(Walnut, IA) – Officials with SWIPCO (The Southwest Iowa Planning Council) have announced a new childcare facility is on track to become a reality in Walnut, after SWIPCO helped secure a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the project.

The facility is set to be created in one wing of the current Peace Haven Retirement Home in Walnut and will be operated by a newly developed 501c3 organization called Play Haven. The total project cost is expected to be $1,030,000 and other funding includes a $500,000 grant from the Lakin Foundation. Play Haven has been doing fundraisers and collecting local donations to help cover the remaining amount needed to complete the project.

Obtaining childcare is a challenge in the region and this facility will be a big help to area residents looking for the service. Currently, a single in-home daycare provider exists in Walnut to serve a population that is estimated to have 85 children under the age of ten. That’s just the need within town. The Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral, a state-run organization focused on connecting families with quality childcare, shows that Pottawattamie County is facing a severe shortage of approximately 6,942 childcare slots to meet demand. The new Play Haven facility in Walnut is designed to serve up to 65 children.

Rachel Hamilton with Play Haven is very excited that this project is coming to life, “We’ve been working for three years towards this and it’s so exciting that is happening. I’m thrilled for our community. The partnership with Peace Haven will create such a positive impact on two vital age demographics, seniors and children.”

Access to safe, reliable, and high-quality childcare close to home will help eliminate the need for area residents to make long commutes for care or piecemeal care arrangements. This can also help working families reduce employment-related disruptions and support greater workforce participation in the region.

Hamilton said inspiration for the project came from her own children who have struggled to find childcare and were asking for help, saying “I think we need to look at this issue in a different way other than grandparents retiring early to take care of grandchildren.” That is how this dedicated group got started and eventually Peace Haven was brought up as a potential space. “When this conversation started there were close to a dozen Walnut residents expecting children, with limited childcare spaces to serve them,” said Hamilton.

A unique aspect of this project will be the opportunity to connect the youth and elderly populations with the connection to a retirement facility. Children and senior residents will participate in shared, structured activities to enrich quality of life and community connection for all involved. Hamilton said they’ve been working hard to make sure it’s a partnership that’s respectful of the residents and enriching for both groups.

The new Play Haven facility is also expected to create 10-12 new jobs, ranging from educators, assistants, and administrative staff. “This has an opportunity to impact the community on a larger scale as well. We’ve already been talking about the need for housing and the potential for wrap-around care, that can set the table for growth,” Hamilton said.

SWIPCO officials say they are proud to have helped obtain this important funding for a resource that should benefit the Walnut community for many years to come. Recently, a similar facility was completed in Malvern, with SWIPCO playing a key role in securing the necessary funding. As part of its commitment to community development, SWIPCO continues to collaborate with member cities and counties, supporting a wide range of grant programs to foster growth and innovation.

(Atlantic, IA) –  The Annual Grand Lighting Ceremony in Atlantic, sponsored by Akin Building Center and Coyote Willow Wind, will be tomorrow, Thursday, November 20th, at 5 PM at the Historic Rock Island Depot in Downtown Atlantic. “Atlantic continues to shine as one of Travel Iowa’s top destinations for celebrating the Christmas season, and the Grand Lighting plays a huge part in that,” said Kelsey Beschorner, Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. “More than 200,000 lights illuminate the trees along Chestnut Street and throughout City Park, creating a setting that feels absolutely enchanting for visitors and residents alike.”

Grand Lighting kicks off at 5 PM with a free hot dog meal, provided by Atlantic Hy-Vee. There will be free hot chocolate, sponsored by Masonic Lodge and Walmart, as well at the Chamber tent. Charlie Stogdill will DJ from 5 – 5:30 PM, with Santa making his special arrival at 5:30 PM to turn on the lights. He will see children in his cabin, sponsored by Atlantic Rotary Club, Akin Building Center, Coyote Willow Wind, Heritage House and Farmhouse & Flowers, from 6 PM – 7:30 PM.

“We couldn’t achieve this level of holiday magic without the incredible dedication of the Atlantic Street Department,” said Beschorner. “They have spent weeks trimming trees, rehanging lights, garland, and decorations across downtown and 7th Street, and they helped us add a few fun new features in City Park this year. Their hard work is a gift to the community, and we’re truly grateful for everything they do.”

