(Adel, Iowa) – The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office reports a stand-off that took place this (Wednesday) morning in Waukee, ended peacefully. Authorities say just before 9-a.m., Dallas County Deputies arrived at 680 SE Jonas Circle in Waukee to execute a court ordered writ of removal on the property. Deputies knocked on the door to see if the resident had vacated the property, per the court order. After knocking on different doors with no answer, Deputies heard two loud noises that sounded like gunshots that came from inside the residence.

Deputies immediately backed off and set up a perimeter while contact was attempted with the resident. Phone contact was eventually made and lone occupant inside the residence was talked into coming outside where they were detained without incident. The resident was believed to be having a mental health episode and was taken for a mental health evaluation and treatment.

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Waukee Police Department, and the West Des Moines Police Department were involved in the incident. The incident remains under investigation.

Iowa Counties impacted: Buena Vista, Fremont, Pottawattamie and Shelby

DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 21, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is investing $21,457,000 in loans and $4,695,000 in grants to provide clean, safe water and promote economic growth in rural Iowa communities as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.  The investments in Iowa are part of a larger national announcement made today by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack totaling $772.6 million for 216 projects. A full list of projects from today’s national announcement is available online.

The six investments for Iowa came through the  Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program. This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. In southwest Iowa….

–City of Randolph in Fremont County received a $351,000 loan to provide additional financing to help improve the lift station and sewer collection and lagoon systems. The project will help reduce excessive infiltration and inflow levels which have caused hydraulic overload and discharges more frequently than allowed by permit. The project will help improve water service and promote the health and safety of community residents, businesses, and visitors.

–Regional Water received a $4,324,000 loan to expand water service. This project will construct 12.25 miles of rural potable water piping infrastructure to two housing developments under construction in rural Pottawattamie County. The project will promote the health and safety of the rural community’s residents, businesses, and visitors.

USDA staff stand beside the East Nishnabotna River near Audubon, site of a 2020 USDA-funded water project

–Harlan Municipal Utilities received a $2,644,000 loan to provide additional funding to improve the water system in the city of Harlan. This project will drill four new wells, construct four new well houses, install new raw water mains to connect the new wells to the existing distribution piping, and install new electrical conduit in the well field. The aged raw water transmission main currently limits available capacity to the treatment plant, which presents a health risk during an extended demand period. Once completed, the project will provide adequate water supplies and will promote the health and safety of the residents of the rural Shelby County community.

–City of Elk Horn received a $2,739,000 loan to improve the controlled discharge lagoon wastewater treatment facility. This project will replace aged components and remove accumulated sludge. This project will slipline and seal sewers and manholes to reduce infiltration and inflow. Once completed, the project will mitigate an imminent health and sanitation hazard, enable the city to meet wastewater standards, and promote the health of residents of the rural Shelby County community.

ANKENY, Iowa [KCCI] —An Ankeny teacher was booked Wednesday into Polk County Jail after being accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student. Rachel Whiteside, 34, of Ankeny, is facing several charges stemming from alleged exploitation of a student. Whiteside, a teacher and coach in the Ankeny Community School District, engaged in sexual conduct with a student in the district between 2015-18, according to Ankeny police. The victim recently reported the relationship to the district, leading to a police investigation.

Whiteside is charged with third-degree sexual abuse, four counts of sexual exploitation by a school employee, and lascivious conduct with a minor. The charges of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation are felonies.

Whiteside is listed on the Ankeny Community School District website as a staff member at Northview Middle School and an assistant varsity softball coach at Ankeny Centennial High School.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Adair County met in a regular session this (Wednesday) morning, and approved several items on their agenda. The Board approved Board Chair Jerry Walker’s signature on about a dozen letters with regard to Ag & Family Farm Disallowances. Auditor Mandy Berg explains.

The Supervisors also approved a Child Abuse Prevention Grant Draw-down, and Walker’s signature on the form. They also approved FY2025 Insurance renewal forms for Medical, Dental, and Vision, along with ISAC County plans for FY 2025 Elections, and Assured Partners Commission Disclosure and related administrative agreements.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater requested and was granted Board approval to begin the process of hiring a Sheriff’s Department replacement for a dispatcher/jailer scheduled to retire on April 8th. Vandewater said it takes three months (sometimes longer) to train an individual for the position.

In his report to the Board, Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented a proposal for repairs to the North 6/Grand River Bridge.

The proposal was accepted, and the repairs will be paid for through the Local Option Sales Tax. Kauffman said also, South Central Iowa Regional 9-1-1 contacted him about replacing street signs in Adair County.

Kauffman said new posts and mounting fixtures would amount to another $100-thousand dollars. He said the current signs are at least 20-years old. The materials would be purchased in the next fiscal year, with SCIR paying the invoice for the signs. Kauffman will have to make some adjustments to his budget to account for the extra expenditure.

He said it’s a good deal for the county, because some signs are damaged each year.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic, will hold a Budget Work Session 3-p.m. Thursday (Feb. 22), in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. During their session, the Council is expected to receive a presentation by Produce in the Park President, Bailey Smith, and Produce in the Park Board Member Ciara Hoegh, on Produce in the Park. They’re also expected to receive a presentation from Christina Bateman, on Economic Development for 2024 and 2025.

The Council will discuss Economic Development Goals for 2024 and 2025 before acting on an order to enter into an Exempt Session (under Iowa Code), for Collective Bargaining strategy purposes. At 10-a.m. Thursday, City officials are expected to exchange Collective Bargaining proposals with the City’s Public Works’ Union of Operating Engineers Local 234.

Afterward, in open session, the Atlantic City Council will discuss the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST), including recommendations for a Local Option Sales Tax Allocation Formula. The discussion will also cover: LOST Streets Funds – West 22nd Street Project Update; LOST Progress Funds – City Coalition Update; and other Discussion regarding LOST Funds.