ATLANTIC, IA — Iowa 3rd District Republican Representative Zach Nunn, Friday (Feb. 6th), announced a $2.5 million federal investment to support construction of a new child development center in Atlantic—expanding access to high-quality critical child care, creating jobs, and strengthening long-term economic growth across Cass County and Southwest Iowa. Rep. Nunn announced the funding at the Heritage House in Atlantic alongside local leaders, families, and Vision Atlantic—the non-profit organization receiving the federal funding. Representative Nunn said “This $2.5 million investment is a win for families, workers, and small businesses—and a powerful example of what happens when a community comes together to build its future. By expanding access to high-quality child care, we’re helping parents stay in the workforce, supporting employers as they grow, and ensuring Atlantic continues moving forward with confidence and opportunity.”

Nunn secured the funding through the Community Project Funding (CPF) process. The award, administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Community Facilities Grant program, will support construction of a new, large-scale child development center in Atlantic. Once complete, the center is expected to serve 300 children ages 0 to 7, including two preschool classrooms, and employ approximately 100 people. The Childcare Resource and Referral has designated Cass County as a child care desert, and the new facility will help meet growing demand from working families and local employers across the region.

Photo from the Press Conference in Atlantic (Courtesy Congressman Nunn’s office)

Vision Atlantic Board President Christina Bateman said “We are incredibly grateful to Congressman Zach Nunn for securing $2.5 million in Community Project Funding for the Lakin Foundation Child Development Center of Atlantic. This community-changing investment will open doors for nearly 300 children and give working parents the peace of mind that comes from knowing their children are safe, loved, and learning every day. Congressman Nunn’s commitment makes this new childcare center possible, strengthening families, the workforce, and the future of Atlantic and the greater Southwest Iowa region.”

State and local leaders emphasized the broader economic impact the project will have on rural communities. Glen Smith, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development Nominee, said “In my eight-year capacity as a President Trump nominee, Senate confirmed Director of the Farm Credit Administration, I’ve had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout this country in rural America, visiting hundreds of rural communities like Atlantic. “Almost all have similar challenges of affordable housing and offering quality of life amenities that attract economic development.  But this community is doing something about it with Vision Atlantic, and with the help of Congressman Zach Nunn and his staff, is developing a model that could be replicated throughout the country.”

“To say that this is a huge announcement is an understatement,” said State Sen. Tom Shipley (R-09). “The opportunities that this facility will provide for lots of kids and their families are tremendous. But it’s not just those people who benefit. It’s all the employers in the area who need resources for their employees to have a safe and nurturing environment for their kids. That leads to more productive employees who are looking for long-term work. Thank you, Rep. Nunn and USDA Rural Development, for making Southwest Iowa the best place to raise a family.”

“This $2.5 million investment is a game-changer for western Iowa families, showcasing exactly what can be achieved when federal and local partners work in tandem,” said State Rep. Tom Moore (R-Griswold). “I am grateful to Congressman Zach Nunn for his leadership in championing this funding through the federal appropriations process. By leveraging this public-private partnership, we are ensuring that these resources directly enhance the quality of life and economic opportunities for youth, families, and businesses in Southwest Iowa for years to come.”

“Folks, days like today don’t just happen. They take neighbors working with neighbors, local leaders, non-profits, businesses, and donors. Some giving a little, some giving a lot, all pulling in the same direction,” said Rob Clausen, Mayor of Atlantic, Iowa. “We also know how hard it is to get anything done in Washington these days, especially for rural Iowa, and that’s why we’re so thankful to have Congressman Zach Nunn in our corner. He knows communities like Atlantic, he understands our needs, and knows how to roll up his sleeves and get things done. Because of that hard work and this $2.5 million Community Project Funding Grant, the Lakin Foundation Child Development Center is going to make a real lasting difference for our kids, our families, and our future. This is what teamwork looks like, and we couldn’t be more grateful!”

The child development center is projected to increase the local tax base by more than $48 million, helping strengthen the region’s long-term economic outlook while expanding access to essential services for families. The project has received support from more than 100 local businesses, community leaders, state and local officials, regional partners, and residents, underscoring its broad impact and importance to Southwest Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – A spokesman for the Iowa State Patrol says now is the time to put together a game plan if you are going to attending or hosting a party this Super Bowl weekend. Trooper Paul Gardner says there’s one key thing any party plan needs. “Their best game plan is going to have a sober designated driver on hand, and that designated driver is going to be your most valuable player in this game,” he says. Sergeant Gardner says the State Patrol’s game plan is to be out on the roadways looking for four things.

“Seat belts, impaired driving, distracted driving, and excessive speed. So those are four areas that we typically emphasize to keep our crashes down this weekend,” he says. “Impaired driving will be the focus due to the higher presence of alcoholic beverages that will be served at many of the Super Bowl parties.” He says planning ahead so you or your friends are not leaving the party impaired is a winning strategy for everyone. “Drunk driving is a contributing factor in about one third of our traffic fatalities statewide on our roadways. And last year we experienced a record 100-year low in traffic deaths,” Gardner says. “So we want to continue that downward trend in fatality crashes. So whether you’re rooting for the Seahawks or the Patriots this year, please celebrate responsibly.”

Trooper Gardner says any driver caught over the legal limit will likely face jail time and have their driver’s license revoked.

