Latest news with #Pietrack
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Newton nonprofit holds fundraiser to install safe haven baby box
NEWTON, Iowa — A nonprofit in Newton is halfway to its fundraising goal for a safe haven baby box to be installed at the community's hospital. The plan was first presented in 2024 when Jasper County Attorney General Scott Nicholson brought the idea to the Open Arms Foundation of Jasper County, a nonprofit that provides support for children facing crisis or are in the foster care system. Open Arms was founded last year and provides backpacks with necessary supplies and comfort items to children who were removed from their biological families. So far, the nonprofit has helped 200 children and families, according to founder and director Nick Pietrack. At the beginning of 2025, Open Arms started fundraising for a baby box in Newton. Their goal is $30,000. Pietrack says the box is estimated to cost $20,000, plus $500 in annual fees for maintenance, training, certification, and other expenses. His goal is to raise enough that the cost is covered for many years. Sen. Joni Ernst responds to backlash from her sarcastic comments on Medicaid Around $15,000 has been raised so far, but the organization plans on fundraising for the rest of the year. Pietrack said the baby box will be installed in Newton even if the fundraising goal isn't met, but he commends the community's ability to come together in support of this cause. 'I've seen a tremendous ability in Jasper County for us to gather our community for positive things. So, it's very heartwarming and wonderful to see the support and we're excited about it,' he said. The baby box will be located at the MercyOne Newton Medical Center. Pietrack said the current plan is to have the box located outside the emergency room and near the ambulance bays, however the hospital will be remodeling soon, so the exact location in the hospital is subject to change. 'We want to be proactive, not reactive. So, the reason for some of the baby boxes being installed in other communities are reactive towards horrible incidences that have happened, tragic deaths of infant children,' he said. Newton is now the fourth Iowa community to start the process of installing a baby box. The Iowa Safe Haven Act went into effect in 2002, and it provides parents in crisis an option to safely surrender an infant up to 90-days-old. The law was expanded in 2023, allowing communities to implement their own safe haven baby boxes. Since then, baby boxes were installed at the Fort Dodge Fire Department and the MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. The Norwalk Fire Department announced last year that they are in the process of installing a baby box as a result of a baby's death in 2023. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services announced on Monday that a baby girl was recently surrendered safely through the Safe Haven Law. She is the third infant to be surrendered this year and the 77th since the law was put into effect, according to the department's press release. Iowa News: Iowa veteran passes halfway point on Appalachian Trail Newton nonprofit holds fundraiser to install safe haven baby box Storms move in, along with cooler air Miguel Angel Jimenez wins playoff in Iowa for 3rd PGA Tour Champions victory of the year Forecast: Smoke exits, storms move in Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Open Arms Foundation fundraising for state's third Safe Haven Baby Box
May 26—Open Arms Foundation of Jasper County is about halfway to its fundraising goal to establish the state's third ever Safe Haven Baby Box in Newton. Nicholas Pietrack, founder of the Open Arms Foundation, said a Safe Haven Baby Box is estimated to cost around $20,000, and then there is an annual service fee of $500 for re-certification, updated trainings and testings. So to cover for those extra fees, Open Arms Foundation set its goal at $30,000. So far, the nonprofit organization has raised about $16,000 for the project. All of the funds have been donations from community members. Newton Masonic Lodge held a fundraiser breakfast for Open Arms Foundation back in April, the proceeds of which were donated to the nonprofit to help secure a Safe Haven Baby Box. In 2002, Iowa enacted safe haven laws that allow parents of a child appearing 90 days old to legally surrender that child to an emergency medical service provider. Only two Safe Haven Baby Boxes exist in the state: Des Moines and Fort Dodge. Pietrack said Open Arms Foundation wants to be the third in the state. Ever since the safe haven laws have been in effect, Pietrack said there have been 74 instances where a parent legally surrendered their child. Pietrack said the idea of the safe haven laws is to protect parents and the children in the event of a crisis. The parent is protected from abandonment and neglect charges. "It's a legal, anonymous surrender," Pietrack said. "The issue that states have discovered is that sometimes the actual act of going to somebody and saying, 'I want to give up my kid,' people are afraid to do that. They're afraid of the ramifications and the shame and the public image." Which is partly why Safe Haven Baby Boxes have been implemented in a number of states. Currently, more than 330 Safe Haven Baby Boxes have been installed throughout the United States. Pietrack said they are typically installed around fire departments or hospitals, which have 24-7 staffing. When a child is placed in the box, the door closes and a packet of information is released for the parent on what to do next and followup with information about the child. By the time the child is placed in a box, a silent alarm is sounded so that a medical provider can retrieve the baby. Dispatch is also notified. Average response time is one to two minutes. Currently, Open Arms Foundation wants to install the Safe Haven Baby Box at MercyOne Newton Medical Center. Another Iowa community that wants to install a Safe Haven Baby Box is Norwalk. Within the past year or so, an infant was born in a home in Norwalk and was discarded, leading to its death. Pietrack said Open Arms Foundation wants to remain proactive so that situations like that do not happen in Jasper County. Open Arms Foundation was created as a reaction to helping drug endangered children in Jasper County. Parents who are facing crisis often are also involved in drugs. Pietrack said a Safe Haven Baby Box extends the nonprofit's mission further by providing an opportunity for children to be safely taken care of. "If this box saves one kid in the next 20 years, that's worth it," Pietrack said. For more information or to learn how to donate, visit
