(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn is sponsoring legislation to update a federal program that provides capital to banks, credit unions and savings and loans that serve rural areas or low income customers. There are nine Community Development Financial Institutions in Iowa that are certified by the U.S. Treasury Department.

“For every $1 million that they receive in CDFI grant funding, they’re able to lend $20 million, so talk about a return on investment for our local community,” Nunn said during a news conference this week inside a Veridian credit union branch in Des Moines. “For every dollar invested by the feds, $20 gets to go right back into our communities.”

Nunn, a Republican from Bondurant, represents Iowa’s third congressional district. The bill he’s co-sponsoring with a Democrat from North Carolina would require the U.S. Treasury Department to disclose the reasons when financial institutions may be at risk of losing grant funding or when rules for the program change.

“What we’ve seen is that the administration has made some, like, changes that have become very convoluted, that have not been widely publicized and as a result put many of our lenders…in situations where they have to revamp their program totally,” Nunn said, “and that can delay people for months to even years with their ability to find access to it.”

Congressman Zach Nunn (R-Bondurant) speaking at news conference in Des Moines, Iowa. (RI photo)

Nunn’s calling for creation of an ombudsman’s office that would assist lenders that want to apply for the program’s grant. The bill also would forbid financial institutions accused of fraud from seeking arbitration to reduce their obligation to repay what was misspend. “We hold them accountable because at the end of the day, these are taxpayer dollars and we need to know what it’s going for,” Nunn said.

Lenders may use the program’s federal grants in a variety of ways, like investing in non-profits that are building housing as well as providing loans to businesses and individuals. The following Iowa financial institutions are Community Development Financial Institutions in Iowa: Ascentra Credit Union in Bettendorf; Dupaco Community Credit Union; Grow Iowa Foundation in Lenox; Habitat for Humanity Iowa; Mississippi Valley Neighborhood; Neighborhood Finance Corporation in Des Moines and Veridian Credit Union in Waterloo.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by the Atlantic Golf & Country Club on Thursday, February 15th, 2024. The Ambassadors welcomed Kim Mitchell as the new General Manager. Kim grew up in Ogden and spent the majority of her career at Hy-Vee in the Ankeny area before she moved to Atlantic a few years ago. She has experience is in management, floral design, party planning and event planning. Kim is also a wine & cheese specialist.

Kim shared with the Ambassadors that she is excited to be involved in the community through event planning while using her high energy personality and passion for creating an upbeat and fun atmosphere. Kim is looking forward to getting to know the members this summer and learning more about the golf industry.

Ambassadors Top Row (Left to Right): BJ Hart, Jim Kickland, John Bricker, Colt Doherty, Bill Saluk, Anne Quist, Alden Harriman, Elaine Otte, Megan Sramek, Arlene Drennan, Krysta Hanson, Beth Speiker, Alisha Wagner, Jennifer McEntaffer, Tori Gibson, Lana Westphalen
Ambassadors Bottom Row (Left to Right): Kelsey Beschorner, Donnie Drennan, Jeremy Butler, Jake Olsen, Kim Mitchell, Keith Honke, Sue Liston, Kennedy Freun

The Atlantic Golf & Country Club features a 19-hole golf course, restaurant, and seasonal pool. Winter Clubhouse hours are Tuesday & Fridays 3:30-close, Wednesday 1:00-close, Thursday 9:00AM-Noon & 3:30PM-close, and Saturday Noon-close.

Atlantic Golf & Country Club is located at 102 W 29th Street in Atlantic.

For more information, call 712-243-3656, or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AtlanticIowa

(Clarinda, Iowa) – Page County Sheriff’s officials say no injuries were reported following a collision Tuesday at the intersection of Highways 2 and 59, in Shenandoah. Authorities say a 2010 Peterbilt semi driven by Ricky Joe Shaw, was traveling north on Highway 59. A vehicle driven by Arnold J. Christiansen was traveling west on Highway 2.

