DES MOINES– Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) have announced $16.5 million in grant funding for the following four projects through Destination Iowa. The $100 million program, announced in April, invests in transformational attractions that will bolster the quality of life in Iowa communities and attract visitors and new residents.

The Governor says “Communities in all corners of the state are creating unique destinations, from the Field of Dreams in Dyersville to a thriving arts and culture scene in Sioux City. Destination Iowa will help more communities fuel tourism and economic growth while enhancing the quality of life for Iowans.”

• The Siouxland Regional Trail System was awarded $7,000,000 to develop five trail projects and connect the communities of Sioux City, Le Mars, Hinton, Merrill, Sergeant Bluff. The project will provide over 100 miles of continuous trail projects in the area and includes the Cone Mountain Bike Park, the 18.5-mile PlyWood Trail and 4.3-mile Loess Hills Scenic Trail.
• Universal Television, LLC, was awarded $6,000,000 for the development of a Field of Dreams television series. Filming will be based in several Iowa counties including Polk, Mahaska, Boone and Clinton, with primary sets located in Polk City. Plans include set construction of a ball field and refurbishment of a farmhouse in Polk City. Filming is scheduled to begin in 2022.
• Polk County Conservation was awarded $2,500,000 for the Easter Lake North Shore Project, which will transform Des Moines’ Easter Lake into an accessible recreational hub for rowing, swimming, fishing, and other water sports. Plans include adaptive fishing boats, accessible canoe/kayak launches, an inclusive playground for children of all abilities, and an environmental education learning center.
• Dallas County Conservation was awarded $1,000,000 to complete the remaining four miles of trail to connect the Raccoon River Valley Trail and High Trestle Trail in central Iowa. This project will create a 120-mile continuous loop of trail and connect two existing popular trails.

IEDA began accepting applications on May 9 and will continue to review applications as they arrive through December 31 or until funding runs out.  Applications are scored based on eligibility, completeness, and the project’s ability to meet the program goal of creating transformational tourism attractions. Cities, counties, nonprofits and other organizations can apply for Destination Iowa grants through four separate funds: Economically Significant Development, Outdoor Recreation, Tourism Attraction, and Creative Placemaking.

Funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. For more information on the Destination Iowa program, visit iowaeda.com/destination-iowa/. Funding for this program is being made available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

(Radio Iowa) – A retiring Republican member of the Iowa House who’s a former member of the Iowa G-O-P’s governing board has endorsed a Democrat seeking reelection to the Iowa Senate. It may not be unprecedented, but it’s rare. Republican State Representative Jarad Klein of Keota is endorsing Democratic Senator Kevin Kinney of Oxford. Kinney faces Republican State Senator Dawn Discoll of Williamsburg in the General Election.

Klein, who lives in the senate district, is a former member of the Iowa Republican Party’s state central committee. Klein says he and Kinney, the Democrat, have worked together on many issues and Klein says Kinney is committed to doing what’s best for his constituents.

Iowa G-O-P chairman issued a statement criticizing Kinney and praising Driscoll, but never mentioning the fellow Republican who endorsed a Democrat. Kaufmann says votes in lock step with the liberal progressives in the Democratic Party, while Driscoll has fought to lower taxes, protect freedoms, and has defended parents’ rights every time she’s had the chance.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has a slate of three nominees for an opening on the Iowa Supreme Court, as she prepares to make her fifth appointment to the state’s highest court. Governor Tom Vilsack appointed Brent Appel to the Iowa Supreme Court in 2006. Justice Appel is retiring July 13th when he reaches the court’s mandatory retirement age of 72.

The Judicial Nominating Commission is recommending two judges and a trial lawyer to replace Appel. David May of Polk City has been a member of the Iowa Court of Appeals since 2019. Alan Heavens of Garnavillo is the former Clayton County Attorney. Reynolds appointed him to the district court three years ago. The other nominee is William Miller, a partner in a Des Moines law firm and the head of its trial department.

The governor has 30 days to review the nominees and make her choice — or Reynolds can reject this group and ask the nominating commission to submit a new slate. She did that last year for an opening at the district court level after questions were raised about how a district court judge steered the nominating commission.

(Radio Iowa) – Grundy County District Court Judge Joel Dalrymple today (Monday) sentenced the man found guilty of killing State Trooper Jim Smith. Michael Lang was found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and assaulting a peace officer in the standoff in April 2021. “The law requires in count one that you be sentenced to life in prison,” he says.

The judge also sentenced him to 25 years for attempted murder and a five-year sentence for assault — with all sentences to run consecutively. The sentencing came after victim impact statements from members of Smith’s family. Judge Dalrymple says his sentencing is based on what he heard from those statements, and also what he saw during the trial.

Lang sentencing (Via KCRG-TV)

“The terms evil malicious senseless have been uttered throughout, and it’s the court’s position and the court concurs with the other observations,” Dalrymple says. He says Lang’s actions at his home during the standoff showed his malicious intent. “The fact that you not only shot in once with new shot him twice. You basically shot a lifeless man in the leg. You’re cold, evil comments that you made to the other officers that remained in your home,” Dalrymple says.

Lang has 30 days to appeal the sentence.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Eight people, including two juveniles, were arrested on charges of 3rd Degree Burglary and 2nd Degree Theft, in Cass County. The arrests were the result of a June 22nd investigation into a reported residential burglary in rural Cass County. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says from June 24th to June 26th, Deputies executed four search warrants in Atlantic.  Stolen items were located at all four of the addresses where warrants were served.  The Atlantic Police Department assisted with the search warrants.

The following adults from Atlantic were arrested and later released on bond unless otherwise noted:

• 20-year-old Corbin Logemann
• 18-year-old Cristian Mata
• 18-year-old Masen Jordan, who remains held at the Cass County Jail
• 23-year-old Cameron Hilligoss
• 22-year-old Summer Schwab
• 19-year-old Todd Schwab
• 55-year-old Sidney Petty

Additionally, two juveniles have been referred to the juvenile court system for the same charges.

Separately, the Sheriff’s Office reports that on June 20, 2022, Deputies arrested 48-year-old Jeffery Etter, of Red Oak, on a Cass County Warrant for Failure to Appear. Etter was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held until his later release on his own recognizance.

And (as mentioned in a separate report posted today), on June 21, 2022, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 47-year-old Chad Faaborg, of Exira, on the charge of Sexual Abuse 3rd Degree. Faaborg was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held, before being released on bond.

All criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood report two arrests took place over the past five days. On June 23rd, 18-year-old Michael Monson, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Montgomery County Warrant. His bond was set at $2,000 (cash or surety). And, on Sunday, 30-year-old Jake Jones, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI 1st offense, with his c/s bond set at $1,000.

(UPDATE) (Atlantic, Iowa) – Online court records show a chiropractor in Anita was arrested last week on a Class-C Felony charge of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree, related to an incident that allegedly took place June 16, 2022. Documents show a criminal complaint against 47-year-old Chad Richard Faaborg, of Exira, a Doctor Of Chiropractic at Simply Chiropractic, in Anita, was filed June 21st.

According to the complaint and affidavit, the victim reported they had an appointment with Dr. Chad Faaborg at his practice at Simply Chiropractic in Anita. The victim reported that during the appointment, Dr. Faaborg went under their clothing, fondled them and performed a sex act without their permission.

Faaborg posted a $10,000 bond the following day. His preliminary hearing was set for July 14th in Cass County District Court.

All criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.