(Radio Iowa) – The U-S-D-A has rejected Governor Kim Reynolds’ plan to provide monthly boxes of food to low-income households with school-aged children — rather than a monthly stipend for purchasing groceries next summer. Reynolds will reapply to the Trump Administration for permission to start the project. Reynolds has said it would feed more children because the state could buy the food at wholesale prices.

“This utilizes the USDA School Program that we already have, so there’s a nutritious component to it,” Reynolds said, “which is really, really important for our kids.” During an interview with Radio Iowa a few months ago, Reynolds said many low-income families lack the transportation to get to a store that sells groceries at reasonable prices and her proposal would address that by setting up a distribution system for the boxed-up food.

“It’s the same type of mindset that we have with the programs that I have put in place,” Reynolds said, “really to use technology, to update, to be more efficient and more effective.” The U-S-D-A has notified state officials the governor’s plan does not fit the guidelines for its summer feeding initiative. The SUN Bucks program has provided low-income families with an extra 120-dollars per school aged child via a government-issued debit card. Iowa Hunger Coalition Chair Luke Elzinga says state officials are basically saying they don’t want to participate in the program, but want to spend the money.

“The state’s asking to waive 29 separate pieces of federal code,” Elzinga says. Elzinga is encouraging Iowans to lobby the governor to accept the U-S-D-A’s guidelines. John Boller is executive director of the Coralville Community Food Pantry. He says direct federal assistance to parents has reduced childhood food insecurity in states that accepted the SUN Bucks funding. “Parents should be trusted to make the best food choices for their children,” Boller says.

This past summer, Reynolds turned down 29 million dollars in summer food assistance for Iowa children who qualify for free or reduced price lunch at school. She used 900-thousand dollars of pandemic relief money instead to set up summer meal sites around the state.

(Radio Iowa) – Snow is in the forecast this week as travelers prepare to head out for Thanksgiving. Triple-A Iowa spokesman, Brian Ortner says now is a good time to be sure you are ready for whatever pops up. “Plan for the unexpected, because you never know whether you’re flying or you’re driving, just like in life, things could happen,” Ortner says. He says the weather can change quickly and now is a good time to review what your airline requires if you need to make a change.

“If your flight is delayed or your flight is canceled, make sure you know your options,” he says. “Have your information with you, have contact information with you of your you know your travel agent if you booked yourself, have the app, that customer service line, to be able to make those changes. If they would need to happen to make them happen quicker.” The same thing applies if you are out on the road and the weather changes.

“Pack those emergency kits in your car. Again. It’s part of planning. Have blankets, water, portable battery charger, phone number of your insurance company or your Roadside Service Company, just to make sure if something does happen to your vehicle, you’re ready to be prepared,” Ortner says. “And we have time before the holiday to get that routine maintenance done. That is a key factor in helping avoid those unexpected situations with your car.”

Ortner says it’s better to do the pre-planning and not have to use any of those options than it is to be scrambling and trying to come up with a plan once you are on the way.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A Special Meeting of the Atlantic City Council will take place at 5:15-p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26th, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. On the agenda, is action on passing a resolution “Obligating funds from the Southeast Urban Renewal Area Revenue Fund, for appropriation to the payment of annual appropriation Tax Increment Financed (TIF) obligations which shall come due in the next succeeding fiscal year.”

City Administrator John Lund says “This is bureaucratic red tape relating to TIF for the Redwood Subdivision. The City did not borrow money for the infrastructure for this development.” Lund says the City “Did an internal loan [through ARPA funds] and are using TIF to recover [the City’s] investment, so the City can be smarter in planning for new housing in Atlantic.” Lund added, “Part of the annual appropriation process is the announcement [by] formal resolution, we [the City] will utilize TIF [funds] to repay our own internal debt.” A nearly identical resolution was approved during the Council’s regular meeting on Nov. 15, 2023.

The Council will also act on passing a resolution “Obligating funds from the Hotel Whitney Urban Renewal Area Revenue Fund for appropriation to the payment of annual appropriation TIF obligations which [are coming] due in the next fiscal year.”  A TIF agreement with the Whitney Group for improvements to the Whitney Inn was passed in 2016, which includes an annual appropriation. Lund says “This will be the sixth year the City has been eligible to capture the taxes paid by the Whitney Group using TIF.” It will continue to be an annual feature on the Council’s agenda until the City either pay’s off the $750,000 maximum payment, or 20-years expires – whichever come first. The Council adopted an identical resolution during their meeting in November, 2023.

The Atlantic City Council will also act on Orders approving an Annual Urban Renewal report (as required by Iowa Code), and the 2023 Road Use Tax report, which is also required under the Code of Iowa.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office has issued a report on arrests that occurred between Sept. 28th and November 16th.

