(Ames) A Walnut teen has won two gold medals at Friday’s State Competition for the Special Olympics.

Congratulations to15-year old Josh Guthrie who won the 100 Meter Dash and the Long Jump at Friday’s competition.

The Special Olympics Summer Games are being held May 17-19th in Ames.

Bennett Blake
5/18/12

(ATLANTIC) The Nishna Valley Family YMCA in Atlantic is hosting several upcoming events geared towards kids and fitness.

Tamara Gibson, Coordinator for the Kids Fun Fitness events, said the first event will be held on May 30^th at the “Y”.

“We have the National Guard coming, they are bringing their climbing wall and a gladiator style obstacle course, we’re hoping 5 to 7 of the guard members with us and they’ll be running a little boot camp,” said Gibson. “So if you’ve ever wondered what it was like to go to boot camp, I’m hoping that it will give you a feeling for that.”

Gibson said 4^th through 6^th grades will participate from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 7^th and 8^th grades will participate from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

The second event, called “Water Fun in the Sun”, will be held June 6^th.

“The Atlantic Fire Department is coming, they’re bringing their truck and we’re going to make a huge slip and slide and they’re going to make a giant sprinkler for us and we’re going to have water fights and water balloons,” explained Gibson.

Gibson said for this event 6^th through 8^th grades will participate from 12 to 12:45 p.m. and 4^th and 5^th grades will participate from 1 to 2 p.m.

For both of these events, parents need to sign a waiver for their children and they must register before the event at the “Y”.

Gibson said these events coincide with the Summer Lunch Program at the “Y”, which begins May 29^th, so children can have lunch before or after the events if they choose.

A finale event for the whole family will be held June 24^th from 4 to 6 p.m. at the “Y”. Gibson said they’ll be hosting a Down-home Country Hoe-Down.

“We have a mechanical bull coming, we’re going to do stationary steer roping, line dancing and square dancing, the beef producers are coming and they’re going to grill some burgers for us and we’re going to have prizes and old fashioned kids games,” said Gibson.

Gibson said the focus on these events is to get kids out and active.

“One of the major concerns is the lack of movement that we’re seeing in children with computers and games and things, so quite often we’re looking ways to get kids moving,” said Gibson. “So, we were lucky enough to receive this grant so we could have this Kids Fun Fitness.”

All of these events are free and you do not have to be a member of the YMCA to participate!

Mandy Billings

05/18/2012

(DES MOINES) Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continued on a downward path in April, falling to 5.1 percent from 5.2 percent in March.  The state’s jobless rate stood at 5.9 percent one year ago.  Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate edged down to 8.1 percent in April from 8.2 percent in March. 

“Iowa’s recovery made further progress in April as the unemployment rate dropped for the fourth consecutive month and job growth occurred across several industry sectors, said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development.  “Job growth in the state’s construction industry has been particularly strong in 2012, signaling a turnaround in an industry that was adversely affected by the housing downturn.”     

The number of unemployed Iowans dropped to 85,200 in April from 86,800 in March, and from 98,500 one year ago.

The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,578,200 in April from 1,575,700 in March.  The current level is 12,100 higher than the April 2011 figure of 1,566,100.

Iowa’s total nonfarm employment increased to 1,496,300 in April, 5,800 higher than the March level.  Job growth in April was spread across more sectors, but again gains were heaviest in the goods-producing industries, primarily  in construction and manufacturing.  The private sector contributed 4,700 jobs, while government added 1,100.   

Advanced manufacturing continued to fuel the recovery, adding 1,000 jobs in durable goods factories. Construction posted a healthy gain of 2,700 in April, bringing the sector’s employment to 69,200, its highest level since 2008. Professional and business services added 1,500 jobs, and continues to rebound from the recent low that spanned the previous two quarters. Government was also in the positive column this month, advancing by 1,100 jobs. Transportation and warehousing lost a significant number of jobs for the second month in a row, down 1,100.  This industry accounted for all of the losses in the trade and transportation super sector.  All other losses were small in magnitude and included information (-200), education and health services (-100), and leisure and hospitality (-200). 

Compared to April of last year, Iowa has added 18,100 jobs, a gain of 1.2 percent.  Once again, manufacturing led all sectors in growth, up 12,500 jobs.  Construction followed with year-over-year growth of 7,200.  Smaller annual gains were posted for other services (1,600), education and health (1,400), and finance (1,000).  Government lost 2,900 jobs since last April followed by a decrease of 2,800 jobs in retail trade.    

Press Release

05/18/2012

(WASHINGTON) Unemployed Veterans between the ages of 35 and 60 can now apply for new benefits to cover education costs for up to one year through a joint Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor (DOL) program that focuses on retraining 99,000 Veterans for high-demand jobs.   

