(Radio Iowa) – Just eight percent of registered Iowa voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s Primary Elections. Secretary of State Paul Pate is Iowa’s top election official. “It’s a quiet election and we’ll be analyzing that for some time to figure out: ‘What was that about?’ Is it voter fatigue? Is it because there wasn’t some big statewide primary?” 2012 was the last time there was no statewide race in Iowa’s Primary Elections and about nine percent of eligible voters participated. For this week’s primaries, nearly 184-thousand Iowans cast ballots — out of more than two-point-two MILLION registered voters. “I’m going to be looking at those numbers personally just to see if the base vote is out there for Republicans and Democrats,” Pate says, “because it’ll translate into what happens this November.”

Pate says primary results give the winning candidates insight into what worked and what didn’t. “How did our yard signs go going out? How did our phone calls go getting the vote out? Did we get the number we thought we were going to get in turnout? That is your rehearsal,” Pate says. “Even if you don’t have anybody running against you in a primary, it is a rehearsal.” There were three competitive congressional primaries on Tuesday’s ballot.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate speaking to a West Des Moines Valley High School class about registering to vote. (RI file photo)

In the first congressional district, incumbent Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks won by 12 points. Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra finished 20 percent ahead of his primary challenger in the fourth congressional district. In the third district, Democrat Lanon Baccam won 84 percent of that primary’s vote and will challenge Republican Congressman Zach Nunn in the General Election — which is 153 days away.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, today (Wednesday), passed a resolution updating the Sheriff’s Schedule of Inmate Fees at the Jail. The new schedule is as follows:

• Inmate Room and Board/Work Release: $60 per day
• Report requests: $10 per request
• Fingerprints: $20 for the 1st request, & $10 for each additional request
• Sheriff’s sale postponements/cancellations/rescheduling requests: $100 fee to cover administrative costs of rescheduling.

Sheriff Jon Spunaugle – who is on the Montgomery County RAGBRAI Committee, discussed RAGBRAI® camping on the Law Enforcement Center property. He said he expects about 30-to 40 tents to be located on the lawn, and there will be some restrictions in-place

Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meeting (6-5-24) via Zoom

The Board gave its blessing to allowing the use of the lawn for camping during the night of July 21st. In other business, the Montgomery County Supervisors received a regular report from County Engineer Karen Albert.

She also reminded the citizens of Montgomery County about current road closures.

And, Karen Albert was thrilled to report the 250th Street bridge road is open after flooding in 2019 caused heavy damage.

The Board also heard from Marielle Anne Alipio, with the U-S Small Business Administration, with regard to Disaster Recovery/Assistance for the May 20-21, 2024 severe storms that hit Montgomery County.

The Board’s next meeting is on Tuesday, June 11th, at 8:30-a.m.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the non-profit Vision Atlantic organization, says through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, they have identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities. With substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, $16.3 million has been raised in the past six months, over 50% of a $30 million goal.

Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic President, says “Atlantic has always been blessed with generous, giving residents that prioritize reinvestment in the community. This helps sustain Atlantic as a great place to live, and we are grateful to see that altruistic support in this transformational project we have developed. Never has Atlantic seen such an influx of financial support coming in from outside our community like we have with the Lakin Foundation. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Atlantic and we’re proud to bring this project to our community.”

The first piece of the project is access to childcare. The Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center (CDC) is currently at capacity with a waiting list of 60+ children. On top of that, home childcare providers are retiring, further adding to the shortage of childcare spots. Vision Atlantic is alleviating this burden by constructing an $11.5 million new childcare facility that will serve up to 300 children. The center will sit near 18th and Olive Street, adjacent to the new Camblin Hills Housing Development.

The center will provide a continuity of quality care from infants to five-year-olds, with the age range of children in rooms being further broken down to allow for even better, quality care. Dedicated rooms will have STEAM activities, dramatic play, and other educational activities. Due to a larger building, a dedicated room will be added for ill children to receive care and be kept separate until they can be picked up by a caregiver. An enhanced playground will be added to the property to allow a space for children of all abilities to play. Jack & Jill Preschool, currently housed at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, will be moved to the facility.

