In spite of a push by some in the community to raise money to keep it open, officials with The Warming Shelter still plan to close down the agency on October 1.
Warming Shelter officials said they will end a period of 11 years as the city’s sole emergency center for unhoused people. They had made that decision in early September, and affirmed it in a Wednesday press conference
The center in downtown Sioux City operates on a budget entirely made of donations, with a concerted decision not to rely on state or federal programs. However, they did not have enough money to continue beyond this month.
One of The Warming Shelter’s board members, Joe Twidwell, said the difficult decision to close gives other possible agencies some time to plan for how they might help some of the unhoused people.
Some people over the last two weeks have begun raising money to direct to The Warming Shelter. The shelter is short about $500,000 for the next year ahead.
But Twidwell said the financial reality is that to be effective, the shelter really needs funding for five years to be truly impactful.
The Warming Shelter Executive Director Shayla Moore said she was proud of the good the center has done since 2013. More than 150,000 nights of shelter were provided, plus other resources for unhoused people.
On Thursday, Sioux City Councilman Alex Watters said the city has been providing more resources, time, and staff to combat homelessness.
*Additionally, Summit Carbon Solutions plans to hold a final public meeting for property owners on Friday concerning an expansion to the company’s original pipeline plans.
Summit held public meetings in 23 counties as required by the Iowa Utilities Commission to increase its nearly 700-mile carbon capture pipeline by another 340 miles.
Farmer Dave Balder plans to attend that last meeting scheduled in Buena Vista County.
“This is a dangerous, profit-driven project, and I see that it will be obsolete before it even gets completed,” Balder said.
Balder, who lives a mile north of an ethanol plant in Albert City, doesn’t agree with using eminent domain for the project. He already granted easements for two natural gas pipelines, which he says are public projects.
Several property owners, lawmakers, and the Sierra Club have filed lawsuits opposing the use of eminent domain to build the pipeline connecting about 60 ethanol plants across five states.
Summit also held a meeting Tuesday in Spencer in Clay County.
*In other news, with the busy harvest season beginning across the state, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is urging Iowans to keep safety top of mind in the field, around the farm and on the road.
In a Thursday release that ties in with National Farm Safety and Health Week, Naig reminded people of tips on driving safely near farm equipment, plus added that farmers should be open to seeking mental health support.
“I encourage everyone to slow down, show patience and give each other some grace,” Naig said.
He said giving a wide berth and keeping a safe distance from farm vehicles is really important.
Naig added that with the stress of long hours and challenges in the agriculture economy, it’s also important for farmers to prioritize their mental health and well-being.
*Additionally, Morningside University officials on Wednesday announced the launch of a Master of Business Administration, or MBA, program starting with the next semester in January 2025.
They said the MBA program is a highly anticipated addition to Morningside academic offerings, and marks a significant milestone for the university and aspiring business leaders seeking to advance their careers. They also noted that credit hours will be priced at $400 per hour.
Some other Siouxland colleges have MBA programs.
