COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Nov. 10, 2022 – Motorists need to prepare for multiple overnight closures and changes to Interstate 29 and I-480 in Council Bluffs next week. On Sunday, Nov. 13, southbound I-29 will be closed at 16th Street, from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m., weather permitting. This will allow construction crews to prepare for the extended closure of southbound I-29 at Avenue G. Motorists should follow the detours. (click on the maps below to enlarge)

On Monday, Nov. 14, motorists should plan for the closure of southbound I-29 at Avenue G. Drivers will need to use the Southbound Frontage Road between Avenue G and 9th Avenue to get to their destinations. Iowa DOT expects southbound I-29 to be closed until fall 2023.

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, weather permitting, construction crews will work overnight to open the eastbound I-480 to northbound I-29 ramp.

Iowa DOT is working hard to keep the public informed of construction impacts and actively seeks opportunities to update the public. For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit the program website at www.CouncilBluffsInterstate.IowaDOT.gov. You can also contact the program office at 712-216-3339 or info@CouncilBluffsInterstate.com.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to 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, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

(Western Iowa) – SHARE Iowa, an initiative of the Community Foundation for Western Iowa, launched in September 2022, to support the Community Foundation’s nine-county service area and to create durable, positive change in our region. SHARE Iowa’s online presence will help hundreds of nonprofit organizations connect with their supporters by communicating their events, encourage donations through Amazon wish lists, better engage volunteer opportunities, and provide an easy and flexible way to receive donations.

“SHARE Iowa is a key resource for our community members – far and wide – to connect to causes and communities they are passionate about,” said Donna Dostal, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Western Iowa. “We are thrilled to offer this dynamic tool to our nonprofits to engage their donors and supporters, especially during this season of giving, and Giving Tuesday 712 sponsored by our friends at TS Bank!”

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving and the biggest giving day of the year in our region. This year, Giving Tuesday is November 29, 2022, and the community is encouraged to visit SHARE Iowa to find and support over 130 area nonprofits. In 2021, we raised an amazing $2.3 million in western Iowa for Giving Tuesday. This, combined with donations made in the Omaha metro, totaled $5.5 million in Giving Tuesday support for our region.

This year, the Community Foundation has a $250,000 pool of funds for a 20% match on gifts to endowment funds within the Community Foundation. The 20% match is on gifts up to $100,000.00 per fund, and after the pool is used, the match will go to 10%. Nonprofit organizations with an endowment fund with the Community Foundation can have supporters donate directly to their endowment fund through SHARE Iowa.

Additionally, with the help of community members and small business partners, TS Bank is hosting two supply drives for Giving Tuesday. The bank is collecting diapers to be delivered to area nonprofits and children’s hats and gloves for local elementary schools. Donations can be dropped off at any TS Bank location in the area. TS Bank’s 43 Scott Street location in Council Bluffs will also be the heart for #GivingTuesday712. Community members who are interested in making donations to their favorite causes are encouraged to come to TS Bank on Giving Tuesday if they would like to have a check presentation and celebrate the culture of giving in Western Iowa.

TS Bank officials say they believe that reinvesting in the communities it serves is as important as the products and services the bank provides. TS Bank encourages others to live generously and pay it forward, and since 2007, TS Bank has granted nearly $5 million dollars through these efforts. “Giving is one of our company’s core principles, and one we’ll always stand behind. We love seeing first-hand each community harness their local strength for positive change,” said Kelsey Stupfell TS Bank Director of Public Relations.

Des Moines, Iowa –  Food Bank of Iowa officials, today (Thursday), announced a partnership with Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm and Feeding America® to immediately provide food for Iowans in need and build long-term technology solutions to scale the food bank’s impact. The announcement is part of a larger initiative from Google.org and Feeding America to help provide 50 million meals to communities across the United States. Food Bank of Iowa serves 55 of Iowa’s 99 counties, reaching Iowans across a 30,000-square-mile footprint that spans the northern to southern border.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says “With persistent inflation, increased grocery costs, and continued supply chain disruptions, family budgets are stretched thin and there is a significant ongoing need for donations to our food banks and food pantries. I encourage the support of our food banks and food pantries, and I hope this inspires other businesses, organizations, and individuals to give what they can in order to help our neighbors in need.”

