CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG-TV) – As nearly 2,000 Iowa Army National Guard members prepare for a year-long deployment to the Middle East, the founder of a group that assists veterans emphasizes the importance of supporting their mental health upon return. President of “Salute to the Fallen”, John Thompson, told KCRG-TV the number of veterans they’ve assisted across the state is more than double from last year. While it’s a number he said doesn’t surprise him, he also said it’s an issue that needs to be talked about openly.

Thompson keeps track of all the veterans he receives a call for help, but state and national statistics are more than two years old. The VA reports 17 veterans die by suicide daily with Iowa’s rate slightly higher than the nation’s. Thompson said there’s a reason why the numbers he sees might be going up:  After five-years, the effects of withdrawing from Afghanistan are starting to be seen.

Thompson said with nearly 2,000 Iowa National Guard members deploying, this is the time to discuss veteran suicide and the difficulties veterans face when transitioning to civilian life.

(Radio Iowa) – A member of the governor’s DOGE (Department Of Government Efficiency) task force says property taxes could be lowered if more services were delivered on a regional basis. Former Fort Dodge mayor Terry Lutz says Iowa’s 99 county model is outdated. That is similar to a point Governor Kim Reynolds made during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S. “We have to think differently about how we deliver services to our citizens,” Reynolds said. “We can’t continue to have the level of government that we have and expect the property taxes to go lower. It’s just not feasible. The math doesn’t work.”

Emily Schmitt, chair of the governor’s DOGE task force, says county consolidation is among the recommendations Iowans submitted to the task force this spring. “The first phase is really listening to Iowans,” Schmitt said. “…Some of the ideas that are in the gathering phase may not make it to the recommendation phase, so we’ll really find out in the research (phase) really what are the recommendations that should be moved forward and what are the ones that are practical and ready, that we’re able to do.”

In February, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order that created the DOGE task force. Emily Schmitt, on the left, is the group’s chair. Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer is on the right. (RI photo)

Schmitt says while there’s no set target for savings to taxpayers, the group is looking to streamline government services any way they can. “We really just want to make a tangible difference for all Iowans to feel after this report,” Schmitt said, “and implementation of hopefully successful recommendations.”

The task force is scheduled to meet in August and September to review proposals and agree on a final report for the governor and legislature.

(Radio Iowa) – Documents from the state investigation of a Davenport apartment building’s partial collapse two years ago reveal the building’s owner was buying steel reinforcements at a Bettendorf business when the building collapsed. Three people were killed when the six-story brick building collapsed.

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation records show on the day of the collapse, the building’s owner looked up from his phone, cancelled his order for structural reinforcements and told people at the business his building just went down.

Investigators also discovered Davenport’s chief building inspector signed documents that the structure and repairs underway had passed inspection just before the collapse, then changed her report to incomplete after the building’s failure.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council during their regular meeting this (Wednesday evening), passed a resolution setting July 3rd, 4th and 5th, from 9-a.m. Until 11-p.m., as the date for the use of fireworks in the City, as outlined within the restrictions of the Code of Iowa, and recently updated by Senate File 303. Fireworks used outside of those dates and times are NOT legal in Iowa.

Councilmen Shawn Sarsfield commented that residents should be respectful of their neighbors and the law. Sarsfield said he’s loved fireworks since he was a kid, but there’s a big difference in how big and loud those visual and audible devices have become since the days of bottle rockets and firecrackers.

Mayor Grace Garrett reminded residents of the safety factor in using fireworks as well.

Atlantic City Council meeting, 6-4-25

Councilman Jim Behrens said his family was listening to loud fireworks near his neighborhood late Tuesday night. Others have commented they’re being set-off too early, and that’s something Behrens warned could have an adverse affect on future personal fireworks use in Atlantic.

On a related note, the Council approved an Order to temporarily close a portion of 10th Street near the Sunnyside Pool to the west entrance of the Cass County Fairgrounds (Near the tennis courts), and the road south of 10th Street leading past the tennis courts and softball field, from 8-a.m. until 10-p.m., for the Parks and Rec Department’s “Freedom Festival,” on July 4th. They also passed an Order to temporarily restrict parking on Palm Street from 7th to the Dead End, extending south of 10th Street, and temporarily restricting parking on 10 Street, extending west 150-feet on both sides of the street, from 6-a.m. July 26th until 6-pm July 27th, for the Cass County Fair.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council passed (after the 3rd and final readings) of amended ordinances pertaining to:

• Adding a 4-way stop sign at 29th and Palm Streets
• No Parking on 10th  Street, from Locust to the east alley at the north side of the road
• Reducing the Speed Limit on 22nd Street, between Palm & Chestnut Streets, to 35 miles per hour.

