Next week, hotel and motel employees in Cedar Rapids will undergo training in how to spot the victims of sexual exploitation. It’s part of a new, statewide effort to combat human trafficking in Iowa hotels and motels. George Belitsos of the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery says commercial sexual exploitation is now a bigger business than the drug trade.

“Humans can be exploited for many years,” Belitsos says, “plus human trafficking is more hidden from public view.” He says that’s why training everyone who works in an Iowa hotel or motel is so important. Training exercises were held last week in the Des Moines area. Steven Patrick O’Meara, the former leader of the Nebraska Human Trafficking Task Force, is now president of an Omaha-based coalition that has trained employees in more than 100 Omaha hotels to be on the look-out for victims of sex trafficking. He’s now conducting similar seminars in Iowa.

“Much, if not most of sex trafficking is actually carried out in hotels and motels,” O’Meara says, “although I think currently that is often without the awareness of the hotel and motel.” O’Meara cites Creighton University research indicating in any given month, more than 800 people in Iowa and Nebraska are at “high and moderate risk” to become victims of sex trafficking. O’Meara has appointments with groups in the Quad Cities, Dubuque, Council Bluffs and Sioux City to discuss how to teach hotel and motel employees about the warning signs of human trafficking.

“To build in growing concentric circles to squeeze the air out of this market,” O’Meara says. People who pay for sex are willing to drive more than an hour to a hotel or motel, according to O’Meara. He says that means hotel staff in urban AND rural Iowa need to be trained. He’s also encouraging people who book events at hotels to ask if the facility has trained its hospitality staff to report suspected cases of human trafficking.

(Radio Iowa)

AMES, Iowa – Sept. 19, 2017 – The Iowa Transportation Commission today (Tuesday) approved more than $6.8 million in funding for 60 new transit vehicles that will replace vehicles past their useful life. The funds are granted through the Federal Transit Administration Bus and Bus Facilities Formula Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.

Vehicle replacement projects were approved for 19 urban and rural public transit systems. Included among them were the following transit programs based out of Atlantic and Creston:

Region 13 – Atlantic: 4 light duty buses with video surveillance systems with a total cost of $344,000 ($292,000 Federal participation).

Region 14 – Creston: 1 light duty bus with video surveillance system with a total cost of $90,000 ($76,500 Federal participation).

Iowa has public transit in all 99 counties. For more information on public transit, visit: www.iowadot.gov/transit.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she supports the latest GOP effort in Congress to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The Republican governor confirmed Tuesday she backs a bill that would replace much of the ACA with a system of block grants to states. The measure is sponsored by Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.

The legislation would reshape Medicaid, the health care program for the poor and disabled. It includes provisions that would let states set their own health coverage requirements and let insurers boost premiums for people with serious medical conditions. Reynolds says the bill gives Iowa flexibility and “empowers consumers.” Several health care advocacy groups oppose the measure, warning that millions would lose coverage and others would face skimpier insurance policies.

Officials with the Harlan Police Department have released a report on recent arrests. Last Saturday, 42-year old John Harry Sachau, of Denison, was arrested following a report of a disturbance at the Shelby County Fairgrounds.  Sachau was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with assault causing bodily injury. Also arrested Saturday in Harlan, was 47-year old Brian James Knudsen, of Harlan. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop in the 700 block of Victoria St. Knudsen was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with driving under suspension.

On Sept. 14th, following a traffic stop, Harlan Police arrested 39-year old Patrick Edward Hallas, of Harlan, for driving while barred, failure to prove security against liability, and operating a non-registered vehicle. And, on Sept. 12th, 39-year old Atem Manyiel Anyoun, of Denison, was arrested following a report of a disturbance in the 1800 block of Lincoln Avenue.  Anyoun was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with public intoxication.