“This important tool will help those who served our country receive the education and training they need to find meaningful employment in a high-demand field,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Veterans are disciplined, hardworking, goal-oriented team members who can play a vital role in helping businesses and the economy grow.”

“Our veterans have made this nation stronger through their service, and they deserve our continued support,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “This new program will help unemployed veterans expand their skills and compete for good jobs," she added.

As part of a provision of the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, the Veteran Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) allows qualifying Veterans to receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the full-time Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty rate, currently $1,473 per month.

Veterans can apply on a first-come, first-serve basis for VRAP beginning on May 15, 2012, for programs that begin on or after July 1, 2012.  Assistance under this benefit program ends on March 31, 2014. 

To complete an application, a Veteran will need to know his or her direct deposit information (bank routing number and account number), the name and location of his or her school, the program the Veteran wishes to pursue, and the applicable high-demand occupation.

To qualify Veterans must:

-Be 35-60 years old, unemployed on the day of application, and not dishonorably discharged

-Start education or training after July 1, 2012, in a VA-approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school leading to an associate degree, non-college degree or a certificate for a high-demand occupation as defined by the DOL;

-Not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g. Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment);

-Not be enrolled in a federal or state job training program within the last 180 days;

-Not receive VA compensation at the 100% rate due to individual unemployability (IU).

Upon completion, the Labor Department will engage with participants within 30 days after their training to help them find good jobs that utilize their newly learned skills.

 “We are working diligently with our partners around the country to ensure our Veterans have access to all the benefits and services to which they are entitled—especially when it comes to those unemployed,” added Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.

“This is a true example of interagency collaboration and we are committed to the full and speedy implementation of this program to ensure the success of our veterans in the civilian labor market,” said Ismael “Junior” Ortiz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Veterans Employment Training Service.

For more information on VOW, VRAP, high demand occupations, and how to apply, Veterans may go to the website at www.benefits.va.gov/VOW, or call VA’s Call Centers toll free at 1-800-827-1000, Veterans may also access the VRAP application online at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov through eBenefits, a joint project between the Department of Defense and VA.

Veterans are also encouraged to visit the nearly 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers across the nation for assistance from staff, Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVERS), and Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists. To find the center near you visit www.servicelocator.org.

For more information about the Department of Labor’s Veterans programs, go to http://www.dol.gov/vets/.

Press Release

05/18/2012

(COUNCIL BLUFFS) A Colorado man was arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Pottawattamie County Wednesday.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker said at around 3:30 p.m. Deputy Miller stopped a 2003 Chevy pickup for excessive speed around the 7 mile marker. Danker said the driver, 63-year-old Mark Domreis, of Aurora, Colorado, indicated that there were drugs in the bed of his truck while he was speaking with Deputy Miller. Deputy Miller then deployed his service dog Francisco to do a free-air sniff around the vehicle.

“The dog did alert to the presence of narcotics on the vehicle and Deputy Miller conducted a search and located several duffel bags and coolers that contained numerous vacuum sealed packages of marijuana in the bed of the pickup,” said Danker. “Approximately 128 pounds of hydroponic marijuana and about ½ pound of amphetamines.”

Danker said Domreis was arrested for Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Possession with Intent to Deliver Amphetamines, Tax Stamp Violation, and Prohibited Acts. He was transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail.

Mandy Billings

05/17/2012

(DES MOINES) Midwesterners, brace yourself for more severe storms, more flash flooding and more river flooding. That’s the prediction from a new study released by two regional eco-activist groups Wednesday.

Karen Hobbes, of the Natural Resources Defense Council, says their new report shows violent storms on the increase in the Midwest.

“The largest of storms, those of 3 inches or more of precipitation in a single day, have increased the most,” said Hobbes. “With our annually frequency more than doubling over the past 51 years, and that means more flooding.”

Hobbes says the report means “double trouble” for Iowa and the Midwest. She says you can access Iowa’s specific data on www.nrdc.org.

And, Doctor Stephen Saunders of the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization warns “the past is prologue, when it comes to future flooding.

“In 2008, the flooding caused $16 billion in damages, in 1993 the flooding caused $33 billion dollars of damages in the Midwest,” said Saunders.

The groups are suggesting the use of more “green infrastructure” by cities and more rain barrels and rain gardens by individual homeowners.

Iowa Radio Network

05/17/2012

(JEFFERSON) Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager announced Monday that Greene County Medical Center (GCMC) in Jefferson will receive $20 million in loans through the Community Facilities program to expand and renovate a 75-year-old medical facility and create a state-of-the-art medical campus. The Under Secretary made the announcement during a visit to the area.

Tonsager said the project represents part of a continuing effort by the Obama Administration to advance technology as it relates to rural health care.

