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Denison receives $20k Housing Readiness Assessment Grant from the State of Iowa

News

October 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES— Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority have announced $190,000 in grants were recently awarded to 10 rural Iowa communities through three Empower Rural Iowa Grant programs. The grant awards will support rural initiatives including housing, child care and business/community growth.
Five cities each received $20,000 Rural Housing Readiness Assessment Grants to study housing needs through a partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The City of Denison, for example, is working to address overcrowding in affordable housing units.
The Rural Child Care Planning Grant was awarded to four recipients to support the use of data and analysis — in partnership with the national nonprofit organization First Children’s Finance — to determine the specific needs and solutions for their area. Hardin County Conservation received $20,000 to rally residents around a learning center that will use Calkins Nature Area in Iowa Falls to provide learning opportunities for kids ages two to five.
In addition, one $10,000 grant was awarded through the Building Ownership & Organization by Strengthening Teams (BOOST) program, which aims to assist passionate community and business leaders in developing intentional plans for next-step growth. Keokuk County Economic Development will meet with a BOOST team of experts to receive personalized recommendations, which grant funding will be used to implement.
Empower Rural Iowa grants are funded through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature for Empower Rural Iowa initiatives. Applicants, who are required to provide a financial match, were scored based on criteria that included economic need, partners, readiness, and strategic goals.
Programs must exist in and benefit a community in Iowa with a population of 20,000 or fewer and not contiguous to a city with a population of 40,000 or greater. A full list of the 2024 Empower Rural Grant recipients is available here.

Governor likely to reveal her choice for lieutenant governor after Nov. 5

News

October 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says it’s more than likely she’ll decide who to pick as Iowa’s next lieutenant governor AFTER the November election.

Adam Gregg, who’d been Iowa’s lieutenant governor since mid-2017, resigned in early September to take the top job at the Iowa Bankers Association. Reynolds says she didn’t have a lot of advance notice about Gregg’s decision, and then left on a 10 day trade mission to India. The governor indicated she and her staff are collecting the names of people she might consider, but interviews have not begun.

Reynolds says she’ll sit down with different people who she thinks might be a good partner.

Former Governor Terry Branstad chose Reynolds fas his running mate in 2010 and she took over as governor when he resigned to become U-S Ambassador to China. The person Reynolds chooses as lieutenant governor is likely to be her running mate in 2026, if she runs for reelection.

State Auditor says $77,000 misspent by former Tama County Conservation director

News

October 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – State Auditor Rob Sand has released a report that found nearly 77-thousand dollars was misspent by the former director of the Tama County Conservation Department. Stephen Mayne was hired for the job in March of 2021. Sand says on August 1st of last year, the agency’s maintenance staff found a bunch of Menards receipts for an account that wasn’t typically used by the county.

Staff in the state auditor’s office reviewed financial transactions for the 29 months Mayne held the position of director at Tama County Conservation.

The conservation department was involved in a number of projects in Tama County at the time and county officials told the auditor’s office Mayne was also remodeling his home and at least one other property. Sand says not all expenses and receipts were properly documented and couldn’t be located — so auditors were unable to determine if other purchases were improper.

The report has been forwarded to the Tama County Attorney, the Iowa Attorney General and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Greater Greenfield Community Foundation and Nodaway Valley Schools Partner with Adventureland Resort to Bring a Spooktacular Experience to Greenfield Residents

News

October 2nd, 2024 by Jim Field

Greenfield, IA – The Greater Greenfield Community Foundation, in partnership with Nodaway Valley Community School District, is thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration with Adventureland Resort to bring a fun and unforgettable experience to the residents of Greenfield.
In the aftermath of the devastating EF4 tornado that struck on May 21, the Greenfield community has shown incredible strength and solidarity as they work to rebuild. Now, Adventureland Resort is offering a unique and generous way to lift spirits. Adventureland has graciously provided free tickets for EVERY student and EVERY resident of Greenfield to attend their 3rd Annual Phantom Fall Fest—the largest Halloween event in Iowa.

“In times of tragedy, most Iowan’s look for a way to help. This is a small way for us to give back,” Adventureland General Manager Mike Lusky said. “We want to provide this escape to those in Greenfield as a way to get away for a day and enjoy the rides and haunted houses that our Phantom Fall Fest event has to offer.”

The Phantom Fall Fest offers a full day of excitement with four scare zones, four haunted houses, night rides, spooky food, and drink options, making it the perfect Halloween event. The festival runs on select dates through Sunday, October 27.

