(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Energy Center (IEC) has announced $1,051,872 in grants to four projects. Additionally, the board approved an Energy Infrastructure Revolving Loan for $193,000 to Accu-Steel in Audubon. The company plans to integrate thin solar panels into a fabric prototype building for research and demonstration purposes. They currently manufacture fabric covered buildings for customers like beef cattle producers. This loan program provides low-interest loans for energy infrastructure projects.The IEC Grant Program is funded by Iowa ratepayers, customers who pay for an electric or natural gas utility service through a local electric and/or gas utility. These funds enable eligible applicants to pursue projects that align with one of the key focus areas of the Iowa Energy Plan.

“Iowa is fortunate to have diverse energy resources, innovative companies and academic institutions, and a collaborative spirit,” said Debi Durham, executive director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Finance Authority. “Today, the Iowa Energy Center supported projects that are diverse, innovative and with public-private collaborations which will benefit our state’s energy economy going forward.”

The IEC Grant Program received 51 pre-applications, totaling more than $14 million in funding requests. Eleven of these applicants proceeded to complete the full application with requests totaling over $3 million. Applications were reviewed and scored by a committee of the IEC board members based on alignment with the Iowa Energy Plan, the ratepayer benefit provided, project goals, programmatic capabilities of the applicant and collaboration efforts with other eligible applicants, among other criteria.

Former Vice President Mike Pence will make stops in Des Moines and in Cumming, next Friday, August 19th. His visits coincide with opportunities to support conservative candidates and organizations ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

In Des Moines, Pence will serve as the special guest at a lunch in support of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley. Later, Pence will join Senator Grassley, former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, and other Iowa GOP leaders and elected officials at the Iowa State Fair.

In Cumming, Iowa, Pence will appear at a Central Iowa House Party in support of the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition.

On Saturday, August 20, 2022, Pence will join Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives Pat Grassley and State Representative Sandy Salmon to give remarks at the Bremer County’s Annual Summer Grill and Chill Fundraiser in Waverly.

Previously, Pence visited Independence, Cedar Rapids, and Carroll, Iowa, to support Congressman Randy Feenstra, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, respectively. Pence also served as the keynote speaker at the Story County Lincoln Highway Dinner, sponsored by the Republican Party of Story County. Pence also spoke at The Family Leadership Summit in July 2021 and at the University of Iowa in November 2021.

(Creston, Iowa) – A 14-year-old female from Creston escaped injury during a single-vehicle accident Friday evening. Creston Police report the teen was driving a 2014 Dodge Durango and pulling into a parking space in front of a Casey’s store on Highway 25 North, in Creston, when she stepped on the gas instead of the brake. The accident happened at around 7:38-p.m.

The SUV struck two concrete barriers outside of the Casey’s building, and sustained heavy front end damage. The barriers and concrete around them were cracked. The damages amounted to $8,700 altogether. No citations were issued.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic will hold the first reading, on Wednesday (Aug. 17th), of an amended ordinance, with regard to Panhandling in the City. If approved after three readings, a new section added to the Code of Ordinances would ban panhandling in public spaces. Violators would be subject to a citation and a $50 fine. Currently, panhandling is managed on private property through trespassing laws.

The new section of Ordinance is based nearly verbatim on one currently used by the City of Manchester, and is based on a recommendation by the Community Protection Committee, which met on July 27th. City officials says added section of the Ordinance “accounts for constitutional protections as they may arise through the State and Federal Supreme Courts.”

In other business, the Council will welcome and Mayor Grace Garrett will swear-in, the City’s newest Police Officer: Phillip Hood. Officer Hood joined the Department earlier this month. He has previously been an A-PD Reserve Officer. Hood and his wife Melinda moved to Atlantic in the winter of 2012. The couple have two children.

Officer Hood is a graduate of Winterset High School and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Buena Vista University. He has worked for Atlantic Carriers for the last several years, and will be attending the 305th Class at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, where is expected to graduate in December, 2022.

The Atlantic City Council meeting begins at 5:30-p.m.,, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors, Monday, will discuss a timeline and the process for filling a Park Board Vacancy. Parks Board Member Ashley Hayes is expected to announce during the Board’s meeting at 5:15-p.m. on Monday, she’s resigning from the Board due to a conflict of interest with a new, full-time position she has accepted with SWIPCO, as the part of their Community Development Team.

Mayor Grace Garrett will work with the Parks Board in the selection of a replacement for Hayes’ seat on the Board. An appointment to the Board must be made within 60-days of her official resignation.

The Parks Board meeting takes place in the Council’s Chambers at the Atlantic City Hall.

In other business, the Parks & Rec Board will hear a Budget Proposal, and updates on the Bull Creek and Splash Park projects. Discussion will be held with regard to the Hotel/Motel Tax and Sports Complex Expansion.

In his report to the Board, Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen will talk about the last day for swimming at the Sunnyside Pool as being August 28th, along with some upcoming events and the Sunnyside Bandstand.