(Atlantic, Iowa) — Vision Atlantic officials, Thursday (Oct. 16th), welcomed the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors to the site of the Camblin Hills Development, where progress is underway on the housing project. Officials say the visit marked a significant milestone in the community’s growth, with construction now underway on the first condos and preparations actively being made for the upcoming tiny homes.

During the visit, Vision Atlantic President Christina Bateman shared updates on the residential construction timeline. Within the next 15–30 days, work will begin on the single-family homes, which will include:

• Homes ranging from 1,200–1,300 sq. ft. with 2-car garages and unfinished basements
• Larger, more custom homes between 1,800–1,900 sq. ft. featuring 3-car garages and unfinished basements
• Residential lots available for future custom builds, and,
• A planned three-story town home to be constructed at a later phase.

In total, 48 units are scheduled to be built this year, including 10 tiny homes and 38 homes available for sale. Vision Atlantic will announce when prospective buyers can begin submitting offers through local brokers and realtors.

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Vision Atlantic, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in 2022 with a clear and determined mission: to help reshape the future of Atlantic, Iowa, and foster a vibrant, thriving community for all. The organization is committed to building a strong foundation for generations to come by focusing on key areas that impact the daily lives of residents—housing, childcare, quality of life, and future development.

Nick Hunt also spoke on Vision Atlantic’s philanthropic mission, highlighting fundraising efforts for two cornerstone community projects: the Child Development Center and an expansion of the YMCA. To date, Vision Atlantic has reached 70% of its fundraising goal, with $27 million raised, led by a generous $8.6 million donation from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation.

Vision Atlantic continues to seek support through donations or 3–5 year pledges, which can be made in various forms including IRA contributions, grain donations, in-kind gifts, stock transfers, and more. The team is ready to assist anyone interested in contributing to these transformative initiatives.

“We’re building more than homes—we’re building a future for Atlantic,” said Hunt. “This development is a testament to what’s possible when community, vision, and generosity come together.”

To learn more about Vision Atlantic, please visit visionatlantic.org or contact the group at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board today (Friday) approved awards for a company expansion in Story City and a quality of life project in Tabor. The City of Tabor was awarded $90,000 to construct a splashpad at the city park with a walkway to connect it to the existing sports courts and fields. The enhanced features will support increased foot traffic and overall appeal for the park. The total project cost is $326,848.

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.

Established in 1902, the American Packaging Corporation in Story City creates custom packaging solutions for a variety of companies that offer food, beverage, healthcare, pet care, home care, lawn care and other consumer products. The company plans to construct a 20,000-square-foot addition to their Story City facility and acquire two large format bag machines and ancillary equipment.

The project represents a nearly $8 million capital investment and is expected to create 25 jobs, of which 13 are incented at $33.67 per hour. The board awarded the company tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.

(Radio Iowa) – State Representative Eddie Andrews — one of the Republicans who’s running for governor — says there are several pathways to the ultimate goal of getting rid of property taxes in Iowa — but the process will take time. “Obviously we can’t eliminate it on day one, or day three for that matter,” Andrews said. “We can set it up to phase out.” Andrews says there should be immediate relief for seniors and veterans, some of whom own their homes but cannot afford the property taxes. Andrews says he’s crunching the numbers on a plan that would phase out the property tax — and likely have the state of Iowa pick up the cost for some services local governments now provide.

“It’s is very doable,” Andrews said. “…Other states are now starting to talk about this as well.” Florida lawmakers have introduced a slate of bills this week that would completely eliminate property taxes in their state. Andrews is suggesting he’ll propose three different alternatives that would offset the loss of property tax revenue to local governments. “The simplest one that people talk about is simply increasing the sales tax,” Andrews says, “and letting all those vistors — and people who show up every four years for our Caucuses — help pay for that.”

Andrews, who is from Johnston, made his comments during a recent appearance on Iowa P-B-S. Andrews was first elected to the state legislature in 2020 and is in the middle of his third term in the Iowa House.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – In a statement to area media this (Friday) afternoon, Red Oak mayoral candidate John Haidsaik withdrew his name from consideration for the Nov. 4th election. Haidsaik said that while it’s too late to take his name off of the ballot, he is “No longer running for the office of Mayor in Red Oak,” and added his apology for what he “Said recently at the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council Conversation with The Candidates.” He said he “truly did not intend to offend anyone.”