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
USS Nimitz departs Bremerton, WA, for likely last deployment
The Brief The USS Nimitz departed Bremerton for what's likely its final deployment. FOX 13 crews captured the moment the aircraft carrier passed Seattle's Alki Beach. The 50-year-old vessel will be decommissioned in Norfolk, VA after its deployment. SEATTLE - The USS Nimitz departed its home in Bremerton, Washington, for its next, and likely its last, deployment Friday morning, according to reporting from Kitsap Sun. FOX 13 crews captured the moment the massive aircraft carrier passed by Seattle's Alki Beach, with about 2,800 sailors seen lined up around the perimeter of the vessel. The U.S. Navy commissioned the Nimitz in 1975, making it the oldest aircraft carrier in the Navy. It's not clear where it is going for its deployment. "The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) departed Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, and is conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations," said Lt. Cmdr. Tim Pietrack in a statement. "For five decades, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group has upheld the U.S. Navy's commitment to a forward commitment to a forward presence while ensuring maritime security, deterring aggression, and protecting the American way of life. "Nimitz is in its 50th year of service continues and celebrates its legacy of building alliances, demonstrating the power of teamwork and cooperation in maintaining maritime stability and global security," Pietrack said. "An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic and relevant training to ensure the readiness necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's timeless role across the full spectrum of military operations," said Pietrack. "U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our Allies and partners to advance a shared vision of free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific in which all nations are secure in their sovereignty and free from coercion." After its deployment, the 50-year-old aircraft carrier will move to Norfolk, Virginia, and begin its decommissioning process. The Source Information for this story comers from Lt. Cmdr. Tim Pietrack and Kitsap Sun. Top aide for WA Gov. Ferguson resigns over workplace complaints, report Seattle police arrest man accused of more than 20 bank robberies Here's where Seattle renters are relocating Seattle's Capitol Hill Block Party announces 2025 lineup, changes to event Could Bryan Kohberger's autism defense for capital murder set a precedent? To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
USS Nimitz departs Bremerton to conduct routine operations
The U.S. Navy announced that the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier left Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton on Friday morning to conduct routine operations, according to Lt. Commander Tim Pietrack. The Navy says the carrier will be serving in the Indo-Pacific region. Lt. Commander Pietrack highlights the USS Nimitz is in its 50th year of service and the carrier is,'...demonstrating the power of teamwork and cooperation in maintaining maritime stability and global security.' The USS Nimitz is set to be decommissioned next year before a proposed plan to make way for the new USS JFK in 2029, according to the U.S. Navy.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Yahoo
Crisis Canines conducts courtroom training at Jasper County Courthouse
Mar. 17—Crisis Canines may not be capable of giving testimonies at Jasper County court hearings, but they may be able to assist those who can. Nicholas Pietrack, assistant county attorney, formally requested permission last week to use the Jasper County Courthouse outside normal business hours to conduct training sessions with Crisis Canines of the Midlands, and thereby enhancing support for victims and witnesses in courtroom settings. "Historically, there's been some precedent where Crisis Canines like this can be used in the courtroom for victim testimonies — especially juveniles — during trials, hearings, etc.," Pietrack said. "We've not done it in Jasper County, to date. Part of that is just logistics. We haven't been able to practice it." Also, in each case, the use of the canine in the courtroom would need court approval. Pietrack said the Jasper County Attorney's Office has not had a recent case where it felt it needed a Crisis Canine. The training — which took place last weekend for about four hours — was for three to five Jasper County-based dogs. "Sometimes the dog would be at the person's feet testifying, usually a child or a victim, or just sometimes be in the courtroom so they can kind of maintain contact and be with the dog before and after testifying — things like that," Pietrack said. "To date, we've used these dogs in our depositions before trial." From what Pietrack has seen, the Crisis Canines have been tremendously beneficial and have worked as a good ice breaker for when attorneys have to meet with a child victim. The dog makes them feel at ease. Pietrack said multiple victims have told him that as long as the dog will be there they feel OK. According to the letter drafted by Pietrack to the board of supervisors, the Crisis Canines help alleviate anxiety and provide comfort to those recounting traumatic experiences. Pietrack argued that allowing the training would strengthen the office's ability to support vulnerable individuals during these difficult moments. Pietrack told supervisors at their March 11 meeting that the Iowa Attorney General's Office would also be part of the training to learn how to best implement the practice throughout the state. Jasper County, he suggested, is becoming one of the frontrunners in how to work with and implement Crisis Canines. Supervisor Brandon Talsma was on board with the training so long as it was OK with Maintenance Director Adam Sparks. County Auditor Jenna Jennings said she had spoken with him about it and he was favorable to the idea.
