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KCRG.com

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‘We don’t take it lightly’: Owners of Kalona’s only full-service grocery store search for buyer

KALONA, Iowa (KCRG) - JW’s Foods, the only full-service grocery store in Kalona, has operated for 53 years as a family company. Curt and Dawn Wyse, who have owned the store since 2009, are looking to sell the business as they move into full-time ministry. If no buyer is...

Kalona, IA · 3d
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Hometown Current

partner publisher · 413 followers
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Deep River brothers carry on family farm tradition

DEEP RIVER — It was a beautiful early November day. The sun was shining, and brothers Adam and Alex Cheney, who live near Deep River, were busy tuning up the combine to finish up harvest. With 600 acres to go, the recent rains had put everything on hold. The two brothers had always wanted to farm and carry on the Cheney family tradition. After graduating from Iowa State University — Adam in May 2022 and Alex in December 2023 — the two brothers returned home to join their parents, Tom and Michelle, in the family farming operation. Adam, 25, holds a BA in ag business with a minor in entrepreneurship, and Alex, 23, holds a BA in ag studies. Both agree that there are limited opportunities for young people to get into farming these days. “The biggest problem is the profitability to get into a farm or start farming,” said Adam. “It’s more likely for a family member to join an established farm than start their own farm.” “It’s a lot of work to make it,” Adam said. The brothers are the sixth generation of the Cheney family to farm and the third generation on the home farm. Their late

Deep River, IA · 1d

ottumwaradio.com

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Hy-Vee Celebrates Angela Hoffman’s Five-Year Milestone

Hy-Vee is recognizing Angela Hoffman for reaching an important milestone, celebrating five years as a full-time employee with the company. Hoffman serves as the Store Manager at the Ottumwa Hy-Vee Drugstore, where she plays an important role in daily operations and customer service. Through her leadership, dedication, and hard work,...

Ottumwa, IA · 1d
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KBUR

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Economic development officials in Ottumwa are dealing with the recent announcement that John Deere will close its factory there and consolidate its operations in Des Moines and Louisiana

Economic development officials in Ottumwa are dealing with the recent announcement that John Deere will close its factory there and consolidate its operations in Des Moines and Louisiana. Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress executive director Marc Roe says within hours of last Tuesday’s announcement, he began collaborating with Iowa Workforce Development and Indian Hills Community College to brainstorm how to retrain and retain those workers. “Ottumwa, any community isn’t about one business. It’s going to change our landscape for sure, but, you know, it doesn’t have to determine the future of the community. That’s up to us to do,” Roe says. John Deere will leave about 400 people out of jobs, in addition to an abandoned industrial complex in the middle of Ottumwa. Roe hopes to attract new manufacturing, retrain local employees through workforce development or the local community college, and find new ways to retain families who are building businesses or going to school in Ottumwa.

Ottumwa, IA · 3d
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travelmag.com

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12 Family-Owned Iowa Grocery Markets That Give Big Box Stores A Run For Their Money

I’ve noticed that my grocery shopping takes considerably longer when there’s a good butcher counter involved. Add a bakery or a shelf full of homemade treats, and suddenly my carefully planned ten-minute stop becomes a much bigger outing. That’s part of what makes Iowa’s family-owned grocery markets so...

Iowa · 1d

cbs2iowa.com

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JW’s Foods owners seek buyer as they plan next chapter

KALONA, Iowa — JW’s Foods, Kalona’s only full-service grocery store, is looking for a buyer as its owners prepare to pursue ministry. The store has been in the family since 1973. The current co-owners, Curt and Dawn Wyse, bought it in 2009 from Dawn's parents. They have been looking for someone to take over for about four years, initially by word of mouth. After sharing the search more widely, Curt said several people have reached out, though it is too early to know how serious those inquiries are.

Kalona, IA · 20h

takingthekids.com

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The Hidden Iowa Family Meat Market With Quality Cuts That Locals Keep To Themselves

A German immigrant carried a bologna recipe across the ocean in 1882, and people are still buying it today. The same family has guarded that recipe for six generations. That’s longer than most of us can name our own great-grandparents. The smokehouse runs four to six days a week....

Iowa · 1d

AGDAILY.com

partner publisher · 1.8K followers

Red Crown Rot hits 35 new counties in 8 states in 2026

Red Crown Rot reached 35 new counties in eight states in 2026, threatening soybean yields. The post Red Crown Rot hits 35 new counties in 8 states in 2026 appeared first on AGDAILY .

Alabama · 2d

The Des Moines Register

partner publisher · 32.9K followers

Steel plant executive offers SE Iowa promises — and hope

FORT MADISON — In a carpeted Quality Inn & Suites conference room, an executive in a navy-blue vest made promises to residents in the southeast corner of Iowa. First, Mesabi Metallics CEO Joe Broking promised the farmers, mechanics, local officials and others gathered there that his company would be transparent. Then, he promised them the world. Broking displayed a rendering of the company's plan: a sprawling industrial campus where employees will melt iron and turn it into rolled steel. He provided a long list of industries that could buy from the plant, from automakers to appliance manufacturers and construction materials suppliers. It will be “the cleanest, most environmentally friendly steel in the world at the lowest cost,” Broking said. “And we can do that right here in the U.S., right here in Iowa.” The promises kept coming. “Your schools are going to improve. Your housing market’s going to improve. Access to community amenities is going to improve,” Broking said. People in the crowd of about 100 whispered among themselves as he went on. “This is absolutely a fantastic opportunity for Mesabi Metallics and a fantastic opportunity for each and every one of you. And I can’t wait to actually come

Fort Madison, IA · 21h

Crafting Your Home

partner publisher · 59.8K followers

Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois Limit Winter Utility Shutoffs, With Some Protections Lasting Into April

Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois set winter utility shutoff limits; Ohio's runs to April 16 and Minnesota's to April 30. See who qualifies.

