POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY, IOWA — In coordination with Shelby and Audubon Counties, the burn ban for the Minden, Avoca, and Walnut Fire Districts has been lifted, effective 12pm on Monday, June 2nd. The burn ban was implemented due to decreasing water supply capacities out of the Regional Water Rural Water Association’s (RWRWA) Avoca Treatment Plant (ATP). Although conditions have stabilized, officials urge using additional caution when conducting open burns in the identified areas.

“Not until RWRWA completes its project connecting to the additional water capacity through Council Bluffs Water Works will the concern become much less significant,” says Doug Reed, director of Pottawattamie County Emergency Management. “That project is ongoing and could take an additional week to complete by current estimates.”

Areas served by Regional Water Rural Water Association’s ATP should continue to observe YELLOW water restrictions that were issued by RWRWA.

Some customers and communities remain in a boil order at time of this release. The City of Avoca was removed from the boil order on June 1st. No additional boil orders have been released by RWRWA or the Iowa DNR at time of this release.

All Pottawattamie County residents are reminded to sign up for Alert Iowa which will be used to deliver any priority or emergency messages related to community emergency events as well as severe weather alerts and additional emergency information. You can sign up for free at https://www.pottcounty-ia.gov/emergency_management/alert_iowa/.

For additional information related to the Regional Water boil advisory, conservation restrictions, or for support with potable drinking water, contact the RWRWA office at 712-343-2413.

(Des Moines, IA) – Through the Safe Haven Law, a baby girl, born May 23, is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined. This brings the overall total to 77 infants since the law went into effect more than two decades ago, and the third infant in 2025.

Iowa’s Safe Haven Act is an option for parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old. Designated safe havens are locations like hospitals and police and fire stations. Iowa HHS then works to place infants in an approved foster home while awaiting permanent adoption.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting a child, visit https://iowafosterandadoption.org/ to learn more about becoming an approved foster or adoptive family. For more information on Iowa’s Safe Haven, visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/CPS/safe-haven.

(Radio Iowa) – The monthly survey of supply managers in Iowa and eight other Midwest states finds the economy is still weakening at the state and regional levels. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the lengthy report is boiled down to some key numbers on a zero-to-100 scale, where 50 is considered “growth neutral.”

“The May survey, the number was still above growth neutral, 51.0, and that’s slow-to-no growth I’ll call it,” Goss says. “Tariffs are really having some big impacts and they’re not positive. They’re mostly all negative.” Iowa’s overall number during the April survey showed a 53, but the May number dropped a little over three points, going below growth neutral.

There was so much hype about the looming tariffs earlier this year that Goss says many manufacturers were able to work ahead by ordering more parts and raw materials than they’d need.  “They advanced imports in the first quarter to get around or front-run the tariffs, and now we’re seeing some of the impacts,” Goss says. “For example, now the import rating is 29.8, obviously well below growth neutral of 50. So what happened is they did a lot of importing during the first quarter, now we’re in the course of the second quarter, and we pull back on imports.”

Goss says a significant number of businesses in the state and region are trying to find other places to get their supplies where perhaps the tariffs aren’t as steep. “Approximately 34.8% have changed import sourcing, so they moved from one source to another source because of the tariffs. That was sort of surprising,” Goss says. “A little bit more than one-third have changed their sourcing for their inputs and that’s an important change.” As a result of the slowing growth, Goss predicts a cut in short-term interest rates at the Federal Reserve’s next meetings, scheduled for June 17th and 18th.

Ernie Goss (Creighton University photo)

In addition to Iowa, the survey also covers Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota, though Goss says the less populated, agricultural states are feeling the worst impacts of tariffs. “Manufacturing is slowing down in the U.S., slowing down in the Mid-American region,” Goss says, “and we’re seeing the rural areas taking a hit more so than the urban areas.” According to data from the U.S. International Trade Administration, the Iowa manufacturing sector exported three-point-four billion dollars in goods during the first quarter of this year, compared to four-billion for the same period last year, a drop of eight-point-six percent.

