(Omaha/Council Bluffs) – According to American Hospital Directory data, there is a shortfall of more than 300 inpatient behavioral health beds in Iowa and Nebraska. To address this need, officials with Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital and Acadia Healthcare, Tuesday, announced plans to build a state-of-the-art behavioral health hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The 96-bed hospital will include 24 inpatient beds dedicated to serving the mental health needs of children and adolescents, as well as provide outpatient services. This new facility will be a center of excellence, addressing the growing unmet need for accessible, high-quality behavioral health services in the region. (See computer renderings of the future facility below. Click on the images to enlarge.)

Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital is an affiliate of Omaha-based Methodist Health System. Pending regulatory approval, the hospital is anticipated to open in 2026. It will be operated through a joint venture partnership between Jennie Edmundson and Acadia, the largest standalone provider of behavioral health care services in the U.S. Together, the organizations will invest more than $55 million in expanding behavioral health resources in the region.

Methodist CEO and President David Burd says “This hospital will be a tremendous resource, and this partnership will help strengthen our level of expertise and implement proven best practices while enhancing the quality and number of behavioral health services available to patients throughout the area.”

Jennie Edmundson and Acadia are in the process of securing land for the hospital and will announce the location at a later date. Construction will begin once all regulatory approvals are obtained. Chris Hunter, CEO for Acadia Healthcare says “The new hospital will increase lifesaving services for individuals and families in the region. We look forward to partnering with local communities to bring hope and healing to those in need.”

This purposefully designed behavioral health hospital is anticipated to include large treatment rooms for group therapy sessions, centralized nursing stations to provide open lines of sight to all common areas, high ceilings and large windows to capitalize on natural light, serene outdoor spaces and high-tech features. Ultimately, this will allow patients from western Iowa and eastern Nebraska access to the services they need in an environment that promotes peace and well-being.

(Stuart, Iowa) – A multi-vehicle accident with injuries has Interstate 80 westbound blocked in Adair County. The crash occurred at around 5-a.m. about one-mile west of Stuart (Between Exit 93: County Road P28 and Exit 88: County Road P20). Reports say as many as five semi-tractor trailers and a passenger vehicle were involved, with two of the semi’s on their side. Stuart Police report both lanes of westbound traffic are blocked. (UPDATE): Traffic off I-80 westbound is being rerouted through Stuart on P-28, and west on White Pole Road (Country 925)  to Menlo, then south to I-80. Please take your time if traveling in that area or take a different route, if possible. Stuart Police report also, there is an additional vehicle accident at exit 93.

Additional details are currently not available.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The 2023 Cass County (IA) Fair begins its week-long run in earnest on Thursday, but some pre-fair activities will be held today, including:

• 4-H/FFA Static Exhibit Judging, and Clover Kids Static Showcase, both beginning at 9-a.m. (those events conclude at 2:30-p.m.)
• 10:30-a.m.: Bucket of Junk Judging will take place.

The Bucket of Junk contest was introduced to the Cass County Fair in 2013 by Superintendent Duane Weirch. With the help of Weirch Welding Plus, LLC in Lewis, this growing contest has been a way for 4-H and FFA members to explore the welding project area and create a unique exhibit for the county fair showcase. Each year, Wierch puts together multiple 5-gallon buckets of assorted metal “junk” pieces. Youth often participate in the contest year after year taking on the new challenge bucket.

The Bucket of Junk contest combines both the technical and creative side of welding, teaching youth a valuable skill and challenging their imaginations in the process. All buckets include the same number of items and are as close to identical as possible. Participants can clean, weld, cut, bolt, fasten, bend, shape, paint or finish the items however they chose to BUT they cannot add any additional pieces. Bolts are the exception and may be used as fasteners but not as decorative items.

Exhibitors will meet with a judge one-on-one to share their finished projects and discuss what they have learned. Contestants will be judged on creativity & artistic style, technical welding skills, percent of “junk” used from bucket, and knowledge of project. Fairgoers can view exhibits from July 27^th to July 31^st and cast their vote for the “people’s choice” award. Winners from judging and people’s choice will be announced at 4:00pm on Monday, July 31^st in the Community Building. Exhibitors have the option to auction off their completed projects at the fair fundraising auction on Monday evening, immediately following the Parade of Champions at 5:45pm in the outdoor show ring.

