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Minden among four Iowa Communities Selected for Small Business Grant Program

News

September 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

GRINNELL, IOWA – The Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) has selected the City of Minden for one of four pilot projects for its Rural Business Initiative (RBI), an effort to support rural small businesses funded through a $200,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation.
Minden was hit by two tornadoes last April that devastated 40% of the Pottawattamie County community of 600.  The community is launching a “Forward With Strength’ effort targeting its central business district, known as the Minden Triangle.  The Triangle was a vibrant district, but many businesses there have not been able to operate since the disaster. However, together they are working diligently to build back better and reopen not only for their respective bottom lines but also for their employees and the community in general.
The successful applicants represent rural places across Iowa and are located within 30 miles of a Wells Fargo bank branch.  Each proposed a plan to support existing small business, enhance entrepreneurship and expand the economic vitality of their rural area. Other RBI recipient include:
  • Pathfinders RC&D Region: Pathfinders RC&D (Resource Conservation and Development) serves five core counties in Southeast Iowa, with additional services reaching more than 20 counties in the region. Through the Leveraging Access for Underserved Networks and Capital for Hope (LAUNCH) program, Pathfinders aims to impact small businesses in 21 rural communities across the five core counties. LAUNCH seeks to bridge the gap in economic development resources between smaller towns and larger cities like Ottumwa by promoting regional collaboration and providing customized support to strengthen the small business environment, boost job creation and revenue, and build a more resilient economy. 
  • Perry Chamber of Commerce: The city of Perry took a hit in July when Tysons closed its local pork packing plant, which employed more than 1,200 workers.  But community leaders acknowledge there have been small business challenges leading up to that announcement and they have a plan to move ahead.  Perry seeks to revive a pandemic-era business grant program for small businesses in need of capital for products, services, marketing, or improvements, as well as providing invaluable connections to resources for skill building and networking.
  • West Branch Main Street: West Branch’s historic downtown is home to 47 small businesses, which face several looming economic challenges. The eastbound exit to I-80 is closed for construction and the westbound exit is set to close next year, affecting access for 25,000 vehicles daily. Also, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum will close soon for renovation, creating other short-term challenges. West Branch Main Street has an effort, the Rising Tide Initiative, aimed at helping small businesses by enhancing street appeal, updating signage, renovating facades, increasing accessibility, and optimizing inventory.
The IRDC will work with these communities and partners from local Wells Fargo bank branches, the Iowa Small Business Development Centers and the Iowa Center for Economic Success to assess the situation in each place.  Collectively, strategies for training, capacity building and funding will be developed.
The Iowa Rural Development Council is a statewide public-private non-profit organization focused on rural vitality and local capacity that will sustain and grow Iowa’s small towns.

Cass County Supervisors to hold a public hearing on Farmer’s Electric Co-Op rezoning request

News

September 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A regular meeting of the Cass County Board of Supervisors will be held 8:30-a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1st, at the courthouse in Atlantic. On their agenda [Agenda, Amended – 2024.10.01 for Publication] is a public hearing to consider an application by the Farmer’s Electric Cooperative for a zoning change in Lincoln Township, from General Agricultural to Light Industrial (as approved by the Cass County Zoning Commission), with regard to the construction of an electric substation. Following the hearing, the Board will vote on approving the zoning change.

The Supervisors will also discuss and act on approving a commercial lease to the Fourth Judicial District/Dept. of Corrections Services, for county-owned property at 601 Walnut Street, Suite 1, in Atlantic.  In addition, they are expected to act on: Federal-Aid Agreements for two Cass County bridge projects (Bridges 168 & 269); Approving a tax abatement on certain parcels owned by the City of Massena (as requested by the Cass County Treasurer and allowed under the Code of Iowa); Approval of a County-held Tax Sale Certificate for the sale of a parcel in Lewis, to Colton Erickson, who will pay a;; taxes, interest and penalties owed.

The Board is expected to receive a presentation by County Recorder Mary Ward, with regard to the Recorder’s Fee Modernization Project that will be introduced in the upcoming legislative session. And, they will receive a monthly report for Cass County Community Services Director/Mental Health Advocate, Debbie Schuler, as well as a regular report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken.