Our story leading up to his decision follows….

The Red Oak Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a group of Red Oak High School students, hosted a conversation on Wednesday (Oct. 15th), with the mayoral and city council candidates, in advance of the November 4th City/School election. The event was held at the Red Oak Public Library, from 5-until 8-pm. None of the local media was invited to attend, or were in attendance. The forum included five young people, with their three advisors: Mayor Shawnna Silvius, Cynthia Bangston and David Dimmit.

Red Oak mayoral candidates present included John Haidsiak and Tim Fridolph. Red Oak City Council candidates included: Jeanice Lester and John Gross, running for the at-large position; Terry Koppa running for Ward 2, and Levi Franks, running for Ward 1. The youth had an opportunity to pose questions that each candidate could answer. One of the final questions was if they were elected how they would plan to deal with the poverty and drug use in the community.

In what appears to have been unedited audio of the entire event provided anonymously to the media, included answers to the question “What to do about drug abuse and mental health in Red Oak”. Mayoral candidate John Haidsiak responded “It’s a cruel fact, but people who’ve went through drug abuses, teenagers and young people, when they have children, they do two things. They get them involved, and they steal from ’em….”

Haidsaik compared the problem to a neighborhood full of rabid cats.

Haidsaik said “But, you know, it’s… People become little bit horrified when you talk about putting other people down. But life is life. You’re born, you’re gonna live, hopefully in a good way, then you’re gonna die. Nobody lives forever. The time of your death is… A lot of it’s predetermined by how you grow up and act in your younger years as to how good your older years are gonna be.”

He said that child “learns not to touch the stove because he knows it’ll burn his fingers. But if he’s never given that opportunity to learn, he never will. And after a certain amount of time, it, it’s too late to try to teach him because his mindset is already set. His vision is zeroed in on, uh, on what he wants to do, or what he thinks he’s going to do.”

Full audio of his response can be found here:

(A transcript of Haidsaik’s response to the question, What to do about mental health and drug abuse in Red Oak is as follows):

“It’s a cruel fact, but people who’ve went through drug abuses, teenagers and young people, when they have children, they do two things. They get them involved, and they steal from ’em. There’s… They’ve, they’ve got that habit so bad that that kid will go without before I go without. And it just escalates the problem to where there’s no reasonable fix-it solution other than mass extermination. I mean, you know, it’s…

If you’ve got a neighborhood full of rabid cats, you go out and shoot ’em, then you don’t have to worry about the rabid cats. But, you know, it’s… People become little bit horrified when you talk about putting other people down. But life is life. You’re born, you’re gonna live, hopefully in a good way, then you’re gonna die. Nobody lives forever. The time of your death is… A lot of it’s predetermined by how you grow up and act in your younger years as to how good your older years are gonna be.

So, you know, it’s… In a way, there’s a, there’s a cure, but, see, the cure just scares the living hell out of people. While they may agree with it, if you hand them a pencil and say, “Oh, no, no. Not me, not me,” I mean, they’ll, they’ll be for it until, until they got to be a part of it, and then it’s a different story. It… And it is a problem that’s handed down, because that child, when he’s young, has no idea or any conception of difference between right and wrong.

I mean, he learns by making mistakes. He learns not to touch the stove because he knows it’ll burn his fingers. But if he’s never given that opportunity to learn, he never will. And after a certain amount of time, it, it’s too late to try to teach him because his mindset is already set. His vision is zeroed in on, uh, on what he wants to do, or what he thinks he’s going to do. So, in, in a lot of instances, it’s…

Sorry to say it, but it’s too late to do anything. You just have to try to deal with it the best you can.”)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Community School District Director of Finance, Lisa Jones, at the request of school board candidate Justin Williams, provided a report on the District’s certified enrollment count which was due to the Iowa Dept of Education on Wednesday, October 15th. Jones said each year, the district counts all students enrolled as of October 1st. The count helps determine funding from the state for the following school year.

This year, according to Jones, total enrollment decreased by 107 students, as compared to last year. Most of the decline (65 students), she said, “is due to families moving out of the Atlantic area for reasons such as jobs or housing, outside of the school district’s control.” Jones said also, :It’s important to note that while the total number of resident students is down, our open enrolled-in students have increased (from 118 to 124) and open enrolled-out students have decreased (from 41 to 15)  which is very good news. ”

2026-27 students she said, generate $7,988 each but students can carry a different weighted funding depending on their program. This means Atlantic Community School District funding for next year will be affected differently than the headcount number, and, according to Lisa Jones, most likely reflects only a decrease of 79.09 students.

