(Radio Iowa) – Dubuque is unveiling a first-in-Iowa initiative aimed at reducing fines and fees for low-income residents. The Equitable Fines and Fees Program will meet those residents where they live and connect them with area networks and resources to alleviate utility fines for missed payments. Antonio Mouzon heads Dubuque’s Office of Community Impact and he created the program. He’s hopeful residents will be more likely to ask for help where they’re comfortable, instead of at a city office.

“We really hope to find success in building relationships between our local government and our residents, meeting people at their homes, having them see our smiling faces, us see theirs,” Mouzon says. “We’re learning their names and building that trust so residents are more likely to invest in these programs.” Mouzon says the initiative is rooted in trying to correct inequity in the criminal justice system.

“Residents who are standing in front of that judge can only serve in our community at a rate of $7.25 an hour. That is not equitable,” he says. “If you have a $1,500 or even a $1,000 fine, you’re going to have to serve for quite some time.”

The program is scheduled to launch on New Year’s Day and could eventually be expanded to include legal fees.

(Radio Iowa) – The new “State of Lung Cancer” report from the American Lung Association ranks Iowa number-39 out of 49 states for new rates of lung cancer. Iowa also ranked worse than the national average on lung cancer survival rates and early diagnosis. Kristina Hamilton, spokeswoman for the state chapter of the American Lung Association, says one recommendation is that policymakers increase the state tax on cigarettes.

“The cigarette tax hasn’t been raised in Iowa since 2007,” Hamilton says, “so of course, the economy has changed so much since 2007, it’s really past time for Iowa to increase cigarette taxes.” Hamilton says cigarette smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer in the state.

Another area that needs attention from policymakers is Iowa’s high radon rates, as she says policies could help to reduce radon exposure, and to encourage the building of radon-resistant buildings.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – A man from Dallas County escaped injury last week, after his pickup left the road and struck a light pole. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports 57-year-old William B. Clauson, of Dexter, was driving a 2017 Chevy pickup truck eastbound on 330th Street at around 8:25-a.m., Thursday (Nov. 26th), when he became blinded by the rising sun.

The pickup went off the right side of the road, entered the east ditch and struck a Guthrie County REC electric pole, before coming to rest. Damage to the pickup was estimated to be around $14,000. The vehicle was declared a total loss. A fence owned by Doud Martin, of Dexter, sustained $1,000 damage, and damage to the light pole was estimated at $2,000.

No citations were issued.

(Washington, Iowa) – Three people died and another was injured during an eastern Iowa crash this (Monday) morning. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash happened on Iowa Highway 1 near 170th Street, south of Kalona. According to the report, a car was traveling southbound at around 8:50-a.m., at the same time an SUV was traveling northbound. The driver of the car attempted to pass a snowplow that was traveling southbound, when the car crossed over the center line of the road into the northbound lane, and struck the SUV. Both drivers and a front seat passenger in the  SUV died in the crash. Another person was injured and transported by Washington County EMS to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.

The State Patrol was withholding the names of the crash victims, pending notification of family.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports a Bridgewater woman was arrested last week on felony Theft and Burglary charges. 43-year-old Kiley Marie Hannan was arrested Nov. 26th on an Adair County warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree against an older individual, after she alleged stole jewelry valued at $4, 150 from the home of an elderly female, and a related warrant for Burglary in the 3rd Degree. Hannan was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond.

And, on November 30th, 41-year-old James Edwin Lee, Jr., of Fontanelle, was arrested following a traffic stop. Lee was charged with Possession of Marijuana/1st offense, and Possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released a short-time later on a $1,300 bond.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Community Foundation for Western Iowa will be the heart of Giving Tuesday 712 fun and excitement, this Tuesday, Dec. 3rd (2024), from 5-until 7-p.m.

Throughout the day, community members and nonprofits are encouraged to visit the office at 536 E. Broadway in Council Bluffs for check presentations, special guest appearances and be part of the giving excitement. The Community Foundation for Western Iowa also will provide 24 hourly $1,000 prizes for SHARE Iowa nonprofit organizations that participate in Giving Tuesday.

As Giving Tuesday 712 concludes, the public is encouraged to attend a generosity celebration at Full Fledged Brewing Company (40 Arena Way, Suite 2 – in Council Bluffs). Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving and the largest day of giving in our region. Giving Tuesday is a day that encourages people to do good and that every act of generosity matters. Once again, the Community Foundation for Western Iowa will earmark $200,000 for a 20% match on charitable gifts to endowment funds within the foundation. This special match is a gift from the Community Foundation during Giving Tuesday 712 to nonprofit partners to amplify the impact of their generous donors.

The Community Foundation for Western Iowa’s 20% match is on gifts up to $100,000 per fund, which is available through Dec. 13th.

December 2, 2024 (DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has announced more than $43 million in awards to help transform 10 underutilized historic buildings. The awards were made through the Historic Preservation Tax Credit program.

“Historic buildings are tangible symbols of a community’s past, and repurposing these gems creates such character-rich spaces for new opportunities,” said Debi Durham, director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. “In addition, these projects often serve as a catalyst for the redevelopment of a block, a street or a district.”

The Historic Preservation Tax Credit program provides a state income tax credit to projects that rehabilitate underused or vacant historic buildings while maintaining the historic character-defining features that enhance neighborhoods and communities. Work completed on buildings must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

The most recent application round opened in January with approximately $43 million available for awards. IEDA received 13 applications requesting more than $63 million in tax credits. Projects are scored based on readiness, financing and local support and participation. This round of awards will help to enhance historic buildings across the state including:

• Des Moines — The first 15 floors of the Financial Center, a 25-story downtown skyscraper that once was Iowa’s tallest, will be renovated, with office space converted into 190 apartments. The ground floor will offer a restaurant, café, lobby, mail and bike storage areas, while a business center, skywalk access, a fitness center, a clubroom, a rooftop deck, pool amenities and a dog park are planned for the second, third and fourth floors. Level 2 charging stations will service at least four electric vehicles.
• Dubuque — Constructed in 1907 as the second location of Roshek Brothers Co. Department Store, this four-story building will feature commercial space on the first floor, with 36 market-rate residential apartments on the upper floors.
• Muscatine — KENT Corp., headquartered in Muscatine, is expanding into the former McKee Button Co., a three-story brick structure that was once known as the world’s largest freshwater pearl button factory. McKee Plaza will include 27 offices, 60 open offices, six meeting rooms, a research kitchen, a presentation kitchen, collaboration and lounge areas and an employee fitness area.
• Sioux City — East High Lofts will redevelop the century-old East Junior High School building into modern, energy-efficient apartments. One- to four-bedroom units are designed to serve individuals and families with low to moderate incomes, with five units set aside for those at risk of homelessness. In addition, shared spaces will include a community room, a fitness center and outdoor recreational areas.

Download a spreadsheet with today’s awards here.

The Historic Preservation Tax Credit program is administered by IEDA. The next application round for large projects opens in June 2025, with applications due September 16. For more information on the program, visit iowaeda.com/historic-preservation-tax-credit/.