(Radio Iowa) – More than 62-thousand Iowans are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, and if one of them is on your holiday gift list, some well-intentioned presents may no longer be appropriate or practical for them. Lauren Livingston, spokeswoman for the Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, says some gifts can help a loved one in the early stages of the disease continue to navigate and maintain their independence.

“Something like a label maker, so they can stay organized and keep track of everyday household items that they might have trouble remembering,” Livingston says. “Same thing with dry erase calendars to keep them organized. Also, gifts for ride-sharing if they’re not able to drive anymore, because it’s still important that they get out there and stay active and social.”

Other gifts for someone in the early stages might include a G-P-S tracker which can help to keep them safe while allowing them to stay independent, or a “memory” calendar featuring family photos and filled in with birthdays and anniversaries. Livingston says the gift of music is always a plus.

“Music can be something that helps trigger memories for people in the middle to later stages,” she says. “So putting a playlist together of their favorite artists and songs from back in the day can really help spark those memories, and it oftentimes just makes them happy or puts them in a good mood to listen to that music that they loved.” For people in the mid to later stages, Livingston says soothing gifts can help with anxiety, like a handheld massage ball, a soft blanket, or a fluffy bathrobe.

“Comfortable, loose fitting clothing that’s easy for them to get themselves dressed and not need someone else to help as much,” Livingston says. “Another thing to think about is adaptive dining accessories, so no-spill cups, plate guards, silverware with special handles that make it easier to grasp so they can be more independent while they’re eating.”
Another thoughtful gift might be framed photographs or a photo collage created specifically for your loved one, and include people’s names on the photos.

Other suggestions include: A memory phone that can store pictures with names and contact information, puzzle and activity books, card games and board games, or an outing to a movie, play or sporting event.

Find more ideas at https://www.alz.org/iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – The Washington County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that restricts where wind turbines could be built. The vote came Tuesday following a public hearing on the issue Monday. Washington County farmer Greg Coch told K-C-R-G T-V that he supports the ordinance. ”It gives a lot of different people a voice cause a lot of people don’t want them. They don’t want them in their view-scape. They don’t want them in their environment and it gives those people an opportunity to have more of a setback than you would ordinarily see,” Coch said at the public hearing. Coch urged supervisor to pass the ordinance at their meeting Tuesday. Linda Boston was raised on a farm and told K-C-R-G T-V that she’s against the ordinance.

“It’s really not going to help us here immediately, it just helps in the long run. Our carbon footprint. And shouldn’t we be concerned about having the most healthy environment that we can for our world?” Boston said. The ordinance requires a guarantee that new wind turbines would not impact the value of any property within two miles. It also require turbines to be at least one mile away from most gathering places such as schools, libraries, and churches unless there is a written agreement. Supervisor Jack Seward Junior spoke about the ordinance before the vote. ”In my estimate, the whole basis for the industry as it exists today is a political push adopted by “big government” intending to fight “climate change” by removing carbon fuels from the economy,” Seward said. Supervisor Bob Yoder also expressed doubts about the turbines.

“They talk about green energy and I don’t think it’s as environmentally friendly as what they’re billed to be,” Yoder said. Supervisor Marcus Fedler says ordinance provides a way for both sides to give their input. ”So I’m looking forward to hearing from the people and let the people that want these, they still have to provide a reasonable reason why we should discriminate against other folks that don’t have a seat at the table,” Fedler said.

The Washington County Supervisors need to approve the ordinance two more times before it passes.

• John Johnson, Engineer, has been with the department for 42 years.  He will be retiring at the end of this month.
  

  Pictured: Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett, Wayne Brosam, John Johnson, Tom Cappel, AFD Chief. (Photo submitted)

• Wayne Brosam, Assistant Chief, has been with the department for 27 years. Brosam has resigned from AFD due to a move outside of the fire district.
• Others recognized:
  • Russel Peck (38 years)
  • and Rich Smith (32 years).

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood report 31-year-old Shawna Watson, of Glenwood, was arrested Tuesday on a Mills County Warrant. Her cash-only bond was set at $300.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday), approved the posting of a part-time position for the Adair County Veterans Affairs Office. VA Commission Chairperson John Schildberg, III told the Board Administrator Gwen Johnston is very busy and can’t handle all the matters that come before her.

Johnston said she would like to hire a person to work 12 hours per week in her office.