CLIVE, IOWA — The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) has crowned Hometown Heroes of Grinnell as the winner of the 2025 Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest. Located at 908 Main Street in downtown Grinnell, Iowa, this sports-grill-style restaurant is a gathering spot for community, good food, and local pride. Owner and executive chef Paul Durr said the recognition is both humbling and exciting for his team. “We’ve sold so many tenderloins since the contest started, it’s been incredible,” Durr said. “Our staff has worked so hard, and the community support has just blown us away. We’re so proud to win this award.” Phil Carey, retired chef and culinary instructor and one of the judges in the 2025 contest, praised the winning tenderloin in strong terms: “Hometown Heroes was one of the first ones that we judged, and as we (the judging panel) left, we agreed that this one would be hard to beat. The pork was tender and juicy; it was evenly pounded and well-seasoned… the pork was the star of the show! It was made complete by being served hot on a toasted bun. It’s a great sandwich!”

Opened in 2019 and owned by Paul and Kalyn Durr, along with partners Shannon and Todd Reding, Hometown Heroes blends comfort food with hometown spirit. Paul serves as executive chef and director of operations, with Kalyn overseeing marketing. Alex Phillips is the general manager handling day-to-day operations. The restaurant is part of the Prairie Hospitality Group, which also owns Prairie Canary, a farm-to-table establishment in Grinnell.

More than just a place to eat, Hometown Heroes is designed with the local community in mind. Inside, one wall is dedicated to athletes from nearby high schools and colleges who now represent the region on bigger stages. Other walls pay tribute to first responders, military service members, and those who have served the community in various “hero” roles. The restaurant is casual and energetic with a menu that leans toward bar/family comfort food: wings, burgers, sandwiches, and of course, the now celebrated pork tenderloin.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association is thrilled to officially present the coveted Iowa’s Best Tenderloin Award for 2025 at Hometown Heroes today (Friday) at noon! They will take home a $500 cash prize, a plaque, and a banner to showcase their achievement.

The 2025 runner-up is The 1854 in Gilbertville, Iowa. They’ll receive a $250 prize along with a plaque from the IPPA. Earlier this month, we also recognized several other outstanding finalists, who will receive top-five plaques in alphabetical order:

• Dexfield Diner & Pub – Redfield
• Sugar’s Lounge & Diner – Council Bluffs
• Walker’s – Salix

This tenderloin contest celebrates Iowa restaurants that feature hand-breaded or battered pork tenderloin as a staple on their menu. To qualify, establishments must be open year-round. Winners are unveiled every October in honor of National Pork Month, which pays tribute to the hard work and dedication of America’s pork producers.

Dairy Sweet in Dunlap was the 2024 winner, making it the first restaurant to win the title twice.

See the full list of past winners, dating back to 2003.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The American Legion Memorial Building is almost 100 years old. It has gone through many changes both in the interior and exterior since it was built in 1929 as a memorial for WWI veterans and the National Guard Armory. Learn the story of changes on Sunday, October 19 beginning at 2 pm at the Armory.

In addition to its main purpose, it has served the community in a wide variety of ways. Here are a few examples of uses. Before the “new” Atlantic High School was built in 1937 the drill floor was used as the gymnasium for wrestling and basketball. Community dances were held on a regular basis including one with Lawrence Welk providing the music. It housed the Coca Cola museum in their first years.

When the National Guard closed in 2001 it was sold to Atlantic for $1.00. The question was how it would be used or if it should be demolished. ARISE to the rescue to maintain and plan uses. The purpose of honoring veterans continues through the Military Museum and providing meeting space for veterans’ organizations and Civil Air Patrol. It also provides a large meeting room for community use.

Steve Livengood will give a PowerPoint presentation with before and after photographs of renovation and remodeling and a history of the American Legion Memorial Building this Sunday, October 19 beginning at 2 pm located at 201 Poplar street, Atlantic. It is sponsored by ARISE for everyone to attend. There is no fee and the building is handicapped accessible.

