INDIANOLA, Iowa [WHO-TV]— A fire destroyed portions of the National Balloon Museum in Indianola on Friday morning. Eric Martens, president of the National Balloon Museum, said a worker with the National Balloon Classic was getting ready to start her day at the office when she smelled smoke. She called 911 and emergency crews quickly responded to the scene. Staff believe the fire started in the children’s area of the museum, but the cause of the fire is unknown at this time. No one was injured in the fire, but some historical artifacts and the offices for the National Balloon Classic and Balloon Federation of America were damaged.

On the museum’s Facebook page, officials said as a result of the fire, “The scheduled reopening on April 6th, 2024 is regrettably cancelled until further notice. Renovation of the museum was nearly complete when the fire broke out.

In a Facebook post, officials with the National Balloon Classic, said while the fire was devastating, it won’t affect the festival this summer. The 2024 National Balloon Classic is still scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 3. The museum team is working closely with authorities and insurance adjusters to assess the damage and restore the museum as soon as possible. The public can stay up to date on the progress by following the museum’s Facebook page.

The National Balloon Museum in Indianola, IA (Facebook photo taken before the fire)

The Balloon Federation of America opened the museum in 1973. In 2003 the museum was expanded, allowing the museum to showcase even more aviation history. Another renovation was nearly complete and the museum was set to reopen on April 6. Due to the fire the reopening has been canceled until further notice.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — Hundreds of volunteers rode horseback across the state on Saturday to raise money for adults and children with disabilities. Pony Express Riders of Iowa raises funds for Easterseals Iowa & Camp Sunnyside in Des Moines. Local groups ride horses across the state “relay style” to bring in the funds throughout the year.

Last Saturday, everyone involved with the nonprofit paraded together to celebrate their achievements. Their mission is for all Iowans to be able to experience the joys of camp. The group has donated more than $12 million to support the organization over the last five decades.

Photo from the Jefferson, Iowa PD Facebook page

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Alliant Energy has named 41 Iowa communities, including the City of Atlantic and Creston FFA, as recipients of grants totaling nearly $145,000 through the company’s Community Tree Planting program, part of its One Million Trees initiative.  Alliant Energy partners with Trees Forever to help communities develop, select and plant a diverse mix of trees. A tree expert helps communities select the best species for their areas and create care and maintenance plans to ensure the new trees have long, healthy lives.

Atlantic receives a $3,000 grant for community tree planting at the local campground next to camp sites. Local students will volunteer this spring.  The Creston FFA Chapter will receive a grant for $4,950, for community tree planting led by the local FFA chapter. Locations will be on city property and school locations.

Since 1990, Trees Forever and Alliant Energy have awarded over $7.85 million in grants and planted more than 1.1 million trees through their partnership and programs in Iowa and Wisconsin.  Across Iowa, communities are eligible to apply for grants up to $5,000 to fund new trees.

Some communities will begin to plant trees this spring while others will wait until fall.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Lottery C-E-O Matt Strawn says the independent review of an error that led to the wrong numbers being reported for a Powerball drawing last November is done. He says Lottery employees and the gaming company they use were involved. “It will lead to improvements in our respective job reporting processes and is something that is currently being implemented by both of the respective parties,” he says. The wrong numbers were manually entered for the Powerball drawing and the system for checking and cashing a Powerball tickets was shut down for several hours until the correct numbers were entered. Strawn says he cannot reveal the exact processes due to security concern.

“As much as we can remove human element from these processes I think that continues to instill confidence in lottery games going forward,” Strawn says. He says it was important to do a full outside review. “Because at the end of the day, every player needs to have a belief that these games are fair. And they are. And you know, the operation is one that has the utmost integrity attached to it,” he says. “So I’m confident that as those processes are going to be put into place that we won’t see the type of human error involved in reporting results.”

The Lottery’s spokesperson said at the time that the incorrect results were only available on the Lottery system from about 12:30 a-m until 7:15 a-m when there would not be a lot of people checking them.

(Radio Iowa) – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Iowa, and Sharon Miller, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, says they hope to raise awareness about the problem which prompts some 35-thousand investigations statewide each year. Miller says, “It’s really a time for us to focus on the efforts of prevention, to advocate, and promote the work with others who work tirelessly to help children and families in our communities thrive.” Miller says the biggest child abuse problem in Iowa is typically child neglect.