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You may listen to and/or join the meeting electronically or over the phone:

Join Electronically https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2899195216?pwd=R0hSa2FOOTh0NUdra1ZSdVhVWHpMUT09
Meeting ID: 289 919 5216
Passcode: 012064

Call In 312-626-6799, press *9 to indicate you wish to speak.

Hurricane could keep Iowa dry

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 30th, 2024 by Jim Field

The massive hurricane that blew into Florida and the southern U-S won’t be felt directly in Iowa, but it will have an indirect impact. Iowa D-N-R hydrologist Tim Hall says the forecast shows the weather system will keep things dry here.

Hall says the impact could keep rain away for up to seven days. The storm could have a positive impact as it brings rain to southeast Ohio.

The Mississippi River carries barges full of Iowa grain and the lower Mississippi River water levels have been down due to drought in the Ohio River valley.

Hall says we won’t get the rain, but can be glad it is going to fall somewhere that will benefit Iowa farmers.

The Iowa D-O-T keeps track of barge traffic on the Mississippi and has recently said barges would have to carry less grain with lower water levels, and that can increase grain transportation costs.

BBB warns Iowans about increase in investment scams

News

September 30th, 2024 by Jim Field

A study by the Better Business Bureau shows the number of complaints about bogus investment schemes has overtaken complaints about online shopping scams. Bureau spokeswoman Lisa Schiller (SHILL-er) says these financial con artists have done their psychological homework and know how to push people’s buttons.

Schiller says anyone trying to offer you a fantastic chance to get in on a new business venture or a “sure thing” for your portfolio is likely trying to rip you off,
even if it seems legit.

Unlike the online shopping scams, Schiller says an increasing number of investment scams are being carried out in person.

Examples of scams include new cryptocurrencies, business loans or startups, or foreign currency. As always, Schiller says to do your research before writing anyone a check, and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Also, if someone is demanding money right away, or won’t let you think about the investment, walk away.

Nunn, Miller-Meeks blast shadowy group caught recruiting indie candidates in their districts

News

September 30th, 2024 by Jim Field

 Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn says state officials are investigating a group that recruited a fellow Republican to run against Nunn as an independent. Joe Wiederien (WEED-eh-ryn) of Scranton has withdrawn his name from the General Election ballot and attended Nunn’s campaign fundraiser this weekend. Nunn asked him to stand and be recognized.

An Associated Press report published earlier this month found a group called the Patriots Run Project had recruited candidates to run as independents in six congressional races — including Nunn’s.

Nunn, a Republican from Bondurant, is running for reelection in Iowa’s third congressional district. The Patriots Run Project also tried to recruit a candidate to run as an independent against first district Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, but didn’t collect enough signatures on nominating petitions. Miller-Meeks referred to the situation during her remarks at Nunn’s fundraiser.

A spokesperson for the main campaign group supporting Democrats running for U-S House seats has said the organization had no knowledge or involvement in the Patriots Run Project activities in Iowa or elsewhere.

Skyscan Forecast for Monday, September 30, 2024

Ag/Outdoor, Weather

September 30th, 2024 by Jim Field

Today:  Sunny with a high near 85. Light and variable wind becoming south southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Tonight:  Mostly clear with a low around 48. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tuesday:  Sunny with a high near 68. North wind at 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday:  Sunny with a high near 78. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday:  Sunny with a high near 79.

Friday:  Sunny with a high near 74.

Girls Cross Country Results from the Cyclone Invite

Sports

September 29th, 2024 by Christian Adams

Team Results

1. Harlan- 63 pts
2. Lewis Central – 64 pts
3. Glenwood – 66 pts
4. Treynor – 120 pts
5. Denison-Schlswg – 153 pts
6. Omaha South – 184 pts
7. Atlantic – 199 pts
8. Woodbine – 24 pts
9. CB, Abraham Lincoln – 249 pts
10. St. Albert – 283 pts
11. Clarinda – 287 pts
12. Riverside – 300 pts
13. Kuemper Catholic – 310 pts
14. CB, Thomas Jefferson – 379 pts

