(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board, today (Friday) announced two western Iowa communities were awarded CAT (Community Attraction and Tourism) grants totaling $97,000. Officials say the City of Lenox was awarded $62,000 to pave a three-quarters mile, eight-foot-wide trail. The project combines previously completed sections of an existing trail, totaling nearly three miles. It will connect the trail to the community, offering a more walkable and safe outdoor experience. Total project cost is $313,000.

And, the Cherokee County Conservation Board was awarded $35,000 to construct a trap field support building at the Licklider Shooting Complex in Cherokee. The project will create the necessary viewing areas and modern amenities for spectators during public use and events, including youth shooting competitions that can draw people from the community and region. Total project cost is $185,000.

The CAT program provides financial assistance to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the CAT Review Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

The IEDA Board also approved a job creation award for a manufacturer in Sioux Center and four awards aimed at enhancing quality of life and tourism opportunities in the state. The community development grants support two Destination Iowa projects in Des Moines and Manly, and two Sports Tourism events in Newton. See the details below:

Service Trucks International to expand in Sioux Center
Service Trucks International, Inc. manufactures truck bodies used in the mobile equipment repair industry. The company plans to increase capacity at their Sioux Center facility with the construction of a 56,000-square-foot building for the manufacturing of their Tiger Cranes telescoping service cranes, personnel support, indoor product testing and outbound shipping. The project represents a capital investment of $9 million and is expected to create six jobs, of which two are incented at a qualifying wage of $26.24 per hour. The board awarded the company tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.

Destination Iowa grants awarded to two projects
The Iowa Soccer Development Foundation plans to build the Pro Iowa Soccer Stadium and Global Plaza. The stadium will house Iowa’s first professional soccer teams and be available to host public events year-round. The four-acre plaza will be a public space for pre- and post-game gatherings and community cultural festivals. When open, the annual economic impact of the stadium is expected to be $13.9 million and the plaza to be $1.3 million. The $79 million project was awarded a $5 million grant.

The Manly Junction Railroad Museum, Inc. is dedicated to preserving the railroad legacy with the construction of a new 19,500-square-foot facility to house the museum and event center, which is expected to attract at least 10,000 visitors per year. The museum will share the history of the rail industry and its impact on the development of the Midwest through unique exhibits, artifacts, tracks and equipment. The event area will seat up to 150 people with outdoor space as well. The nearly $7.3 million project was awarded a $1.818 million grant.

The Destination Iowa program invests in transformational attractions that will bolster the quality of life and attract visitors and new residents. It helps Iowa communities make strategic investments to create and support infrastructure projects for lasting tourism opportunities. Award recommendations for these funds are made by an internal and external review committee and presented to the IEDA Board for approval.

Sports Tourism grants awarded to two events
Newton Community Events, Inc. was awarded $437,500 for the INDYCAR Race Weekend, a double header race event on the national series schedule. Promotion of the two-day event will include national TV, radio and digital ads, targeting motorsports fans and the growth of new fans. The total project cost is $875,000.

Newton Community Events, Inc. was also awarded $50,000 for the NASCAR Cup Series Weekend, featuring three races and other related activities at the Iowa Speedway. The three-day event will focus on local promotions and expand out of state for digital ads. The total project cost is $100,000.

The Sports Tourism program provides financial assistance for projects that market or promote professional, collegiate or amateur level sporting events in Iowa. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the Sports Tourism Review Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

(Atlantic, Iowa)—The Cass Health Foundation will host their annual fundraising gala on Saturday, March 29th, at the Atlantic Golf & Country Club. The Foundation is currently fundraising to support Cass Health workforce development and educational programs, including the Nursing Apprenticeship Program. Beth Spieker (Speaker), Cass Health Director of Community & Guest Relations, says “The Foundation shifted gears a bit from past fundraisers that have focused on equipment purchases. This year we are dedicating the funds raised to support students in healthcare programs, because we believe it is important to invest in building, supporting, and training the next generation of nurses.

The fundraiser includes dinner, dessert auction, games, and a DJ. The Kentucky Derby is the inspiration for the theme this year, and attendees are encouraged to wear Derby-inspired outfits and hats.

Tickets to the event are limited and available through table sponsorships; RSVPs are due by March 1st. For more information, please call Beth Spieker at 712-243-7545 or visit casshealth.org/donors/gala to view the details or pay online.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Glenwood Police Department report a woman from Glenwood was arrested Thursday on Domestic Assault and for three counts of Child Endangerment. 32-year-old Summer McGargill was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail. Glenwood Police on Thursday also arrested 20-year-old Christian Caskey, of Glenwood, on a Mills County warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $2,000.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Cass Health in Atlantic have announced the facility was recently named one of the 2025 Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. Chartis’ annual Top 100 award program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®.

Chartis Executive Director Michael Tochik says “The Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals award program elevates the very best performers and helps create a roadmap for those seeking to improve financial and operational performance while continuing to care for the communities they serve.” Tochik said also, “This is our 15th year recognizing the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this milestone with this year’s winners.”

The INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is utilized nationwide by rural hospitals, health systems with rural affiliates, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — A 19-year-old who pleaded guilty to multiple crimes in a crash that killed a Des Moines couple was recently sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. Kameron Wright was convicted of vehicular homicide and operating while intoxicated in the deadly 2023 crash. It happened on East University near the Iowa State Fairgrounds in November of that year. Wright was also ordered to pay $300,000 in restitution. 76-year-old Fred Lehman and his wife, 79-year-old Mary Lehman, were killed in the crash. Officials say Wright apologized during his sentencing, saying his selfishness killed the Lehmans.

Several family members of the Lehmans gave victim impact statements at sentencing, including the couple’s daughter, Michelle Vry, who said her parents would believed in second chances, but also accountability for one’s actions.

Vry said her parents would have forgiven Wright, and she does as well.

(Radio Iowa) – The sweeping federal layoffs in recent days included caretakers for thousands of poultry and herd animals at the USDA National Centers for Animal Health in Ames. The facility is at the forefront of foreign disease diagnostics and livestock vaccine research, including developing a bird flu vaccine for dairy cows. A scientist at the facility, who is identified only as “A” over concerns about their job, says 55 people were escorted off the campus last Friday. “People were pulled from every department, but especially the animal caretakers,” “A” says. “They were disproportionately affected, and they are a small team to begin with.”

The scientist says employees are trying to fill in the gaps with their own unpaid work, but there are discussions about culling animals if they cannot be cared for humanely. “A” says dozens of people have lost their jobs even though many had glowing performance reviews. “I’ve had so many sleepless nights. I mean, that’s all of us,” “A” says. “I can’t stress that enough how hard this has been on everyone mentally.”

The Ames lab also works on vaccine regulations, and does testing on milk samples for bird flu and screening of vaccines companies develop for cats and dogs. “A lot of people don’t realize just how much happens in this one facility,” “A” says.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said, in a press release, says she welcomes the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce federal spending and that the USDA is aggressively “eliminating positions that are no longer necessary.”

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The driver of a pickup truck was cited late Thursday morning, following a collision at the intersection of N. 4th and E. Valley Streets, in Red Oak. No injuries were reported. According to Red Oak Police, 76-year-old Darrell Roberts, of Red Oak, was driving a 2000 Toyota Tundra pickup too fast for conditions as he was traveling westbound on Valley Street at around 10:50-a.m.  The pickup was unable to stop on the icy road surface and entered the intersection, where it was struck on the driver’s side by a 2015 Ford Mustang. The car was being driven by 42-year-old Ronald Bingham, of Red Oak.

Damage from the collision amounted to a police-estimated $9,000 altogether (Minor damage). Both vehicles were able to be driven from the scene. Police cited Roberts for Failure to Yield at the yield sign.

(Creston, Iowa) – A traffic stop in Creston, Thursday afternoon, resulted in the arrest of a man wanted on a warrant. According to the Creston Police Department, 39-year-old Shane Curtis White, of Creston, was arrested at around 4:20-p.m. and charged with Driving While Barred. White was also arrested on an outside Warrant for Driving While Barred.

He was taken to Union County Jail and later posted bond before being released.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department, Thursday, said no one was injured during a collision that happened Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of Union and Elm Streets, in Creston. Authorities say a 2007 KIA Rio driven by 18-year-old Landyn Graham, of Creston, was stopped at the posted intersection, facing east on Union Street. When Graham pulled away from the stop sign and attempted to turn left onto Elm Street, his vehicle struck a 2004 Chevy Avalanche pickup that was traveling north on Elm Street, and was being driven by 52-year-old Terry McKinney, of Creston. The pickup had the right-of-way. The accident happened a little after 3-p.m. Graham told Creston Police that he looked, but didn’t see the approaching pickup. Damage from the collision amounted to $2,000 altogether. No citations were issued.

And, mid-morning, Thursday, vehicles driven by 63-year-old Gregory Weis, of Prescott, and 66-year-old Gary Kauffman, of Lorimor, collided in Creston. The damage amounted to $5,500 altogether, but no one was hurt. Creston Police report a 2024 GMC pickup driven by Gregory Weis, was traveling west on Clark Street at around 10-a.m., Thursday, when the vehicle struck a 2015 Dodge SUV driven by Kauffman. The accident happened the T-intersection of Clark and Division Streets as Weis attempted to turn onto Division Street.

Weis told authorities he looked, but didn’t see Kauffman’s SUV approaching as it was traveling south on Division. No citations were issued.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – An accident Thursday afternoon in Red Oak caused a police-estimated total of $2,000 damage, but no one was injured. The Red Oak Police Department reports 24-year-old Thomas Blocker, of Griswold, was traveling west on Joy Street in Red Oak at around 2:40-p.m., Thursday,when, due to slick road conditions, he lost control of the 2014 Dodge Charger he was driving. The car drove up onto the south tree border and struck a City of Red Oak No Parking sign (Valued at $500). The car sustained $1,500 (minor) damage.

Authorities say Blocker was issued a warning for Failure to Maintain Control.