(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s 150 legislators have gathered at the Capitol for the final day of the 2023 legislative session. Representative Gary Mohr, of Bettendorf, is the Republican who led development of the state budget. “This is a wonderful day, absolutely,” Mohr says. “We had a great session, but it’s time to go home.”

A handful of bills remain on the list for votes in the House and Senate. Governor Reynolds will host a ceremony this (Thursday) afternoon to publicly sign the property tax relief plan the legislature

May 4, 2023 (DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds marked the start of National Small Business Month with the announcement of a chance for Iowa communities to showcase their support for small businesses through the third annual #IowansUnite Community contest. The winning community will be awarded a custom mural.

The contest invites cities, municipalities and economic development organizations to submit creative and inspirational videos showcasing how their community members support small businesses and celebrate the businesses’ importance to the community. Communities that submit a video have the chance to win a one-of-a-kind mural designed and installed by Iowa artist Ben Schuh that welcomes visitors to their shopping district or downtown area.

“Small businesses are not only important economic drivers, but they also serve as cultural pillars in our thriving communities,” Gov. Reynolds said. “This contest is an opportunity for communities to showcase their support for their small businesses by entering for a chance to win custom art for their downtown and I look forward to seeing the creative entries.”

To enter the contest, communities must create a short video and submit it through the official entry form found on the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Facebook page through June 23, 2023. Creativity is encouraged, but all submissions must feature local residents and small businesses and must incorporate elements reflecting each community’s unique brand of hometown spirit. Examples include storefronts, main street districts, notable landmarks and people shopping or eating. Videos may be created by an individual or group representing the community, but the video must be submitted by the city, municipality or economic development organization.

Following an online voting period (June 26 through June 29), the communities whose videos meet the designated vote threshold for their community size will become finalists. Small communities, cities with a population of 15,000 or less, must have at least 500 votes. Large communities, cities with a population of 15,001 or more, must have at least 1,000 votes.

The finalists will receive an assignment to showcase their community spirit. An independent panel of judges will review and score all assignments submitted along with the video submitted with the official entry form. The community with the highest score will win the contest and a custom mural. IEDA and IFA officials will meet with designees from the winning community to facilitate the mural project.

“Both small businesses and community art add life and vibrancy to our downtown districts and this contest provides the unique opportunity to celebrate the importance of both,” said Debi Durham, executive director of IEDA and IFA. “One community will win a custom mural that will serve as both a local tribute and a visitor attraction and I wish all entrants the best of luck in the competition.”

The 2023 #IowansUnite contest is the third annual contest in conjunction with National Small Business Month. Previous winners include the communities of Knoxville and Washington, photos of their murals are available on IEDA’s Facebook page.

For more information about the #IowansUnite Community Contest, including official rules and the submission process, visit https://woobox.com/oqhd3r

(Des Moines, Iowa) – A Polk County man has entered a plea of guilty to a Felony count of Theft in the 2nd Degree. 27-year-old El Messiah Muhammad Moor, of Des Moines, pled guilty on April 20, 2023, following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau. The investigation began in September 2022 after the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau received information indicating Moor provided false information and fabricated documents in support of six insurance loss claims and received monetary benefits to which he would have not otherwise been entitled.

The investigation determined that Moor claimed that multiple incidents of power outages resulted in damage to perishable food items, a computer and television. Moor provided false information and submitted fabricated repair receipts to two different insurance companies. The receipts were from companies that did not actually exist and to which no payments were made. Moor received $2,273.85 in benefits due to the false statements and fabricated receipts. Moor was arrested on February 10, 2023.

El Messiah Muhammad Moor. (Photo courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office)

Following his guilty plea, Moor received a five year suspended prison sentence and was placed on supervised probation for a period of two years. Moor was also ordered to pay a civil penalty of $1,025 as well as restitution which has yet to be determined.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

(Creston, Iowa) – A collision Wednesday morning in Creston, resulted in minor damage that amounted to a total of $6,000, but no one was hurt. According to the Creston Police Department, the accident happened at around 8:20-a.m., the intersection of N. Cherry and Howard Streets. A small, 2013 shuttle bus driven by 62-year-old Lorie Cooper Lee, of Bridgewater, was traveling south on N. Cherry Street and nearing the intersection with Howard Street. She did not have a stop sign or lights.

A 2003 Chevy Express van driven by 38-year-old Boone Daniel Hayes, of Creston, was traveling east on Howard Street and approaching a stop sign at the intersection. Hayes told Police his brakes failed, and he was unable to stop before entering the intersection and colliding broadside with the shuttle bus. Hayes said he pressed on the brake pedal, but it did not engage without being pressed repeatedly.

Both vehicles were able to be driven away from the scene. No citations were issued.