The good
The State Veterans Home in Marshalltown has been awarded $23,840,617 from the Department of Veterans Affairs for renovation to the Dack and Malloy buildings at the State Veterans Home. “Our veterans deserve the best care available, and these funds will go a long way toward providing resources and assistance for Iowa veterans,” said Sen. Tom Harkin during last week’s announcement. “I have heard many stories about the hardships veterans face as they get older, and it is our duty to assure continued support for men and women in the military far after they’ve left the battlefield.” Well said, senator.
The Iowa State Fair announced last week that it will host a one-day meal-packaging event in partnership with Meals from the Heartland, the Iowa Soybean Association, the Iowa Food and Family Project and GROWMARK on Aug. 8. The Fair’s goal is to package 250,000 meals to help alleviate world hunger. The event is funded in part by the soybean check-off and is part of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions’ “Dream Big” food drive hosted by fairs throughout the world. Together, participants hope to collect 20 million pounds of food — enough to fill the daily needs of nearly six million people. How fitting that one of Iowa’s most gluttonous days of the year should be a platform for feeding the hungry around the world. To donate or volunteer, visit www.iowastatefair.org.
The bad
William A. Krause, a West Des Moines entrepreneur who built Kum and Go, the nation’s fifth-largest privately held convenience store chain, died last week at age 78. Krause passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family after battling cancer. The Eldora native formed a partnership with his father-in-law, the late T. S. Gentle in 1959, and together they pioneered a convenience store concept where townspeople could purchase milk, bread and eggs in addition to gasoline. The family-owned company opened its first store in Hampton and now employs more than 4,600 associates with 423 stores in 11 states. After 44 years of vision and leadership to the company, Krause retired in 2003 but continued with many ongoing philanthropic endeavors. He was a good man. Rest in peace, Mr. Krause.
The Salvation Army in Des Moines warns against yet another scam circulating in its name. Callers from Altoona and Runnells reported to the organization last week that a man posing as a Salvation Army representative was going door to door in the area asking for donations. He has been described as an African-American male in his 30s or 40s and approximately 5’10” tall. The man asked that a check be written payable to him and said he would forward the funds to The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army does not solicit donations door to door. He must think people are stupid.
The ugly
For months metro police agencies have been working together investigating multiple car burglaries of vehicles parked at fitness centers, daycare centers and recreational areas. On June 12, Kyle Krug, 33 of Mason City, and Amanda Earp, 26 of Ankeny, were arrested at The Lodge, an extended stay motel in Ankeny. Officers seized numerous stolen items from their room, including purses, cell phones and other electronic equipment, many of which were allegedly linked to various car burglaries in the Des Moines metro and Mason City, including a stolen SUV. One victim confronted Krug and Earp during a break-in and tried to recover his property. He was reportedly struck multiple times on his arm as he hung on to the suspect’s steering wheel to keep them from driving off. Given the number of burglaries these Bonnie and Clyde wannabes are believed to be involved with, additional charges may be brought against them in the future, police said.
A Roy’s Towing Service driver accidently struck a pedestrian last week while backing into a vehicle storage lot at 201 S.E. 6th St. in Des Moines. The victim, whose name and age was not released by press time, had been outside the vehicle trying to help guide the driver as he reversed using hand signals. Police say he stepped into the driver’s blind spot and was hit by the tow truck. He was pinned between the truck and a parked trailer and later pronounced dead at the hospital. The tow driver is cooperating with investigators, and although it’s being investigated further, police said they believe this tragedy was completely unintentional. CV