Today, 34 million Americans, including nine million children, face food insecurity. Among Feeding America network food banks, 90% report an increased or sustained need over the last month. Food Bank of Iowa has experienced this firsthand. Demand for food assistance is at an all-time high in Iowa, with the past five months setting records in the number of individuals and households served by Food Bank of Iowa and its 700 partners.

Michelle Book, Food Bank of Iowa President and CEO, says “We are working to meet the highest need in our 40-year history. Our frontline partners are seeing double, triple and even quadruple the number of individuals seeking help with food, and we are grateful for this funding from Google to help combat food insecurity in Iowa.”  Google has seen the need reflected in Google Search Trends on a national and local level in Iowa. Nationally, Google sees a spike in searches for food support every November, but more than ever before, Americans are making searches around “food” and “prices” in 2022. They are also searching “how to give back” more than ever, with searches for “where to donate food near me” skyrocketing 850% over the past five years.

In Iowa, searches for food have increased, including: “Food pantry near me” searches in Iowa have increased by 1300% over the past 5 years. Search interest in SNAP reached an all time high in Iowa on January 2021 “Where to donate food near me” searches increased by 180% over the past five years in Iowa “Addressing food insecurity requires a sustained and coordinated approach. We’re proud to partner with Feeding America to deliver over 50 million meals to people in need, and to work with them to strengthen their technology infrastructure,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet. “We’re also making our products, like Search and Maps, more helpful to people searching for resources or ways to give back.”

Any organization or individual interested in joining the fight for a hunger-free Iowa can volunteer, donate and learn more at www.foodbankiowa.org. While donated food is always appreciated, monetary donations go even farther to provide meals for Iowa children, families, seniors and veterans. A donation of $10 will provide more than a week’s worth of food for an Iowan in need. Food Bank of Iowa will also receive donated Search Ads to connect people looking for help with resources, provide avenues for others to give back and drive food security awareness nationwide.

AMES, Iowa—Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop and no-till field day Tuesday, November 29 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the Caviness Farm near Greenfield. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal. Cover crops offer many benefits to farmers and landowners including reduced soil erosion, weed suppression potential, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, and increased organic matter in the soil. When paired with no-tillage additional benefits include increased water infiltration and reduced erosion during heavy rain events. This field day aims to equip attendees with best management practices for establishing and managing cover crops to maintain yields during the transition to a higher residue system of no-tillage and cover crops.

Iowa Learning Farms farmer partner Randy Caviness purchased his first no-till planter in 1985 and was admittedly skeptical that it would work. However, he stuck with it and his soil test results have shown increases in soil organic matter and soil health. “Many people talk about building up their soil, but then they don’t do anything about it. No-till actually does something about it. The more you leave the soil alone, the better it does. Some people think that if they till every four or five years, that they will get the benefits of no-till. No-till should be called never-till,” noted Caviness.

When asked about the economics of no-till, Caviness responded, “We want to show that you can be profitable and you can save the soil. Quality soil has got to be the bottom line. People need to think about their soil and do a better job for future generations. You can’t just think or say that you are doing a better job, you need to actually do a better job.” Liz Ripley, Iowa Learning Farms conservation and cover crop outreach specialist, will share results from on-farm cover crop demonstration trials and resources available to help farmers and landowners make a successful transition to a cover crop and no-till system. Iowa NRCS staff Hillary Olson, State Soil Health Specialist, and Ruth Blomquist, SW Iowa Soil Health Specialist, will lead attendees through soil health demonstration and discussion opportunities for technical and financial assistance. (Listen for Jim Fields’ interview with Liz Ripley on the “Heartbeat Today” page found under the “Programs” tab at kjan.com.)

The field day will be held at the Caviness Farm, 2476 260th Street, Greenfield, IA 50849 and will be held rain or shine. The event is free and open to farmers and landowners, though we require reservations to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP please contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.  Attendees will be entered in a drawing for ISU Prairie Strips honey.

Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.iowalearningfarms.org.

