The federal government is sending Dubuque nearly eight million dollars to revamp a key portion of its flood protection system. Dubuque engineer, Deron (Darren) Muehring (Meer-ing) says the money will help complete a key part of the Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project.

(as he says)”It’s going to help replace a facility that’s, over 50 years old, really update it, expanded its capabilities, really help better protect a large swath of our community from flooding,” he says. The watershed project is designed to take runoff during a rainfall and funnel it to this pumping area.

(as he says)”When of the river, Mississippi is up and we’re in flood conditions, and our floodwall levee system is in operation, then if it rains in the city of Duqubue, then this system helps drain kind of the interior side of the levee,” Muehring says. He says they were fortunate there weren’t any really significant rains this spring during Mississippi River flooding, and they didn’t have to use the system. The city has had six flood events which drew Presidential disaster declarations since 1999, making it important to keep the system working.

(as he says)”The project to construct and then engineering during construction is about a 26 million dollar project,” he says. “So the seven-point-seven million dollars will bring that cost down, so the city’s share will still be about 19 million dollars to see that through to through to completion.”
The grant is grant from the U-S Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, and won funding in part because of its economic impact on several large businesses.

(as he says)”This facility will help, you know, prevent flooding of manufacturing facilities, along our Kerper Boulevard , it’s along along the river there. So it’s going to help existing facilities to maintain their businesses and allow them to expand,” he says. It projected the project could lead to more than 16 million dollars in private investment in that area and the creation of 150 jobs.

Des Moines, Iowa  – The State of Iowa has agreed to an interim settlement in a lawsuit brought on behalf of Medicaid-eligible children with serious mental and behavioral health needs, which asserted that Iowa administers an inadequate mental health system that does not provide children and youth with legally required services. To address the decades long issues, the State of Iowa has launched major transformations through the Mental Health and Disability Regional structure to provide core services to children in Iowa and will continue to improve the state’s mental health system specifically for all Iowans. The terms of this agreement will strengthen the work already underway and shift to increase oversight in the behavioral health system to ensure adequate access to services for families and children.

“We commend Governor Reynolds and her administration for recognizing the unmet needs of children with serious mental health needs in Iowa and their right to essential mental health care services,” said Catherine Johnson, the Executive Director of Disability Rights Iowa, one of the groups representing the Plaintiffs. “Her commitment to take the steps necessary to provide them with the intensive home and community-based services they need, we believe will allow our children to remain at home with the families or caregivers best able to love and care for them.” Plaintiffs are also represented by Children’s Rights, the National Health Law Program and Ropes & Gray.

Over the course of the next several months, the state will develop an implementation plan that will bolster and reinforce the significant actions already taken in recent years to improve the mental health system in Iowa. The plan will include defining clear access points for behavioral health services, including crisis and in-home services. The plan will also describe how the state will oversee adequate access and update case management supports to ensure children and families are more successful in the community and at school.

“Iowa HHS has spent the past several years honing its work to better support children and families. This demonstrated commitment from across our agency is especially true for our populations in need of significant support. The Iowa Medicaid team has led a multi-year effort to transform this system that includes bringing individuals and families to the table in a meaningful way. These changes cement the work already in progress and we are proud to pave the way forward,” said Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia.

DES MOINES – Auditor of state Rob Sand today (Monday) held a news conference with Des Moines Independent Community School District Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts to tout the success of Des Moines Public Schools’ food rescue program as participants in the Auditor’s Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) program. Auditor Sand also announced winners across the state of Iowa. (See the list below)

“Food rescue is exactly the kind of innovation we had in mind when we first created the PIE program four years ago,” said Sand in advance of the event. “Where compassion and innovation meet lies efficiency, and I’m proud that we get to present our first 2023 award to the folks at Des Moines Independent Community School District—they’ve gone above and beyond to reduce waste and improve support for the most vulnerable members of the communities they serve.”

Sand created the PIE program in 2019 to encourage public entities across Iowa to think outside the box and spark innovative ideas to save public funds. The PIE program checklist provides local leaders with tools to collaborate and share their concepts, known as PIE recipes, via the Auditor of State’s website.

