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.

(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.