(Radio Iowa) – As some 50-thousand bicycle riders roll into Des Moines on RAGBRAI starting this (Wednesday) morning, thousands -more- athletes are arriving in Iowa’s largest city for start of the Junior Olympic Games. Catch Des Moines president and C-E-O Greg Edwards says sporting events will be held in venues all around the metro area. The games will draw 14-thousand athletes from across the U-S, including 700 from Iowa, competing in 15 different sports, including track and field, basketball, gymnastics, field hockey and more.

The games, sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Union, will run over the course of 11 days, with an estimated economic impact of 44-million dollars. Edwards says this marks the seventh time the Junior Olympics have been held in Des Moines, and they’ll be back in 2026 and 2030.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa and ten other Midwestern states are conducting a speed awareness campaign today (Wednesday). The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau chief, Brett Tjepkes says Iowa has seen a 25 percent increase in speeding related deaths on the roadways. He says speeding related crashes killed 84 people in Iowa in 2021. There’s some speculation the lack of traffic and open roads during the pandemic led to increased highway speeds, and it has continued with traffic back up.

Tjepkes says egregious speeds or more than 100 miles an hour have increased. The Iowa State Patrol, many sheriff’s departments and police departments are taking part in the speed awareness day. Tjepkes says they are just asking drivers to please slow down. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas are also focusing on speed today (Wednesday).

(Radio Iowa) –  The Iowa Supreme Court has issued an order saying it will hear Governor Kim Reynolds’ appeal of a district court injunction that blocked new abortion restrictions. Reynolds signed the bill into law that that bans most abortions in Iowa after cardiac activity can be detected on July 14th. A Polk County District Court judge issued a temporary injunction blocking its enforcement four days later. Attorney General Brenna Bird says she’s glad the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal and she looks forward to defending the right to life in court.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says he publicly released a document that could have information about alleged bribes to Joe and Hunter Biden because the F-B-I censored part of the memo when it was shown to a House committee. “They were trying to cover up that there were possible phone calls between Vice President Biden and some Ukrainian oligarch that he had to give the Bidens some money,” Grassley says. “Now, it’s up to the FBI to determine if there were any crimes committed.”

President Biden has denied the allegations. F-B-I officials say Grassley’s public disclosure of the document last Thursday has put a confidential source at serious risk. Grassley says it appears to him that the Justice Department isn’t investigating allegations against President Biden as aggressively as the allegations against former President Donald Trump.

“It’s very unusual in the 240 year history of our country…to have one party put the possible candidate of the other party on the dock and probably in prison,” Grassley says. Grassley says he began pushing the F-B-I about the allegations against the Bidens in 2019 and he was able to release the document last week because of government whistleblowers.

A White House spokesman says the claims in the document Grassley released have been debunked for years.

(Afton, Iowa) – No injuries were reported following a semi tractor-trailer rollover accident in Union County, this (Tuesday) morning. The Union County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened at around 8:55-a.m. on Ridge Drive (southeast of Afton). Authorities report a 2018 Peterbilt semi driven by 54-year-old Marcos Aurelio Gutierrez, of Cushing, OK, was traveling south on Ridge Road, when he missed the turn going onto eastbound 230th Street.

The trailer rolled over into the north ditch, taking the tractor/cab with it. Authorities noted the trailer was an over-size load. The semi – registered to The Railroad Yard, Inc., out of Stillwater, OK, sustained $2,000 damage. There were no citations issued.

(Council Bluffs, IA) – When southwest Iowa students head back to school next month, they will have unique opportunities in the classroom and beyond thanks to Iowa West Foundation grants. A long-time supporter of arts & culture in southwest Iowa, the Foundation continues to financially assist organizations that provide outreach to southwest Iowa students for enrichment opportunities. This includes local museums, performing arts spaces, music venues, and play-based, interactive STEM facilities. A partial list of the grant recipients can be found below. The entire list can be found HERE.

