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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
(Fremont County, Iowa) – A for-profit nursing home in southwest Iowa that has filed for bankruptcy says it owes Iowa taxpayers more than $1 million in fees the state failed to collect. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that in May, the for-profit Tabor Manor Care Center in Fremont County filed for bankruptcy, listing $1.3 million in assets and $2.3 million in liabilities.
By far, the 46-bed nursing home’s single largest creditor is the State of Iowa — specifically, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services/Iowa Medicaid Enterprises. The home has reported that it owes the agency $1,169, 257. The debt is tied to unpaid Quality Assurance Assessment, or QAA, fees that date back to 2019, according to bankruptcy records.
Tabor Manor isn’t the first Iowa nursing home to file for bankruptcy after neglecting to pay the QAA fees to the state. In 2021, the Iowa-based QHC Facilities nursing home chain filed for bankruptcy and informed the court that it owed taxpayers more than $3.9 million due to unpaid QAA fees.
Tabor Manor Care Center in Fremont County has filed for bankruptcy while owing the state $1.1 million. (Photo via Google Earth; court document courtesy U.S. District Court)
In 2022, DHHS reported to state lawmakers that of the 379 Iowa nursing homes that were required to spend their increased Medicaid revenue on pay increases for certified nurse aides, 68 of them – or 18% of the total — failed to do so. An additional 37 homes – or 10% of the total – failed to meet a different standard that required them to spend 60% of their excess revenue on compensation for all staff.
Despite the lack of compliance by some care facilities, DHHS proposed a major increase in state spending on the QAA program last year. According to a budget analysis by House Republicans, $111.2 million was appropriated from the Quality Assurance Assessment Trust Fund for Fiscal Year 2024, which ended June 30. “These funds do not revert back to the general fund,” the GOP advised state legislators, noting that it would result in a $68 million increase in revenue for facility owners.
In recent bankruptcy-court filings, Tabor Manor Care Center has said the biggest financial hurdle it now faces is the unpaid QAA fees owed to the state. “In order to continue our important work, the company deferred payment of QAA fee obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the post-pandemic recovery period,” the home’s owner and administrator, Mitchell Worcester, told the court.
He said that before filing for bankruptcy, his company tried to negotiate a plan to pay off the $1.1 million debt over a “period of time which matched the company’s ability to pay.” He said the state was “only able to offer a payment plan of relatively short duration, including escalating payments, which the company will not be able to perform to.” Worcester told the court that one of “the principal purposes” of the company’s bankruptcy filing is to address the $1.1 million debt in a manner that will enable the home to remain open.
The company’s goal, he said, is to renew negotiations with the state on a payment plan.
(Des Moines, Iowa) – The State Department of Natural Resources says a city in Pottawattamie County has for years, failed to comply with federal requirements to limit the amount of pollutants in its stormwater collection system. Carter Lake, with a population of about 3,800, is among the smallest cities in the state that have the requirements, which is due to its location in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area. It is among nearly 50 cities and universities in densely populated areas that are subject to the rules.
Carter Lake is a small part of Iowa that lies west of the Missouri River near Eppley Airfield. (Photo courtesy of Google Earth)
The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports rainfall in the city flows into a stormwater system that pipes it to Carter Lake — a so-called “oxbow lake” that was once a segment of the Missouri River. Flooding in 1877 rerouted the Missouri and left a small part of Iowa on the west side of the river, which is now the city of Carter Lake.
Iowa DNR Senior Environmental Specialist Alison Manz, says the DNR for years has sought to get the city into compliance as a small municipal separate storm sewer system, but those efforts have been stymied by leadership changes in the city. The city had failed since at least 2018 to create plans, programs or ordinances to operate and maintain its collection system, manage pesticide and fertilizer applications, inspect illegal pollutant discharges, and monitor for construction site runoff, according to a recent DNR order.
The city is also required to have information on its website for residents and to form a stormwater advisory committee. For five years, it did not submit a mandatory annual report that documents all of those actions.
Carter Lake recently agreed to pay an $8,000 fine for the violations and to comply with the requirements in the future.
In May, the city posted an advisory to its Facebook page that warned residents about the potential for yard waste to pollute the lake and kill fish. The note said residents should bag grass clippings, leaves and other plant material and compost them.
KNOXVILLE, Iowa — Swimming is not recommended at Lake Red Rock’s North Overlook Beach due to elevated levels of bacteria. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works with Iowa State University to test the water weekly. They say the “swimming not recommended” signs will stay up until testing shows lower bacteria counts. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports there are currently 13 state beaches that also have dangerously high bacteria count.
Swimming is not recommended at the following state beaches:
(Hardin County, Iowa) – A single-vehicle accident Thursday night in rural Hubbard claimed the life of a man from Texas. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2007 Ford Explorer SUV driven by 30-year-old Pedro Daniel Limon, of Eagle Pass, TX, was traveling south on U.S. Highway 65 at around 9:55-p.m., at a high rate of speed.