On September 28th, Adams County deputies arrested 32-year old Traver Mac Ray, of Clarinda, for OWI/2nd offense. His arrested was the result of a traffic stop at Highway 148 and 17th Street, in Corning. Ray was booked into the Adams County Jail and held on a $2,000 cash bond.

On October 28th, 38-year old Roberto Alvarado Garcia was arrested in rural Adams County, following a traffic stop. Garcia was found to have had a suspended Iowa driver’s license, and could not show proof of SR22 insurance. He later posted a $600 cash- only bond, and was released.

On November 3rd, 22-year old Phoenix Christian Richert, of Kansas, and 21-year old Alexandria Jo Wahlenmaier, of Des Moines, were arrested in Adams County following a traffic stop. They were charged with Possession of Marijuana/1st Offense and booked into the Adams County Jail.

And, on November 16th, Adams County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 51-year-old Nolan Maurice McClarty, of Corning, for Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd Offense. McClarty was booked into the Adams County jail and held without bond until seen by a magistrate.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Atlantic has been recognized as a Neighborhood Champion for the 11th year in a row by American Express. Atlantic will participate in the 14th Annual Small Business Saturday to support small businesses this Saturday. Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith says “We’re excited to partner with local businesses to create shopping incentives and activities to celebrate Small Business Saturday.”

Founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday® is a day to celebrate the small businesses that help support our community. American Express created the Neighborhood Champion Program to help rally communities around Small Business Saturday and is working alongside numerous business organizations to support local Small Business Saturday celebrations throughout the country.

American Express recognizes communities that have strong participation. The on-going Shop Local Initiative, presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust, and overall community support has helped Atlantic achieve this national recognition.

Bailey Smith says “It’s a great opportunity for Atlantic to receive positive, national exposure. Atlantic is very fortunate to have the business community that we do, and this day is an added bonus for residents to remember how important their support and participation in shopping local is to keeping Atlantic a vibrant place to live.”

November 30th marks Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. On Saturday, shoppers are encouraged to take a picture of their purchases at participating retailers and post to the Chamber’s Facebook page to be entered into a drawing for $250 in AtlantiCash. For a list of participating businesses, visit www.atlanticiowa.com.

Small business owners can learn more about taking part in Small Business Saturday and download free marketing materials on www.shopsmall.com. Consumers can visit www.atlanticiowa.com to find deals and merchants to shop at on Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department say an accident at around 11:35-a.m. today (Monday), caused a police estimated total of $10,500 damage, but no one was injured. According to the report, a 1999 Dodge pickup driven by 45-year-old Jason Carleton, of Creston, was traveling east on Highway 34. A 2019 Ford SUV driven by 66-year-old Clara Putz, of Macksburg, was westbound on the highway.

Carleton was waiting for another vehicle to turn south so his pickup could turn north. He then turned north but didn’t see the SUV. The Ford Expedition driven by Clara Putz struck the rear bumper of the pickup. The bulk of the damage was sustained by the SUV.

There were no citations issued, but the report noted Carleton failed to yield the right-of-way while making a left turn.

(Radio Iowa) – The Dallas County Auditor has announced the results of a recount in a central Iowa legislative race and the winner is claiming victory, but the second-place finisher has not conceded.

Certified results from a dozen days ago showed State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott, a Democrat from West Des Moines, had a 24 vote lead over Republican Mark Hanson. The recount found Trone Garriott’s lead was 29 votes. Hanson, the challenger, is a member of the Dallas County Board of Supervisors. Hanson told The Des Moines Register the board will meet tomorrow to review the results of the recount.

The recount in Iowa’s first district congressional race has not been completed. According to the National Republican Congressional Committee, only nine of the 20 counties in the district had completed recounts by Friday. Certified results showed Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks leading Democrat Christina Bohannan by just over 800 votes and Bohannan asked for a recount.

State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott (D-West Des Moines) (official photo)

Scott County election officials have begun recounts in that race today and in a race in Davenport for a seat in the Iowa House. The certified results from two weeks ago showed the incumbent Democrat in the district led the Republican challenger by just 45 votes.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds plans to ask the legislature to ban cellphones from classrooms in Iowa’s K-through-12 schools. Reynolds mentioned the proposal late last week during an interview at the Washington, D.C. bureau for Gray television stations.

“I think that teachers are in favor of it,” Reynolds said, “the parents, once they understand that there’s a process that if there is an issue, their kids can still be taken care of.”

A spokesman for the governor says personal electronic devices are a distraction and Reynolds believes Iowa kids should have the freedom to focus and be fully engaged in their education. Some Iowa schools have implemented cell phone restrictions for the current academic year. Advocates say it helps students be more engaged in the classroom. Officials in 10 states have taken steps to limit or ban cell phone use in schools.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds speaks during an October, 2024 news conference. (RI photo)

According to a non-profit group that monitors social media use, half of kids between the ages of 11 and 17 get nearly 240 messages or notifications on their cell phones on a typical day — and 25 percent of those messages are received during the school day.