(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Senior Life Solutions conference room in Greenfield will be the site for a discussion on cancer, Monday afternoon. Experts from the Iowa Cancer Registry will be on-hand to discuss cancer trends, statistics, and risk factors in Adair County. Their information includes findings in the “Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project.”

The event is free and lunch will be available at no cost, with your free registration by no later than July 3rd. The discussion will be held from Noon until 1-p.m., on July 7^th. It will also be livestreamed via Zoom.

To register, scan this QR code:

(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – A Hawkeye Community College program that has served Waterloo residents for nearly 50 years has been forced to halt activity after its federal funding was placed on hold, leaving close to 90 people without aid or a consistent, friendly face. The community college announced this week its Senior Companion Program, an Americorps-funded initiative, has paused operation as its funding is being held and reviewed by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Hawkeye Community College Provost Lynn LaGrone said.

Americorps provides funds for programs working with volunteers ages 55 and older to help older adults with special needs live independently and comfortably through the Senior Companion Program. At Hawkeye Community College, LaGrone said the program operates with a $500,000 budget, $400,000 of which comes from Americorps. College officials, program participants and clients are waiting and hoping the program is deemed valuable enough to the community to get the funding that was already approved by Congress.

Hawkeye Community College has offered the program since 1976, LaGrone said. Before the halt of operations, 52 senior companions helped 78 clients with what they needed most, whether it be transportation, cleaning or just camaraderie. With other federal grant uncertainty in higher education, she said the college was aware this could happen. To ensure clients are aware of what’s going on and understand why their companions are no longer stopping by as usual, Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing Mary Pat Moore said the program head is calling each client personally to “let them know that we’re not abandoning them” and provide advice and resources to try to fill the gap.

(From left) John Bruce Jr., Vicky Buss, Gloria Morgan and Alice Reed celebrate a milestone in volunteering for the Hawkeye Community College Senior Companion Program. (Photo courtesy of Hawkeye Community College)

Vicky Buss, a second-generation companion who followed in her mother’s footsteps, said she gets paid $4 an hour to meet with three clients multiple times each week. What she does depends on the client’s wishes and needs, she said, but they are always overjoyed to see her stop by and sad to see her go. “It’s not the money, per se, but it’s just that I feel like these people are people, human beings, and they need the companionship, they need the hugs, they need the caring, you know, and they don’t get that other (than) from us,” Buss said. With many of the clients homebound and volunteers all being older adults, the program helps alleviate isolation alongside more practical problems.

The college has started exploring other funding options in case its federal dollars are permanently lost, but LaGrone said she is remaining “cautiously optimistic” that the funds will be released and the program can continue on like normal. As one of the college’s oldest programs, the community doesn’t want to let it slip away. Some of the companions are still going out to visit their clients, on their own time and dime, LaGrone said, because of the deep connections and caring the program has facilitated. Buss said she plans to keep seeing at least one of her clients, who has cerebral palsy and always cries when she has to leave. “I just don’t understand why the government ain’t working with us and helping us out to help them, because in the long run, we’re helping them out, keeping people in their homes,” Buss said.

(Radio Iowa) – The gates open at the Iowa State Fairgrounds at noon today in advance of tonight’s (Thursday night’s) appearance by President Trump. He’s expected to offer some details about plans for the year-long celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, culminating one year and one day from now. What’s being billed as a “monumental celebration” is planned on July 4th of 2026. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says Iowa is the perfect place to launch the star-spangled event. “We’re first in pork. We’re first in corn, first in eggs,” Grassley says, “and Iowa is going to be first in starting the one-year celebration leading up to the 250th anniversary of our signing of the Declaration of Independence.”

Iowa promises to be the centerpiece of the celebration, with events to be staged in all 50 states and all U.S. territories. Grassley says he’s looking forward to hearing more about the national plan and Iowa’s role in it. “I will be there listening to the president, maybe having a short few remarks to give before he arrives,” Grassley says. “I’m proud to help celebrate and particularly have the president and start this one-year celebration here in Iowa.”

Tonight’s event at the fairgrounds in Des Moines is free, but tickets are required in advance at America250.org. The program is scheduled to start at 5 PM with Trump’s speech slated for 7:30, to be followed by fireworks. It’s Trump’s first visit to Iowa since he returned to the White House.

(Pocahontas, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in northwest Iowa’s Pocahontas County report a man was arrested June 22nd for allegedly assaulting another man with a machete. Deputies responding to the scene in Rolfe at around 12:30-a.m., located a man who had suffered minor injuries during the incident. Upon further investigation, 38-year-old David Pineda Medrano was arrested, and charged with: Going armed with intent – a Class D Felony; 1st Degree Harassment – an Aggravated Misdemeanor, and Assault causing bodily injury – a Serious Misdemeanor.

His preliminary hearing was held Wednesday (July 2nd). Medrano is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges July 28th.

(Exira, Iowa) – The City of Exira’s 160^th Annual 4^th of July Celebration spans four days, and is packed with all sorts of family friendly fun, food and entertainment. Exira Community Club member Megan Anderson says they began planning for the festivities at the beginning of the year. Some events were held June 27^th through the 29^th. The bulk of the activities are taking place this weekend.

