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From drug addict to Doctorate!

Twenty plus years ago, Nikolas (Nik) Kerr, formerly from Mt. Pleasant, was in Minneapolis. He started on the north side of the city and worked his way south. He had a map of every pharmacy, drug store, Walmart and CVC in the metropolitan area. At each store he bought all the pseudoephedrine they would allow. Nik had an advantage, he didn’t look like a druggie. He looked more like Mr. America. He knew how to act, too. In some of the more downscale stores, if he thought he could get away with it, he would fake talking on his cellphone. “Oh, you’re sick? Sure, I’ll see if I can get ...

Meeting a growing need: Why Iowa needs more therapists trained in co-occurring mental health and substance use treatment

Across Iowa, communities are facing rising challenges related to both mental health and substance use. While these issues are often discussed separately, they frequently occur together — creating complex and deeply intertwined struggles for individuals, families, and the professionals who support them. Yet despite this growing need, too few therapists are trained to effectively treat both conditions at the same time. Understanding the connection between mental health and substance use is essential for effective care. These conditions often influence one another in powerful ways. ...

Some context around our involvement with the city

My name is Tom Deimerly. My wife Libby Brown and I own Deim Holdings LLC. I want to share some context around our involvement with the city, our vacant corner lot, and what happened at the April 27 council meeting. We are not in this to profit. We have brought our vision to the city for years — slice off a portion of this corner for permanent community greenspace, leave the rest to be privately developed along with the building. To no avail. What we will not do is see this lot utilized in a manner inconsistent with that vision during the time that we control it. I have been ...

The dark side of the Data Center Boom

Across the country, resistance to data centers is rising even as plans are steadily being made to build new ones. According to the Pew Research Center, a majority of new data centers — 67 percent — are being built in rural areas. And three-quarters of those are in Midwestern and Southern towns. The negative effects have not gone unnoticed. A new data center in Southaven, Mississippi, for example, is reportedly terrorizing the community with high levels of noise and air pollution, and residents are now regretting its existence. But it’s not just the pollution, the depletion of ...

IVCCD reflects on growth, student success and a strong future

As the academic year ends, the Iowa Valley Community College District is celebrating a year marked by meaningful progress in enrollment growth, student retention, and expanded opportunities for learners across the District. Enrollment on the rise One of the most notable achievements this year has been an increase in student enrollment across the District. IVCCD saw a 9.2% increase in credit hour enrollment over fall 2024. Through strategic outreach, expansion of programs, strengthened partnerships with K-12 schools, and developed dual credit opportunities, IVCCD has welcomed a ...

Marshalltown Water Works marks 150 years of service during Drinking Water Week

Marshalltown Water Works is joining communities across North America in celebrating Drinking Water Week, May 3-9, 2026. Led by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the annual observance highlights the importance of safe, reliable drinking water and recognizes the tireless efforts of water professionals who keep it flowing around the clock. As communities across the country recognize Drinking Water Week, Marshalltown Water Works is also celebrating a major milestone of its own: 150 years of providing safe, reliable drinking water to Marshalltown and surrounding ...