(Southwest Iowa) – The Community Foundation for Western Iowa, formerly Pottawattamie County Community Foundation, announced today (Friday), that the Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa’s latest grant cycle has awarded $45,000 in project funding to four organizations. Grants to the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce, Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, MICAH House, and the STARS Scholarship Program will support programming and projects that are focused on improving the quality of life and well-being of women and children in southwest Iowa.

“Empowering women in all phases of their life is the focus of the Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa,” said Lucy Hough, board member and chair of the Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa. “Since its inaugural year, the fund has awarded 19 grants to 17 organizations whose purpose is to enrich lives throughout our western Iowa communities by supporting programming for women’s safety and well-being, education, dynamic solutions for engaging seniors, and accessible, quality childcare options. Through the generosity of our donors, we have been able to make dreams a reality, and for that we are grateful.”

• The Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce received a $5,000 grant to support their L.I.F.T. Mentoring Program, a joint endeavor between the Omaha chapter of the Human Resource Association of the Midlands and the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce that is focused on supporting talented professional women looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce. The L.I.F.T. Mentor Program provides opportunities for participants to receive a one-on-one professional mentor, get reacquainted with the local professional network, strengthen professional skills, broaden their perspective, explore new career paths, and experience a direct and guided mentorship.

The Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce will serve 20 women per cohort, ages 18-61 and are returning to work in the metro area. Grant funding from the Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa will support the interviews through the SurveyMonkey platform, print materials (handbooks) and advertising costs related to the program, and refreshments for the professional development workshops.

• The Council Bluffs Schools Foundation received a $20,000 grant to support the construction, equipment, furnishings and other construction-related costs of their new Early Learning Center that will serve nearly 200 at-risk students in full-day preschool and birth-to-3 childcare. Located at 8th Street and Avenue G, an area of high need and centrally located within the district, the Early Learning Center will house fourteen classrooms serving children from birth to five years old. Eleven classrooms will be designated for preschool-aged children, helping to achieve a district goal of providing universal full-day preschool for four-year-old children and high-need 3-year-old children, and three classrooms will serve children ages birth-to-3, with the ability to expand to six birth-to-3 rooms.

In addition to meeting the educational needs of students enrolled in the Early Learning Center, comprehensive child development programming would provide parent and family engagement; health, safety, mental health, medical, dental, and nutritional services; and the option of before- and after-school care provided in partnership with the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation to support parents’ needs for childcare extended beyond the regular school day.

• MICAH House received a $10,000 grant to support construction costs of their “Building Beyond Shelter” Child Care Center project. MICAH House intends to build a 12,000 square foot child development center on the Charles E. Lakin Campus next to their existing homeless shelter. This center will serve up to 70 children in a trauma-sensitive and service-rich environment. The majority of the children served would be those staying at or in transition from MICAH House. The goal of the child development center is to eliminate barriers to access, provide in-depth assessments, and immediately start wrap-around services for children experiencing homelessness. Staff will work with families to transition children to permanent care settings that meet the family’s longer-term housing and employment goals.

Additionally, the capital campaign includes some light shelter renovations. The shelter is always nearly at capacity, and furniture and fixtures have been used daily since their installation in 2008. The focus of these improvements will be windows and window treatments, doors, closets, and beds.

• The STARS Scholarship Program received a $10,000 grant to support operational needs and childcare scholarships for STARS Scholars. Funding will assist the STARS Program’s seminar series, training for the program director, and the individual needs of STARS Scholars. Additionally, funding will also assist with childcare scholarships for students who are seeking affordable childcare while studying and/or working and are not applicable for state assistance.

The STARS Program supports low-income parents and custodial grandparents in Pottawattamie County in pursuit of college degree attainment. STARS assists with removing barriers, providing a scholarship for both direct or indirect expenses such as tuition, fees, books, childcare, and living expenses. STARS also offers programming designed to assist with career planning, financial planning, professional skills, and self-sufficiency. Over the last 25 years the STARS program has served over 400 scholars in pursuit of a post-secondary degree.

Additional information about the fund and granting guidelines can be found at www.ourpccf.org/womens-fund.
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa is nationally accredited by the Council on Foundations (www.cfstandards.org), is overseen by a volunteer board of leading citizens, and run by professionals with expertise in identifying the needs of western Iowa. As a tax-exempt public charity, 501(c)(3), that serves thousands of people who share a common interest in improving the quality of life in western Iowa, the Community Foundation also offers a 10% match (up to $250,000 per fund) for the creation of a charitable endowment fund or donation to an existing eligible endowment fund.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested on Burglary and other charges, Thursday morning. 69-year-old Joseph Alan Thomas, of Omaha, and 47-year-old Tracey Lynn Klahn, of Council Bluffs, were arrested at around 7:24-a.m. at a location on Ingrum Avenue. Both face charges that include Burglary in the 3rd Degree, Possession of burglary tools, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Trespass in the 1st Degree. Their bonds were set at $8,300 each.

