TAG SEARCH RESULTS FOR: ""

Iowa approves money for 7 recreational projects across the state

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)

The state Transportation Commission has approved funding for several existing recreational trails, and some new ones. The DOT’s Scott Flagg oversees the trail program and says one project will link the Raccoon River Valley Trail to the High Trestle Trail in central Iowa. “Once that’s complete, you’re gonna be able to get on a bike in West Des Moines and you could potentially ride it and go around the whole loop around Des Moines into Ames and all those towns in between. So that’s a pretty big connection,” he says. That project is getting $675,000.

Jasper County is receiving nearly $500,000 for the Red Rock Prairie Trail.  “It’s going to connect Prairie City to Mitchellville and that’s going to add another, I think is existing nine-mile trail right now, so we’ll have a 16-mile trail and you’re gonna make a couple of connections into some smaller communities,” he says. “And then also bring people access, they want to get into like the Neil Smith Wildlife Refuge and some of the different features and sites you can visit.”

The Fontana Park Learning and Discovery Trail project is getting $238,000. “That’s in Buchanan County. And they have an existing kind like a bison learning area that they’re putting the trail in,” Flagg says. “In addition they’re also building a trailhead, and then they’re also including a restroom facility in that as well.” Phase two of the Little River Scenic Pathway is receiving $346,913 in funding. “That’s down there in Decatur County. And I know we have previously funded a project down there a couple of years ago. And so this is an extension of that project,” he says. “It’s near the town of Leon and they’re also going to be building this future county conservation building that’s going to have a lot of different features for like local school groups, and people that are interested in different animals inside the county and things like.”

Phase two of the Ballpark to Ballpark Shelby County Trail Phase was awarded $463,000 “It’s a great project, because that’s an area where there may not be a lot of existing trails. And so they’re building that infrastructure out right now and they’re hoping you can connect to the neighboring town,” Flagg says.

Polk County won funding for a mountain bike park. Flagg says these types of parks can bring in a lot of people. “There’s huge one down in northwest Arkansas, it’s a pretty big draw, you know, nationally, internationally,” Flagg says. “The hope there is to also bring folks into Des Moines that are interested in mountain biking.” He says the facility will offer a lot of different things for bikers. “There’s like ramps, there’s all kinds of different different courses you can run, different challenges,” he says. That project is getting $400,000.

The State Recreational Trails Program requires 25% of the project to be paid for by the city or county getting the funds. Flagg says they had 44 applications requesting more than 21 million dollars in this round.

Students First ESA applications for 2023-2024 closed; 18,893 applications approved

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES – Today, the Iowa Department of Education announced that 18,893 Students First education savings accounts (ESAs) were approved by the Sept. 30 program close date. ESA accounts for applicants who did not meet this deadline are closed for the school year and the funds will remain in the state’s general fund.

Out of all ESA applications submitted by the June 30 application deadline, 5,927 applications were denied based on not meeting residency or household income requirements. Another 4,792 applications were closed, primarily if they were duplicates or if the applicant made the request.

A breakdown of approved applications by county is as follows:

