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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Anamosa, IA

Home Care Anamosa, IA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Anamosa Penitentiary Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Anamosa, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Anamosa, IA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.”

DouglasJJIWF
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TESTIMONIALS

“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.”

Carol64210350

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Anamosa, IA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Anamosa, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Anamosa, IA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Anamosa, IA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Anamosa, IA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Wapsi-Ana Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Anamosa, IA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Thou Dine or visit Anamosa Arboretum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Anamosa, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Anamosa, IA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Anamosa, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Anamosa, IA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Anamosa, IA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Anamosa, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Anamosa, IA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Anamosa, IA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Pinicon Senior Living
  • Woodland Park Assisted Living
  • Anamosa Care Center
  • jones county senior center
Home Care Anamosa, IA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Anamosa, IA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Anamosa, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Anamosa, IA

Latest News in Anamosa, IA

Some Anamosa locals say their water bills are climbing to over $7,000

Some people in Anamosa say they are shocked after opening their water bills and seeing amounts due in the thousands.They tell Iowa's News Now that the lack of response from the city has them wondering how they are going to pay their four-figure bills, especially since they have already gotten disconnect notices left on their doors.One resident moved to Anamosa from Missouri in September.He says his first bill was normal, about $90.But after that, the amount kept going higher and higher.Now he's faced with a...

Some people in Anamosa say they are shocked after opening their water bills and seeing amounts due in the thousands.

They tell Iowa's News Now that the lack of response from the city has them wondering how they are going to pay their four-figure bills, especially since they have already gotten disconnect notices left on their doors.

One resident moved to Anamosa from Missouri in September.

He says his first bill was normal, about $90.

But after that, the amount kept going higher and higher.

Now he's faced with a $7,500 bill he says he cannot afford to pay.

He has called the city multiple times asking them to check the meter.

The city has not come into the house yet.

They say the problem is with a leak in the house.

The resident says he had a plumber come to the house and even had one over today.

The plumber found no signs of a leak anywhere.

Another local says he came home to a notice on the door that his water was going to get shut off unless he pays a balance of over $1,000.

He says his wife and three kids live in a trailer home and she is pregnant with their fourth child.

He says him and his family cannot risk having their water shut off so he had no choice but to pay the bill.

He was told by the city that he also has a leak.

A claim he denies.

Iowa's News Now went to the Anamosa City Hall.

City Administrator Michon Jackson says although there might not be a leak inside the home, that does not mean there isn't one underground, around the property.

"It depends where the leak is located and what time of the year it is. Right now, with it being freezing, if it was toward the top and comes to the surface, you'd see bubbling but it just depends where it is," she said.

But experts say the ground may not be that frozen to show no signs of any water in front or backyards.

According to NOAA, the current frost depth in Eastern Iowa is 11 inches.

Most towns require water pipes for homes to be buried five to six feet deep.

There was no sign of any water in the yard.

The locals say, they will keep fighting until they get a break.

One of America’s Biggest Motorcycle Museums Closes

The National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa, will close its doors for the final time September 5.After a stoic 34-year run, the National Motorcycle Museum is closing down for good September 5, 2023. Once one of the preeminent motorcycle museums in the country, its board of directors finally decided to shut its doors after years of financial struggles. Founded by J&P Cycles’ dynamic husband-wife duo John and Jill Parham in 1989, the museum first opened in Sturgis, South Dakota, with a modest 40 motorcycles on display. In ...

The National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa, will close its doors for the final time September 5.

After a stoic 34-year run, the National Motorcycle Museum is closing down for good September 5, 2023. Once one of the preeminent motorcycle museums in the country, its board of directors finally decided to shut its doors after years of financial struggles. Founded by J&P Cycles’ dynamic husband-wife duo John and Jill Parham in 1989, the museum first opened in Sturgis, South Dakota, with a modest 40 motorcycles on display. In 2001, it moved to Anamosa, Iowa, and at one point housed more than 500 rare and collectible motorcycles and memorabilia.

“It was a very hard decision and it was an emotional decision because my husband and I started this together,” Jill Parham said. “We have struggled for years to cover wages and utilities, partly due to low visitation.”

The pandemic also hit the nonprofit museum hard as it had to close its doors for several months. Harsh Iowa winters didn’t help attendance either. Losing founder and driving force John Parham to pulmonary fibrosis in 2017 dealt the museum another cruel blow.

Over the years, the museum has showcased some of the most iconic motorcycles around.

It was the first to display Rollie Free’s 1948 Vincent HRD, aka the “Bathing Suit Bike.” The picture of Free stretched out like Superman on the Vincent’s tank wearing only swimming trunks while he’s setting a land speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats is easily one of the most instantly recognizable motorcycle photos. The 1911 Flying Merkel boardtrack racer it had on display, a prized possession from the E.J. Cole collection, is said to be the most original 1911 Merkel in existence.