Thursday night, 40-year-old Julian Luciano Martin, of Malvern, was arrested in Mills County for Domestic Abuse Assault/Display or use of a weapon, and Interference with Official Acts. Martin was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

And. at around 10:10-a.m. today (Friday), 35-year-old Anthony David Stephens, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Sarpy County, NE., on a warrant for Theft in the 1st Degree. His bond was set at $10,000.

Anamosa, Iowa – A correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate at the Anamosa State Penitentiary (ASP) at approximately 7:30 p.m., Thursday. The Iowa Department of Corrections reports the correctional officer was working in one of the facility’s living units when the inmate, unprovoked, approached the officer and began striking him. Additional staff responded immediately and put a stop to the situation.

The officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment and has since been released. The incident remains under investigation.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is urging Iowans not to fall victim to election misinformation and disinformation. Instead, voters should turn to trusted sources for election information, the people that run elections in Iowa: the Secretary of State and county auditors. Secretary Pate updated the Myth vs. Fact section of his Election Security in Iowa webpage Friday morning with several more entries. A reported case of election disinformation happened in Iowa earlier this week. A voter in Mahaska County who had requested an absentee ballot reported receiving a call from an out-of-state number falsely telling him he could register his ballot over the phone and there is no need to return it to the county auditor’s office. The Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.

Last week, Secretary Pate and his bipartisan Auditors Advisory Group released a joint media release about their united effort to dispel election misinformation and disinformation.

For a detailed breakdown of many of the election security measures Iowa has in place, click here. If you see or hear of something suspicious related to elections, call the Iowa Secretary of State at 1-888-SOS-VOTE.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Area Chamber Ambassadors met with Ann Johnk, owner of Farmhouse & Flowers, to see the space, located at 700 Spruce Street, along 7th Street in Atlantic. Ann opened Farmhouse & Flowers in 2020 and quickly outgrew her space located inside Megan Roberts, State Farm. The property at 700 Spruce Street came up for rent early this summer and everything seemed to fall into place quickly. Ann shared they packed up the old location, moved into their new space and opened their doors within four days.

She thanked the community for the amazing support she’s received since opening and can’t believe how fast she’s been able to grow her business.  Ann also thanked her husband of 34 years, Larry, her children and close friends who helped her put the new location together. She credited their help and support for getting her business to where it is today.

Photo Courtesy of the Atlantic Chamber (Click to enlarge)

Farmhouse & Flowers offers an array of décor, handmade candles, jewelry and floral arrangements for any need including funerals and weddings. Ann prides herself in keeping as much of her inventory as she can farm and Iowa raised as well as locally crafted. Farmhouse & Flowers also has a flower cooler located in the Cass Health Gift Shop for those needing items for loved ones.

For more information about Farmhouse & Flowers, call 712-249-2885 or visit https://atlantic-farmhouse-flowers.square.site.

CRESTON, Iowa – Sept. 23, 2022 – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office reports, a project to set beams for the new Ashworth Road bridge over Interstate 80 in West Des Moines, requires a full closure of eastbound I-80 and a left-lane closure of westbound I-80 between Grand Prairie Parkway (exit 118) and Jordan Creek Parkway (exit 121) overnight Monday, Sept. 26 and Tuesday, Sept. 27, weather permitting.

The left lane of westbound I-80 and both lanes of eastbound I-80 will be closed:

• Monday, Sept. 26 at 10 p.m. until Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 5 a.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 10 p.m. until Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 5 a.m. 

Permitted and oversize loads are prohibited from traveling in this area during the closures. During these closures, traffic will follow a marked detour route using Grand Prairie Parkway, University Avenue, and Jordan Creek Parkway. The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports a man admitted to the Council Bluffs Residential Correctional Facility (RCF) on April 21st, failed to report to the facility from work release, Wednesday. Authorities say 33-year-old  David John Kalani Kaneala Kauai was convicted of  Assault Intent of Injury Peace Officer/Others in Page County.

David John Kalani Kauai (IA DOC photo)

Kauai is an Asian male who stands six-feet tall and weighs 188  pounds. Persons with information on Kauai’s whereabouts should contact local police.