Now is the time for Seniors to get their America the Beautiful — The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Lifetime Senior Pass.  The price of the pass is set to increase from $10 to $80 on August 28th as result of the National Park Service Centennial Act.

The Act will also raise the rate of an annual pass for senior citizens to $20. Four annual passes may be traded in for a lifetime pass at that point as well.

The price is being increased to better align with the regular lifetime pass price and to help fund upkeep and projects at parks across the country. The pass provides access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six Federal agencies. The Senior Pass covers all entrance fees and standard amenity (day use) fees and may provide senior discounts for things such as tours or campsites. The pass also waives the entrance fee for traveling companions.

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg and Waukee Mayor Bill Peard joined Apple CEO Tim Cook Thursday afternoon to announce the company’s significant investment in Iowa. At special meetings earlier today, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board and the Waukee City Council took action to support a more than $1.3 billion data center.

Apple plans to purchase 2,000 acres of land in Waukee. The first phase of the project is two state of the art data center facilities. They will serve North American users of iMessage, Siri, the App Store and other Apple services. Like all Apple data centers, the proposed facilities will run entirely on renewable energy.

“Apple’s significant investment and commitment to grow in Iowa is a clear vote of confidence in our state,” Gov. Reynolds said. “This announcement further solidifies Iowa as a hub where innovation and technology flourish and demonstrates this is a place where world-class companies can thrive.”

For the past 20 months, state, regional and local officials have been working with Apple to find a suitable Iowa location for the company’s next data center facility. The company selected a site on the west side of Waukee to build the first two buildings. Apple will also contribute up to $100 million to a newly created Public Improvement Fund dedicated to Waukee community development and infrastructure.

“The City of Waukee is excited to be selected for this project,” Mayor Peard said. “After the responsible leadership and planning from our city council and staff, we are thrilled to welcome Apple’s investment in the City of Waukee. We look forward to the great benefits this partnership will bring to our community as the project develops over the next two decades.”

The IEDA worked with the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Waukee once the company’s project team narrowed its Iowa search to one site. Waukee acted to support the project Thursday morning with a local tax abatement and infrastructure improvements. Subsequently, the IEDA Board approved tax incentives via the High Quality Jobs program for the more than $1.3 billion project that will create at least 50 jobs at a qualifying wage of at least $29.12 per hour.

“Economic development projects are partnerships between companies, communities, states and others,” Lt. Gov. Gregg said. “Many individuals and organizations were involved in making this project a reality—one that will pay dividends for years to come.”

Data center projects have economic impact well beyond the permanent jobs created and the initial capital investment made. A recent study released by the U.S. Chamber’s Technology Engagement Center estimates that a typical data center employs 1,688 local workers, provides $77.7 million in wages, produces $243.5 million in output along the local economy’s supply chain and generates $9.9 million in revenue for state and local governments.

Every year thereafter, the data center supports 157 local jobs paying $7.8 million in wages, injecting $32.5 million into the local economy and generating $1.1 million in revenue to state and local governments.

Iowa is well-positioned to continue attracting data center investments in the future because of its geographic location safe from hurricanes, earthquakes and rolling blackouts, coupled with affordable electric rates and high percentage of electricity generated by wind.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa agency that advocates for the elderly and people with disabilities has halted nearly all nursing home visits because of budget cuts.

The Des Moines Register reports that the Iowa Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s office has eliminated in-state travel after losing a quarter of its nearly $2 million budget this fiscal year. In-state travel can cost up to $85,000 annually.

Data from the office says staff visited more than 5,000 care facilities in the 2015-16 fiscal year.

Lori Smetanka is the executive director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care in Washington, D.C. She says it will be difficult to thoroughly investigate complaints without facility visits.

Interim Long-Term Care Ombudsman Cindy Pederson says staff is using telephones and other technology to connect with residents.

A Creston man was arrested Wednesday at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. At 7:52pm Deputies arrested 38-year-old Dustin James Seley of Creston for 3^rd degree burglary and at 9:43 PM on a Department of Corrections warrant for violation of parole.  Seley is being held in the Union County Jail on no bond.

The Creston Police Department reports two arrests in the past two days. On Tuesday at 12:20pm Officers arrested 34-year-old Joseph Dean Gaiser of Creston on two Union County warrants for the charges of Unauthorized Possession of Offensive Weapons and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arrested at 300 North Pine Street and was later released on $5,300 bond.

On Wednesday at 2:53pm Officers arrested 19-year-old Gregory Welcher of Thayer on two Adams County warrants for the charges of Failure to Appear on the original charges of Driving While License Under Suspension and Distributing Drug near a School. He was arrested at 210 North Walnut Street in Creston and later released on $2,700 bond.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest Wednesday of 21-year-old Blake Zweck of Madison, WI for OWI 1st Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Assault with Injury on a Police Officer.

No further details are known at this time.

The Atlantic Police Department and Cass County Sheriff’s Office report the arrest of four people after the execution of two search warrants on Wednesday. The first search warrant was executed at 1017 East 6th Street in Atlantic in search of stolen property. During the search warrant officers located evidence of the use and distribution of controlled substances.

A second search warrant was then obtained and executed. As a result of the investigation four individuals were arrested. 24-year-old Curtis McCoy of Atlantic was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Theft 4th Degree (Possession of Stolen Property), Possession of Marijuana (2nd Offense), Gathering Where Controlled Substances Are Used (Methamphetamine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  28-year-old Joshua Dyer of Atlantic for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Gathering Where Controlled Substances Are Used (Methamphetamine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 24-year-old Jacob Sweeney of Atlantic was arrested for Gathering Where Controlled Substances Are Used (Methamphetamine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 49-year-old Jodi Sweeney of Atlantic was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine (2nd Offense), Gathering Where Controlled Substances Are Used (Methamphetamine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  In addition to those arrests one juvenile was cited for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and released to their parents.

Methamphetamine, marijuana, stolen property, and a loaded handgun were seized from the residence during the search.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest of an Atlantic man on Tuesday after a verbal altercation that led to the discharge of a firearm in the 800 block of Poplar Street.

Atlantic Police executed a search warrant at 1117 East 4th Street for the weapon that was used but the weapon was later located at another residence.

As a result of the investigation Officers arrested 28-year-old Matthew Stevens of Atlantic on the charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Assault while Displaying a Dangerous Weapon, Theft 4th Degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Atlantic Police were assisted by the Cass, Montgomery, and Shelby County Sheriff’s Offices.

w/ Chris Parks

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The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest Wednesday night of 19-year-old James Michael McCauley of Red Oak on a valid Montgomery County warrant for Violation of Probation.  He was arrested at 10:22pm in the 100 block of West Reed Street in Red Oak. McCauley was taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $1,000 cash bond.