Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for the 2023 Century and Heritage Farm Program now through June 1. The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.
To apply, download the application on the Department’s website at iowaagriculture.gov/century-and-heritage-farm-program. Please complete the application and return it to:
Century and Heritage Farm Program
Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
Wallace State Office
Building
502 E. Ninth St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
The Supreme Court is run amok, and it’s time to get it under control.
For the last year, we have witnessed scandal after scandal come out of the Supreme Court. From learning that Samuel Alito may have leaked a decision about reproductive health to conservative anti-abortion activists, to discovering Clarence Thomas has been secretly accepting luxury vacations from a GOP megadonor for twenty years, the actions of these justices on the highest court in the land are unconscionable.
Thankfully, this bad behavior can be addressed. Congress has the ability - and responsibility - to act as a check on the Supreme Court and restore faith in our judicial system. It’s time they take the first step and pass a code of ethics for the Supreme Court.
No one is above accountability, and that includes our justices on the Supreme Court.
Iowans are compassionate people and share the belief that people who have been victims of crimes should receive support and assistance. Most would agree that rape is one of the crimes that certainly necessitates comprehensive services to victims.
Victims of rape have an acute need for timely access to health services as soon as possible after a violent assault, including emergency contraception to prevent an unintended pregnancy from occurring. Making sure victims have access to this care is good public policy and consistent with medical ethics and standard of care.
Costs for this, and the forensic examinations provided to victims of rape and sexual assault, are funded by the state’s victim compensation fund, which is administered by the attorney general’s Crime Victims Assistance Division. Dollars for the victim compensation fund come from fines and penalties paid by offenders and no taxpayer dollars are used for the fund.
When dairy farmers want to know if they are feeding the optimal rations, they will monitor the amount of milk any one cow is producing. If adjustments are needed, obviously they would make them.
If a person goes to the doctor with an illness, the doctor will want to monitor whether the medicine given was working or not and make necessary adjustments. When a businessperson wants to check if they’re on the right track to grow their business, they will look at the data and trends.
Protecting and growing one’s resources requires monitoring and accurate information. Ignoring facts and data won’t fix any problems.
This is why I am really puzzled as to why the Iowa House and Senate Republicans decided to defund the water quality sensors around the state. These sensors provided 24/7 monitoring of many creeks and rivers.
National Hospital Week at Veterans Memorial Hospital... May 7-13 is National Hospital Week. The numerous services provided locally by Veterans Memorial Hospital often walk patients from one area of their care to another, until the patient has fulfilled their goal of returning home. Kathy Byrnes of Waukon is a good example of many of those levels of care and local services working together for the same goal; to help a patient return to their home to live independently. She is pictured above with some members of her healthcare team including, left to right, Katie Rathbun, RN; Melissa Clarke, OT; Peggy Woodbeck, Home Care Aide; Penny Wheeler, C.N.A.; and Lori Shogren, Home Care Aide. Submitted photo.
May 7-13 is National Hospital Week. The numerous services provided locally by Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) often walk patients from one area of their care to another, until the patient has fulfilled their goal of returning home.
So many services are offered locally, close to home, but often patients don’t realize that unless they ask. Many of the hospital’s skilled care, surgical, maternity, laboratory, rehab and x-ray patients among others share with staff they would have been sent elsewhere for their care, had they not specifically asked for local care at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
The following is an example of many of those levels of care and local services working together as a team for the same goal; to help a patient return to their home to live independently.
Safety demonstrations to take place during VMH Safety Day Camp ... Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon will be hosting the Safety Day Camp for children ages 6 to 14 Wednesday, June 7 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds from 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the photo above, a demonstration during a previous Safety Day Camp shows the importance of safety in using farm and lawn care equipment. Submitted photo.
Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be hosting the Safety Day Camp for children ages 6 to 14 Wednesday, June 7 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon from 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. The camp is open to all children in the area. It is a true safety camp that instructs many areas of safety that address every child’s life.
During the camp, children participate in interactive activities that reinforce the importance of taking responsibility for their own safety, respecting parents’ safety rules and sharing safety tips with their family and friends. Hands-on demonstrations teach lifesaving first aid techniques and reveal the hidden hazards of children’s surroundings. Camp demonstrations also focus on farm hazards associated with various safety topics.
Veterans Memorial Hospital Family Wellness Fair set for May 10 ... The annual Veterans Memorial Hospital Family Wellness Fair will be held Wednesday, May 10, from 3:30 - 6 p.m. Free health tests, family activities, entertainment, refreshments and much more will all be included in the evening plus many door prizes will be given away. All visitors are asked to enter the fair through the main entrance of the Medical Clinic, next to the fire truck. Everyone in the area communities is welcome to attend this free event, sponsored by Veterans Memorial Hospital in honor of National Hospital Week. Submitted photo.
The annual “Family Wellness Fair” will be held this Wednesday, May 10 from 3:30-6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital and Clinics. The “Family Wellness Fair” is a community wide event offering families of all ages a night of entertainment and education about the local resources available to them, plus many free health testing opportunities. This fun-filled family event is free and open to all members of the community of any age.
As of May 6, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon has begun suspending the current weekend Urgent Care services for the summer months and will reopen again September 9, in time for fall respiratory illnesses. During this time, patients seeking immediate or emergency care should visit the VMH Emergency Department (ER). For all other needs, patients can utilize either of the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinics located in Waukon, at 105 East Main Street, or in Postville, at 124 West Green Street.
The Waukon Medical Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, this clinic offers early access hours Mondays beginning at 7 a.m., and evening appointments are available Thursdays until 7 p.m. The Postville Medical Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, May 18 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room on the lower level of the hospital.
This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or who might have a friend or loved one with diabetes. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Angie Mettille, RN, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 563-568-3411.
The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting, one week later than usual, at Veterans Memorial Hospital. The meeting will be held Tuesday, May 16 at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital.
This informal meeting is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss, whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other grief. Feel free to attend and bring a friend. This grief support meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
