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Home Care In Keystone, IA

Home Care Keystone, 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 Abandoned Historic Keystone Mines 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 Keystone, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Keystone, 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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Elderly Care for DouglasJJIWF
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“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the”

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.
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“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose”

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.
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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
×
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 Keystone, 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.

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Senior Care Keystone, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Keystone, 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
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Respite Care Keystone, 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
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Caregivers Keystone, 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 Allers 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
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Home Care Keystone, 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 Keystone Ranch or visit Keystone, 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.

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In-Home Care Keystone, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Keystone, 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 Keystone, 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 Keystone, 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 Keystone, 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 Keystone, 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 Keystone, 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 Keystone, 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:

  • Keystone Senior Suites
  • Keystone Care Center
  • Keystone Villas Senior Living
  • Keystone Place at Forevergreen
  • Keystone Ridge Post Acute Nursing and Rehabilitation
  • The Keystones of Cedar Rapids
Home Care Keystone, 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 Keystone, 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 Keystone, 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.

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Elderly Care Keystone, IA

Latest News in Keystone, IA

City council agrees to individual compromises with Keystone dog owners over pit bull ban

Benton County, Iowa — There are new solutions Tuesday evening for the Keystone residents caught up in a saga with the city over an order to get rid of their dogs.This is a story we've been covering now since late Jul...

Benton County, Iowa — There are new solutions Tuesday evening for the Keystone residents caught up in a saga with the city over an order to get rid of their dogs.

This is a story we've been covering now since late July.

Then, three weeks ago, the city gave that order for owners to get rid of the dogs, citing an ordinance banning pit bulls and dogs that look like pit bulls.

They've been begging city council to change course ever since.

Now, there are compromises for each case individually.

Two of the pet owners in question will have to pay for a DNA test certifying their dogs are the breeds they say they are, and not pit bulls.

But it's a different story for Makinzie Brecht's three pit bulls.

She brought her lawyer with her to Tuesday's meeting, along with a letter from her psychiatrist, certifying the trio as emotional support animals.

Legally, that means the city has to come up with accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, allowing Brecht to keep the dogs, despite the ordinance banning them in the city.

Brecht will have to jump through some hoops though, including making sure the dogs are registered, insured, and in an enclosed space, or under leash and muzzle, at all times.

"Oh it's stressful, I am agreeing to the reasonable conversations that we talked about and I’m glad that we could come to at least this," Brecht said. "I wish I didn’t have to come this far, I wish we could’ve just did this on our own and not have to go through all this, but I am glad that it went the way that it went."

Iowa's news now spoke with the mayor off camera Tuesday night.

He says they never wanted to take people's pets away to begin with, so he's happy with Tuesday night's agreement.

The city attorney advises that the council needs to get the ordinance straightened out so they don't have to deal with a mess like this again.

The earliest that could happen is November.

Local industry Keystone Electrical closing its doors

Keystone Electrical Manufacturing Company is closing its Brookhaven doors.The company, which expanded to the Home Seekers Paradise in early 2020, designs and manufactures customized, turnkey systems for electrical power grids, to protect, transmit and distribute energy from the source through the grid to the consumer.The Des Moines, Iowa-based Keystone EMC has been purchased by Systems Control, headquartered in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Systems Control made the announcement this week.Subscribe to our free email newslette...

Keystone Electrical Manufacturing Company is closing its Brookhaven doors.

The company, which expanded to the Home Seekers Paradise in early 2020, designs and manufactures customized, turnkey systems for electrical power grids, to protect, transmit and distribute energy from the source through the grid to the consumer.

The Des Moines, Iowa-based Keystone EMC has been purchased by Systems Control, headquartered in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Systems Control made the announcement this week.

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“I have followed Systems Control since I entered this industry over 24 years ago,” said Keystone owner Fred Buie. “I have always admired their innovative spirit and limitless commitment to customer satisfaction. Their overall philosophy of doing business aligns well with Keystone’s culture.”

Buie, a Brookhaven native, announced the expansion of Keystone to his hometown in February 2020. More than 200 people, including city and county leaders and Gov. Tate Reeves, attended the event, where Buie outlined his purchase of a spec building in the Linbrook Industrial Park and the hiring of approximately 30 workers for the local plant. He said at the time that he hoped to hire as many people as possible as the local production grew.

Buie said this week his original intent with the company was to sell it one day and retire, and that the offer from Systems Control pushed his retirement much closer on his personal timeline.

“They are the 500-pound gorilla in the industry. They approached us and wanted to buy the business,” Buie said. “It basically accelerated my retirement plan. I was looking to spend a couple of years getting this up and going, but my exit strategy was always to sell eventually. I just didn’t expect it to come this quickly.”

