(Radio Iowa) – The president of DMACC — the Des Moines Area Community College — says he’s a little concerned about a proposal that would have Iowa’s 15 community colleges offer four-year degrees. The chairman of the Higher Education Committee in the Iowa House asked the colleges to study the issue and their final report was publicly released this fall. Des Moines Area Community College President Rob Denson discussed the concept during a weekend appearance on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S.

“The community college legislative agenda does not include a request to do bachelor’s degrees, so it’s really going to be what the legislature decides to do, but I think we’ve got a pretty good system now,” Denson said. “All three Regents have capacity. Most private colleges have capacity. We’ve worked together so well for so many years.” Denson was an administrator at a community college in Florida in the 1990s when it began offering four-year degrees, but Denson says it was because there were more students than slots for Florida students seeking baccalaureate degrees.

“Really, it was because there was no capacity at the University of Florida and other Florida universities,” Denson says. “Here’s we’ve got a great relationship with all the privates and the three Regents.” The University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa as well as 18 private colleges and universities in Iowa have transfer agreements with Iowa community colleges.

Denson says the community colleges already are competing against those institutions for first and second year students — and he warns offering four-year degrees at community colleges would likely have the biggest on impact enrollment at Iowa’s private colleges. “Every community in Iowa that’s got a private college, if they lost that college it would be a big deal,” Denson said, “so we like the fact that the colleges now are doing all right and we want to make sure they stay viable.”

The community colleges have told legislators they’d need about 20 million dollars extra over the next five years to set up 40 degree programs in high demand areas. Denson holds a degree in political science and a masters in higher education administration from Iowa State University and in 1979 he earned a law degree from the University of Florida. He’s been president of Des Moines Area Community College since 2003 and plans to retire at the end of this year.

There are a number of bond referendums on the ballots in southwest Iowa for Tuesday’s City-School Elections. Here’s a brief run-down of some of the school bond referendums in this area:

Atlantic Community School District: $22,500,000 to add classrooms at elementary and high schools; build a secure entrance, skybridge, and commons; remodel high school areas. (Public Measure DH) And, a Revenue Purpose Statement to continue using the statewide SAVE  funds for building upgrades, technology & infrastructure (Public Measure DG).

Atlantic Community School District: (Revenue Bond – Public Measure DI) $18,500,000 to build a new multipurpose indoor practice facility/fieldhouse at the high school;

Bedford Community School District: $11,500,000 to build a competition gym and add a loading dock to the existing K-12 facility.

IKM-Manning Community School District:  $19,800,000 to add classrooms, secure entrances, common areas, HVAC, and track and field improvements to the 4-12 building.

Iowa Western Community College (Public Measure SE):  $55,000,000 to build a new Career and Technical Education facility (automotive/diesel mechanic, CDL, logistics); expand existing buildings for HVAC, plumbing, welding, electrical, and construction technology.

Panorama Community School District:  $19,600,000 to build a competition gym; add classrooms, secure entrances, and common areas to elementary and secondary schools; upgrade roofing and playgrounds.

Riverside Community School District (Oakland, IA) -A Voter-approved Physical Plant & Equipment Levy (VPPEL). If approved, the PPEL would provide $595,000 a year for essential facility repairs, safety improvements, and technology upgrades. The proposed levy would add $1.34 per $1,000 of taxable property value. For a home with an assessed value of $200,000, this would amount to a property tax increase of about $120.61 per year, or $10.05 per month.

Stanton Community School District (Public Measure QB): Authorizes a tax levy of $2.70/$1,000 but not exceeding $4.05/$1,000 of assessed property value, to pay the interest and bonded indebtedness of the school district. Stanton CSD Public Measure PY: Adopting a RPS to receive SAVE funds from the State of Iowa for district facilities, and Public Measure PX: Authorizing a 10-year PPEL not to exceed $1.34 per $1,000 of taxable property value.

City Bond Referendums or Public Measures:

City of Greenfield: A $1,000,000 bond to build a new municipal swimming pool.

City of Menlo: Public Measure IU proposes changing the Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS) for existing unspent and future LOST (Local Option Sales Tax) revenues. The current RPS uses the proceeds for o% Property Tax Relief (PTR) & 100% for Community Betterment. The proposed RPS changes that to 25% each for PTR and Parks, and 50% for Roads/Streets.

City of Walnut: Public Measure SC proposes reducing the number of Library Board of Trustees from six, to four.