And, they passed the first readings of amended ordinances pertaining to:

• City Elections
• A reduction of speed limit from 35 mph to 30 mph on Chestnut Street, from 29th St. to the Southern City Limits
• Reducing the speed limit  from 35-to 30 mph on 29th Street, from Chestnut to Palm Streets.
• Reducing the speed limit to 35 mph on 29th Street, from the intersection with Palm St. to a point 800-feet west of the intersection.

An ordinance to reduce the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph on Chestnut Street from 29th to the Southern City Limits failed for lack of a motion and second. That ordinance was tabled during the previous Council meeting. The Atlantic City Council passed resolutions: Adopting the 2025 Building Permit Fee Schedule, and setting stipend compensation for Swim Team Assistant Coach for FY2026.

They also set June 18th at 5:30-p.m., as the date/time for a Public Hearing to amend the FY2025 Budget. In her report to the Council, Mayor Garrett revealed numbers associated with last month’s City-wide clean-up:

And, in the Council Committee reports, Councilman Dana Halder said Cass County Landfill Director Brandi Mericle is leaving her job effective June 26th. The Landfill Commission will begin to search for her replacement to manage the Transfer Station. Mericle has been the Director of the Landfill for several years.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who love to fish can make plans to teach a friend without needing to buy a license as the state’s annual Free Fishing Weekend runs this Friday through Sunday. Iowa DNR fisheries biologist Joe Larscheid says these are ideal days in the season to cast a line. “This time of year, the bluegills are on the nest, so they’re close to shore. Crappies are still close to shore, and so it’s an excellent time,” Larscheid says. “If the weather is favorable, get out with your family and line the shores and catch a lot of fish.”

The event is open to all Iowa residents on any of the hundreds of Iowa lakes, thousands of miles of rivers or scores of neighborhood ponds. Plus, hands-on fishing events are being offered to help families new to fishing get started. “There’s a whole lot of events going on in Iowa, across the state in different cities and different counties,” Larscheid says, “and you can go on our website and our Special Events Calendar and check those out.”

Iowa DNR photo

If you want to fish beyond Sunday, you’ll need a license, but getting one is easier than ever. “There’s a ‘Go Outdoors’ app that you can download for free, and on that app, you can buy your fishing licenses. You can have all the information at your fingertips like our Fishing Atlas, where to go fishing, where they’re biting, our fishing reports, even habitat features in a lake — you’re a dot on the map and you can walk right to them, fishing jetties and things like that.”

Learn more at www.iowadnr.gov or by visiting your county recorder’s office to purchase a fishing license.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa A-C-L-U is going after another group of cities it says are violating free speech with their ordinances regulating drag performances. A-C-L-U attorney Shefali Aurora says they’ve sent letter to five cities. “Mount Pleasant, Harlan, Carroll, Webster City, and Polk City, notifying them of their ordinances that unconstitutionally restrict drag,” she says. Aurora says they want the cities to make a modification to the ordinance language.

“So what we’re asking right now is for them to remove the term female and male impersonators from their definition of adult entertainment. Because it includes and specifically targets drag performances that could be protected by First Amendment speech… and it is over broad,” Aurora says. Aurora says the cities say they are trying to regulate obscene speech with the drag ordinances.

“There’s already laws that you know would prevent obscene speech from taking place in these establishments and their laws that regulate obscenity across the state already. And those would not be impacted,” she says. Aurora says they are sending out the letters now during Pride Month, as she says the restrictions target L-G-B-T-Q performers. Aurora says they discovered the language they believe is unconstitutional during a review, and there were not any violations by the five cities. “We have been reviewing municipal codes and you know reaching out to cities in chunks. We have done letters in the past. And we’re continuing to do that advocacy,” Aurora says.

Aurora says they sent out letters in the past to Eagle Grove, Knoxville, Newton. Dyersville, Pella, Waukee and Grinnell, and all the cities made changes after being contacted. She says the only action taken against a city for a violation was Eagle Grove, and they then changed their ordinance.

(Radio Iowa) – A state representative from central Iowa is running for governor. Republican Eddie Andrews of Johnston says his goal is to show a candidate who doesn’t have millions can win. “This is going to be a mandate on money,” Andrews said. Andrews spoke to dozens of supporters today (Wednesday) at a kick-off rally on the Iowa Capitol steps.

“I want to challenge every one here to see if we can truly have a ground up campaign,” Andrews says. “…All the professionals say, ‘Well Eddie, what are you going to do? How are you going to raise $10 million?’ Notice they didn’t ask me what my policies were, what my plans were, what my passion is. This crowd here understands what’s at stake.” Andrews, who is serving in his third term in the Iowa House, is a bilingual pastor and entrepreneur.

