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Iowa REALTOR® Awarded $150,000 Grant to Assist Iowans Displaced By April Tornadoes

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA — Following devastating storms in southwestern and central Iowa, the Iowa Association of REALTORS® wants to ensure Iowans are afforded the resources to rebuild their homes and sense of community. Today (Monday), IAR announced the launch of a grant program providing individuals impacted by recent storms with funds to help with their mortgage or rental payments.  In partnership with the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF), IAR will provide up to $1,500 in mortgage and rental payments due to displacement, to individuals who primarily reside in Clarke, Crawford, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Ringgold, Shelby, Union, and Pottawattamie counties.

Gavin Blair, CEO of Iowa Realtors said “We are thrilled to partner with the REALTOR® Relief Foundation to provide $150,000 in grants to Iowans who suffered displacement due to recent tornadoes in Southwest and Central Iowa. The devastation caused by these storms is immense and it will take the entire community of Iowa to help ensure these communities can once again thrive. Iowa REALTORS® stand behind our communities and are ready to provide support, both financially and physically, to help get Iowans back home.”

Severe storms and 24 tornadoes wreaked havoc on many parts of Iowa on April 26. More than 300 residences and buildings were damaged during the storms, significantly impacting the housing for hundreds of Iowans.IAR

Qualifications for the REALTORS® Relief Foundation assistance include:

  • Individual grants may be approved up to a limit of $1,500 per household.
  • Recipient must be a primary resident of the following counties: Clarke, Crawford, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Ringgold, Shelby, Union, and Pottawattamie
Assistance is available to qualified applicants as one of the following options:
  • Monthly mortgage expense for the primary residence that was damaged during the severe storms on April 26, 2024.
  • Rental cost due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the severe storms of April 26, 2024.
  • Reimbursement for hotel lodging required due to displacement from primary residence as a result of severe storms on April 26. 2024. Reimbursement only covers hotel room and tax costs.
  • Relief assistance is limited to a maximum of $1,500 per household.
All grants are contingent upon the availability of funds. As a result, aid will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applications close on June 28, 2024.
Learn more about Tornado Relief

$5 million in state gambling taxes going to renovation of state office building

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The resolution of a disagreement between Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate means five million dollars in state gambling taxes will be used to complete renovations of the Lucas State Office Building. The building, which opened in 1952, is east of the Iowa Capitol. Republican Representative Jacob Bossman of Sioux City says the original plan House Republicans developed for spending gambling taxes did not include funding for the Lucas Building upgrades, while Senate Republicans suggested spending 10 million dollars on the building.

“We originally weren’t funding that project,” Bossman says, “but are acknowledging this money is necessary to complete the DHHS merger and allow everybody to be housed under one roof.”

In 2022, lawmakers approved the governor’s plan to merge the Departments of Human Services and Public Health — but the agencies were housed in two different state office buildings. The Department of Health and Human Services is the largest agency in state government, with over five-thousand employees. The Lucas building has six floors of office space and is named for Iowa’s first territorial governor, Robert Lucas.

Governor OKs State of Iowa’s $8.91 billion budget for next fiscal year

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The governor has another week to sign or veto the remaining bills passed by the 2024 Iowa legislature. She’s already approved a billion dollar tax cut AND the state spending plans for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. The nearly nine BILLION dollar state budget is four-point-two percent higher than the current year’s spending level. The budget for the state’s court system includes a five percent salary increase for Iowa judges.

The governor has signed bills that divert 10 million dollars from Iowa’s Area Education Agencies to set up a new division in the Iowa Department of Education to oversee the A-E-As. As many as 62 new state employees will be hired for the Division of Special Education.

The budget for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources includes a quarter of a million dollars to address accessibility issues at state parks.

Longtime mental health program for girls and young women ends service

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A residential health care program in northeast Iowa that’s offered help for girls and young women experiencing mental health crises for more than 150 years is transitioning away from those services this week. The program at Bremwood in Waverly is run by Lutheran Services of Iowa, which is shifting the focus away from residential care. Lutheran Services of Iowa C-E-O Renee Hardman says one of the big reasons programs like this are shuttering is due to obsolete care models.

Hardman says, “Residential care, the way it has traditionally been provided, probably is a bit outdated given the needs and demands of what these young women need.” Like many mental health care providers, she says staffing and wage difficulty has prompted them to make tough decisions. “It’s a combination of the acuity level of the girl, the 60 percent turnover in trying to recruit and retain staff that are paid at wages that, quite frankly, they could make more at a Walmart or McDonald’s,” she says, “but you can only pay so much based on what you’re reimbursed for.”

Fifteen young women and 50 staff will be affected by the transition. L-S-I hasn’t yet determined the next step for the campus.

Property damage accident in Glenwood

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood say no injuries were reported following an accident Friday evening at the intersection of 4th and N. Locust Streets. The collision happened at around 5:37-p.m., as a 2010 Nissan Armada SUV driven by 35-year-old Dalena Sammons, of Council Bluffs, attempted to turn from southbound N. Locust Street, eastbound onto 4th Street.

Her vehicle and a 2016 Mazda SUV driven by 19-year-old Nora Dougherty, of Glenwood, collided in the middle of the intersection, causing an estimated total of $25,000 damage, according to the police report.

No citations were issued, but the police reported noted Sammons failed to yield the right-of-way upon making a left turn.

Iowa Gymnastics Head Coach Larissa Libby Resigns

Sports

May 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa Gymnastics Head Coach Larissa Libby has resigned from her position effective Friday, May 10.

During her 20-plus year tenure leading the Hawkeyes, the program has been a consistent top 25 team nationally and appeared in 24 straight NCAA Regional appearances (individually or as a team) along with a 2021 Big Ten regular season title.

