(DES MOINES, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Iowa Department of Education have received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to issue Summer 2023 Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) for eligible school-age Iowa children for the 2022-2023 school year.

This program provides $120 per eligible child, issued on new P-EBT cards to be received by October 4. HHS estimates approximately 240,000 Iowa children are eligible for this benefit, totaling $28 million in food assistance.

Generally, school-age children who were in grades K-12 during the 2022-2023 school year and received free and reduced-price meals at school through the National School Lunch Program as of May 31, 2023 are eligible to receive this benefit.

“Access to a consistent, nutritious diet not only ensures a child’s basic needs are being met, these benefits are an investment in their health and future success, which are key focus areas for HHS,” said HHS Director Kelly Garcia. “These additional funds will support thousands of Iowa families in putting nutritious food on their table.”

Summer 2023 P-EBT cards can be used to purchase eligible food items anywhere SNAP EBT cards are accepted. Eligible food items include dairy, eggs, meat, cereal, rice, pasta, bread, fresh, frozen, canned or dried vegetables and fruit, any ingredients you use for cooking, baby formula, diabetic foods, garden seeds, plants for growing food at home, and ice. Food that is already prepared or hot food, pet food, and non-food items are not eligible for purchase with P-EBT cards. For more information, please visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items.

Families should visit the comprehensive P-EBT FAQ at https://hhs.iowa.gov/food-assistance/related-programs/P-EBT for more information about the Summer 2023 School Age P-EBT program.

If your family struggles with food insecurity check your eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at https://hhs.iowa.gov/how-to-apply; or call 211 or the food bank in your community.

Iowa’s P-EBT program is a shared initiative between HHS and the Iowa Department of Education.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis says Donald Trump’s recent statements on the abortion issue show the former president’s values are out of step with Iowa G-O-P voters. Trump said during an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press that the six week abortion ban DeSantis signed into law this spring was a terrible mistake.

DeSantis suggests Trump’s remarks are a window into how Trump’s 2024 campaign promises are changing when compared to his 2016 platform.

Trump also indicated during his Meet the Press interview that he’d negotiate a deal on abortion that’s acceptable to both sides. DeSantis says that’s “the danger” of returning Trump to the White House for a second term.

DeSantis says. “I think if he’s going into this saying he’s going to make the Democrats happy with respect to right to life, I think all pro-lifers should know that he’s preparing to sell you out.” DeSantis made his comments this (Monday) afternoon during an interview with Radio Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – Vandals spray-painted obscenities on a Webster City sculpture and swung on the piece, causing more damage. The abstract metal sculpture was placed in Brewer Creek Park to honor Kent Harfst, a longtime city Park and Recreation director, who died in 2019. Janet Adams, of the “Arts R Alive” group in Webster City, was saddened by the vandalism.

The sculpture was created with help from 12-thousand dollars raised by residents.

Webster City sculpture before the vandalism. (KQWC photo)

Adams says they’ll work to clean up and repair the sculpture and they’ll keep a closer eye on it going forward.

Adams says the Arts R Alive group is looking for donations to defray the costs to repair the damage.

(Press Release: 11-a.m., Sept. 18, 2023) – The following is an update from the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, with regard to our earlier posts about 73-year old Judy Krueger, from Glenwood, who was reported missing after having last been seen at around 1:30-p.m. Saturday, when she left her residence on foot. Judy Krueger is 5-feet three-inches tall, she weighs about 130-pound, has reddish gray hair, and suffers from Dementia. She was last known to be wearing jeans, and 2-to-3 layered t-shirts. She also has a bracelet with her husband’s contact information on it.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Allen Place on Thursday September 14th. The Ambassadors were on hand to welcome new staff, new management, and to celebrate National Assisted Living Week.

Sarah Brown, Vibrant Life Director, shared about the many activities that were taking place to celebrate National Assisted Living Week which included an outdoor cookout, corn-hole tournament, and Allen Place awards. Sarah is constantly thinking of ways to engage the residents with new day-to-day activities while also welcoming community members into the facility through activities that allow individuals to volunteer to help with activities of simply socializing with the residents.

The Ambassadors met the new Executive Director, Jeff Lowary, who started in May. Jeff is passionate about creating a safe, engaging, and comfortable environment for the residents and has settled in well with the Allen Place team.

The Ambassadors were also introduced to Talya Kamies in her role as Director of Sales and Marketing. Talya shared that Allen Place features 51 one bed, pet-friendly, studio apartments and the facility provide services such as housekeeping, laundry, meal service, medication management and activities in a vibrant community for residents on a short or long-term basis.

Allen Place is now managed by Integral Senior Living which is based in California. Integral Senior Living specializes in the management of senior independent living, assisted living and memory care communities, providing exceptional amenities, award-winning programs, chef-prepared meals, and expert care. The company’s top priority is to deliver a meaningful and vibrant life experience for the residents and create a fulfilling work environment for employees.