  • Counties with 1,000+: Sioux, 1,200; Scott, 1,309; Linn, 1,344; and Polk 3,179.
  • Counties with 500-999: Dallas, 508; Johnson, 585; Dubuque, 892; Woodbury, 930; and Black Hawk, 955.
  • Counties with 300-499: Marion, 300; Cerro Gordo, 354; Webster, 372; Pottawattamie, 403; Plymouth, 415; and Carroll, 438.
  • Counties with 200-299: Lee, 212; Clinton, 228; Marshall, 231; O’Brien, 257; and Delaware, 284.
  • Counties with 100-199: Allamakee, 113; Story, 113; Jones, 114; Jefferson, 115; Wapello, 115; Floyd, 116; Bremer, 118; Washington, 142; Clay, 143; Jasper, 144; Jackson, 148; Crawford, 154; Buena Vista, 154; Des Moines, 156; Muscatine, 160; Winneshiek, 168; Boone, 176; Kossuth, 184; Mahaska, 191; Lyon, 198; and Warren, 199.
  • Counties with 50-99: Hamilton, 50; Union, 51; Poweshiek, 55; Iowa, 66; Benton, 71; Palo Alto, 75; Humboldt, 83; Howard, 89; Buchanan, 99.
  • Counties with 25-49: Clayton, 25; Franklin, 26; Butler 27; Winnebago, 27; Sac, 29; Calhoun, 30; Madison, 35; Fayette, 37; Pocahontas, 43; Chickasaw, 46; Page, 49; and Shelby, 49.
  • Counties with 1-24: Emmet, 1; Cass, 1; Clarke, 2; Montgomery, 2; Monroe, 2; Wayne, 2; Fremont, 2; Mitchell, 3; Guthrie, 3; Appanoose, 3; Taylor, 4; Van Buren, 4; Adams, 5;  Tama, 7; Wright, 7; Davis, 7; Audubon, 7; Lucas, 7; Keokuk, 8; Worth, 8; Greene, 9; Harrison, 10;  Dickinson, 12; Monona, 13; Ida, 14; Adair, 15; Cherokee, 17; Hardin, 17; Osceola, 18; Henry, 18; Mills, 21; Grundy, 21; Hancock, 22; and Cedar, 22.
  • Counties with no approved applications: Decatur, Louisa, and Ringgold.

Enrollment will be confirmed through the state’s certified enrollment process, which schools are required to report by Oct. 15. Details about ESA program participants will be available after certified school enrollment numbers are finalized in December, per the department’s standard practice.

Ottumwa Announces Trout Stocking on October 23

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OTTUMWA — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be stocking 1,500 rainbow trout in the pond at the east side of Wapello street by the orange and blue playground equipment on Thursday October 26, 2023 at 10:30 A.M. All Iowa fishing regulations apply at the pond.   There is a bag limit of 5 trout per day; the possession limit is 10.  There is no fishing derby for this stocking.

The Ottumwa Park Department has partnered with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to improve fishing in the ponds in Ottumwa Park.   The Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau has been involved in trout stocking in urban areas for over 30 years in an effort to introduce trout fishing to more anglers across the state.   More information about fishing in Iowa, including licensing and the urban trout-stocking program can be found online at www.iowadnr.gov.

Hollywood studios break off strike talks with actors, who slam ‘bullying tactics’

Posted on by Sam Parsons

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Talks bitterly broke off between Hollywood actors and studios late Wednesday, killing any hopes that the three-month strike by performers would come to an end anytime soon.

The studios announced that they had suspended contract negotiations, saying the gap between the two sides was too great to make continuing worth it, despite an offer as good as the one that recently ended the writers strike. The actors union decried their opponents’ “bullying tactics” and said they were wildly mischaracterizing their offers.

On Oct. 2, for the first time since the strike began July 14, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists had resumed negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents studios, streaming services and production companies in strike talks.

When negotiations resumed with writers last month, their strike ended five days later, but similar progress was not made with the actors union.

The studios walked away from talks after seeing the actors’ most recent proposal on Wednesday.

“It is clear that the gap between the AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA is too great, and conversations are no longer moving us in a productive direction,” the AMPTP said in a statement.

The SAG-AFTRA proposal would cost companies an additional $800 million a year and create “an untenable economic burden,” the statement said.

In a letter to members sent early Thursday, SAG AFTRA said that figure was overestimated by 60%. The union said its negotiators were “profoundly disappointed” the studios had broken off talks.

“We have negotiated with them in good faith,” the letter read, “despite the fact that last week they presented an offer that was, shockingly, worth less than they proposed before the strike began.”

Actors have been on strike over issues including increases in pay for streaming programming and control of the use of their images generated by artificial intelligence.

The AMPTP insisted its offers had been as generous as the deals that brought an end to the writers strike and brought a new contract to the directors guild earlier this year.

But the union letter to actors said the companies “refuse to protect performers from being replaced by AI, they refuse to increase your wages to keep up with inflation, and they refuse to share a tiny portion of the immense revenue YOUR work generates for them.”

