(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped for the fifth consecutive month in May. The rate is now two-point-seven percent compared to three percent in April. Iowa Workforce Development Director, Beth Townsend, says 50-thousand more people have jobs compared to one year ago. “Just in the past month, we’ve had over 10-thousand more I was returning to work, or finding work in May versus the number in April,” Townsend says. “We’re also seeing an increase in our labor force participation number, which is a really good indication, you know that people are coming back into the workforce.”

Townsend says the rate this month is a significant one when it comes to pandemic recovery. “To me, it feels like when we when we finally got below three percent we’ve literally turned the corner and the pandemic is is in the rear-view mirror,” she says. “Which is not to say we may not have see more volatility in the unemployment rates, but it won’t be I don’t believe related to the pandemic.” The unemployment rate peaked at 11 percent at the height of the pandemic in April of 2020– and after months of recover Townsend says it is nice to not have to deal with the pandemic issues.

“That’s a really good feeling for us to feel like we turn that corner and or move moving on,” she says. Towsend says a new influence on the labor situation is higher prices and the increased cost of living. “One of the consequences of the high inflationary rate we’re seeing and the high cost of gas is probably getting some people who are on fixed incomes back into the workforce, because, you know, they may not have counted on the increase in their cost of living in terms of their retirement plans. So we might see some people coming back for that reason,” according to Townsend.

The economy also had an impact on the construction industry — particularly in one area. “Those were in what’s considered a specialty job. So maybe people are holding off refinishing their basement. So or doing smaller projects, that specialty concrete construction workers normally do make cabinetry workers that type of thing. We don’t think that’s indicative of what’s happening overall in the construction industry, which we know this is these are primo months for them to be working,” Townsend says. She says other areas of construction are picking up.

“If you watch the county by county unemployment numbers, you saw Marshall County, I believe their unemployment rate declined by almost half last month because they have so many construction workers in that area,” Townsend says. Townsend says businesses have added almost 35-thousand jobs in the last 12 months. She says leisure and hospitality increased about 100 and is up more than 12-thousand jobs compared to last May. She says that’s a really good indication of the strength of the economy in terms of people are getting out and spending money.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds signed several bills into law today (Thursday). One shortens the amount of time Iowans can receive unemployment from 26 weeks to 16. It also requires the unemployed to take a lower-paying job more quickly. Reynolds argued that the safety net instituted during the pandemic was leading people to not take jobs, thereby worsening the workforce shortage.

“With the bill that I sign today that caps unemployment benefits at four months down from over six months and ensures that those collecting benefits cant turn down suitable jobs. So we are working with them but it is definitely something that will move us in the right direction.” The changes to unemployment rules go into effect July 1st.

The governor also signed a bill aimed at expanding the number and affordability of childcare slots in the state. It allows child care providers to oversee more toddlers without increasing staff. “When I convened the Governor’s child care task force last year, one of the things that it discovered was that Iowa’s childcare staffing ratios were some of the most restrictive in the country and so the task force recommended new minimum child-staff ratios and the third bill I’m going to sign today does just that,” Reynolds says.

In addition to raising the child-to-staff ratio for two and three-year-olds, now 16 and 17-year-olds can work for providers without supervision. At-home childcare programs will be unaffected Another bill signed Thursday would allow Iowans receiving government-funded childcare assistance to enter into agreements with providers to pay extra money for services. Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bills at the Iowa Association of Business and Industry annual convention in Dubuque.

(By Zachary Oren Smith, Iowa Public Radio)

ATLANTIC, IA – All kids age 12 and under interested in participating in the free Bike Rodeo at Produce in the Park are asked to be at the park by 5:00 PM today (June 16, 2022). The Atlantic Elks’ Bike Rodeo will include obstacle  courses and prizes. The rodeo is free to enter. Atlantic Parks and Recreation will be at the park with a  few bikes and helmets for kids to borrow.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – If you have pool set-up on your property in Atlantic, and want the fire department to fill it for you, be prepared to dig deeper into your wallet or purse. During Wednesday evening’s Atlantic City Council Committee reports, Jim Behrens, liaison to the Fire Department, reported on the price hike.

Behrens said also, the Fireman’s Parade will be held Oct. 8th.

In other Council news, Atlantic resident Felicia Frame spoke with regard to allowing backyard laying hens within the City limit. She asked the Council to reconsider updating the Ordinance to allow hens for anyone who wants them, especially in light of the current economy.

Frame said she feels that it’s the right of a person to grow or raise their own food on their own property, not only for their family, but to help others.

Frame acknowledge concerns people may have over the smell and noise, but a more specific ordinance can address those concerns.

