(Radio Iowa)- The central Iowa town of Perry is hosting its 13th annual Art on the Prairie festival this weekend, promising a celebration of art, music and literature. Lynsi Pasutti, vice president of the event’s board of directors, says the fest is the product of a host of creative artists, dedicated entrepreneurs, and community members.  “It’s a two-day festival in ten downtown historic buildings,” Pasutti says, “live music, visual artists, and poetry readings, as well as some other activities. We have 55 visual artists, 23 poets and 32 musicians that will really help bring the downtown to life.” Perry’s downtown is home to more than 30 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, and each of the ten festival venues will host an array of visual and performance art — including a one-woman solo musical.

“At Security Bank Building, which is City Hall, we have Poetry on the Prairie which is like a mini festival within a festival,” Pasutti says. “There will be some writing workshops, poetry slams, poetry readings, so just a fun event to be a part of.” If you’re looking for something to decorate your home, your yard or your body, she says there will be hundreds of items from which to choose.

“We bring in artists from all across the Iowa,” Pasutti says. “The mediums vary from ceramics and jewelry, painting, mixed media, photography, fiber, wood, and so really all kinds of things, glass as well, just about anything you could find with a nice variety.” She notes all of the artists are Iowans. The fest runs Saturday and Sunday.

On the web at http://www.artontheprairie.org/

Veterans Day is coming up this weekend on Saturday November 11th. As we all thank and support the Veterans who serve our country, his office says there are few that have done more for those men and women once they return home, than Iowa 3rd District Congressman Zach Nunn. Veterans Day really hits home to Nunn, who served as a member and Commander in the Iowa National Guard. Nunn said it was one of his greatest honors in being in National Guard.

Nunn’s role models include several family members who served the country. Both his father and brother served, but there was none he looked up to more, than his grandfather who served in WWII. Speaking with KJAN’s Blake Burris, Nunn says by the grace of God, his grandfather was able to return home after being caught in line of a Nazi sniper’s nest.

Ever since Nunn got into Congress, he says it has been a big factor for him to do anything in his power to help the brave men and women have better lives once they come home. But the one  Nunn is most proud of, is getting a bill passed that allows Veterans to get the proper help once they return home. Suicide rate for Veterans is 4x higher in Iowa than the national level and is a tragedy that Zach Nunn wants to see drop.

Nunn said he decided to get run for Congress so he can fight for the men and women who sacrifice so much for our freedom that we are so blessed with having, and he gives his thanks and gratitude to those who serve and to their families.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a 23-year combat veteran and retired Lieutenant Colonel, released the following video honoring America’s heroes ahead of Veterans Day:

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) recently co-hosted a workshop on the Derelict Building Grant Program offered in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Region 12 Council of Governments (COG), and Iowa Waste Exchange. The program is seeking applications to inspect, renovate, and deconstruct commercial or public structures that have sat vacant for at least 6 months.

The focus of the program is landfill diversion through recycling and reuse of building materials and the elimination of hazards both inside and out posed by these empty structures. SWIPCO held a workshop on November 2nd at The Venue in Atlantic to share information with cities about the process from start to finish. They were also able to share some success stories on previously completed projects. Reid Burmel, Environmental Specialist Senior, who manages the Derelict Building Grant Program with the Iowa DNR and Paige Alesch, Iowa Waste Exchange Resource Specialist, both shared their knowledge at the workshop.

The DBGP workshop that was hosted November 2nd at The Venue in Atlantic. (Photo & info. courtesy Chris Parks, SWIPCO Communications Coordinator)

The program was established in 2011 and has assisted 123 communities with 169 projects. Over 77,106 tons of materials have been diverted from landfills at a disposal savings of $2.9 million over the years.

Only a city government for Iowa towns of 5,000 or fewer residents can apply, and they must own or be in the process of owning the building. The structure must not reside on the National Historic Register. Applicants can seek funding assistance with conducting asbestos inspections and abatement, structural engineering analysis, site assessments, building deconstruction, and building renovation expenses.

The current fiscal year application deadline is February 23, 2024. Cities interested in the program can contact Dani Briggs, SWIPCO Lead Planner at 712-243-4196 ext 219 or email danielle.briggs@swipco.org

In an update to our previous reports, Police in Council Bluffs this (Friday) morning, said a man suspected in Wednesday morning’s assault of a woman who was jogging on the River’s Edge Park Service Road, south of the I-480 bridge underpass was taken into custody by Omaha Police, Friday. At around 3:23-a.m., Omaha officers came in contact with 25-year-old Dominic Henton, of Papillion, NE.,  near the 1300 Block of Cuming Street, at which time they found that he had a valid warrant through Pottawattamie County for Assault with the Intent to commit sexual abuse. Henton was arrested and then transported to Douglas County, NE. Corrections, where he was being held while awaiting extradition back to Council Bluffs.

Council Bluffs Police had earlier stated surveillance video and other investigative means identified Henton as a suspect in the assault at around 10:53-a.m., Wednesday, of  former Arizona Senator Martha McSally.

McSally – a 57-year-old Air Force Veteran – said she fought off the attacker and chased him into the brush, but lost sight of him before officers arrived. Martha McSally  previously served in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. McSally served 26 years in the U-S Air Force, from 1988 to 2010, achieving the rank of Colonel. She was the first female pilot to fly in combat. During a U-S Senate hearing in 2019, McSally testified that she had been raped by a superior officer when she was in the military.