(Woodbury County, Iowa) – An eastern Iowa man was injured during a collision Saturday afternoon in northwest Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports 41-year-old Nickolas William Klein, of Cedar Falls, was traveling east in a 2014 Dodge RAM pickup on Highway 20, north of Cushing, at around 4:45-p.m., when his pickup struck the trailer being pulled by a 2007 Freightliner semi driven by 71-year-old Dale Ralph Knaack, of Correctionville, as the semi was entering Highway 20 eastbound.

The pickup sustained extensive damage. Both vehicles came to rest on the south shoulder of the highway. Klein suffered serious injuries and was transported to Unity Point St. Lukes hospital by helicopter. The Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

(Marshall County, Iowa) – A woman who was crossing a street in Marshalltown late Saturday night was struck by an unknown Dodge RAM pickup and died at a hospital. The Iowa State Patrol reports 30-year-old Melanie Katherine Nelson, of Marshalltown, was crossing South 3rd Avenue, just south of the intersection with East Main Street, when she was hit. The vehicle fled the scene and was still at-large as of this report.

The accident happened at around 10:05-p.m.  Nelson was transported by Marshalltown Fire to Unity Point Hospital, where she died from her injuries.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber’s Annual Scrooge Contest is officially underway for the month of November! Established in 2002 by Eleanor Hoover, the friendly competition has become a beloved community tradition that turns holiday spirit into real support for local families. Following Hoover’s passing, Jackie Sampson and Karen Miller proudly took over coordinating duties in 2019, and more than two decades later, the contest continues to make a major impact.

Over the past 23 years, the Scrooge Contest has generated substantial monetary and canned good donations for the Atlantic Food Pantry. Kelsey Beschorner, Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, says “Each year, this contest reminds us just how strong the spirit of giving is in Atlantic. Our contestants and donors continue to inspire me. Raising nearly $27,000 and over 1,600 food items just last year to help meet the growing needs of our neighbors.”

This year’s 2025 Scrooge candidates are: Kristy & Dave York, Tanner Cisar, Hy-Vee, Derrick & Ruth Sears, and Krysta & BJ Hart.

This year’s 2025 Scrooge candidates are: Kristy & Dave York, Tanner Cisar, Hy-Vee, Derrick & Ruth Sears, and Krysta & BJ Hart. From November 1st through November 26th at noon, contestants will raise money and collect non-perishable food items to support the Atlantic Food Pantry. The contestant with the most points will earn the title of “Scrooge” and serve as Grand Marshal of the Lighted Parade on SATURDAY, December 6th at 6 PM in Downtown Atlantic.

Cash donations are worth five points per dollar, and each non-perishable food item counts as one point. The Atlantic Food Pantry is requesting a specific list of non-perishable items and is emphasizing monetary donations to help purchase perishable and high-demand goods like meat, dairy, and produce.

Most needed items include:

Canned soup (chicken noodle, tomato, cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, vegetable beef)
Tuna or chicken (canned)
Peanut butter
Canned fruit (peaches, pears, applesauce, cocktail)
Canned vegetables (beans, corn, peas)
Beef ravioli or SpaghettiOs
Crackers (saltine)
Macaroni and cheese
“Complete” pancake & waffle mix (no milk required)
Pancake or waffle syrup
Spaghetti and pasta sauce
Manwich or Sloppy Joe cans

“The need right now,” Beschorner said “is greater than we’ve seen in years. More families are turning to the Food Pantry for help, and every dollar or can truly makes a difference. We’re so grateful to our contestants, volunteers, and everyone who contributes. This contest is proof of how Atlantic comes together when it matters most.”

Past Scrooge titles have been awarded to: Mary Ann Moorman (2007), Dana Halder (2008), Tammy Wise & Janet Huey (2009), Ritchie Anderson (2010), Janet Cappel (2011), Melanie Petty (2012), David Miller (2013), Mark McNees (2014), Ted Robinson (2015), Jon Johnson (2016), Rob Stamp (2017), Rob & Sonya Clausen (2018), Billie Hoover, Jackie Sampson & Lori Christianson (2019), Brian Ruge (2020), Ray Paulin (2021), Dr. Matt Weresh (2022), Sheryl Dusenberry (2023), and Graydon Schmidt (2024).

Community members can support the contest by donating food or funds to any contestant’s drop-off location, or by contributing through the Atlantic Food Pantry’s Venmo account and noting their selected Scrooge Team in the transaction line. For more information, contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017 or chamber@atlanticiowa.com. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Gregg Young of Atlantic.

