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According to a recent Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) study, Stewart Memorial Community Hospital (SMCH) in Lake City contributed over $31 million to the local economy in 2023. CEO Linn Block says, “This hospital is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s the backbone of our local economy. As the largest employer in Calhoun County, we circulate millions of dollars back into our community, supporting local businesses, homes, and education.” IHA’s data shows the hospital generated 464 jobs with a payroll and benefits tally of $19.6 million. Block notes SMCH’s contributions extend beyond financial impacts. The hospital sponsors local events, school activities, non-profit fundraisers, and more. They also host wellness initiatives, such as blood drives, monthly clinics, and walk-in flu shot clinics. The hospital even supports local events like the SMCH Two-Mile Fun Run and Lake City Western Days Rodeo. In addition to the hospital’s economic impact, they also provided nearly a quarter-million dollars in charity care, which covered 110 patients who could not afford the cost of necessary medical procedures. A link to IHA’s full breakdown of hospitals’ economic impact throughout the state is included with this story on our website. Carroll Broadcasting will bring you more from other local healthcare facilities in upcoming newscasts.

The 2024 fair season gets underway this week as the Calhoun County Expo kicks off its festivities. The Expo officially gets underway at 5 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) evening with the opening of the beer garden at the fairgrounds in Rockwell City, followed by the parade at 6 p.m. and the Little Miss/Mister Calhoun County and Miss Calhoun County pageants starting at 7 p.m. Fair Board President Ricole Potts says they have an outstanding lineup of entertainment all the way through the weekend.

Brent Johnson is Iowa Farm Bureau president and a fifth-generation Calhoun County farmer. Food security starts on the farm. As a fifth-generation farmer, providing for my neighbors, state and nation is something I take to heart. Long after I’m gone, the farm needs to be here to fulfill this essential role. However, weather and market volatility, regulation and global events out of a farmer’s control can make that calling a challenge. That’s what makes the farm bill a significant piece of legislation for all Americans — not just farmers — despite its name.

James Hepp of Calhoun County has been named one of three Iowa Farm Bureau (IFB) 2024 Young Farmer Leadership Award recipients. This award, honoring former Iowa Farm Bureau President Bob Joslin, recognizes farmers under 35 for their community and agricultural leadership. Hepp, a first-generation farmer, manages a diverse operation in Calhoun County, growing corn, soybeans, and rye with a strong conservation focus. He hosts field days to share soil health practices and serves as Calhoun County Farm Bureau board president, teaching youth about farming and safety. Hepp will receive a $2,000 grant to donate to a nonprofit of their choice, an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2025 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention or Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference, an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2025 Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference, $1,500 in cash from GROWMARK, and a $500 gift certificate from Grainger. He is donating his $2,000 grant to the Hometown Heroes Memorial Ride, supporting families of first responders. Hepp is a self-proclaimed underdog in the farm industry and says, “If you see people you think are successful, ask to work with them. Just learn, try different things, put in the extra mile, find what interests you, and keep reevaluating yourself.” Hepp will be recognized during Iowa Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in Des Moines on Dec. 11. Nate Hofmann of Linn County and Kaitlyn Porter of Franklin County were also selected for the award.

Unemployment rates in the seven-county region rose by nearly a half point in May 2024 from the prior month but held stable with last year’s rates, according to data released this week by Iowa Workforce Development (IWD). Carroll led the area with the lowest unemployment at 2.0 percent, 0.4 points higher than April but 0.5 points below May 2023. Audubon County followed close behind at 2.1 percent, 0.4 points higher than the previous month and 0.1 points lower than last year. Greene County’s unemployment rose 0.7 points from April to 2.3 percent in May, which is 0.4 points higher than in May 2023. Guthrie County and Calhoun County’s rates increased by 0.6 points to 2.5 percent and 2.7 percent, respectively, while Sac County jumped by nearly a whole percentage point to 3.1 percent. Crawford County again recorded the highest unemployment in the region at 4.2 percent, 0.2 points higher than in April but a half point below last year. The average unemployment rate for the region was 2.7 percent, below Iowa’s 2.8 percent figure and the national 3.9 percent rate. County-by-county unemployment data is not seasonally adjusted like state and national numbers. The full IWD dataset for May 2024 unemployment is included below.

Calhoun County is among the 28 additional counties approved by Gov. Kim Reynolds to receive Public Assistance under the May Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public assistance program is now activated to provide funding for emergency work, such as debris removal and emergency protective measures. This declaration was previously approved to aid counties and cities with significant damage from tornados, severe storms, and widespread flooding that occurred between May 20 and May 31. Adair County has also been approved for Public Assistance funding for permanent work. A complete list of approved counties and the link to the application page have been included below.

A Calhoun County farmer is among three statewide recipients of Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2024 Young Leadership Award. James Hepp is a first-generation farmer who grows corn, soybeans, rye for seed, and has a strong focus on conservation. Hepp hosts field days on his farm to share his knowledge about improving soil health with other farmers, with an emphasis on cover crops and no-till practices. He is the Calhoun County Farm Bureau Board President.

Calhoun County is among the 46 counties in Iowa approved to allow low-income residents recovering from severe storms to receive the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (UDSA) Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). This program is aimed to assist families that may not usually be eligible under regular SNAP qualifications but may qualify for D-SNAP if they meet qualifying disaster-related expenses. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says, “In the wake of recent tornadoes and severe storms, USDA is dedicated to providing emergency assistance to Iowa residents. It is a top priority of ours to assist Iowans in getting back on their feet, and we will work hard to make sure USDA’s nutrition assistance programs are accessible to those in need.” To be eligible for D-SNAP, households must live or work in an identified disaster area, having been affected by the disaster. Households approved will receive one month of benefits, equal to the maximum monthly amount for SNAP of its size, that they can use to purchase groceries from authorized stores. The program will also approve a 10-day reporting waiver to replace food purchased with SNAP benefits that spoiled or were lost due to power outages. Iowa will open its D-Snap application from June 25 through June 29. The application can be found on the Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) website. The link to this story is included below.

Pictured: Camille Uhlenkamp (right) from the Carroll County Extension and Outreach Office accepts the NEW Cooperative Foundation’s contribution to decrease the cost of 4-H dues from NEW Cooperative Communications Specialist, Holly Reicks. The NEW Cooperative Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting 4-H clubs by donating nearly $100,000 to...

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is taking a new approach, pledging to keep tobacco, vapor products, and alternative nicotine from being sold to underage individuals. I-PLEDGE is a partnership program with the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR), which aims to educate retailers in the area and enforce Iowa’s tobacco and vapor product laws, increasing compliance with these regulations. I-PLEDGE focuses on retailer training, using an online module, and having clerks pass an exam to become certified. Once certified, clerks are prepared to refuse an illegal sale of tobacco or vapor products and maintain a responsible establishment. As part of the program, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department will conduct checks on the local retailers, ensuring underage customers cannot purchase products while under a supervised watch. Calhoun County Sheriff Pat Riley says, “By partnering with the Iowa Department of Revenue, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community. Moreover, we pledge to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products out of the hands of underage persons in Iowa.”