“While food rescue is just one of the items on our checklist of PIE recipes, it’s one worth sharing far and wide,” said Sand, noting that during a time of higher costs for families, many struggle to make ends meet—even grappling with food insecurity. Sand continued, “PIE provides local leaders with an easy, streamlined sharing process—that’s why each year, we’ve seen more engagement than the last.”

The PIE program has proven so successful that the Mississippi State Auditor, a Republican, copied the program for use in his own state—even using the same name. “The appeal of PIE is that everybody likes good government—Republican, Democratic, or independent. Good government shouldn’t have partisan blinders,” said Sand. Sand will hand-deliver a pie to officials in each community at a later date.
2023 PIE Award Recipients
Counties
Largest County: Polk
Smallest County: Ringgold
Best Performing County, Overall: Fayette
Best Performing Counties, Awarded Within Categories of Size: Johnson, Fayette, Clayton, Montgomery, Pocahontas
Most Improved County: Polk
Cities
Largest City: Cedar Rapids
Smallest City: Beaconsfield
Best Performing City, Overall: Cedar Rapids
Best Performing Cities, Awarded Within Categories of Size: Cedar Rapids, Guttenberg, Alleman & Grand Mount (TIE), Plainfield, Garden Grove
School Districts
Largest School District: Des Moines Public Schools
Smallest School District: Olin Community Schools
Best Performing School District, Overall: Iowa City Community Schools
Best Performing 4A School District: Iowa City Community Schools
Runner-Up Best Performing 4A School District: Des Moines Public Schools
Best Performing 3A School District: Greene County Community Schools
Runner-Up Best Performing 3A School District: Okoboji Community Schools
Best Performing 2A School District: North Cedar Community Schools
Runner-Up Best Performing 2A School District: Bedford Community Schools
Best Performing 1A School District: Hamburg Community Schools
Runner-Up Best Performing 1A School District: Olin Community Schools
Most Improved School District: Norwalk Community Schools.

OMAHA, Nebraska (Oct. 2, 2023) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a national test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) on Wednesday, Oct. 4.* This is inclusive of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). A test alert will be sent to all wireless phones.

Wireless providers want to ensure the public is aware, and know that there is no imminent danger and no action is needed. Beginning at approximately 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should receive the test message.

The test message will state: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

Cell phone customers are encouraged to have their phones turned on and available at the time of the test, so you know what to expect in an emergency. There is no charge to receive the message. There are four alert categories sent through WEA:

• National Alerts are a special class of alerts only sent during a national emergency.
• Imminent Threat Alerts include natural or human-made disasters, extreme weather, active shooters and other threatening emergencies that are current or emerging.
• Public Safety Alerts contain information about a threat that may not be imminent or after an imminent threat has occurred.
• AMBER Alerts are urgent bulletins issued in child-abduction cases. An AMBER Alert instantly enables the entire community to assist in the search for and safe recovery of the child.

This will be the third national test, and the second test to all wireless phones. The most recent test was conducted in 2018. More information is available at fema.gov.

*In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the backup testing date is Oct. 11.

ATLANTIC, IA – The Atlantic Trojans will host Former Vice President Mike Pence for the coin toss Friday, October 6th, during the Varsity Football pre-game at the Trojan Bowl. Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnson said “To have a former Vice President choose our district is an honor. We have great community pride and facilities to showcase at the game and I’m sure we will have a few additional visitors and media in attendance.”

Pence will arrive prior to the game to greet attendees and will then be escorted to the field for the coin toss. The game will continue in traditional fashion, and according to the Pence staff, the former Vice President will also be available to meet attendees following the pre-game activities.

During the event the district asks that attendees respect any additional security personnel, media and visitors and allow more time for parking, ticket lines, seating, and concession activity. Students and community members are encouraged to wear the color pink for the Pink Out event in support of the October Breast Cancer Awareness month.

According to school administrators, Activity Director Andy Mitchell was contacted earlier this month by the former Vice President’s staff to arrange the visit. “It’s not every day you get a call to discuss a guest of this caliber and host the former Vice President of our country,” Mitchell said. “We want to present our district and community in the most positive light during their visit here and we are excited to give our students the opportunity to be a part of the experience.”

