(Radio Iowa) – A bill eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate would ensure the State Board of Health has sole authority for adding to the list of required vaccinations for children enrolled in Iowa schools or child care centers. The bill would prohibit school or city officials from requiring that children be vaccinated against Covid before they may return to local schools in the fall. And, if the state Board of Health were to require Covid shots, Republican Senator Tim Kraayenbrink of Fort Dodge says the bill parents may be able to opt out if that happens.

“The bill also provides that medical and religious exemptions from vaccinations apply still during the times of emergency and epidemic,” he says. Under CURRENT law, the state Board of Health can deny all exemptions from childhood vaccinations during public health emergencies. The bill cleared the Senate Education Committee unanimously. Iowa and other states require school-aged children be vaccinated against contagious diseases like polio and the measles before they enroll in school.

So far, California and Louisiana are the only states that have added Covid vaccinations to the list of required shots that are mandatory for school attendance.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – SHIFT ATL, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, will host their first SHIFT Network “meeting”/happy hour of
2022 on February 3rd, at The Telegraph building, located at 14 e 4th Street. The event will be come-and-go style from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. with appetizers and refreshments, featuring free samples from Council Bluffs brewery, Full Fledged Brewing Company.

The event is open to all current SHIFT Network members, those that are interested in joining, or just learning more about who SHIFT ATL is and what benefits SHIFT Network can provide. SHIFT ATL President Jessie Shiels says “We are excited that we are able to bring in a brewery for the evening to do a sampling at our event, as we have heard over and over again how great it would be to have a brewery in our community.” She says “You never know where one successful evening could lead to in the future, so we hope to do more SHIFT Network events like this throughout the coming year.”

The organization is excited to share their plan for 2022 and beyond with those in attendance. SHIFT Network membership starts at $100 per year and is a group of community-minded people interested in the economic development of Atlantic. If you’re unable to attend but would like to join SHIFT Network or get the updates, please email shiftatlantic@gmail.com or visit shiftatl.com/join.

For more information about SHIFT ATL or SHIFT Network, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/shiftatl,
their website at shiftatl.org or by email at shiftatlantic@gmail.com.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Iowa State Patrol Public Resource Officer Ryan DeVault reports a special emphasis/enforcement project relating to stop sign violations throughout southwest Iowa, will take place beginning tomorrow (Friday, Jan. 21st).  Trooper DeVault reminds motorists, “Iowa Law requires that all vehicles must come to a complete stop at the clearly marked stop line on the roadway, or before entering the crosswalk area, before determining if they can safely proceed into the intersection.”

Failure to obey a stop sign could cost you $210.25, or even your life.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA –Officials with the U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa said Thursday, a former federal agent with the ATF (Dept. of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives) was sentenced in the District Court of Nebraska to one year of probation and a $5,000 fine, in association with Structuring Financial Transactions (in order) to Evade Reporting Requirement.

52-year-old Paul A. White had previously pleaded to a United States Attorney’s Information charging a violation of Title 31, United States Code [Sections 5324(a)(3) and 5324(d)]. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, based on the recusal of the District of Nebraska United States Attorney’s Office.

According to court documents, from October 29, 2018, to February 26, 2019, White deposited a total of $99,900 in two banks. White structured the deposits to evade the requirement that banks report cash transactions in excess of $10,000.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – SHIFT ATL, a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Atlantic, is hosting a Prom Dress Pop-Up event on February 5 and March 5, from 9-until 2-p.m., each day. The events are an opportunity for area teens to shop for a dress to wear to their upcoming Prom. All dresses available can be purchased at a free-will donation shopping experience. Patrons can pay what they are able to or would like to. Any monetary donations received from this shopping experience will be donated to Atlantic High School’s After Prom.

There will also be a limited number of free hair appointments shoppers can sign up for during each shopping day in February and March. Hair appointment sign-ups will be on a first come
first serve basis and are available only for proms held on April 9th, which includes Atlantic’s prom. SHIFT ATL is also currently accepting dress donations for this event. Dresses should be in
gently used condition, free from visible stains or wear and tear. Dresses do not need to be steamed or pressed.

Dress donations can be made through January 28, 2022 by dropping dresses off at The Chamber in Atlantic, contacting SHIFT at: shiftatlantic@gmail.com, or by contacting Mallory Robinson at 712-249-1985 for pick-up arrangements.

Any questions can be directed to SHIFT ATL (via the email provided above).

DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority today (Thursday), announced more than $500,000 in grant funding will be awarded to rural communities across the state through the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. The Governor says “The Empower Rural Iowa Initiative has played a key role in transforming our rural communities by expanding broadband access and affordable housing options, which are essential to the growth and retention of our state. These programs help turn innovative ideas into reality for small communities across Iowa, paving the way for opportunity and prosperity for generations to come.”

The grants cover 38 projects across the state. For example:

• The City of Treynor, and Adair/Guthrie Counties, have both received a $1,000 grant for a Rural Leadership Bootcamp.
• The City of Red Oak received $10,000 from a Rural Housing Assessment grant
• The City of Manning has received a $20,000 Rural Innovation Grant to: leverage the outcomes from the Rural Housing Assessment Grant process with ISU Extension & Outreach. The grant funds will be used for development of an engineering plat and HOA documents for a pocket neighborhood development by the City, to address housing needs. (Total project cost, $94,000)
• The City of Wiota has received a $20,000 Rural Innovation Grant to leverage local assets to draw visitors, and retain residents, inviting them to enjoy their time downtown. Through the addition of a community park, in partnership with the Wiota Boosters, they will be adding an additional amenity to attract visitors to the annual flea market, Wiota Steakhouse, and downtown community events. Funding from the Grant will support the removal of dilapidated playground equipment, and the addition of new and ADA (handicapped) compliant features. (Total project cost, $30,034)
• And, Midwest Partnership Economic Development/City of Stuart is receiving a $1,500 grant in partnership with the school arts dept., to display art on a rotating basis in stores, offices, restaurants and gathering spaces throughout the community. The grant funds will support the launch of the program, with the goal of improving aesthetics in the community, and mental health of residents, through exposure to art. (Total project cost, $60,000).
• Sac Development Corp will put Rural Innovation funding toward a feasibility study for a soon-to-be-vacated school building and adjacent green space. Communities across the state struggle with vacant school buildings, which can create an eyesore and financial strain on cities. Sac City is taking steps to ensure the building has a transformative use.   In its inaugural year, the Rural Return grant is funding five innovative recruitment programs across the state, including a business incentive strategy in Jefferson. The program through Jefferson Matters: A Main Street & Chamber Community will provide a start-up incentive fund for new businesses and complimentary use of shared workspace for remote workers.

The Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative developed the following grant programs for rural communities:

• The Rural Innovation Grant program supports creative, nontraditional ideas to overcome rural community development challenges, such as workforce development and housing shortages.
• The Rural Housing Assessment Grant program supports efforts to expand access to quality housing tailored to communities. The program leverages data from the Iowa Finance Authority’s Profile of Iowa tool and provides support through a partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
• The new Rural Return and Rural Child Care Market Study grant programs: The Rural Return Grant program supports creative programming that attracts new residents to move and/or work in rural communities. The Rural Child Care Market Study Grant program supports the use of data and analysis by rural communities, in partnership with First Children’s Finance, to determine the specific needs and solutions for their area.

For more information on the Center for Rural Revitalization programs, visit https://www.iowaeda.com/empower-rural-iowa/ or contact Liesl Seabert at Rural@iowaeda.com. A full list of the of the 2022 Rural Grant recipients is available here.