Benton Community High School Threat leads to juvenile taken into custody

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
May 7, 2025 5:17 pm

The Benton Community School District was on lockdown on Tuesday due to the threat of a gun at the High School. The school received an anonymous tip through Safe+Sound Iowa at 1:07 p.

Bill expanding cancer coverage for firefighters, EMS goes to governor's desk

IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH
May 7, 2025 11:47 am

By Robin OpsahlIowa House lawmakers unanimously passed a bill expanding cancer coverage for emergency responders in Iowa, sending it to the governor.House File 969 expands disability and death benefits for firefighters, emergency medical services responders and law enforcement officers from the current 14 cancers covered to all types of cancer.

Brandon Fire Department Assists with SUV vs. Parked Semi accident

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
May 7, 2025 11:47 am

The Brandon Fire and First Responders responded to a call on Monday, May 5th, 2025 at approximately 5:30 p.m. The call went out for the department to dispatch to I-380 in the southbound direction for an accident that had occurred at the 48-mile marker.

Eastern Iowa Honor Flight Announces 55th Flight to Washington, D.C.

EASTERN IOWA HONOR FLIGHT
May 7, 2025 11:46 am

On Wednesday, May 14, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight will launch Flight #55, sponsored by the Keith Romstad Memorial. Since beginning operations in 2009, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight has transported thousands of veterans and their guardians to Washington, D.

Gov. Reynolds signs list of bills into law

IOWA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
May 7, 2025 11:46 am

Wednesday, Governor Kim Reynolds signed the following bills into law:HF 532: A bill for an act enacting the dietician licensure compact.HF 875: A bill for an act relating to health insurers’ credentialing process.

Restoration Work Begins on Historic Center Point Depot

CENTER POINT MUSEUM
May 7, 2025 11:45 am

Preservation efforts are underway at one of Linn County’s treasured historic landmarks. Repair work has begun on the doors and stucco of the 1914 Interurban depot, a longtime fixture on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail and home to the Center Point Historical Society museum since 2000.

Achenbach recognized with ICOG Prometheus Award for leadership

VINTON TODAY
May 6, 2025 3:50 pm

ICOG Honors Excellence with Innovative Project Award, Prometheus Award, and Friend of COGs Awards ---The Iowa Association of Councils of Governments (ICOG) proudly announces the recipients of the 2025 ICOG Innovative Project Award, ICOG Prometheus Award, and the inaugural Friend of COGs Award.

DHS offers $1,000 to immigrants without legal status who self-deport

IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH
May 6, 2025 11:06 am

By Ariana FigueroaThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Monday that the agency will provide $1,000 in what it called “travel assistance” to people in the United States without permanent legal status if they self deport.

Benton County Inmate Re-Entered U.S. After Deportation - Sentence to 85 days

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
May 5, 2025 10:42 pm

A man who illegally returned to the United States after being deported was sentenced today to more than two months in federal prison.Jose Solis-Alvarado, age 34, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in Traer, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 10, 2025 guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after having been deported.

Nomination Deadline for the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award Extended

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
May 5, 2025 11:48 am

Individuals and farm families will be recognized by Gov. Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Cournoyer, Secretary Naig and Director Lyon at the 2025 Iowa State FairIowans seeking to nominate individuals or families who are conservation leaders in their community for the 2025 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award now have two additional weeks to complete and submit the application.