Oakland, Iowa –  Officials with “United Today, Stronger Tomorrow” and Concerned Citizens of Pottawattamie County, say that on Monday (Nov. 13th), dozens of rural Pottawattamie County residents met at the Oakland Community Center to discuss how they might work together to tap new federal funding focused on rural infrastructure. Throughout the town hall, residents steered away from divisive national politics and instead focused on the issues hyperlocally; issues that they might have a greater impact on and influence in addressing.

There were the most common themes that arose as they always do; roads and bridges, rural healthcare, clean water.  Shawna Anderson, a small business owner and resident of Oakland, said, “I was very happy to see such a good turnout in Oakland. The issues brought up were, as expected, totally different than those issues folks in the city face. Water is a big issue. Both access and keeping it clean. Internet access and cost was also brought up. Things that people in the city just don’t even realize are a problem for those of us in the county.”

And when county residents got down to the very specifics of issues, they were often met with a lot of consensus:

One attendee brought up Treynor’s large wastewater management project currently underway, but noted that it might be hard to meet the total cost needed – almost $5 million – from the current tax base of Treynor’s approximately 1,000 residents.  A boon for these communities may come from better understanding the opportunities in the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure funding and the Inflation Reduction Act, and how rural communities can take it upon themselves to tap these new resources and funding.

Another specific issue that multiple attendees spoke about was regarding access to clean water. Water restrictions are very common for those in rural parts of the county. The wellfield in Avoca is in danger of running dry, and some folks noted that personal wells have had the same problem. Although there is a plan to run water from Council Bluffs out to rural water systems near Minden, it isn’t planned to be ready to use until early 2025. Getting access to an alternate water source for these folks is of utmost importance, and could be addressed through the new federal funding opportunities discussed here.

An idea that is important to many who attended is that of local empowerment. During discussion on the topic, Ellen Garaffa, who lives in Treynor said “The library in Council Bluffs used to have a person who would train people on writing grants… sounds like that would be worth pursuing… We should ask them to go back to providing that service.” Immediately the whole room sounded in agreement. If folks can learn how to write grants, they become empowered to bring money into their rural communities themselves.

United Today Stronger Tomorrow and Concerned Citizens of Pottawattamie County, moving forward, say they will work together with rural communities to identify opportunities in these new federal policies to address their local priorities and needs.  A plurality of attendees agree that they are untrusting of state and federal elected decisionmakers to deliver what they need, and also believe that community members would do better working together to get these things addressed by applying pressure on local elected leaders to seek solutions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

The four U-S senators from Iowa and Nebraska are working together on a bill that would return a tract of land that was seized from the Winnebago Tribe in the 1970s. The land along the Missouri River and was taken through the power of eminent domain to become a recreational area, but those plans never materialized. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says the 16-hundred acres, which are maintained by the Iowa D-N-R as a wildlife area, need to be returned — something he says should’ve been done long ago.

Grassley was scheduled to meet in his Washington D-C office today (Tuesday) with the chief of the Winnebago Tribe, which he’s done before on several occasions.

Some five decades ago, the U-S Army Corps of Engineers planned to use the land both for a recreational area and to stabilize the banks of the Missouri River, but those plans stalled and were eventually tabled. Part of the land on the Nebraska side of the Missouri was given back to the tribe, but the land on the Iowa side was not. Grassley says this should be a relatively simple transaction to return the land to the tribe, but it takes an act of Congress to make it happen.

Grassley is co-sponsoring the bill along with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst and Nebraska Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts — all Republicans.

(Radio Iowa) – A 24-year-old Des Moines man has been charged with murdering a woman who was found with stab wounds at a hotel across the street from the State Fairgrounds early this (Tuesday) morning. According to a news release from Des Moines Police, officers found a woman with traumatic injuries at the hotel shortly after 2:30 a.m. and she was rushed to a Des Moines hospital. Police announced at about nine-a.m. that she had died.

Police say Brantlee Rainey was found “within the room where the stabbing occurred,” he had a knife with what appeared to be blood on it and Rainey fit the description provided by a witness, who police did not identify.

