September 9, 2025 (DES MOINES) – A panel of industry judges recently selected the proposed Council Bluffs housing development Spin Lofts as the winner of the Iowa Finance Authority’s (IFA) third annual Innovation in Housing Pitch Competition, held at the HousingIowa Conference in Cedar Rapids last week. Led by Iowa-based developer Arch Icon, the project will now advance in the Federal Housing Tax Credit Innovation Set-Aside application process. It’s eligible for up to $10 million in federal tax credits over ten years to support its development.

“The success of our annual Housing Innovation Competition is a testament to the vision and creativity driving Iowa’s housing sector, as well as the strong commitment of developers, communities and partners,” said IFA and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham. “I extend my congratulations to all of the finalists for their outstanding proposals, my gratitude to the judges for their thoughtful deliberation and my excitement for seeing Spin Lofts become a reality.”

The Iowa Housing Tax Credit Innovation Set-Aside called for creative proposals from developers for housing projects serving special populations or using innovative construction, financing or operations, unique partnerships or other innovations which otherwise may not be feasible through the 9% Federal Housing Tax Credit round. Three finalists were selected to pitch and one winner was chosen.

“We are honored to be selected as this year’s winner,” said Darin Smith, Co-Founder of Arch Icon Development. “Spin Lofts represents the kind of project we believe in, one that’s rooted in community partnerships, focused on the people who need housing the most and designed to make a lasting difference in Council Bluffs. With the support of IFA and our partners, we look forward to bringing this vision to life.”

“This is one of the most innovative initiatives in the country,” said Mark Shelburne, Senior Policy Advisor at Novogradac Consulting. “To not only encourage groundbreaking housing concepts but to showcase them in a live pitch competition raises the bar for how states can foster creative solutions. Iowa is leading the way and Spin Lofts is a powerful example of what’s possible.”

DES MOINES—In a report issued today (Tuesday), the Iowa Attorney General’s Office has concluded that the August 15, 2025, fatal shooting of Feglys Antonio Campos Arriba by a Denison Police officer was legally justified.

The Attorney General’s conclusion was based on a review and investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The investigation found that on August 15, 2025, at approximately 11:20 p.m., Denison Police Department was contacted about a person sleeping in Washington Park after park hours. Sergeant Alan Romero responded to the area and found Feglys Antonio Campos Arriba sitting under a blanket in the bandshell stage. The two had a civil conversation in Spanish in which Campos Arriba was given the choice to leave or be arrested for trespassing. Campos Arriba chose to be placed under arrest and stood up, placing his hands behind his back.

When Romero began to apply handcuffs, Campos Arriba turned to face him and began advancing on him. Romero took a step back to create space between them, but Campos Arriba continued to advance, not complying to commands to put his hands behind his back. Officer Romero then fired his taser, but it had negligible effect. Campos Arriba continued, chasing the officer off the stage.

When Campos Arriba took up a fighting stance, Officer Romero unsuccessfully attempted to take him to the ground. Campos Arriba wrapped his arms around Romero and bit into the officer’s left ear, tearing off a large chunk of flesh. Romero disengaged and began to run from Campos Arriba, but Campos Arriba chased him. Officer Romero then shot Campos Arriba in the chest. Campos Arriba continued to charge, and Officer Romero fired three more shots. Campos Ariba fell to the ground and was no longer a threat. Campos Arriba died from his injuries.

The Denison Police Department had been in contact with Campos Arriba the day before and had told him that he could not camp in Washington Park. The investigation also revealed that Campos Arriba had been in the United States on a temporary work visa from Cuba, which had expired in July 2025.

The report is issued under the Attorney General’s independent authority under Iowa Code section 13.12 to investigate or prosecute conduct of law enforcement that results in death.

(Radio Iowa) – The University of Northern Iowa’s Army R-O-T-C program has won a reprieve from a shut down order. The Pentagon announced in July that the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at U-N-would be deactivated after the 2026 spring semester — part of a nationwide plan to reduce the military’s civilian workforce by 12 percent. U-N-I has been notified the plan has been revised and R-O-T-C cadets will continue to be able to complete all four years of their training on the Cedar Falls campus. However, the unit will become an extension of the University of Iowa’s R-O-T-C program.

Major Jess Haugaard of the Iowa National Guard, UNI President Mark Nook and Brenda Bass, Dean of the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, sign memorandum of understanding supporting UNI’s Army ROTC program on Sept. 9, 2025. (UNI photo)

R-O-T-C detachments at the University of Dubuque and Buena Vista University in Storm Lake were also notified this summer that they must close down. Buena Vista’s R-O-T-C program has operated for the past 15 years. The R-O-T-C program at the University of Dubuque was closed down in 1991, but reactivated in 2004.

(Iowa DNR News; Des Moines, IA) – Iowa state parks have set Saturday, Sept. 27 as annual Volunteer Day, when Iowans are invited to lend a hand at several state parks and forests hosting volunteer events. Join park staff to help care for Iowa’s natural areas, freshen up campgrounds and facilities, and spend time outdoors.