Dianna Williams, Director of the Ann W. Wickman CDC, says “The Wickman Center has provided love and care for 14 years now to over 860 children from Atlantic and nine other surrounding communities. It’s easy to focus on immediate needs, but in order for our community to grow and prosper, we need to be progressive and work towards our future needs. We need to help those families that struggle to find childcare in our community, and we will provide opportunities for family’s needs well into the future. Our Vision and Purpose have always been to provide the best quality childcare that we can for families, and I’m so proud of our community for working together to make these dreams and incredible opportunities come true.”

The second piece of the project is housing. Atlantic currently has the highest percent of the oldest housing stock amongst sister cities in Iowa. Because of this, buyers cannot access new, move-in ready homes. Vision Atlantic will develop ‘Camblin Hills Housing Development’ to address this need. Named after the late Bob Camblin, co-founder of Vision Atlantic, this development will sit on the open 49-acres along Olive Street, between 17th & 22nd Street, that was purchased from the City of Atlantic. It will be 144 mixed units including town homes, duplexes, single-family homes, and lots for purchase. A park and biking/walking trail will be nestled in, offering a safe, family-friendly environment for any buyer. The Charles E. Lakin Foundation is providing a substantial $23 million in housing capital, and the development will provide a $48 million total financial impact on the Atlantic area.

Bateman says “10 years ago, there were 73 houses on the market in Atlantic. Today, only 16 houses are on the market without offers. We have people in our community, and those looking to move here, who are ready to purchase larger homes and people ready to build their dream home, but they can’t find what they’re looking for. This development will offer a little of everything, while also allowing buyers to “move up”, opening their existing homes for first time buyers, or for those who are ready to downsize.”

The final piece is quality of life amenities. Atlantic’s current, state-of-the-art YMCA, will undergo a $16 million renovation with an addition added to the front of the facility. An outdoor community recreation and event space will allow for fitness and outdoor events in all weather conditions. An indoor soft-play area will give families a safe, dynamic space for group play. 24-hour access to the expanded fitness floor will be available with the use of key fobs for entry after hours. A children’s museum area will bring a big-city feature into the community and be a source of education and fun. A STEAM room and E-Sports room will be added to give youth of all ages a place to gather. Additionally, a dedicated senior social and activity space will promote fitness as individuals age and help fight social isolation amongst seniors. Current plans also include adding a 70-seat movie theater space to the facility.

Nishna Valley Family YMCA Executive Director Dan Haynes says “Extensive surveying has been done the past several years to help us determine what enhancements the YMCA could add to address health, wellness and social connection. Everything listed above is things our membership, community and region have asked for. We’ve been blessed to serve the region for over 30 years. We’re excited to add these amenities to continue serving a broad range of ages and abilities, making our facility a community hub for generations to come.”

Bid letting for land infrastructure will begin late this summer, with construction of all three projects slated to begin late spring of 2025. Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $14 million needed to meet the $30 million fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Follow Vision Atlantic on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates.

ABOUT VISION ATLANTIC

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Park and Recreation Department and the Nishna Valley Family YMCA have announced that Sunnyside Pool in Atlantic will open (tomorrow) Thursday June 6^th. Nishna Valley Family YMCA Executive Director Dan Haynes reports a new pool pump and motor have been installed, and that it is running “swimmingly”. Haynes said they appreciate everyone’s patience as the upgrade was being completed.

“Since this is completed now,” Haynes said, “we will not have to shut down in the heat of the summer to do the replacement.”

DAVENPORT, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections, today (Wednesday) said 22-year-old Kamario Corleone Hill, who was convicted of Attempt to Commit Murder in Scott County, failed to report back to the Davenport Residential Corrections Facility as required Monday night.

Hill is a black male, 6-feet 2-inches tall. He weighs about 255-pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on Feb. 21, 2024.

Persons with information on Hill’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Kamario Hill

Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are offering advice on how persons affected by recent severe weather can apply for disaster assistance, while also having insurance. Many people have received letters in the mail from FEMA saying that they could not move forward with the process because FEMA is waiting on an insurance claim letter from your insurance company. FEMA officials say while they cannot duplicate benefits, if you find that your insurance claim is not covering all your expenses, then you can bring that letter to FEMA (at a Disaster Recovery Center, or DRC) and possibly be eligible for further disaster assistance.