The 160^th Annual Exira 4^th of July Parade, featuring Grand Marshals Randy and Becky Thompson, long-time community supporters, takes place Saturday, beginning at 10:30-a.m., at the Legion Ballpark Shelter. The parade route in unchanged from years past. There’s an abundance of food available all throughout the holiday weekend, including selections from local restaurants.

Thursday’s events include a 5-p.m. Community BBQ in the Exira City Park, a Kiddie Parade at the City Park Gazebo, Community Beer Garden at the City Park from 5-until 8-p.m., carnival amusements, live music and a street dance. Friday’s activities ramp-up beginning at 9-a.m., with the foot races in front of the Exira Dollar General Store. Everyone is invited to participate.

The celebration continues Saturday, with a slow-pitch softball game at the Legion Ballpark, the “Stars of Exira” talent show at the City Park Gazebo, with the winners moving-on to the Iowa State Fair’s Bill Riley Talent Show. And, there is a family friendly Sand Volleyball Tournament at the sand court at El Compadre Mexican Restaurant. The weekend celebrations wind-down Sunday, but not before an ecumenical church service is held in the Exira City Park, beginning at 10:30-a.m. Master Grillers will serve food from 11-a.m. Until 1-p.m. At the old fire hall, and an Alumni Coffee takes place in the Exira Lion’s Building, beginning at 2-p.m.

For more information, see the attached flyer, or follow the Exira Community Club on Facebook.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Several matters were brought-up during the Council Committee reports portion of the Atlantic City Council’s meeting, Wednesday evening (July 2nd), at City Hall in Atlantic. Councilman Shawn Sarsfield urged persons on scooters to be cautious on city streets, where there are construction projects underway.

City Engineer Dave Sturm echoed Sarsfield’s warnings, and provided an update on some of the current, ongoing street work.

Councilman Gerald Brink asked if there is anything the City can do about the increasing stray cat population. Councilperson Emily Kennedy and Police Chief Devin Hogue added to the discussion.

Councilman Mike McDermott updated the Council on a model solar system project planned for the Schildberg Recreation Area.

And, Vision Atlantic President Christina Bateman provided an update on the Camblin Hills housing development project.

The first phase includes 48 new housing units consisting of ten tiny homes, and the rest are houses with 1,200 square feet of living space. The entire housing project includes 142 mixed housing units, a 300-capacity childcare center, and the expansion of the YMCA. In other news, Councilperson Kennedy said the average attendance at the Sunnyside Pool is up so far this season, from previous years.

(Oakland, Iowa) – Independence Day celebrations will take place Friday and Saturday, in the Oakland-Riverside area. Kari Rose says organizers are excited for all the activities, which include communities in the Oakland-Riverside School District.

The first of the two-day festivities begin Friday morning at the Oakland Fire Station, and run through the end of the day.

The 4th of July Parade will begin at 5-p.m. Friday. (See the full schedule of events below) The day concludes with fireworks at dark. If you’re not too exhausted from all the fun packed into Friday, wake up to coffee and breakfast from 7-until 10-a.m. Saturday, along with a Bloody Mary bar.

The day concludes with a Street Dance on Main Street in Oakland, Saturday, from 8-p.m until midnight. Outside of the food and drinks, all the activities are free. Kari Rose said they hope to continue with the family friendly events in the years to come.

(Creston, Iowa) – Two people were arrested on separate charges, Wednesday, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, 43-year-old Nicholas Allen Foltz, of Creston, was arrested at around 7-a.m., for Driving While License Suspended. Foltz was cited and released on a Promise to Appear.

And, at around 9:45-a.m., Wednesday, 34-year-old Alex Richard Cunningham, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center, for Failure to Appear. Cunningham was taken to Union County Jail and later released after posting a $2,400 cash or surety bond.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Police Department reports a woman was arrested this (Thursday) morning, on an assault charge. Authorities say 43-year-old Jessi Elaine Gaunt, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 1:15-a.m. in the 1600 block of E. Summit Street, for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense – a Simple Misdemeanor. Gaunt was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking informal comments on administrative rules for ginseng harvesting and sale.  Executive Order 10 (EO10), signed by the Governor on January 10, 2023, requires all state agencies to identify which administrative rule chapters will be retained or rescinded. The EO10 process includes public engagement with the opportunity for meaningful input.   The Iowa DNR has reviewed 571 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) Chapter 78 titled Ginseng Harvesting and Sale. This chapter has been revised to eliminate redundancies, improve efficiency, and provide clarification and consistency with federal rules as managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Ginseng in autumn color with the minimum “3 prongs” required for legal harvest (ISU Ext. photo)

The public is invited to provide informal comments on the proposed rule changes. DNR will accept written comments through July 16, 2025. Written comments or questions regarding the proposed rule should be submitted to: Karmin.Klingenberg@dnr.iowa.gov. Comments should be made to specific  portions of the rule.  After receiving and reviewing informal comments, the DNR will create a draft Regulatory Analysis and draft Notice of Intended Action. The DNR will host a formal public comment period for these drafts, followed by a public hearing in September 2025.

Drafts of the rule, including a “clean” copy and a version showing revisions, can be found on the DNR webpage: www.iowadnr.gov/eo10.