(Radio Iowa) – A Kansas man has died after his crop-dusting helicopter crashed in northeast Iowa. Chickasaw County Sheriff Ryan Shawver says that at about 1:30 pm Monday afternoon, they received a 911 call of a recording that the owner of the iPhone has been involved in a crash and gave coordinates. Deputies were dispatched and determined a crop-dusting helicopter had crashed northeast of Nashua. The pilot, Eleazar Villafranca Junior of Manhattan, Kansas, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Chickasaw County Medical Examiner.

A full autopsy has been ordered to be completed by the Iowa State Medical Examiners Office. The crash site remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol, the FAA and the NTSB.

(Council Bluffs, IA) – The future of career-based education in Pottawattamie County is strong, with the Iowa West Foundation committing nearly $1 million to local school districts and education partners as part of its ASPIRE investments for the second year. The initiative allows urban and rural districts flexible funding to grow existing workforce training programs or launch new opportunities for their students that result in meaningful and financially stable career paths. Brenda Mainwaring, President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation, says “The benefits of ASPIRE are multi-faceted. Not only do students thrive when their education is meaningful to their future, but also the business community benefits when the workforce pipeline is prepared to enter in-demand jobs. We want everyone to imagine a successful future for themselves, right here in Pottawattamie County.”

In addition to the school districts, ASPIRE supports education partners including Iowa Western Community College, STARS, and Avenue Scholars of Southwest Iowa. Of the high schools in rural areas of Pottawattamie County who receive ASPIRE funding, two have elected to use the $25,000 in funding allotted toward a partnership with Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates or iJAG. The Foundation also awarded a series of grants to non-profit organizations that fight hunger and food insecurity in southwest Iowa, which is at an all-time high according to Brian Barks, President and CEO of the Food Bank for the Heartland.

“This grant will have a direct impact on families and individuals living in food deserts across Pottawattamie, Cass, Montgomery, and Shelby Counties in southwest Iowa,” he said, noting the consistent access to healthy foods through its Mobile Pantry Program. “This additional support will deliver hope and nutritious food to neighbors in southwest Iowa, helping them focus, live, and thrive.” Both the Food Bank for the Heartland and the Food Bank of Iowa received $30,000 grants. The Food Bank of Iowa’s funding will supply pantries in Adams, Audubon, Carroll, and Taylor counties and their school-based weekend backpack program. Lastly, Together Inc. received $200,000 to continue pantry operations in Council Bluffs. The organization will move into its new permanent location at the Iowa West Foundation Collaboration Center in September.

Partnerships with local casinos Ameristar, Harrah’s, and Horseshoe make it possible for the Foundation to continuously award outcome-focused grants in southwest Iowa communities. Fees from gaming and income from Foundation investments provide funding for programs and projects that benefit the residents of 14 counties in southwest Iowa.

The Iowa West Foundation has a two-step grants process, with Letters of Inquiry (LOI) accepted year-round. LOIs received by Sept. 1 will be considered in the next cycle with final applications due by Sept. 15^th. All applicants will need to create a Giving Data account to access the LOI and application unless they have already done so. A grant application workshop will be held on July 31^st in Harlan.

2024 Cycle 2 Grants and Initiatives
ASPIRE

• AHSTW Community School District $25,000
• Avenue Scholars of Southwest Iowa $215,000
• Council Bluffs Community School District $325,000
• Iowa Western Community College $69,500
• Lewis Central Community School District $100,000
• Riverside Community School District $25,000
• STARS Scholarships $350,000
• Treynor Community School District $25,000
• Tri-Center Community School District $25,000

American Midwest Ballet: Operating funding, $125,000
City of Carroll: Historic Band Shell in Graham Park, $7,500

City of Council Bluffs: FIRST AVE mural program, $77,500

City of Glenwood: Welcome sign, $15,000

Family Crisis Centers, Inc.: 24/7 Iowa Victim Service Call Center in IWF funding area, $8,500

Food Bank of the Heartland: Support for mobile pantries, $30,000
Food Bank of Iowa: Support for school-based pantries, weekend backpack programs, and mobile pantries, $30,000

Heartland Family Service: Capital funding for the therapeutic education center in Council Bluffs, $365,000

Immigrant Legal Center: Legal services in SWI,$85,000

Iowa Western Community College Foundation: Support for the IWCC Arts Center’s 2024-2025 Season, $34,000

 Metro Revamp Collective: Risk mitigation for property owners who rent to tenants at risk of being unhoused, $30,000

Micah House: Shelter and support services, $80,000

National Alliance on Mental Illness -SWI: Peer-led mental health support, outreach, and services, $35,000

Nature Conservancy of Iowa: Protect and provide public access to 472 acres of Loess Hills prairie habitat near Council Bluffs, $500,000
Nebraska Diaper Bank: Diapers for children in need in Pottawattamie County, $10,000

Kiewit Luminarium: Luminator internship program & STEM enrichment in SWI, $50,000

Omaha Symphony Association: Music education programs in SWI , $21,000

Opera Omaha: Iowa Community Engagement, $15,000 

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.: Healthy relationships workshops in Council Bluffs schools, $10,000 

Silver City Ambulance Service: Cardiac Monitor Defibrillator, $4,000

Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund: Housing repair, $125,000

The 712 Initiative: Operating funding, $125,000

The Rose Theater: Field trips for 17 SWI schools, in-school programs at two Council Bluffs schools, $15,477
The Wellbeing Partners: WhatMakesUs campaign, $5,000

Together Inc.: Council Bluffs Pantry operating expenses, $200,000

Union Pacific Museum Association: Railroad Days 2024, $23,000
University of Nebraska Foundation – Samuel Bak Museum: Field trips for Council Bluffs students, $15,470

Women of Color: Iowa West Foundation initiative, $50,000.

