Iowa recreational trails receive $2.7 million in state funding

The state transportation department this week approved more than $2.7 million in state funding for seven recreational trail projects across the state.

At a meeting Tuesday, the Iowa Transportation Commission, which is within the Iowa Department of Transportation, approved the funding for projects in Dallas, Jasper, Buchanan, Cedar, Polk, Decatur and Shelby counties.

The funding comes from the State Recreational Trails Program, which was created in 1988, according to a news release.

The commission also approved roughly $2.7 million in grants and loans for rail infrastructure projects in Clinton and Fremont counties.

Iowa PBS leader retiring

Molly Phillips, executive director and general manager of Iowa PBS, will retire at the end of this year after 34 years at the network, according to an Iowa PBS news release.

Phillips has been the network’s executive director and general manager since 2013. Her retirement will become official after Jan. 1, 2024, the news release said.

“I am immensely proud of the statewide network and the stories we have shared with Iowans over the last 34 years,” Phillips said in a statement. “I will retire with confidence that the extraordinary team here at Iowa PBS is well positioned for the future, and will continue bringing compelling voices and programming to a devoted audience by telling Iowa’s stories like no one else can.”

Harvest proclamation extended

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has extended a proclamation that allows farm vehicles to transport certain amounts of product without a permit.

Under the proclamation, which Reynolds extended through Nov. 11, vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer and manure can be overweight but not exceeding 90,000 pounds without a permit.

Lottery games ending

Two dozen instant-scratch Iowa Lottery games are ending soon, as part of the lottery’s standard procedures.

Players have until the close of business on Jan. 9, 2024, to claim prizes in these games: “Jewel Game Book,” “$100,000 Mega Crossword,” “$50,000 Luck,” “Seven,” “Lucky Stars,” “$100,000 Cash,” “$50 Explosion,” “Sheep Thrill,” “Luck,” “Hot & Cold Numbers,” “20X Cash,” “Roll The Dice,” “Just A Buck,” “Extended Holiday,” “$30,000 Holiday Crossword,” “Holiday Magic,” “$100,000 Holiday Crossword,” “Winter Greetings,” “Ho Oh No!” “9 TWO 5,” “Lucky Ticket,” “It Takes Two,” “Double It!” and “Cash Payout.”