From the start, the actors talks had nothing like the momentum that spurred marathon night-and-weekend sessions in the writers strike and brought that work stoppage to an end. Actors and studios had taken several days off after resuming, and there were no reports of meaningful progress despite direct involvement from the heads of studios including Disney and Netflix as there had been in the writers strike.

The writers did have their own false start in negotiations, however. A month before the successful talks, the initial attempt to restart ended after just a few days.

Members of the Writers Guild of America voted almost unanimously to ratify their new contract on Monday.

Their leaders touted their deal as achieving most of what they had sought when they went on strike nearly five months earlier.

They declared their strike over, and sent writers back to work, on Sept. 26.

Late night talk shows returned to the air within a week, and other shows including “Saturday Night Live” will soon follow.

But with no actors, production on scripted shows and movies will stay on pause indefinitely.

Climate Statement says Iowa needs more solar power to supplement wind

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Grant Gerlock (Radio Iowa)

The latest Iowa Climate Statement signed by more than 200 scientists and researchers at Iowa colleges and universities says the state needs to invest more in solar power.

Retired Iowa State University climate scientist Gene Takle says when wind is paired with solar, they tend to make up for each other’s weaknesses.

“Iowa’s wind energy resources are maximum in winter and early spring, while solar energy is maximum in late spring and summer when wind is low. And strong nighttime winds at turbine-height complement strong daytime solar energy in summer and fall,” Takle says.

Around 60% of electricity generated in Iowa comes from wind. University of Iowa environmental health professor Peter Thorne says solar could potentially overtake wind. “Solar could produce as much energy in Iowa as wind does today, leading Iowa to close in on that 100 percent renewables benchmark that we want to achieve,” Thorne says.

Several large-scale solar projects are under development, including a 200 mega-watt solar farm in Linn County at the former Duane Arnold nuclear plant. Iowa’s electric wind production is higher share than any other state, but Iowa solar energy capacity is well below the national average.

Oskaloosa Schools Announces “Five to Thrive” Strategic Plan

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Oskaloosa Schools has launched a five-year strategic plan to enhance extracurricular experiences for students in grades 7-12, titled “Five to Thrive.” The long-term goal of the plan is to increase overall student participation and success in activities and athletics.

“At Oskaloosa Schools, we aspire for incredible academic accomplishments, but also high levels of engagement and achievement in extracurricular activities,” said Mike Fisher, Superintendent. “Our Five to Thrive strategic plan is designed to ignite early enthusiasm among students, assisting them in discovering their passions, be it hobbies, performing arts, or sports, that will enable them to excel during their high school years and beyond.”

By 2028, the plan’s goals include achieving increased overall 7th-12th grade activities participation, alongside winning in each program and across the entire department. Each activity will be evaluated using five specific performance metrics tailored to the nature of the sport or activity.

Additionally, the district will emphasize developing strong student and adult leadership built on service, leadership, and success. The plan seeks to foster a successful culture centered on healthy relationships, ensuring student satisfaction and retention.

“Five to Thrive is positioned as a sustainable program, aimed at involving more students in our activities,” said Ryan Parker, Activities Director. “Our vision is to strengthen the activities department, fueling increased participation and success both in the immediate future and five years down the road. I look forward to witnessing the positive impact it will have on our students and the entire community.”

The Activities Leadership Cabinet developed by the district and leading the Five to Thrive plan includes the following district staff members: Brett Doud, Head Football Coach; Betsy Luck, Head Girls’ Track Coach; Greg Walter, Head Boys and Girls’ Soccer Coach; Bret Foster, Head Boys’ Golf Coach; Kista Grosshans, Head Football Cheerleading Coach; Kim Gile, Student Council Advisor and Video Production Lead; Mike Comfort, Head Boys and Girls’ Cross Country Coach; Kathy Akers, Drama Director; Rachel Brown, Head Boys and Girls’ Swim Coach; Ashley Goytia, Head Volleyball Coach; Caitlin Woods, Head Softball Coach; and Brandon Lenhart, Head Boys’ Basketball Coach.

“The Five to Thrive plan will positively transform our football program and all activities,” said Brett Doud, Head Football Coach. “It’s a rallying call for excellence across the board that will elevate not just our football team, but also all our extracurricular pursuits.”

