(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Vision Atlantic have announced Community 1st Credit Union (C1st), with a location in Atlantic, recently awarded a $10,000 grant to Vision Atlantic through their foundation to support the Lakin Foundation Child Development Center of Atlantic. C1st grant funded project awards are made possible through the C1st Credit Union Impact Giving Fund of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.

Community 1st Credit Union President and CEO Greg Hanshaw says “One of the most important goals we have at Community 1st Credit Union is to help people enjoy a secure future. The C1st Foundation, developed in 2016, supports causes close to our hearts – financial literacy, mental wellness/suicide prevention, and community betterment. We couldn’t be more thrilled to support this project and continue to make our community better – Together IS Better!”

A new child development center is being built to meet the increased need for childcare in Cass and surrounding counties. According to Dianna Williams, Director of the Ann Wickman Child Development Center, they are out of space at the current facility. “Over the past four years, our center has been at full capacity, and we consistently have a waitlist of over sixty children. The lack of available childcare in the region negatively impacts families and employers,” Williams said.

According to a study conducted in 2023, it was discovered that Cass County has a childcare availability shortfall of over 1,000 children. The new center will be constructed on south Olive Street in Atlantic and will have capacity for 300 children. The Jack and Jill Preschool, currently housed at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, will be co-located with the new child development center. Rates for the new center have not been determined yet, and reservations for childcare spots have not been opened. More information relating to the operation of the center will be made available as the project progresses.

Vision Atlantic President Christina Bateman said “We are excited about this award to support the Lakin Foundation Child Development Center of Atlantic. We know that the new center will provide quality care for children, which is a critical component of economic development of the region, and an important consideration for families when they choose where they want to live.”

If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Follow Vision Atlantic on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates. Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – A libertarian think tank’s latest Fiscal Responsibility Report Card on America’s Governors gives Iowa’s Kim Reynolds its highest score. The CATO Institute’s report says Reynolds has overseen lean budgets and been a champion tax reformer. She got an “A” grade for signing five income tax cuts into law, including one earlier this year that will shrink Iowa’s income tax to a single rate of three-point-eight percent for the 2025 tax year. The group’s “Fiscal Responsibility” score card gave Reynolds its highest rating in 2022 as well. Reynolds says it’s an honor to be recognized by an organization that promotes limited government and free markets. The CATO Institute hosted Reynolds at a forum in 2023.

“The great thing about Republican governors is we’re very competitive,” Reynolds said, “…which means I’m going to have to continue to cut taxes for Iowans that I have the amazing opportunity to represent.” Reynolds has said her goal is to eliminate the state income tax before her current term as governor ends in early 2027. The CATO Institute gave five other Republican governors “A” grades for fiscal responsibility, including neighboring governors in Nebraska and South Dakota.

Governor Kim Reynolds (File photo)

The Democratic governors of Wisconsin and Minnesota are among six who got failing grades. The Republican governor of neighboring Missouri got a “D” in the group’s “Fiscal Responsibility” rating and the Democratic governor of Illinois got a “C” grade.

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – The Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton School Board met in a regular monthly session Tuesday evening. Superintendent Trevor Miller said the Board approved an agreement with the Heartland Therapeutic School in Winterset.

The agreement is year-to-year, and based on a consortium that looks at the qualifications and helps the student find a spot in the program. The Board also approved an agreement with Stalk Chiropractic & Health in Exira, for district transportation personnel physicals.

The Exira-EHK Board approved the sale to the IKM-Manning School District, of a 65-passenger, 2016 Bluebird Bus, with a little more than 52,000 miles on it.

And, the Board approved the hiring of two additions to the Transportation staff – Michael Miller and Daniel Turpin – pending completion of background checks. Superintendent Miller said also, during his regular report to the Board, he mentioned the District’s Certified Enrollment numbers, which were finalized Tuesday (Oct. 15th).

He says it’s a busy time of year for athletics and the FFA. Parent-teacher conferences are coming up Oct. 28th and 29th, as well. Miller said “It’s hard to believe we’re almost through the first-quarter.”

