(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Secondary Roads Department, today (Monday), reports rown Ave. will be closed to traffic just north of 170th St. for approximately 3-4 days for a culvert replacement.

(Radio Iowa)- There’s a nationwide push to recruit more minorities for careers in law enforcement and a community in northwest Iowa is emphasizing diversity on its police force. Bayron Ordonez, who was born in Honduras, is one of four new officers taking the oath to serve and protect Sioux City.

Sioux City Police Chief Rex Mueller agrees.

Of four new officers recently sworn into duty in Sioux City, two come from the Hispanic community, including Ordonez.

Of the 127 officers on the city’s police force, more than a quarter are minorities, including women. There are no Native Americans on the force. About 20-percent of Sioux City’s population is Hispanic. Now, about eight-percent of the city’s police officers are Hispanic.

(Radio Iowa) – Five people were injured after a truck crashed into a house in Plymouth County this (Monday) morning. The Iowa State Patrol says the driver, 32-year-old Jesus Almaraz of Sioux City suffered a medical condition as he drove on Highway 3 near Le Mars is around 7 a-m and his truck went out of control and hit the north ditch causing it to go airborne and crash into a house.

Almaraz as was taken to Valley Hospital in Le Mars for treatment. Three passengers in the truck, also from Sioux City, sustained injuries. One of them needed to be extricated from the vehicle and was airlifted to a Sioux City Hospital for treatment. The state patrol says one resident inside the house also sustained minor injuries.

Several arrests were reported in the last week by police in Glenwood, among them:

On August 20th, Jennifer Baucom, 60, of Glenwood was arrested for OWI- 1st offense, bond set at $1,000 cash or surety (posted bond).

And, Ashton Schuppan, 35, of Glenwood was arrested for Criminal Mischief – 2nd offense, bond set at $5,000 cash or surety (posted bond).

On August 22nd, Byron Parker, 21, of Council Bluffs was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, total bond set of $1,300 cash or surety (posted bond).

Also,  Kayla Dutcher, 20, of Council Bluffs was arrested for Poss. of Marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, total bond set at $1,300 cash or surety (posted bond).

On August 24th, Ashton Schuppan, 35, of Glenwood was arrested on a Mills County warrant for Criminal Mischief 2nd degree, bond set at $5,000 cash or surety (posted bond).

On August 25th, Blaine Houser, 20, of Glenwood was arrested for OWI 1st offense and possession of drug paraphernalia, total bond set at $1,300 (posted bond).

Representatives from Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) along with developers and city officials in Woodbine and Glenwood came together to celebrate progress on Disaster Recovery housing projects on Tuesday, August 22nd. These projects are the fruit of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery funding from the 2019 floods in Southwest Iowa.

From Left to Right Back: Jacob Levang- IEDA, Jeff Geerts – IEDA, Ashley Hayes – SWIPCO, Steven Stransky – IEDA, Kevin O’Neill – HUD, Anderson Stoute -HUD, Brian Sullivan – IEDA, Steve Eggleston- HUD, Todd Heistand – NuStyle Development Corp, Mitch Scanlan- NuStyle Development Corp. Front: Jared Morford – IEDA, Teresa Yeung – HUD, Katie Shelton – IEDA, Hayley Krozier – IEDA, Abbey Lukehart – USDA, Jenna Tennant – USDA, Carrie Murdock- NuStyle Development Corp, Aaron Koontz – SWIPCO, Erin Hudson – SWIPCO, Greg Rothermel, NuStyle Development Corp.

The group first met in Woodbine to get a look at a 40 new home project that is nearing completion by NuStyle Development Corporation. These new homes and supporting infrastructure will allow displaced flood victims an opportunity to return to an area they prefer to live at an affordable price. It will also benefit low to moderate income families that want to put down roots in the community. Non-flood impacted households can also apply.