CHEROKEE, Iowa – June 2, 2025 – If you travel on U.S. 71 between U.S. 30, north of Carroll, and Iowa 175, near Auburn, you need to be aware of an upcoming road closure that may slow down your trip, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Cherokee construction office.  Beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, June 9, weather permitting, crews will close U.S. 71 so a pavement preservation treatment called a scrub seal can be applied to the road. U.S. 71 may be opened to traffic within a week of being closed, if there are no work or weather delays.

When U.S. 71 is closed you will follow a marked detour route using U.S. 30, South Division Street/West Center Street/South Gault Street through Arcadia, Carroll/Sac County Road M-68 (Concord Avenue/Perkins Avenue), 370th St., Union Avenue, and U.S. 71 (see map). You will have access to all businesses and residential addresses along U.S. 71 during this project. The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through the 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or X (find links at https://iowadot.gov/travel-tools/iowa-511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

(Radio Iowa) – A report from the Iowa’s community college presidents suggests their institutions could address gaps in training Iowa’s workforce by offering four year degrees, but the group warns there could be hurdles to the expansion. Emily Shields, executive director of Community Colleges for Iowa, says over 200 community colleges in 24 other states offer bachelor’s degrees.  “All of the states that have done this have focused on unmet needs,” Shields says. In January, the chairman of the Iowa House Higher Education Committee asked Iowa’s community colleges to study how it could work here. The group’s initial report indicates community colleges in other states are offering some four-year degrees that aren’t widely available and charge tuition rates are more affordable. Shields says it probably won’t impact students who transfer their two-year degrees to a four-year institution where they intend to get a four-year degree.

“States like Florida and Washington that have had this for quite some time, the public universities aren’t seeing a decrease in transfer students,” Shields says. “You’re seeing new people come into the bachelor’s degree space through what’s being offered with the community colleges.” The report concludes the move would help students who live in “higher education deserts.”

“We’re talking about people who are placebound or have different financial challenges,” Shield says, “families, jobs, that kind of thing, so they aren’t moving to get a degree.” In five of the 15 community college districts in Iowa, there is no nearby four-year college or university for low-income, rural students who need to commute. “There physically is not another college or university in your area, but it can also be defined a couple of other ways,” Shields says. “One is there isn’t an affordable option in your area and the states that have done this have really focused on the community college bachelor’s degrees being more affordable than a lot of what’s available in the rest of the marketplace.”

The community college presidents say it would be a culture shift to begin offering bachelor’s degrees. And they’d have to balance that with the community colleges’ mission to give students an affordable way to gain technical skills through a certification program or two-year degree. Shields says after conversations with staff and students on Iowa’s 15 campus communities, a final report in October will answer some basic questions. “What structure would be the best fit for our state? What investment would be required to make it successful?” Shield says. “so that in our recommendations in October we’re telling the legislature what we think would be the best path forward as this gets considered.”

The initial report suggests the state would have to spend more money on lab space as well as student services required for four-year programs. It also indicates accreditation standards indicate about 63 percent of instructors at Iowa’s community colleges would be qualified to teach students seeking four-year degrees.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds today (Monday) officially signed Iowa House Files 928 and 954 into law.

Iowa House File 928 reinforces and standardizes Iowa’s recount procedures and requires uniformity across recount methods – recounts must now be conducted in all precincts in a race and by using the same recount methods.

