(Shenandoah, Iowa) – The Shenandoah Fire Department was dispatched to a residential structure fire at 1130 am Saturday (January 20th), at 403 Church Street. Fire Chief Justin Marshall says upon arrival, crews found a two-story occupied residential structure showing heavy smoke from the 2nd story. The occupants had safely evacuated the home.

Crews commenced an offensive interior attack. Interior crews were faced with heavy smoke and fire and were successful in conducting an initial knock down of the fire. Due to frigid weather Firefighters from Coin Fire, Essex Fire, and Farragut Fire, provided additional manpower to conduct interior and fire ground operations.

Additional assistance was provided by Shenandoah Police Department, Shenandoah EMS, Clarinda EMS, Essex EMS, Page County Emergency Management, City of Shenandoah Street and Water Departments, Mid-American Energy, Page County Communications and Red Cross.

Shenandoah F.D. photo (from Facebook)

The origin of the fire was located in the second-floor ceiling area and attic area. The cause of the fire has been deemed accidental due to electrical failure. Crews were released from the scene at 1400. The home sustained mainly heavy smoke, heat, and water damage. The structural integrity of the home is sound with minimal damage. No injuries to report. Fire crews had sufficient water supply to extinguish the fire.

Fire Chief Marshall said “We Thank everyone for the assistance provided to us during this response. Mutual aid and cooperation prevailed again.”

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston say no injuries were reported following an accident Friday afternoon, on Park Street in Creston. Authorities say a2012 GMC Canyon pickup truck driven by 65-year-old Douglas Brown, of Orient, was traveling north on Park Street at around  4:10-p.m., and a 2007 Dodge Ram pickup driven by 57-year-old Jeffrey Dillenburg, of Creston, was traveling southbound.

Dillenberg told Police he was attempting to hit the brakes as he negotiated the curve, but his boots were so big that he was hitting the accelerator pedal as well as the brakes. The roadway was covered in packed snow, which authorities say caused Dillenburg pickup to lose traction. The vehicle crossed the centerline and struck Brown’s oncoming pickup.

Brown said he saw the other pickup driving too fast for conditions and knew the other vehicle was not going to negotiate the curve.  He stopped his pickup in his lane of traffic but was unable to avoid being struck by the Dillenburg pickup. The airbag in Brown’s pickup deployed when the vehicle was struck.

Damage from the collision amounted to $6,500. No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – Forecasters say high temperatures today (Friday) and tomorrow won’t get out of the single digits, and wind chills may hit 30-below tonight, so frostbite is a serious risk as Iowans clear the latest snowfall from their driveways.

Jolyn Schneider, nurse manager of the University of Iowa Burn Treatment Center, says they’ve received dozens of calls about frostbite in recent days, and she says Iowans need to take precautions to keep their fingers and toes covered while outdoors.

Schneider says if you think you have frostbite, you should get medical care right away, as the longer you wait, the greater the risk of needing to have a finger or toe amputated.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department has issued reports on two separate accidents. At around 3-p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18th, a 2017 Chevy Traverse driven by 36-year-old Colby R. Giza, of Creston, was backing out of a driveway in the 700 block of W. Mills Street. Giza didn’t notice a 2024 Ford Taurus was approaching from the west on W. Mills Street, because a parked car obstructed his vision.

When he finally saw the car, Giza tried to stop, but slid into the road due to the freshly fallen snow. The car, driven by 65-year-old Lynette Hudson, of Creston, couldn’t stop either, because of the road conditions, and collided with the right rear side of the SUV. Neither driver was injured. Damage from the accident amounted to $6,000. No citations were issued.

And, no injuries were reported following an accident this (Friday) afternoon, in Creston. Authorities say a 1998 Ford pickup driven by 17-year-old Zoey Vandevender, of Prescott, was traveling south on Sumner Street at around 1:34-p.m., when her truck started accelerating without her having stepped on the gas pedal. The teen pulled the vehicle off the road into Lucky’s Carwash but was unable to get the pickup stopped before it hit the building.

The pickup sustained $500 damage. The carwash, owned by a company out of Corning, sustained $1,000 damage. No citations were issued.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Rock Island man was sentenced on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, to 67 months in federal prison for felon in possession of ammunition.

According to public court documents at the time of his plea hearing, George Harper, Jr., 34, was involved in a shooting incident located at the Kwik Star on 1650 West Kimberly Road in Davenport, Iowa. During the shooting, Harper fired multiple rounds from a firearm possessed unlawfully. Prior to his possession of the ammunition, Harper had been convicted of felon in possession of a firearm in Scott County, Iowa.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Harper, Jr. is required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced on January 16, 2024, to 100 years in federal prison for Producing, Distributing, and Possessing Child Pornography. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at trial, David Michael Woods, 51, sexually abused two children in his care, allowed other adult men to sexually abuse the children, produced recordings of the abuse and other sexual images of the children, and distributed the images he produced to others. Woods was convicted after a jury trial in September 2023.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.

(Atlantic, Iowa)  – Cass Health in Atlantic reports Grace McAfee has been hired as the new Community Wellness Coordinator for Cass County. She began her role on Monday, January 15th. McAfee’s primary focus area will be promoting and communicating wellness initiatives for individuals and groups around Cass County. She will collaborate closely with other local groups focused on community health and wellness.

The Cass County Wellness Coordinator position is housed out of Cass Health but is uniquely funded by Cass County Extension, Cass Health, Cass County Board of Supervisors, and the Nishna Valley Family YMCA. Grace will spend her first few months meeting with local organizations to see where she can be of assistance.

Beth Olsen, Director of Cass County Public Health states, “Grace will be a huge asset to our community as we tackle the biggest needs in Cass County, as identified on our 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment.” Olsen noted that the top needs from the public survey included mental health, childcare, housing, older adult services and support, physical fitness and outdoor recreation, healthy food access and awareness, and substance misuse and addiction.

