(Radio Iowa) – The statewide nonprofit group Iowa Rivers Revival has named Dyersville its 2023 “River Town of the Year.” The group’s executive director, Luke Hoffman, says Dyersville met all of their criteria.

The North Fork of the Maquoketa River flows through downtown Dyersville – and while for many years it was viewed by some as an inconvenience due to flooding, the community is now beginning to embrace the river and take steps to improve the riverfront area. Hoffman says the city has changed that with its water plan.

Dyersville Mayor Jeff Jacque says it’s a big honor.

The Bear Creek project was the first, and the second – – a stormwater wetland project on the North Fork just wrapped up. They’re now trying to get funding for the Dyersville Downtown Driftless Float Park project. Mayor Jacque grew up in Dyersville, and says he’s proud to see how his hometown is now embracing the water.

The Dyersville community celebrated their “River Town of the Year” Award during a public ceremony (Wednesday) the Westside Park Pedestrian Bridge.

(Radio Iowa) – Four homes in central Iowa that serve as sterling examples of mid-century modern architecture and interior design will be open for tours during a special fundraising event this weekend. Laura Porter, executive director of the Iowa Architectural Foundation, says “Midwest Modern, a Mid-Century Modern Home Tour,” will showcase these four beautiful homes in the Des Moines metro area, all built between 1952 and 1970.

The homes spotlight the iconic lines and materials of the period, she says, including one house with three angled wings and a rounded glass skylight that encircles its attic chimney. The mid-century modern style, Porter says, has a very devoted following.

The home tour event has been held since 2013. Porter says the tours provide inside views of excellent architectural examples of the era, but they also exhibit how to bring mid-century styles to homes of every decade.

She says mid-century homes have not only remained popular for their designs, but they also represent a time of innovation and creativity in architecture. Part of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Iowa Architectural Foundation’s educational programs for children and adults. Two of this year’s featured homes are in Des Moines, with one each in Clive and Windsor Heights. The Sunday tour is sold out.

CRESTON, Iowa – June 2, 2023 – Motorists who travel on Iowa 25/Sumner Avenue in Creston need to be aware of an upcoming construction project at the BNSF overpass that could slow down their trip.

Beginning on Monday, June 12, until Friday, June 30, weather permitting, construction crews will work on the BNSF overpass. This will require restricting traffic on Iowa 25/Sumner Avenue to one lane between Fremont Street and Jefferson Street. Access to Russell Street from Iowa 25/Sumner Avenue will be closed for the duration of the project.

Temporary traffic signals will be in place to assist motorists through the work zone. Vehicles and loads over 11-feet wide will need to use an alternate route.

Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

June 2, 2023 (DES MOINES) – At yesterday’s meeting, the Enhance Iowa Board awarded a $790,000 Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant to an outdoor waterpark and ice rink project in Bettendorf.

Details for the project receiving a CAT grant follows:

Project Name: The Landing, Bettendorf

Total Project Cost: $22,937,600

Amount Awarded: $790,000

Project Description: This project will consist of an outdoor water park and ice rink. The water park will include a leisure pool, lazy river, splash deck and a water slide tower with multiple water slides. The 12,250-square-foot outdoor ice rink will include concessions and restrooms.

The Enhance Iowa Program provides financial incentives to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. To date, 128 CAT grants have been awarded by the board, totaling $42,830,023. The next Enhance Iowa Board meeting is scheduled for July 6, 2023.

DES MOINES, IA – A Keswick man was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for failing to pay over $700,000 in employment taxes for his business, and for making a false statement for purposes of obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for the business.

According to court documents, during the years 2014 through 2020, Thomas Sieren, 60, was a co-owner of TCS Fabricating, Inc. and, during that time, failed to pay $703,615.69 in employment taxes to the IRS. This included the failure to pay taxes that he had collected from TCS’s employees through withholding, as well as matching contributions to Social Security and Medicare.

In 2020 and 2021, Sieren obtained two PPP loans on behalf of TCS in the total amount of $237,379. The PPP loan applications misrepresented that TCS had paid its payroll tax obligations.

Sieren will be required to pay TCS’s unpaid payroll tax obligations, together with interest and penalties. He also will be required to pay restitution of $237,379 to the United States Small Business Administration. Following Sieren’s release from prison, he will be required to serve two years of supervised release.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal made the announcement. This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Essley prosecuted the case.

(Radio Iowa) – A “Safe Community Coalition of Fort Dodge and Webster County” has been formed. The group hosted a town hall meeting in Fort Dodge yesterday (Thursday) after three shooting deaths in the Fort Dodge last month. The meeting site was just four blocks from where an 18 year old was shot to death in early May. Fort Dodge Police Chief Dennis Quinn says communication and the public’s help can go a long way in helping to solve crime.

Webster County Sheriff Luke Fleener joined the police chief in speaking to a crowd gathered in a Fort Dodge church.

Randy Kuhlman is with the Fort Dodge Community Foundation who joined the local United Way in forming the new coalition.

Kuhlman’s group and the Webster County Sheriff’s Office has received a 200-thousand dollar federal grant from the Rural Crime and Violence Reduction to support the effort.