The initial funding was available for communities and counties to apply for to support building new homes, rehabbing homes, and rebuilding vital infrastructure. The cities of Woodbine and Glenwood applied and then took bids for projects from developers. They then selected developer projects that they felt best represented the communities’ needs and got to work after project approval. Malvern, Tabor, Logan, and Hamburg also have active projects.

After their morning visit to Woodbine, representatives from SWIPCO, HUD, and IEDA traveled to view some projects in Glenwood with city officials and representatives of developer Mark Hughes Construction. Glenwood has multiple projects underway including 40 new homes in the Arbor Hills Development with Mark Hughes Construction and the Burr Oak Apartment Complex being developed by Travis Overhue.

From Left to Right Back: Sandi Winton – Jim Hughes Real Estate, Steven Stransky – IEDA, Jacob Levang- IEDA, Amber Farnam- Glenwood City Administrator, Brian Sullivan- IEDA, Jeff Geerts- IEDA, Dave Smith, Mark Hughes Construction Front: Mark Hughes – Mark Hughes Construction, Jared Morford- IEDA, Katie Shelton – IEDA, Hayley Krozier – IEDA, Ashley Hayes- SWIPCO, Aaron Koontz – SWIPCO, Brad Taylor- Mark Hughes Construction, Jennifer Hughes- Mark Hughes Construction, Nate Bolte- Mark Hughes Construction

SWIPCO Disaster Recovery Coordinator Ashley Hayes said “It is so rewarding to see these projects making progress to give individuals that were displaced by the flood a chance to move back to a small town. Many individuals that have applied have told us they had no choice but to move somewhere they didn’t really want to and they are so happy to return to the area they love.”

Hayes said it takes community support to make these projects happen, “It’s also so great to see the pride these communities have and their future vision for growth.”

Over half of the homes in Woodbine have qualified families in the process of purchase. Developers receive a $100,000 reimbursement to build the homes valued at around $275,000 so they can be sold at a more affordable $175,000 price tag. Hayes said some individuals have also worked with USDA to secure loans, which has been very helpful. Many of the spots in Glenwood also have buyers ready, as do some other smaller projects in Tabor.

If you or anyone you know has an interest in new homes being built in Woodbine, Logan, Glenwood, Malvern, Tabor, or Hamburg. Or if you are interested in new rental opportunities in Glenwood visit www.swipco.org and follow the link on the home page for more information. If you have additional questions call 712-243-4196. SWIPCO is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Monday, August 28th was the first day for local candidates to file papers to run for local city and school board elections.  On the first day, three candidates files nominations papers for city of Atlantic seats.

Linda J. Hartkopf filed to run for re-election to Atlantic’s 4th Ward council seat and Pat McCurdy filed for re-election in Atlantic’s 3rd Ward.

Also, for Atlantic Parks and Recreation Board, Mary Strong filed her papers on Monday for one of the two available seats.

During this year’s Iowa State Fair, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau partnered with the Iowa State Patrol to survey fair goers about mobile device and seat belt use in vehicles. Iowans from nearly every county were polled and represented in the data. The results show lower seat belt use in the backseat, an alarming number of drivers holding cell phones, and broad support for hands-free legislation.

Results from the survey of 1459 Iowans show cell phone use behind the wheel is prevalent with 51% of drivers admitting to always or sometimes having a mobile device in hand. Despite high usage, 85% surveyed support hands-free legislation.  Bills limiting cell phone use by mandating hands-free technology have been introduced in the Iowa Legislature since 2019, all attempts at passage have been unsuccessful.

Over 55% of Iowa’s passenger vehicle traffic fatalities are unbelted/unknown. While 91% of Iowans polled reported always buckling up when driving, only 66% always wear a seat belt in the backseat. This statistic comes on the heels of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announcing a proposed rule to require front and rear seat belt warning systems for drivers in most new vehicles manufactured in the United States. Iowa has a primary seat belt law for front seat passengers only. Passengers over 18 in rear seats are not required to wear a seat belt.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce deaths and injuries on Iowa’s roadways using federally funded grants.

