A reminder to persons interested in the Mental Health and Disability Services, that the second of three public meetings with regard to the Regionalization of those services, will be held this afternoon, in Oakland. Counties formed Regions in response to State law affecting funding for the Mental Health and Disabilities Services in Iowa.

The Southwest Region includes nine counties (Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawatttamie and Shelby). Local advisory and Community input meetings have been scheduled to take place across the Southwest Region. Cass County Mental Health/General Relief Coordinator Teresa Kanning said the next meeting will be held this afternoon, at the Oakland Community Center [614 Dr. Van Zee Road, in Oakland]).

The meeting begins at 3-pm and runs until 5-p.m. In the event of a bad weather, it will be held January 7^th at the same location. The public is invited to attend the session to provide input into the current mental health service system, including what you feel works and doesn’t work. It’s also designed to: develop ideas for future service needs, including Crisis Response in rural areas; Build relationships and interest in participating in Local Advisory Councils, and to provide an overview of the developing region’s progress, administrative structure, future board and advisory structure, and current service systems.

Anyone who is a consumer of mental health services, family members of those using mental health and disability services, community mental health/developmentally disabled service providers and those interested in being a part of forming the Southwest Iowa MH/DS Region, is urged to attend. The meeting is being facilitated by Beth Morrissette, Executive Director of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Network.

If you miss today’s meeting in Oakland, there will be a final session in Harrison County, January 21^st,  at the Dunlap City Hall.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer isn’t saying if he’ll run for president in 2016. But if he does, he thinks he can connect with Iowa voters. Schweitzer, a Democrat who served as governor from 2005 through early 2013, visited Iowa yesterday. He spoke in front of about 100 people at an event hosted by a liberal advocacy group.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad has suspended rules limiting the work hour of truck drivers who haul propane. Branstad announce his action yesterday evening. It’s effective today and will continue through January 2nd. Branstad signed a proclamation saying the suspension of work rules is necessary because of a shortage of propane.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — A group of researchers have established a center for Arctic studies at the University of Northern Iowa. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports the National Science Foundation awarded a $749,000 grant to Andrew Petrov, a UNI assistant professor of geography, to run the program over the next five years.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Trevor Berkeley drilled his only 3-pointer of the game as Drake scored six points in the final 16 seconds to rally past Western Michigan 71-68 last night. Jacob Enevold Jensen scored 16 points for Drake, which improved to 7 and 3. Jordan Daniels added 14 with seven assists, and Chris Caird had 10 points for the Bulldogs in Des Moines.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved the sale of City owned properties at 807 Elm and 203 Locust Streets. Mayor Dave Jones said there was only one bid for the property at 807 Elm Street. The Council approved the lone bid of $1,000 submitted by Janet Jordan. Jones said there were three bids for the property at 203 Locust Street. The Council accepted a bid of $2,050 from ROMAR Investments (Robert and Marlo Stamp). Other bidders included Janet Jordan, who submitted her bid of $1,000 and Chuck Templeman, whose bid of amounted to $2,000. All bidders had previously agreed to provide a performance guarantee to demolish the buildings on the properties and remove them from the site.

In other business, City Administrator Doug Harris and Mayor Dave Jones reminded residents of their obligation under City Ordinance, to shovel their sidewalks within 72 hours of the end of a snow event. Harris said the City received complaints after the last snowstorm from citizens, about some sidewalks not being shoveled. The Mayor says the City will follow-up on those complaints as they are received, and make the property owners aware of their responsibility to provide a safe walking environment.

Atlantic City Councilmen Steve Livengood and Shawn Shouse were recognized for their years of service to the City during the Council’s regular session Wednesday night. Both men opted not to seek re-election last November. Livengood has served on the Council in the At Large position for the past eight-years, numerous committees and as Mayor Pro-Tem on several occasions. Mayor Dave Jones read from plaques commemorating the service of both men. First up was Livengood.

Steve Livengood receives his plaque from Mayor Jones.

Jones said Livengood’s diligence, dedication and exemplary service has inspired many people to witness a “true public servant who quietly and tirelessly labored to help others and make Atlantic a better place to live.” He said his humor and inspired service will be greatly missed. Shouse has been on the Council for the past four-years as the 5th Ward representative. He too has served on numerous committees and commissions. Jones pointed out Shouse was always meticulous in making sure City documents and procedures were followed correctly, making sure the “I’s” were dotted and the “T’s” crossed.

Shawn Shouse receives his plaque from the Mayor.

He said Shouse had taken the City’s lawyer “To task a couple of times…has been fair about his concerns…we’ve had some disagreements, but Shaun’s always been good for the Council and everything else.” Afterward Livengood and Shouse spoke about their experiences in City government. Livengood said people have said being a Councilperson is a “Thankless job,” but in his experience, it isn’t. He said “If it’s a thankless job, you’re doing it wrong.” Shouse said “It’s been a really interesting learning experience, and I would encourage other folks to consider it…it’s been fun, actually.”

The Mayor then issued the oath of office to Lori Stuart, who will succeed Shouse, Bob Cord, who replaces Livengood, and Councilperson Kathy Somers, who was unopposed in her bid for re-election to the 2nd Ward. City Clerk Deb Field issued the oath of office to Dave Jones, who was re-elected for a second term, in November.

Mayor Jones directs returning Councilperson Kathy Somers (Center), and newly elected Councilpersons Stuart and Cord in reciting the Oath of Office.

Officials at Cass County Health System recently announced plans for a new chapel to be installed in the Cass County Memorial Hospital. ““Having a centrally accessible space for patients and families to have a quiet moment is an important part overall health,” explained Pat Markham, CEO. “With our recent expansion and renovation our patient areas for inpatient, surgery and emergency care have all relocated and no longer provide convenient access to the former chapel.”