(Griswold, Iowa) – Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh reports that on Tuesday, November 22nd, the Griswold Community School District will host a mental health night at Griswold High School (20 Madison St. Griswold, IA 51535) from 5:00-7:00 PM. All middle-school and high-school students and supportive adults in Cass County are invited to attend the free event.

From 5:00-6:00 PM attendees will enjoy free pizza sponsored by the Griswold United Methodist Youth (First come, first served), and have the chance to meet representatives from mental health organizations serving Cass County, including Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services, Therapy Place, Full Circle Therapy, Cass County ISU Extension, Southwest Iowa Mental Health and Disability Services Region, Project Recovery Iowa, the Eating Disorder Coalition of Iowa, and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southwest Iowa.

At 6:00, NAMI Southwest Iowa will present “Ending the Silence,” a presentation on the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition. As part of the presentation, a young adult with a mental health condition will share their journey of recovery. Audience members will be able to ask questions and gain understanding of an often-misunderstood topic.

Details:

Griswold Mental Health Night
When: Tuesday, November 22, 5:00-7:00 PM
Where: Griswold High School (20 Madison St. Griswold, IA 51535)
Who: All middle school and high school students and supportive adults from all Cass County
school districts are invited!
What: Mental health is health. Come learn how to be kind to your mind and support others
when they’re struggling.
5:00-6:00 PM – Meet organizations providing mental health services and support in Cass
County and enjoy free pizza.
6:00-7:00 PM – “Ending the Silence” presentation on the warning signs of mental health
conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental
health condition. Presentation by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southwest
Iowa.
Cost: Free!
Food: Free pizza sponsored by the Griswold United Methodist Youth will be available from
5:00-6:00 PM, first come, first served.
Contact: Cass County Wellness Coordinator, Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or 712-
249-5870.

Remember, too: Free mental health resources available to people in Cass County 24/7 include:

• Your Life Iowa: For problems with alcohol, drugs, gambling, suicidal thoughts or mental health. Call: (855) 581-8111, Text: (855)895-8398, Chat: www.yourlifeiowa.org.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Text or call 988 for emotional support. Chat: www.988lifeline.org/chat
• Iowa Concern: For stress counseling, legal education, and financial concerns. www.extension.iastate.edu/iowaconcern/ or Call/text: (800)447-1985.
• Project Recovery Iowa: Free counseling via virtual sessions, chat, or phone. Phone: (800) 447-1985, Spanish: (531)800-3687, www.projectrecoveryiow.org

For information on community wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty. Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network formed to promote the health and well-being of Cass County residents. Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870 for more
information. Healthy Cass County welcomes participants from across Cass County.

Officials with the Creston Police Department report three separate residents were arrested, and subsequently cited before being released, on charges of allowing an animal to run at-large. Authorities say 32-year-old Brooke Marie Carter, 56-year-old James Orville Conley, and 19-year-old Dustin John Baker, all of Creston, were issued citations at their respective locations, and then released on a promise to appear in court.

(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Regents has approved plans for several million dollars of work on buildings on the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa campuses. U-I vice president Rod Lehnertz, presented plans for remodeling the Burge Residence Hall. “This will renovate house two and four of our student living spaces in Burge. The project itself — we’re asking for approval the budget at four-point-seven million dollars, to be funded by the University Housing renewal and improvement funds,” he says. Burge Hall was built in 1957, and he says the renovation will modernize the facility and keep it in use.

“Burge serves a very important part of our east campus residence hall system because it has the largest food service system as well. And so it serves all of the other halls,” Lehnertz says. “Our oldest residence hall Courrier Hall, was built in 1915, and still serves as a modern feeling residence hall because of these kinds of modernizations.” He says Burge will remain in use during the renovation — which will happen in the summer of 2024 and 2025. The Board of Regents also gave approval for the updated plan to put in artificial turf at the rec complex. “We will be replacing the surface of the existing grass fields. Put grass in quotes, it’s grass and dirt. It’s been a problem for years because of a very flat terrain and surface drainage, leading to not just canceled events and canceled recreation opportunities for our students but even canceled seasons,” according to Lehnetz.

