(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley today (Tuesday) will be questioning President Trump’s nominee to head the Social Security Administration, what DOGE leader Elon Musk calls “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.” Grassley says he’s been hearing from Iowans who are upset about staffing cuts and the proposed closure of dozens of Social Security offices. “People call my offices in Iowa, ‘I didn’t get my Social Security check. Can you check it out for me?’ Now that’s before any offices have closed,” Grassley says. “If this closure of offices creates a further problem, we’ll just have to make sure everybody gets their Social Security check.” More than 70-million Americans receive Social Security benefits, including more than 530-thousand Iowans.

“For about a third of our Social Security recipients, it’s the only income they have,” Grassley says. “We’ve got to make sure that they’re served. And after you’ve worked maybe 40 years in the workforce and paid into the Social Security payroll tax, you ought to be getting your checks.” The president’s nominee for commissioner of Social Security is Frank Bisignano who’s facing a confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. Grassley says he already met with Bisignano in private a few weeks ago, and now it’ll be a chance to have him on record in public.

“I’m going to ask questions about staffing,” Grassley says, “and their reorganization plans and ensuring that Iowans get their benefit on time.” Reports say some new regulations are scheduled to take effect as soon as next week, requiring new and existing Social Security applicants to make in-person visits, as they’ll no longer be allowed to just identify themselves over the phone. The hearing is scheduled to start at 9 A-M/Central.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Council Bluffs construction office said Monday (March 24th), that if you drive Iowa 2 between Interstate 29 and U.S. 275 in Fremont County, you need to be aware of an upcoming bridge replacement project that may slow down your trip. From April 7th through October 7th (weather permitting), crews will remove and replace three bridges on Iowa Highway 2.

At the early stages of the project, Iowa 2 will be intermittently closed, and you will be directed through the work zone by flaggers so the construction crew can set up their equipment and transport materials needed for the project. Iowa 2 will be closed to traffic starting on Wednesday, April 16, weather permitting. You will follow a marked detour route using southbound I-29, Iowa 333, U.S. 275, Iowa 2 (see map).

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 can be found on the web at 511ia.org, calling 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide).

(Griswold, Iowa) – (Correction to last element in this story, re: softball)  The Griswold School Board, Monday evening, held a Public Hearing with regard to the 2025-26 District Budget, during which there no comments received. Superintendent Dave Henrichs said provided a breakdown of the Property Tax Levy rate, which of course is dependent upon action by the Iowa legislature.

Included in the District’s Budget is an advanced payment towards the Districts General Obligation Bond, which is designed to save district taxpayers money.

In other business, the Griswold School Board approved staff resignations.

The Board approved the transfer for next year, of a position and a Work-based Learning program.

They also approved the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee for the establishment of a Girls Wrestling Program, which is currently shared with Red Oak.

The committee will be comprised of current and former coaches, athletic director and girls wrestlers and others associated with the program. **The Griswold School Board approved also, the sharing with CAM, a Girls Softball Program for this Summer. The agreement is only in the discussion phase for now. And, they approved an increase in Driver’s Education fees of $15 for resident students and $5 for non-resident students. The new rates for this Summer are $400 for resident students and $500 for non-resident students. Those fees are waivable or even eliminated, Henrichs says, if a student qualifies for Free and Reduced Lunch.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Applications are now being accepted for the 16th Annual Trevor Frederickson Memorial Scholarship. Applications may be obtained from the Atlantic High School guidance office at 1201 E. 14th Street or the Atlantic High School website: www.atlanticiaschools.org. Up to two $750 scholarships are available to those graduating from Atlantic High School in the spring of 2025. Applicants must plan to attend a college or vocational school, show involvement in school and/or community activities, supply a copy of their college acceptance letter, provide two letters of reference along with their 7 semester transcripts, and maintain academic achievement of 2.5 or better.

New this year is a $500 scholarship available to a graduating senior from Atlantic High School who is going directly into the workforce after graduation. Graduate must secure 9 months of consecutive full time employment in the trades. The scholarships will be awarded at the Atlantic High School Class Night held in May.

Trevor Frederickson (Photo courtesy Melanie Petty)

Trevor Frederickson graduated from Atlantic High School in 2006. He went on to further his education at Southwestern Community College in Creston where he studied automotive mechanics and played baseball for the Southwestern Spartans. Two additional $750 scholarships will be available for Southwestern Community College students this fall. Trevor, who passed away in 2009, had plans of pursuing a career in law enforcement and returning to his hometown of Atlantic. “Anyone who knew Trevor, knew he valued family, life and community. Trevor continues to live on in our hearts and minds. To this day, Trevor is still giving back to the community he loved to be a part of.” (Melanie Petty, mother of Trevor Frederickson)

Funds for the scholarships are raised at an annual golf tournament. Plans are already in the works for the 17th Annual TFred Memorial Golf Tournament to be held on Saturday, June 21st, 2025. Organizers look forward to another successful tournament so they can continue to grant scholarships for many years to come.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Public Hearings pertaining to the FY25-26 Atlantic Community School District Proposed Budget/Tax Levy and School Calendar, will be held beginning at 6:30-p.m. Wednesday, March 26th, in the Atlantic High School Media Center. The meeting is viewable through a YouTube link. The Board will receive public comments on both topics and close the hearing. No action will be taken at this time.