When Limon failed to negotiate a curve at J Avenue, his SUV went out of control and entered the east ditch, where it rolled several times and came to rest on its top. Limon – who was wearing a seat belt – died at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
The Patrol was assisted by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, Hubbard Fire & EMS, and Hardin County E Squad.
(Radio Iowa) – A southern Iowa man has grown a piece of fruit that’s destined to set a world record. A state official has verified that Dave Bennett of Davis County grew an eggplant that weighs eight-point-33 pounds. “I’ve been growing eggplants for probably five years now,” Bennett says. “Two years ago I set the state record at 5.6 pounds.” Bennett picked up the hobby from his second cousin, a past winner of the Big Pumpkin competition at the Iowa State Fair.
After growing pumpkins and watermelons, Bennett got intrigued with the purple fruit after meeting a Minnesotan who’d grown a four pound eggplant — and the rest will be history. Bennett has been assured by a representative of Guinness World Records that his paperwork is in order. “Eventually I will have a plaque that says I grew the world’s largest eggplant,” Bennett says. Right now, the world’s largest eggplant is in Bennett’s refrigerator, in hopes of entering it in the Iowa State Fair.
“I’m going to see what it looks like next week and I might arrangements about bringing it up. I don’t know yet,” Bennett said. “It might start wrinkling up and spoiling, I don’t know.” An inspector with the Iowa Department of Agriculture’s Weights and Measures Bureau went to Davis County to weigh the eggplant this week. Bennett used greenhouse grade fabric to create a shade over the plant during its final days outside before it was measured.
Dave Bennett with his 8.33 eggplant. (Photo courtesy of Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and Land Stewardship)
Bennett says you start the growing season by planting “giant variety” seeds, then trim down the vine so it’s supporting just one eggplant. “You just keep fertilizing and stuff like that and hope for the best,” he says.
Eggplant is often treated like a vegetable on the dinner table, but it’s actually a berry, so it’s a fruit. Bennett has never eaten eggplant and ordered it at a restaurant recently, but had to pay his bill and leave to make it to a concert before the dish was served.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Splash Pad Fundraising Committee Chairman Jeremy Butler, Thursday, said it’s likely the project will not be completed by Labor Day, as hoped. Butler said a combination of factors, including heavy rain this past Spring, supply chain issues and other delays – both expected and unexpected – means the project won’t be finished before cooler weather sets-in. The completion date is now expected to take place next spring.
Grading for the splash pad is done, Butler said, and the rock base for the concrete and plumbing is installed. It’s expected the pad concrete will be poured the week of August 12th, weather permitting.
Conceptual Splash Pad image
The actual Splash Pad components are not expected to arrive until sometime in September.
DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI/Iowa State Fair]— The Iowa State Fair’s list of Iowans of the Day was released, today (Thursday). The Iowan of the Day program was created by the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation in 1997 to honor outstanding Iowans who have made a difference all across the state, according to a news release from the foundation.
Winners, selected by a committee after a nomination process, are awarded a day of recognition at the Iowa State Fair. Each day at noon on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage they will be recognized and presented as an Iowan of the Day. They also receive four State Fair admission tickets, four Grandstand concert tickets, use of a golf cart, VIP parking, accommodations at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown and $200 cash.
Two western Iowa residents are among those who will be recognized:
Saturday, Aug. 10: Roxanne Cogil of Jamaica
Roxanne’s volunteer work spans far and wide, positively impacting those around her. She is an active member of several community organizations, including the Yale Community Club, where she participates in organizing meals, fundraisers, the 4th of July Celebration, and the Steak Supper. Roxanne also contributes to the Jamaica Lions Club, where she has been fundraising for a bike repair station on the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Roxanne also serves on the County Council, supports Habitat for Humanity, and serves as a National Weather Service Weather Spotter for Guthrie County.
Additionally, Roxanne is a large supporter of community youth and youth in agriculture, volunteering with the Guthrie County Fair, serving as the Vice President of the Panorama FFA Alumni Chapter, leading local 4-H groups, and assisting her local Boy Scouts troop. At Calvary Chapel, she is a youth group leader and participates in various service projects, mission trips, and the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes initiative. She also volunteers at Panorama High School events, including prom and the concessions stand.
Furthermore, Roxanne is an advocate for those with disabilities as she serves as the Executive Director of Regional Teams for the Epilepsy Foundation and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa, and the Department of Human Services Case Management Advisory Board. Previously, Roxanne served as the President of the Autism Society of Iowa Board of Directors and organized an Autism Awareness team for RAGBRAI. 
Monday, Aug. 12: John Klein of Treynor
John sees a need in his community, develops a solution, and makes it a reality. His dedication is particularly evident in his efforts with the youth through the Treynor Optimist Club and other community organizations.