He says the budget is five-point-eight million dollars for the project, which will be paid for with Recreation Services funds. Lehnertz says the new fields will says roughly 750-thosuand to one million dollars each year in maintenance. Iowa State University received approval for the remodeling of parts of the Memorial Union. Heather Paris once part involves the second floor. “This is a two-pint-two-five million dollar project to remodel five-thousand square feet on the second floor, which is the main level of our Memorial Union,” she says.”The impacted second floor area would open the Colonel Pride Lounge to the main east west corridor, and it includes spaces that were formerly used by the U-S Postal Service our lectures program and the hotel desk when that was in the Memorial Union.” She says the remodel will make it a larger, more attractive space for students to meet, study and dine.

The project would begin next summer and run through the winter of 2024. The second part of the project involves the third floor remodel. “This is a four-point-three million dollar project to renovate 12-thousand square feet in the third floor area between the bookstore and the parking ramp of the Memorial Union,” Paris says. The project remodels offices vacated by Student Services — and will create two suites with offices, a student lounge and study rooms for the multicultural student affairs and student support services. It is scheduled to start next summer. The University of Northern Iowa received questing approval for the design and budget for the Gallager Bluedorn Performing Arts Center expansion project.
Michael Hager presented the plans.

“The Gallagher Bludorn Performing Arts Center is almost 25 years old. When it was built, there were budget challenges and the decision was made at the time to limit some of the patron amenities and focus on the performance venues. And that was a wise decision back then, it served us very well,” Hager says. He says the facility serves thousands of people each year. “This particular project will remodel about 45-hundred square feet and adds on about 16-thousand-400. Most of that addition is focused on patron amenities, including additional restrooms, which are always welcome on those short intermissions,” he says, “concession space drop off lane, a marquee lounge will be a hallmark of this new area to serve our donors and others in there.” The budget is around 14 million dollars.

The Board of Regents approved the plans at their meeting today (Thursday).

(Radio Iowa) – This is Winter Weather Awareness Day (Thursday) as Iowans are encouraged to start planning for the cold weather that’s coming and brush up on terminology we’ll hear in forecasts for the next several months. Meteorologist Chad Hahn (HON), at the National Weather Service, says some Iowa communities have already had early snows in recent weeks and there’s certainly much more to come. “We know that the season of change is upon us,” Hahn says, “so the more that we can start thinking about it, start to transition our brains from summertime thunderstorm safety and preparedness to wintertime, the better prepared we’ll be.” Hahn says Iowans need to know the difference between a watch and a warning.

“A Winter Storm Watch is when we have the expectations of an event in the offing, and its certainty and the location and specifics aren’t quite clear yet,” Hahn says. “Whenever it gets in the short term, we would upgrade to a Winter Storm Warning. The certainty is there, the details are more clear and we want folks to change plans or make different decisions.” Iowans will also be hearing about Winter Weather Advisories which involve events that motorists should be able to navigate through safely if they simply slow down and make themselves aware of their surroundings.

“The DOT has made it very clear that 75% of crashes occur with events of two inches or less of snow,” Hahn says. “So even though it’s a winter weather advisory, and maybe it’s more of a nuisance level, folks tend to take those less serious and we really want to address that as we go through this winter.” Forecasters say it appears the La Nina weather pattern will continue into the season ahead, for the third winter in a row. “Typically, those conditions would be set up more favorable for colder-than-normal conditions, the tip of the odds towards a colder winter ahead,” Hahn says, “but when we look for precipitation trends from those La Ninas, we don’t see a real good signal across the Midwest here.”

We still have about six weeks of fall ahead, as winter arrives on December 21st.

(Radio Iowa) – The 2022 election may have just concluded, but the presidential politicking for the Iowa Republican Party’s 2024 Caucuses is well underway. During a rally a week ago in Sioux City, former President Donald Trump said he will very probably run again. “Get ready, that’s all I’m telling you,” Trump said. “Very soon. Get ready.” Trump easily carried Iowa as the G-O-P’s presidential nominee in 2016 and 2020, but Trump called for a recount after he finished second in the 2016 Iowa Caucuses.

Despite that rocky period, Trump says he’s rejected calls from national G-O-P leaders to dethrone the caucuses from first-in-the-nation status. “I told you that, remember, four years ago, I said: ‘I’m not going to let it happen,'” Trump said. “…I stopped it so much, it almost became a full-time job. They do want to take it away from you, that I can say, but the Iowa Caucuses are cherished and it’s a national tradition and we are committed to keeping Iowa first for many, many years to come.”