In a written statement released shortly after 3:30 a.m., police said there is “no indication of any ongoing danger or threat to the neighborhood.”

(Radio Iowa) – It’s been 11 days since Alliant Energy shut off the power to the mall in Marshalltown due to unpaid utility bills. John Hall, President and C-E-O of the Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce, says the New York company that owns the mall says electrical issues might be resolved by this Saturday, November 18th. “This has been going on for about 10 months of unpaid electric bills, so I’ll believe it when I see it,” Hall says, “but I know that a lot of businesses out there are holding onto hope that is going to be the case.”

Hall briefed Marshalltown’s city council last (Monday) night about the situation at the mall, which opened in 1972. “Of the 16 total businesses out there, I want to be clear that at this point

none of them have deemed themselves permanently closed and so all are working on trying to find other answers,” Hall said, “but there are four closed inside the mall.”

The fire marshal ordered businesses that are only accessible through the mall itself to close. Businesses with an external exit have been paying Alliant directly and are being allowed to operate, however some had to rewire teir electrical hook-ups and water lines to meet the fire code. The New York company that owns Marshalltown’s mall also owns the Westland Mall in West Burlington and Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids.

COUNCIL BLUFFS — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports the City of Council Bluffs began discharging wastewater from the I-80 Sanitary Pump Station at 5 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14th. The discharge, officials say, is necessary to repair a damaged force main. Repairs will be conducted as quickly as possible but may take several days.

Council Bluffs estimates they will discharge approximately 4 million gallons of untreated wastewater per day during the repairs. The public should avoid contact with the Missouri River downstream from Interstate 80.

 

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County, Tuesday (Today), approved the Tier 1 canvass of votes from the November 7th City/School Elections. Auditor Jill Ozuna reported that out of 7,135 registered voters, there were 1,101 ballots received, with 15.43 percent voter turnout which she said “Was pretty darned good.” Ozuna said there were several write-in votes for many of the open City positions.

The elections in the City of Coburg was a big disappointment, because there were no votes at all for the three, At-Large seats.

Next week, the Montgomery County Supervisors will act on approving the Second Tier, City/College results, as well as all certificates ready for signing, so they may be submitted to the State.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors have tentatively approved the use of ARPA (Covid relief/recovery) funds to help cover the cost of repairs to the Hitchcock House Foundation. They will actually have that as an action item on their agenda next week, since it was only for discussion during their meeting today (Tuesday). Because of the amount of deterioration of the basement wall, the Hitchcock House stopped offering tours of the building on July 23rd. Hitchcock House Board Chair Sharon-Guffey-Lewis said with the repairs to the wall complete,they hope to re-open this historic structure for tours, May 1st, 2024.

Last July, Guffey-Lewis told the Board the cost estimate of the project was $72,000, with a down payment of $22,000 required. During Tuesday’s (Today’s) meeting of the Board, Guffey-Lewis said the project is finished, but they still owe nearly $48,000 to the contractor, since it came in $18,000 over budget. They have received $8,000 in donations, and have used money from the endowment fund, to pay the contractor.

The Hitchcock House Board, she says, intends to cover the costs of interior repairs to the drywall and floors, through grants and donations. In other business, the Cass County Supervisors discussed, but took no action on the subject of childcare operating budgets, the impact on economic development, and the County’s possible role in subsidizing those endeavors. Board Chair Steve Baier spoke about a forum held in Atlantic on Nov. 1st, that dealt with the childcare desert topic.

During the forum, it was noted Cass County has a shortfall of 1,184 spaces, 48-percent of childcare businesses have been lost in the last ten years, and 11-percent in the last five years. Baier says he wanted to add the discussion item to the Supervisors’ agenda, because of what the City of Atlantic did to help the Ann W. Wickman Childcare Development Center.

For years, the City of Atlantic had donated $15,000 annually, for the Ann W. Wickman Childcare Development Center. Supervisor Mark O’Brien asked “Where does this stop?” with regard to public funds being used for non-profit daycare centers, while privately operated centers rely don’t receive any funds except those from the parents/guardians who send their children to those centers. Supervisor Wendy Richter said “We have to be very careful in who we help out,” especially in light of the hours the Wickman Center operates.