DES MOINES, Iowa (IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – Iowa’s largest health insurer, Wellmark Blue Cross-Blue Shield, is suing the Iowa insurance commissioner to block enforcement of a new state law that attempts to regulate pharmacy benefit managers. Earlier this year, state lawmakers and the governor approved Senate File 383, which regulates pharmacy benefit managers, employee benefit plans, insurance carriers, and other third-party payors that provide or administer prescription drug benefits.

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry filed a lawsuit in June to block enforcement of the new law. On July 21, 2025, a federal judge ruled the law was, in some respects, illegal and invalid and issued an injunction blocking its enforcement. However, that court ruling was limited in that it prevents the state from enforcing the law only against the plaintiff in the case, ABI, and its members and contractors.

In its newly filed lawsuit over Senate File 383, Wellmark notes that nowhere in the ABI ruling did the court suggest that non-parties to that case were precluded from similarly challenging any future enforcement efforts, although the injunction in the ABI case is currently on appeal to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. In its lawsuit against Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen, Wellmark says the scope of the injunction raises the question of whether Ommen can “legitimately seek to enforce” the new law.

Wellmark argues, on Sept. 24, 2025, Ommen issued guidance in the form of a bulletin indicating he believes he is “obligated” to enforce the new law “in its entirety” against all regulated entities who were not plaintiffs in the ABI case. In addition, Wellmark says, the commissioner recently asked Wellmark for information regarding the new law’s implementation, signaling possible investigatory and enforcement efforts. The insurer says its legal action will help prevent “many piecemeal complaints” being filed to extend the ruling in the ABI case to others who weren’t part of that lawsuit.

In addition to Wellmark Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Iowa, the plaintiffs in the case include affiliates Wellmark Inc., Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, and Wellmark of South Dakota. The Iowa Insurance Division and Ommen have yet to file a response to the lawsuit, and the Iowa Capital Dispatch was unable Thursday to reach the division’s spokesperson for comment.

Wellmark is Iowa’s largest provider of health insurance and related administrative services, and also is Iowa’s largest provider of health insurance for individuals, such as those served by the health insurance exchange through the Affordable Care Act. According to the company, through its plans and policies, Wellmark now serves more than 800,000 people in Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI-TV] — A Des Moines man has been arrested on multiple charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and invasion of privacy. 32-year-old Tyler Pavlick was booked into the Polk County Jail, Wednesday.

Des Moines police say they began an investigation shortly after 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 when officers were called to the Harvest & Handmade event at Water Works Park. Staff called police to report what appeared to be a recording device that had been placed in a toilet bowl of a portable toilet. Investigators found that the camera had recorded dozens of people entering and using the portable toilet, including children.

Detectives executed a search warrant this week at an East Village apartment and took Pavlick into custody. He is charged with seven counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and three counts of invasion of privacy.If you attended the Harvest & Handmade event Saturday, Oct. 4, at Water Works Park and believe you may have been recorded while using a portable toilet, you’re encouraged to contact Des Moines police at FCS@DMGOV.org. Authorities say evidence shows the device was in place for about six hours, beginning just before 10 a.m

In Marshall County, officials with the sheriff’s office say Pavlick is under investigation in a similar case from September. Investigators say someone placed a camera inside a porta-potty at a cross country meet Tuesday, Sept. 23, hosted by West Marshall. Ten schools participated in the meet held at Lincoln Valley Golf Course near State Center.

Those schools are:

• Ankeny Christian Academy
• Lynnville-Sully
• Colo-Nesco
• East Buchanan
• South Hamilton
• Collins-Maxwell
• Nevada
• West Marshall
• Baxter
• Colfax Mingo

Authorities say they believe the camera was in place for over an hour that day before it was found. Sheriff’s officials say officials at each school were notified about the discovery. Authorities estimate close to 50 victims and anticipate filing 90 to 100 counts of sexual exploitation and invasion of privacy.

Pavlick has not been charged in the Marshall County case.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says the updated prediction that state tax revenues will fall nine percent during the current state budget year is to be expected — due to the flat income tax that went into effect in January.   “When I took office, the (top) individual income tax rate was nearly 9%,” Reynolds says. “Today, it’s 3.8% and that’s how we’ve been able to help families address some of the factors from the Biden Administration: inflation, higher cost of living. We’re starting to bring those numbers down.”

The current year’s state budget now calls for spending one-point-three BILLION dollars more than the state is predicted to get in revenue. Reynolds says she and G-O-P lawmakers intentionally kept spending low over the past few years and stored up more than enough cash to cover that gap.