Chapter 55.03 in the City of Atlantic’s Code Of Ordinances states “It is unlawful for a person to keep livestock within the City except by written consent of the Council or except in compliance with the City’s zoning regulations.” It should be noted that the Council has granted requests allowing chickens in the past, on a case-by-case basis, most recently, in 2017 and 2021.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, today (Thursday) released a report on arrests that date back to May 29th. Beginning with the most recent:

On Monday, June 13th: Kevin James Kesselberg, age 28, Harlan, IA, was arrested after a search warrant was executed in Harlan. Kesselberg was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Prohibited Acts.; Tricia Ann Trebilcock, age 48, Harlan, IA, was arrested after a search warrant was executed in Harlan. Trebilcock was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Prohibited Acts.

On Saturday, June 11th, Phillip Michael Houston, age 35, Atlantic, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop on Ridgeway Dr. Houston was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred. There were two arrests in Shelby County on June 10th: Michael John Tremayne, age 30, Harlan, IA was arrested after a traffic stop on Chatburn Ave. Tremayne was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License Denied, Suspended, Canceled or Revoked; Holi Amber Tworek, age 25, Omaha, NE was arrested after a traffic stop on Chatburn Ave. Tworek was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Two people were arrested on June 9th in Shelby County: Jason Richard French, age 36, Charter Oak, IA, was charged with Obstruction of Emergency Communication after making a call to 911 that was a non-emergency call; Devin Rae Ulin, age 28, Portsmouth, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop at Main St and 2nd St in Portsmouth. Ulin was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Controlled Substance.

On the 5th of June, Deputies arrested Katherine Louise Jacobsen, age 39, Harlan, IA, following a traffic stop at Hwy 59 and Hawkeye Ave. Jacobsen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 1st Offense and Speeding; and, Marcus McCoy Masoner Jr., age 19, Council Bluffs, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop at St F58 and Hwy 59. Masoner was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving While Barred, Driving while License Under Suspension, and Following to Close.

On the 4th of June, Brandon Michael Eugene Miedl, age 27, Council Bluffs, IA was arrested after a traffic stop at St F32 and Hwy 191. Miedl was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred and Fail to obey Stop Sign and Yield Right of Way. On June 2nd, Samantha Marie Swanson, age 27, Council Bluffs, IA. Swanson was charged with Public Intoxication after coming to the Shelby County Jail intoxicated to serve a sentence on a previous charge. And, there were two arrests in Shelby County on June 1st: Malcolm Shane McDonald, age 39, Harlan, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop on Hwy 59. McDonald was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance 2nd Offense, Prohibited Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Contempt-Resist Order or Process of Magistrate, OWI 1st, Driving while License Denied, Suspended, Canceled or Revoked, and Insufficient Number of Headlights; Amy Jo Jensen, age 47, Avoca, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop at Street F32 and Hickory Rd. Jensen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License Denied, Suspended, Canceled, or Revoked, and Driving while License Revoked.

Other arrests:

5-29-22: Donald Dale Blunk, age 63, Kiron, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop on Knotty Pine Rd. Blunk was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving While Barred, Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd offense, Prohibited Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Fraudulent use of Registration, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability; Austin Charles Bird, age 23, Shelby, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop on RD M16. Bird was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 1st Offense, Open Container, and Speeding.

5-30-22: Devin Michael Gardner, age 30, Elk Horn, IA was arrested after a traffic stop on Washington St and Main St in Elk Horn, IA. Gardner was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving While Barred.

(Altoona, Iowa; Radio Iowa) – An organization and a school in Atlantic are among the winners set to be recognized next month, in Ankeny. Individual Iowans and organizations that display the six pillars of good character are being honored at the annual Iowa Character Awards. Des Moines is the global headquarters for Character Counts. Hilary Ortman, spokeswoman for the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, says the goal is to develop ethical leaders throughout the world while strengthening lives and transforming communities. “We are really honored to annually recognize deserving recipients from across the state in a variety of categories,” Ortman says, “including youth and adults, citizen of character, educator of character, school, athletic team, business, organization, community, and really bring to the forefront the importance of good character and the impact it makes on Iowa.”

The six pillars are: Fairness, Caring, Citizenship, Trustworthiness, Respect and Responsibility. Ortman says the Iowa State University football team is this year’s winner of the Jim Hallihan Pursuing Victory with Honor Award. “They bring together kids with disabilities and help them live out their dreams by competing in drills and scoring touchdowns on the Iowa State football field,” she says. “It encompasses their whole department. They bring together the Iowa State Marching Band, the cheerleaders, the Spirit Squad participates as well, to make it a special moment for so many kids and families across the state.”

Other winners include:

Business/Organization of Character: Southwest Iowa Planning Council (Atlantic)

Adult Citizen of Character: Luanne Kustra (Carroll)

Youth Citizen of Character: Katie Hernandez (Des Moines)

Aaron Eilerts Community Service Award: Zackry Brennan (Belmond)

Educator of Character: Andrew Genz (Louisa-Muscatine CSD)

School of Character: Schuler Elementary (Atlantic)

Student Organization of Character: Fairfield Student Council (Fairfield CSD)

Community of Character: Bondurant

Partner of the Year: Iowa Farm Bureau

Character Champion: Renee Murphy (Ankeny)

The awards ceremony is set for July 29th at the Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona.