(Radio Iowa) – Pro football fans in Iowa who’d like to see the Super Bowl in person in Arizona next month need to roll up their sleeves and donate blood. Josh Murray, spokesman for the American Red Cross in Iowa, says a special promotion between the agency and the N-F-L runs through the end of January — that’s next Tuesday.  “Anyone who comes to give blood, you’ll be entered into a chance to win two tickets to the Super Bowl,” Murray says. “We also will take care of your airfare, hotel accommodations for three nights, and we’re also going to give you a gift card for $500 for other expenses that you might have while you’re there.”

One in seven patients who go to a hospital need a blood transfusion, but only three-percent of Americans give blood. If you’ve never donated a pint before, Murray says it’s an easy procedure — and it’s vital to saving lives. “The whole donation process from door-to-door is going to be about 45 minutes, but the donation itself takes less than 10 minutes,” Murray says. “We have to ask some questions and check your blood pressure, things like that, before we get you situated. The donation will be quick, then we’ll get you some snacks and get you on your way.”

Wintertime is the slowest time of the year for blood donors, so Murray says they’ve tried to make it as simple as possible to sign up to give. “It’s really easy. You can go 1-800 Red Cross or you can visit RedCrossBlood.org,” Murray says. “Both those places will ask for your ZIP code, you put that in and it’ll come up with all the opportunities to give over the next several weeks in your area. You find one that works for you or your location and you’re able to make an appointment right there.”

The Super Bowl is scheduled for February 12th.

DES MOINES – Governor Reynolds today (Thursday) announced that 23 communities have been awarded a total of $9 million in grants to advance water quality projects. Among those communities is Farragut, Harlan, Mondamin, Shenandoah and Treynor. (See a link to the complete list at the bottom of this report) The funding is made available through the Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Financial Assistance Program, which was created as a part of Senate File 512, the first legislation signed into law by Governor Reynolds in January 2018.

The 2022 program received 60 applications requesting more than $24 million in water quality grants. A committee consisting of designees from the Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship judged the Wastewater and Drinking Water Financial Assistance Program applications based on the program’s priorities.

Priorities for grant awards include: Disadvantaged communities; Projects that will significantly improve water quality in their watershed; Projects that use alternative wastewater treatment technologies; Communities with the highest sewer or water rates; Projects that use technology to address nutrient reduction; and projects to address improvements to drinking water source waters.

The program receives a portion of the tax on metered water and had more than $9 million available for allocation in 2022. Grants will be awarded through the program on an annual basis through 2039. The Wastewater program has assisted a total of more than 50 communities through a total of nearly $18 million in water quality grants since the first awards were granted in 2019. The program is expected to have approximately $6 million in available funds in 2023 based on the portion of tax that will be allocated to the program.

The award list is available HERE.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) — A structure fire Wednesday night in Council Bluffs resulted in the death of a man and a dog. According to Council Bluffs Fire Investigator Dan Roberts, firefighers were called to the scene at 114 Blackhawk Street at around 8:50-p.m.  Roberts says upon arrival, fire crews found smoke and fire coming from the house. They were informed that someone could be trapped inside.

Firefighters who made quick entry into the house to conduct search and rescue and extinguish the flames, found a deceased male victim and a dog.

The incident remains under investigation. The victim’s identity will be released following confirmation during an autopsy.

(Radio Iowa) – Black bears would become a protected species under legislation working its way through the Iowa House. Representative Dave Jacoby of Coralville says the goal is to let state officials regulate hunting if the black bear population grows. “I think it’s important for Iowans if we do see a shift or a reintroduction naturally of black bear in Iowa that we have a system,” Jacoby says, “that we don’t want to shoot them on site, but going through the Department (of Natural Resources) and the legislature decide on how we want to handle possible open hunting seasons.”

Jacoby says he sponsored the bill after hearing from a number of people in Winneshiek County. “A couple of years ago a couple of some black bear were seen in Winneshiek (County),” Jacoby says, “and I think there’s also some black bear that venture into Iowa more than we know.” The bill directs the Department of Natural Resources to monitor the population of black bear in Iowa and set up a hunting season if the population needs to be controlled or reduced at any point. “I happen to be experience in Superior National Forest up north,” Jacoby says. “I’ve been around bears for the last 40 years and frankly I’m more scared of getting trampled by a moose than a bear.”

Todd Coffelt of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says if the population increases, a so-called “season” for black bear should be included in the part of state law about “fur harvesting.” “Even though we may use the word hunt for black bears,” Coffelt says. For example, there’s currently a coyote season in Iowa, alongside seasons for trapping smaller animals like mink and muskrats. That season started November 5th and ends January 31st.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Jan. 26, 2023 – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 office reports east- and westbound West Broadway will be closed Saturday morning through early Monday morning, Jan. 28-30, at Interstate 29 for bridge demolition work. The closure will begin at 5 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, and will remain in place until 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, weather permitting. Contractors will be working throughout the duration of the closure. However, the noisiest demolition operations will only occur between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Iowa DOT is in the process of reconstructing I-80, I-29, and I-480 in the Council Bluffs metropolitan area as part of the Council Bluffs Interstate Improvement Program. This comprehensive interstate redesign will modernize the highway system and improve mobility and safety of approximately 18 miles of interstate.

