Le Mars Awarded Iowa Main Street Challenge Grant
(Fort Dodge) — The Le Mars Main Street program was awarded a Main Street Iowa $100,000 Challenge Grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). Le Mars Main Street Manager, Lori French, was at the Ft. Dodge conference to receive the grant award. “The news of receiving this grant was very exciting! We are thrilled to observe more growth to our beautiful downtown and keep its enduring historical integrity. Mary Reynolds, Dr. Steve Collins, Richard Ziettlow and owners Nathan and Clint Kass worked incredibly hard obtaining this grant. The grant supports the renovation of the vacant second floor above VanderMeer Bakery into four apartments – two one-bedroom and two studio apartments, which will strengthen, and promote the downtown living area options.”
When notified of the grant award, Nathan and Clint Kass were excited to be able to add to the vibrancy of Le Mars’ downtown. “After seeing the impact previous Challenge Grant projects have had on our downtown, we wanted to work with our local Main Street program and pursue a Challenge Grant to facilitate making our project a reality. We love the direction in which we see Le Mars moving and are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the future of our community. We want to thank Mary, Steve and Rich for all the work they did to make this a reality.”
In addition to the $100,000 Challenge Grant, the City of Le Mars, as they have for prior Challenge Grant winners, will contribute to the project, in this case, $37,500.
This is the seventh Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant for Le Mars since 2011 bringing the total for the seven Challenge Grants to $505,000. The City of Le Mars has contributed an additional $227,500 in support of the projects. Total project costs improving Le Mars’ downtown are $1,763,800. The seven projects have added 12 high-end apartments, a four-unit Bed and Breakfast and restored the historic exteriors of two downtown buildings.
UPDATE: New Sharon Search Not Directly Related to Xavior Harrelson Case
(New Sharon, IA) — The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says the search of a home in New Sharon Tuesday is not directly related to the death of Xavior Harrelson. The A-T-F and other law enforcement were executing a search warrant in connection with federal firearms charges against James Lowe. The Iowa D-C-I was part of the effort because Lowe used be in a relationship with Harrelson’s mother. A ssistant D-C-I Director Mitch Mortvedt told K-C-C-I “we were there to assist if there would be anything related to Xavior’s case.” The body of ten-year-old Harrelson was found September 30th in a cornfield about three miles south of Montezuma. His cause of death hasn’t been released.
Ernst Urges Pentagon to Step Up Military Suicide Prevention Efforts
(Washington, DC) — Legislation sponsored by U-S Senator Joni Ernst calls on the Pentagon to step up its suicide prevention efforts. A new report shows there was a 15-percent increase in military suicides in 2020 compared to the previous year. Ernst says our “servicemembers carry out selfless duties every day to protect our nation and oftentimes they face serious and unique challenges. We cannot fail them.” The Save Our Servicemembers Act (S-O-S) directs two agencies within the military that are focused on suicide prevention to improve data collection and reduce duplication. Ernst says there also should be better training throughout the ranks on what to look for to help prevent suicides.
Former Iowa Congressman King Out With New Book
(Kiron, IA) — Former Iowa Congressman Steve King is out with a new book that names and blames some fellow Republicans and interest groups aligned with the G-O-P for what King calls a “massive conspiracy” to end his political career. King said,” maybe some of the people at that upper echelon who might get their tail feathers singed a little bit in this book will reset themselves and go back to being the decent human beings I knew before they did this.” King says things “started to melt down” for him politically just before the 2018 election when the Wall Street Journal and others criticized him for meeting with members of a Hungarian political party associated with the neo-Nazi movement. After King’s narrow, three-percent margin of victory over Democrat J-D Scholten, Governor Kim Reynolds told reporters King needed “to decide whether he wants to represent the people and the values of the fourth district or do something else.” The title of the book is called “Walking Through the Fire.”
Fort Madison Police Seek Suspect in Deadly Stabbing
(Fort Madison, IA) — Authorities in southeast Iowa are looking for a suspect in a deadly Fort Madison stabbing. Police say a man was stabbed in apartment hallway Tuesday afternoon and the suspect fled on foot. The victim was taken to a hospital and later died of his injuries. Officers searched the area for the suspect and witnesses. Investigators believe the victim and suspect were known to each other.
