The manager of an eastern Iowa senior apartment complex is sentenced to five years probation for defrauding an elderly and disabled nursing home resident. Fifty-nine-year-old Janice Kay Schultz of Dubuque admitted in a plea agreement to a charge of wire fraud, that she met the victim at the … [Read more...]
More than two dozen communities win grants to improve buildings
Twenty-six Iowa communities have won $100,000 grants from the Iowa Economic Development Authority to improve buildings. Jim Thompson oversees what's called the Catalyst program. "Catalyst grants are primarily for buildings that are underutilized that need a new life," Thompson explains. "Usually … [Read more...]
First state prisoner death related to COVID-19 reported
The Iowa Department of Corrections is reporting the first coronavirus-related death of a prison inmate. Inmate Ray Allen Van Lengen died at the University of Iowa Hospitals Monday from what a review by the Johnson County Medical Examiner says are complications "likely related to COVID-19" and … [Read more...]
Iowa Lottery expected to hit budget goals, but not records
Iowa Lottery spokesperson, Mary Neubauer says they won't set another record for sales in the fiscal year that just ended June 30th. Neubauer says they won't match the $390.1 million record once all the numbers are totaled -- but they will meet some key marks. "In 2020 with COVID-19 and … [Read more...]
Crops in some areas of the state showing signs of stress
The new varieties of corn have made the old standard "knee-high" by the Fourth of July a thing of the past as corn in some areas is already five to six feet high. Iowa State University Field Agronomist, Angie Rieck-Hinz says the differences in rainfall are really starting to show in her … [Read more...]
Fire Marshal advises you to make safety plans before shooting off fireworks
Some fireworks outlets reporting increased sales as the number of community Independence Day celebrations and fireworks shows has dropped dramatically with concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. State Fire Marshal Dan Wood says if you decide to buy your own fireworks to celebrate -- you need to … [Read more...]
State sees increase in excessive speed on roadways during pandemic
Several state agencies are getting together to try and put the brakes on some of the drivers in the state who have been taking advantage of reduced traffic on the roadways to push the speed limit. State Patrol spokesman Sergeant Alex Dinkla says, "The big norm seems to be now since the COVID hit … [Read more...]
Continuing unemployment claims drop
The weekly unemployment claims dropped again this past week as more businesses keep opening up. The number of continuing unemployment claims dropped by about 9,200 in the last week to 143,488. It is the seventh straight week the overall unemployment claims have dropped. Last week's drop in … [Read more...]
Number of retail fireworks licenses dropped this year
State Fire Marshal Dan Wood says the number of licenses approved by his office to sell consumer fireworks was down this year. "We are at 550 for 2020, in 2019 we had 621. In 2018 -- it was our high year -- we had 891. And in 2017, our first year, we had 674," according to Wood. He says the … [Read more...]
Banks asking for your spare change as pandemic creates coin shortage
Brother, can you spare a dime? Or maybe a quarter, penny, nickel, or any other change? That's what banks and credit unions are asking right now as the country is seeing a coin shortage. Iowa Bankers Association president, John Sorensen, says it stems from the slowdown in business brought on by … [Read more...]