DES MOINES, Iowa, Nov. 3, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today (Friday) announced that USDA is investing $2,189,000 in loans and $900,000 in grants to three rural Iowa projects to ensure Iowans have clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems for years to come. Director Greenfield says “Iowans depend on clean water for their health and well-being. Since day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has been delivering funding resources to improve water and wastewater systems, eliminate lead in pipes, and ensure access to clean water across Iowa.”

The announcement is part of a larger national announcement detailing $5 billion in support for projects in rural America. A full list of projects from is available online.

USDA Funded Projects:

Three Iowa projects received $3,089,000 in funding from the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program, a program that provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. The announcement is part of President Biden’s Investing in America efforts to rebuild the physical infrastructure of our country to grow the economy for decades to come, create good-paying jobs, and better position rural America to compete in a global economy.

–In Carroll County, the City of Arcadia received an $800,000 loan to provide additional financing for improvements to its water system. This project will help install a new 150,000 gallon water tower and provide water main piping. Once completed, the project will reduce water loss, uphold water quality standards, and promote the health and safety of residents and visitors in the rural community.

–In Crawford County, the City of Deloit received a $580,000 loan to help repair its wastewater collection system. The project will fix damaged infiltration and inflow components to prevent sanitation hazards.

–In Monona County, the City of Ute received a $809,000 loan and a $900,000 grant to provide additional financing for water system improvements to its facilities. This project will construct a water tower and replace an old undersized water main for more reliable service which meets Iowa Department of Natural Resources requirements. The water storage tank was built in 1908 and has outlived its useful life.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) – Palmer Candy is a Sioux City staple recognized nationally for its sweet treats. This year, the candy shop is celebrating 100 years since the creation of its most popular candy bar. The Palmer Candy Company started all the way back in 1878 as a fruit company that also sold dry goods. Palmer didn’t sell candy until the year 1900, and it would be 23 years later when Palmer Candy debuted the Bing Bar, its best known candy bar line.

The Twin Bing by Palmer Candy

Palmer’s Old Tyme Candy Shoppe in Sioux City continues to attract visitors looking for something sweet. Palmer Candy is hosting a week-long celebration of the Bing Candy Bar starting November 6 and they will debut a brand new birthday cake Bing flavor.

DES MOINES, Iowa [WHO-TV] — A Des Moines woman faces charges after allegedly driving her car while her son was clinging to the driver’s side mirror in September. WHO-TV reports on September 28 at around 3 p.m., 34-year-old Sammi Jo Thurman was driving her vehicle out of the parking lot of Southeast Elementary in Ankeny onto SE 10th Street. According to a criminal complaint, school surveillance video showed Thurman’s 7-year-old son hanging onto the driver’s side mirror the entire time Thurman was driving and while other vehicles were passing them.

Thurman has been charged with child endangerment and a no contact order barring her from her son has been filed.

Thurman is also facing a charge of possession of contraband in a correctional institution after she was found to have a “baggie of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine” on her person when she was booked into the Polk County Jail, a criminal complaint states. Thurman has since been released and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 21.

(Cedar Rapids, Iowa)- The U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Iowa says a Strawberry Point man, 56-year old Scott Wesley Timmerman, was convicted Wednesday, of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In a plea agreement, Timmerman admitted that he was in a state park after it had closed, and had a short-barreled shotgun in his vehicle.  He admitted that due to a prior felony conviction, he was not allowed to legally possess firearms. The vehicle was searched by law enforcement officers after Timmerman was arrested for unrelated charges.

Timmerman remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. He faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, as well as a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A report released Wednesday from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) shows that high school students are using tobacco products at a lower rate than the previous year. According to the report, 12.6% of high school students reported using tobacco products compared to 16.5% the year before. 10% reported using e-cigarettes compared to 14.1% the year before. Middle school students reported a slight increase in using tobacco products, going up from 4.5% last year to 6.6.%.

“The decline in e-cigarette use among high school students shows great progress, but our work is far from over,” said Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health. “Findings from this report underscore the threat that commercial tobacco product use poses to the health of our nation’s youth. It is imperative that we prevent youth from starting to use tobacco and help those who use tobacco to quit.”

E-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco product for both middle and high school students. Of active tobacco users, 9 out of 10 reported using e-cigarettes. Officials say that multiple factors continue to influence youth tobacco product use, including flavors, marketing, and misperceptions of harm. You can find more information at the link here.

Atlantic, IA – The November session of Cass Health’s Healthy U lunch-and-learn series will feature information about Medicare. “Welcome to Medicare” is a one-hour seminar offered by local Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) volunteers. The seminar will be held on Thursday, November 16 at noon in Conference Room 2 at Cass Health.

“Welcome to Medicare” will cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, the prescription drug benefit (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance.

SHIIP is a service of the State of Iowa. SHIIP services are free, confidential, and unbiased. SHIIP counselors are trained by the state and do not sell or promote any insurance companies, policies, or agents. Cass Health is a local sponsor for SHIIP in Cass County.

Space is limited! A free boxed lunch is provided for all attendees, so reservations are required. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.

Police in Red Oak (Iowa) report 27-year-old Jordan Alex Pfeil, of Red Oak, was arrested early this (Friday) morning, on an Assault charge. Pfeil was taken into custody at around 12:15-a.m. in the 1800 block of  E. Summit Street, on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense. He was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held without bond.