“It can manifest as food insecurity, it can manifest as children being left home alone too long, their parents are working multiple jobs,” Miller says, “they’re not having their critical needs taken care of.” State studies show about 59% of child abuse cases in Iowa involve neglect, followed by drug-related cases at 28%. Physical and sexual abuse make up a small fraction of cases, but a federal study finds sexual abuse is widely under-reported, with roughly one in four girls and one in 13 boys sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Miller says there is a message for the month, as they hope to promote positive childhood experiences and prevent the adversity children sometimes face.

“What we really would like folks to do is think about our neighbors because parenting is hard,” she says. “Raising children is hard, and what we know is that, the more connections and the more relationships that we have that can uplift and empower families, the better it is for the children.” The annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference will be held April 30th and May 1st at the F-F-A Enrichment Center in Ankeny. The state’s Child or Dependent Adult Abuse Hotline is 1-800-362-2178.

On the web at pcaiowa.org

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, during their meeting March 21st, adopted a memorandum of understanding with the YMCA with regard to 2024 Summer operation of the Sunnyside Pool, in Atlantic. YMCA Executive Director Dan Haynes the agreement means the YMCA will hiring all the management and staff for the pool. And, an anonymous donor will pay for the first 10 people to take a YMCA-sponsored Life Guard class, and who plan to work for the YMCA at Sunnyside or the pool at the YMCA. The class normally costs $200 There is also a new $15 per hour or more starting wage for Life Guards, depending on experience. Life Guard candidates must be 15-years-old by the last day of the lifeguarding class, which is also open to adults.

The Red Cross Lifeguard class will be held April 17th, so you have time to compete the on-line portion of the class, according to Haynes. A pre-required swim will take place April 24th from 5-until 7-p.m. for lifeguard candidates. You may arrange for another time with instructors if needed, but the on-line portion of the class must be completed before attending the first session on May 3rd from 5-until 7-p.m. Additional classes will be held May 4th & 5th, from 9-a.m. until 6-p.m.

The Nishna Valley Family YMCA has also announced they will be hiring a three-month Seasonal Manager and Assistant Manager(s) for the Sunnyside Pool. Those positions will pay up to $25/hour, depending on experience. The Manager position requires leadership skills to organize a staff team, and provide a safe, fun, professional and encouraging atmosphere. The Manager position will come with a FREE one-year adult or family membership to the NV YMCA, and support the newly formed Aquatics Committee, made up of YMCA and community representatives.

For more information: Call Dan Haynes at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA (712-243-3924); Stop by the Y at 1100 Maple Street, or apply on-line at nishnavalleyymca.com under “about us” “Careers.”

Des Moines, Iowa – The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is partnering with Iowa law enforcement to launch a new campaign to combat an alarming trend: distracted driving.

Beginning April 1, motorists will see law enforcement efforts increase to educate overconfident drivers found illegally using an electronic device while driving. In order to lessen distractions, the bureau encourages Iowa drivers to start using the focus driving feature found on phones and begin utilizing hands-free driving devices.

The traffic safety bureau says distracted driving is a primary law in Iowa which means that any officer can stop any driver who is texting, reading or using any portable electronic device unless the vehicle is at a complete stop off the roadways.

The bureau is a part of the Iowa Department of Public Safety that develops strategies to lessen deaths and injuries on Iowa’s roadways using federally funded grants.

“When talking with Iowa drivers, a common sentiment is believing they can manage things behind the wheel,” said GTSB Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes. “During one focus group, a participant said they drive better when texting because it forces them to pay attention to the road. This is ridiculous and not true. Driving requires our full attention. The reality is, No One is a Good DISTRACTED Driver.”

(Radio Iowa) – U-S Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he hopes Iowa officials reconsider the decision to turn down additional federal food assistance in the summer for about 240-thousand Iowa children from low income households. “I’m hopeful that at some point in time the State of Iowa joins 37 other states that have made the decision to participate in the summer feeding program,” Vilsack says.

Under the program, families with children eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school may receive an Electronic Benefits Card that allows them to buy an extra 40-dollars worth of food per child during the summer months when school is not in session. In December, Governor Reynolds announced Iowa would not participate in the program because of administrative costs to the state and because she says it does nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic.

