(Des Moines, Iowa) – [UPDATED) Officials with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the circumstances surrounding an incident of homicide that occurred in Runnells, early this (Friday) morning. A little after 1-a.m., the Polk County Communications Center received a 911 call about a shooting at 4532 SE 116th Street, in Runnells. Deputies arrived on the scene and made entrance into the residence, where they located a man who was deceased.

The man has been identified as 50-year-old Richard David Selby, of Runnells. A suspect was identified during the investigation. 35-year-oldm Jacob Cole Harbold,of Des Moines, was booked into the Polk County Jail Friday morning on a first-degree murder charge.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – One in four Iowa students was chronically absent from school during the 2021-22 school year, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, officials hope a tiered approach to the problem will encourage school-wide attendance and remove any barriers to attendance. They also hope additional investments in Iowa schools will counter the growing trend.

Executive Director of Student Services at Dubuque Community School District Shirley Horstman, said her district uses a three-tiered approach to improve attendance school-wide:

• The first tier is aimed at all students and encourages schools to lay out a clear school schedule, recognize good attendance and establish the benefits of attendance.
• The second tier is for students absent for 5% to 10% of the school year. Schools will reach out to the parents of those students and look for ways to remove any obstacles to regular class attendance.  If it’s a transportation issue, the school may help the parents set up a local carpool, teach students how to use city buses or recommend having an older sibling walk them to school, according to Horstman.
• The third tier is for chronically absent students who miss more than 10% of school days. For those students, schools will set up a more formal conversation with parents and create an attendance agreement outlining joint efforts to improve attendance.

Missing that much school puts students at an educational disadvantage, said Anne Discher, executive director of Common Good Iowa, which helped with the report. “Once you get behind, it’s hard to get caught up,” she said. Discher said chronic absenteeism rates have grown across the nation since the pandemic. Iowa’s rate of chronic absenteeism of 26% is better than the national average of 30%, but both rates are still higher than the pre-pandemic national average of 16%.

Fourth-grade students who never missed a day of school scored proficient or above proficient in reading 40% of the time compared to 14% for students who missed ten or more days, according to the report. It’s not just grades that are impacted by constant absences, Discher said. A 2012 John Hopkins University study tracking Rhode Island students for seven years found that chronically absent students were more than twice as likely to get suspended or repeat a grade.

The increasing absenteeism rates negatively affect those who regularly attend class as well. Students in high-absence classrooms are more likely to have lower test scores, according to the report. Students who experience instabilities at home such as divorce, domestic violence or substance abuse are more likely to be chronically absent, according to the report. Students facing such issues are also more likely to repeat a grade and be indifferent to succeeding academically.

PALISADE, Colo., June 14, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today (Friday) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $50 million to 141 awardees in 40 states and Puerto Rico, through the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program), reaching 177 unique agricultural operations and over 11,000 workers. The awards will help improve the resiliency of the U.S. food supply chain by addressing agriculture labor challenges and instability, strengthen protections for farmworkers, and expand legal pathways for labor migration. Vilsack says the program delivers on a commitment made as part of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection and furthers the Administration’s commitment to a regional approach to migration in the hemisphere.

In northwest Iowa’s Woodbury County, Greg Smith Farms, LLC, in Lawton, was awarded $200,000 from the FLSP Program, to “lift up employees, and ensure cattle and crops are cared for in the best way possible: Implementing new bonus and loyalty bonuses, creating a paid sick leave policy and establishing an employee working group to ensure ideas are heard from throughout the operation. Additionally, FLSP will help bolster their recruitment strategy to employ an additional 10 farm workers.”

Ag Secretary Vilsack says “These awards will largely support small and mid-sized farms to ensure they can hire and retain the workers they need to be competitive in the market, while also lifting up rural communities across the country.” Vilsack said “Farmworkers make an incredibly important contribution to food and agriculture and ensure we have food on our tables every day. Improving working conditions and quality of life for farmworkers, both U.S. based workers and those that come to our country to work, is one key step in building a stronger, more resilient food supply chain. The Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to supporting employers and farmworkers alike.”