The chapel will include a wall-sized customized wood frame with stained glass panels that are back lit with LED lights. “The design is absolutely beautiful, and will provide a quiet place for meditation and renewal our patients, families and staff,” Pat continued. For more information on how you help support this project, please contact Dawn Marnin, Foundation Director, 712-243-7409 or email mardd@casshealth.org.

The Loess Hills Alliance will be holding a series of public meetings to discuss the opportunity for a national reserve designation for the Loess Hills landform in western Iowa. If the land is designated as a national reserve, the region would be led by the locally-run Loess Hills Alliance, a 28-member board, and considered an affiliate of the National Park Service (NPS). The designation would provide landowners with access to additional financial assistance resources.

For the past fifteen years, the Loess Hills Alliance, which includes 21 members appointed by the County Boards of Supervisors from each of the 7 Loess Hills counties.has been protecting land in the Loess Hills and offering programs to help landowners with conservation of their land. The organization encourages tourism and residency in the Loess Hills, which supports small local businesses and agribusinesses in the region. The national reserve designation will allow the Loess Hills Alliance to provide increased technical, financial and program assistance to landowners, communities and local businesses.

The designation will also increase tourism and recreational opportunities that offer significant economic benefits. An estimated 1 million visitors travel the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway each year, stopping in the small towns and communities along the way. The Byway winds through prairie, woodland and farmland, offering scenic vistas and linking conservation areas. In partnership with the NPS, the Loess Hills Alliance can ensure that this natural treasure will be preserved for future generations of Iowans.

Meetings will be held in January to provide more information and to gather input from the public. All are invited to attend and join the discussion. More information about the Loess Hills Alliance can be found at www.loesshillsalliance.com.

The meetings will be held from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the following dates and locations:

Fremont County: January 8th at the “Gathering Place”, 609 Cass Street, in Sidney.

Harrison County: January 20th at the Community Center, 200 Maple Street, in Mondamin.

Mills County: January 16th at the Senior Center, 20 North Vine Street, in Glenwood.

Monona County: January 14th at the Onawa Community Center, 300 10th Street,  in Onawa.

Pottawattamie County: January 9th at the Iowa School for the Deaf, LMC Community Room, 3501 Harry Langdon Boulevard, in Council Bluffs.

(For other sites, see the link above)

Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley has nominated 55 outstanding Iowa students for consideration for appointments to the U.S. service academies. Each year Grassley has the opportunity as a U.S. senator to nominate either current or future Iowa high school graduates for a select few service academy placements. The Air Force, Military, and Naval academies all select at least one qualified student from Grassley’s nominations. The Merchant Marine Academy makes selections in proportion to states’ representation in Congress.

Among those nominated to the:

U.S. Military Academy at West Point…was Seth Horsley, from the Carroll High School,in Carroll, and Jose Olivo from the Griswold High School, in Griswold.

U.S. Naval Academy…Luke Schmitz, with the Harlan High School, in Harlan.

And to the Merchant Marine Academy: Gustave Doll, from St. Albert High School, in Council Bluffs.

Students interested in academy appointments should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school. The academies select students based on the number of vacancies available for the next school year. Senator Tom Harkin and Iowa Representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives also make nominations. Traditionally, the high quality of Iowa nominees results in several Iowa students being selected to attend each of the service academies.

A low flying owl was apparently to blame for a single-vehicle accident Wednesday morning, in Page County. Sheriff Lyle Palmer says an SUV driven by 54-year old Teresa Riley, of Shenandoah, was traveling northbound in the 2300 block of B Avenue in Shenandoah, when a low flying owl passed before in front of the vehicle. Riley ducked in her seat and swerved to miss the creature, causing her to lose control of her 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The vehicle slid into the east ditch and rolled three-quarters of a turn before coming to rest on its passenger side.

Riley, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported to the Shenandoah Hospital by private vehicle following the 7:20-a.m. crash., which caused $8,000 damage to her SUV. No citations were issued.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday morning, approved a 10-year lease agreement with the Cambridge Law firm for the portion of a building the County has agreed to purchase. The action followed a public hearing on a lease for the building at 707 Poplar Street. A portion of the lower half of the building with be used for either a new 9-1-1 Center or as the offices for the County Engineer and Assessor, so that space can be made available in the lower level of the courthouse for an expansion of the existing 9-1-1 Center. A final determination on the use of the building has not yet been made.

The term of the lease begins January 1^st, 2014 and continues until Jan. 1^st 2024 with two consecutive 5-year extensions thereafter, at the option of the tenant. Attorney Dave Chase, representing the Cambridge Law firm, said the agreement is a “win-win” for both parties, and he thanked the Supervisors for their cooperation in making the agreement feasible.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday, received a continuation of funding request from West Central Community Action Executive Director Joel Dirks. WCCA serves 10 counties in southwest and western Iowa, and uses the funds it receives to support the agency and the programs it administers for low-income families. Dirks requested $3,500 from the Board, which is unchanged from last year.

In making his request for funding, Dirks said the programs they administer provide alternatives to the County General Relief program, in meeting the needs of citizens in Cass County. His report covered the period of October 1^st 2012 to Sept. 30^th, 2013. Among the services WCCA provides to its clients, is: the operation of three Head Start classrooms, located in Anita and Atlantic; Child Care Resource and Referral; funding for Early Childhood Iowa areas, including Boost 4 Families and Reach for the Stars; a Child and Adult Care Food Program; Home Weatherization Assistance; Low Income Energy Assistance through the LI-HEAP program; A Senior Employment program, and many other services.

The Board took no action on the request during the meeting, but instead will consider it when it comes time to preparing the Fiscal year 2014-2015 budget, next month.