Steve Baier suggested the County could avoid using taxpayer monies by using funds derived from interest growth in the Valley Business Fund for economic development. He concluded by saying young people are leaving the County because they can’t find things like childcare that they can find in larger cities.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County 4-H’ers and their families, volunteers and supporters gathered on Sunday, November 12th to celebrate the 2022-2023 4-H year at the 2023 County Convention. Cass County 4-H Youth Coordinator Katie Bateman says 4-H leaders reaching milestones were recognized at the convention, for their service.

Receiving ten-year recognition were Jeff Anderson of Washington GEM, Tarah Anderson of Washington GEM, Beth Henderson of Benton Franklin, Eva Jensen of Grant Guys & Gals, Kristy Pellett of Pymosa, Windy Smith of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids. Recognized as a club leader for five years was Troy Retallic of Bear Grove Blazers.

The 4-H Alumni Award, given to 4-H alumni that have stayed active in supporting the local 4-H program, was presented to Dawn and Donnie Dreager. Dawn and Donnie are long-time supporters of the 4-H program who always encourage youth to do their best. Donnie is instrumental in the Swine Department at County Fair supporting the superintendent and helping wherever needed. Both are alumni of the Pymosa Club, who have continued to contribute time in support of Cass County 4-H.

Dale and the late Pam Kuehl were recognized as Honorary Members; an award given to non-4-H members that offer support and assistance to the local 4-H program. They have been long-time contributors to the fair livestock sale. Dale is a former fairboard member and Pam was a leader of the Brighton Bluebells 4-H Club. They have helped many youth with livestock projects over the years.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to NISHNANET. The team at NISHNANET work hard to provide free Wi-Fi on the fairgrounds during fair week. This service allows data to be entered quickly for shows after weigh-ins, networks to live stream county fair events, and communicate throughout the grounds. 4-H and FFA members, staff, and everyone who comes to the fair is grateful for the services that NISHNANET provide. They are quick to respond to the need and move on a moment’s notice to help all throughout the year.

Members and leaders of all eleven 4-H clubs in Cass County were presented on stage to receive recognition for club activities throughout the year and project awards. Intermediate and Junior 4-H members who completed a record book received project awards based on leaders’ recommendation. High school members turn in their record book at the club level to be reviewed then leaders nominate records to be reviewed again at the county level. Record books are rated on organization, appearance, goals and learning, spelling and grammar. Senior project awards were also presented. These project records should be well organized, neat, and show evidence of solid Citizenship, Communication, and Leadership activities. Points received determine if platinum, gold, silver, or bronze awards are given.

Awards given by clubs are as follows:

Bear Grove Blazers: Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, 4-H Endowment Donation, Silent Auction Item, Banner Club

Project Awards:

Elizabeth Anderson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Photography: Platinum

Catherine DeBord: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Clothing, Food & Nutrition, Home Improvement, Rabbit, Swine

Aly Dreager: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Dog, Food & Nutrition, Sheep, Swine

Dylen Dreager: Project awards in Swine: Silver

Keagen Dreager: Sheep, Swine, Woodworking

Walker Gary: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Sheep, Swine, Woodworking

Michael Hocamp: Overall Record: Star.

Maggie Jacobsen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Home Improvement, Visual Arts

Hunter Kardell: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Photography, Rabbit, Swine

Lynsie Kardell: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Photography, Sewing, Swine, Visual Arts

Macie Kloewer: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Rabbit, Visual Arts

Maggie Kloewer: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Rabbit, Visual Arts

Mia Kloewer: Project Awards: Rabbit: Silver

David Retallic: Overall Record: Gold. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition: Bronze, Rabbit: Bronze, Swine: Silver

Sophia Retallic: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition, Rabbit, Sewing, Swine

Nolan Sunderman: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Visual Arts

Carter Witzman: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Swine: Platinum

Benton Franklin: Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, Silent Auction Item

Project Awards:

Brock Henderson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Beef: Platinum

Ada Nichols: Overall Record: Silver.