It honored legends like the “King of CoolSteve McQueen with his own exhibit, including McQueen’s 1947 Indian Chief chopper, one of his favorite bikes to ride when he wanted to escape from the world. The museum paid homage to Southern California’s “Kustom Kulture” with work by Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and Von Dutch. It even constructed its own 50-foot-long boardtrack exhibit inside the museum itself, a dozen vintage boardtrackers adorning its banked turn.

In its heyday, the museum attracted plenty of celebrities and was frequented by a veritable who’s who of the motorcycle industry. American Picker Frank Fritz, a good friend of museum director Jill Parham, was known to pop in anytime. The museum even built a “Barn Find” exhibit complete with a hodgepodge of rusty relics as one of its star attractions.

While many of the museum’s motorcycles were on loan from private collectors, others were part of the Parham’s personal collection. Much of that is going up on the auction block as part of the liquidation process. More than 300 motorcycles and 1,000 road art lots will be for sale in Mecum Auctions on September 6–9, 2023, as part of the John Parham Estate Collection. A preview day is scheduled September 5. There are some incredible motorcycles and memorabilia up for grabs, from a 1915 Flying Merkel Twin to a 1937 Brough Superior SS80.

Parham’s passion for the motorcycle industry was unparalleled. Although it’s sad to see one of the finest motorcycle museums in the country closing down, it also presents an incredible opportunity to expand your own collection and own a piece of its legacy. You can also sneak in one last visit because its doors don’t close until September 5.

Anamosa Football Latest Updates

Sunday, Oct 15, 2023Watch this highlight video of the Anamosa (IA) football team in its game Recap: Anamosa vs. West Liberty 2023 on Sep 22, 2023undefined views | More Videos: Saturday, Oct 14, 2023Watch this highlight video of the Anamosa (IA) football team in its game Recap: Anamosa vs. Northeast 2023 on Oct 13, 2023undefined views | More Videos: Friday, Oct 13, 2023On Friday, Oct 13, 2023, the Anamosa Varsity Boys Football team lost their ...

Sunday, Oct 15, 2023

Watch this highlight video of the Anamosa (IA) football team in its game Recap: Anamosa vs. West Liberty 2023 on Sep 22, 2023

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Saturday, Oct 14, 2023

Watch this highlight video of the Anamosa (IA) football team in its game Recap: Anamosa vs. Northeast 2023 on Oct 13, 2023

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Friday, Oct 13, 2023

On Friday, Oct 13, 2023, the Anamosa Varsity Boys Football team lost their Northeast, Goose Lake game against Northeast High School by a score of 7-12.

Anamosa7NNortheast12Final

Sunday, Oct 8, 2023

Watch this highlight video of the Anamosa (IA) football team in its game Recap: Anamosa vs. Camanche 2023 on Oct 6, 2023

Friday, Oct 6, 2023

On Friday, Oct 6, 2023, the Anamosa Varsity Boys Football team lost their Anamosa High School game against Camanche High School by a score of 28-43.

Camanche43Final

Wednesday, Oct 4, 2023

Watch this highlight video of the Anamosa (IA) football team in its game Tipton High School on Sep 29, 2023

Saturday, Sep 30, 2023

Watch this highlight video of the Anamosa (IA) football team in its game Recap: Anamosa vs. Tipton 2023 on Sep 29, 2023

Friday, Sep 29, 2023

On Friday, Sep 29, 2023, the Anamosa Varsity Boys Football team won their game against Tipton High School by a score of 16-10.

TTipton10Final

Friday, Sep 22, 2023

On Friday, Sep 22, 2023, the Anamosa Varsity Boys Football team won their game against West Liberty High School by a score of 38-16.

WWest Liberty16Final

Saturday, Sep 16, 2023

Watch this highlight video of the Anamosa (IA) football team in its game Recap: Anamosa vs. Monticello 2023 on Sep 15, 2023

Friday, Sep 15, 2023

On Friday, Sep 15, 2023, the Anamosa Varsity Boys Football team lost their Anamosa High School game against Monticello High School by a score of 20-38.

MMonticello38Final

Saturday, Sep 9, 2023

Watch this highlight video of the Anamosa (IA) football team in its game Recap: Anamosa vs. Vinton-Shellsburg 2023 on Sep 8, 2023

Friday, Sep 8, 2023

On Friday, Sep 8, 2023, the Anamosa Varsity Boys Football team won their game against Vinton-Shellsburg High School by a score of 21-7.

Anamosa21Vinton-Shellsburg7Final

Monday, Sep 4, 2023

Watch this highlight video of the Anamosa (IA) football team in its game Recap: Anamosa vs. Center Point-Urbana 2023 on Sep 1, 2023

Friday, Sep 1, 2023

On Friday, Sep 1, 2023, the Anamosa Varsity Boys Football team won their Center Point-Urbana High School game against Center Point-Urbana High School by a score of 10-7.

