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Gov. Reynolds signs SF 2368 into law, announces charter school grant program

News

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, today (Friday), signed into law, a bill [SF2368] relating to education, which modifies provisions related to the sale of real property by school districts, charter school and open enrollment funding, and the participation in school activities by students enrolled in charter schools, into law. Her signature on the bill came during a ceremony at Horizon Science Academy in Des Moines.

Additionally, the governor announced a new $7 million charter school grant program that will support infrastructure costs, awarding up to $500,000 for new charter schools and up to $200,000 for existing schools. The grant program will be available through the Iowa Department of Education and the application period will open on June 3, 2024.

“Public charter schools provide yet another school choice for parents and guardians looking for the education that’s best suited for their children’s abilities and needs. Charter schools are tuition-free, independently operated public schools that have the freedom to design their curriculum and classrooms to meet specific educational objectives. Some specialize in STEM, foreign languages, and providing at-risk youth with resources and opportunities to succeed in the classroom,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds. “Today, by signing this bill and launching a new infrastructure grant program for start-up and expansion costs, we take a bold step in expanding the charter school opportunities to parents and students across the state.”

Glenwood Police report, 5/17/24

News

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports two arrests took place this (Friday) morning:

  • 21-year-old Chase Rounds, of Plattsmouth, NE, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He posted bond and was released.
  • 27-year-old De’One Denson, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving while barred. His bond was set at $2,000.

IEDA Board approves assistance for an established company, two startups in Iowa

News

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board has approved an application for a data center in Davenport, which will assist in the creation of 35 jobs and result in $800 million in new capital investment for the state. The board also approved innovation funding in support of two startups located in Granger and West Des Moines. Their actions were announced today (Friday). In addition, IEDA approved assistance from Iowa’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Innovation Fund for three startups in Ames, Slater and West Des Moines.

Details…

Meta to construct data center in Davenport: Vemerald, a wholly owned subsidiary of Meta Platforms, Inc., will store and transfer user and customer data for their operating systems. The company plans to construct a data center, which will include office space, servers and support equipment. The project represents a capital investment of $800 million and is expected to create 35 jobs incented at a qualifying wage of $28.76 per hour. The board granted the City of Davenport the ability to utilize the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program provision for value-added property tax exemption for this project.

Awards made to two startups:

Bovi-Jet, based in Granger, makes devices for cattle producers to aid in animal health. Their product overcomes the time and manual labor required to treat livestock throughout their lifetime by using sensors to detect movement of cattle and pour a stream of medicine along the backs with a farmer’s existing chute system. The company was awarded a $50,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR) loan for IP development and evaluation, proof of concept work, product refinement, key personnel and equipment, and market planning and entry activities.

West Des Moines’ Incentit is an integrated incentive management platform supporting organizations that implement their own programs along with third party program managers. The software offers program management, tracking and reporting as well as a mobile app, application intake portals and a REST API. The company was awarded a $50,000 POCR loan for product refinement.

Award recommendations for these funds are made by the Technology Commercialization Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

SSBCI Innovation Fund awards to three startups:

Ames-based biotech company PowerPollen focuses on transforming agricultural productivity and sustainability with hybrid seed and grain production systems. The company developed a revolutionary “pollination on demand” technology for the global seed industry. PowerPollen was awarded a $1 million Innovation Acceleration Expansion Fund loan for IP development and evaluation, prototype development and equipment, product refinement and testing, project team and partnerships, and manufacturing.

Tractor Zoom, located in West Des Moines, offers innovate online solutions for the farm equipment and heavy machinery market. Their primary platform, TractorZoom.com, streamlines the process for buyers to find, value and finance equipment. In addition, their cloud-based business-to-business platforms, Tractor Zoom Pro and Anvil Pro, help value, manage and sell equipment assets. The company was awarded a $1 million Innovation Acceleration Expansion Fund loan for key personnel.

Headquartered in Slater, Gross-Wen Technologies provides a patented algae biofilm treatment system under the RAB™ brand. The technology enables the effective and sustainable use of algae to remove nitrogen and phosphorous from wastewater. It can also be used with clean water to grow valuable algae for various uses that include fertilizers, bioplastics and biofuels. The company was awarded a $500,000 Innovation Acceleration Propel Fund loan for key personnel and equipment.