“We want to support access to the amazing amenities Council Bluffs and the metro have to offer,” said Brenda Mainwaring, President, and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation. “By focusing on school outreach, we can help ensure our support is available to all families in our communities so everyone is able to take full advantage of what is in our own backyard. These attractions are one reason southwest Iowa is a place where people love to live,” she said.  

This includes the Arts Center at Iowa Western, which has featured a youth series for the past 16 years, said Director Tim Dickmeyer.  “Each year we bring over 4,000 students from Council Bluffs and surrounding districts to see either the Omaha Symphony or a nationally touring performing artist, free of charge,” he said. “These professional arts experiences uniquely help to develop well-rounded students and we could not provide these opportunities without the support of the Iowa West Foundation.”

In addition, the Foundation awarded two ASPIRE grants, a county-wide Iowa West initiative that provides funding for workforce development, including $350,000 to the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation to support parents returning to school. Woodbine’s IGNITE Pathways Regional CTE Center also received a $500,000 grant to support a workforce development initiative in Harrison County. 

“As we strive to connect students to career opportunities while finding employment solutions for our region, the financial support provided by the Iowa West Foundation comes at a critical time,” said Michelle Barry, Director of IGNITE Pathways, referencing the organization’s continued efforts to complete the capital project as well as develop innovative programming and community engagement. “This funding is another example of how the southwest Iowa region is committed to developing our future leaders. 

In response to community input, Iowa West is intensifying its focus on addressing the regional housing shortage. The Foundation awarded more than half a million dollars to increase housing stock with the construction of affordable homes, help homeowners repair existing properties, and provide rental assistance and resources to those in need in Pottawattamie County. This follows two IWF-hosted housing symposiums that brought together multiple organizations to collaborate on innovative solutions. The Metropolitan Housing Collaborative received a grant of $50,000 to streamline the application process for renters and property owners and managers. 

“Iowa West has shown their commitment to innovation in the housing ecosystem,” said Felicia Bonner, Program Manager of the Metro Housing Collaborative (MHC). “We are overjoyed that the Foundation has given MHC the means to address the barriers to housing in a new and innovative way. Together we are going to change the game!” 

Partnerships with local casinos Ameristar, Harrah’s, and Horseshoe make it possible for the Foundation to continuously award impactful grants in the community. Fees from gaming and income from Foundation investments provide funding for operating, capital, and programmatic grants throughout 14 counties in southwest Iowa. 

The Iowa West Foundation now accepts Letters of Inquiry (the first step in the grant application process) year-round. The deadline to be considered for the third and final funding cycle of 2023 is Sept. 1. For more information, visit www.iowawestfoundation.org and sign up to receive the newsletter via email. 

2023 Cycle 2 Grants and Initiatives (partial list)

City of Villisca
Building Demolition for Farmer’s Market & Performance Square 
$100,000 

East Mills Child Care Solutions 
Capital Support 
$75,000 

Food Bank of Iowa 
Pantries in Rural Counties (Adams, Audubon, Carroll & Taylor)
$30,000 

Golden Hills RC&D
Capacity and Operating Support 
$90,000 

Iowa Western Community College 
Arts Center 2023-2024 Programming 
$34,000 

Lewis Central Community Schools 
Titan Plastics 
$50,000 

Macedonia Fire & Rescue
Equipment 
$10,000 

Shenandoah Medical Center 
Community Garden 
$20,000 

Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund
Housing Repair 
$100,000 

The Rose Theater 
Educational Programming for Southwest Iowa Students 
$12,977  

Treynor Community School District 
ASPIRE Investments 
$25,000 

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Eligible nonprofits and governmental entities that are interested in applying for an Iowa West Foundation grant are invited to register for a free workshop to be held on Wednesday, August 2nd in Atlantic, IA in advance of the third and final funding cycle of 2023.

The purpose of Iowa West Foundation’s grant application workshop is to help interested applicants from nonprofit organizations and government entities learn about the grant process and for our staff to answer any questions you may have on your proposals.  Ideally, attendees will come to the grants workshop with a specific program, capital project, or use for operating funds in mind. You will have an opportunity to:

• hear from program officers
• ask questions about the grant application process,
• work through budget inquiries;
• and much more.
  

  Grant Application Workshop photo (courtesy Nicole Lindquist, IWF Director of Communications)