USDA announced the FLSP Program in September 2023, in coordination with other federal agencies, to help address workforce needs in agriculture; promote a safe and healthy work environment, as well as ethical recruitment for farmworkers; and support lawful migration pathways for workers, including expansion of labor pathways for workers from Northern Central America, through the H-2A visa program. FLSP was designed with significant input from immigration, labor, and agricultural stakeholders – informed by the experiences of farmworkers and farmers themselves.

The FLSP Program grants will support a range of required and elective supplemental commitments to expand benefits and protections for all employees.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports six people were arrested in recent days. A little before 5-p.m., Thursday, 53-year-old Michael Dean Williams, of Creston, was arrested in the 700 block of W. Jefferson Street, on a warrant for Harassment in the 1st Degree – Threaten Forcible Felony, and Domestic Abuse Assault – Strangulation with Bodily Injury. Williams was being held in the Union County Jail on a $7,000 bond.

Just before 6-p.m. Thursday, 41-year-old Kristin Jan Gross and 21-year-old Huntor James Gross, both of Creston, were arrested in the 600 block of N. Poplar Street, in Creston. Authorities say Kristin Gross was arrested for Disorderly Conduct (by loud or raucous noise). She was later released on a $300 bond. Huntor Gross was arrested for Harassment in the 2nd Degree – Threaten Bodily Injury. He was later released on a $1,000 bond.

At around 7:40-p.m., Thursday, Creston Police arrested 32-year-old Brandon James Case, of Creston, for Driving While Barred. He was later released on a $2,000 bond. Wednesday morning, Creston Police arrested 35-year-old Jessica Lynn Wilker, of Creston, for allowing an Animal to run At Large. She was cited at the scene and released on a Promise to Appear in Court.

And, at around 1:25-p.m. Tuesday, 40-year-old Abel Olivera Martinez, of Creston, was arrested for Violation of a Protective Order. He was later released on a Promise to Appear in Court.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office says a man was arrested Thursday evening on drug charges. 58-year-old Timothy Jay Blank was taken into custody after the Adams County Sheriff’s Office received a call at around 5:50-p.m., about a man who was intoxicated. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found Timothy Blank was visibly under the influence of a controlled substance.

Newly acquired Adams County K9 “Midge” was deployed and alerted positively on Blank’s vehicle. He was subsequently arrested for Public Intoxication and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – 2nd Offense.

(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Regents has given Iowa State University the approval to move ahead with a lease for an anchor tenant in its CyTown development project near Jack Trice Stadium. I-S-U attorney Michael Norton says the lease agreement is with McFarland Clinic. “McFarland is committed to building a comprehensive medical clinic in the CyTown development area. The services provided the clinic will include sports medicine, urgent care, family practice and pain management, physical therapy, occupational medicine, and imaging and lab services,” Norton says. He says it is a long-term agreement.

“The terms of the agreement include a 30 year ground lease with four five-year extension rights the initial ground lease will be 50-thousand per year escalating five-thousand per year through the life of the contract,” he says. Norton says I-S-U will not be involved in the construction. “McFarland will build the facility at their own cost and then convey ownership of the building to the university upon completion, and the building will then be leased back with the cost of construction being essentially prepaid lease for the use of the building over the term of the agreement,” Norton says.

I-S-U is tax exempt, and the agreement includes a provision to with the City of Ames dealing with the tax issue. “Under the agreement with the city I-S-U will agree to charge all tenants of the CyTown development, an amount equal to what they would pay if the development was developed on privately owned land as payments in lieu of tax,” Norton says. “This ensures that tenants are not given an unfair competitive advantage to locating their business in the CyTown development area.”

The area develop approximately between Jack Trice Stadium and the Iowa State Center is 40 acres and the University continues working to secure other tenants.

(Radio Iowa) – Today (Friday) is World Blood Donor Day as the American Red Cross works to make up from critical shortages of all types of blood and platelets. Josh Murray, spokesman for the agency’s Nebraska-Iowa region, says the day serves as a way to both thank donors for their contributions and to urge others to donate a pint. “There’s no other way to manufacture blood, to produce blood for those patients who need it. The only way we can do that is through generous donors,” Murray says. “It’s really time to maybe encourage someone if you haven’t thought about giving, if you’ve given but it’s been a while, maybe this would be a good time to make an appointment and help us out.”

