News
Benton Community High School Threat leads to juvenile taken into custody
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.m. The tip was of “someone doing harm with a firearm.”The school district put the building on "hold" which meant that students and staff stayed in the locked classrooms while the administration and law enforcement monitored the building. Bill expanding cancer coverage for firefighters, EMS goes to governor’s desk
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
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. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2014 Jeep GCH driven by Kory Hackenmiller of Grafton, Iowa struck the rear end of a semi trailer that had pulled off to the side of the road and was stopped. Eastern Iowa Honor Flight Announces 55th Flight to Washington, D.C.
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.C. This trip will include visits to the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War
memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery for a special wreath dedication. Gov. Reynolds signs list of bills into law
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.HF 295: A bill for an act relating to accreditation of postsecondary educational institutions, prohibiting adverse action by accrediting agencies against certain postsecondary educational institutions for compliance with state law, providing remedies, and including effective date provisions.
Restoration Work Begins on Historic Center Point Depot
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.
The restoration project aims to maintain the integrity of the century-old building, which once served as a bustling hub for the rail line and now welcomes visitors as a museum showcasing local history. Achenbach recognized with ICOG Prometheus Award for leadership
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. These prestigious awards, presented at the May 1 Staff Retreat in Des Moines, IA, recognize outstanding contributions in public service, workforce development, economic development, and related fields. DHS offers $1,000 to immigrants without legal status who self-deport
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.It’s the latest attempt by DHS to try to meet the Trump administration’s goal of removing 1 million migrants without permanent legal status from the country.
Benton County Inmate Re-Entered U.S. After Deportation - Sentence to 85 days
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
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.