The SSBCI program’s Innovation Fund increases assistance available through Iowa’s innovation continuum to support entrepreneurs through concept, launch and expansion. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the SSBCI Review Committee to the IEDA director for approval. The committee met on May 14, 2024, to review eligible applications.

Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Visit Schmidt Family Funeral Home

News

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by the Schmidt Family Funeral Home on Thursday, May 16th, 2024. The Ambassadors heard recent business updates and helped welcome their new Funeral Director, Devin Hunter.

Graydon and his father John, took ownership of the Hockenberry Family Care Funeral home in September of 2021. Fast forward to 2024, on April 22, the Schmidt Family Funeral Home purchased Kessler Funeral Homes of Exira and Audubon, which was owned and operated by the Kessler family for 60 years. Schmidt Family Funeral Home now has five locations located in Atlantic, Anita, Adair, Exira, and Audubon. Currently, the Anita Chapel has relocated, and construction is underway on a brand-new building.

With the recent purchase of Kessler Funeral Homes, Schmidt Family Funeral Home welcomed Graydon’s long-time friend Devin Hunter. Devin graduated from Adair-Casey in 2010 and attended Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa, graduating from the Mortuary Science Program. Devin has been a Funeral Director in Corning for 10 years and looks forward to serving the residents of Cass, Adair, and Audubon.

Pictured Left to Right Back Rows: Kennedy Freund, Nina Welter, Scott Bennett, Madeline Schmidt, Alisha Wagner, Krysta Hanson. Steve Anderson, Ann Chris, DeeDee Kalny , Colt Doherty, Kyle Lenderman, Tori Gibson, Dolly Bergmann , Sue Liston, Wesley Anstey , Bill Saluk , John Bricker , Jeremy Butler, Chris Parks, Keith Honke , Lana Westphalen , Chris Karns , Julie Waters, Andrew Martin, Jim Kickland , Megan Sramek
Pictured Left to Right Front Row : Jonn Schmidt, Devin Hunter, Graydon Schmidt, Marlene DeGeest, Chris Karns

Schmidt Family Funeral Home takes great pride in providing personal service that is as unique as the person lost, and treat each loved one entrusted to their care, with the utmost respect, gentleness, and devoted professionalism. Schmidt Family Funeral Home’s Atlantic location is located at 1804 East 7th Street. For more information contact 712-243-4111 or visit their website https://www.schmidtfamilyfh.com/

DONALD SCHRODER, 60, of Hancock (Memorial Svcs. 5/31/24)

Obituaries

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DONALD SCHRODER, 60, of Hancock, died Wednesday, May 15th, at CHI Health/Mercy Hospital. A Memorial service for DONALD SCHRODER will be held May 31st at 6-p.m., at the Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca.

The family will greet friends at the funeral home on May 31st, from 5-until 6-p.m.

DONALD SCHRODER is survived by:

His wife – Marina Schroder, of Hancock.

His sons – Connor Bartlett, of Council Bluffs, and Morgan Bartlett, of Hancock.

His daughter – Jolene Schueman, of Papillion, NE.

His brother – Ken Schroder.

Sister:  Twyla Schroder

2 grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

“Top 10 best public high schools” ranking in Iowa shows Iowa City West on-top again

News

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

For the second straight year, Iowa City is home to Iowa’s best public high school, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings. The list, released this spring, has Iowa City West ranked as the state’s top public high school — 626th nationally — followed by Gilbert and Pella. Decorah, which was second last year to West, and Liberty High School round out the top five.The nation’s No. 1 public high school is BASIS Peoria in Arizona, according to the magazine, which evaluated 17,660 high schools this year — including 317 in Iowa — in six factors including students’ college readiness, state assessment proficiency and performance and graduation rate from the 2021-22 school year.

