Durango
Durango, IA · Business
Hometown Current
Buyers, sellers meet in pouring rain
BELLE PLAINE — Pouring rain and strong wind gusts didn’t stop vendors from setting up on the main street through downtown Belle Plaine Saturday. Nor did weather deter buyers from attending the third annual Cider Stroll. “I just like seeing all the shops, all the different people who set up,” said Lindsay Ginther, of Belle Plaine, after purchasing sourdough bread from Sarah Bostian. Ginther was looking for “crafty stuff” and baked goods, and the rain wasn’t going to scare her away. “Cider Stroll has a really good reputation of having really good vendors,” said Ginther. She didn’t want to miss is. “Sarah [Smith] puts so much work into it,” Ginther said. After 10 years of hosting vendors for a fall shed sale at her Iowa County acreage, Sarah Smith, who owns Nettiannes Floral and Gift in Belle Plaine, partnered with Belle Plaine Community Development and moved the event to 12th Street in downtown Belle Plaine, renaming it The Cider Stroll. Bostian has been there since year one, she said. “It’s been sunny and nice every other year.” Bostian said she wasn’t surprised that a few people showed up in the rain. “I thought it would be a little bit slower
thesandb.com
Grinnell named as 2027-2028 Iowa Thriving Community
This past July, the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) named Grinnell an Iowa Thriving Community for 2027-2028, in addition to the towns of Boone, Le Mars and Maquoketa. As a result, Grinnell has received Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to incentivize further housing projects. “I think...
hmenews.com
Stephanie Robinson on the art of digging into denials
WATERLOO, Iowa – HME providers that treat a billing failure as an isolated problem may fix a claim and recover a payment. But only by tracing the failure backward can they fix the system, says Stephanie Robinson, VGM’s new director of reimbursement and payer relations. HME News: Where...
KCRG.com
Diesel prices squeeze truck drivers, some Cedar Rapids pumps top the national average
The national average price for diesel is $6.39 a gallon according to AAA, and some pumps in Cedar Rapids are charging even more.
northpine.com
Civic Media Expands to Iowa with Purchase of NRG Stations
A subsidiary of Madison-based Civic Media is poised to buy NRG Media’s four radio stations serving Waterloo and Cedar Rapids. According to a press release issued Sept. 18, Cedar Basin Media will buy Classic Hits station KOKZ/105.7 (Waterloo), “Rock 108” (KFMW/107.9 Waterloo), Classic Country outlet KPTY/1330 (Waterloo) and its translator K297BS/107.3 (Waterloo), and Conservative Talker KXEL/1540 (Waterloo) and its translator K263BZ/100.5 (Waterloo).
kwayradio.com
POET Threatens to Sue Democratic Candidate
POET is threatening to sue Nate Willems, the Democratic nominee for State Attorney General, over an ad featuring their plant outside Shell Rock. The ad shows Charlene Wyatt Sauer, who tearfully tells of feeling betrayed to find out POET’s Shell Rock plant had been emitting cancer-causing toxins for years. Sauer then says that current Attorney General, Brenna Bird, refused to go after POET and then took $100,000 from them. The ad finishes with Sauer asking if she is going to live long enough to care for her daughter, Paetra. POET has threatened a defamation lawsuit, demanding Willems remove the ad and statements from his website that they claim are defamatory, misleading, and false. They are also demanding Willems issue an apology. Willems is standing by the ad, saying he will never back down when health and safety of Iowa families is on the line. Iowa DNR records show the company previously exceeded the limit of five air pollutants and actual harm to the environment and public health likely occurred, but POET says third party testing revealed that the pollutant amount was not dangerous and well below what is recognized as posing a public health risk. The DNR assessed the maximum penalty, $10,000, which the company paid. POET also took umbrage with the ad’s reference to the CEO giving Bird $100,000. They say the ad frames it as a bribe, which it was not. They say the CEO has made many donations to Bird and other politicians on a regular basis.
jimmagdefrau.com
Blairstown City Council, August 10, 2026
The regular meeting of the Blairstown City Council was held Monday, August 10, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Members present were Moenck, Becker and Franzen. Absent: Hagen and Hendryx. Meeting was called to order by Mayor Metz. Motion made by Moenck, seconded by Franzen to approve the agenda as read. All...
cbs2iowa.com
1,600 Cedar Valley middle schoolers explore careers at JA Career Inspire event
WATERLOO, Iowa — More than 1,600 middle school students from across the Cedar Valley spent two days getting hands-on experience with careers they may have never considered, as local employers showcased jobs and technology available in their own communities. The students took part in JA Career Inspire, a two-day...
KCRG.com
Randy’s Flooring Hits 50-Year Milestone with Storewide Savings
Randy’s Flooring is celebrating 50 years! Steve Moellers reflects on the company’s milestone anniversary and highlights storewide savings on luxury vinyl, carpet, tile, and more at both the Cedar Rapids and Coralville locations.
KCRG.com
Diesel prices squeeze truck drivers, some Cedar Rapids pumps top the national average
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - The national average price for diesel is $6.39 a gallon according to AAA, and some pumps in Cedar Rapids are charging even more. Caitlin Hubbard said it costs $1,000 to fill up her semi. She said the price increase worries her because it could affect her job.
AgWeb
Deere Bringing Back 375 Employees Ahead of Planting Season
John Deere is planning to bring back more 375 employees to work across its Quad Cities factory operations. Once hired, John Deere will have welcomed 800 employees since January across Iowa and Illinois. The Seeding and Cylinder Operations in Moline will see 150 employees return. Meanwhile, approximately 225 employees will...
KIMT
Clear Lake hosts first-ever North Iowa marketing summit
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa — Marketing professionals, business owners and nonprofit leaders across North Iowa will gather for a day of learning and networking at the first North Iowa Regional Marketing Summit on October 13 at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. The event is designed for anyone responsible for...
Pen City Current
When retirements play hide-and-seek with tax money
Succession planning and public celebration typically accompany executive retirements. They provide for an orderly leadership transition and public acknowledgment of a job well done. So, two simple questions arise whenever top government employees leave their jobs in hastily announced retirements — and receive more than the customary coffee-and-cookies going-away reception...