Allen Place is located at 1406 E. 19th Street in Atlantic. For more information about Allen Place call 712-264-5584

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Produce in the Park (PIP) is a weekly farmers market and community gathering held every Thursday evening from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM in the Atlantic City Park, now through October 12th. This week (Sept. 21st), local musician Jenna Nau will be providing live music and Amos Fabulous Foods food truck will be on site from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM. Numerous vendors will be in attendance offering a variety of products including baked goods, produce, sweet treats and crafts.

This week you can look forward to the following vendors:

Aubrey’s Bows: assortment of bows including new fall bow collections
Bridgewater Farms: wide assortment of produce including sweet potatoes
Brun Ko Farms: honey, radishes, peppers, sweet snacking peppers, 5, 10 & 20 lb boxes of heirloom slicing tomatoes, onions, garlic & jalapenos and leeks
CK3 Farms: wide assortment of produce including watermelon
Harrisdale Farmstead: assortment of produce including grapes
Imagine Garden Gifts: unique garden gifts including antique, vintage, and repurposed planters.
Kringleman: assorted Danish pastries
Neighborhood Bakehouse: sourdough, baguettes, sandwich bread & mini chocolate baguettes
Noble Provisions: homegrown ribeyes, beef snacks (jerky, summer sausage, beef sticks), beef brats, patties, pork brats, Italian sausage, & ground pork
Piper’s Brae: aronia berries, aronia jam and eggs
Ray’s Wood Turnings
Sue’s Country Garden: assortment of plants, produce, baked goods & jams/jellies
Ter-Bear Honey: home raised raw packaged honey
The 11th Acre: wide assortment of produce, baked goods, cottage foods & crafts
Windy Hill Compost

Featured kids activities will be bounce houses, provided by the Nishna Valley Family YMCA and yard games. Zion Recovery, PIP September sponsor, will have numerous agencies at the park as well as activities for kids to enjoy.

All vendors accept cash, with many accepting credit cards and Venmo. All qualifying food vendors accept SNAP/EBT (also known as food stamps) with all fresh produce vendors accepting Double Up Food Bucks–coupons given for SNAP/EBT purchases of fresh produce.

For updates and information on Produce in the Park or how to sign up to participate, visit www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com. ‘Like’ or ‘follow’ Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/).

Produce in the Park is sponsored by: First Whitney Bank & Trust, Cass Health, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Gregg Young of Atlantic, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Atlantic.

The Atlantic Police report several arrests over the last few days.

On Wednesday, September 13th, 49 year old Jeptha Vestal of Atlantic was arrested on a charge for Harassment 1st Degree.  He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

On Thursday, September 14, 50 year old Brenda Zimmerman of Atlantic was arrested on a Cass County Warrant for Dependent Adult Abuse.  She was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked in and held.

Also on September 14th, 34 year old Felix Valiente Genis of Atlantic was charged with Public Intoxication.  He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

On Saturday, September 16th, 21 year old Brady Fulk of Atlantic was arrested on a Cass County Warrants for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

Iowa State University Police have charged a Des Moines woman with vandalizing several law enforcement vehicles during the Iowa-Iowa State game.

I-S-U police say they were led to 25-year-old Giada Morresi through photos shared on social media and tips after 15 Iowa State Patrol and Story County vehicles were damaged during the game on September 9th. Morresi is facing eight counts of first-degree criminal mischief for damage of more than 10-thousand dollars. And seven counts of second-degree criminal mischief for damage of 15-hundred to 10-thousand dollars.

It’s said the word “Iowa” came from a Native American word for “beautiful land,” and Iowans will be able to showcase some of that beauty through a statewide photography contest. Andy Frantz (FRONZ), executive director of Keep Iowa Beautiful, says they’re seeking entries in the 14th annual contest with the goal of raising awareness of Iowa’s natural and environmental splendor. Frantz says there are five categories.

The pictures people submit seem to get better every year, he says, from breathtaking vistas of waterways to stunning sunsets over tractors in fields. Submitting a photo entry is easy by visiting the website Keep Iowa Beautiful-dot-org.

There are cash prizes up to 500-dollars for the winners and runners up in each category, with “best in show” winners as well. Frantz says they’ve considered using these pictures in a calendar or in some other way, but for now, they’re simply used to promote our state’s spectacular scenery.

There’s a five-dollar fee for each entry to cover the administrative costs of the contest, he says. Entries are now being accepted, while the deadline to enter is December 16th.
keepiowabeautiful.org

A solemn vigil was held in downtown Algona on Sunday night as hundreds of area residents came together to remember the life of Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram. The 33-year-old Cram, who joined the Algona Police Department in 2015, was shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant last Wednesday night. Algona Mayor Rick Murphy addressed those who met in front of the Kossuth County Law Enforcement Center.

Support has been coming in from across the state since the shooting, as many communities used their high school football games on Friday night to raise funds for Officer Cram’s family. Murphy says those efforts are much appreciated as the community mourns the fallen lawman.

Vigil host Bob Jennings recited the Police Officer’s Prayer to end the night.

The funeral for Cram will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 AM in the Algona High School gymnasium. A visitation for the public will be held Tuesday at the Ed and Betty Wilcox Performing Arts Center in Algona from 4-8 PM.