Republican governors in 13 other states announced similar decisions last year, but in February, Nebraska’s governor reversed course and announced Nebraska would accept 18 million dollars in additional federal food assistance for Nebraska children this summer. According to the U-S-D-A, the parents of 21 million children across the country will get the extra food assistance this summer. “We think it’s a real good opportunity for us to expand the support and help,” Vilsack says, “to ensure that youngsters are well fed.”

Vilsack discussed the summer feeding program during a stop last week in Clear Lake schools. “Teachers and professionals here know that if youngsters can maintain good nutrition throughout the entire year, they come back for the new school year ready to learn,” Vilsack said, “and ready to be what they were intended to be.”

The U-S-D-A had extended the deadline for states to sign up for the summer feeding program to mid-February, but has indicated it will work with all states that are ready to administer the program this summer

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (March 31, 2024) – The Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) Foundation announced today the opening of its application cycle, which in 2024 will make more than $200,000 available to individuals interested in pursuing or advancing their career in long-term care. Applications are open now through May 31 for current long-term care employees, as well as high school seniors, veterans or individuals residing in rural Iowa counties who are pursuing an education in health care.

“With Iowa’s senior population on the rise and a growing demand for long-term care services, the IHCA Foundation remains dedicated to expanding its scholarship offerings to meet our sector’s evolving needs,” said IHCA Foundation Program Director Natalie Thompson. “Through our 2024 scholarship programs, generously supported by donors, we aim to empower driven individuals to pursue their career aspirations in long-term care.”

Scholarship Offerings
The IHCA Foundation is now accepting applications for the following scholarships:

* John W. & Kimberly D. Grubb Registered Nurse (RN) Scholarship Program – This $4,000 scholarship, made possible by the John R. and Zelda Z. Grubb Charitable Foundation, is for employees of IHCA member organizations who are pursuing an accredited RN degree or seeking to advance their nursing degree. A total of 40 scholarships are available.

* MolinaCares High School Scholarship Program – This $2,000 scholarship, made possible by The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation (MolinaCares), is for Iowa high school seniors who are in their senior year during the 2023-2024 academic year. This scholarship covers tuition fees to pursue a certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), RN, or Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program for the 2024-2025 academic year. This scholarship is intended for those interested in a future career in long-term care. A total of nine scholarships are available.

* Linda Juckette Family Rural and Veteran Scholarship Program – This $2,000 scholarship, made possible by the Linda Juckette Family Gift Fund, is for anyone residing in a rural Iowa county or is a veteran who is interested in pursuing a health care education, including nursing, health care administration degree programs or long-term care certification programs, with the goal of joining the long-term care profession. A total of five scholarships are available.

* Iowa Total Care Leadership Training Scholarship Program – This $1,500 scholarship, made possible by Iowa Total Care, is for leaders at IHCA member organizations accepted, or planning to enroll, into the 2024-2025 IHCA Executive Health Care Leadership Institute. This program is specially designed for leaders who work in long-term care and includes the leadership fundamentals necessary to lead others and the specific technical skills in demand in long-term care settings. A total of nine scholarships are available.

* Care Initiatives Director of Nursing (DON) Scholarship Program – This scholarship, made possible by Care Initiatives, is for assistant directors of nursing (ADONs) or RNs who are employed by an IHCA member facility and are interested in pursuing the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) DNS-CT (Director of Nursing Services – Certified) certification, a DON certification program held at IHCA on Nov. 12-15, 2024. Scholarships will be offered to provide for the registration fee to participate in the AAPACN DNS-CT (DON Certification Program) held at IHCA.

* IHCA Member Employee Scholarship Program – This $1,500 scholarship is for employees of IHCA member organizations who are pursuing a nursing, health care administration or a physical or occupational training program. This scholarship is made possible by the Iowa Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (IPALTC), IHCA Districts and Nurse Connect. A total of 13 scholarships are available.

How to Apply 
Eligibility requirements, application guidelines and materials are available online at iowahealthcare.org/foundation. Completed applications are due by May 31. Winners will be announced in July.

About the Iowa Health Care Association Foundation
Founded in 1988 by the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA), the mission of the IHCA Foundation is to foster excellence in long-term care for Iowans by building a stronger workforce. The IHCA Foundation carries out this mission by empowering individuals to reach their career goals in the long-term care profession through scholarships, career education and career access programs. IHCA Foundation programs help support career opportunities available in the long-term care continuum, including nursing facilities, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living programs, residential care facilities, senior living communities and home health agencies.