Iowa DOT is working hard to keep the public informed of construction impacts and actively seeks opportunities to update the public. For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit the program website at www.CouncilBluffsInterstate.IowaDOT.gov. You can also contact the program office at 712-216-3339 or info@CouncilBluffsInterstate.com.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School District’s Board of Directors heard from District Transportation Director Mark Weis, during a Work Session, Wednesday evening. Weis spent a portion of his report on “The Heart of the Transportation Department,” those who work in the department. He says their licensure is one of the most important aspects of the department. That list includes everyone from the mechanics and secretaries, to route drivers.

Most of the Department’s personnel hold regular jobs, yet they still make time to drive routes. Retired drivers also play a role in getting students and staff to where they need to go. In addition to bus drivers, there are personnel who hold a Class-D Chauffeur’s License to drive cars and vans in the district’s fleet. He was asked about turnover in the department.

Weis said his department is currently understaffed, but that’s where substitutes help take up some of the slack and fill-in when necessary.

He says they make it work the best they can.They have enough vehicles, just not enough people to drive them, which is the case in a lot of school districts. Mark Weis said with regard to the vehicles, a State Inspector will inspect the fleet next week, with the exception of Bus 10.

ACSD Transportation Director Mark Weis (Snapshot from Zoom session)

Weis told the Board they’ve made a lot of improvementss to the bus garage (Bus “Barn”), including the addition of a tool to help control the amount of rust the buses have.

The Atlantic School Board also heard a lengthy presentation from Schuler Principal James Northwick, Middle School Principal Scot Aden, Middle School Counselor Angela Sieh, and others, with regard to social and emotional learning support in the district.

(Lenox, Iowa) – The Griswold and Lenox Community School District Boards of Education have approved contracts with Superintendent Dave Henrichs. The Boards met Wednesday evening at the Lenox High School. Mr. Henrichs said their first action item was to approve a shared Superintendent Agreement between the two districts.

The second action item was for the Lenox School Board, only, and Henrichs’ individual contract with that district.

He explained the reason for a one-year only contract with Lenox.

Henrichs says there’s a clause in his contract with regard to insurance, that says if he has coverage through his spouse, then he would get cash in lieu of that.

He says “At the end of the day, when you compare total dollars for all expenses associated with my position, it’s a total package decrease of nine-percent.

He calls the agreement a “win-win” for both parties.

(Radio Iowa) –  For the first time about nine decades, the leader of the Iowa Pork Producers Association is a woman. Trish Cook, of Buchanan County, was elected Tuesday at the organization’s annual meeting. Cook and her family run a farm near Winthrop that produces 32-thousand hogs a year as well as corn and soybeans. Cook says one of her goals for 2023 is to build on the vigilance Iowa pork producers have developed in recent years to guard against biohazards, like foreign animal diseases.

As for being the first woman in the post, Cook says the things that are important to her are important to all pork producers, which she says starts with working as a team.

(Creston, Iowa) – A man from rural Creston was arrested late Wednesday night, following a traffic stop. The Creston Police Department reports 32-year-old Devon Taylor Keller was arrested at Highway 34 and Pole Road, in Creston. He was charged with Violation of No Contact Protective Order. Keller being held without bond in the Union County Jail, until seen by a Judge.

(Radio Iowa) – The managers of the Q Casino in Dubuque are asking state regulators today (Thursday) for approval of a multi-million dollar renovation plan. The casino’s chief commercial officer, Stacy Kansky, says there are a couple things driving the plan. “It’s been about 15 years plus that we’ve done any significant upgrades to the property. And so we felt it was really important for us to reinvest in ourselves if we want to grow, especially as some of these new nearby gaming properties, and Wisconsin and Illinois are opening up,” Kansky says.

The first two phases involve remodeling and connecting the former racing grandstand viewing area to the casino while moving the main casino downstairs. Stage three involves creating a family entertainment area. “We’re super excited about this because we don’t have the opportunity right now to really offer much for those under 21. So during this phase, we will transform that upper casino gaming area into an all ages area,” she says.  She says they are considering things like an upscale arcade, ax throwing, duck bowling, and ping pong. The fourth phase will be a new hotel and rooftop restaurant.

“It’ll likely be under the Hilton brand portfolio as well. And we’re concepting the rooftop restaurant and that boutique hotel concept right now,” Kansky says. “And then phase five, we’ll go back and look at the exterior. So upgrades to the facade, landscaping, surface parking area.” Kansky says the casino renovation and improvements go along with the Veterans Memorial and Ice Arena redevelopment in the Schmitt Island area where the casino is located. Kansky says all the improvements help make Dubuque a destination.

Artist rendering of Schmidt Island in Dubuque. (Q Casino photo)

“It’ll make it so people that are looking, whether they’re local, or they’re driving in from those driving markets, it’ll give them some other offerings to participate with,” she says. “They can go and it’ll still cater to adults with you know, the bar on some of those nightlife activities. It’ll be adult friendly, but it also is kid friendly as well. So it really expands the demographics and who are able to go out and target and who would really like to come and enjoy the property and all that Schmidt island has to offer.” “There’s obviously an issue here with labor and we’re hoping a lot of this will create a greater appeal for people to come and live, work, and play,” Kansky says.

The project is estimated to cost between 75 and 80 million dollars to complete. If the Racing and Gaming Commission approves, she says the construction is tentatively scheduled to start on February 7th.