| Assisted-living worker pleads in abuse case
A Lawrence resident accused of abusing a disabled man in a Lawrence assisted-living home has received probation pending completion of an anger management course. Former Community Living Opportunities Inc. employee Dustin D. Taylor, 21, pleaded no contest to an amended charge of assault for allegedly abusing the man at Ponderosa House, 1205 E. 26th St. At trial in June, jurors found Taylor not guilty of six counts and couldn't reach a verdict on two others — both charges of mistreating a dependent adult. In a plea agreement this week, the charges were reduced to assault and District Court Judge Michael Malone sentenced Taylor to one year of supervised probation. According to the agreement, if Taylor completes an anger management course and pays all of his outstanding court fees, Malone could terminate the probation.
Joyful homecoming Residents return to Homes for the Deaf after ...
DANVERS - When Josephine Morris arrived in her bedroom yesterday for the first time in two months, she was most relieved to find the pictures of her grandchildren, which she located in a box and immediately lined back up on her night table.
Morris was among 56 deaf and deaf-blind seniors who returned home yesterday to the New England Homes for the Deaf after being displaced by a chemical plant explosion in November. None of them heard the blast on Thanksgiving Eve, and the blind residents couldn't see it either. But everyone felt it, as they described yesterday.
"It scared me, it really scared me," Morris, 91, said through an interpreter. She recalled the blast with wide eyes and sweeping gestures to mimic an explosion.
But residents said yesterday's homecoming wasn't about the traumatic event that displaced so many Danversport residents.
Learning About Alzheimer's: Two Stories Illustrate Effects of Disease on Whole Family
Author Dixie F. Sellers shares a poignant memoir of her husband's battle with Alzheimer's disease and her struggle to care for him in her new book, "How Peggy Learned about Alzheimer's and Can Papa Ben Play Ball?" (now available through AuthorHouse). The book addresses many sides of the pain of Alzheimer's disease, including the challenges faced by caretakers, adult children and young children. The stories are based on Sellers' true story, but the names of the characters have been changed to protect their privacy and characters were added to enhance educational benefits. "How Peggy Learned about Alzheimer's" is based on Sellers' journal throughout her husband's illness. "Section 1: Home" focuses on the early stages of "Ben's" disease. His wife, Peggy, begins to notice his strange behavior, and the book outlines some of the early signs of the illness.
Denmark election Tuesday
DENMARK – Registered voters in Denmark will go to the polls Tuesday to fill three seats on the Denmark City Council in a nonpartisan municipal election. Seeking re-election to four-year terms are incumbents Bervay Carter, Evert Comer and Gerald Wright. Challengers for the seats are Allison Kirkland and Johnnie Ruth Rosa. Johnnie Ruth RosaA Barnwell native, newcomer Johnnie Ruth Rosa moved to Denmark in 1988 after her husband, Joe Rosa, retired from the Navy.“We came back to Denmark because we loved the town ... We decided this is where we wanted to retire," Rosa said.“We now want to see Denmark have those wonderful days again, with all citizens working together," she added.Rosa said she'd like to work to lower the city's water rates, implement adequate trash collection services for businesses and residences, along with improved ambulance service, and to complete the new fire station without having to raise taxes.She said if elected, she'll also push for the new Bamberg County Hospital to be located on U.S.
Legislator pleased by teacher-pay item
Sound budget practices - providing services in a cost efficient manner and limiting the growth of government - will continue to be my priorities as we enter discussions regarding next year's state budget.
Last week Gov. Chet Culver gave his first major address to the Iowa Legislature and outlined his budget plan for the 2008 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The governor proposes spending $5.7 billion next year, a nearly 9 percent spending increase, or $459 million, over the current budget that was approved last year.
I'm pleased that the governor's budget proposal continues a commitment made by lawmakers last year to raise teacher pay in Iowa. I also appreciate the governor's commitment to fully fund Medicaid, the health care program for needy Iowans. However, there are areas that concern me.
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