Christiansen stopped, but then pulled away from the intersection, into the path of the semi. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage when they collided.

Deputies cited Christiansen for failure to stop at a stop sign, and yield the right-of-way.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports more than one-dozen arrests took place between Feb. 3rd and the 13th. Those arrested include:

2/3/2024: Joseph Allen Leclere (40) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for assault; Hope Marie Kalkas (33) of Sidney Iowa. Booked into the Page County for disorderly conduct and public intoxication.

2/6/2024 Billy Ray Foster (48) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for violation of probation. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office.

2/9/2024 William Scott Holmes (45) of St. Joseph Missouri. Booked into the Page County Jail for violation of probation. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office. Arrested at the Buchanan County Missouri Jail.

2/10/2024: David Allan Charles (60) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for forgery. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office; Hanna Jean Hall (18) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for theft.

2/11/2024: Drake Leslie Brown (21) of Red Oak Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Reckless Driving, Eluding, Interference with official acts and other citations. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office; David Llewellyn Warkentien II (40) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for violation of probation; Corbin G. Link (26) of Quincy Illinois. Booked into the Page County Jail for unlawful possession of prescription drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

2/12/2024: Hope Marie Kalkas (33) of Sidney Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for public intoxication and disorderly conduct; Sayj Elizabeth Martin (25) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for driving while barred and possession of a controlled substance.

2/13/2024 Jeremy Lynn Martin (46) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for harassment 1st degree, assault on peace officer, harassment in the 3rd degree, interference with official acts and assault with injuries on peace officer.

There were also nine citations issued for traffic or moving violations.

A charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

(Creston, Iowa) – Icy roads contributed to four, non-injury accidents in a span of a little more than an hour, today (Friday), in Creston.

According to the Creston Police Department, the first accident happened just before 8-a.m., near the intersection of Prairie and Sumner Streets. Police say a Chevy C-10 pickup driven by 21-year-old Jarryn Ray Stephens, of Lorimor, was stopped at the stop sign on Prairie Street, facing west. A 2007 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 19-year-old Cristian Alejandro Tellez, of Edinburgh, TX, was traveling west on Prairie St towards Sumner. Police say he was traveling too fast for conditions, causing his pickup to slid out of control and into the driver’s side of Stephens’ pickup. No injuries were reported. Damage from the collision amounted to $4,500. Tellez was cited for having no insurance (accident related) and no valid driver’s license.

The second accident in Creston happened at around 8:30-a.m. Friday (today). Authorities say a 2015 Chevy van driven by 73-year-old Sharon Marie Snodgrass, of Creston, was turning onto Adams Street from Cottonwood. During the turn, the van started sliding and went off the road before striking an Alliant Energy-owned utility pole guide wire. The van sustained $1,500 damage.

Just after 9-a.m., a 2018 Ford F-150 pickup driven by 51-year-old Jason Allan Lohoff, of Creston, was traveling S. on S. Elm Street and had to yield to a Trolly, which was stopped on the roadway. A 2018 Ford F-250 pickup driven by 36-year-old Devon Mark Anderson, of Creston, crested the hill while traveling southbound. Police say due to the extremely slick roadway, Anderson’s vehicle began to slide toward the other pickup. Anderson tried to take evasive action and was able to steer his truck toward the curb, but the rear bumper collided with the tailgate of Lohoff’s pickup, causing minor damage to both vehicles. The damage was estimated at $3,000 altogether.

And, at around 9:10-a.m., Friday (today), an accident at the intersection of Howard and Cherry Streets, in Creston, caused $5,000 damage, but no one was hurt. Creston Police say a 2010 Ford Taurus SHO driven by 42-year-old Joel Levi Kropf, of Lorimor, was making a right-hand turn onto Howard Street from Cherry, but due to the weather conditions, his car slid into a 2021 Subaru CrossTrek, driven by 44-year-old Aubrey Ray Caplinger, of Creston. The accident happened as Keplinger’s SUV was approaching the intersection.

