(Des Moines, Iowa) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced today (Wednesday), announced a new Child Care Business Incentive Grant Program to encourage employers to offer child care as a benefit to their employees.  The Child Care Business Incentive Grant Program will provide a total of $25 million to support child care projects across the state. $20 million will be utilized to support local infrastructure investments to build or expand child care capacity, and $5 million will be used to support arrangements between employers and child care facilities to expand and reserve child care slots. Potential projects could include the creation and development of an on-site child care center or a partnership with an existing child care center to create new child care slots paid for by a local employer. Federal ARPA funds are being allocated for this grant program.

The Governor says “I’ve heard from both parents and employers that child care is a barrier to work in our state,” said Gov. Reynolds. “One of the top recommendations from my Child Care Task Force was to incentivize employer investment in child care. This program will do just that by encouraging employers to help deliver child care solutions to their employees, thereby bolstering opportunities for recruitment and retention of workers.” She adds, “Creating flexible options for child care at work not only helps families, but it also makes it easier for employers to recruit and retain the skilled workforce they need,” said Beth Townsend, Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “It is vital to our economic growth that we provide parents with reliable and affordable child care options, especially those who are looking to reenter the workforce.”

Kelly Garcia, Director of Iowa’s Department of Human Services, says “Access to quality child care is critical to the success of working families. This program underscores Iowa’s commitment to working families by putting child care where it’s convenient for parents, children, and employers.”  In March 2021, Gov. Reynolds launched the Child Care Task Force to address the child care shortage in Iowa. While Iowa is a national leader in the share of households with all parents working, 23 percent of Iowans live in a “child care desert,” and Iowa has lost 33 percent of its child care businesses over the past five years. It’s estimated that Iowa’s child care shortage costs the State’s economy roughly $935 million annually in lost tax revenue, worker absences, and employee turnover.

Gov. Reynolds has directed state agencies to implement many of the report’s recommendations, investing more than $500 million of state and federal funds to address the crisis. Investments include the Child Care Challenge Fund grants, which will help to create an estimated more than 9,000 new child care slots across the state, as well as the Child Care Stabilization Grants and Recruitment and Retention Bonuses for Child Care Workers.

Information on the Child Care Business Incentive Grant Program is now available here. The state will begin accepting applications on IowaGrants.gov starting on Friday, June 17th. Applications must be submitted by Monday, July 18th. To read the full Child Care Task Force Report, click here.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Police Department reports a woman from Red Oak was arrested at around 9:30-a.m. today (Wednesday), on a Page County warrant. Authorities say 57-year-old  Karen Rhea Stanbrough was taken into custody on a warrant for Dependent Adult Abuse, Exploitation, and Theft 2^nd Degree. Stanbrough being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $5,000 bond while awaiting extradition to Page County.

(Harlan, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Shelby County, today (Wednesday), released a report on arrests that took place over the past two weeks. On May 4th, 37-year-old Spencer Allen Hodges, of Omaha, NE, was arrested after a vehicle pursuit in Shelby County. Hodges was charged with: Eluding-Injury; OWI; Drugs or Participate in a Felony; Prohibited Acts; Possession of Controlled Substance; Theft 2nd; Theft 1st; Interference with Official Acts; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Speeding; Failure to Maintain control; Reckless Driving, and Striking an Unattended Vehicle.

On May 6th, 25-year-old Justin Andrew Dickinson, of Harlan, was charged with Violation of No Contact Order/Protection Order.  On the 8th, 24-year-old Brody James Larson, of Harlan, was arrested after a traffic stop on Highway 59 in Shelby County. Larson was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 1st, Speeding, and Open Container. The next day, 26-year-old Zachary Adam Andersen, of Earling, was arrested after a call was received regarding a vehicle parked in the traveled portion of County Road M-16, near 2300th Street. Andersen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Public Intoxication, Open Container, and Stopping, Standing or Parking where Prohibited.

On the 10th of May, three people from Harlan were arrested following a traffic stop on Maple Road in Shelby County: 18-year-old Connor Edwin Frame was charged with OWI 1st, Prohibited Acts, Operating a Non – Registered Vehicle, and Person Under 21 Using Tobacco/Vapor Product; 19-year-old Keagan Shawn Bates was arrested and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession/Purchase Alcohol by Person under the legal age; and, 18-year old Jonathan Bryce Delaney, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession/Purchase Alcohol by Person 18/19/20, and Person Under 21 Using Tobacco/Vapor Product.

On May 11th, Shelby County deputies arrested 37-year-old Jeannie Kay Kleymann, of Portsmouth. She was taken into custody in Harlan on active arrest warrants out of Shelby County. Kleymann was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance as well. On the 12th, 37-year-old Jason David Bengford, of Defiance, was arrested following a traffic stop on Linden Road. Bengford was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License Denied, Suspended, Canceled or Revoked.

