(Iowa News Service) – A team of scientists at Iowa State University has discovered new ways to use stem cells to treat blood disorders. This advancement in what’s known as “regenerative medicine” could eliminate the need for bone marrow transplants. This discovery essentially gives scientists the ability to stop the body’s so-called biological clock to treat potentially lethal blood diseases.

Iowa State Assistant Genetics Professor Clyde Campbell said scientists now have the ability to inject patients with their own stem cells to fight leukemia, lymphoma, and anemia. “So, the more stem cells we have,” said Campbell, “the better our chances to generate enough tissue to actually be beneficial to patients suffering from certain disorders.” The group’s research was published in the journal Nature Communications in the Fall.

The body develops a lifetime’s worth of stem cells before birth. But Campbell said the Iowa State advancement allows scientists to develop them specifically for therapeutic use, which is new.

A Liquid Nitrogen bank containing suspension of stem cells. Cell culture for the biomedical diagnostic.

He said scientists can now manipulate switches in the body’s biological clock that tell stem cells when to expand and when to stop expanding. “And so,” said Campbell, “now we have the capability of manipulating these switches to generate more stem cells in the laboratory.”

Campbell said now scientists will focus on how to integrate the patient’s lab-grown stem cells into their treatment options, and potentially eliminate the need for painful – and often unsuccessful – bone marrow transplants.

UPDATE 9:30-a.m. 12/9 (Washington County, Iowa) – A pursuit in eastern Iowa Sunday afternoon resulted in a double-fatal, head-on crash. According to Muscatine Police, at approximately 3:15 p.m. the Muscatine Police Department responded to multiple reports of a woman later identified as 36-year-old Brittany Miles, of Cedar Rapids, driving a 2021 Nissan Rogue SUV through Muscatine shooting at people. Officers located the vehicle along Park Avenue and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Miles refused to yield, and the pursuit lead out of Muscatine along 231st Street, police say.

A Muscatine Police Officer was who involved in the chase lost control of his car and crashed near the Cedar River. According to authorities, the officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment. The pursuit continued west onto US Highway 218 and was picked up by outside law enforcement agencies. Miles began driving the wrong direction into oncoming traffic and eventually struck a 2017 Ford Explorer head on. The crash occurred at around 3:50-p.m.

Brittany Miles died upon impact. 27-year-old Olivia Alvarez, of Cedar Rapids, who was driving the Ford, died after life-saving measures were performed.

The State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the DNR officers, Washington County EMS, 911, the Medical Examiner’s Office, Riverside Fire/EMS, Ainsworth Fire/EMS, the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office and Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office.

BELLEVUE – The Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources says that on Sunday, December 8th, at approximately 11 a.m., a boat with three occupants capsized below Lock and Dam No. 12 in Bellevue on the Mississippi River. The victims were fishing in a restricted area directly beneath the dam when their boat overturned.

According to preliminary reports, the boat was pulled into the hazardous waters below the dam due to a strong back flow current created by the dam’s operation.  The men were pulled from the water and taken to shore. Emergency responders arrived and administered lifesaving measures, but two were confirmed dead at the scene. One victim was transported by ambulance to the MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center and was later pronounced dead.

The names of the victims are currently being withheld pending notification of their families. The incident is under active investigation. Iowa DNR was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff, Bellevue Fire & Rescue, Bellevue EMS, Illinois DNR, Key West Fire/EMS, University of Iowa Air Care 3, University of Iowa Air Care 4, Jackson County Emergency Management, and Springbrook Fire/EMS.

MANCHESTER, Iowa — The Iowa State Patrol social media team tipped their caps to Trooper Pilot Taylor Grim on Saturday for spotting an alleged super-speeder in eastern Iowa. “Trooper Pilot Grim with a nice catch,” they posted on Facebook with a photo showing an aerial reading of 126 mph.

On top of driving over 50 mph above the speed limit near Manchester, ISP says the Ford Mustang driver had their license revoked for a previous OWI and didn’t have insurance.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Choral Society will present their annual Holiday Concert Sunday, December 15th.  The program will be in the Atlantic High School Auditorium at 4:00 pm.  There is no charge for admission, but free-will donations will be accepted.  Donations are used to fund the group’s music and support the Atlantic Ministerial Association’s Helping Hand Fund.

In 2018, Ray McCalla and Jan Highfill came up with the idea of forming a Choral Society.  Their first concert was that Christmas and was followed by a summer show and Christmas concert in 2019.  “I had wanted to field a community choir for years, and it seemed like the right time to do it,” McCalla said.  “Making music together with others is a joy. It brings people together.” Covid forced the group to pause performances in 2020, but they resumed with Christmas concerts in 2021 and 2022.  The group is directed by McCalla and Michelle Andersen.