(Radio Iowa) – A reality T-V show star and entrepreneur will make two appearances in Iowa next week. Craig Conover is a founding cast member on “Southern Charm,” which launched on Bravo in 2013, following the lives of several young professionals in Charleston, South Carolina. Conover says he’s thrilled to be making his first trip to Iowa for the Des Moines Home and Garden Show.  “We’ll have a nice fireside chat on the stage where I’ll tell you a little bit more about my life and whatever the moderator wants to ask me, and how I was able to start my business and some tips for small businesses and entrepreneurship, and some fun behind-the-scenes stuff for the show,” Conover says. “Then we always do a question-and-answer session with the audience and they can ask me whatever they want. I’m an open book.”

Sewing is an atypical avocation for most men, but Conover loves it. It’s why he launched Sewing Down South in 2019, which features Southern-inspired pillows, home décor, lifestyle, and apparel collections — all of which he designs. “I grew up with home ec class still in schools, which was awesome, so I learned to cook and garden and sew, and I just found it incredibly therapeutic,” Conover says. “So as I started to make throw pillows, our business grew into other areas of the home. Eight small family businesses go into each one of our pillows that are made, and we sew everything in the Carolinas.” Conover is one of only two original cast members who’s still on “Southern Charm,” which is now in its 11th season with more than 160 episodes. He attributes the program’s longevity to the South Carolina community where it’s based.

“I think the city of Charleston is its own character and one of our biggest cast members,” Conover says. “People who have visited Charleston love to watch it on their television screens, or who have lived there or who want to visit one day, so I think Charleston itself and all the history. It’s just a beautiful city.” Conover’s birthday is next week and he’s accomplished much in his 38 years. When asked about his goals for the -next- 38 years, he says philanthropy is what makes him the happiest. “I’ve traveled a lot all over the world and seen a lot of different levels of living,” Conover says. “I was talking to an actor friend last night, actually, and he said, ‘Maybe one day we’ll feed a million people together.’ So it’s really just trying to figure out a way to most efficiently turn my personal success into that where I can help as many people as possible.”

Conover is to appear next Friday and Saturday (Feb 13 and 14) at the Des Moines Home and Garden Show at the Iowa Events Center. The show runs February 12th through the 15th.

DesMoinesHomeAndGardenShow.com
https://www.sewingdownsouth.com/

(Creston, IA) – The Creston Police Department reports a woman was arrested on drug charges, Thursday afternoon. 56-year-old Donna Jean Kimball, of Creston, was arrested at N. Cherry and Irving Streets, at around 1:30-p.m. Kimball was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Controlled Substance Methamphetamine. She was taken to Union County Jail and later released after posting $1,300 cash or surety bond.

And, at around 7:20-p.m., Thursday, Creston Police arrested 18-year-old Adrian Michael Lillie, of Creston. He was charged with Driving While Barred. Officers cited Lillie and released him from the scene on a Promise to Appear in court.

(Radio Iowa) – Several Iowa communities are holding what are billed as training sessions designed to teach people how to respond to ICE activity. A recent meeting in Cedar Rapids drew nearly 600 people. Reverend Jonathan Heifner at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, where the event was held, says it was about building relationships, and making sure people know their rights. “We don’t want anybody to get hurt,” Heifner says. “We didn’t want anybody to be in a situation they didn’t want to be in, and so the education of this is about knowing what we can do and knowing what the limits are.”

The training comes after weeks of protests across the country and the fatal shootings of two Minnesota residents. Heifner says people told him they felt more informed about their rights after the training. “I think the biggest learning was in the debrief after the first simulation,” Heifner says. “We asked, ‘Pay attention to your behavior. What is it that you did in these moments, and then consider who you want to be in these moments, and let’s live into that the second time.’”

Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says the training encourages interference with law enforcement operations and she questions whether the non-profit that led the training should retain its tax-exempt status. The training session in Cedar Rapids was hosted by the immigrants’ rights group Escucha Mi Voz, or “hear my voice.” Reverend Heifner says there was nothing in the training that would lead to the church losing its tax-exempt status.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Cass County Extension office will be offering two opportunities for private pesticide applicators to attend their annual Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Course (P-CIC), led by Extension Field Agronomist, Aaron Saeugling. The first session is scheduled for Thursday, February 12 at 1:30 PM. The course will be offered again on Thursday, March 19 at 6:30 PM. Preregistration is not required. Walk-ins are welcome on the day of the program.

The course will run for approximately 2 ½ hours, including check-in and breaks. The registration fee is $30. With questions or for additional information, contact the Cass County extension office at 712-243-1132 or email xcass@iastate.edu. The course will fulfill 2025-2026 recertification requirements for private pesticide applicators. Topics to be covered include:

• Personal protective equipment and safe handling
• Professionalism, Storage of pesticides, including chemical security
• Pests, pest management, and pesticides

To renew their certification, applicators must pass an exam every three years or attend an approved Private Continuing Instruction Course (P-CIC) between December 1 and April 15 each training period their certification card covers, including the year they passed the exam (if the certification is issued prior to October 1).

Applicators unable to attend in Cass County may take the training online or find another training location in a neighboring county. For more information on the Private Pesticide Applicator program or other upcoming CIC classes, please visit www.extension.iastate.edu/psep/.

(Red Oak, IA) – A traffic stop late Thursday night in Red Oak resulted in the arrest on drug and other charges, of a man from Taylor County. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Deputies conducted a traffic stop near S. Broadway and W. Market Streets in Red Oak, at around 11:07-p.m., Thursday.

Following an investigation, they arrested 50-year-old Nathaniel Gene Teeters, of Bedford, for a controlled substance violation-methamphetamine (a Class-B Felony), Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense – Marijuana (A Serious Misdemeanor), and Driving While Barred (Aggravated Misdemeanor).

Teeters was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $25,000 bond. Montgomery County’s K-9 “Bane” assisted in the arrest, along with officers from the Red Oak Police Department.