Trump’s presence in the race may prompt other potential candidates to scuttle their presidential campaign plans. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, a frequent Iowa visitor, has already said he will not run in 2024, while others have publicly said if Trump launches another bid for the White House, they won’t run against him.

The first potential G-O-P candidate scheduled to be in Iowa after the midterm election appears to be Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. He will speak next Wednesday to a central Iowa group that’s been host to many G-O-P presidential hopefuls of the past. Iowa Democrats, meanwhile, await a decision in December from national party leaders who may move the Democratic Party’s Caucuses out of the first spot on their party’s presidential nominating calendar.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education held their Annual and Regular Meetings, Wednesday evening. Their Annual Meeting, featured the 2021-22 Annual Report, and 2021-22 Depository Statement.

Here are Superintendent Steve Barber’s notes on the Annual Report:

During the Board’s Regular session, they received a Special Presentation on the 3-year Old Preschool Program, along with regular reports from the District’s Principal’s, and Superintendent Steve Barber. Here are his notes from the meeting:

“A lot of these numbers and scores,” he said, “are gleaned from our ISASP’s results.  Our Middle School received the highest rating category of commendable, while our Schuler building received a Needs Improvement rating.  Each of these two buildings are required to receive Targeted Support for the subgroup of IEP students.  Since, pre COVID the Department of Education have not required or provided the support for schools in the targeted designation.  I am encouraged that each of our buildings have a plan for this work.  Although it is a designation by the State I feel this is a great opportunity to take a holistic view of how we are serving special education students and make the necessary adjustments that research deems best practice to better reach the goal of independence for this subgroup.

“Both the High School (Acceptable) rating and Washington are not required to have any additional support.  Washington only administers the ISASP’s test to third graders, which provides too small of a sample size to garner a rating.”

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved Action items on their Consent Agenda, including the resignations of: Lisa Andersen, Food Service; and Stacy Van Aernam, CCEOC Para-Educator, and Superintendent Barber’s contract recommendations for the following:

Jacey Hoegh & Zach Christensen – Volunteer Boys Basketball Coaches.
Mike Greving, Caleb Smith, Adam Smith and Dillon Cox – Vol. Wrestling Coaches.
Todd Killion – MS Wrestling Coach.
Kayla Mendenhall – Vol. Cheer Coach.
Gary Miller – School Bus Driver.
Donald Prall & Abby Lauritzen-Olson: Substitute car/suburban Drivers.
Lizzie Walker – Early Learning Center Para.

The Atlantic School Board discussed the Instructional Support Levy (ISL) Renewal Timeline. The schedule includes action on: Jan. 11, 2023 on approving a Resolution to Consider Participation & Set [the] Public Hearing; and on having Feb. 8, 2023 as the date for the Public Hearing, along with possible action on the Resolution. (The Board has 30 days from the date of the hearing to act on the matter) The maximum portion of the ISL cannot exceed 10% of regular program district cost. A portion of the amount is state aid, but the district has not received that portion for the past several years, according to Mr. Barber.

In other business, the Board approved: SBRC Modified Allowable Growth (2021-22) LEP Allowable Costs, in the amount of $65,761.19; SBRC Modified Allowable Growth for Increased Enrollment ($192,960.90) (for spending authority); and SBRC Modified Allowable Growth – for LEP Instruction Beyond 5-years ($3,396.69).

And, finally, the School Board heard Mr. Barber’s recommendation for White Knuckle Driving to receive the Driver’s Education Contract. When the RFP (Request for Proposal) went out, it was for a two-year contract, beginning Jan. 1, 2023. The District also requested two amounts, one for a “regular student,” and one for a “Free and Reduced student.” Deluxe Driving submitted a bid of $350 per “regular” student. White Knuckle’s bid was $355. The district is responsible for some of the expenditures associated with Free and Reduced students.

Bids for the F&R students were $335 from Deluxe Driving, and $325 from White Knuckle. Barber said “Given that the District is responsible for that,” he recommended White Knuckle driving, and the Board that recommendation.