Anamosa10Center Point-Urbana7Final

Monday, Aug 28, 2023

Watch this highlight video of the Anamosa (IA) football team in its game Recap: Anamosa vs. Maquoketa 2023 on Aug 25, 2023

Friday, Aug 25, 2023

On Friday, Aug 25, 2023, the Anamosa Varsity Boys Football team lost their Anamosa High School game against Maquoketa High School by a score of 6-17.

Anamosa6Maquoketa17Final

Thursday, Jul 6, 2023

The Anamosa Boys Football season preview, complete with returning player information and program history is available.

Free tour will showcase historic northeast Iowa barns, including at the Anamosa prison

Organizers of a free event the last weekend of June have a lofty goal: To pique public interest in Iowa’s dwindling stock of historic barns.“There are a lot of people who’ve never been on a farm or been in a barn,” said Roxanne Mehlisch of Zearing, a board member of the Iowa Barn Foundation.The foundation organizes barn tours around Iowa twice each year. Its spring 2021 tour will be held from June 26-27 in and around Anamosa, Monticello and Stone City.One of the highlights will be t...

Organizers of a free event the last weekend of June have a lofty goal: To pique public interest in Iowa’s dwindling stock of historic barns.

“There are a lot of people who’ve never been on a farm or been in a barn,” said Roxanne Mehlisch of Zearing, a board member of the Iowa Barn Foundation.

The foundation organizes barn tours around Iowa twice each year. Its spring 2021 tour will be held from June 26-27 in and around Anamosa, Monticello and Stone City.

One of the highlights will be tours of historic barns on the grounds of the Anamosa state prison. “They’ve never been open to the public before, so this is our chance to see them,” Mehlisch said.

Many of Iowa’s traditional barns are more than 100 years old. They’re often torn down or allowed to rot away, because they weren’t designed for modern farming uses. The Iowa Barn Foundation encourages owners to preserve the ones that are left, including by awarding grants to help with renovations.

Foundation President Jack Smith will lead tours of the prison barns from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day of the tour.

One of the Anamosa prison structures is the “Big Red Barn,” which was built of brick in 1928 as a dairy facility and was considered the largest barn in Iowa at the time, according to the foundation’s website.

This month’s tour also will include privately owned barns in the area, including structures made of wood, brick or stone. Tour participants will drive to each site, where they’ll be met by a guide who will explain the history of the barns. The barns will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

There is no charge or need to make reservations for the tour. A lunch will be offered for $10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at 22002 Buffalo Ridge Road, west of Anamosa. To make lunch reservations, call 641-751-1406.

For more information about the tour, go to the foundation’s website, iowabarnfoundation.org.

Tony Leys covers health care for the Register. Reach him at [email protected] or 515-284-8449.

Builder with ‘history’ of illegal burning is fined by DNR

An Anamosa home builder accused of illegally burning or burying construction and demolition debris multiple times in the past five years was recently fined $3,000 by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.The latest incident happened in June 2022, when people in an upscale residential area near Anamosa in southeast Iowa alleged that an illegal burn pile was emitting black smoke.A deputy sheriff who responded to the complaints found a pile of debris on fire near a house that was under construction. Dean Wood was the property d...

An Anamosa home builder accused of illegally burning or burying construction and demolition debris multiple times in the past five years was recently fined $3,000 by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The latest incident happened in June 2022, when people in an upscale residential area near Anamosa in southeast Iowa alleged that an illegal burn pile was emitting black smoke.

A deputy sheriff who responded to the complaints found a pile of debris on fire near a house that was under construction. Dean Wood was the property developer, according to DNR records. He is also the property owner, county records show.

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The deputy told Wood’s employees to cover the debris with soil to extinguish the fire. When a DNR officer arrived later, she found pieces of siding among the debris. Such debris must be taken to a landfill for disposal under Iowa law.

One of the employees “stated initially that they had been burning paper, but later clarified that there had been siding in the burn pile as well,” a DNR order noted.

The employees were putting siding on the back of the house that day, the officer reported. A sale is now pending for the house, which had been listed for $420,000, according to Iowa Realty’s website.

The DNR, in its order that levied the $3,000 fine against Wood, said he “has a history of illegal open burning.”

The department noted two other incidents in the order:

— In January 2017, Wood’s company demolished part of a commercial building in the area and burned it. A DNR officer “explained to Mr. Wood that he could not burn trade waste or demolition waste and that the remains must be taken to a landfill,” the DNR order said. “Mr. Wood told (the officer) that he would not burn demolition waste or trade waste in the future.”

— In May 2018, someone reported to the DNR that Wood was digging holes to bury paint buckets, plastic and tires near the person’s home. A DNR officer who responded to the complaint did not see any holes but saw that the soil had been disturbed. He issued Wood a notice of violation for burning tires as part of a brush fire.

As part of the recent DNR order, Wood has agreed to pay the fine, properly dispose of any remaining construction debris at the Anamosa house, and comply with state requirements in the future.

Wood could not be reached to comment for this article.

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