May 15th, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 22-year-old Gloryana Grayce Erlemeier, of Harlan, on an active Shelby County warrant for Violation of No Contact Order/Protection Order. Erlemeier was transported to the Shelby County Jail. Erlemeier was charged with Possession of Contraband in a Correctional Institution, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

And there were two arrests May 15th, in Shelby County: 51-year-old Craig Allen Rau, and 35-year-old Clara Jo Mohr, both of Portsmouth, were arrested after a call for service in Portsmouth Both were charged with Domestic Abuse Assault.

(Sidney, Iowa) – A Fremont County man was arrested following an investigation into an accident that occurred Monday. Authorities say deputies discovered the single-vehicle accident at around 4:48-a.m., near the intersection of 330th Ave and Highway 2, east of Sidney. The driver, 24-year-old Jordan Nisely, of Farragut (Iowa), was initially arrested for Operating while Intoxicated 1st Offense and Driving Under Suspension.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says during the course of the arrest, Nisley began fighting with deputies, resulting in a deputy suffering minor injuries. Nisely was subsequently charged with Interference with Official Acts, causing bodily injury and Assault on a Peace Officer. His bond was set at $2,000, with a 10% surety. Nisely posted a $200 (10%) bond, and was released.

Jordan Nisely (Fremont County S/O photo)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office assisted Fremont County with the call.

Police in Glenwood report a man from Nebraska was arrested this (Wednesday) morning. 18-year-old Hazem Sarmin, of Omaha, was arrested for Interference with Official Acts. His cash or surety bond was set at $300. Additional information was not provided in the police report.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday, held a public hearing on an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget. Having heard or received no comments, the Board closed the hearing and act on an Appropriation Resolution. Board Chair Matt Wedemeyer broke down the appropriations in the amendment…

The Board voted unanimously to approve the Resolution. They then heard from County Engineer Nick Kauffman, who provided a report on Secondary Roads maintenance and activities. Kauffman said he’s done with 70-percent of his bridge inspections. He spoke also about the department’s hauling of road rock, and about a 10-to-15 percent increase in the price of road salt.

Following his report, the Adair County Supervisors held a Public Hearing on the vacating of about 800-feet of 305th Lane, a secondary road. There were no objections and a Resolution to that effect was passed as presented.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A global shortage of contrast agents used in CT exams is impacting local hospitals including Cass Health. Cass Health Radiology Director Carrie Schmitt says “Contrast agent is a solution that we inject into patients before an imaging test. Much like the name says, the contrast solution enhances the area of interest so that radiologists can see a more detailed image of exactly what’s going on inside of that patient.”

GE Healthcare manufactures the contrast agent in Shanghai, which has been affected recently by a surge of COVID-19 cases and strict lockdowns. Production at the facility is expected to return to normal at the end of June, but in the meantime, hospitals across the world are dealing with unprecedented shortages of the material.

“Every hospital across the country is dealing with this critical issue. At Cass Health, we are conserving our current supply of contrast agents, and we are taking steps to ensure that our patients are still getting the right care at the right time. We have an experienced radiology team, and together we’ve planned how we can adapt to challenging circumstances like this, while always maintaining patient safety and excellent care,” said Schmitt.

Cass Health will continue to monitor the shortage and inform the community of any further updates.

(Walnut, Iowa) – An investigation into a 9-1-1 hang-up call this (Wednesday) morning (May 18) from a home in the 700 block of Atlantic Street, in Walnut, resulted a woman being arrested on Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense (with Bodily Injury), and Child Endangerment (Substantial Risk). The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies responding to the call at around 6:27-a.m., arrested 39-year-old Amy Joy Carman. Victims of the alleged assault were said to be a 14-year old male and 28-year old male.

(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports a Page County woman was arrested at around 1:35-a.m. today (Wednesday), following a single-vehicle rollover accident. Deputies investigating the crash near the intersection of Highway 2 and 252^nd Street, near Waubonsie State Park, determined a 2018 Dodge Charger Hellcat driven by 31-year-old Devon Leigh Miller, of Coin, was traveling west on Highway 2, when it crossed the center line, left the roadway, and rolled.

Miller was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated 1^st Offense, Possession with Intent to Distribute (Meth), Possession with Intent to Distribute (Cocaine), Possession of Contraband in a Correctional Facility, and Carrying Weapons. She was being held without bond at the Fremont County Jail.

Devon L. Miller (Fremont Co. S/O photo)

The Iowa State Patrol and Sidney Fire and Rescue assisted the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office with the call.

Officials with the Creston (Iowa) Police Department report a Union County woman was arrested Tuesday afternoon, at a woman’s clothing store, in Creston. 23-year-old Autumn Leann Booth, of Cromwell, was arrested for Theft in the 2nd Degree. She later posted a $5,000 cash or surety bond. And, at around 3-p.m. Tuesday, 18-year-old Damian Joseph Gibbons, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a warrant for Violation of Probation stemming from an original charge of Harassment in the 2nd Degree. Gibbons was being held without bond in the Union County Jail, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

Late Monday morning, Creston Police arrested 46-year-old Mandi Lea Stowers, of Osceola, on a charge of Burglary in the 3rd Degree. She was transported to the Adams County Jail and held on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.