The comprehensive details of the Five to Thrive strategic plan will be presented to the Oskaloosa Community School Board during its board work session, scheduled for October 24.

Mahaska Chamber Seeking Nominations for Annual Chamber Awards

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Would you like to nominate a business or individual who has made a big difference in Mahaska County in the past year? Mahaska Chamber & Development Group will again be presenting several civic awards.  You are urged to submit nominations for these awards. The categories are as follows: 

Retail Business and Service Business of the Year (2 awards)-The most outstanding retail or service  business in the Mahaska community during this past fiscal year must be in business for minimum of two  years, demonstrate success, with evidence of commitment and contribution to the community.

Industry of the Year –The most outstanding industry in the Mahaska community during the year will  have a stable employment history, will have been in business for minimum of two years, showing  evidence of commitment and contribution to the community and a commitment to sound management  practices. 

Business Person of the Year -This individual will have demonstrated those qualities which have  distinguished him/her in business: proven commitment and contribution to the community, a  commitment to ethical business practices, recognized within their profession, a Mahaska County resident,  a history of success in their business. 

Citizen of the Year -This individual will have demonstrated outstanding involvement in and support of  his/her community over an extended period of time. 

Community Improvement Award-This commercial or industrial property will have made improvements which enhance the appearance and /or economic vitality of the Mahaska community  through new development or through the redevelopment of an existing property.

Educator of the Year -This individual from a Mahaska County school will display a true passion and  devotion to the betterment of students. 

Student of the Year -This individual will be a graduating senior or college student from  a school in Mahaska County who is well-rounded and displays exemplary leadership and  service for the betterment of Mahaska County.  

Volunteer of the Year -This individual volunteers their time and goes above and beyond  for the betterment of Mahaska County.  

Up & Comer – This young individual or new business owner will be recognized for their dedicated commitment, passion and high standard of excellence while leading the charge in Mahaska County. 

Chuck Russell Award – This person or project will be recognized for their dedicated commitment in preserving the rich heritage and history of Oskaloosa and Mahaska County. 

To make any nominations or if you have an innovative idea for a “special award” for  exceptional achievement in a category not mentioned, you are encouraged to phone 641- 672-2591 or email ddegroot@mahaskachamber.org with “Mahaska Chamber Award” in the subject line to present the suggestion to the Chamber. Nominations must be received  by Friday, November 3.

104-year-old Chicago woman dies days after making a skydive that could put her in the record books

Posted on by Sam Parsons

CHICAGO, IL. (AP) — Dorothy Hoffner, a 104-year-old Chicago woman whose recent skydive could see her certified by Guinness World Records as the oldest person to ever jump from a plane, has died.

Hoffner’s close friend, Joe Conant, said she was found dead Monday morning by staff at the Brookdale Lake View senior living community. Conant said Hoffner apparently died in her sleep on Sunday night.

Conant, who is a nurse, said he met Hoffner — whom he called Grandma at her request — several years ago while he was working as a caregiver for another resident at the senior living center. He said she had amazing energy and remained mentally sharp.

“She was indefatigable. She just kept going,” he said Tuesday. “She was not someone who would take naps in the afternoon, or not show up for any function, dinner or anything else. She was always there, fully present. She kept going, always.”

On Oct. 1, Hoffner made a tandem skydive that could land her in the record books as the world’s oldest skydiver. She jumped out of a plane from 13,500 feet (4,100 meters) at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois, 85 miles (140 kilometers) southwest of Chicago.

“Age is just a number,” Hoffner told a cheering crowd moments after landing. It was not her first time jumping from a plane — that happened when she was a spry 100 years of age.

Conant said he was working through paperwork to ensure that Guinness World Records certifies Hoffner posthumously as the world’s oldest skydiver, but he expects that will take some time. The current record was set in May 2022 by 103-year-old Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson of Sweden.

Conant said Hoffner didn’t skydive to break a record. He said she had so thoroughly enjoyed her first jump that she just wanted to do it again.

“She had no intention of breaking the record. And she had no interest in any publicity or anything. She wasn’t doing it for any other reason than she wanted to go skydiving,” he said.