(New Sharon, Iowa) – A crash this (Friday) morning in east central Iowa resulted in a death and one injury. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened in Poweshiek County, a few miles north of New Sharon, at around 6:42-a.m. Authorities say a 2003 Chevy pickup driven by 30-year-old Jamal Gant, of Oskaloosa, was traveling north on Highway 146, when the vehicle went out of control on the icy roadway.

The pickup entered the east ditch and rolled over, coming to rest on its top. A passenger in the pickup, 31-year-old Cody T. Roberts, of New Sharon, died at the scene. Gant was transported by Montezuma Ambulance to the Oskaloosa Hospital. The Patrol reports Roberts was wearing his seat belt, but Gant was not.

Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted at the crash scene.

Atlantic, Iowa – Atlantic Fire Department member and Assistant Police Chief Paul Wood was surprised last Saturday (Feb. 10th), when his name was called to receive the “Firefighter of the Year” Award. “(My reaction to getting this award is) surprised, happy, grateful,” Wood said following the banquet “I’m.grateful for the award and grateful to be part of this department.”

Pictured (from left to right) Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel presented the “Firefighter of the Year” Award to Paul Wood on Saturday night during the firefighter banquet.

Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel said there were a lot of things that made Wood stand out as a recipient for the award during this past year. “Throughout the year, we hold monthly fire trainings, which we hope to learn from and hone our skills,” Cappel said during the banquet when presenting the awards. “This person took the time to do a lot of those training sessions, (and) made the time to do a lot of other training besides just the fire end of it. They also made a lot of calls for the fire department during this past year. I have had a lot of great conversations with this individual about fire scenes. This person also makes the time to help out with the volunteering we do in the community. This person also helps me out with fire investigations, writing fire reports, and he takes care of getting fire prevention all scheduled and getting department members lined up to help.”

Wood said he originally considered becoming a member of the department after working with Atlantic Firefighters as part of his role in the police department. “I’m a police officer so I worked with these (firefighters) a lot,” Wood said. “And decided I wanted to become a fireman and joined, and enjoyed it ever since. And I got into the fire prevention (part) several years ago when Dustin McLaren did it, and I took it over from there.”

Wood said he’s been a member of the fire department for 16 years, been a police officer for 20 years, and one of his favorite parts is investigating the cause of fires.The investigations are probably my favorite part -(trying to figure out) how (fires) started,” he said.

In addition to the Firefighter of the Year award, six current and one retired Atlantic Firefighter was recognized for years of service during the department’s banquet held on Feb. 10th.

• ReAnn Cappel was recognized for being a member of the department for five years
• Mitch Peerbolte was recognized for being a member of the department for 10 years.
• Andy Kloewer was recognized for being a member of the department for 15 years.
• Todd Cappel, Shawn Page and Chris Towne were recognized for being members of the department for 25 years.

Pictured is the statue Norm Clark donated to the department.

Retired firefighter Norm Clark presented a statue to the department in memory of his wife.

Retired firefighter Norm Clark also presented the department with a firefighter statue. His wife passed away in November, and he said she always said she was “going to buy something and give it to the department.” So he decided to purchase the statue, and it was “going to be a memorial from my wife to the fire department.”

(Photos and information courtesy of Jennifer Nichols w/the Atlantic News Telegraph)

ReAnn Cappel (pictured with Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel) was recognized for being a member of the department for five years.

Andy Kloewer (pictured with Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel) was recognized for being a member of the department for 15 years.

Mitch Peerbolte (pictured with Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel) was recognized for being a member of the department for 10 years.

Shawn Page, Tom Cappel and Chris Towne were recognized for being a member of the department for 25 years. Pictured are (from left to right) Page, Roger Bissen, past IFA president and current president of the Iowa Fire Chief Association holding Towne’s award since he was not present at the banquet and Cappel.