His primary policy goals are to improve education, end human trafficking, improve education, reduce property taxes and protect landowners from eminent domain. During remarks to supporters, Andrews noted his wife, Betty Andrews — president of the N-Double-A-C-P’s Iowa-Nebraska chapter — was not there. “Like 35-40% of people in Iowa, married couples, we don’t share the same party interestingly enough, but we work together when we can,” he said, “and sometimes we can’t, right? It’s just the real struggle, but we’ve made it work.”

GOP State Rep. Eddie Andrews

Andrews faces a potentially crowded Republican Primary in 2026 that includes Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull and pastor Brad Sherman of Williamsburg — a former legislator. And Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird may run for governor, too. “I’m not running against them. I’m just putting my plan forward and so let the voters decide,” Andrews said. Andrews says that’s how he approached his successful campaigns for the state legislature.  “Three races — I didn’t run against the Democrat,” Andrews told reporters. “I just said, ‘I’m not running against you. I’m running for Iowa. I’m running for these ideas.'”

Andrews says he started praying about running for governor before current Governor Kim Reynolds announced in April that she wouldn’t seek another term. And Andrews asked his supporters at today’s (Wednesday’s) event to sign nominating petitions to put his name on the 2026 Republican Primary ballot.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following two separate accidents over the past couple of days. Heavy rain and hydroplaning were blamed for an accident Tuesday morning, near Coon Rapids. The Sheriff’s Office says 63-year-old Thomas Darveau, of Manning, was driving a 2011 Chevy Camaro SS on Highway 141 just east of Fig Avenue, at around 9:55-a.m. When he went to pass a 2023 Nissan SUV driven by 33-year-old Abigail Platt, of Glidden, the Camaro hydro-planed on the rain soaked road, and spun around. The car came into contact with the SUV before both vehicles bounced-off each other and came to rest in opposite ditches. The Sheriff’s Office says there was heavy rain at the time, and neither driver showed signs of impairment. Damage from the collision amounted to $5,000 to the vehicles. A State of Iowa No Passing Zone sign sustained $1,000 damage.

Monday morning, an unknown vehicle struck a legally parked 2019 Ford Escape SUV, in Guthrie Center. The accident in the 400 block of Grand Street was reported a little after 8-a.m. Video surveillance showed the incident happened at around 12:25-a.m.  The parked SUV sustained about $2,500 damage, according to the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office. The incident remains under investigation.

(Floyd County, Iowa) – A collision between a motorcycle and a semi tractor-trailer Wednesday morning near Charles City, resulted in the death of a woman from Garner. (In an update to our original story) the Iowa State Patrol reports a 2019 Kawasaki motorcycle operated by 66-year-old Ruby May Golnik, of Garner, pulled-out in front of a 2010 Freightliner semi and was struck, at around 9:10-a.m. on U-S Highway 218.

The driver of the semi was a 24-year-old from Canada was not injured.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office and Floyd Fire Department, along with AMR Charles City Ambulance.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Officials with Vision Atlantic say they are proud to announce the official groundbreaking ceremony for the highly anticipated Camblin Hills Housing Development. The event takes place 2:30-p.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2025, and will be held at the east end of the development, near 19th Street. The event is open to the public, and will feature a brief program, light refreshments, and a unique opportunity for attendees to meet the contractors bringing this transformative project to life. Guests will also receive an exclusive look at floor plans for the variety of housing options planned for the development.

Camblin Hills, located along Olive Street between 17th & 22nd Street, is named in honor of the late Bob Camblin, a passionate community leader who dedicated his life to the growth of Atlantic, co-founding Vision Atlantic in 2022 before his passing. The project will add 142 new homes to the community over the next five years, designed to meet diverse housing needs with a mix of single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, and tiny homes.

In 2025 alone, 48 units will be built, including several single-family homes, multiple duplexes, and 10 tiny homes (which will be used as Airbnb rentals)—all aimed at revitalizing Atlantic and welcoming new families to the area.

Vision Atlantic says the project is made possible through an incredible partnership with the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and the Community Foundation for Western Iowa. Together, they established a $23 million investment fund, which Vision Atlantic will borrow from to build all 142 units. As the loan is repaid, up to 5% of the fund balance will be donated back to Vision Atlantic to establish a long-term community endowment fund—supporting local needs such as affordable childcare.

Vision Atlantic Board President Christina Bateman says “This project represents a major investment in Atlantic’s future. We are thrilled to take this next step and invite the public to join us in celebrating the start of a development that will help ensure a vibrant, thriving community for generations to come.” For more information about the Camblin Hills Housing Development, visit www.visionatlantic.org or email visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com.

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.