DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — The Des Moines community is mourning the loss of the longest serving Des Moines School Board member on Sunday morning. Des Moines Public Schools was informed by family on Sunday morning that Teree Caldwell-Johnson passed away this morning after a long battle with cancer.

Ms. Caldwell-Johnson just stepped down on March 5 amidst her battle with cancer. She was the longest-serving member of the Des Moines School Board, going back to when she was elected in November 2006.

A biography of Ms. Caldwell-Johnson can be found on the district’s website, along with a video tribute for her after she had stepped down earlier this month.

INDIANOLA, Iowa [WHO-TV]— A fire destroyed portions of the National Balloon Museum in Indianola on Friday morning. Eric Martens, president of the National Balloon Museum, said a worker with the National Balloon Classic was getting ready to start her day at the office when she smelled smoke. She called 911 and emergency crews quickly responded to the scene. Staff believe the fire started in the children’s area of the museum, but the cause of the fire is unknown at this time. No one was injured in the fire, but some historical artifacts and the offices for the National Balloon Classic and Balloon Federation of America were damaged.

On the museum’s Facebook page, officials said as a result of the fire, “The scheduled reopening on April 6th, 2024 is regrettably cancelled until further notice. Renovation of the museum was nearly complete when the fire broke out.

In a Facebook post, officials with the National Balloon Classic, said while the fire was devastating, it won’t affect the festival this summer. The 2024 National Balloon Classic is still scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 3. The museum team is working closely with authorities and insurance adjusters to assess the damage and restore the museum as soon as possible. The public can stay up to date on the progress by following the museum’s Facebook page.

The National Balloon Museum in Indianola, IA (Facebook photo taken before the fire)

The Balloon Federation of America opened the museum in 1973. In 2003 the museum was expanded, allowing the museum to showcase even more aviation history. Another renovation was nearly complete and the museum was set to reopen on April 6. Due to the fire the reopening has been canceled until further notice.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — Hundreds of volunteers rode horseback across the state on Saturday to raise money for adults and children with disabilities. Pony Express Riders of Iowa raises funds for Easterseals Iowa & Camp Sunnyside in Des Moines. Local groups ride horses across the state “relay style” to bring in the funds throughout the year.

Last Saturday, everyone involved with the nonprofit paraded together to celebrate their achievements. Their mission is for all Iowans to be able to experience the joys of camp. The group has donated more than $12 million to support the organization over the last five decades.

Photo from the Jefferson, Iowa PD Facebook page

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Lottery C-E-O Matt Strawn says the independent review of an error that led to the wrong numbers being reported for a Powerball drawing last November is done. He says Lottery employees and the gaming company they use were involved. “It will lead to improvements in our respective job reporting processes and is something that is currently being implemented by both of the respective parties,” he says. The wrong numbers were manually entered for the Powerball drawing and the system for checking and cashing a Powerball tickets was shut down for several hours until the correct numbers were entered. Strawn says he cannot reveal the exact processes due to security concern.

“As much as we can remove human element from these processes I think that continues to instill confidence in lottery games going forward,” Strawn says. He says it was important to do a full outside review. “Because at the end of the day, every player needs to have a belief that these games are fair. And they are. And you know, the operation is one that has the utmost integrity attached to it,” he says. “So I’m confident that as those processes are going to be put into place that we won’t see the type of human error involved in reporting results.”

The Lottery’s spokesperson said at the time that the incorrect results were only available on the Lottery system from about 12:30 a-m until 7:15 a-m when there would not be a lot of people checking them.

(Radio Iowa) – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Iowa, and Sharon Miller, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, says they hope to raise awareness about the problem which prompts some 35-thousand investigations statewide each year. Miller says, “It’s really a time for us to focus on the efforts of prevention, to advocate, and promote the work with others who work tirelessly to help children and families in our communities thrive.” Miller says the biggest child abuse problem in Iowa is typically child neglect.

“It can manifest as food insecurity, it can manifest as children being left home alone too long, their parents are working multiple jobs,” Miller says, “they’re not having their critical needs taken care of.” State studies show about 59% of child abuse cases in Iowa involve neglect, followed by drug-related cases at 28%. Physical and sexual abuse make up a small fraction of cases, but a federal study finds sexual abuse is widely under-reported, with roughly one in four girls and one in 13 boys sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Miller says there is a message for the month, as they hope to promote positive childhood experiences and prevent the adversity children sometimes face.

“What we really would like folks to do is think about our neighbors because parenting is hard,” she says. “Raising children is hard, and what we know is that, the more connections and the more relationships that we have that can uplift and empower families, the better it is for the children.” The annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference will be held April 30th and May 1st at the F-F-A Enrichment Center in Ankeny. The state’s Child or Dependent Adult Abuse Hotline is 1-800-362-2178.

On the web at pcaiowa.org

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, during their meeting March 21st, adopted a memorandum of understanding with the YMCA with regard to 2024 Summer operation of the Sunnyside Pool, in Atlantic. YMCA Executive Director Dan Haynes the agreement means the YMCA will hiring all the management and staff for the pool. And, an anonymous donor will pay for the first 10 people to take a YMCA-sponsored Life Guard class, and who plan to work for the YMCA at Sunnyside or the pool at the YMCA. The class normally costs $200 There is also a new $15 per hour or more starting wage for Life Guards, depending on experience. Life Guard candidates must be 15-years-old by the last day of the lifeguarding class, which is also open to adults.

The Red Cross Lifeguard class will be held April 17th, so you have time to compete the on-line portion of the class, according to Haynes. A pre-required swim will take place April 24th from 5-until 7-p.m. for lifeguard candidates. You may arrange for another time with instructors if needed, but the on-line portion of the class must be completed before attending the first session on May 3rd from 5-until 7-p.m. Additional classes will be held May 4th & 5th, from 9-a.m. until 6-p.m.

The Nishna Valley Family YMCA has also announced they will be hiring a three-month Seasonal Manager and Assistant Manager(s) for the Sunnyside Pool. Those positions will pay up to $25/hour, depending on experience. The Manager position requires leadership skills to organize a staff team, and provide a safe, fun, professional and encouraging atmosphere. The Manager position will come with a FREE one-year adult or family membership to the NV YMCA, and support the newly formed Aquatics Committee, made up of YMCA and community representatives.

For more information: Call Dan Haynes at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA (712-243-3924); Stop by the Y at 1100 Maple Street, or apply on-line at nishnavalleyymca.com under “about us” “Careers.”