She said she has a person in mind who is interested in the job, but is required to post the position so others may apply as well

Adair County Environmental Health Director Jotham Arber provided an update on well rehabilitation and other matters.

He said they recommend testing the water before and after a well rehabilitation. And, with regard to septic systems, Jotham Arber says…

Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented for the Board to approve and Board Chair Jerry Walker to sign, a contract and performance bond for the N-7 Eureka (Township) Bridge Project. Kauffman also reported on Secondary Roads Department Maintenance projects and activities.

Adair County Auditor Mandy Berg spoke with regard to ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding and obligations. The Board approved the request as presented. Berg also presented for the Board’s approval a Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Amendment.

A public hearing on the amendment as presented, will take place 9:15-a.m. January 2nd, in the Adair County Boardroom at the Courthouse in Greenfield.

(Radio Iowa) – The U-S Army and the contractor that operates the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in southeast Iowa have agreed to pay a 39-thousand dollar fine for allegedly mishandling explosives. The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant covers 19-thousand acres, with nearly a thousand buildings where a wide range of military weapons are produced, assembled and stored. The Environmental Protection Agency cited the plant for improperly detonating explosives and failing to property close the detonation chamber for grenades after it was moved to a different location in the complex last year. The agency also says munitions were burned in open burn pans, above levels allowed in the facility’s hazardous waste management permit.

According to an E-P-A news release, the Army and American Ordnance, the contractor that manages the facility, have taken steps to comply with federal waste management rules. Those regulations apply to privately held, as well as government-owned facilities.

DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines woman was sentenced on November 15, 2024 to 12 years in federal prison for distribution of a pill containing fentanyl that resulted in a victim’s death.

According to public court documents, 21-year-old Nevaeh Simone Botts, sold pills containing fentanyl to a 16-year-old victim who subsequently overdosed and died. Botts also sold fentanyl pills to an undercover police officer three times. In July 2023, during the execution of a search warrant at Botts’s apartment, law enforcement found hundreds of fentanyl pills and two firearms.

After completing her term of imprisonment, Botts will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Botts was also ordered to pay $5,574.09 in restitution.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa said Tuesday, a Des Moines man was sentenced on November 8, 2024 to 12 years in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl. According to public court documents, 25-year-old Luca Joseph Roberts provided pills containing fentanyl to a victim on October 20, 2022. The victim used the pills, overdosed, and died. Law enforcement identified Roberts as the source of supply for those pills and purchased from Roberts additional pills containing fentanyl.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Roberts will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Roberts was also ordered to pay $5,796.00 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department.

Authorities say Fentanyl has become the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Fentanyl deaths for youth ages 15 to 24 more than doubled between 2018 and 2022. Counterfeit, fentanyl-laced pills often resemble pharmaceutical pills, but contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. Visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website to learn more about One Pill Can Kill.

(Radio Iowa) – Parts of Iowa saw periods of moderate to heavy snowfall last (Tuesday) night and this morning, but National Weather Service meteorologist Cory Martin says there wasn’t much in the way of accumulation and most of the snow melted on the roads and sidewalks. “Accumulations look like an inch or less,” Martin says, “and we see some collection on roadways, but it looks like the DOT is out after it already this morning.” The bigger story from the arrival of this weather front may be the cold, as Martin says temperatures will fall throughout the day, turning bitter cold by tonight. “We’ve got northwest winds picking up this morning, and that’s going to continue to push cold air into the state here that’s going to hang around here for about the next 48 to 60 hours,” Martin says. “We’re looking at a stretch of wind chills hovering anywhere from the single digits above or below zero, but up there in northern Iowa, we could be looking at wind chills in the teens below zero at times.”

Another storm front is expected late in the week which could bring us more snow to many areas of Iowa. “Ironically, we’re looking at temperatures warming up as the system comes through, but probably still cool enough, at least for a little bit, to give us a shot at some more wintry precip,” Martin says. “Right now, it’s looking like freezing rain would probably be favored, but it doesn’t take much of that start causing some travel impact on the areas.”

Keep up with changing road conditions at the Iowa D-O-T’s interactive travel map at 511ia.org.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested Tuesday. 44-year-old Helen Elaine Tupper, of Malvern, was arrested Tuesday afternoon, for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. Her bond was set at $300. And, 45-year-old Eric John Rehfredlt, of Red Oak, was arrested Tuesday morning, for OWI/2nd offense. Bond was set at $2,000.