(Radio Iowa) – Many of the challenges Iowa restaurants faced during the pandemic are behind us, but another perfect storm is brewing that’s creating havoc in the food service industry. Jessica Dunker, CEO and president of the Iowa Restaurant Association, says finding reliable workers is just one of the major hurdles they’re now trying to cope with. “At just the time we’re trying to get back up and running at pre-COVID levels, we’re facing an average of 15% increase in labor costs and 15% increase in cost of goods on the products we use to create those great experiences,” Dunker says. “We’ve never seen inflation hit in both directions like that.” 

While revenues for some restaurants are up, she says in many cases, profits are down. The association is addressing the issues with its members, trying to help them ride the waves.

Jessica Dunker

“Some of the things that we are recommending is size down the menus so that you can have quantity of scale on the products that you serve,” Dunker says. “From the consumer experience, what that translates into is some of your favorite novelties might not be available on menus.”

She also recommends restaurant owners brainstorm to find ways to make due with smaller staffs, while being prepared to raise wages. While one in three Iowans of a certain age will say their first job was in the restaurant industry, Dunker says it’s no longer the case for the new generation. The industry is struggling to find younger workers, droves of whom are now being lured by a host of other entry-level jobs in areas where restaurants never before had to compete.

“Also, pre-COVID, workers that were aged 55 and older were our fastest growing work demographic and that pool of people is not coming back to our industry,” Dunker says. “They simply have left the workforce or they’re not coming back into restaurants and we miss those workers.”

She implores Iowans to, “Be patient, be kind, and still come out to appreciate and enjoy all the hospitality scene has to offer.

(Ames, Iowa) –  Airmen with the 168th Cyber Operations Squadron, Iowa Air National Guard, along with personnel from the Innovation Center Kosovo and the University of Pristina, Kosovo, will participate together for the first time in the recurring Cyber Defense Competition at Iowa State University on May 18, in Ames. Officials say global threats to cyber security are increasing. The Cyber Defense Competition is an opportunity for Iowa Airmen, Kosovars, and Iowa students to demonstrate their capabilities and develop their skills.

Iowa State University has held the Cyber Defense Competition for 17 years. High school and college students from around the country converge on Iowa State’s campus to compete regularly.
In the days leading up to the competition, teams will build and secure a notional wealth management company. During the competition, teams will be challenged with defending their company against skilled adversaries.

(File photo) Spring 2016 ISU CDC in Coover Hall on the ISU campus

The Airmen and their Kosovo partners are planning, strategizing and building team communication skills in preparation for the competition. The skills they are learning today translate to what they are doing every day to protect Iowans and Kosovars from online threats. Iowa State University invited service members from the Iowa National Guard and Kosovo to participate in the cyber exercise after recognizing the importance of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program.

More than a dozen teams will compete to be named best cyber defense team. The top three teams will be recognized during the event conclusion.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports 24-year-old Jose Armando Gallardo-Garcia, of Omaha, was arrested Saturday night on a Public Intoxication charge. His bond was set at $300. And, no injuries were reported following a single-vehicle accident in Mills County Sunday morning. Authorities say 20-year-old Anita Coates, of Malvern, was driving a 2009 Ford in the area of 290th St./Noyes Avenue, and was toward the center of the road, when she met a vehicle coming from the opposite direction.

Coates swerved, lost control and rolled the vehicle into the south ditch, through a fence and into a planted field. The woman admitted she was driving too fast, and was tired. She was shaken-up but otherwise okay.

(Radio Iowa) – Greyhound racing in Iowa ended its 37-year run yesterday (Sunday) as the final races were held at the Iowa Greyhound Park in Dubuque. Greyhound races started there in June of 1985. The Iowa legislature approved a plan seven years ago to phase out the greyhound parks in Dubuque and Council Bluffs due to the decline of the sport nationwide. Dubuque Racing Association president and CEO Alex Dixon credited the community in the early 1980s for taking a chance on bringing greyhound racing to town to help revitalize Dubuque.

“What we did as a community is that we saw that when we were in midst of losing our population, when we were losing hope, we came together,” Dixon says. “A board comprised of people from the City of Dubuque came together, went to the city, knocked on doors, went and raised $7 million to build this facility, to help turn the tide.”

Association board chair Kevin Lynch says the non-profit greyhound track has had a tremendous impact on the governments and charities in the Dubuque area.Lynch says, “This facility has sent over $223 million to the city of Dubuque, $9.1 million to Dubuque County, and over $60 million to local charities.”

With the Iowa Greyhound Park closing and the Southland Casino Racing track in West Memphis, Arkansas, also planning to end live races this year, that will leave just two tracks in West Virginia as the only greyhound racing tracks still operating in the United States.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports the arrest late Sunday morning, of 58-year-old Teresa Marie King, of Creston. King was arrested at her residence on a Union County warrant for OWI/1st offense. She was later released on a $1,000 cash-only bond. And, Friday evening, 32-year-old Kenny Joe Cunningham, of Greenfield, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center in Creston, on an Assault charge. Cunningham was later released on a $300 bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, will continue discussions with regard to the distribution of ARPA (COVID-19 recovery) funds. During their meeting, the Board will hear from Anita Fire Chief Eric Steffensen, with regard to a request for funds from the Anita Volunteer Fire Department. The Board will also hear from Griswold City Manager Ted Marciniak, with regard to a TIF Extension, and they’ll hear from Cass/Guthrie County Environmental Health official Jotham Arber.