Summertime is often a slow time for donors, but Murray says the last month has been particularly difficult. “Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a dip in donations,” Murray says. “I think that has a lot to do with travel time, people are busy with graduations and things have been going on the last month. You also throw in severe weather. We’ve seen it in our area. We’ve seen it around the country where severe weather has impacted blood drives. We either had to cancel drives, or folks just haven’t been able to get out to where they need to go to make their appointments.”

When fewer people donate, less blood is available for hospital patients.  “All blood types are always needed,” he says. “Right now, we’ll say type O is more needed, and that’s often the case, O-positive is the most common blood type, O-negative is the universal blood type. They can use that pretty much on anyone.” While the Red Cross is a non-profit and doesn’t pay donors for blood, the agency is offering an incentive during June.

“What we have here through the end of the month is an opportunity for a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of your choice, and there are dozens of merchants to choose from,” Murray says. “When you sign up and you show up at the blood drive and you give, you’ll get an email and you’ll be able to select the one you want. It’s a wide variety, from retail stores to restaurants to other goods and services.”

Those e-gift cards are being offered to donors through June 30th. Find a blood center near you by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by visiting RedCrossBlood.org.

Atlantic, IA – Final preparations are underway for the Cass County Relay for Life event on Sunday, June 30^th. Survivors, supporters, and community members are invited to celebrate and support cancer survivors and caregivers from 11 am to 2 pm on June 30^th at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA in Atlantic. The 2024 Relay for Life focus on our Survivors and Caregivers as they “Take Back Their Day” with this annual event featuring activities for the whole family. Organizers invite the community to enjoy a Kids Play Zone, Survivor Meal and celebration lap, luminaria ceremony and other activities during this special time together.

ALL Survivors and Caregivers in Cass County are invited and encouraged to register in advance to ensure they receive a meal and a t-shirt. Extra survivor shirts will not be available at the walk, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged, either online or by calling committee member Dawn Marnin at 712-249-4773. All survivors, caregivers, supporters and teams that plan to participate are invited to register this year by going to the local Relay website: www.relayforlife.org/casscountyia. You can also call 1-800-227-2345 and have an expert at the American Cancer Society get you registered.  This year’s goal is to increase survivor registration to reach and support as many as possible!

2024 Cass County Relay for Life Committee

The 2024 Cass County Relay for Life will again conclude with the beautiful and touching Luminaria Ceremony. With hundreds of luminarias decorated with bright memories and sweet images lined up along the track at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, this is one of the most special parts of the Relay For Life event. Name after name shines brightly along the way, calling on those who walk it to remember and honor so many loved ones whose lights shine brightly in even dark times. As the event comes to an end, the soft glow of the hundreds of luminarias is accompanied by a respectful silence as the names on each are called out. Though emotional, for many who Relay the luminaria ceremony is a favorite part of the event and a special time to recognize so many lives affected by cancer.

Everyone is invited to dedicate a luminaria “In Support of” a cancer fighter currently on their cancer journey, “In Honor of” someone who has completed active treatment and is showing HOPE to others, and “In Memory of” a loved one who braved a cancer fight. Jodi Christofferson is our Luminaria Lead again this year and is working on the 2024 Ceremony. If you would like to purchase luminaria for a $10.00 donation to honor your loved one, please email her at: jodichristoffersen@hotmail.com and she can arrange the delivery or pick up of the luminaria prior to the event so you can personalize it, or you can give her the names and she can decorate it for you. When you register online you can also purchase a luminaria and let us honor your loved one(s) this year!  Just click the “Learn about Relay” prompt and scroll down to the Dedicate a Luminaria section and follow the prompts. Our local committee of volunteers will take care of making the bag(s) for you.

Raffle tickets to support Relay are still available for purchase at Cappels Ace Hardware in downtown Atlantic for two large raffle prizes: Cappels Ace Hardware has donated a Weber Griddle and Elkhart Plastics of Iowa has donated a Kong Cooler. Tickets can be purchased anytime for $5 each or 5 for $20. Final raffle sales will happen at Relay for Life on June 30, where the drawing will also be held at the end of the event.

