Author: Yorke Prough

Raising children can be rewarding but it also can be challenging for families, says Malisa Rader, a human sciences specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. To better handle the challenges, parents and caregivers are invited to the next virtual sessions of “ACT Raising Safe Kids.”

The workshops teach positive parenting skills to parents and caregivers of children from birth to age 8. The series of lessons is sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach. New virtual sessions begin Feb. 27 and March 1.

“We are excited to bring this educational offering virtually to families, “ said Rader, who specializes in family life issues. “It is what ISU Extension and Outreach has done for over 100 years – respond to the needs of Iowans where they are.”

In the series of lessons parents and caregivers will gain strategies for:

Dealing with children’s difficult behaviors using developmentally appropriate responses;

Controlling their own anger;

Helping children control their anger;

Teaching children how to resolve conflicts without using violence;

Using positive discipline methods that fit the children’s age; and

Reducing the influence of media violence on children.

Participants will receive the ACT Parent Handbook, which includes sets of fact sheets with information on children’s typical problem behaviors and outlines basic child development information. The handbook also includes handouts on anger management, positive discipline, media literacy and positive ways to resolve conflict.

The program is based on research that indicates that effective parenting is a critical factor to prevent youth behavior problems, said Rader.

Parents, foster parents, grandparents, primary caregivers and others in a parenting role are encouraged to attend the upcoming series scheduled for Tuesday evenings starting Feb. 27 or Friday afternoons starting March 1. Iowa foster parent credit is available. Professionals working with families are encouraged to share this information with clients.

The ACT Raising Safe Kids series consists of nine two-hour sessions. Cost is $40 per family. For a financial scholarship, contact Malisa Rader at mrader@iastate.edu or 515-708-0622. For more information or to register, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/act

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is asking the public for any information as to the cause of a suspicious fire at Geode State Park on Sunday, Feb. 18. 

According to Park Ranger Andrew Kuckler, a visitor alerted staff that a tree in the park was burning. While the fire was extinguished, the tree was severely damaged and its survival is uncertain. The cause of the fire is unknown.

The tree has been certified as the largest sycamore in Iowa. While the exact age is unknown, the sycamore is estimated to be around 350 years old, based on circumference and other measurements. 

“We are encouraging anyone who may have information about the fire to contact us,” said Kuckler. Callers can remain anonymous. 

DNR Contact: Andrew Kuckler, Park Ranger, Geode State Park (319) 392-4601

Christopher Ales met with the Henry County Supervisors on Thursday regarding Iowa Wesleyan Redevelopment. Mr. Ales is part of an ownership group that purchased 6 buildings on the former campus in October, consisting of the dormitories on the east and west side of the campus, as well as the Science Building and Hershey Hall.

At the meeting, he laid out his vision and timeline for the buildings. The first of the buildings to be used would be the Nemitz Suites, in which he hopes they could be ready for affordable housing by the end of this year. He estimates 8 apartments could fit inside the building.

Hershey Hall would prove to be a large task, with a hopeful 28 apartments as part of an 8.6-million-dollar project. These apartments would range from 2 to 3 bedrooms in a price range of $760-860 currently. Ales would like to apply for tax credits in April and start the construction process this time next year for a one-year project.

The Science Building is next on the agenda, with 28 apartments for seniors, priced at $650-750 a month for 1-2 bed apartments.

Finally, the dormitories would each house around 50 apartments, but Ales mentioned how he has not “run the models yet.” He did say that he would like to put them to use as soon as possible, as temporary construction housing for those who are working in Middletown as construction workers for the Ammunition Plant.

There are questions that spring to mind with this project, such as how will these apartments be funded? Ales plans to apply for a state tax credit which would provide 6.7 million dollars. They would find out if they are a recipient of this credit in September 2024. After purchasing the buildings outright, Ales made it clear that he will try again next year to receive this credit if they are not approved in 2024.

TIF was discussed as a means of funding the rest of the project. This allows local governments to use property taxes to fund development projects. Nothing is official on that front at this moment.

In a report from November, Ales notes urban revitalization projects like these avoid blight otherwise associated with idled buildings and represent an efficient utilization of community resources.  While preserving historic properties, they also provide needed affordable housing for seniors, which frees up entry level housing for the local workforce and utilizes existing public infrastructure which minimizes public costs.

Middletown Ammunition Plant Expansion

Middletown Ammunition Plant Expansion

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a certified peace officer. Applications are available at the civil department or on their Facebook page. They have multiple opportunities within their department, such as SWAT, a drug task force, and k9 officers. Those applying must be a full-time certified peace officer. Lateral transfers can bring up to 7 years vacation accrual. Please call 319 376 1082 with any and all questions.

Gasoline prices continue to rise, this week 7 cents higher than last, now averaging $3.01 across Iowa. This is still 20 cents lower than this time last year, and 26 cents less than the national average.

Diesel prices also rose, now at $3.83 after a three-cent increase from last week. This is 27 cents lower than the national average, and 23 cents less than 12 months ago.

A look at our heating fuels reveals,

Propane prices averaged $1.59 per gallon statewide.

Home heating oil prices averaged $3.27 per gallon statewide.

Natural gas prices rose 15 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $1.76/MMbtu

After a steep decline last week, natural gas prices gained some of that back, rising 15 cents this week to $1.76/MMbtu.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

A search warrant was executed in Ottumwa on Wednesday by the Southeast Iowa Inter-Agency Drug Task Force, Ottumwa Police Department’s Emergency Response Team, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

As a result of this search at 339 N. Moore Street, police seized 3 firearms, marijuana, and evidence of drug distribution. This search has led to three people being arrested.

Isaiah Kevon Dennis, age 24, was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Washington County, Iowa for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Marijuana. Bond for this warrant was set at $1,000 cash only.

Jovanta Marice Bays, age 26, was arrested for Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, both Class “D” Felonies.

Decareyanna Ruth Marie Brown, age 22, was arrested and charged with Keeping of Dangerous Animal Prohibited (Pit Bull), a Simple Misdemeanor.

This investigation is ongoing and additional criminal charges are pending.

Please note the following pursuant to recent Supreme Court rulings: “A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”