Individual Results

1. Lili Denton – St. Albert (18:16.15)
2. Lindsey Sonderman – Harlan (18:27.11)
3. Grace Berglund – Glenwood (18:37.69)
4. Ava Bussey – Lewis Central – (19:45.06)
5. Charlotte Gregor – Omaha South (19:47.37)
6. Ashlyn Rau – Harlan (19:50.11)
7. Breckyn Petersen – Glenwood (19:56.52)
8. Madelyn Hoss – Lewis Central (20:02.50)
9. Delayna Reese – Lewis Central (20:04.72)
10. Lola Mendlik – Denison-Schlswg (20:40.79)

Atlantic

15. Katrina Williams – 21:12.71
43. Hailey White – 23:51.76
47. Hailey Huffman – 24:18.49
49. Bella Brock – 24:27.15
55. Elynor Brummer – 24:46.34
66. Allison Middents – 25:13.07
97. Cadence Kinzie – 30:30.99

Treynor

11. Anne Miller – 20:47.75
18. Madalyn Kerkmann – 21:25.59
24. Lilly Yochum – 22:20.22

Denison-Schleswig

12. Alexa Tremblay – 20:59.01
34. Emily Bahnsen – 23:19.99
45. Piomo Okwer – 24:09.67

Clarinda

29. Riley King – 22:46.86
68. Alexa Barnes – 25:27.29
69. Richlyn Muff – 25:28.29

Riverside

33. Iviana Schechinger – 23:17.49
57. Bailey Richardson – 24:52.30
64. Danika Feigenbutz – 25:04.30

Keumper Catholic

44. Kaci Wiederien – 24:01.37
67. Addie Davis – 25:14.37
70. Madeline Segebart – 25:34.23

 

Boys Cross Country Results from the Cyclone Invite

Sports

September 29th, 2024 by Christian Adams

Team Results

1. Lewis Central – 33 pts
2. Woodbine – 83 pts
3. Riverside – 91 pts
4. Kuemper Catholic – 131 pts
5. Red Oak – 146 pts
6. Omaha South – 178 pts
7. CB, Abraham Lincoln – 249 pts
8. Clarinda – 249 pts
9. Glenwood – 264 pts
10. Shenandoah – 270 pts
11. Denison-Schlswg – 277 pts
12. St. Albert – 277 pts
13. Harlan – 280 pts
14. Atlantic – 287 pts
15 . CB, Thomas  Jefferson – 409 pts
16. Treynor – 459 pts

Individual Results

1. Evan Lillie – Lewis Central (16:04.28)
2. Kyle Wagoner – Clarinda (16:11.67)
3. Marshall Arkfeld – Lewis Central (16:25.17)
4. Kevin Coots – Lewis Central (16:36.53)
5. Dayton Wiederien – Kuemper Catholic (16:45.37)
6. Gunner Wagner – Woodbine (16:55.06)
7. Kaiden Hamilton – CB, Thomas Jefferson (16:59.64)
8. Emmanuel Grass – Red Oak (17:04.62)
9. Jackson Cox – Lewis Central (17:08.56)
10. Dawson Henderson – Riverside (17:25.55)

Atlantic

33. Luke Irlmeier – 18:53.26
55. Devon Fields – 19:37.56
65. Vincent Meisinger – 19:58.93
71. Xander Cook – 20:09.75
74. Kouper Kinney – 20:18.57
79. Preston Williams – 20:31.08
84. Caleb Andersen – 20:44.31

Harlan

25. Erik Heslink – 18:30.65
26. Jeffrey Gross – 18:33.39
72. Elijah Cox – 20:13.83

Riverside

11. Brody Henderson – 17:30.11
15. Owen Fenner – 17:56.27
19. Eli Hudnall – 18:06.43

Kuemper Catholic

18. Fletch Badding – 18:06.12
32. Evan Schaefer – 18:47.31
34. Thomas Pottebaum – 18:53.81

Denison-Schleswig

13. Kevin Sanchez – 17:53.93
24. Ethan Olsen – 18:29.15
81. Ivan Ledesma – 20:37.74

Shenandoah

31. Luke Daoust – 18:47.20
51. Damien Little Thunder – 19:30.89
59. Dylan Kellogg – 19:44.99

Red Oak

12. Hayden Heitbrink. – 17:49.29
38. Pace Chaillie – 19:05.17
41. Osiel Pedersen – 19:12.68

Clarinda

45. Bryar Hudson – 19:25.05
53. Isaiah Stogdill – 19:35.50
66. Malcolm Taylor – 19:59.19

 