Forty-two Iowa high schools are ranked in the nation’s top 5,000. In southwest Iowa, the Bedford High School placed 20th on the list of rankings; Treynor placed 26th; Shenandoah, 29th; Harland was 36th in the Iowa rankings; Audubon came in at 45th; Lewis Central placed 51st; Carroll placed 55th in the rankings; at #58 was Stanton; East Mills came in 60th; Underwood was 62nd; Glenwood, 69th; Logan-Magnolia was 77th followed by the Griswold Middle/High School in 78th place; Mount Ayr and Woodbine were ranked 86th & 87th respectively; Coon Rapids-Bayard ranked 89th; Fremont-Mills came in at 92nd place; IKM-Manning and Stuart placed 101st and 102nd, respectively; Creston ranked 106th; AHSTW was ranked 113th; Lenox came in at 116th place in the annual rankings report. Other area school district rankings:

Denison, 120th; Atlantic, 132nd in Iowa rankings. The total minority enrollment at AHS according to the report, is 12%, and 39% of students are economically disadvantaged.

U.S. News and World Report’s Top 10 best public high schools in Iowa:

1. Iowa City West

  • National ranking: 626
  • Graduation rate: 94%
  • College readiness: 61.7
  • Enrollment: 1,503

2. Gilbert

  • National ranking: 996
  • Graduation rate: 100%
  • College readiness: 18.2
  • Enrollment: 537

3. Pella

  • National ranking: 1,073
  • Graduation rate: 98%
  • College readiness: 26.2
  • Enrollment: 764

4. Decorah

  • National ranking: 1,098
  • Graduation rate: 97%
  • College readiness: 20.4
  • Enrollment: 576

5. Liberty

  • National ranking: 1,556
  • Graduation rate: 97%
  • College readiness: 42.0
  • Enrollment: 1,167

6. Ankeny

  • National ranking: 1,560
  • Graduation rate: 94%
  • College readiness: 25.2
  • Enrollment: 1,347

7. ADM (Adel)

  • National ranking: 1,744
  • Graduation rate: 97%
  • College readiness: 33.1
  • Enrollment: 651

8. Pleasant Valley

  • National ranking: 1,946
  • Graduation rate: 93%
  • College readiness: 37.1
  • Enrollment: 1,658

9. Williamsburg

  • National ranking: 2,051
  • Graduation rate: 96%
  • College readiness: 29.9
  • Enrollment: 409

10. Iowa City High

  • National ranking: 2,183
  • Graduation rate: 94%
  • College readiness: 35.0
  • Enrollment: 1,599

New exhibit opens in West Branch to honor the Hoovers’ 150th birthdays

News

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – This year marks what would’ve been the 150th birthdays of both President Herbert Hoover and his wife, Lou, and a special exhibit will open tomorrow (Saturday) at his birthplace in West Branch to celebrate the sesquicentennial. Aaron Scheinblum, spokesman for the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, says visitors will discover the lives of the Hoovers in a completely new way, highlighting their birthdays over the decades and the celebrations in their honor. “More than 70 items from our museum collection are actually coming out of storage and being put on display,” Scheinblum says, “and what makes them so unique is they all have ties to birthdays over the years for both Bert and Lou Hoover.”

new exhibit is called “Hoover 150: A Birthday Celebration,” and Scheinblum says it will offer a unique perspective on some of the Hoovers’ most intimate moments with friends and family.  “Our museum staff has, without exaggerating, spent weeks researching, diving into the diaries of Lou Henry Hoover,” he says, “trying to figure out exactly what memories match up with what item, to be able to tell such a unique story as you go through the walls and go through the galleries.” From childhood through adulthood, visitors to the West Branch facility will be able to experience some of the Hoovers’ great birthday memories through items that have never before been on public display.

“We’re actually showing a lot of different things as far as thank you cards, birthday cards — these giant birthday cards that he was honored with,” he says, “and a lot of correspondence, a lot of back and forth, sharing these memories with friends and family.” Sheinblum says this is a temporary exhibit that will only be up through the end of the year, and it provides an opportunity for visitors to discover the Hoovers in a remarkable way. “We actually have a number of Lou’s dresses in our museum collection,” Scheinblum says. “We were actually able to find what Lou was wearing, specifically on her birthday, while during her time in the White House, and one of those dresses is perfectly described and actually in our museum collection.”

library and museum will be closing early next year for what’s billed as a complete remodel and renovation. The 20-million dollar project is expected to take 12 to 15 months. For the remainder of this year, it will be open every day, with the only exceptions being Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

https://hoover.archives.gov

2024 State Track and Field Meet – Day 2 – Class 2A and 3A Session

Sports

May 17th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Girls 2A 1600 Meter Sprint Medley Relay

