Disability Rights Iowa is urging Iowans to go online and share their stories about problems with the private companies that manage care for Iowa Medicaid patients. Jane Hudson is executive director of Disability Rights Iowa. She says the “I am Medicaid Iowa” campaign grew out of a December forum that highlighted what Hudson calls “turmoil” in the program. “Many people came up to me and said: ‘Politicians need to see our faces. They are just thinking about the numbers,'” Hudson says. “…That’s why we’re doing this.”

People are being encouraged to post photos and videos on the Disability Rights Iowa website to illustrate the obstacles they face. Hudson says Iowans with “very significant disabilities” who get Medicaid-covered services IN THEIR HOMES are able to avoid more expensive care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. “Medicaid managed care and Medicaid is about people rather than dollars,” Hudson says. “…It is affecting many Iowans, including people with disabilities, family members, providers and taxpayers as well.”

According to Hudson, the system is “so chaotic right now,” many disabled Medicaid patients do not have a consistent contact to discuss their case. Hudson uses the word “unfathomable” to describe the process of trying to appeal a decision made by the private companies managing Medicaid care.

(Radio Iowa)

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) — A judge has ordered psychiatric tests for a woman accused of killing her former husband in northeast Iowa’s Buchanan County. On Tuesday the judge delayed the trial set to begin next week and said Hillary Hunziker must undergo evaluation to determine whether she is competent to aid in her defense. She’s pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the Nov. 6 slaying of Jason Hunziker at his home northwest of Independence. Her attorney had requested that the 32-year-old be tested.

A criminal complaint says a child called 911 early on Nov. 6 and said, “My mom just stabbed my dad.” That was followed by a call from Jason Hunziker, who said his former wife had stabbed him. The complaint says deputies later found Jason Hunziker dead in the home.

The Atlantic City Council meeting lasted just 15 minutes, Wednesday evening, due to a short agenda. During their session, the Council, as expected, approved an Order making 1^st Whitney Bank and Trust the City’s Official Bank for the Checking account in 2018, and an Order making the local paper the official newspaper for legal publications in 2018. They also passed the third and final reading of an Ordinance amending the current Code, with regard to No Parking on 13^th Street, from Locust to Birch. The area had been overlooked for one side No Parking when the signs were posted on other streets. The result was that when vehicle parked on both sides of the street, it created a very narrow passage for vehicles to negotiate, and a safety hazard.

City Administrator John Lund informed the Council about various meetings coming up, including Community Protection on Jan. 16^th. Dan Lee, Community Development Director for SWIPCO, is expected to be present during that 5:30-p.m. meeting to discuss a Rental Property Inspection Ordinance. There are other meetings that have yet to be scheduled for this month, including the Finance and Administration Committee meeting to discuss Bull Creek

John Danos, Dorsey and Whitney, LLP, partner, who provides cities and municipalities with financing and complex local government matters information, including those pertaining to bonds, will also meet with city leaders, with regard to facilitation a meeting with regard to financing the county-wide landfill. The meeting is expected to take place Jan. 17^th, after the regular City Council meeting. The Atlantic Beautification Committee will meet January 18^th. During the committee meetings, the public may attend, but cannot participate.

Lund says the other big thing that’s coming up in the next few months, deals with municipal bonds. Lund says there is a very narrow window for getting low, competitive interest rates because of tax reform, so getting the lowest rates possible this quarter is important. It’s expected that on February 21^st, a Public Hearing will be held with regard to bonds, along with approval of the preliminary official statement and purchase agreement, and the City will receive the funds on Feb. 22^nd.

Lund will talk later, as well, with Standard and Poors officials in New York, with regard to improving the City’s bond by upgrading it to “A minus.” And, in his report, Mayor Dave Jones reminded citizens and property owners in Atlantic, to shovel the snow off the sidewalks on their properties.

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — Convenience store chain Casey’s General Stores Inc. plans to expand its Ankeny headquarters. Casey’s senior vice president Brian Johnson told The Des Moines Register that the company had run out of space in its building. The company recently opened its 2,000th store, and more growth is expected. Johnson also says the company is seeking tax credits from the city and state.

Nearly 900 people work at the Ankeny location, not counting warehouse employers or truck drivers. Johnson says the expansion could lead to Casey’s hiring at least 80 more office workers there over the next five years.

A man from Mills County faces multiple charges following a traffic stop this (Thursday) morning in Council Bluffs that escalated into a pursuit, the crash of a stolen vehicle, and the eventual apprehension of the suspect. Council Bluffs Police report just before 2-a.m. today (Thursday), officers attempted to stop a 2000 Honda Accord in the area of 21st and Ave E as it was west bound on Ave E. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Saunders County Nebraska. The vehicle failed to yield for officers and fled.

Antonio Saldana

Officers pursued the vehicle for a short distance before terminating their attempt to stop the vehicle. The driver of the stolen vehicle continued to drive erratically and at high rates of speed, giving no regard for the safety of others. A little after 2-a.m., officers were called to the area of 1900 blk of Ave C for a hit and run, where a vehicle had struck a parked pickup. The driver had abandoned the vehicle and ran on foot. Upon officers’ arrival in the area, the vehicle was identified as being the stolen Honda that had previously run from officers.

Officers searched the area and located the suspect / driver in the area of 16th and Ave D. He was identified as 20-year old Antonio Saldana, of Glenwood. Saldana was placed under arrest and transported to Pottawattamie County Corrections. He was booked on numerous charges, including: Felony Eluding; Theft 2nd; Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash; No Driver’s License; Wrong Way on a One-Way, street, and Possession of Weapons (Brass Knuckles)

The Council Bluffs Police Department would like to remind motorists, the majority of car thefts that occur during this time of year are a result of cars being left unattended with the keys in them. The use of keyless starters or staying with your vehicle while it warms up will help prevent your vehicle being taken by thieves.