DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate applauds Iowans for stepping up and participating in National Voter Registration Day. A total of 4,738 Iowans registered to vote or updated their voter information using the state’s online voter registration system on Tuesday, September 25.

“I’d like to thank all the colleges, universities, school districts, civic groups, and media organizations in the state that helped promote National Voter Registration Day. It was a huge success in Iowa,” Secretary Pate said. “Iowans take voting very seriously and these numbers reflect that fact.”

Iowa’s online voter registration system was implemented by Secretary Pate in January of 2016, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation. Since then, nearly 100,000 Iowans have utilized the system to register to vote or update their voter registration information. More than 8,000 Iowans used the online system between September 19-25.

DES MOINES, Iowa September 26, 2018 – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett recently announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with rural communities in 22 states, including seven projects in rural Iowa, to support opportunities for opioid prevention, treatment and recovery.

“With its impact on workforce, quality of life and the economic vitality of rural communities from Maine to California, the opioid epidemic is more than just a matter of public health, it is an issue of rural prosperity,” Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities in planning and building local responses to this monumental challenge.”

USDA is investing $10.7 million in 85 projects in 22 states through the Community Facilities program. The seven Iowa projects are receiving a total of $661,400.

“USDA Rural Development is helping address substance misuse disorders at the local level through program investment and strategic partnerships,” said Grant Menke, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “Looking for innovative ways to collaborate is an important step in addressing this problem that is impacting the heartbeat of our country.”

In Iowa:

• Cass County is using a $17,500 grant to purchase a police vehicle with equipment for a K-9 officer. The K-9 vehicle will be used to deter the sale and misuse of illegal drugs including opioids, and as a response vehicle on the scene of mental health or misuse situations. The K-9 vehicle will serve a population of 14,000.
• The city of Albia is using a $29,200 grant to purchase a police vehicle. The new vehicle will be used to combat the opioid epidemic, for both prevention and response to illegal drug-related actions in a community of 3,800.
• Lucas County Health Center is using a $150,000 grant to purchase an ambulance and related equipment for a hospital. The ambulance will be equipped with advanced life support supplies and equipment to assist in combating opioid misuse and drug overdoses. It will serve almost 8,900 Lucas County residents.
• Monroe County Hospital is using a $123,700 grant to purchase an ambulance for the local hospital. It will be equipped with advanced life support supplies and equipment to assist with all emergencies, including opioid misuse. The ambulance will serve 7,800 residents of Monroe County.
• United Community Health Center Inc. is using a $150,000 grant to buy equipment for an expanded medical clinic in the community of Storm Lake. The facility will include expanded behavioral health services, including diagnosis and treatment of substance misuse, including opioids. This project will provide improved service to about 10,600 residents.
• Wayne County Hospital is using a $150,000 grant to buy an ambulance equipped with paramedic-level service and security features, specifically for opioid treatment. An estimated 6,400 residents will benefit.
• The city of Pisgah is using a $41,000 grant to purchase a used ambulance for the volunteer fire department and first responders. The ambulance is equipped with medical supplies, including reversal medication for opioid misuse incidents. About 250 residents will be served.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities.

In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as community buildings, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.

The Harlan Police Department reports numerous arrests in the past week.

On Thursday, September 20th Harlan Police cited 27-year-old Colton Edward Benson-Blaine of Harlan for Driving While Suspended. Benson-Blaine was cited after a traffic stop in the 1200 block of Victoria Street.

On Saturday, September 22nd Harlan Police arrested two men from Omaha following a traffic stop in the 1000 block of Highway 59. 21-year-old John Jack Soloman and 21-year-old Demetrius Alexander Smith both of Omaha were arrested on drug charges. Soloman was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Prohibited Acts Penalties. Smith was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both men were taken to the Shelby County Jail.

On Tuesday, September 25th Harlan Police arrested 33-year-old David Allen Coenen of Harlan on an active Shelby County Warrant. Coenen was taken to the Shelby County Jail.