Governor Kim Reynolds today (Monday) announced that the schedule of unemployment insurance rates used to tax Iowa employers will remain at the lowest possible level allowed by law. This marks the second consecutive year at the current rates, and only the second time Iowa’s rates have been at this level during the past 25 years.

“Today’s announcement will be welcome news to any Iowa business that may be fearing the impact of the uncertainty in the economy on a national level,” said Governor Reynolds. “We have done everything possible to insulate Iowa employers from ongoing inflation and other rising costs and our efforts have ensured that the tax burden for employers in Iowa will be the lowest possible rate for the second time in the last 25 years.”

“Under the leadership of Governor Reynolds, Iowa’s wise investments and prudent stewardship of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund have allowed us to provide stability to Iowa’s employers,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director, Iowa Workforce Development. “Additionally, the positive impact of returning Iowans to work in the shortest time possible through the efforts of the Reemployment Case Management program have helped to keep the UI Trust Fund healthy and well-funded.”

Iowa law requires Iowa Workforce Development to establish a table each year to determine the impact of unemployment tax rates on eligible employers. The trigger for deciding which unemployment insurance rate table to implement is derived from a formula based primarily on the balance in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, unemployment benefit history, and covered wage growth.

The latest calculations based on this formula mean contribution rates in calendar 2024 again will be drawn from Table 8. Last year, the switch to Table 8 from Table 7 saved employers an estimated $72.20 per employee (based on employee wages totaling $36,100 or more with employers paying the median tax rate and remaining in the same tax rank).

Iowa was able to make the switch to Table 8 in 2023 due to decisions by Gov. Reynolds that helped keep the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund in a strong position following record benefit payouts during the pandemic. In 2021, Gov. Reynolds invested $237 million in ARP funds into the trust fund. In 2020, Reynolds previously had directed that $490 million of Cares Act coronavirus relief funds be used to backstop the trust fund during record unemployment.

A Greenfield man faces charges from a traffic stop in April.  28 year old Aaron Joseph Pearson was charged with Operating While under the Influence 1st Offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) 1st, and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs.

The charges were filed after toxicology reports came back from the state lab.

The original incident began with a traffic stop on April 25 when deputies clocked his sedan on Stuart Road in Adair County doing 79 mph in a 55 mph zone.  The deputy reported smelling marijuana and Pearson admitted to smoking recently.  A search of the vehicle uncovered a grinder and pipe, 2 glass meth pipes, a sealed plastic bag with a crystalline substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine, An orange prescription bottle with no label that contained green leafy plant material and two prescription pills.  A urine sample revealed meth in Pearson’s and that the crystalline substance was meth.

Pearson was cited and released.

On August 26th, 28 year old Rebecca Labertew of Des Moines was charged after a traffic stop in Stuart.  When questioned, Labertew admitted to deputies that she had marijuana.  A marijuana pipe was found during a search of the vehicle.  Labertew was released after being charged for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and was given a written warning for Unlawful use of a License. The driver of the vehicle, 32-year-old Justin Fitzmier, of Mound City, Missouri, admitted to possessing THC wax and a glass pipe with plastic on the outside that had residue on it consistent with smoking THC wax.  Fitzmier was released after being charged for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and given warnings for Not having a Valid Driver’s License, Open Container and Improper Rear Lamp.

Also, on August 21st, 62 year old Joseph Skiles of Ardmore, Oklahoma was arrested for Theft 5th Degree.  Skiles is charged with taking a bottle of vodka from the Caseys General Store in Adair.  He was held on $300 cash or surety bond.

If you travel on U.S. 30 near Woodbine in Harrison County you need to be aware of a bridge replacement project that may slow down your trip beginning on Monday, Sept. 11 through Oct. 2, weather permitting.  While construction crews work on this project, you will be detoured around the work zone using Iowa 37, Iowa 191, and Harrison County Road F-32.  Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution.