DES MOINES, Iowa – Human trafficking is happening in communities across Iowa. Increased efforts to stamp out these horrible crimes will now include a new statewide training initiative within the lodging industry. In 2021, the Iowa Legislature passed a law (Iowa Code 80.45A) that require Iowa lodging providers who host public employees or publicly-funded events and conferences to train their staff on human trafficking. The new law states:

Beginning January 1, 2022, affected lodging providers must have all employees successfully complete certified human trafficking prevention training in order to receive public funds as payment for services.

The scope of this new law will likely impact every community in Iowa as public funds may not be expended with any lodging provider that has not received the training certification. Public funds include moneys from the state, a county, school corporation, special district, drainage district, unincorporated town or township, municipality, or municipal corporation or any agency, board, or commission of the state or a political subdivision.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Office to Combat Human Trafficking is charged with facilitating the new law and will be responsible for certifying the curriculum used in the training and that the lodging provider has met the training requirement.

The Iowa Office to Combat Human Trafficking is providing free online training that can be accessed 24/7 at its new website StopHTIowa.org. In addition to hosting the online training and an administrative portal, the site contains tips for spotting human trafficking activity The public-facing site contains an interactive map of state-certified lodging providers, as well as a list of organizations that are qualified to administer the training. To assist customers in determining a lodging provider’s compliance, all state-certified lodging organizations will be required to display their human trafficking training certification in the lobby or registration area.

“Human trafficking directly affects Iowa given our proximity to major metropolitan areas like Kansas City and Chicago, and the intersection of two major interstate systems,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens. “As a result, we know human trafficking is happening in Iowa and that it frequently occurs in a hotel/motel setting. The goal of this training is to provide lodging staff with the knowledge and tools to quickly identify and respond to human trafficking, so together we can prevent this from happening in our state. Even one victim is one too many.”

Human Trafficking In Iowa

It is estimated that there are approximately 1,500 lodging locations in Iowa. Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and the exploitation of any individual for compelled labor. Human trafficking does not require the transportation of individuals across state lines or that someone is physically restrained.

Like most crimes, human trafficking may be hidden from public view, and it can be challenging to determine the incidence and prevalence of the crime. The Iowa Office to Combat Human Trafficking has seen increased reporting of human trafficking activity occurring in Iowa, but it is difficult to say whether the increased reporting is the result of increased trafficking or more robust reporting.

Signs that a person is being trafficked can include:
•    Working excessively long hours
•    Unexplained gifts
•    Physical injury
•    Substance abuse
•    Running away from home
•    Isolation from others
•    Being controlled or closely monitored by another.

If citizens see indicators of human trafficking or are being human-trafficked themselves, call 9-1-1 or call the Human Trafficking Hotline at 888.373.7888

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The annual Lighted Parade will fill downtown Atlantic with holiday cheer this Saturday, December 4th, starting at 6 PM. According to Bailey Smith, Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, “It’s always fun to see how creative people get with their lighted displays.”

Each float will have a holiday theme, lighting and music. If you would like to participate in the Lighted Parade, visit www.atlanticiowa.com for a registration form. Line-up begins at 5 PM at 6th & Walnut Street with judging beginning at 5:30 PM. Registration is not required but encouraged.

Awards will be given for: Best Overall, Best Holiday Spirit and Twinkle Twinkle award. Winners will be notified before the parade. Fireworks, sponsored by A.M. Cohron & Son, kick off the Christmas magic over the Rock Island Depot, starting at 6 PM.  Before the parade, Santa will be in his Cabin, presented by Atlantic Rotary Club, at City Park from 3 – 5:30 PM. Free Carriage Rides, presented by Lloyd & Meredith, will also be at City Park from 3 – 5:30 PM.

Pick up your Christmas brochure from area retail businesses, like the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Instagram to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.atlanticiowa.com. Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712.243.3017. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Momentum Exterior Services.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports two rollover accidents occurred over the weekend, neither of which resulted in injury. A rollover accident occurred at around 8:30-a.m., Saturday, at 215th Street and Redwood Avenue. Authorities say 50-year-old Francisco Javier Gaspar-Delgadil, of Des Moines, was traveling south on Redwood and had turned to make a left (West) turn onto 215th, when his 2003 Chevy pickup went out of control.  Gaspar-Delgadil over-corrected, sending the vehicle into the north ditch, where it rolled over and came to rest on its top, sustaining $5,000 damage. Authorities say an investigation determined the man was traveling too fast on the gravel road. He was cited for Failure to Maintain Control and Driving without a valid driver’s license.

The second rollover accident happened at around 8-p.m. Sunday, near White Pole Road and Victory Trail. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says the accident occurred when a 15-year-old female from Menlo swerved to avoid a deer. The 2001 Chevy Impala she was driving went out of control and entered a ditch before rolling once. The damage was estimated at $10,000. No citations were issued.

The Glenwood Police Department reports three arrests took place over the past week. On Sunday, 34-year-old Keegan Rooney, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/2nd Offense (Bond $2,000). Last Thursday, 28-year-old Frida Guerrero, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/1st offense (Bond $1,000). And, on Nov. 24th, 24-year-old Dylan Harris, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills County warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $5,000.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic has a short agenda for their first meeting in December, this Wednesday (12/1). The meeting begins at 5:30-p.m. in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall, and will include discussion and action on:

• A Resolution approving the CY (Calendar Year) 2022 budget for Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU),
• and, a required nutrient reduction study (NRS) with Snyder & Associates for the wastewater treatment plant.

City Administrator John Lund says AMU is an entity of the City, but they are governed by their own oversight board (Atlantic’s Utility Board of Trustees). In accordance with the Code of Iowa, the City must approve their budget, in order for it go into effect. The City traditionally passes the AMU budget without issue, because there is oversight by the Trustees. And, with regard to the NRS, the City of Atlantic was granted an amended National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDS) permit for the wastewater treatment plant. The permit requires a report that evaluates the feasibility and reasonableness of reducing the quantity of phosphorus the City discharges into the East Nishnabotna River.

The permit for the City’s Plant to continue operations requires a nutrient reduction strategy (NRS) for phosphorus to be turned in to the Iowa DNR by August 1, 2022. John Lund says Wastewater Superintendent Tim Snyder is developing several strategies to improve the City’s numbers, using the technology it currently has in-place. Crews with the plant have attended EPA webinars in an effort to learn new ideas and processes for optimizing nutrient reduction in the discharged water. A proposal for a nutrient reduction study by Snyder and Associates has a lump sum fee of $19,750. Development of alternatives for nutrient reduction compliance will be an hourly fee, Lund says, but the estimated will be $9,600, for a combined cost of $29,350.

Lund says that “may seem like a lot, but it is a drop in the bucket compared to the consequences of a poorly prepared report. He notes, if approved, this would be the second NRS conducted by Snyder and Associates. The original study was approved by the Council in July, 2014, at a cost of $9,700.

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Police in Red Oak say no injuries were reported following an accident Thursday evening, at the intersection of Highway 34 and N. Eastern Avenue. Officers found a 2017 Chevy Traverse driven by 29-year-old Trisha M. Gomez, of Stanton, was traveling west on Highway 34 at around 5:22-p.m., and was slowing down for the vehicle ahead of her, that was slowing down to make a left turn onto N. Eastern Avenue. When Gomez’ SUV slowed, it was struck from behind by a 2009 Ford F-150 pickup registered to Seipold Farms, and driven by 53-year-old Rodney L. Seipold, of Hastings (IA).

Seipold admitted to Police that he was not paying attention. Damages from the collision amounted to $26,000. Seipold was cited for Following too closely and Violation of a his restricted license.

(Updated) Officials with the Creston Police Department say four Creston residents reported vehicle break-in’s and/or incidents of vandalism. On Saturday, a woman in the 300 block of N. Walnut Street in Creston told authorities her vehicle had been rammed by another vehicle multiple times. Damage was estimated at $800. A man reported Saturday, that his vehicle was stolen from near a bar-and-grill establishment. The damaged vehicle was later recovered. And, another resident reported Saturday, his vehicle was damaged while it was parked in the 300 block of N. Walnut Street. The damage was estimated at $1,000.

On the 24th, a man residing in the 300 block of N. Walnut Street reported that sometime around midnight, someone broke into his wife’s vehicle. He advised also, a Leatherman tool valued at $50 was missing.

Creston Police said also, 42-year-old Julio Cesar Villalpando Castro, of Creston, was arrested late Saturday night on two counts of Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree, Stalking-Violation of a Court Order, Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order, and Theft in the 2nd Degree -Motor Vehicle. Villalpando Castro was being held in the Union County Jail on $14,300 cash only Bond.

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(Radio Iowa) -State regulators have approved a financing plan that will eventually lead to a replacement boat for the Casino Queen in Marquette. Racing and Gaming administrator, Brian Ohorilko says a 46 million dollar financing plan was approved for the parent company to buy two boats in Louisiana.  “The long-term plan would be for Casino Queen to purchase those riverboats, operate those casinos in Louisiana, but move one to Marquette and replace that boat. So it would be a larger boat, maybe a little newer,” Ohorilko explains. He says the new boat is a good thing for Marquette. “Just having the ability to have something larger, fresher, is definitely good for that market,” he says.

All facilities were on riverboats when the state approved casino gambling — and the Casino Queen is one of three that remain. The Ameristar is in Council Bluffs, and it has a hotel and restaurants at that location. The Lakeside Casino in Osceola has the same type of setup, and it is a barge.

The Casino Queen (Iowagamingassociation.org photo)

The Racing and Gaming Commission approved the financing plan at their November meeting.