A Special Meeting of the Atlantic School Board will then convene, with action on approving the following 2025-26 new, Certified Teacher hires:

• Dani Johnson
• Erin Dillon
• Logan Gerdes.

Following the Special Session, the School Board will hold a Work Session and discussion with a representative of SVPA Architects, to review the Master Plan, Bond Options and District Facility Construction Plans.

(Creston, Iowa) – A Union County man was arrested Monday afternoon in Creston. The Creston Police Department reports 29-year-old Jacob Jack Davis, of Cromwell, was arrested at around 4:45-p.m. Monday, in Creston, on charges that include: Interfere with Official Acts, Public Intoxication – 1st Offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Davis was taken to the Union County Jail where he is being held on a $5,900 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Seed supply shortages could cause problems for farmers in Iowa this spring. Flooding early in the season last spring devastated parts of southern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa, and Casey Staloch, with Albert Lea Seed Company in Minnesota, says seed production really suffered. “Just because we had too much water early and not enough late, and then also with our sales being up on the conventional side,” Staloch says, “yeah, we are getting sold out of a lot of numbers right now.”

Staloch says there are other seed options if a farmer can’t get access to their first choice. “You can change some maturities, different things like that. But some of these companies where sales are down now, we’re coming them back in and lowering their prices in-season to try to get rid of some seed,” he says. “So I think there’s a lot of seed to be bought yet, even only a month out.”

Heavy rains last spring led to historic flooding in northwest Iowa, in communities including Rock Valley, Sioux Rapids, and Spencer, impacting hundreds of homes and thousands of residents.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Economic Development Board recently approved funds for three start-up businesses. I-E-D-A spokesperson Kanan Kappelman says Ames-based Janas Materials was awarded a 100-thousand dollar loan to help refine its product. “They developed sustainable technology for the coating industry that improves the appearance and application of wood stains. They provide a more environmentally friendly alternative,” she says. Poultry Patrol received funds for their robot. “They’re based in Coralville, and they’ve created a poultry tending robot to stimulate bird movement in turkey barns,: Kappleman says. She says the robot also alerts farmers to spills and bird health and maintenance issues.

“The robot support in the animal husbandry process keeps the turkeys healthier and saves farmers time and money. The company was awarded a 50-thousand dollars proof of commercial relevance loan,” she says. Fairfield’s Better Natural company also received a proof of commercial relevance loan. “And they developed a technology to integrate roof sheathing, roof cover and solar energy in one single layer. So this technology allows them to lower manufacturing and installation costs and create more visually appealing solar energy systems that look a whole lot like roofing tiles,” Kappleman says. The Board also approved two Community Attraction And Tourism Grants. “The Hoover Presidential Foundation was awarded 400-thousand dollars to redesign the 60 year old Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum,” she says.

A sports tourism award for 50-thousand dollars was approved to help Polk County promote the Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts Fight Night at Wells Fargo Arena.

(Radio Iowa) – The legislature is still tinkering with the governor’s plan to require that Iowa school districts adopt policies that restrict students from using smart phones when they’re in classes. Senator Lynn Evans, a Republican from Aurelia, says the bill is designed to give a nudge to Iowa public schools that haven’t developed a smart phone policy yet. “We’re encouraging school boards to take up a matter that we all know could be a problem, but it doesn’t take away local control,” Evans said. “It allows them to develop this policy in a manner that best fits their school district and addresses needs in their community.”

The bill won unanimous approval in the Senate yesterday (Monday). Senator Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames, notes the bill doesn’t prohibit cell phones during class, but calls for restrictions. “Most school districts have already adopted policies far more limiting than this bill, but if this bill encourages a few more to get on with it and adopt at least some minimalist policy I suppose that’s a good thing.”

The House approved a bill on the topic last week. Yesterday (Monday), senators added a requirement that Iowa’s Education Department provide model cell phone guidelines to schools by May 1st. The policies must be in place on July 1st. Senator Sarah Trone Garriott of Waukee and other Democrats argued the no-cell-phones-in-class requirement should apply to Iowa’s private schools, too. “It is good for kids whether they are in public schools or private schools, charter schools — whatever kinds of schools our state tax dollars are funding in some way,” she said.

Republican senators voted down that idea. Governor Reynolds also had recommended sixth, seventh and eighth grade students undergo social media training in school, but that proposal was removed from the bill by the House last week.

(Mondamin, Iowa) – A collision early this (Tuesday) morning in Harrison County resulted in two people being transported to the hospital. The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash happened at around 12:45-a.m. on Interstate 29 south at mile marker 92 (North of Mondamin).

The Patrol says a car and a semi were traveling southbound when the car went out of control and veered into the left lane, before returning to the right lane. The semi driver swerved into the left lane in an attempted to avoid contact with the car, but the truck struck the car on the rear, causing the vehicle to come to rest in the west ditch. The semi rolled over onto the driver’s side and came to rest partially in the west ditch and partially on the west shoulder of the interstate.

The driver of the car, 27-year-old Jonathan Terpstra, of Bellevue, NE, was flown by LifeNet to the UNMC in Omaha. The driver of the semi, 25-year-old Kreece Robinson, of Shepherd, MT, was transported by Mondamin Rescue to the hospital in Missouri Valley. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.

The crash remains under investigation. Deputies with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.