(West Des Moines, Iowa) –  Officials with Hy-Vee announced today (Friday), that “With food banks preparing to see a record number of families over the coming weeks, Hy-Vee will be providing multiple community support options at all Hy-Vee store locations.”

In a press release, officials said from Nov. 3-7, every Hy-Vee store with hot food service will provide a free kids meal to those ages 12 and under from 4-7 p.m. The same meal will be available to everyone else for $3 and will be offered for dine in or to go. To follow is the menu that will be offered at each participating location:

Monday, Nov. 3: Baked Potato with Pulled Pork
Tuesday, Nov. 4: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Salad and Garlic Bread
Wednesday, Nov. 5: Chicken and Noodles with Mashed Potatoes
Thursday, Nov. 6: Chili and a Cinnamon Roll
Friday, Nov. 7: Sesame or Orange Chicken Rice Bowl. (In locations without HyChi, the meal will be Two Chicken Tenders, Mashed Potatoes and Corn)

Starting Friday, November 7th, stores will have food bank donation bundles that customers can purchase for $5 or $10. The bags will include items such as canned meats and vegetables, pasta sauce and cereal. Store will deliver the bags to their local food pantry. The efforts are in addition to a recent $100,000 donation to its partner Feeding America food banks throughout the Midwest, including the Food Bank of Iowa.

It has also donated $25,000 to DoorDash’s initiative to waive delivery fees for SNAP recipients.

(Ames, Iowa) – One of the three candidates set to visit Iowa State University next week in a bid for the presidential seat has dropped from the running, the Iowa Board of Regents announced Friday. The Iowa Capital Dispatch says according to a news release from the Regents, one finalist to succeed Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen “elected to withdraw from the process,” leaving two candidates.

Four finalists were initially selected by the ISU Presidential Search Committee for further consideration, three of whom accepted invitations to come to Ames for meetings with stakeholders and public forums. The committee started with a nearly 80-person candidate pool before narrowing the field to eight semifinalists, who the group interviewed virtually before making their decision on finalists.

(Photo by Perry Beeman/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

The remaining finalists will hold open forums from 4-5 p.m. Nov. 5 and 6 in the Memorial Union’s Durham Great Hall, with livestreaming available online for those who cannot attend in person. Finalists’ names and curriculum vitae will be released online 24 hours before their campus visit, the release stated.

The board of regents will hear from committee co-chairs Regent JC Risewick and ISU Faculty Senate President Meghan Gillette and interview finalists in closed session during the board’s Nov. 11 meeting. ISU’s new president is set to be announced that evening.

ISU President Wendy Wintersteen announced earlier this year she will retire from the university in January.

Officials with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation have announced they have reached the Foundation’s $1.9 million fundraising goal for the Arnolds Park Nature Area and will purchase the property to ensure it is protected and open to the public.

In a press release, the INHF said a flurry of donations over the final weeks of the campaign made it possible for INHF to exercise an option to purchase the 73-acre property before an Oct. 31 deadline. More than 300 individuals and families donated to support the vision for a city-owned park in the heart of the Iowa Great Lakes, managed with water quality, flood reduction, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation in mind.

INHF partnered with the city of Arnolds Park, Ducks Unlimited and Dickinson County Conservation to raise the necessary funding. Dozens of community partners — including East Okoboji Lakes Improvement Corporation, the Okoboji Protective Association and Iowa Great Lakes Pheasants Forever — championed the project and made meaningful contributions.

After closing on the sale, INHF will place a conservation easement on the property, ensuring its permanent protection. INHF will then transfer ownership to the city of Arnolds Park, and work with partners to plan for wetland and prairie restoration work on the site.   The city plans to install a small parking area, a picnic shelter, and soft surface trails through the park. Eventually, an off-road bike trail along the east side of the property will connect the Great Lakes Spine Trail north toward Bridges Bay.  Any funds raised in excess of the purchase price will go directly toward the native habitat restoration happening on site.

INHF is grateful to all the partners and supporters that made this project possible. Your efforts are improving the quality of life for Great Lakes-area residents and visitors and supporting INHF’s mission to protect and restore Iowa’s land, water and wildlife.

Supporters that made a pledge to the project can make a pledge payment online or send a check in the mail to:
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
505th Ave, Ste 444
Des Moines, IA 50309