A security upgrade is in the works for the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Fair spokesperson Mindy Williamson says a 20-percent boost to the fair’s security budget has been approved and the extra money will be directed toward personnel, training and equipment. Williamson calls it a precautionary move.

“I think this is just a different world we live in today and something that’s been needed at the fairgrounds, but there weren’t any specific events or anything that happened,” Williamson said. The increase in funding will allow the fair to hire sworn police officers, both full-time and part-time. According to Williamson, the Iowa State Patrol, Des Moines Police and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department will continue to help with security during the Iowa State Fair.

“So, this is just another way to enhance that and be a little more proactive than reactive, given some of the world events that we have seen,” Williamson said. The new public safety force will oversee security for more than 350 events that happen on the fairgrounds each year, including the Iowa State Fair in August. Considering how many people attend the 11-day run of the fair, police have not had to deal with many serious issues.

“We’re thankful to have, you know, a million people who come visit the fairgrounds and less than two-percent of those people have something, an incident, where they’re working with our police officers on the grounds,” Williamson said. “So, great people come to the Iowa State Fair.” The 2018 Iowa State Fair is scheduled for August 9-19.

(Radio Iowa)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City plans to partner with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for a project that would bring parking and commercial space to an area of downtown.

The Sioux City Journal reports the proposed $11 million development would fill an empty 1.2-acre lot that sits just south of the casino. The city purchased the land in 2015 for additional parking for Tyson Events Center functions.

City officials say the project will help meet growing needs at the casino and the city’s Historic Pearl Street District, as well as replace some of the parking spaces lost at the Tyson as part of the Interstate 29 reconstruction project.

City economic development director Marty Dougherty says he expects to bring the issue before the City Council in the next 30 to 60 days.

Area residents interested to learn more about the state of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Iowa, are encouraged to attend a free, special meeting next week, in Harlan. Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert reports the meeting, featuring Bremer County Emergency Manager Kip Ladage, will be held at the C.G. Therkildsen Activity Center in Harlan (706 Victoria St.) beginning at 7-p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1st.

Ladage, along with two associates will be driving here from Waverly, Iowa to talk about Emergency Medical Services in the State of Iowa.  Many people across the state have listened to the presentation Ladage is bringing to Shelby County.  There is no charge to attend. They only ask the public to show up, and listen to what is happening to EMS across the state.

Seivert says Ladage’ presentation is in high demand and may answer some questions for those hearing about the state of EMS in Iowa.

A southeast Iowa employer is cutting more than 200 workers. Siemens-Gamesa says it is laying off 195 hourly and seven salaried workers at its wind turbine blade manufacturing plant in Fort Madison as there is not enough work available for the size of staff.

The layoffs are immediate and the company says the workers will get 60 days compensation pay. The cuts trim the workforce to around 330. A company spokesperson says they are still going to invest in new blade molds at the plant and hopes the investment will lead to more business and a recall of the workers.

(Radio Iowa)