Minnesota · 2d

The Financial Wire

partner publisher · 66.0K followers

Senior homeowners in South Dakota, Idaho, Arizona and Iowa can file in 2027 for property tax freezes and credits, including Idaho’s cut of up to $1,500 due April 15

Idaho homeowners who are 65 or older can cut their property tax bill by as much as $1,500, but the application has to arrive between Jan. 1 and April 15. Three other states run their own 2027 programs for older owners: South Dakota freezes assessed value for applicants who file by April 1, Maricopa County... The post Senior homeowners in South Dakota, Idaho, Arizona and Iowa can file in 2027 for property tax freezes and credits, including Idaho’s cut of up to $1,500 due April 15 appeared first on The Financial Wire .

Idaho · 3d

Axios Des Moines

partner publisher · 5.0K followers

WDM housing development could bring 2,200 homes

A new housing development could bring 2,200 homes to the western side of West Des Moines . Why it matters: The Trail West project will bring more housing and pricing options to the growing western suburbs. The big picture: The development would add to a growing stretch of western West Des Moines, near other major projects, including the planned Grand Experience and MidAmerican Energy RecPlex expansion, says West Des Moines economic development director Ryan Moffatt. State of play: Caliber Homes and Jerry's Homes are partnering to develop about 300 acres of farmland north of Booneville Road and west of Grand Prairie Parkway. The total project could reach around 760 acres. Zoom in: The first phase includes 130 single-family home lots. The number of phases is not yet known, and the project could take 10 to 15 years to build out. Caliber would focus on homes ranging from $800,000 to $3 million, while Jerry's Homes would offer lower-priced options. Jerry's Homes did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. The development could eventually include townhomes, apartments, rental condos and neighborhood-scale retail. It's an urban area with a "country aesthetic" with rolling hills and tree-lined waterways, Ryan Kauffman of Caliber Homes

West Des Moines, IA · 2d

mindfullyamerican.com

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Casey’s Fuel Margin Climbed to 47.8 Cents a Gallon This Summer, With Iowans Filling Up at Its Pumps

Casey’s keeps a bigger slice of every gallon you buy than it did a year ago. The company’s numbers cover all its stores, but about half are in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. Here’s how Casey’s fuel margin climbed this summer, and what it means for Iowans filling up at its pumps.

Iowa · 1d

ottumwaradio.com

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The Iowa Standard Announces Closure After Eight Years

The Iowa Standard, an independent Iowa media outlet founded by Jacob Hall, is closing after eight years of covering state politics, elections, education, legislative activity and government issues. Hall announced the decision Friday, saying a new professional opportunity will allow him to continue working in an area he cares about...

Iowa · 2d

tspr.org

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This Midwest farm once raised thousands of hogs. Why is it growing mushrooms instead?

Want more news about agriculture and the environment? Sign up for the Harvest newsletter for our latest reporting, plus behind-the-scenes exclusives. Inside a long, dimly-lit building, Tyler Faaborg slipped into a “fruiting room” cordoned off by what looked like plastic curtains. Fog rolled over shelves of sprouting mushrooms. A bulbous fungi called lion’s mane still had another week before harvest, he explained.

Iowa · 3d

rvnews.com

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Blue Compass RV Acquires Iowa Dealership

Blue Compass RV acquired Cheyenne Camping Center, a family-owned RV dealership that has served the Quad Cities market in Iowa for more than 60 years. The dealership is now named Blue Compass RV Quad Cities. The Quad Cities store is Blue Compass RV’s second Iowa dealership. Company President and...

Iowa · 2d

kdsm17.com

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Git-N-Go denies rumors of closure amid store shutdowns and inventory issues

Git-N-Go convenience stores, part of the Des Moines-based chain, are facing business challenges, including store closures and inventory shortages, but the company has denied rumors of shutting down. Several locations, including stores in Winterset, Norwalk and Altoona and the Keo Way store in downtown Des Moines, are listed for sale...

Des Moines, IA · 23h

kchanews.com

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John Deere to Close Two Iowa Manufacturing Plants

After just announcing they were going to bring back their workforce, John Deere has announced plans to shut down two of its Iowa manufacturing plants over the next several years as part of a broader production shift. Operations for round balers and windrowers will move from Ottumwa to Des Moines,...

Clarion, IA · 3d

clarionnewsonline.com

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Beau Klaver, 23, heads to the Iowa House from the family farm

When the Iowa House convenes in January, its youngest member will be a farmer from Kamrar who plants cover crops with drones. Beau Klaver, a Republican, won the open Iowa House District 55 seat on Nov. 3, beating Democrat Cynthia Oppedal Paschen. Unofficial results showed Klaver with 8,361 votes, about 64.7%, to Paschen’s 4,552, about 35.2%, the Hampton Chronicle reported. The district covers Franklin and Hamilton counties along with parts of Wright and Story counties, so a slice of Wright County voters will be sending him to Des Moines.

Iowa · 23h

Housing Finance

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Iowa Finance Authority Awards LIHTCs to Advance 595 Affordable Homes

The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) has reserved nearly $9 million in federal low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) to help create four developments in Council Bluffs, Dubuque, Waterloo, and West Des Moines. The communities will provide 595 affordable homes for individuals and families. The recent awards were made through the 4%...

West Des Moines, IA · 1d