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report a man from Missouri was arrested early this (Thursday) morning, on drug charges. 24-year-old Dagon Michael Cooper, of Grant City, MO., was arrested at the Creston Hardee’s restaurant. He was taken into custody a little after 1-a.m., and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Poss. of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense. Cooper was taken to Union County Jail and later posted at $1,300 bond before being released.

CLIVE, IOWA – The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) today (Thursday) announced the Dairy Sweet, located in Dunlap, and owned by Lori and Greg Thomsen, has claimed the title of Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in 2024. Officials say it marks a triumphant return to a legacy that began in 2005 when the restaurant first won under the ownership of Lori’s parents. Lori and Greg purchased Dairy Sweet from her parents in 2013 and made a strategic move to Main Street, allowing her to not only enhance the restaurant’s visibility but also its reputation for serving some of the finest pork tenderloins in the state.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association conducts the Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest each year. This spring, the IPPA garnered nearly 6,000 nominations from 532 restaurants across the state. Members and industry affiliates anonymously visited the top 40 locations this summer, scoring each on pork flavor, quality, presentation, and overall dining experience. The Restaurant & Foodservice Committee utilized these evaluations to narrow the field to five worthy contenders. A team of judges then visited each establishment to determine the top two winners. Dairy Sweet is the first restaurant to win the title more than once in the entire 22 year history of the contest.

Lori and her husband Greg have refined the tenderloin recipe over the years, shifting to using center-cut boneless pork loin for a consistent, quality sandwich. In addition, they cut and tenderize the loins in-house each week. This commitment to quality is evident in the staggering number of tenderloins they serve—approximately 40,000 annually. This dedication not only satisfies local patrons but also attracts visitors from nearby towns and beyond. “It is a privilege for us to win, not only for ourselves but for our employees who take pride in their work and making our community happy,” Lori shared. Her commitment to her family, team and community is palpable, and it fuels the hard work that has gone into making Dairy Sweet a local staple.

The 2024 IPPA Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin award goes to the Dunlap Dairy Sweet. (IPPA photo)

Judge Phil Carey, who evaluated the top five tenderloin eateries, had high praise for the winning sandwich. He remarked, “When we walked into the restaurant, and saw that most of the customers were eating a breaded pork tenderloin… That’s how you know you’re in the right spot. Then tasting it the sandwich had great flavor, was very tender, and the light breading worked very well with the pork.” Carey’s insights reflect not only the quality of the food but also the atmosphere that Dairy Sweet cultivates, where diners are clearly satisfied.

For Lori, this victory carries a bit more emotional significance. “Hard work does pay off. My parents have both passed on, so this is such a cool way to honor and remember them. It makes me very proud,” she said, highlighting the personal connection she feels to the restaurant’s legacy. This win is not just about the award; it’s a tribute to her family’s hard work and dedication to the community both in the past, and currently as she brings her kids Mandi & Logan into the family business. The restaurant is open seven days a week, closing only a few days each year, ensuring that it remains a reliable destination for delicious meals. The staff is known for their hospitality and efficiency, traits honed through their experience running the café at the Dunlap Livestock Auction, where they thrive in a bustling environment.

Iowa Pork Producers Association officials will present the coveted Iowa’s Best Tenderloin Award for 2024 at Dairy Sweet later today! The celebrated eatery will take home a $500 cash prize, a stunning plaque, and a banner to showcase their achievement. This year’s runner-up is Ruby’s Bar & Grill, hailing from Stuart, Iowa. They’ll receive a $250 prize along with a plaque from the IPPA. Earlier this month, we also recognized several other outstanding finalists, who will receive top five plaques in alphabetical order:

• Bronson Bar – Bronson
• Blind Pig – Monticello
• The Market at the Tap – Monticello

The tenderloin contest celebrates Iowa restaurants that feature hand-breaded or battered pork tenderloin as a staple on their menu. To qualify, establishments must be open year-round. Winners are unveiled every October in honor of National Pork Month, which pays tribute to the hard work and dedication of America’s pork producers. Cliff’s Bar and Grill in Manning, won the 2023 contest.

See the full list of past winners, dating back to 2003.