth in a plastic baggie.

Authorities say at around 1:45-a.m. Saturday, 46-year old Caleb Dale Moore, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a Pott. County felony warrant for Theft in the 1st Degree. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop for speeding and a records check indicated he had a valid warrant.  At around 3-a.m. Saturday, a person called 911 to report a red car swerving all over the roadway on Interstate 29 at the 60 mile marker southbound. The caller stated the car had almost side swiped his semi. Law Enforcement located the vehicle stopped on Interstate 29 just south of the 60 mile marker, on the traveled portion of the roadway. The driver was identified as 22-year old Jamelya L. Jackson, of Omaha. Jackson was passed out in the driver’s side seat of her 2011 Ford Focus, and had vomited on herself. Authorities say she displayed numerous clues of impairment and was placed under arrest for OWI 1st. Jackson alleged interfered with the OWI investigation, and was subsequently charged with interference with official acts. Jackson also allegedly tried to fight with both law enforcement and jail staff, and was charged with disorderly conduct.

Deputies in Pottawattamie County were dispatched at around 3:25-a.m. Saturday to an unknown injury accident on Brown Street. Rescue crews arrived on the scene first and advised the male subject was intoxicated and required no medical care. Deputies made contact with 24-year old Randy Hugh Foster, of Oakland, who was in the drivers seat of a Dodge Ram Pickup. Foster was found to be intoxicated. He was arrested for O.W.I. 1st offense, and cited for failure to maintain control.

At around 4-p.m. Sunday, a Pott. County Deputy on patrol in Carson noticed a small Green Nissan car heading eastbound on Highway Street and had pulled into the Carson Country Store. Before the car had pulled into the store, the Deputy noticed that the license plate, which didn’t match the vehicle. He pulled the car over and arrested 27-year old Mitchell Moore, of Glenwood. Moore faces charges that include Child Endangerment without Injury, Possession of a Controlled Substance (1/2 gram of marijuana), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (a wooden pipe w/marijuana residue).

Sunday night, 29-year old Daniel Marcus McGowen, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Council Bluffs, for Public Intoxication. And, 55-year old William Marty Shepard III, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 7:40-p.m. Monday, on a warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree, after he was allegedly seen stealing merchandise from the Council Bluffs Hy-Vee Store.

Adair County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Mindy Schaefer reports that on Thursday, November 8, 2018 three citizens from Adair County, each registered as members of either the Democratic or Republican political parties, met at the Courthouse in Greenfield to conduct a post-election audit of the votes cast at the 2NE (Stuart) Precinct at the November 6, 2018 General Election.

On Wednesday, November 7, 2018, the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office randomly selected one precinct from each county in the state to be the subject of the audit. The audit team hand counted the votes cast for the office of Governor/Lt. Governor on the 416 ballots cast at the 2NE polling site on election day. The team’s hand counted results were then compared to those reported by the ballot tabulator results tape generated at the polls on election night.

Schaefer said today (Tuesday), that the results matched exactly, and that this is the outcome all voters and election officials should expect, and it should strengthen the confidence Adair County voters have in the integrity of the election process. Extensive testing of the ballot tabulators is conducted by the Auditor’s Office in advance of every election to assure that the tabulators are accurately recording the votes from the paper ballots.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (Nov. 13, 2018) — The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage and urgently needs blood and platelet donors to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients. Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter. During September and October, the Red Cross collected over 21,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than what hospitals needed. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Fewer blood drives in September and October coupled with hurricanes Michael and Florence, which caused thousands of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected, were key contributing factors to the current blood shortage.

Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services, says “This time of year, as many give thanks for family, friends and good health, it’s important to remember that patients across the country cannot survive without your generosity. From traumas to ongoing cancer treatments, the need for blood doesn’t stop for the holidays. People can give back – and help those in need – by making a lifesaving blood or platelet donation now and hosting a blood drive in the weeks to come.”

An additional 4,300 blood drives nationally – and 140 blood drives in this area – are needed in December, January and February to help stop the shortage from continuing throughout winter. Donations often decline during the winter holidays when many groups postpone blood drives while regular donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. Severe winter weather may also cause blood drive cancellations contributing to fewer donations than needed.

To encourage donations around the Thanksgiving holiday, those who come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross Nov. 21-24 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

How to help: Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass, are encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and Cass County Health System are now accepting nominations for the 2018 Angel(s) of Christmas. The Angel of Christmas is a tradition in Atlantic recognizing and thanking area residents who symbolize the true meaning of the season. Angels exemplify the true holiday spirit all year long – putting others first, spreading generosity and sharing the holiday spirit with everyone they meet. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said “Sometimes we forget the true meaning of the season and I think celebrating people who put others first and spread holiday cheer all year long deserve to be recognized.”

In 2017, Bob Boots was named the Angel of Christmas, demonstrating the true meaning of the season by offering his time and talents as a tireless volunteer to the community. Bob spends his time volunteering at many organizations including the American Legion. He can be found leading flag retirement ceremony’s, repairing flags that are donated to organizations, creating beautiful wood carvings and balloon animals for kids. There isn’t a task Bob can’t conquer without a smile on his face.

Please nominate the Christmas Angel you know to the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce by November 26th. This year’s angel will be announced at the Holiday Concert on December 2nd at 3 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic. Nominate by submitting brief comments about this person to the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com. You can find a nomination form on www.christmasinatlantic.com.