Brookelyn Steffen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Swine

Brylee Steffen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Food & Nutrition, Home Improvement, Sewing, Swine, Woodworking

C&M Champions: Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, 4-H Endowment Donation, Silent Auction Item, Swine Herdsmanship

Cowpokes: Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, 4-H Endowment Donation, Silent Auction Item

Project Awards:

Shelby Hansen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Dog, Horse

Garret Stetzel: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Dog

Kaylee Stetzel: Overall Record: Gold. Project Awards: Horse: Gold

Kayedance Sturm: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Horse

Grant Guys and Gals: Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, 4-H Endowment Donation, Silent Auction Item, Rabbit Herdsmanship, Sheep Herdsmanship

Project Awards:

Kinsey Burg: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition, Photography, Sewing, Visual Arts

Macy Burg: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Home Improvement, Photography, Sewing

Brayden Dawson: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Woodworking

Ashton Hagen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Meat Goats

Graham Hagen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef

Tiana Hagen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Sheep

Ada Hansen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Citizenship, Clothing, Food & Nutrition

Isaac Hansen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Food & Nutrition, Health, Swine, Woodworking

Jenna Jensen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Health, Home Improvement, Leadership, Photography, Swine, Visual Arts

Emma Meyer: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Sheep

Kennedy Meyer: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Sheep

Eden Ohms: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Food & Nutrition, Photography, Sewing, Sheep, Visual Arts

Leah Ohms: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Food & Nutrition, Health, Photography, Sewing, Sheep, Visual Arts

Kylee Wessling: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Dog, Food & Nutrition, Home Improvement, Leadership, Photography, Rabbit

Griswold Clubsters: Club Awards: Silent Auction Item, Goat Herdsmanship

Project Awards:

Raylea Amos: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Visual Arts

Josie Millikan: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Consumer Management: Gold, Food & Nutrition: Gold, Health: Silver

Grove H.O.T.: Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, Silent Auction Item, Top Community Service Poster

Project Awards:

Parker Brock: Overall Record: Gold. Project Awards: Dog: Platinum, Meat Goat: Gold.

Conner Johnson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Photography: Platinum, Poultry: Platinum

Lily Johnson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Clothing: Platinum, Communications: Platinum, Dairy Goat: Platinum, Food & Nutrition: Platinum, Poultry: Platinum, Sewing: Platinum

Rio Johnson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Clothing: Platinum, Communications: Platinum, Food & Nutrition: Platinum, Photography: Platinum, Poultry: Platinum, Sewing: Platinum, Visual Arts: Platinum.

Claire Schroder: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Sewing: Gold

Pleasant Noble United: Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, Silent Auction Item

Project Awards:

Conlan Amos: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition, Poultry, Veterinary Science

Zoey Amos: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Clothing, Food & Nutrition, Photography

Emma Ritter: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Dog, Visual Arts

Gage Ritter: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Dog, Woodworking

Kailey Swain: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Meat Goat: Platinum, Rabbit: Platinum, Swine: Platinum.

Trista Swain: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition: Platinum, Meat Goat: Platinum, Rabbit: Platinum, Swine: Platinum

Pymosa: Club Awards: Silent Auction Item, Beef Herdsmanship

Project Awards:

Makayla Atkinson: completed a record book.

Dayna Dreager: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Swine: Platinum

Keira Olson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition: Platinum, Leadership: Platinum

Olivia Olson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Photography: Bronze, Woodworking: Bronze

Callee Pellett: Overall Record: Gold.

Claire Pellett: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Beef: Platinum, Dog: Platinum, Food & Nutrition: Platinum, Health: Platinum, Home Improvement: Platinum.

Oakley Skow: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition

Miraylie Stuart: Overall Record: Gold. Project Awards: Beef: Gold

Teague Stuart: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Sheep

Union Leaders: Club Awards: Silent Auction Item

Project Awards:

Oliver Becker: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Sewing

Rachel Becker: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Beef: Silver

Reilly Becker: completed a record book.

