WILLARD, Mo., Nov. 19, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today (Friday) announced that USDA is investing $222 million to build and improve critical community facilities in 44 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. This community infrastructure funding will benefit nearly 2.5 million people in rural communities (including Kimballton and Red Oak, locally). It also includes $132 million to support health care, food security, and emergency response services for more than 850,000 rural residents in 37 states.

More than 68 rural communities across Iowa will be receiving a total of $11.5 million in loan and grant funding to assist with improvements to 74 infrastructure and critical community facilities. Nationwide, USDA is investing in 537 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The assistance will fund essential community services that will help keep rural America resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The projects will finance emergency response vehicles and equipment; build or improve hospitals and clinics; and combat food insecurity.

Recipients of USDA investments in Iowa will receive $8,411,800 in loans and $3,124,082 in grant funding. View all 74 Iowa projects here. Examples include:

• The City of LeMars is receiving a $8,300,000 loan to help expand and renovate sections of the Floyd Valley Hospital (FVH). FVH currently operates a 25-bed critical access hospital in Le Mars. This project will allow the city to expand the existing clinic by 14,300 square-feet, expand the physical therapy space by 5,300 square-feet, upgrade the facility’s geothermal system, and make other essential mechanical and electrical upgrades.
• The City of Red Oak is receiving a $50,000 grant to assist in making street infrastructure improvements in the community. The section of street being improved is in danger of collapse due to poor storm water drainage, putting pedestrians at risk of injury. This project will allow the city to make the necessary street improvements to more effectively handle storm water runoff in heavy rainfall events and to provide a safe walkway for pedestrians.
• The City of Kimballton is receiving a $99,000 grant to help renovate street infrastructure. An existing 420-foot section of South 2nd Street is currently in disrepair with curbing that does not accommodate individuals with disabilities. This project will help replace the damaged road and also update the curb ramps at the Odense Street intersection to be compliant with ADA regulations for individuals with disabilities.

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman was arrested Nov. 14th on assault and other charges. Authorities say 25-year-old Taylor Rourick, of Wiota, was arrested on charges that include Domestic Assault w/ Intent, Child Endangerment and Reckless Use of a Firearm. Rourick was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was later released after posting bond.

And, a man from Minnesota was arrested Tuesday, following an investigation into an accident that happened on I-80 west bound. Deputies located a single vehicle sitting in the median which had struck the cable barrier. The operator was identified as Shaun Parks of Minneapolis, MN. Parks did not recall what had taken place. Subsequent investigation led deputies to believe that Parks was operating his vehicle while under the influence. Parks was arrested on the charge of OWI 1st offense. Parks was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was later released after posting bond.

The vehicle sustained approximately $3,500 of damage, but the cable barrier was not damaged.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports one arrest and one minor accident. At around 1-a.m. today (Friday), 30-year-old Michelle Lynn Kasha (no address given) was arrested on Myrtle Street, for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Her bond was set at $2,000.  And, a guardrail was damaged Thursday night, when a Kenworth semi driven by 61-year-old Jonathan Swensen, of Aberdeen, SD, was pulling into the parking lot of “The Playground,” an adult entertainment venue. Swensen was turning south when the trailer his truck was pulling failed to make the turn and struck the guardrail.

There were no injuries, and no citations were reported.

(Radio Iowa) – A national chain of drug stores is announcing significant closures, though the impact in Iowa is still uncertain. CVS has nearly 10,000 stores nationwide but plans to close 900 of them, up to 300 a year for the next three years. The company isn’t saying yet which stores it will close. In Iowa, the chain has 38 stores in 19 cities. CVS says it’s adjusting to consumers who are buying more online. In a news release, the company says the closures will bring a retail presence that means it has the “right kinds of stores in the right locations for consumers and for the business.”

CVS lists the following stores in Iowa: Altoona (1), Ames (2), Ankeny (2), Bettendorf (1), Cedar Falls (2), Cedar Rapids (5), Coralville (1), Council Bluffs (2), Davenport (3), Des Moines (4), Dubuque (1), Fort Dodge (2), Iowa City (2), Marion (1), Mason City (1), Sioux City (1), Urbandale (2), Waterloo (3) and West Des Moines (2).

(Radio Iowa) – The president of Coe College in Cedar Rapids is announcing he’ll identify a senior staffer to oversee diversity, equity and inclusion — or D-E-I — initiatives on campus. It follows a protest march and rally by hundreds of students and at least one faculty member on Thursday. Coe student Angelina Ramirez called for diversifying the school’s board of trustees.  “To fix structural issues we need structural reform. That is necessary. That is why we are here today,” Ramirez says. “Our demands will result in accountability and representation. Again, that is necessary and that is why we are here today.”

Coe faculty member Anthony Kelley joined the demonstration and protested with the students. “We’re sick and tired of being sick and tired,” Kelley said. “We’re sick and tired of a board of trustees composed of mostly wealthy white men who do not reflect the racial, ethnic and gender diversity of our broader campus community. We’re sick and tired of feeling unwelcome.”

The students were galvanized by the resignation of a longtime trustee who criticized the school’s recent presidential search process as lacking diversity.

(Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)

Davenport, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports a man convicted of Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon and other crimes in Scott County, failed to return to the Davenport Residential Corrections Facility as required, Thursday. Authorities say 23-year-old Corionte Crishawn Williams is a black male, 5-feet 9-inches tall. He weighs 183 pounds. Williams was admitted to the work release facility on August 17, 2021.

C.C. WIlliams

Persons with information on his whereabouts should contact local police.