When construction is completed, Greene County Medical Center, which serves patients from several counties in west central Iowa, will provide enhanced health-care delivery services, as well as expanded outpatient services. GCMC is the area's largest employer with over 250 staff, has a payroll in excess of $9 million and generates over $16.7 million in income in the county which results in an estimated $5.6 million in retail sales and $283,000 in local sales taxes.

USDA Rural Development is providing an $18 million direct loan and a $2 million guaranteed loan to help upgrade and expand the facility.

Press Release

05/17/2012

(ATLANTIC) City officials are looking into possibly adding some bike lanes on 2^nd Street from Chestnut Street to Buck Creek Road.

Atlantic City Administrator Doug Harris told the City Council Wednesday night that Myra Kail had contacted him and expressed interest in the bike lanes. Harris said he checked with the State Pedestrian Bicycle Coordinator and they informed Harris that the minimal standard is a 5 foot bike lane on both sides of the road. Harris said he then talked to Scott Suhr with the Department of Transportation to see if the state would allow the bike lanes in that area and if there would be enough room for the lanes and Suhr said that it should be ok.

“We would want to look at the traffic counts and stuff and businesses, so there may be issues with it and there may be better alternatives, but I just wanted to make you aware that it is something that is being looked at and certainly a possibility,” said Harris. “I think they’re (the trails group) trying to find ways for bicyclists to get from like Schildbergs, and eventually the T-bone trail, into our downtown. The only thing I noticed is from Chestnut to Poplar there is parking on both sides, in order to get that lane in that section you’d probably have to remove the parking.”

Harris said the road would change from two lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction with a turning lane. He said additional costs to the city would include the striping and signage.

Mandy Billings

05/17/2012

(RED OAK) A Grant man was arrested Wednesday for Child Endangerment and Serious Assault.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says 34-year-old Jerimiah John Wieseler was arrested Wednesday following an incident in the 400 block of Jefferson Avenue in Grant. Wieseler was transported to the Montgomery County Jail where he was held on $2,000 bond.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Montgomery County K9 unit, Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Red Oak Police Department.

Mandy Billings

05/817/2012

(ATLANTIC) The Atlantic Police Department is hosting a campout for youth ages 9 to 11 next month.

Officer Devin Hogue said the camping will take place June 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th.

“We’re going to go out to Lewis Lake and for those days it’s going to be as basic camping as we can get. They’re going to be in tents, we’re going to cook everything over the fire, we’re going to let them do some fishing, and we’ve got some different games they can play,” said Officer Hogue. “So we’ll try to make it as fun as possible, get the kids out of town and let them have some fun outside of Atlantic, hopefully with some of their friends and maybe meet some new friends.”

Hogue said the ultimate goal is to get the kids to feel comfortable around law enforcement.

“We always want them to know that we’re on their side, whether it be a fire at their house or a crash or anything we can do to set them at ease if a situation arises where we would have to be around them and be supportive for them,” explained Officer Hogue.

Children interested in the campout must sign up by next Wednesday at the Police Department, with their parent’s permission. Only 6 boys and 6 girls will be chosen for the campout.

Mandy Billings

05/16/2012

(RED OAK) Two Red Oak men were arrested on drug charges Tuesday. The Red Pak Police Department arrested 25-year-old James Harlan Rosencrans for possession of marijuana and 18-year-old Mason Philip Roach for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Both men were held on $1,000 bond each.

Mandy Billings

05/16/2012

(ATLANTIC) This week is National Women’s Health Week.

The Iowa Department of Public Health say this week traditionally focuses on empowering women to make health a priority, and highlights the need for women to schedule check-ups and preventative screenings.

“For some women, the younger age like 18 to 39, that would include an annual breast exam and either a pap smear or pelvic exam, depending on sexual activity and risks,” explained Dr. Vanessa Cook, with the Atlantic Medical Center. “They should start getting their cholesterol checked in their 30’s, especially depending on family risks. As we get older, we need more intensive screenings. You don’t just need the pap smear and breast exam, you need mammograms, you need rectal exams to check for blood in the stool, colonoscopies starting at age 50… there’s a whole wide range and it depends on your age and your risk factors.”

Dr. Cook said the number one way to ensure good health is to take care of yourself in between check-ups.

“Most women take care of their families before they take of themselves and then they don’t have enough energy to take care of themselves,” said Dr. Cook. “They should do stuff like getting enough exercise during the week. Running the kids to soccer practice doesn’t count as exercise, they should actually get out and go walking or biking or go to the “Y”; about 150 minutes of exercise a week is the base line that we recommend to keep healthy.”

For more information on women’s health, you can always visit www.womenshealth.gov or, of course, consult your health care provider.

Mandy Billings

05/15/2012