-16th Audubon (Jaelynn Petersen, Taryn Petersen, Mattie Nielsen, Kadence Brannan-Sporrer) 4:23.05

Girls 3A 1600 Meter Sprint Medley Relay

-3rd Atlantic (Morgan Botos, Lila Wiederstein, Nicole Middents, Claire Pellett) 4:10.50

-6th Lewis Central (Irelynn James, Brooke Nelson, Madeline Fidone, Delayna Reese) 4:12.76

-17th Harlan (Kami Stork, Samantha Ineson, Aubree Wegner, Lindsey Sonderman) 4:21.70

Boys 2A 1600 Meter Sprint Medley Relay

-5th Clarinda (Kaiden Roop, Kayden Hawley, Cooper Phillips, Kyle Wagoner) 3:32.69

Boys 3A 1600 Meter Sprint Medley Relay

-4th Glenwood (Payton Longmeyer, Trey Darden, Victor Cruz, Andrew Smith) 3:32.58

-9th Creston (Casen Dryden, Seth Gordon, Austin Evans, Brandon Briley) 3:34.64

Girls 2A 100M Hurdles Prelims

-14th, Chloe Denton, Shenandoah, 16.12

Girls 3A 100M Hurdles Prelims

-2nd, Jayci Reed, Atlantic, 15.58 Qualified 

Boys 2A 110M Hurdles Prelims

-7th, Gavin Newcomb, AHSTW, 15.10 Qualified 

-11th, Mason Boothby, Underwood, 15.37

-18th, Sam Hulsing, Undrewood, 15.97

Girls 2A 4×200 Meter Relay

-11th Clarinda (Jerzee Knight, Alexa Barnes, Kylie Meier, Bailey Nordyke) 1:47.40

-14th Underwood (Tieler Hull, Kinsley Ferguson, Ainsley Roberts, Haley Stangl) 1:47.80

-21st AHSTW (Delaney Goshorn, Brooklyn Buck, Rylie Knop, Bella Lamp) 1:49.54

Girls 3A 4×200 Meter Relay 

-7th Glenwood (Zoie Carda, Brooklyn Schultz, Allison Koontz, Danika Arnold) 1:44.19

Boys 2A 4×200 Meter Relay 

-2nd Shenandoah (Hunter Dukes, Alex Razee, Cole Graham, Brody Cullin) 1:28.86

Boys 3A 4×200 Meter Relay

-14th Lewis Central (Parker Stessman, Jimmy Scott, Aidan Bergman, Leonardo Hinojosa) 1:31.35

Girls 2A 400 Meter Hurdles

-14th Makenna Paulsen, AHSTW, 1:09.25

-20th Bailey Nordyke, Clarinda, 1:11.28

Girls 3A 400 Meter Hurdles

-9th Breckyn Petersen, Glenwood, 1:07.90

-20th Abby Broeckelman, Harlan, 1:10.56

Boys 2A 400 Meter Hurdles

-20th Tayden Hull, Underwood, 58.01

-21st Nick Denning, AHSTW, 58.32

Boys 3A 400 Meter Hurdles 

-24th Jake Fink, Denison-Schleswig, 59.o1

Girls 2A 4×100 Meter Relay Prelims

-15th Clarinda (Bailey Nordyke, Alexa Barnes, Kylie Meier, Jerzee Knight) 50.99

-22nd Underwood (Tieler Hull, Kinsley Ferguson, Ainsley Roberts, Haley Stangl) 51.51

Girls 3A 4×100 Meter Relay Prelims

-10th Glenwood (Zoie Carda, Elaina Dougherty, Danika Arnold, Allison Koontz) 49.68

-14th Atlantic (Hailey Huffman, Jayci Reed, Allison Middents, Lila Wiederstein) 49.99

Boys 2A 4×100 Meter Relay Prelims 

-1st Shenandoah (Hunter Dukes, Alex Razee, Cole Graham, Brody Cullin) 42.62 Qualified 

Boys 3A 4×100 Meter Relay Prelims 

2nd Harlan (Lukas Francis, Matthew Sorfonden, Brehden Eggerss, Cade Sears) 42.03 Qualified 