“The Greater Greenfield Community Foundation and Nodaway Valley Community School District are incredibly grateful to Adventureland for their generosity in lifting spirits and bringing some much-needed joy to our community during Greenfield’s ongoing recovery,” said Jennifer Garside, Executive Director of the Greater Greenfield Community Foundation. “Our community has shown remarkable resilience and unity as we work through the challenges of recovery. While we’ve made great strides, there’s still a long road ahead, and Adventureland’s thoughtfulness couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Tickets will be distributed starting Thursday, October 3rd. Any Greenfield residents in need of additional tickets can pick them up at the Greenfield City Library during regular business hours.

IOWA STATE SELECTED AS HOST SITE FOR 2026 NCAA CROSS COUNTRY REGIONAL

Sports

October 2nd, 2024 by Christian Adams

 Iowa State University has been selected to host the 2026 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Midwest Regional meet as announced by the NCAA on Wednesday afternoon.
This is the fourth time in program history that the Cyclones will host the regional meet, previously hosting in 1997, 2013 and 2017. Iowa State Cross Country Course also hosted the 2000 NCAA Championships and has hosted the Big 12 Championships four times (1996, 2008, 2018, 2023).

Big 12 Deputy Commissioner Tim Weiser to Retire After 40 Years in College Athletics

Sports

October 2nd, 2024 by Christian Adams

Today, Big 12 Conference Deputy Commissioner Tim Weiser announced his retirement following a distinguished 40-plus-year career in college athletics, effective at the end of 2024. Weiser has served as Deputy Commissioner for the Big 12 since 2008, following decades as an Athletic Director at Kansas State (2001-08), Colorado State (1997-01), Eastern Michigan (1993-97) and Austin Peay (1988-93).

“I have been so fortunate to be associated with so many outstanding people through my work in college athletics and will be eternally grateful for the friendships I have made along the way,” said Weiser. “The timing is right for me to begin the next chapter in my journey.”

“Tim has been a tremendous resource since my first day at the Big 12 – I will be forever grateful for his support,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. “Tim will always be a part of the Big 12 family, and I look forward to our continued friendship.”

In addition to his role as Deputy Athletic Director, Weiser served the college athletics community in a variety of capacities, including two stints as chair of the Division I Baseball Committee, along with being appointed to the NCAA’s Championships / Competition Cabinet. Weiser also formerly served as the president of the D1A Athletics Directors Association (now known as FBS ADA).

Throughout Weiser’s tenure at the Conference, the Big 12 has won 57 team national championships and has grown into a 16-team league that spans ten states and four time zones.

Weiser will continue to serve as a consultant to Commissioner Yormark and the Big 12, providing strategic counsel on special projects and initiatives.

The Great Bend, Kansas native received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Emporia State, where he also played on the baseball team. He is a member of the Great Bend High School Hall of Fame and the Emporia State Hall of Fame.

2 from Red Oak arrested Wednesday on Greene County warrants

News

October 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County reported two people from Red Oak were arrested this (Wednesday) morning on bench warrants out of Greene County. 38-year-old Jesse Ray Nelson and 37-year-old Jennifer Lynn Holz each face charges that include five counts of Burglary 3rd Degree, one count of Theft 4th Degree, and four counts of Theft 5th Degree. Their bonds were set at $27,000.

Drake prepares to visit Valparaiso

Sports

October 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Drake coach Todd Stepsis says great teams find a way to win and that is what the Bulldogs did last week in a 30-28 victory over San Diego. Drake squandered a 27-9 fourth quarter lead before putting together a late drive that resulted in a game winning 48-yard field goal on the final play of the game.

It was Drake’s 12th straight Pioneer Football League victory dating back to 2021. Nine of them have been by a touchdown or less.

The Bulldogs are on the road in the PFL on Saturday to take on Valparaiso. Drake edged the Beacons 20-14 last year in Des Moines.

Federal EPA is weighing Sierra Club push for cleaner waterways

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A top official with the U-S E-P-A says the agency is still reviewing a petition by an environmental group asking for federal authorities to take over enforcement of clean water laws from the Iowa D-N-R. The Sierra Club of Iowa petitioned the E-P-A in July, claiming the state is failing to stop harmful levels of nutrients from reaching waterways. Bruno Pigott, who leads the E-P-A Office of Water, says if the agency agrees enforcement in Iowa is falling short, state authorities would have a chance to change course before federal regulators step in.

Pigott highlighted projects the E-P-A is helping fund in Iowa to improve water quality, including a 348-million dollar upgrade to the Cedar Rapids wastewater system.

He discussed the petition on the Iowa Public Radio program “River to River.”

Iowa women are reminded about a cancer killer during October

News

October 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – About one in every eight Iowa women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes, and October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Dawna Currigan, spokeswoman for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, says having the correct information is vital and the organization’s Breast Care Helpline is an excellent resource.

The helpline is 1-877 GO KOMEN. The month ahead will bring a variety of programs and activities to educate Iowans about breast cancer, including Fit for the Cure events in Cedar Falls, West Des Moines, Davenport and Cedar Rapids.

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On the web at www.komen.org