ATLANTIC – Cass County Memorial Hospital and Atlantic Medical Center have both reached a historical landmark in 2018: 50 years of caring for southwest Iowa. In celebration, Cass County Health System will host four free chili dinners during October. The meals will be served from 5 – 6:30 pm at the following locations:

October 3        Cass County Memorial Hospital Cafeteria

October 17       Griswold Community Center

October 23      Anita Community Center

October 30       CAM Middle School Cafeteria, Massena

CCHS CEO Brett Altman said “We have been celebrating our 50th anniversaries all year, and this is our way to say thank you to the people of southwest Iowa for helping us achieve this milestone. It has been our privilege to be a part of these communities and families, and we are excited to celebrate alongside them.”

In November 1965 there was a public vote to determine if the Atlantic Memorial Hospital would become a county hospital. The measure passed, although by a mere 14 votes! The E.A. Kelloway family donated the land for a new building and the groundbreaking was held in April 1967. After 18 months of construction, a dedication was held October 6 and patients were moved to the new facility on October 12, 1968. Major construction projects updated the facility in 1972, 1997, and 2013.

“Over the past 50 years, CCMH and Atlantic Medical Center have continued to grow and adapt to the ever-changing healthcare environment,” Brett noted.  “We have been fortunate to have had outstanding physicians, advance practice providers and supporting staff who have all worked together to provide excellent healthcare and a superior experience to all those we serve.  We look forward to continuing our mission for the next 50 years!”

More than 200 employers, educators, workforce and economic development professionals, government officials, and students are expected to come together from around the state for the upcoming Employer Educator Summit in Panora on Wednesday, October 10th. Previous summits proved to be successful in turnout and inspiration for attendees to bridge the workforce gap by engaging students with early initiatives to prepare them for the diverse workforce. This year’s Summit in Panora will be a continuation of those efforts, showcasing innovative programs throughout the state. The Employer Educator Summit agenda will run from 9am-3pm and feature presentations from Iowa Economic Development Director Debi Durham, discussion on federal regulations related to hiring youth, local program incentives, resource and collaboration toolkit as well as the Workforce Warrior Award Presentation.

Who:     Employers, Educators, Workforce Development Professionals, Economic Development Professionals

What:    Employer Educator Summit

Why:     50% of Iowa’s jobs require workers with Middle Skills, but only 33% of our workforce has those skills.

When:   Thursday, October 10th, 9 am – 3 pm

Where:  Lake Panorama National Conference Center, 5071 Clover Ridge Rd, Panora, IA 50216

How:      Registration is requested at www.westerniowaadvantage.com or by calling (515) 523-1262.

Organizational Background:

The Employer Educator Summit is hosted by Western Iowa Advantage and IowaWORKS – Western Iowa Western Iowa Advantage is a partnership of economic development organizations dedicated to promoting Western Iowa for business, job attraction and retention. The partnership includes Midwest Partnership EDC, Audubon County Economic Development, Greene County Economic Development Corporation, Carroll Area Development Corporation, Chamber & Development Council of Crawford County, Ida County Economic Development, Sac Economic & Tourism Development, Region XII COG, and Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A city council in western Iowa is moving toward repealing a 40-year-old law against begging that the city attorney says probably has never been enforced.
The Council Bluffs City Council voted Monday for the repeal. City Attorney Richard Wade told The Daily Nonpareil that repealing it requires two more readings and votes by council members, who likely will waive the third vote.

In August the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa sent letters to Council Bluffs and other Iowa cities, asking for repeals. The ACLU legal director, Rita Bettis Austen, says the ordinance is unconstitutional, “because the First Amendment protects the right of people to express their needs and ask for help.”

Wade said Tuesday that, to the best of his knowledge, the ordinance has never been enforced in Council Bluffs.

The Creston Police Department reports three arrests on Tuesday.

At 10:55am Officers arrested 41-year-old AJ Miller of Mount Ayr at 302 North Pine Street in Creston. He was arrested on a Union County Warrant for Theft 3rd Degree. He was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on $2,000 bond.

At 1:02pm Officers arrested 28-year-old Tonya Tindle of Creston at her residence on North Pine Street. Tindle was arrested on a Union County Warrant for a Controlled Substance Violation. She was taken to the Adams County Jail and held on $1,000 bond.

At 4:49pm Creston Police arrested 29-year-old James Roach of Greenfield at 806 Laurel Street in Creston on a Union County Warrant for the charge of Harassment 1st Degree. He was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on $2,000 bond.