Buie and his wife maintain a Brookhaven home and a timber business in Lincoln County. He said they plan to spend more time in Brookhaven and with their three adult children.

When the purchase was originally discussed, Systems Control leadership was excited about the Brookhaven location and having an operation in the South, Buie said. At some point, the company decided it would be better served to move all operations to Iowa and Michigan.

“We’re essentially shutting down the Brookhaven operation,” Buie said. “We’ve offered all of the employees here the opportunity to transfer to Des Moines, and we’ve put together what I think is a generous severance package for those who choose not to.”

Health insurance and continued support, including help finding new employment, will be provided for those leaving the company, Buie said.

“This was a very, very tough decision for me, but it came down to what was best for the greater good and it was a business decision,” he said.

“We really do appreciate Brookhaven and Lincoln County. We found a very, very good workforce here in Brookhaven and I’m saddened that we were not able to continue,” Buie said. “But business is business, and sometimes you have to take the names and faces off the table to make a clean business decision.”

“He’s been a good business partner,” Lincoln County Board of Supervisors president and District 4 Supervisor Eddie Brown said of Buie. “I hate to see it not go further, but we’ll just keep on working on development with our Chamber and Industrial Park.”

The building already has garnered some professional interest, Brown said, as well as the other Linbrook spec building. Buie is working with the county, city, Chamber and state to repay investments into the local business and structure.

Buie retains personal ownership of the spec building in Linbrook and plans to lease or sell it.

“It’s the goal, right? Everyone wants to be able to do well and then retire,” said Brookhaven Mayor Joe Cox. “Fred Buie has done a good job, he did what he said he would do and he’s repaying grants and incentives Keystone received a year ago. I wish him well in his retirement.”

10 families in Keystone told to give up pit bulls

KEYSTONE, Iowa (KCRG) - Ten families in Keystone must get rid of their family dogs after being told to do so by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. The dogs are pit bulls or look like pit bulls.The dog owners were told July 22 they have 10 days to find new homes for their pets.MaKinzie Brecht found out her dog Nightmare couldn’t live with her anymore during the course of a normal day. “My mom told the sheriff where I was. He came and spoke to me at my work and let me know that me, along with nine other address...

KEYSTONE, Iowa (KCRG) - Ten families in Keystone must get rid of their family dogs after being told to do so by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. The dogs are pit bulls or look like pit bulls.

The dog owners were told July 22 they have 10 days to find new homes for their pets.

MaKinzie Brecht found out her dog Nightmare couldn’t live with her anymore during the course of a normal day. “My mom told the sheriff where I was. He came and spoke to me at my work and let me know that me, along with nine other addresses, were turned in because we had pit bulls or dogs that look like pit bulls.”

Benton County has an ordinance prohibiting dangerous animals; included in the list is “any dog which has the appearances and characteristics of being the breed of Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, any other breed commonly known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers, or a combination of any of these breeds.” The ordinance dates from March 21, 2000.

According to Preston Moore, Iowa State Director for the Humane Society, the Benton County ordinance is “one of the most vague.”

“It doesn’t actually necessarily say a dog has to be proven to be a quote unquote pit bull,” said Moore. “In Benton County, a dog just has to have some characteristics of those dogs. And then a very arbitrary process can take place where somebody can determine this dog happens to look like, sort of, one of these dogs, so it’s not allowed.”

Gabby Gormley is one of the Keystone dog-owners told to get rid of her pet because of how it looks.

Gormley told a representative of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office over the phone, “My dog specifically...has vet paperwork saying she is a Boxer Lab mix. And he said unfortunately, that doesn’t really make a difference because she resembles a pit bull.”

Gormley said what many dog-owners might: that her pet is a family member. “I had a miscarriage and she was literally one of the only things that got me out of bed.”

Gormley thinks the ordinance will stop growth in Keystone by deterring pet owners from living or moving there. “When you come after our pets, or you limit where we can have them or what type of pets we can have, we’re not going to move to those specific places. We’re not going to want to stay in places like that for very long.”

Gormley has a plan to send her pet to her in-laws’ house, but Brecht said, “At this point, I have no idea what I’m going to do with my dog.”

“People hear the word ‘pit bull’ and they think of dog fighting and aggressive,” said Gormley. “They don’t think of a dog who loves Goldfish and marshmallows and her big red ball. She just wants to be loved on.”

Copyright 2022 KCRG. All rights reserved.