Pick up a Christmas brochure from area retail businesses, ‘like’ the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook or follow on Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan) to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities and a printable version of the brochure at www.atlanticiowa.com.

Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook or Instagram pages. Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712-243-3017. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Gregg Young of Atlantic.

DES MOINES— Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, today (Wednesday), signed a proclamation related to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer, and manure. The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through December 19, 2025. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, soybean meal, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.

The proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.

(Radio Iowa) – A new study suggests year-round activities on the Iowa State fairgrounds in 2024 had a 629 MILLION dollar statewide economic impact. Iowa State Fair C-E-O Jeremy Parsons released the study’s results this (Wednesday) morning. “Iowans should be proud of their Fair, not only for what we do for the state socially, culturally, and in the news, but also economically,” Parsons said. A large part of the overall tally is the nearly 480 MILLION dollar impact of just the 11 day run of the 2024 state fair itself.

“In 2024, that number compared to the economic impact of the Kentucky Derby? $405 million. The economic impact of the men’s NCAA final four in San Antonio? $440 million,” Parsons said. That tally for the 2024 fair does not include how much vendors made selling food, drinks and other items during the Fair, which would significantly boost the overall figure. This is the first-ever study of the financial ripples the state fair’s year-round operations create. Nearly 700-thousand out of town visitors came through the gates for the 2024 Iowa State Fair, creating demand for tens of thousands of hotel rooms, plus there were more than 200 events on the fairgrounds throughout the rest year. “We want to be more than a big neighbor on the east side of Des Moines,” Parsons said. “We want to be a good neighbor.”

Parsons says the information will help officials plan for the future — and the 175th Iowa State Fair in 2029.

(Atlantic, IA) –  Welcoming the season with hometown pride and holiday sparkle, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the launch of Christmas in Atlantic apparel! Limited-edition crew-neck sweatshirts celebrating the community known as one of the best Christmas towns in Iowa. The new Gildan Unisex Heavy Blend Crewneck Sweatshirts, starting at $30, are available in three classic holiday colors red, green, and sand, the cozy sweatshirts feature a cheerful design reading “Merry Christmas from Atlantic, Iowa” alongside a charming outline of Iowa adorned with holly. The look is festive, nostalgic, and full of small-town pride. The special-edition sweatshirts will be available now through November 30th, with a tentative ship date of December 10th. Customers may select local pickup at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce or ship directly to family and friends, making it easy to send “a Christmas hug from home” to loved ones near and far.

“This is something we’ve dreamed about offering for years,” said the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. “Our ornaments and mugs have become beloved holiday staples, and adding apparel felt like the perfect next step. It’s a way for anyone with ties to Atlantic to wear a bit of home during the most magical time of year,” said Kelsey Beschorner, Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. The launch builds on Atlantic’s reputation as a can’t-miss Christmas destination, from the dazzling Downtown lights and the Santa Cabin in City Park to carriage rides, the lighted parade, and a strong tradition of supporting local shopping.

The sweatshirts are part of the Chamber’s Holiday Shop line and will be offered only for a limited time. Community members, past and present, are encouraged to order early to guarantee availability. To purchase the Christmas in Atlantic sweatshirt or learn more about Christmas in Atlantic, visit: www.atlanticiowa.com.

Pick up your Christmas brochure from area retail businesses, ‘like’ the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Instagram to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities and a printable version of the brochure at www.atlanticiowa.com.

Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712-243-3017. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Gregg Young of Atlantic.

(Radio Iowa) – As president pro-tempore of the U-S Senate, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he’ll put his signature on the legislation to release the so-called Epstein files before the bill is sent on to President Trump later today (Wednesday). The Senate agreed to unanimously approve the bill, so there won’t be any individual votes to be made public. Grassley says if he was given the opportunity to vote on it, he would have voted “yes,” as these files have been the topic of discussion for years. “Iowans didn’t want the delay,” Grassley says. “This is going to loosen up information I’ve been trying to get ever since Epstein was first arrested, or the second time he was arrested in 2019. That’s how long I’ve been trying to get some of these records.”