Skydive Chicago and the United States Parachute Association celebrated Hoffner in a joint statement Tuesday.

“We are deeply saddened by Dorothy’s passing and feel honored to have been a part of making her world-record skydive a reality.

“Skydiving is an activity that many of us safely tuck away in our bucket lists. But Dorothy reminds us that it’s never too late to take the thrill of a lifetime. We are forever grateful that skydiving was a part of her exciting, well-lived life,” they said.

Conant said Hoffner worked for more than four decades as a telephone operator with Illinois Bell, which later became AT&T, and retired 43 years ago. The lifelong Chicago resident never married, and Conant said she had no immediate family members.

A memorial service for Hoffner will be held in early November.

“She was a dear friend who was an inspiration,” Conant said.

Iowa’s absentee voting period begins Wednesday, October 18

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES – Iowans who want to participate in early voting can begin casting ballots for the 2023 City-School Election on Wednesday, October 18. This marks the start of the absentee voting period and the first day Iowans can vote in person at their county election office. October 18 is also the first day County Auditors can mail absentee ballots to voters who requested them.

More than 5,500 Iowans have requested an absentee ballot so far. The deadline to request one to be mailed is 5:00 p.m. CT on Monday, October 23.

“We want to see every Iowan participate in the upcoming City-School Election, and the best way to be successful in voting is to have a plan for how you want to vote,” said Secretary Pate. “Iowans have several secure ways to vote, including early and in-person at their county auditor’s office. Iowans should make a plan early and take the necessary steps to ensure their voice is heard this November.”

Iowans can vote in person at their county auditor’s office beginning Wednesday, October 18. Iowans can also vote absentee by mail or in person at the polls on Election Day.

Absentee ballot request forms are available at VoterReady.Iowa.gov. You can also track the status of your request and ballot at that site. County auditors must receive your absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day, which is Tuesday, November 7.

Central College Expands Scholarship Options and Offers Scholar Days

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PELLA — Central College will host four Scholar Day experiences for prospective students to earn top academic scholarships beyond financial aid awards at the time of admission, up to full tuition. Scholar Days will be Saturdays, Nov. 4, Nov. 11, Jan. 27 and Feb. 3.

Scholar Day at Central engages students in open-ended group challenges designed to showcase collaboration, creativity and communication. The group discussion will focus on the Apollo space project and NASA astronaut Raja Chari. During Scholar Day, students will also interview faculty members and meet potential classmates. A program is planned for parents or guardians while the students are in discussion.

Central creates an environment where students excel, offering more scholarships and awards to incoming students than ever before. New for the 2024-25 academic year, students can apply unlimited dual and AP enrollment credits and transfer up to 75 credit hours from other institutions toward their academic requirements for a bachelor’s degree.

“Central was the first private college in Iowa to address higher education affordability and transparency by reducing tuition by $20,000 four years ago,” says Chevy Freiburger, vice president for enrollment management and dean of admission. “The affordable tuition, along with donor-funded scholarships, helps to make a Central education accessible to all students. We are proud of our commitment to affordable higher education for all families, regardless of income and background.”

Central is generously supported by donors. In the past year, Central has experienced an increase in alumni and Central family donor participation. This has led to Central offering the most scholarships in the history of the college including 36 full-tuition scholarships. The growth in funding also has enabled Central to give every new incoming student a Journey Scholarship and keep it for each year they attend Central.

“Everything we do is intended to help our students,” says Sunny Gonzales Eighmy, vice president for advancement and a 1999 graduate of Central. “We are thankful to our generous donors who make scholarships available to our students. Donor-funded scholarships remove barriers and open access for everyone to a high-quality Central education. Our work focuses on people first. Once you’re in the Central family, you’re with us for life, doing a world of good near and far!”

Central continues to position its tuition and financial aid support to provide the greatest value and be accessible for every income level of prospective students. Tuition, housing and food for the 2024-25 academic year will remain the same as the current year.

Students who have been admitted to Central may register for a Scholar Day at central.edu/scholar-day.

NEWSLETTER

Stay updated, sign up for our newsletter.