-10th Glenwood (Jackson Mulkins, Trey Darden, Tristan Ludwig, Payton Longmeyer) 42.99

-16th Atlantic (Jarrett Hansen, Ethan McNeal, Jaice Larson, Tye Houser) 43.75

Girls 2A 4×400 Meter Relay Prelims 

-13th AHSTW (Delaney Goshorn, Ava Paulsen, Makenna Paulsen, Bella Lamp) 4:10.15

-21st Audubon (Taryn Petersen, Mattie Nielsen, Jaelynn Petersen, Kadence Brannan-Sporrer) 4:13.18

Girls 3A 4×400 Meter Relay Prelims 

-3rd Carroll (Marasyn Wittrock, Averi Burke, Katelyn Aden, Marie Dea) 4:00.86 Qualified 

-9th Glenwood (Brooklyn Schultz, Megan Hughes, Lauren Hughes, Breckyn Petersen) 4:04.75

-15th Lewis Central (Brooke Nelson, Irelynn James, Addison Holt, Madeline Fidone) 4:10.06

Girls 3A Shot Put

-2nd, Jordyn Matiyow, Lewis Central, 40-09.50

-11th, Emma Kuhlman, Carroll, 37-07.25

-16th, Olivia Rowdier, Carroll, 35-09.75

Girls 2A Discus Throw 

-19th, Ellie Sibbel, Kuemper Catholic, 105-02

-20th, Aliyah Parker, Shenandoah, 104-10

-22nd, Maya Zappia, Missouri Valley, 96-11.

Boys 3A Long Jump

-6th, Brehden Eggers, Harlan, 21-05.75

-11th, Colton Rasmussen, Atlantic, 20-08.75

-20th Anthony Arambula, Denison-Schleswig, 19-03.00

Boys 2A High Jump 

-4th, Benjamin Gerken, Kuemper Catholic, 6-03.00

Boys 3A Shot Put

-11th, Tom Mikkelsen, 51-06.00

-14th, Regan Skarnulis, Glenwood, 50-05.25

Boys 2A Discus Throw

-1st, Maxwell Tiaras, Underwood, 181-04

-4th, Evan Adams, Kuemper Catholic, 161-00.

Girls 3A Long Jump

-14th, Lila Wiederstein, Atlantic, 16-03.25

Boys 2A 4×400 Meter Relay Prelims

-6th Underwood (Josh Ravlin, Riley Sealock, Mason Boothby, Will Buckholdt) 3:26.88 Qualified 

-22nd Shenandoah (Hunter Dukes, Santiago Hernandez, Cole Scamman, Ayden Johnson) 3:35.99

Boys 3A 4×400 Meter Relay Prelims

-17th Atlantic (Devon Fields, Colin Rudy, Bennett Whetstone, Grant Petty) 3:30.30

-20th Creston (Austin Evans, Davin Wallace, Seth Gordon, Brandon Briley) 3:30.50

Creston woman arrested for Animal Neglect; Creston man faces 2nd offense Assault charge

News

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports a woman from Creston was arrested Wednesday morning, on an Animal Neglect charge. 35-year-old Elda Soraida Lemus was arrested at her residence on a charge of Animal Neglect with Serious Injury or Death. Lemus was taken to Union County Jail and later posted a $2,000 cash or surety bond before being released.

And, a little after 10-p.m. Thursday, 39-year-old Samantha Lynn Hayes, of Creston, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd Offense, and for Consume(ing) [an] Alcoholic Beverage in Public Place/1st Offense. Hayes was taken to Clarke County Jail where she was being held without bond.

Bondurant Woman Charged with Insurance Fraud

News

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – A woman from central Iowa faces a felony charge related to Insurance Fraud. The Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau says 39-year-old Sarah Rahm, of Bondurant, was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud – Presenting False Information (a Class D Felony). The charges are the result of an investigation that began in March, of 2024.

According to the criminal complaint filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, Rahm made willful misrepresentations regarding her pet’s medical history and then falsified the onset date of a claimed medical condition in connection with an insurance claim. Rahm was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail on May 3, 2024.  Rahm posted a $5,000 bond and was released.

Sarah Rahm

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.