Iowa House File 954 further standardizes Iowa election processes by banning ranked-choice voting statewide and strengthening citizenship verification for voter registration. This ensures citizenship and voter eligibility are verified at the time of voter registration rather than at the time of voting.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF928 and HF954 into law. (6-2-25)

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said afterward, he commends “…The Iowa Legislature and Governor Reynolds for recognizing the importance of these bills in strengthening and maintaining Iowa’s election integrity. These new laws add additional layers of integrity to our robust election procedures, supporting our efforts to balance election integrity and voter participation.” Secretary Pate joined Governor Reynolds to commemorate her signing of these two pieces of legislation. A number of county auditors also attended.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests that occurred from May 19th through June 1st. Most recently:

• On June 1st, 43-year-old Ray Charles Knox, of Byram, MS, was arrested on I-29 near Percival, for Reckless Driving and Eluding. His bond was set at $1,000.
• On May 31st, Mills County deputies arrested 19-year-old Jasmine Ameliana Cadena, of Council Bluffs, for Possession of drug paraphernalia.
• On the 30th of May, 40-year-old Crystal Dawn Edison, of Malvern, was arrested in Council Bluffs for being an Accessory after the Fact, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. ($600 bond)
• Mills County deputies arrested 35-year-old Cody Clark Gorham, of Glenwood, May 22nd, on six-counts of Violation of a No Contact Order. (Bond $1,200)
• On the 21st of May, 32-year-old Damara Haley Larsen, of Glenwood, was arrested in Glenwood for OWI/1st offense ($2,000 bond).
• And, there were two (Separate) arrests on May 20th: 23-year-old Caleb Elisha Martinez, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested in Glenwood for Driving while license is denied or revoked for OWI (Bond $1,000), and, 39-year-old Megan Reneww Sunderman, of Omaha, was arrested in Pacific Junction for Theft in the 2nd Degree (>$1,500 but less than $10,000). Bond was set at $5,000.

(Atlantic, Iowa) — The Healthy Cass County Coalition, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, is inviting community members to attend a QPR Suicide Prevention Training on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 12:00 PM at the Cass County Community Center. Community Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee says “Providing training and support services dealing with mental health first aid topics is a key priority in the Cass County and State Health Improvement Plans.”

QPR, which stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer, is a nationally recognized, evidence-based training that teaches participants how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and take action to help. Much like CPR, QPR is a life-saving skill that anyone can learn. The training is free and open to the public. All community members, including parents, teachers, coaches, faith leaders, and concerned citizens, are encouraged to attend.

According to Grace McAffee “… simple training like QPR can make all the difference to a person trying to help by giving them the tools to know what to say and how to respond to someone in need. You never know when you might come in contact with someone who just needs a hand getting some help while you are at work, with family or just out in the community chatting with a friend.”

If you’re interested in learning more about mental health or other wellness topics in Cass County, please reach out to Community Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee at mcage@casshealth.org or call 712-250-8170.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests took place last week. Early Friday morning, 18-year-old Silas Johannes Foster, of Fontanelle, was arrested following an investigation into a suspicious vehicle. He was charged with OWI/1st offense, and Possession of Alcohol under the legal age. Foster was cited and released from the Adair County Jail a few hours later.

A little before 11-p.m. on May 27th, 53-year-old Jason Edward Caldwell, of Stuart, was arrested in Stuart on a Guthrie County Bench Warrant for Failure to Appear in court. He was turned over to Guthrie County Sheriff’s Deputies and later posted a $5,000 bond.

On May 26th, at around 9:45-p.m., an Iowa State Patrol Trooper arrested 57-year-old Tracey Marie Fazio, of Des Moines, following an investigation into an accident at the Interstate 80 rest area west of Casey, whereby a car had struck a semi tractor-trailer. The investigation resulted in Fazio being taken into custody for OWI/1st offense. A breath/alcohol test registered a BAC of .272, or nearly three-times the legal limit for intoxication. In addition to the OWI charge, Tracey Fazio was cited for Open Container. She was later released on a $1,000 bond.

And, on May 25th at around 12:50-a.m., Police in Adair arrested 22-year-old Osvaldo Moran-Salas, of Des Moines, for Driving While Barred. He was taken into custody after being observed driving a UTV on Delta Avenue, with no headlights, taillights or any sort of a flashing light. After the UTV pulled into the Casey’s Store parking lot in Adair, a check of his license and registration revealed Moran-Salas was barred from Driving. He was transported to the Adair County Jail and later released on a $2,000 bond.