Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi (like “Debbie”) Durham says growth in Iowa’s economy not only depends on the state’s tax and regulatory climate, but on community development.
Population trends illustrate the importance of making Iowa communities attractive for newcomers — or Iowans considering a return to the state.
Nearly a third of Iowans are over the age of 55 and growth in Iowa’s population lags neighboring states. Durham says driver’s license data shows where people moving into Iowa are coming from, like southern California. For the second year in a row, more people from the Omaha metro have moved into Iowa than have Council Bluffs and moved to Omaha.
The Pottawattamie Arts, Culture and Entertainment organization was formed in 2016 to expand and promote activities in the Council Bluffs area. Durham says arts and culture projects — as well as recreation opportunities — like Iowa’s expanding network of bicycle trails — make Iowa communities more attractive to newcomers.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY ACCIDENTS
Monday night, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office answered a 911 call about a single vehicle accident with injuries in the area of Highway 140 and Highway 3 near Remsen. The driver of the SUV was identified as Angelia Groen, age 35 of Pierson. An investigation concluded that the driver’s vision was obscured by an oncoming vehicle in Groen’s lane of travel. It should be noted high beams of the unknown oncoming vehicle were activated and Groen took the ditch to avoid a head on collision. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol.
Late Saturday morning, the Sheriff’s Office was alerted to an accident at Hwy 75/US 60 on ramp to US 60 north of Le Mars. Laura Schrodt, age 55 of Sedan, Kansas, was driving north on Hwy 75 coming from Le Mars and was following an SUV that was operated by Dennis Waddell, 64, of Jefferson, South Dakota, who at one time was in a funeral procession. Waddell did have all emergency hazard flashers on when it slowed to navigate a right hand turn at the on ramp to US 60. Schrodt failed to slow or change lanes and struck the Waddell vehicle’s driver’s side rear quarter panel causing the tire and wheel on that side of the vehicle to be torn off disabling the Jeep. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. It was found that the brakes on the Schrodt vehicle were not functioning properly and she was unable to move over due to traffic in the outside lane. No citations were issued at the time. No injuries were reported.
MAKE A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION TO HELP OTHERS — BY GIVING BLOOD
The Iowa chapter of the American Red Cross will be starting out 2025 much as it always does, with a critical need for blood donors, as stockpiles are dangerously low. Agency spokeswoman Sue Thesenga says she’s hoping the blood shortage in the new year makes people stop and think about what they can do to help year-round.
The Red Cross is in need of blood donors of all types, especially those with type O, which is considered the universal type for transfusions.
As New Year’s Eve is one of the deadliest nights of the year to be on the road, Thesenga says just one or two motor vehicle crashes could quickly drain this precious resource.
While most blood center offices will be closed for the holiday, you can schedule an appointment right now to give blood later this week at RedCrossBlood.org.
HPV-RELATED CANCER RATES SOARING IN RURAL AREAS
Research from Des Moines University has found cancers related to H-P-V — the human papillomvirus virus — are rising faster in rural areas. The study looked at HPV-related cancer rates in Iowa and 19 other states over a 20 year period. Des Moines University professor Dr. Jason Semprini says the study found H-P-V related cancer rates in urban areas remained steady — but there was a 50 percent increase in cases in rural areas. Semprini says if the trends aren’t reversed, Iowa may be looking at two times the rate within the next decade. The H-P-V vaccine became available in 2006 and is administered in two doses for children between the ages of nine and 14. Cervical cancer is the main type of cancer linked to H-P-V, but H-P-V is known to be the cause of cancers of the mouth and throat as well.
