(DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), last week, announced that grant awards totaling more than $3.3 million have been awarded to the communities of Arcadia, Crystal Lake, Elgin, Fostoria, Guttenberg, Hospers, Oelwein, Spencer and Yale to assist water and sewer infrastructure projects through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Yale, located in Guthrie County, was awarded a grant for $267,000 for water and sewer installation and improvement projects.

Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham said “Investments in water infrastructure are vital to supporting Iowa families and businesses.” The CDBG program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. IEDA is responsible for administering the CDBG funds in the non-metropolitan areas of the state. CDBG funds enable communities to make needed improvements to water and sewer systems, improve housing conditions for low-income homeowners, provide facilities for disabled and at-risk individuals and make transformative downtown improvements.

IEDA received 15 applications totaling $5.47 million in funding requests and had $3.3 million available for allocation. Grants are awarded based upon the benefit to low- and moderate-income persons, financial need, project impact and readiness and commitment of local resources to the project.

For more information on CDBG or other community programs, visit iowaeda.com.

The awards list is available here.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion has been hospitalized for treatment of a kidney infection. Jimmy Peacock, Hinson’s chief of staff released a statement, announcing Hinson was admitted to a Cedar Rapids hospital Sunday evening. Peacock said Hinson appreciates all of the prayers and well wishes and is looking forward to being back on the road soon, but did not give a time frame for her doctor’s treatment plan. Hinson, who is 39, was first elected to the U.S. House in 2020 and is running for reelection in Iowa’s new second congressional district.

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson.

Hinson and Liz Mathis of Hiawatha — the Democratic candidate in Iowa’s second congressional district — debated last week on K-C-R-G T-V, where they both have worked in the past.

Mathis posted a statement on Twitter, saying she’s sorry to learn of Congresswoman Hinson’s hospitalization and Mathis wished Hinson a speedy recovery from her illness.

(Cass County, Iowa) – Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh says mobile food pantries will be held in both Atlantic and Anita in October. A mobile pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to families in need for a one-day distribution. Mobile food pantries are available free of charge. Anyone in need is welcome, and no documentation is required.  People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome. Visitors are asked to stay in their vehicles with the trunk open.

Cars can take food for up to two households. Households without transportation to the Atlantic Mobile Pantries can contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh about delivery. Delivery is offered on a limited basis.

Anita October 2022 Mobile Food Pantry
208 Chestnut Street, Anita; October 19, 4:00-6:00 PM

Atlantic October 2022 Mobile Food Pantry
Cass County Community Center -805 W. 10th St., Atlantic; October 29, 4:00-6:00 PM

Mobile pantry dates, times, and locations are subject to change. For the latest information on mobile pantries, local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood or contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or 712-249-5870.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department says a resident in the 500 block of W. Adams Street reported Friday evening, that someone stole a custom-made sign out of his yard. The sign had been made a couple of days prior to the theft. The loss was estimated at $60.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Voters in Montgomery County will be receiving postcards in the mail this week, ahead of the General Election scheduled for November 08, 2022. Montgomery County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, Jill Ozuna, said the cards will be sent from the Iowa Secretary of State to update voters on their polling locations. As a reminder: The polling locations for voters living in Precinct 2 will be at the Red Oak Gold Fair Building. The polling location for voters living in Precinct 5 will be at the Elliott Community Building.

Auditor Ozuna reminds the voters that there is absentee voting in the Auditor’s office. “Absentee ballots will be available on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at the Auditor’s office and may be voted in the office until 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 7.” The Auditor’s office will also be open Saturday, November 5, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For more information about the 2022 General Election, contact the Montgomery County Auditor’s office at 712-623-5127 or visit the county website at www.montgomerycountyia.gov. Voters can also follow Montgomery County Auditor & Elections on Facebook.

The Red Oak Police Department reports a traffic stop early this (Monday) morning, resulted in the arrest of a woman for having no valid driver’s license. Authorities say 46-year-old Lisa Marie Elliott was taken into custody at around 3:10-a.m. in the 100 block of W. Coolbaugh Street. She was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on bond amounting to slightly more than $503.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop Sunday night in Red Oak resulted in the arrest of a man on multiple drug charges. Red Oak Police report 32-year-old Kiley Brian Caron, of Red Oak, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Poss. of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense, and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs. Caron was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 bond. The Montgomery County K9 Unit and K9 “Bane” assisted in the arrest.