The Supervisor’s meeting begins at 9-a.m. Tuesday, in their Board Room at the Cass County Courthouse.

A trio of area school board plan to hold their regular monthly meetings this evening. The Griswold School Board meeting takes place in the High School Conference Room, beginning at 5:15-p.m. The Exira-EHK Board meets at 6-p.m., in the Conference Room at the Elk Horn Building, and the Audubon School Board will gather in the High School Board Room at 7-p.m. for their session.

New Business on the agenda for the Griswold School Board includes discussion/action on: Approving a copy machine lease; approving a social worker agreement; Establishing Activity Pass Fees for the 2022-23 school year; approval of fuel and technology bid specifications; and approval of a Spanish III/IV Waiver for 2022-23. The Board will also hold the first reading of the 500-series Board Policies.

In Elk Horn, the Exira-EHK School Board will begin with a Public Hearing on an Amended Budget. Discussion will follow later on in their meeting, on youth practices using facilities on Wednesday evenings. Action items include approval of: the FY 22 School Budget Amendment; District Developed Service Delivery Plan; 2022-23 Fees; Concrete work bid for the front of the Exira Building; Copier/Printer update bid; and approval of resignations, hires, and transfers (See the list below).

Resignation: Sarah Marshall – Cheer Coach; Hires: Maria Hughes – Asst. JH/HS Track Coach; Waylon Salinas – 4th Grade Teacher; Brandon Baggett – HS English Teacher; Amanda Warnaca – MS Special Ed Teacher; Carme Prunera – Spanish Teacher; Erika Van Cleave – MS/HS Principal; and Paula Yates – Food Service.

And the Audubon School Board tonight, will act on approving: Budget Amendments; ISFIS Membership; Surplus Property; Freshman VB Coach; Purchase of Kitchen Equipment; Transfer of funds from Core Curriculum to Flex Fund ($19,933.14); and approving the canceling of SU (Breakdown) Insurance. In his report to the Board, Audubon Superintendent Eric Trager will discuss last week’s student walkout, building and grounds, and the preliminary audit report. He’ll also provide a legislative update.

The Audubon School Board may hold a closed session prior to adjourning. The session, as allowed by Iowa Code, is with regard to the performance of an individual in the District.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Rec Board will meet this evening at the Rotary Shelter in the Schildberg Rec Area (by the dog park). Their meeting begins at 5:15-p.m.  Action Items and/or New Business, includes:

• A Bull Creek Update
• Sunnyside Pool matters
• Sunnyside Lifeguards
• Parks & Rec Summer Programs
• and the Schildberg Recreation Area Campground.

Parks Director Bryant Rasmussen will update the Board on:

• Mollett Park
• Sunnyside Tennis Court
• Wildlife Refuge areas
• Multiple meetings
• Upcoming Summer Programs
• the Migratory Bird Day.

The next regular meeting is 5:15-p.m. June 20th, at Mollett Park.

(Radio Iowa) –  A group of “Scraposaurs” has been posted outside Sioux City’s Lewis and Clark Center. Dale Lewis — a sculptor who works with scrap metal — created the traveling display of 14 prehistoric creatures, including a sculpture that looks like one of the most famous of all dinosaurs.

“I titled him ‘T-Tex Evolved’ because he  kind of looks like he’s mechanically evolved,” Lewis says. “One of the coolest things I think about this T-Rex — there’s a lot going on there, a lot of pieces — but his little stubby arm claws are kind of a mass of stainless steel, interesting hooks. They’re part of a 747 cargo bay door latch.” Lewis finds the raw materials for his sculptures from a variety of sources and most of the beasts he built for the outdoor exhibit in Sioux City came together in two to three months. 

“Eight months is the most involved piece I’ve ever done,” Lewis says. “It’s getting where pretty much everything I do is involved enough that it’s a bit of a celebration when I finish it.”The 14 sculptures Lewis created will be on display at the center in Sioux City, near the Missouri River, until April of next year. One of his sculptures has been on display for several years at the Lewis and Clark Center. It’s a pelican and it is the mascot for the center’s kids’ club.

“Percy the Pelican was a fun piece for me,” Lewis says. “It’s pretty realistic pelican, but it has a pirate hat, with a feather and a diamond on it…That was the sketch they provided me and I just ran with it.” The sculpture was inspired by something Captain Clark wrote in 1804 about a huge flock of pelicans in an area that is present day Sioux City. All of Lewis’ sculptures in Sioux City are named, including one called Stanley to Stegasaurus and another called Thing. Lewis has been making sculptures with salvaged materials since 2010.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston said no injuries were reported after a straight truck struck a railroad underpass Sunday afternoon on S. Cedar Street. A 2022 Freightliner delivery truck driven by 46-year-old Cedrick Lamark Johnson, of Des Moines, was traveling through an underpass at around 12:11-p.m., when the roof of the truck struck the underside of the BNSF/Creston Streets Dept. bridge. Damage to the truck was estimated at $6,000. No damage was reported to the overpass. Driver inexperience was cited as a contributing factor. No citations were issued.