Tristan Becker: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Beef: Silver

Bay Erickson: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Clothing, Food & Nutrition, Photography, Rabbit, Visual Arts

Bryson Lee: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition, STEM, Woodworking

Lane Mills: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Meat Goats

Washington GEM: Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, Silent Auction Item, Top Secretary Book, Top Treasurer Book, Top Historian Book

Project Awards:

Colton Anderson: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Swine

Maddy Anderson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Swine: Silver.

Natalie Boose: Overall Record: Star.

Bentley Bruck: Overall Record: Star.

Jacquelyn Freund: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Child Development, Home Improvement, Sewing

Macy Freund: Overall Record: Star.

Gracelyn Larsen: Overall Record: Star.

Grant Petty: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Swine

Lane Robinson: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Swine

Quincy Robinson: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Swine

Gentry Waters: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Visual Arts

Paxton Wickard: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Woodworking

Zach Zellmer: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Rabbits and Swine

Senior 4-H’ers could also apply for County-Level awards, which required a special application and information regarding their overall 4-H experiences. Receiving county level award recognition were Lily Johnson of Grove H.O.T – Merit Award, Parker Brock of Grove H.O.T – Achievement Award, Maddy Anderson of Washington GEM – Citizenship Award, Claire Pellett of Pymosa – Leadership Award, Kailey Swain of Pleasant Noble United – Learning through Livestock Award, Rio Johnson of Grove H.O.T. – Danforth “I Dare You” Award.

Bear Grove Blazers was recognized for the top window display during National 4-H Week and as the Banner Club winner for all the activities completed this past 4-H program year. Grove H.O.T won top community service project poster. Club officers keep records throughout the year and turn in books to be reviewed. Top books in the county are selected for Secretary, Treasurer and Historian. Washington GEM took home all three of these officer book awards.

The afternoon concluded with the installation of fifteen senior level 4-H’ers onto the 2023-2024 County 4-H Youth Council. Members are: Maddy Anderson of Washington GEM, Makayla Atkinson of Pymosa, Parker Brock of Grove H.O.T., Alyson Dreager of Bear Grove Blazers, Jacquelyn Freund of Washington GEM, Ada Hansen of Grant Guys & Gals, Brock Henderson of Benton Franklin, Lily Johnson of Grove H.O.T., Leah Ohms of Grant Guys & Gals, Olivia Olson of Pymosa, Callee Pellett of Pymosa, Claire Pellett of Pymosa, Claire Schroder of Grove H.O.T., Miraylie Stuart of Pymosa, and Kailey Swain of Pleasant Noble United.

For more information about joining the Cass County 4-H program as a 4-H member or adult volunteer, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass, call 712-243-1132, or email kbateman@iastate.edu to contact the Cass County Extension office.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman from Shenandoah was arrested this (Tuesday) morning, on a Mills County warrant. 31-year-old Shelby Lynn Ross was arrested at the Fremont County Jail, on the warrant for Failure to Appear. Her bond was set at $25,000.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans are urged to take steps to avoid becoming fraud victims and to prevent the misuse of public funds in their own communities. As part of International Fraud Awareness Week, State Auditor Rob Sand wants residents to check that their local community puts a second set of eyes on finances. Sand says one common form of fraud is when a city or county clerk writes checks to pay themselves more or to buy personal items. He says the best prevention is having more than one person oversee financial statements. “We want people to understand that we trust them, and so there’s a tension there that sort of stops us from doing the work that we’re supposed to do to be a check and a balance on them,” Sand says. “Just remind them that you don’t want them to feel tempted.”

Sand says his office has uncovered 29-million dollars in fraud with public funds since he took office in 2019. That includes more than 20-million dollars in misused pandemic relief funds from the federal CARES Act.

Tammy Simpson leads the Des Moines chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Simpson says advances in technology have only made it more difficult to prevent identity theft online. “Watch your financial accounts, especially if you recently got scammed, if you answered a phone call that was suspicious and gave out financial information,” Simpson says. “Then you know you are a target.”

Simpson says consumers should even be careful to protect their voices. She says even a short exchange over the phone can be used to replicate a person’s voice to try to gain access to their accounts. She says Iowa consumers should take extra precautions to protect their bank accounts. According to the Federal Trade Commission, American consumers lost 8.8 billion dollars to fraud in 2022.