Historic Keystone Bridge to open for the first time since April 2022

Elkader, Iowa (KCRG) - People in one Northeast Iowa community will soon be able to start using a century’s old landmark again.The Keystone Bridge has been a part of Elkader ever since it was constructed in 1889.On December 1st, the city will reopen the bridge for the first time after a more than year long renovation.The bridge runs through the center of town and crosses the Turkey River.This closure has impact...

Elkader, Iowa (KCRG) - People in one Northeast Iowa community will soon be able to start using a century’s old landmark again.

The Keystone Bridge has been a part of Elkader ever since it was constructed in 1889.

On December 1st, the city will reopen the bridge for the first time after a more than year long renovation.

The bridge runs through the center of town and crosses the Turkey River.

This closure has impacted downtown business owners such as Lee Akin.

Lee Akin has owned the Elkader Cinema for the last 20 years and he says outside of the COVID-19 Pandemic, this is one of the largest disruptions his business has ever faced.

“In general we’ve had a down couple of years because of it,” said Akin.

On April 4th 2022, the city started work on a more than 7 million dollar renovation to resufrace and improve the Keystone Bridge which city officials say had become a safety concern.

“There were a couple of stones that had cracks in them some of the stones had no density and the ability to hold any pressure,” said Elkader Mayor Josh Pope.

For almost 19 months, crews worked to repair the bridge, but this cut off the main street through the heart of town.

“The biggest thing with this bridge is there is two sides of the city one on the east side of the city on on the west side and this really connects the two,” said Pope

Akin says a lot of businesses felt the effects.

“I think the whole downtown is a little more quite than usual,” said Akin

The city is looking to pair the reopening with the holiday shopping season to provide a boost to downtown businesses.

“We’re trying to capitalize on that we’re actually during this time of year the chamber runs a promotion our punch card promotion and we’re doing a double punch weekend so we’re really encouraging those outside of the community come into town,” said Elkader Area Chamber of Commerce President Amanda Schneider.

Akin says he knows the rebuild will help more than just downtown merchants, it’ll benefit the entire community.

“Elkaders back, yeah,” said Akin.

A reopening ceremony is planned for Friday, December 1, 2023 from 4pm-6pm in the Central State Bank lobby in Elkader.

An official rededication ceremony for the Keystone Bridge is scheduled for May 7, 2024 in collaboration with the bridge’s 135th anniversary.

Copyright 2023 KCRG. All rights reserved.

Keystone dog owners prepare for appeal, now have attorney in fight against breed ban

KEYSTONE, Iowa - (Iowa's News Now) — Several dog owners in Keystone are preparing to meet with city council to appeal orders to remove their dogs. The orders came down the Friday of Labor Day weekend, more than a month after the dog owners were warned they were violating separate city and Benton County ordinances banning dogs that appear to be pit bulls.In early August, ...

KEYSTONE, Iowa - (Iowa's News Now) — Several dog owners in Keystone are preparing to meet with city council to appeal orders to remove their dogs. The orders came down the Friday of Labor Day weekend, more than a month after the dog owners were warned they were violating separate city and Benton County ordinances banning dogs that appear to be pit bulls.

In early August, many of those dog owners spoke during a city council meeting, begging to be allowed to keep the dogs.

"After that city council meeting, we didn't hear anything from anybody. Couldn't get hold of anybody, nothing," says MaKinzie Brecht, who owns a pit bull and was on the list of owners in violation.

Nothing until that Labor Day Friday when actual orders came down from the city and sheriff's office, giving Brecht and several others three days to remove their dogs. Brecht says they were confused why it was done over a long holiday weekend when city hall was closed; she's since learned those three days were business days.

The orders also allowed for appeal, which Brecht did, along with hiring an attorney.

"We didn't actually sign a contract and actually take legal counsel until we got the notices," Brecht says. "But he's been on the sidelines the entire time."

Brecht and some of the other dog owners will meet with city council again, this time with their attorney, for an appeal on Tuesday September 20.

Ahead of that meeting, Brecht says the city's attorney sent a written notice that also outlined some exceptions to the ordinance violation that could allow them to keep the dogs. That included having the dogs kept inside or being enclosed in a six-foot tall fence; any shorter fence would have to have an enclosed top, according to the notice.

"It states we may be able to keep our dogs with these specific guidelines of how we should keep them locked up, per se," Brecht says.

Iowa's News Now reached out to the attorney for the dog owners as well as the attorney representing the City of Keystone, but have not heard back.

"I'm gonna be honest, it's kind of scary now that we're in the legal system dealing with all this and I don't know which way it could go," Brecht says. "It kind of scares me that at this point now they could say any day, 'Hey, we're taking your dogs,' because at this point I'm over that three-day limit. It's been very stressful, the whole process. Very overwhelming but we're not ready to quit."

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