(Radio Iowa) – A project being launched by a federal agency this summer is designed to make it easier for people to visit a total of 20 museums in Iowa — and hundreds more museums across the country — without cost being an issue. Crosby Kemper is the director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “We’ve developed a program with our partner, the Association of Children’s Museums, called Museums For All,” Kemper says, “and that program allows for, encourages discounted or free admission to museums for folks who are on the other side of the economic divide. It’s based on SNAP program’s metrics.”

Under the program, Kemper says those who receive food assistance can gain free or reduced admission at more than one-thousand museums nationwide by presenting their E-B-T card and a photo I-D. To find a full list of the Iowa museums that will participate in the program, just Google “Museums For All.”

“We want to reach out into small towns and rural areas as well as the big cities where it’s easier and people know more about it,” he says, “and get them out to their museums.”  Kemper says Museums For All is designed to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits.

The list of Iowa facilities includes: Reiman Gardens in Ames; the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in Des Moines; the State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines; the Des Moines Children’s Museum in West Des Moines; the Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens in Waterloo; the Grout Museum in Waterloo; the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo; the Phelps Youth Pavilion at Waterloo Center in Waterloo; the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids; the African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids; the Iowa Children’s Museum in Coralville; Vesterheim in Decorah; the Dubuque Museum of Art; the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque; Des Moines County Historical Society in Burlington; Putnam Museum & Science Center in Davenport; the German American Heritage Center & Museum in Davenport; the Figge Art Museum in Davenport; LaunchPAD Children’s Museum in Sioux City, and the Family Museum in Bettendorf.

https://museums4all.org/

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report two arrests: On Monday, 22-year-old Alejandro Zafra Jimenez, of Ames, was arrested at the Creston Walmart. Jimenez was charged with Theft 5th. He was cited and released from the scene; and, late Friday morning, 40-year-old Mark Anthony Weems, of Creston, was charged with two Union County Warrants for Burglary 3rd Degree, and Theft 2nd Degree. Weems was being held in the Union County Jail.

There were several incidents reported to Creston Police over the past couple of weeks:

• On May 19th, a Corning woman said that her 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe was damaged while sitting in the Walmart employee parking lot. Damage estimate $1,000.
• On the 26th,a Creston woman residing in the 400 block of N. Maple Street, reported that sometime between May 25th and 26th, her 2008 Chevy Silverado was damaged while sitting in front of her residence. Estimated loss $600; and, a Creston woman in the 500 block of W. Mills Street, reported between 10:30am and 6pm, someone stole a Pink Woman Bike that was leaning up against the deck. Loss estimate $150.
• And, early Monday morning (May 29), a woman residing in the 1300 block of E. Howard Street, in Creston, reported that two people had cut a window screen to gain access to her residence. $60 in cash taken from a wallet. All other items were dropped as the thieves were chased out of the residence.

RED OAK, Iowa – Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst has announced that Governor Ron DeSantis will be one of her special guests at her annual Roast and Ride this Saturday, June 3rd. Ernst’s previously announced, other special guests, include Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Mike Pence, Larry Elder, Vivek Ramaswamy, Asa Hutchinson, and Perry Johnson. Proceeds from her annual Ride are donated to veterans charities. This year, she will be honoring Freedom Foundation of Cedar Rapids.

Ernst says “I’m thrilled to welcome Ron DeSantis as a special guest to Roast and Ride this year! Despite Democrats ditching Iowa, Republicans are fired up for 2024 as we host the FIRST in the nation caucus. This year’s Roast and Ride will be my biggest yet — with eight exciting special guests — making it the can’t miss event of 2023!”

Governor DeSantis said “I’m delighted to be joining Senator Ernst in Des Moines. As military veterans, Joni and I both understand the importance of supporting those who have served our nation — and I’m excited to get the chance to do just that at the annual Roast and Ride. Over the past few months, Casey and I have had the pleasure of getting to know hard-working patriots across the great state of Iowa. Florida and Iowa have led the way in the fight for our way of life — and I’m running for president to take that fight to the White House. Our mission is simple: We are building a movement to restore America.”

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol Trooper is rally around a Trooper in her battle with significant cancer. Rose Ives (Badge #191), serves with District 3, based in Council Bluffs. She has served southwest Iowa for about 5 ½ years. A T-shirt is being sold to help Ives with her additional medical expenses. The shirt design symbolizes Rose’ personality and her will as a fighter. The shirts are being sold through Thursday, June 1^st, with all the proceeds directed to Ives and her daughter.