Applicants are encouraged to “Not give up and throw the letter away. It’s not a finality, it just states that FEMA needs more information from you in order to continue the application process.”

FEMA Fact Sheet: Help for Survivors with Insurance
June 2024

FEMA may provide assistance to underinsured survivors to help pay for disaster-related costs that insurance doesn’t cover.

What should I know about FEMA assistance if I have insurance?
You need to tell FEMA about all the insurance coverage you have (e.g., flood, homeowners, renters, vehicle, mobile home, medical, burial, etc.) when you apply for FEMA assistance. By law, FEMA can’t pay for costs that your insurance covers, so it’s important to contact your insurance company right away to file a claim.

What if I still need help after getting money from my insurance?
In some cases, FEMA may help pay for costs your insurance didn’t cover, up to FEMA’s maximum award amounts.
So, if you still need help, you can send FEMA a copy of the documents from your insurance company that show the damage or expenses your insurance covers. The types of documents survivors can send include:

• Insurance settlement information.
• Insurance denial letter, including a denial because damage did not exceed the policy deductible.
• Proof of lack of insurance, such as a policy with an exclusion for specific causes of damage, or a lack of coverage for temporary housing.

How does my insurance affect my FEMA assistance amount?
FEMA may be able to help with costs that your insurance doesn’t cover. For each type of assistance, FEMA will look at your insurance payout and compare it to your verified loss or damage.

HOME REPAIR EXAMPLE
If your net payout (the amount your insurance paid for your claim after deductibles) is less than the loss amount recorded during your FEMA inspection, you can get Home Repair Assistance for the difference, up to the maximum award amount between FEMA verified loss and your net insurance payout. FOR EXAMPLE: If you received $2,000 from your insurance company for home repairs and a FEMA inspection determines you need $8,000 of basic repairs to make your home safe to live in, you would be awarded $6,000.

Will FEMA help pay insurance deductibles?
It depends. FEMA doesn’t directly pay deductibles, but your FEMA award may be able to cover some or all of it.

What about things insurance doesn’t cover?
Yes, FEMA may cover things that insurance doesn’t cover, like damage to wells and septic systems.

How can FEMA help when my insurance claim is delayed?
In some cases, FEMA may be able to provide some help while you are waiting for your insurance settlement. If it has been 30 days or more since you filed your insurance claim and you have received no funds, please contact the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. FEMA may be able to provide you some initial funds to rent somewhere to stay while you wait for your insurance settlement.

I don’t agree with FEMA’s decision. How can I appeal?
If you don’t agree with FEMA’s decision, you can appeal by showing why you need FEMA assistance. The decision letter you get from FEMA will have more information about the types of documents you should send.

You may use an optional Appeal Request form, which is included in the decision letter you receive from FEMA. You can also choose to write and sign a letter to send with your documents to help FEMA understand why you need help.

How can I send documents?
You can send supporting documents to FEMA by:

• Uploading to your disaster assistance account at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Mailing to:
  FEMA
  P.O. Box 10055
  Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055.
• Faxing to 1-800-827-8112.
• Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center, where recovery specialists from FEMA provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check on their application.

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) — Iconic Iowa brand John Deere announced this week layoffs at several of its locations, confirming plans in a May 31 email to employees. The layoffs, according to Iowa Workforce Development, will affect the following sites:

• John Deere Waterloo Works: 192 workers on June 21
• John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny: 16 workers on June 6
• John Deere Intelligent Solutions in Urbandale: 58 workers on June 6
• John Deere Waterloo Works: 49 workers on June 6

Matthew Mitchell, a Drake University professor of strategy says the global company employs 70,000 worldwide, so the Iowa numbers represent a small part of the entire workforce. John Deere reported net income of $2.370 billion in its second-quarter earnings in May. The company forecasted net income for fiscal 2024 to be about $7 billion. The construction industry remains consistent while global ag and turf demands are not as strong, the company said.