(12-pm. news)

The Chair of the Southwest Iowa Mental Health Center (SWIMHC) said in a statement today (Tuesday), that the Board of Trustees which governs the Center, has no plans to close the facility. Chairperson Marie Rourick said SWIMHC is a vital service for the residents of Cass County and surrounding areas in southwest Iowa.  She said that “It is critical that this service remains available over the long term.  The SWIMHC board is currently exploring how to partner with a successful mental health organization that has the specialized expertise necessary to strengthen processes, stabilize finances, and secure the future of SWIMHC and its staff.”

Rourick said “While the hospital contracts with SWIMHC to provide staff, it is actually an independent, not-for-profit community health center governed by its own board of directors.  The Center has been operating in the red for many years and the hospital has been subsidizing large sums of money to cover those losses.  While that may have been sustainable years ago, the losses have been accelerating for a variety of reasons and the hospital is no longer able to absorb them.”

The SWIMHC board, she said, “Has reached out to almost every community mental health center in southwest Iowa.  They all reported being profitable, so we know this is possible, but we need some additional expertise and tools to help us provide care in a more cost-effective way. The hospital administration has been working closely with the SWIMHC board to explore the best options for SWIMHC and its staff.”  Because of the excellent reputation of SWIMHC, Rourick said there has been interest from a number of very strong mental health organizations with expertise and systems that will help make SWIMHC fiscally successful.  The board is currently reviewing proposals and expects to make a partnership decision by the end of October.

Again, she emphasized that “There is no plan to close SWIMHC and there is no question that SWIMHC provides excellent care.  Our goal is to ensure that outpatient mental health care continues to be available for our community.  We firmly believe that partnering with another strong mental health organization is the best way to achieve our goal.”

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A Council Bluffs man faces an attempted murder charge for allegedly trying to run over a police officer in an attempt to escape authorities. The Daily Nonpareil reports that 27-year-old Jamie Kennedy was arrested Sept. 12 in connection to the June 2nd incident. He was being held without bond in the Pottawattamie County Jail. Police say officers recognized Kennedy and one of them pulled his cruiser into the driveway where Kennedy was parked. Another officer in plain clothes but with a badge visible approached Kennedy and ordered him out of the car. Police say Kennedy intentionally turned his truck toward the officer and accelerated at him. The officer jumped out of the way. Kennedy had several warrants for his arrest at the time.

It’s not the first run-in Kennedy has had with Bluffs Police. In Nov. 2013, a report about a stolen car from rural Mills County resulted in Kennedy taken into custody on suspicion of first-degree theft, eluding police, a warrant for probation violation and a host of other traffic violations. His arrest occurred following a pursuit that ended with him fleeing a disabled, stolen car into the Missouri River before he was ordered out by a K-9 unit.

ATLANTIC, IOWA – Cass County Health System (CCHS) has been awarded a 2017 Top Workplaces honor by The Des Moines Register.  This is the third consecutive year the health system has been honored. Officials say this year, CCHS was ranked 25th among mid-size employers across the state, up eight spots from 2016. The Top Workplaces lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by WorkplaceDynamics, LLC, a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Several aspects of workplace culture were measured, including Alignment, Execution, and Connection, just to name a few.

Doug Claffey, CEO of Workplace Dynamics, said in a press release that “The Top Workplaces award is not a popularity contest. And oftentimes, people assume it’s all about fancy perks and benefits. But to be a Top Workplace, organizations must meet our strict standards for organizational health. And who better to ask about work life than the people who live the culture every day—the employees. Time and time again, our research has proven that what’s most important to them is a strong belief in where the organization is headed, how it’s going to get there, and the feeling that everyone is in it together.” Claffey adds, “Without this sense of connection, an organization doesn’t have a shot at being named a Top Workplace.”

Brett Altman, CEO for CCHS says “We have great bricks and mortar and top-of-the line equipment, but the secret sauce is our people. This award is a reflection on our great staff and their commitment to providing a superior experience for our patients and families.” Cass County Health System is a regional healthcare provider located in Atlantic. It brings together medical providers, clinics and a hospital to provide a well-coordinated, comprehensive local healthcare system. With more than 350 staff members from over 20 surrounding communities, the health system is the largest employer in the county.