Grace is a Cass County Native who grew up just outside of Wiota. After high school, she attended Iowa State University to obtain her degree in Agriculture and Life Sciences Education. Following graduation, Grace and her husband, Tyler McAfee, moved back to the area and now live on an acreage just outside of Anita with their son. Previously, Grace taught at CAM Community School District for three years.

McAfee said “I am excited to collaborate with local groups and provide them support to further improve health and wellness opportunities across Cass County,” and noted that the role is truly designed to focus on connection and expanding opportunities for all residents.

The wellness coordinator role was created to maintain and expand collaboration with key community partners, including those in education, healthcare, social services, mental health, local and state government, extension, public health, and economic development, developing and implementing sustainable strategies to address high-priority community health issues.

If you have an upcoming meeting or event that you would like Grace to attend, she can be reached at (712) 250-8170 or mcage@casshealth.org.

(West Des Moines, Iowa)  – Low inventory and high interest rates proved to be the driving forces in a slower-than-typical Iowa housing market in 2023. Nearly every metric tracked by the Iowa Association of REALTORS® (IAR) saw a decline this year. These issues weren’t unique to Iowa, however, they mimicked the housing market nationwide, as buyers and sellers took their time jumping into the market. IAR President Shaner Magalhães said “The past year saw a number of challenges for the housing market across the country, and Iowa wasn’t immune. But we’ve also seen glimmers of progress in the market. Just this month, inventory increased, a sign that 2024 will prove to be a bit more robust in the Iowa housing market.”

Home sales in Iowa declined 15.2% this year with 32,441 homes sold, compared to the 38,266 sold in 2022.  Similarly pending sales were down 13.9% with 33,159 homes recorded, compared to the 38,504 pending in 2022.  As for inventory, there were several months in 2023 that saw declines in active listings, including the typically robust summer market months. In all new listings declined 9.1% with 39,218 homes listed, compared to the 43,133 of 2022.  Days on the market increased throughout the year. In 2023, homes averaged 40 days on the market, a 25% increase from the 32 day average of 2022.  Home prices also grew in 2023. The median sales price of a home increased 6.8% last year coming to $220,000 compared to the $206,000 of the year prior.

December Housing Stats

The December housing stats mirrored much of the year, with a few swinging spots, including long-awaited boosts to inventory.  Sales in December fell 4.2% with 2,308 homes sold, compared to the 2,409 sold last year. Conversely, pending sales jumped 2% to 1,766 homes sold, a slight improvement on the 1,731 sold in December 2022.  New listings saw a refreshing boost of 11% with 1,814 homes on the market, compared to the 1,634 of December 2022. Days on the market continued to increase, this time 10.5% to 42 days, compared to the 38 of last year. Median sales price also jumped 13.2% to $215,000 versus the $190,000 of one year ago.

Statewide Market Report for December

View the Detailed PDF Report on Statewide Statistics

Housing Market Reports by Iowa County

View Reports on Single-Family homes

View Reports on Townhouse-Condo homes

January 19, 2024 (DES MOINES, IA) – Today (On Friday), the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board approved innovation funding in support of six startups. The companies are located in Ames, Cedar Falls, Des Moines, Fairfield, Iowa City and North Liberty.

Ames’ Rise Energy is commercializing a modular system that can deploy technology for industrial processors to generate value converting their existing biomass feedstocks into renewable fuels, chemicals and products. The modules provide a convenient solution for utilizing biomass to create upgradeable liquids, which can be used in production of sustainable aviation fuels, renewable fuels, asphalt binders and other products, and biochar, which is used to sequester carbon. The company was awarded a $50,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR) loan for IP development and evaluation, market and competitive analysis, market planning and entry activities, and key personnel.

Based in Cedar Falls, PicklePlay is a digital platform that offers a comprehensive pickleball resource. The software can help users easily find pickleball courts and events, engage with players and groups, and organize their play schedule. The company was awarded a $50,000 POCR loan for IP development and evaluation, market planning and entry activities and key personnel.

Tumbleweed in Des Moines is a technology platform that supports end-of-life and post-loss planning. Their software provides individuals, families, executors and trustees with an affordable and time-efficient solution that helps users navigate the intricacies of end-of-life planning or following a death. The company was awarded a $50,000 POCR loan for IP development and evaluation, market and competitive analysis, proof of concept work, product refinement, market planning and entry activities, key personnel, and equipment.

MedTech startup Spanton Board, Inc., located in Fairfield, created the first, patent-pending, power-driven spine board to effectively safeguard athletes following a serious injury. Eventually, Spanton Board plans to expand from the pro sports market to military and emergency medical services. The product operates like a conveyer belt and enables the transfer of individuals to a backboard, significantly reducing movement compared to a traditional board. The company was awarded a $100,000 Demonstration Fund loan for product refinement, market planning and entry activities, and key personnel.

Iowa City-based Inseer, Inc. leverages a proprietary AI computer vision system to enhance workplace safety, improve ergonomics and boost productivity in manufacturing environments. Through a short video that captures and analyzes movement data, employees can quickly receive risk assessment solutions and objectively offer any safety corrections. The company was awarded a $250,000 Innovation Acceleration Launch Fund loan for IP development and evaluation.

UpStream, headquartered in North Liberty, launched technology to facilitate remote source water monitoring. The platform, the Outfall SmartCell, is a fully automated system able to withstand all environments for uninterrupted 24/7 communication and data delivery for water quality detection. The company was awarded a $50,000 POCR loan for IP development and evaluation, proof of concept work and product refinement.

Award recommendations for these funds are made by the Technology Commercialization Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.