The layoffs come after the company announced 190 workers would lose their jobs later this month. The company also announced more than 300 layoffs in April.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCi/National Weather Service] — Strong storms that blew across Iowa Tuesday produced heavy rainfall and large hail in some areas. The heavy rainfall led to an extended flash flood warning in the Algona area, where reports say between 3-to 5-inches fell, and led to street flooding in Des Moines, including portions of Merle Hay Road and East University.  In Dallas County, rainfall near Waukee measured fell at at rate of more than 3-inches per hour over a two-hour period, with a total of anywhere from 3-to nearly 3.3-inches,

The National Weather Service reminded drivers: “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.” The Weather Service says funnel clouds were reported in Poweshiek and Tama Counties. One-inch diameter hail was reported in Greene County, near Dana. Thunderstorm wind damage was reported near Boone, where a flag pole was slightly bent over by storm winds, and tree limbs or branches had fallen, taking down some power lines.

MidAmerican Energy had reported more than 1,500 customers without power around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday after storms blew through Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa) –  The state’s first-ever Iowa History Conference is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) at the State Historical Society headquarters in Des Moines. It’s a free event that’s open to everyone. University of Iowa Professor Kristy Nabhan-Warren says the agenda includes three sessions with four subjects per session, on topics ranging from the environment to education and from religion to warfare. A total of 46 panelists will present talks during the day. “We’ve got some tenure-track faculty. We’ve got some instructional track. We’ve got grad students, undergrads, museum curators, some retired authors, independent scholars,” Nabhan-Warren says, “and then we also have tribal members, Jonathan and Suzanne Buffalo, so we’re really excited about that.”

Organizers are hoping a wide range of people will to attend, including parents, teachers, students, retirees — anyone with an interest in Iowa’s history. “We’re really wanting to make Iowa history accessible, to get beyond any jargon that academics sometimes tend to use,” she says. “Let’s tell our stories, whether it’s Iowa’s Civil War history, or African Americans in Iowa, or telling the story of Danish Americans. We want to make this exciting for Iowans and we want Iowans to feel good about their history.” There’s an old adage about how those who don’t remember the past are condemned to repeat it, and Nabhan-Warren agrees. She says one of the goals is to learn about our state’s history in order to pave the way for a better future.

“Sometimes we just don’t talk to each other. We talk past each other and we get behind our computer screens,” Nabhan-Warren says. “I think one of the ways that we can start improving our civil discourse and actually have conversations is having in-person events like this.” While a dozen main topics are on the agenda, she notes there will be discussions about the more difficult times in Iowa’s past, including subjects like slavery and immigration. “We’re not talking about that to make people feel badly, but this is an actual part of our history. How do we deal with it? How do we learn from the past? How do we make Iowa’s future better for everyone?” she says. “How can we show care and concern for everyone who lives here and how can we learn from past mistakes — without feeling like white shame and guilt, but literally learning lessons.”

Nabhan-Warren says the conference is “one small way that we can show Iowans that we care about Iowa’s stories…bringing together a variety people who care deeply about telling Iowa’s stories in authentic and compelling ways.” The conference opens at 9 A-M Thursday at the State Historical Society of Iowa at 600 East Locust Street in Des Moines. Registration is not required and there is no admission fee.

(Radio Iowa) – The man charged in the shooting death of a grocery store worker in Monticello in November of 2023 changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.

KCRG TV was in the courtroom Tuesday as Nathan Russell withdrew his not guilty plea and admitted to shooting 48-year-old Aaron McAtee outside the Fareway store where McAttee worked. “I had an AR-15 in my car and I shot Aaron McAtee,” Russell said. The judge heard from McAtee’s family members how the shooting had changed their lives.

Victim advocate Penny Galvin read three letters from family members, including one from McAtee’s brother. “At least you’ll be getting what you deserve with a life in prison,” she said. She also read a letter from McAtee’s mother.  “Our son touched many lives, but he would’ve been the first person to welcome you,” Galvin read.

Aaron McAtee. (KCRG TV photo)

Russell’s change in plea was against the advice of his lawyers, who had planned to argue he had been intoxicated at the time of the shooting. Court records obtained by KCRG TV show Russell was arrested in September 2022 on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and possession of methamphetamine. Russell was also ordered pay $150,000 in restitution to McAtee’s estate.