(Radio Iowa) – It’s been just over a week since Vice President Kamala Harris announced her intention to run “and win” the Democratic presidential nomination, and while Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley agrees Harris’ momentum is strong at the moment, he predicts it won’t last. “There’s great enthusiasm in the Democratic Party. She’s a new face. Not any questions about if she’s able to get through the next four years, like with Biden,” Grassley says. “It’s a big boost for her, but I think it’s a temporary boost because nobody’s focused on her record.”

Grassley, a Republican, asserts voters need to take a closer look at Harris’ views and how she voted during the four years she was in the U-S Senate. “These indexes show her in the 94th percentile of being one of the most liberal members of the Congress of the United States,” Grassley says, “and some people over the weekend were saying she’s even more liberal than the Socialist member the Democrat Party, Bernie Sanders.” For comparison, Grassley says he ranks number-11 on that same ranking where Harris placed 94th. He suggests voters do some research about Harris and her stance on key issues.

Senator Grassley. (photo from Senate Budget Committee hearing) File Photo

“It could be like she’s against enforcing the law at the border, that you can’t enter our country without our permission, so she’s for an open border,” Grassley says, “and she’s part of this 19% increase in the cost of living since Biden became president United States.”

The November election is just under 100 days away.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports the arrest on Monday (July 29), of 52-year-old Dana Smith, from Omaha. Smith was taken into custody for Trespass and Harassment. Smith was being held in the Mills County Jail without bond until seen by a magistrate.

And, the Mills County Sheriff’s Department reports several recent arrests have taken place.

• On July 23rd, 29-year-old Bradley Clark Perry, of Red Oak, was arrested on a warrant for Contempt of Court. Perry was being held in the Mills County Jail without bond.
• On the 24th, 35-year-old Robert James Hooks, of  Omaha, NE, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail on a Mills County warrant for Probation Violation. He was being held without bond; Also arrested on the 24th, was 49-year-old Michael Shawn Welch, of Pacific Junction, on an Out of County/State Warrant. Bond was set at $1,000.
• On July 27th, Mills County Deputies arrested 35-year-old Arron Wade Opdyke, of Malvern, at the Douglas County, NE, Jail. He was arrested on a Mills County warrant charging him with 5 counts of Harassment 1st, Harassment 3rd and Probation Violation. Bond: $7,000; 34-year-old Romann Gutierrez-Caal, of Wichita, KS, was arrested on the same date, for Assault, Disorderly Conduct and Public Intox. Bond: $2,000; And, 24-year-old Nelson Alfredo Chinchilla, also of Wichita, KS, was arrested July 27th, on two counts of Assault, Disorderly Conduct and Public Intox. Bond: $4,000.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors has received an update on the legal status of the Summit Carbon Solutions proposed carbon-capture pipeline project and the likelihood of eminent domain. Kristina Paradise, with Snyder and Associates Engineers in Atlantic, the Board’s pipeline inspection liaison, told the Board and those in attendance at the meeting this (Tuesday) morning, there are two conditions to the inspection services Snyders would provide that are in the works with regard the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC)’s Order.

The second matter of importance, she said is with regard to timing.

Kristina Paradise w/Snyder & Associates addresses the MC BOS 7-30-25

Paradise said also, with regard to property owner’s requested reconsideration of the mainline placement of the 18-mile pipeline in Montgomery County, is not yet resolved.

She said some counties in Iowa are still working on their pipeline ordinances, while others that have implemented an ordinance, have been sued. Others are waiting on the sidelines to see what will happen in those cases before the implement an ordinance. She concluded with saying there is still a long way to go before any work is started on the pipeline.

Earlier this year, Summit filed for an expansion of their proposed project, including an additional 24.07-miles of pipeline to Corning, or a total 42.14 miles altogether in Montgomery County. The IUC has granted Summit’s request to hold an informational meeting August 27^th at Noon in Red Oak. The meeting is a prerequisite to the commencement of easement acquisitions, according to the IUC.

Snyder and Associates, she said, intends to attend every informational meeting Summit will hold.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department say two women were arrested early this (Tuesday) morning, on drug charges. 53-year-old Crystal Alaine Conley, and 38-year-old Heather Layne Green, both of Creston, were arrested at 300 S Lincoln Street, at around 2:15-a.m. Conley was charged with Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine 1st Offense. Conley was taken to the Union County Jail where she was later released on a $2,300 bond.

Green was charged with Possession Drug Paraphernalia. She was cited and released from the scene, on a promise to appear in court.

Late Monday night, Creston Police arrested 18-year-old Antoine Walter Lillie, of Creston, on charges of Eluding or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Vehicle, and Driving Barred. Lillie was taken to the Union County Jail and held on a $7,000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — Authorities in Des Moines are alerting residents to a significant increase in gun thefts from vehicles, with reports already at around 50 cases halfway through the year. Typically, the police see around 150 stolen gun reports each year, with about a third of these incidents involving thefts from cars and trucks.

Des Moines police are urging gun owners not to leave firearms in their cars. Police Sgt. Paul Parizek underscored the importance of preventing guns from falling into the hands of inexperienced individuals, particularly children, who may not comprehend the consequences of their actions.

While gun owners might not face legal trouble, having a firearm stolen and used in a crime can cause significant headaches.