(Breda, IA Feb 19, 2021) – Western Iowa Networks (WIN) has recently announced additional fiber optics construction projects in Mills County for 2021 & 2022. Customers began signing up for fiber optic services within the previously announced Glenwood CARES area for a few months now. The project was made possible by funds that were made available under the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program and the US Department of Treasury’s CARES Act, the goal of which is to bring reliable broadband to those areas deemed as unserved or underserved.

Company officials say a public/private partnership between WIN and Mills County is now making it possible to construct around 40 miles of fiber optics just to the north and east of Glenwood. The construction of this network will include Mineola and Silver City (and will follow the route outlined on the map shown).

This includes nearly 500 addresses in areas along 250th Street between Highway 34 and Mineola, Gaston Avenue between 245th Street & 248th Street, Barrus Road between Mineola & 287th Street and 287th Street between Gaston Avenue & Barrus Road. This will also include an area just to the east of Glenwood including addresses along parts of 245th Street, Ingrum Avenue, 250th Street, Kidd Road as well as all of Inglewood Lane.

Construction of the network is slated to begin in the summer of 2021 with installs in late 2021 into early 2022. WIN was also a recipient of a grant through the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program through the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) which will make it possible to construct a fiber optic network in an area within the Loess Hills outlined in the orange area on the map below.

WIN says that means fiber optic services will be available to nearly 350 additional homes and businesses. Construction of this network is slated to begin in late 2021/early 2022 with service installs beginning before the end of 2022. According to CEO Jeff Roiland, “WIN would like to bring reliable broadband service to as many people as we possibly can, especially in areas where they have little to no options. Since the COVID pandemic hit, there are more people than ever before trying to rely on slow internet speeds to earn a paycheck or a degree. Many are also relying on that same internet connection for entertainment such as streaming or gaming. We hear about the struggles folks are having with this every day.”

Roiland adds, “We will continue to aggressively seek out different avenues of funding that will make it possible to bring more fiber broadband to as many rural areas as we can.” Residents in the (outlined) areas can sign up for fiber optic services online at www.westianet.com or by calling 888-508-2946.

A discount and free installation is currently available for those who sign up now. For those not within an outlined area, they can fill out the Fiber Interest form on WIN’s website so that they can have it on file for future fiber construction projects.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The FBI’s Omaha Field Office has announced a central Iowa woman and her son faces charges in connection with the Jan. 6th incident at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D-C. Officials said Friday (Today) that Deborah Sandoval, of Des Moines, and Salvador Sandoval Jr., of Ankeny, were arrested on federal warrants.

Deborah Sandoval has been charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, knowingly impeding or disrupting the orderly conduct of the government, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Salvador Sandoval Jr. has been charged with obstructing, impending or interfering with law enforcement, knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Both have made their initial appearances in federal court.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House and Senate have approved a bill to make it a crime to use fake urine for workplace drug and alcohol tests. Representative Brian Lohse, a Republican from Bondurant, says it’s become a pervasive problem.

Under the bill, an Iowan found to have used fake urine for a drug test would be guilty of a simple misdemeanor on the first offense — and a judge could require substance abuse screening and treatment, at the offender’s expense. Synthetic urine is being sold under brand names like U-Pass, Clean Stream and Quick Fix. Democrats in the legislature argued it would be better to outlaw the sale of these products. Senator Liz Mathis, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says it’s being sold online and at truck stops.

Federal data indicates more than half of American businesses randomly test employees or require prospective employees to undergo drug screening. Businesses typically test for amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates and P-C-P. The Iowa Motor Truck Association, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and groups representing general contractors lobbied for the bill.