In addition to participating in the event, supporting the raffle or purchasing a luminaria, community members are invited to follow the Cass County Relay for Life Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/rflcasscountyia, to keep up on current activities and challenges! Relay for Life is a reminder that every step taken in the unified fight is for every person touched by cancer. Please plan to join Cass County Relay for Life on June 30, 2024 from 11 am to 2 pm as we Celebrate Survivors, Remember those we have lost and Fight Back against a disease that has taken too much from so many of us!

The American Cancer Society is a non-profit based in communities across the country. The American Cancer Society focuses on “Every Cancer. Every Life”. as the leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. We are improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through Advocacy, Research, and patient support, to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Learn more about The American Cancer Society by visiting cancer.org.

(Radio Iowa)- The weed commissioner in a northern Iowa county is sounding the alarm after discovering a toxic plant at two sites that could pose a threat to livestock. Hancock County Weed Commissioner Jason Lackore (luh-COR) found poison hemlock at the yard waste dump in Garner last week.) “It’s really dangerous,” Lackore says. “…It can kill you.”

Last year, Lackore found the poisonous plant at Eagle Lake Nature Area near Britt after some work was done on a drainage ditch. “I’m guessing that contractor came from a county where hemlock is present and brought it here,” Lackore says. Both sites where the plant has been found are in public areas, which Lackore says is a big concern. “If it was any other plant, I wouldn’t be making such a fuss, but this plant — all parts are extremely poisonous to humans, domestic animals,” Lackore says. “And you hear a lot about livestock, cattle, ingesting small amounts. It’s fatal.”

Poisonous Hemlock (Iowa State University Extension Service photo)

According to the U-S-D-A, cattle can die after eating very small amounts of green or dried poison hemlock. Lackore says the site near Britt where he found poison hemlock is upstream from a major wetland complex where cattle are grazing. “At the other site, the plant is also upstream from a major river and drainage ditches and there are several cattle producers in that area just downstream where their cattle graze, pasture in these streams, in this major river where this plant is going to be traveling to,” Lackore says, “and that’s not going to be good.”

Poison hemlock, which starts growing in the early spring, has clusters of white flowers that develop into a green, ridged fruit that contains seeds. It’s most dangerous to livestock and pets. However, humans can be poisoned if they accidentally ingest poison hemlock. Symptoms include vomiting, seizures and respiratory failure. Poison hemlock was brought to the United States in the 1800s as a flowering plant for gardens. According to the U-S-D-A, it has spread to every state BUT Hawaii.

(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Four community colleges will use grants provided by the state to launch or expand career academies for students to get a head start in a high-demand career. Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education awarded $1 million each to Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Iowa Western Community College and Iowa Valley Community College District, and almost $618,000 to Iowa Central Community College through the Career Academy Incentive Fund, according to a news release.

The Governor said in a news release, “The Career Academy Incentive Fund is an innovative, results-based program that provides high school students with opportunities to gain valuable experience and helps build a strong talent pipeline in our local communities.” She said also, “I applaud Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Iowa Valley Community College District, Iowa Western Community College and Iowa Central Community College for their work to grow career academies that prepare students for in-demand careers here in Iowa.”

Since 2019 the Career Academy Incentive Fund has provided grants to support partnerships between community colleges and school districts, who collaborate on programs for students to learn technical and educational skills and earn high school and college credits, as well as job credentials. It is funded through Secure an Advanced Vision for Education, a statewide penny sales tax for school infrastructure, the release stated.

Iowa Western Community College will offer career academies in cybersecurity, robotics, precision agriculture and mass digital communication to students from five school districts with the creation of a new regional center in Glenwood, supported by the grant.

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges will utilize its grant funds to develop new lab space at its Muscatine Industrial Technology Center, the release stated, supporting career academies in computer numerical control engineering, digital modeling for manufacturing, engineering technology and welding. The center works with six area school districts.

Iowa Valley Community College District’s automotive repair technician career academy, located in Grinnell, will also see expansion through the grant. The district will also work to grow enrollment from six local school districts in other academies, including health sciences, manufacturing and business administration.

Iowa Central Community College will purchase new health science equipment for its North Central Career Center, serving four area school districts.