He has written grants for numerous community projects, including a new playground for East City Park. John also organized swim lesson sign-ups and provided round-trip bus transportation from Treynor to Council Bluffs, making this essential skill more accessible to local families. He supports the Treynor Community Can Kennel, which benefits various youth groups and has raised over $246,000 to date. John also created the Mulch Madness event on Arbor Day, where 5th graders and volunteers plant new trees and mulch existing ones on the school campus and in city parks. Furthermore, he contributes to the Watch DOGS mentoring program and volunteers for the Cardinal Combine youth football activities.
Beyond his work with the youth, John is active in various community initiatives. He has helped organize City Block Parties, a thank-you banquet for Treynor Fire and Rescue Volunteers, and the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department. He also established a community volunteer organization called Cardinal Core.
Other honorees include:
Thursday, Aug. 8: Marilyn Sokol, of Belle Plaine
Friday, Aug. 9: Pat Burch, of Norwalk
Sunday, Aug. 11: Nelson Klavitter, of Dubuque
Tuesday, Aug. 13: Crystal James, of Ottumwa
Wednesday, Aug. 14: Tate Giesemann, of Bellevue
Thursday, Aug. 15: Rodd Holtkamp, of Primghar
Friday, Aug. 16: Elaine Graham Estes, of Des Moines
Saturday, Aug. 17: Kendall Pals, of Algona.
(Sidney, Iowa) – Beyond the Call of Duty End of Watch Ride to Remember will be riding into the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office (2814 200th St., Sidney, IA) this Sunday, August 4th, from 2:45-to 4-p.m. The End of Watch Ride to Remember is a dedicated group of motorcycle riders from the state of Washington escorting a 40′ trailer across the country to honor fallen officers from the prior year. 
Founder, Jagrut Shah, a former deputy sheriff, says they want to show departments and their families who have lost partners and friends they are not alone. “I wanted to bridge this gap that we have and give back to the departments and let the surviving officers and their families know that their loss has not been forgotten.”
The organization’s event name is based on an officer’s “End of Watch”. An End of Watch Call or Last Radio Call is a ceremony in which a police dispatcher issues a final call to a fallen officer over the radio, followed by silence. All officers in that department hear the call, and observe the silence, remembering their fallen brother or sister.
https://endofwatchride.com/
Beyond the Call of Duty is an organization that, through its “End of Watch Ride to Remember” event, recognizes police officers – throughout the nation – who died while in the line of duty. In 2022, the End of Watch Ride honored 611 fallen officers across the country. This year, they are honoring the 259 officers who lost their lives while serving their community. End of Watch Ride to Remember is on a mission to pay their respects to each of them and assist the families of the fallen however they can.
“A peaceful community is a prosperous community and we owe a debt of gratitude to those officers who make it possible for us to live in a peaceful and free society”, said Jagrut Shah. To find out more and see all of the cities the End of Watch Ride will be visiting this year, please visit www.endofwatchride.com.
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ABOUT BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY
“Beyond the Call of Duty is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing and honoring first responders who have died or been gravely injured in the line of duty. We are committed to supporting their survivors by providing emotional support as well as financial resources, and partnering with departments to reduce death and injury by increasing safety awareness and providing financial resources.
Over the past four years, through generous donations from people all across the country, the organization has been able to assist several departments with memorials to honor their fallen, purchased a K9 for a department, and donated two Harley Davidson motorcycles to two worthy departments. In addition, Beyond the Call of Duty has donated funds to families so that they could have a Christmas, sponsored families to attend events honoring their fallen officer, and is in the process of creating a safe network for survivors to connect with and support one another.
The organization’s support of each family is based on their specific situation and need. Our desire is to take the worry and stress off them so they can focus on healing and putting their lives back together.”
(Radio Iowa) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to provide help to Iowans affected by floods and tornadoes this summer. The agency says self-employed Iowans are now eligible for FEMA assistance and their programs can help replace items like a computer, tools for manual labor or musical instruments. FEMA’s Tiana Suber says it’s one more way they are providing help.
“Our job is to make sure that you understand the application process, and that we are walking you through each process so that you understand what it is that you are eligible for, what monies you’re eligible for, how you can get help, and what other resources can be available to you to help you in that recovery process,” she says. Suber says FEMA is also offering guidance on salvaging family heirlooms that were damaged.
“How to recover photos, how to recover books, and if it’s really, really delicate, they will give you information on what conservators they can find for you or you can contact to get help with more sensitive things that you might not be able to do on your own or you’re too afraid to mess up those,” Suber says. Suber says those needing help have a variety of ways to reach a FEMA representative:
“You can go to disasterassistance.gov , you can call the hotline at 1-800-621-3362. Or, if you’re really fancy you can go on the FEMA mobile app as well it is not required for you to apply online first before visiting the Disaster Recovery Center,” she says. The family heirloom recovery specialists will be in Rock Valley Friday from 9 a-m until 1 p-m at the city park shelter house.
Iowans under disaster declarations in Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Cedar, Cherokee, Clarke, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Harrison, Humboldt, Jasper, Lyon, Mills, Montgomery, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Sioux, Story, Union, and Woodbury counties are eligible for assistance.
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