Financier Jeffery Epstein was convicted of sex crimes in 2008, and died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges for sex trafficking minors in Florida and New York. During a conference call with Iowa reporters at 8 A-M Central, Grassley said he wasn’t sure how soon it would be before the Senate acted on the legislation. “We don’t have the bill going to the president yet because we haven’t received it from the House,” he says. “Then it has to be enrolled and I have to sign it as president pro tem of the Senate, and then it’ll go to the president for his signature.” House Speaker Mike Johnson says there are flaws in the bill, and Grassley was asked if he sees anything wrong with it.

“The president said he would sign the legislation. If there’s something needs to be some changes later on, not in regard to the records being released on Epstein, there’s no dissenting views on that in the Senate,” Grassley says. “There might be some dissenting views on the policy changes that were made, but that would have to be done now in separate legislation.”

Under the bill, U-S Attorney General Pam Bondi will be tasked with releasing all “unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials” related to Epstein at the Department of Justice within 30 days.

(Griswold, IA) — The Griswold Community School District’s Board of Education met Monday evening and approved two new hires. Superintendent Dave Henrichs told KJAN the new hires include Bindy Paige and Mason Anstey.

Henrichs said the Board also continued their discussion on establishing a 4-day School Week, but no action was taken.

The next step, he said, is for Griswold School Board members to take home the information they received during Monday’s meeting, and study it before they submit their questions or thoughts to the committee tasked with researching the prospect of a 4-day school week.

Superintendent Henrichs said the Griswold School Board voted to increase the price for school meals, because the District was losing money. During COVID, school hot lunch programs received State and Federal funding, along with reimbursement for meals, and lower food costs. That isn’t the case today, and now the Griswold School District is anticipating and end-of-year hot lunch program deficit -if nothing changes – of $47,000. He says “that’s just something that we really can’t have.”

Dave Henrichs says Pre K through 12 breakfast will go from $2.00 to $2.15. The cost of Pre K through 5th grade lunches increases to $3.00 from $2.70, and lunch for grades 6 through 12 will increase 3-cents, to $3.20. A la carte items will increase 10- to 15-cents apiece. All changes are effective January 1st, 2026. Henrichs was asked if people can help reduce the school nutrition deficit with a donation. He said “We always accept those donations.”

The bottom line, is that no student who wants lunch, will go without, regardless of ability to pay. “The last thing we want to do is have kids go hungry.” In other business, the Griswold School Board cast their ballot for AEA Director District 2 in support of John Gans, out of Red Oak.

(Atlantic, IA) – Cass/Guthrie County Environmental Health Executive Director Jotham Arber, Tuesday morning, provided a monthly report to the Cass County Board of Supervisors. Arber said they’re coming to a close of the perc (percolation) test season. A perc test determines how quickly soil absorbs water, a critical step before installing a septic system.

He said also, they’re working on their radon detection project.

Radon is an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that forms from the natural decay of uranium in soil and rocks. It can accumulate in buildings, posing a health risk, particularly lung cancer, as it is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Jotham Arber said they suggest people test in multiple areas of their homes, for multiple days.

He said they have ordered 12 devices for testing that should arrive by the end of this month.

He noted, older homes that are breezier, tend to have lower radon levels…until they are sealed for the winter. Once they are sealed-up the radon tends to pool in a home more than if there is good air flow. Arber says the latest radon testing devices are Wi-Fi enabled, so the readings are transmitted directly to the Environmental Health Department. The ultimate goal of getting the test results, he says, in addition to learning where the higher concentration of radon is found, is to try and get a local database of radon mitigators.

Jotham Arber says radon awareness is an important enough issue that his office, which also covers Adair and Audubon Counties, is taking it on separately from the State level.

(Creston, IA) – A man and woman from Creston were arrested on separate charges, Tuesday. According to the Creston Police Department, 39-year-old Joshua Zachary Mohr was arrested at around 8:10-p.m. in the 1300 block of W. Mills Street. Mohr was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense – causing bodily injury. He was transported to the Union County Jail and held without bond pending a court appearance.

And, at around 6-p.m., Tuesday, 30-year-old Taylor Dawn Flemming was arrested at the intersection of Summit and Chestnut Streets, in Creston. Flemming was charged with Disorderly Conduct (for loud raucous noise), Violation of a No Contact Order, and Harassment in the 2nd Degree, for allegedly threatening bodily injury. Flemming was transported to the Union County Jail for processing, then transferred to the Ringgold County Jail and held without bond, pending a court appearance.