New U.S. Census Bureau data shows the percentage of Iowans who lack health insurance remains among the lowest in the country. The state is ranked seventh best for having a 4.7 percent rate of people without health insurance in 2018 - the same percentage as the previous year. That’s about 148,000 … [Read more...]
Clarksville mayor warns of ‘serious problem’ in Iowa small towns
One northeast Iowa Mayor says the illegal drug trade is moving into small towns. Val Swinton he wasn't quite aware of how bad the problem was until he became mayor of Clarksville. "I hear stories about other small towns in the area and how drug dealers are moving into these areas," he says. "I … [Read more...]
School safety expert speaks in Algona, Fort Dodge
An analyst from an international non-profit group that conducts school safety training has been in two Iowa cities this week. Chris Dorn of "Safe Havens International" spent Tuesday in Fort Dodge. On Monday, he was in Algona, meeting law enforcement, school staff and the public. "It's really nice … [Read more...]
Public hearing set in Winterset today on wind turbine moratorium
The placement of wind turbines has become a hot topic in some areas of the state. There will be a public hearing in Winterset today on a proposed moratorium banning construction of wind turbines in Madison County for the next 27 months. Last Thursday, Kossuth County's Board of Supervisors held a … [Read more...]
City councilman crashes motorcycle into barber shop
A member of the city council in Keokuk was injured Sunday afternoon when his motorcycle crashed through the front of a Keokuk business. Keokuk Police said it happened at Mark's Barber Shop on Main Street. Police Chief Dave Hinton said city council member Devon Dade lost control of his motorcycle … [Read more...]
50-year sentence for Decorah 18-year-old accused of beating man to death
A Decorah teenager has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for a July 2018 beating that caused the death of a Decorah man. Eighteen-year-old Jacob Seelinger was sentenced Monday in Winneshiek county district court. He was found guilty of second-degree murder by a Winneshiek County jury in … [Read more...]
Wells acquires low-calorie Halo Top brand of ice cream
Le Mars-based Wells Enterprises has signed a deal with an Idaho dairy to acquire its "Halo Top" brand of ice cream. "Halo Top disrupted the ice cream category by providing a high protein, low sugar, low calorie dessert that gave consumers a reason to purchase ice cream as a treat again," Mike … [Read more...]
End of an era: final chuckwagon races held in Spencer
The final chuckwagon race was held at the Clay County Fair Sunday at high noon. Race announcer Rich Greenlee says three of the six wagon owners who raced yesterday in Spencer are retiring. "Three wagons for a race would be pretty boring," Greenlee says. "so they decided to call it … [Read more...]
UNI fans happy to see beer sales at football game
The University of Northern Iowa started selling beer to the general public for the first time at a football game. UNI Panther fans who were 21 and to a wrist band were able to enjoyed a win and a beer. Season ticket holder Joel Meirick of Protivin tells KCRG TV it’s not the reason he showed up -- … [Read more...]
Plans move forward for new tomato plant in Mason City
Plans are moving forward for a Minnesota tomato producer’s new growing facility on Mason City’s south side. Bushel Boy Farms of Owatonna plans to grow hydroponic tomatoes on an 80-acre development on the southwest side of the city. North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation CEO Chad … [Read more...]