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five arrests from the past week. There were three separate arrests on September 27th:

28-year-old Zacheriah James Moulter, of Glenwood, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Bond: $1,300; 32-year-old Tyriel Luc Gordon, of Kearney, NE, was arrested on a warrant for 2 counts of Theft 1st – Bond: $10,000; and, Reginald L. Croom, SR., of Omaha, NE, was arrested for Simulated Public Intoxication. – Bond: $300.00

On the 28th, Mills County Deputies arrested 41-year-old Dustin Eugene Kalkas, of Shenandoah, on a warrant for Violation of Probation – Bond: $10,000; and, 31-year-old Ryan Lee Fabian, of Omaha, NE, was arrested for: OWI 1st offense; Interference with Official Acts; Speeding; Open Container, and Reckless Driving – Bond: $2,200.

The dental director of one of the state’s community health centers says Iowa is seeing a critical gap in dentists who will take patients with Medicaid coverage. Dr. Ashley Huber (HYOO-ber), of the Siouxland Community Health Center in Sioux City, says for the past 18 months, her clinic has been restricting new patients to only children, and it’s hard when they have to turn people away, especially those who are in pain.

(As above) Huber says, “We have patients that come up to our front desk in tears, and they’re like, ‘I just can’t do it, I can’t take it anymore.’” The Iowa Dental Association says dental Medicaid rates have been stagnant for more than 20 years, making it difficult for patients and for dentists. The shortage of dentists who treat Medicaid patients is a widespread issue, but Huber says it’s even more noticeable in western Iowa.

(As above) “It becomes an issue where a patient gets so infected that they end up in the ER,” Huber says, “and they end up with this giant hospital bill, or the state ends up with a giant hospital bill.” Huber says Medicaid doesn’t pay enough to cover overhead costs.

(Siouxland Community Healthcare photo)

She believes a strategically structured increase in reimbursement rates for Iowa Medicaid would be one solution to draw dentists back into the provider pool. She also sees a need for more dental assistants.
(Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)

An eastern Iowa school district is closed today (Monday) after an online threat. Radio Iowa’s Dar Danielson reports.

The Cedar Rapids Community School District sent a message to parents and students it was closing all schools after becoming aware of a social media threat made by an unidentified person. The district says the closure is for the safety of all students and staff and they have been working with the Cedar Rapids Police, state public safety and the F-B-I to investigate the situation. No other details about the threat were released.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports two recent vehicle-vs. deer accidents. Both incidents happened Sept. 27th. The first occurred at around 7:55-a.m., when a 2019 Toyota Camry driven by 34-year-old Brooke Sparks, of Waukee, struck a deer on Highway 141 at Hickory Avenue. Sparks told authorities when the deer came out of the south ditch and onto the road, she was couldn’t see it until it was too late. Fog played a role in the collision. Sparks was not hurt. Damage to her car was estimated at $5,000.

The second accident happened at around 8:08-p.m. on Sept. 27th. A 2010 Jeep Liberty driven by 57-year-old Loni Sue Anderson, of Shelby, was northbound on Highway 25 when it hit a deer in the road. Anderson wasn’t hurt, but her SUV sustained $4,000 damage.

RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Lisle Corporation of Page County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties. 

“The team at Lisle Corporation has a reputation for manufacturing excellence. The fact that many of their products are still made at the expanded site of their original Clarinda factory, built in 1903, is a testament to their ability to innovate while staying true to their roots,” said Ranking Member Ernst. “I’m proud to commend Mary Landhuis for her strong leadership as president of Lisle Corporation. I can’t think of a better way to kick off National Women’s Small Business Month than recognizing a woman-led company in southwestern Iowa.”

Lisle Corporation was founded by C.A. Lisle in Clarinda, Iowa. The company got its start in 1903 as a manufacturer of horse-powered water well drilling machines, and in the 120 years since, has expanded to become a manufacturer and marketer of specialty automotive products. Now, Lisle Corporation is known for its mechanic’s creepers, lubrication, and tire products, among their 700 specialty automotive tools. The company is led by third, fourth, fifth, and sixth generation family members, many of whom have received awards for their contributions to the manufacturing industry and the Page County community.