Volleybal Scoreboard from Sept. 28

Sports

September 29th, 2024 by Christian Adams

Boyer Valley Tournament 

Denison-Schleswig – 2  vs Audubon – 0

IKM-Manning-2 vs Boyer Valley -1

IKM-Manning – 2 vs Audubon – 0

Denison-Schleswig – 2 vs Missouri Valley – 1

Boyer Valley – 2 vs Audubon – 0

IKM-Manning – 2 vs  Missouri Valley – 1

Denison-Schleswig – 2 vs  Boyer Valley – 1

Missouri Valley – 2 vs Audubon – 1

Missouri Valley – 2 Boyer Valley – 0

Denison-Schleswig – 2 vs IKM-Manning – 1

Southwest Valley Tournament 

Lenox – 2 vs CAM – 1

Lenox -2 vs East Atchison – 1

East Atchison – 2 vs CAM – 0

Southwest Valley – 2 vs Diagonal – 0

Clarke – 2 vs AHSTW – 1

Southwest Valley – 2 vs  Clarke – 0

AHSTW – 2 vs Diagonal – 0

Southwest Valley – 2 vs AHSTW – 0

Clarke – 2 vs Diagonal – 0

Southwest Valley – 2 vs East Atchison – 0

Lenox – 2 vs Clarke – 0

Fifth Place: CAM – 2 vs AHSTW – 0

Third place: East Atchison – 2 vs Clarke – 0

Championship: Southwest Valley – 2 vs Lenox – 0

Bedford Tournament 

Stanton – 2 vs Lamoni – 0

East Mills – 2 vs Mount Ayr – 1

Stanton – 2 vs  Mount Ayr – 0

East Mills – 2  vs Lamoni – 0

East Mills – 2 vs Stanton – 0

Sidney – 2 vs Bedford – 0

Mid-Buchanan – 1 vs St. Albert – 2

Sidney – 2 vs  Mid-Buchanan – 1

St. Albert – 2 vs Bedford – 0

Sidney – 2 vs St. Albert – 0

Mid-Buchanan – 2 vs Bedford – 0

Mount Ayr – 2 vs Lamoni 15-11

St. Albert – 2 vs Lamoni – 0

Mount Ayr – 2  vs Bedford – 0

St. Albert – 2 vs  Mount Ayr – 0

Mid-Buchanan def. East Mills

Sidney – 2 vs  Stanton – 0

Championship: Mid-Buchanan – 2 vs  Sidney – 0

Nevada Tournament

Dallas Center-Grimes – 2 vs  Harlan – 0

Winterset – 2 vs Harlan – 1

Des Moines Christian – 2 vs Harlan – 0

Lake Mills – 2 vs Harlan – 0

Carlisle Tournament 

Glenwood – 2  vs Pella – 0

Glenwood – 2 vs Des Moines East – 0

Glenwood -2 vs Carlisle – 1

Glenwood – 2 vs Southeast Polk – 0

Sioux City East Tournament 

Lewis Central – 2 vs Abraham Lincoln – 0

Lewis Central – 2 vs Sioux City North – 1

Lewis Central – 2 vs Hinton – 1

Bishop Heelan Catholic – 2 vs Lewis Central – 1

Sioux City East – 2 vs Lewis Central – 0

 

 

 

Iowa DC Phil Parker on improvement

Sports

September 29th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker says the Hawkeyes worked on tackling during their bye week. Iowa is 3-1 and returns to action Saturday at third ranked Ohio State.

The Hawkeyes have been burned by the big play but the Hawkeyes rank fourth in the nation by giving up only 62 yards of rushing per game.