CRESTON, Iowa – July 17, 2024 – If you access westbound interstate 80 at the Van Meter interchange (exit 113) you need to be aware of an upcoming construction project that may slow down your trip. Crews will be closing the westbound Interstate 80 on ramp near Van Meter (exit 113) beginning at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, until May 2026, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston Construction office.

While the roadway is closed, you will travel east on I-80 from the Van Meter interchange (exit 113), and exit at the Dallas County Road R-22/Ute Avenue interchange (exit 117), and then west on I-80.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU-TV) — This week marks the 35th anniversary of the United Airlines Flight 232 crash landing in Sioux City. To mark the tragic events of July 19, 1989, the Mid America Museum of Aviation and Transportation is hosting a special community event. Since the crash landing, the museum has been home to a large collection of 232 artifacts and other keepsakes. Guests, including people who survived the crash landing, continue to visit the museum.

The public is invited to a free day-long open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Friday, July 19. A special presentation, including comments from flight attendant Susan White, will begin at 3:45 p.m.

On July 19, 1989 United Flight 232 crashed in Sioux City, Iowa with 285 souls on board. Members of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Fighter Squadron, now the 185th Air Refueling Wing, responded to the crash to help save lives. (Air National Guard photo/Released)

A moment of silence will then be held at 4 p.m. in honor of the 112 victims, as well as for the survivors and for community heroes. The presentation will end at about 5:30 p.m.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Cass County, Tuesday, approved a request by Dennis Daniels, to set up a food truck on county owned property. Daniels explained his is a non-profit endeavor, with the funds raised from sales going toward the Boots on the Ground organization, serving food to Vietnam Veterans and others.

Daniels must show proof of his approved 501(c)3 paperwork before his food truck will be allowed to be set-up on the County Annex Building parking lot off of Walnut Street. In other business, the Board agreed to a request from CADCO Executive Director Jen McEntaffer, to contribute interest earned from the Valley Business Park fund, to a revolving loan fund for building loans.

McEntaffer said there are two “solid businesses prospects” that would be interested in the funds.

Cass County Supervisors meeting, 7-16-24

She explained also, that the revolving loan fund started with $180,000 and it has been revolved enough to where they have made $700,000 worth of loans. She said they have loaned out anywhere from $3,500 to $50,000; $50,000 is their cap. The Board will act on an amount to divest from the VBP fund during their next meeting.

The Cass County Supervisors, Tuesday, received a recommendation from the Emergency Medical Services System Advisory Council for the maximum amount of funding allowed by law, to be specified on the November 5th ballot. That includes 75-cents per thousand dollars assessed property valuation for Essential Medical Services (EMS), and a one-percent Iowa income surtax. Supervisors Chair Steve Baier explained this is NOT a new tax. Taxes are already being collected for EMS, but this WILL make it more a stable, consistent and transparent means to convey the information to the taxpayers of Cass County. The Board is expected to act on a resolution approving the request for a ballot measure on EMS, during their next regular meeting. The Supervisors have already passed a resolution declaring EMS as an essential service in the County.

The Supervisors received a presentation and request from Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue for ARPA funds to purchase mobile and portable radios. The radios – costing $11,430 – would be used for a School Resource Officer’s (SRO) position. A resolution on the request will be also be on agenda for approval during the next Board meeting.

The Supervisors tabled action on establishing a County Compensation Board, which, by Iowa law, was disbanded as of July 1st. They approved the appointment of Heath Larsen as Cass Township Clerk. He will replace Max Potter, whose resignation was accepted May 7th. And, the board approved Brandon Laverty as Cass Township Trustee, to replace Heath Larsen.

(Radio Iowa) – This week marks the second anniversary of the launch of 9-8-8, the national hotline for mental health emergencies. A report by the mental health advocacy organization Inseparable finds 87-percent of Iowa’s calls are being answered by in-state call centers, which is near the 90-percent goal. Emily Blomme is the C-E-O of Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids, which operates one of Iowa’s two call centers. She says the turnover rate is almost at 50 percent. “Some of that is people who think that they can do the work or think they want to do the work, and they get into it and they don’t want to do the work, or it’s too hard,” Blomme says, “or they have their own lived experience and activates them in a way that they just weren’t anticipating.”

Blomme says the biggest challenge remains finding and retaining staff, and she adds, the worker shortage strains the entire call center. “So our people who are willing to take extra shifts, who are willing to work overtime, we love that,” she says, “but we also don’t want to burn them out, so then they can’t do the work.” Blomme says she’s had to increase pay and benefits in order to try to attract more staff members.

(by Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – Sioux City will host the 15th Iowa Mission of Mercy free dental clinic in October. Event founder Dr. Richard Hettinger says this will be the third time its in Sioux City. “Last time we were here we saw more than 800 patients and provided 600-thousand dollars worth of care. We’re hoping to exceed those numbers this time,” Hettinger says. Dentists and dental hygienists donate their time for the event. “It’s truly a mission driven by compassion. We’ll have over 400 dental professionals of various types here working on the two days that we’ll be providing care,” he says. “We understand that there are many unforeseen factors that impact whether individuals and families can receive dental care.

The economy, a change in employment, health issues and so much more can influence a decision to see a dentist.” Sioux City dentist Kia Stack-Miller says you don’t have to live in town to be seen and treated. “We’ve seen patients from all across the country. Sometimes they’re from our area, but sometimes they just need dental care and they’ll be willing to go wherever they can in order to receive it,” She says. “We do ask for some elements of information, such as the patient’s address, as well as health history so we can keep an accurate patient record, as well as providing safe treatments for these patients.”

Stack-Miller says they can do a variety of care.”Including cleanings, root canals, extractions and fillings there are also a limited number of partial dentures available on a first come first serve basis but the clinic does not provide crowns implants or full dentures, she says.

The Mission of Mercy Clinic is scheduled for October 4th and 5th in Sioux City. Learn more about the clinic at IMOM.org.