Coach Libby was a three-time Big Ten and two-time NCAA Regional Coach of the Year and coached 12 WGCA All-Americans and six first-team All-Americans at the NCAA Championships. Libby coached 15 Big Ten champions, six NCAA Regional champions, 11 NCAA Championships qualifiers, while student-athletes earned All-Big Ten honors 58 times, including 28 first-team selections.

Hawkeye gymnasts also excelled in the classroom and had a strong community presence during Libby’s tenure. Student-athletes earned Academic All-America distinction 51 times.

Jessa Hansen Parker will serve as the interim head coach as a national search for the program’s next head coach is ongoing.

Statement from Larissa Libby

“My time at Iowa has been a tremendous journey. Filled with amazing people, immense growth, and incredible firsts. Joining this Athletic Department under Dr Christine Grant as a young coach, was one of the best decisions I have made and one that essentially shaped the course of my career. I am very proud of all of our accomplishments both in the classroom and in the competitive arena. I am grateful for the amazing Iowa community and the many people who dedicated themselves to supporting the team. I will never forget the many young women and coaches who have journeyed through our program and are now out in the world contributing to society at the highest level. Leaving behind all of the wonderful coaches in all different sports, who mentored, encouraged, and inspired me throughout my years at Iowa will be the hardest part of saying goodbye. I will miss your friendship and unconditional support, but I look forward to the future and bringing all I have learned to whatever new opportunities lie ahead.”

Collision reported in Red Oak Monday morning

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak say no injuries were reported following a collision at around 7:10-a.m. today (Monday), at Highway 48 and W. Corning Street. Authorities say an SUV driven by 49-year-old Gary Wyane Porter, of Red Oak, was heading southbound and had stopped at the traffic light-controlled intersection. A car driven by 19-year-old Cord James Nippert, of Villisca, was also traveling southbound. When Nippert failed to stop in-time, his vehicle rear-ended the SUV, causing minor (estimated at $2,400) damage. No citations were issued. The report noted the car was following too close.

2 arrests in Glenwood

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports a Glenwood man was arrested Sunday. 26-year-old Christian Gonzale-Zcardon was arrested for OWI/1st offense, with bond set at $1,000. And, this (Monday) morning, 36-year-old Delon Buford, of Omaha, was arrested in Glenwood for Child Endangerment, Domestic Abuse Assault, and Interference with Official Acts. Buford was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail, until seen by a Magistrate Judge.

Rollover accident on I-80 in Cass County

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Anita, Iowa) – Rescue crews from Atlantic and Anita have been dispatched to a rollover accident on westbound Interstate 80, at the 67-mile marker. Cass EMS and Anita Rescue were responding to the scene as of about 8:27-a.m.  There are reported two people suffered minor injuries. Additional information is currently not available.

WEEK OF MAY 13, 2024

Trading Post

May 13th, 2024 by Jim Field

FOR SALE: 2 four drawer file cabinets with locks…$10 each. Also 2 office chairs for $8 each. 712-243-4308 SOLD!
FREE:  Fun maker special electric organ, 44″ wide, 24″ deep and 36″ high.  You pick up in Atlantic.  Call Leon at 712-254-0549.

FREE: Hunting and No Hunting signs, about 50 empty baby food jars and a wall cabinet with 2 drawers. All FREE. Call 712-243-4308

WANTED: Needing someone to clean up my property. There’s metal, some reusable things and trash. Would like the property cleaned up and trash taken to landfill for a reasonable fee. Call 712-769-2557

FOR SALE: chest freezer, 5 cubic foot, nice condition, bought new in 2018, $75.00.  Call 712-250-1005.

FOR SALE:  24 Speed Bicycle, Tire Size 28 x 1 5/8 x 1, Light Weight, Cushion Seat & Combination Lock.  Asking $95.00 Firm.  The reason I’m selling is I bought an E Bike. Located in Manilla.  Call 515-314-0605.

WANTED: A small pickup to buy or trade for a 2002 Ford Explorer. Also looking for a driver side seat for 2002 Ford Explorer…or someone to look at mine to see if it can be fixed. Also looking for a owner’s manual/fix it book for a Deluxe scooter. Call Fred at 712-243-4016

FOR SALE: I am moving to retirement home and need to sell following items:  1.  5 piece bedroom set includes queen bed with 3 year old quality mattress, long dresser with mirror, tall dresser and bedside table.  2.  Large living room mirror (41×50).  3.  2 piece matching living room tables.  One cabinet  is long enough to hold large TV and the other one has 2 drop leaf glass shelves.  Must see furniture at 1322 E. 22nd Street in Atlantic to fully appreciate quality.  Call Rosie at 712-243-9407 to set up a time for viewing.  Best offer by Saturday, May 25 will take each of the three listings.

LOST DOG:  Lost East of Atlantic near the Mormon church and highway 71 N.  He is brown,( brindle colored), and weighs 50 pounds. Please call 712-249-1512 or 712-249-2001 is you have seen him or have him. FOUND!

FOR SALE:  We have twin Alpine doelings available. From good milk genetics. Born 3-16-24. $200 each or if you get both a $50 discount. Contact for more info. Text or call at: 712-590-0179.

WANTED:  Looking to hire somebody to harvest our hay crop this year, in the Hancock area.  We have 11 acres needing to be mowed, raked and large round baled.  Last years yield was 69 bales in 4 cuttings.  This year first cutting should be ready in 10 day.  Call 712-355-2034.

FOR SALE: A pair of H&H brown cowboy boots, size 12-D. Never worn. $20. Call 712-304-4550.

WANTED: Looking to buy inexpensive laptop computer for an adult to use for online classes. In the $150 or less range. Call 712-249-5244. Leave a message if no answer.