Clean-up efforts will be unique for each park depending on needs, and may include litter pick-up, staining or painting buildings, removing invasive species, rebuilding picnic tables, harvesting prairie seeds and more. The state parks and forests participating include:

• Bellevue State Park, Bellevue
• Blackburn State Park, Thurman
• Geode State Park, Danville
• Lake Darling State Park, Brighton
• Lake Macbride State Park, Solon
• Lake Manawa State Park, Council Bluffs
• Lake of Three Fires State Park, Bedford
• Ledges State Park, Madrid
• Palisades-Kepler State Park, Mt. Vernon
• Pilot Knob State Park Forest City
• Prairie Rose State Park, Harlan
• Shimek State Forest, Farmington
• Wapsipinicon State Park, Anamosa
• Waubonsie State Park, Hamburg
• Yellow River State Forest, Harpers Ferry

Citizens interested in volunteering can find complete details on times, meeting locations and activities at https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-parks/statewide-volunteer-day

(Radio Iowa) – Supervisors in more than two dozen Iowa counties are considering a proposed settlement related to a juvenile detention center in north central Iowa. A lawsuit filed by supervisors in Hardin County challenged whether officials from several other counties were properly added to the commission that oversees the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center in Eldora. Gary Rayhons, a supervisor in Hancock County, said under the settlement, five counties will reapply to be part of an agreement that allows counties to send juvenile offenders to the detention center in Eldora. “What we’re doing on Wednesday is as a county, since we’re a member of that, approving the settlement agreement,” Rayhons said, “so we can move forward with the process of getting everything back under the right paperwork.”

Rayhons said the lawsuit filed by Hardin County Supervisors challenged whether officials from Mitchell, Bremer, Grundy, Fayette and Jones Counties were valid voting members of the commission that oversees the juvenile detention facility. “The other 30 counties…will have to agreement to the terms of the settlement that we have, as worked out through the lawyers,” Rayhons said.

There were originally 10 people serving on the juvenile detention center’s commission, but membership had swelled to 30. Hardin County officials argued due to changes in the original 1993 agreement among counties, it was unclear if all those people had the authority to approve binding contracts or vote for the commission’s public meetings to go into closed session.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa City police say new technology has led to an arrest in a 1992 cold case death. The body of a baby boy was found in the Iowa City Landfill in 1992. Investigators say they had little information to identify the mother at the time and the case went cold. The case was reopened in October 2020 and evidence was resubmitted for advanced D-N-A testing. Investigators say the testing led them to 58-year-old Cindy Sue Elder, formerly Cindy Sue Eckrich.

Elder was found in Clever, Missouri in 2022. She was 26 years old in 1992 and admitted to giving birth to the baby and then putting it into a plastic bag and into a garbage can. Elder has been charged with first-degree murder.

(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM School Board met in a regular session Monday evening at the High School in Anita. Superintendent Dr. Pam Stangeland told KJAN news that things are going well in the District, since the start of the school year on August 25^th.

Stangeland was selected for the position as shared CAM-Nodaway Valley Superintendent, following the departure of former Superintendent Paul Croghan. She was asked how she’s setting into her relatively new role.

Dr. Stangeland said the CAM School Board, Monday, approved a Hoglund Bus Company lease, and are moving forward with a couple of revisions to that. She said also a flu clinic will be held by Cass County Public Health sometime in October.

The Board also discussed Homecoming Coronation, which takes place Sunday.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests that took place from Sept. 3rd through the 7th:

• 30-year-old Emily Nicole Dolan, of Glenwood, was arrested Sept. 7th for Theft in the 1st Degree ($10,000 bond).
• 61-year-old Thomas Edward Graskowiak, of Omaha, was arrested Sept 6th near Emerson for OWI/1st offense ($1,000 bond).
• 21-year-old Hunter Allen Dunn, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Sept. 5th in Glenwood, for Driving Under Suspension [DUS] ($300 bond).
• On Sept. 4th: 25-year-old Devinne Janice Moore, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Driving While License Denied/Revoked for OWI (Bond$1,000); 27-year-old Christian Michael Olsen, of Glenwood, was arrested for DUS (Bond $300); and 42-year-old Miguel Angel Lopez, of Red Oak, was arrested on the 4th for Burglary in the 3rd Degree and Theft in the 2nd Degree (Bond $10,000).
• On Sept. 3rd, Mills County Deputies arrested 47-year-old Aaron Michael Lacy, of Nebraska City, NE, for: Theft in the 2nd Degree;Interference w/Official Acts; and on two out-of-county/state warrants. His bond was set at $10,300.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Following a public hearing, the Cass County Board of Supervisors, during their regular meeting today (Tuesday), passed the First Reading of an amended Ordinance with regard to the Veterans Emergency Assistance Program, as published. Board Chair Steve Baier summarized some of the changes, as presented. Here is a portion of that summary…

Other changes include those related to Indigent Burial.

Cass County BOS mtg. 9-9-25

The Board waived the Second Reading of the Ordinance and passed the Ordinance as presented. Next up, the Board heard from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken, who provided an update from the Iowa Department of Transportation with regard to a road under the Interstate, north of Marne.

In December, 2021, the Cass County Board of Supervisors voted to vacate the 500-foot long, 40-foot wide, 145-year-old section of road (570th Street), north of Boston Road in Brighton Township/northwestern Cass County, that is in the State of Iowa Right-Of-Way, under Interstate 80. Wolken said also, the Secondary Roads Department has been busy dealing with road shoulder work.

He mentioned crews are still working on some construction projects, including Bridge 169 by the landfill, which should be done early next week, Bridge 168 by Massena, and Bridge 73 southeast of Griswold, near the Montgomery County line. A pre-construction meeting for work on south County rod N-28 was set to take place Wednesday.