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.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports three recent arrests. On Sept. 3rd, 23-year old Kyler Jay O’Brien, of Atlantic, was arrested on an active warrant.  O’Brien was turned over to Council Bluffs authorities. On Sept. 13th, Audubon Police arrested 25-year old Chae Thomas Michael Malone, of Audubon, for Disorderly Conduct.  Malone was cited and released on promise to appear later in court. And, today (Tuesday), 64-year old Thomas Duane Vogelzang, of Hamlin, was arrested in Audubon, for Shoplifting.  Vogelzang was arrested and transported to the Audubon County Jail where he pleaded guilty before a magistrate.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports four people were arrested Monday evening following the execution of two search warrants in Gray. 33-year old Brandon Donald Nichols and 26-year old Samantha Jean Bartlett, were each charged with Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and two counts of Child Endangerment, after a search warrant was executed at 408 Main Street, in Gray.

51-year old Rodney Ryan Nichols and 49-year old Jessica Lorraine Nichols, were charged with Possession of Marijuana with the intent to deliver (within 1,000 feet of a public park), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs, and Child Endangerment, after a search warrant was executed at 103 4th Street, in Gray.

Audubon County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted in their search by K-9 Axel, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol. The incident remains under investigation.

The Cass County Memorial Hospital’s Obstetrics (OB) Department has announced the “Love Steps Up” walk will be held on Saturday, October 7th at 10 am at the Atlantic High School track. Love Steps Up is an initiative created by the OB Department to raise awareness and support for families impacted by pregnancy and infant loss. The annual walk is held in October, and a support group meets monthly at the hospital.

Registered Nurse Kate Nachtman says “As OB nurses, we work directly with patients who suffer miscarriages and still births. But we’re also moms who have experienced losses, too. During the event, we share a few of our personal stories, which is incredibly difficult, but we know that by being brave, another family out there won’t feel so alone. Coming together, honoring our babies, and sharing our stories all help us heal and raise awareness in the community about just how many families this touches.”

The event is free and open to the public. It will be held on Saturday, October 7th at 10 am at the Atlantic High School. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the AHS gymnasium. Participants will gather for brief remarks, walk, and then the event will conclude with a balloon release. There is no registration or fee for the event, but you can order a Love Steps Up t-shirt at www.casshealth.org through September 21st. Any questions can be directed to the CCMH OB Department at 712-250-8862.

CCHS OB-Team