Ray McCalla directs the Cass County Choral Society as they prepare for the upcoming Holiday Concert. (photo submitted)

Any community member is welcome to join the Choral Society; rehearsals for Christmas concerts usually begin in October and are held on Sunday afternoons.  For more information, contact Ray McCalla at 712-250-1607

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, serving as the County Compensation Board, Tuesday morning, will conduct an Annual Review and comparison of compensation for, the offices of County Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, Sheriff, Attorney and Supervisors, in accordance with the Code of Iowa.

The Comp Board will then recommend a Compensation Schedule to be placed on the December 17th meeting of the Board of Supervisors, during their regular meeting agenda, for further discussion and possible action.

The Compensation Board meeting begins at 9-a.m. in the Supervisor’s Board Room at the Cass County Courthouse.

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The meeting will be conducted in-person, and electronically, via ZOOM
(Meeting ID: 289 919 5216; Passcode: 012064); and is available by phone at 312-626-6799, press *9 to indicate you wish to speak.

(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM School District’s Board of Educational is set to meet at 6:30-p.m. Monday, Dec. 9th, in the CAM High School Media Center. First-up is the Retiring School Board session, during which they will act on approving the Consent Agenda (Minutes, Bills, and Financial Statements) and Treasurer’s Annual Report for the Fiscal Year 2024. The Board will then adjourn, and the Organizational and Regular Board meeting will be Called to Order.

During that portion of the session, the Board Secretary will call for votes on the election of a Board President and Vice-President and the Administering of their Oath of Offices, followed by the appointment of a Board Secretary/Treasurer. They will then act on establishing future meeting dates, times and location, and additional administrative matters they typically handle when a new school board and leaders are voted-in.

The rest of the CAM School Board agenda includes action on: Open Enrollments; Resignations/Contracts; Approving an SBRC Request for a Modified Supplemental Amount of $33,450 for Open Enrollment-Out; Approval of the sale of excess equipment; a proposal from Boyd Jones (with regard to the construction and/or renovation of district facilities); and action on approving a Librarian Sharing Agreement.

The Board is also expected to discuss several matters, including:

• An Official Abstract of Votes for General Obligation Bond
• The Facility Project Process with SitelogIQ
• Sharing Agreements with Nodaway Valley Community School District
• Public Hearing(s) and Special Meeting(s).

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – The Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton School Board is scheduled to meet at 6-p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9th in the Conference Room at the High School in Elk Horn. The Board will discuss staffing needs for the 2025-26 School Year, including options if they can’t find staff and there aren’t enough applicants for job openings. Superintendent Trevor Miller says in the agenda notes, “I am hopeful we will receive applicants, but [in] talking with other Superintendents, we all have openings and not enough applicants to go around. We want to have backup plans.”

Action items on the Exira/EHK Board’s agenda include:

• A update to the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) that the school originally approved in 2018. ( The plan can be found online at: https://region12cog.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-Audubon-County-HMP-reduced.pdf.)
• An amended resolution for the General Obligation Bond. (Resolution Amending the Resolution Authorizing the Redemption of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2018, Dated May 1, 2018, Approving an Amendment to the Second Amendment to Escrow Agent Agreement, and Levying a Tax for Fiscal Year 2025 for the Redemption of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2018, Dated May 1, 2018)
• Camera/Security Bids. Mr. Miller says the District received three bids for their security grant. The Board will receive the quotes and discuss their options.
• Action on a request for Modified Supplemental Amount for At-Risk and Drop-Out Prevention of $161,575. Superintendent Miller notes “We approve this every year. It just opened on Friday the 6th,” so it was added before being published. “This is our At-Risk/Drop Out Prevention money.”
• And, the Board will act on any personnel resignations, hires and/or transfers. None were listed on the agenda that was communicated to the media.

THE BOARD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA IF IT WOULD BETTER ACCOMMODATE VISITORS AT A BOARD MEETING.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) –  A Louisiana man will spend the rest of his life in an Iowa prison for a double homicide that took place in Pottwattamie County. KETV in Omaha reports Dequanta Zachary was found guilty in October, of the April 2024 shooting and killing 36-year-old Deonte Ivory and 25-year-old Michael Anderson. According to investigators, Zachary, Ivory and Anderson were found to be “associates.”

Investigators said Ivory, from Omaha, was found dead in the area of South 29th St. and 21st Ave. on April 28. About seven hours later, Anderson was found dead near the entrance of the Western Trails Historic Center in Council Bluffs, authorities said.

New crime scene photos showed a car riddled with bullet holes. Investigators said the evidence was a big linchpin for the case, since it proved the shooting came from inside the car. The Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office said cell phone records, social media and surveillance videos, witness statements, crime scene investigation, and an interview with Zachary led to his arrest. Investigators said a DNA test later found the blood of one of the victims on Zachary’s clothing.

The court was packed Thursday (Dec. 5th) with the victims’ family members. They asked for consecutive life sentences, but Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber said you can only die in prison once.