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.
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 Ira and Asenath Sturdevant House in Waverly, IA 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 Waverly, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 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.
“Always Best Care of the Cedar Valley has compassionate staff and flexible scheduling. The office”
“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the”
“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose”
“Always Best Care of the Cedar Valley has compassionate staff and flexible scheduling. The office staff answers my questions patiently.”
“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.”
“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.”
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.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
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.
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.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home 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:
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:
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 Kohlmann Park in Waverly, IA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
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 Wild Carrot LLC or visit Bremer County Historical Society Museum, 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.
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:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
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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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.
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 Waverly, 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.
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:
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 Waverly, 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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
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 Waverly, 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.
GAME EIGHT | Saturday, Oct. 31 | 1:00 PM | Waverly, Iowa No. 12/13 Wartburg vs Simpson WATCH | LIVE STATS | LISTEN (KWAY-Matt Ray/Scott Suhr)THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP The No. 12/13-ranked Wartburg College football team (5-2, 4-0 A-R-C) hosts Simpson College (3-4, 2-2 A-R-C) for a Halloween matchup at Walston-Hoover Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 1 p.m.SERIES HISTORY VS THE STORM Wartburg holds a 51-27-2 advantage in the all-time series, whic...
GAME EIGHT | Saturday, Oct. 31 | 1:00 PM | Waverly, Iowa No. 12/13 Wartburg vs Simpson WATCH | LIVE STATS | LISTEN (KWAY-Matt Ray/Scott Suhr)
THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP The No. 12/13-ranked Wartburg College football team (5-2, 4-0 A-R-C) hosts Simpson College (3-4, 2-2 A-R-C) for a Halloween matchup at Walston-Hoover Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 1 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY VS THE STORM Wartburg holds a 51-27-2 advantage in the all-time series, which enters its 81st meeting on Saturday. The Knights earned a 27-13 road victory over the Storm last season and have won nine of the last 10 meetings. Wartburg is 25-14-1 against Simpson at home, including a 46-21 victory in the teams' most recent meeting at Walston-Hoover Stadium on Oct. 19, 2024. Simpson's last win in Waverly came in 2018, when the Storm claimed a 37-36 overtime victory.
ABOUT THE STORM Simpson has picked up victories over Crown (W, 52-0), Buena Vista (W, 51-20), and Loras (W, 38-21), despite dropping its previous two home A-R-C games against Dubquue (L, 56-27) and most recentely Coe (L, 28-24). The Storm boast the league's top-ranked third-down conversion percentage of .447, as well as overall completion percentage of .700. Simpson uses a strong passing attack led by quarterback Jayden Thoreson, who has passing for 1,172 yards ad 14 touchdowns so far this season. Thoreson's favorite target, Noah Cracraft, leads the A-R-C in recieving scores (11), yards (793), and yards per game (113.3). Out of the backfield, Demarico Young has rushed for six scores and has tallied 723 yards on the ground.
LAST TIME OUT WARTBURG The Knights rallied from an early 12-point deficit with 33 unanswered points to defeat the University of Dubuque 33-14 Saturday at Chalmers Field, extending its winning streak over the Spartans to 10 consecutive games. Dawson Rud paced the Knights with 158 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, while Josh Papesh completed 21 of 33 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown. Dylan Swanstrom added a career-high eight receptions for 79 yards. Defensively, Pryce Rochford led the Knights with a career-high nine tackles, while Sam Watts recorded four tackles and two sacks. Mason Van Pelt and Owen Rosenberg each intercepted a pass, with Rosenberg securing the first interception of his career. Wartburg limited Dubuque to 76 rushing yards on 24 attempts.
SIMPSON The Storm fell to Coe College 28-24 Saturday after building a 17-point lead. The Storm scored 24 unanswered points across four scoring drives to take a 24-7 advantage but were held scoreless in the second half. Simpson completed 27 of 40 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns while adding a 29-yard field goal. The Storm converted 8 of 18 third-down attempts and scored on all three red-zone opportunities, while forcing three Coe fumbles and recovering one. Simpson finished with 262 total yards, including 188 through the air and 74 on the ground.
AROUND THE A-R-C NEB. WESLEYAN @ COE - 1 PM - CEDAR RAPIDS, IA DUBUQUE @ BUENA VISTA - 1 PM - STORM LAKE, IA CENTRAL @ LORAS - 1 PM - DUBUQUE, IA
CURRENT A-R-C STANDINGS Coe: 5-2, 4-0 A-R-C Wartburg: 5-2, 4-0 A-R-C Dubuque: 4-3, 3-1 A-R-C Central: 4-3, 2-2 A-R-C Simpson: 3-4, 2-2 A-R-C Nebraska Wesleyan: 1-6, 1-3 A-R-C Loras: 2-5, 0-4 A-R-C Buena Vista: 1-6, 0-6 A-R-C
A-R-C DOMINANCE Last season, Wartburg became the first program since Central (1964–67) to win four consecutive A-R-C championships. The Knights have won 38-consecutive conference games. Wartburg is looking to become the first team to win five-straight league championships since Central did so from 1983-1987. No A-R-C team has won six-straight.
SCORING AT A PREMIUM Through the first four games of conference play, the Knights have outscored their opposition 242-61.
Oct. 3 - W, 69-26 at Nebraska Wesleyan Oct. 10 - W, 72-14 vs Buena Vista Oct. 17 - W, 68-7 at Loras Oct. 24 - W, 33-14 at Dubuque
BORCHERS BULLDOZES WAY TO D3football.com TOTW Senior defensive lineman David Borchers earned a spot on D3football.com's Team of the Week for week eight, after recording four tackles, two tackles for loss, one of which resulted in a safety, and added a pass breakup and quarterback hit in Wartburg 33-14 road victory over Dubuque. Borchers becomes Wartburg's first D3football.com TOTW honoree so far this season.
RUD REACHES 3K RUSHING YARD MILESTONE With a season-high 158 rushing yards against Dubuque last weekend, reigning A-R-C Offensive Player of the Week, running back Dawson Rud, totals 3,191 yards in his Wartburg career, moving up to No. 7 on the all-time rushing leaders list. Rud ranks No. 10 in Division III averaging 7.21 yards per carry, and No. 5 total touchdowns with 14 on the season - 12 rushing (career-high).
1. 4839 - Bobby Beatty (940-4839) - 1991-94 2. 4503 - Trevor Shannon (832-4503) - 1995-98 3. 4080 - Hunter Clasen (660-4080) - 2019,21-23 4. 3700 - Justin Beatty (698-3700) - 1999-02 5. 3381 - Brandon Domeyer (668-3381) - 2012-15 6. 3235 - Gary Nelson (810-3235) - 1967-70 7. 3191 - Dawson Rud - 2023-26 8. 3187 - Brad Hodapp (580-3187) - 2000-03 9. 2981 - Brad Ott (762-2981) - 1984-87 10. 2961 - Dan Hammes (580-2961) - 2003-06
ALL THREE PHASES OF THE GAME Through its first seven games of the season, the Knights have taken control of all three phases of the game, topping the A-R-C in several categories. Wartburg leads all of Division III with 24 takeaways this season.
Blocked Kicks - 4 (No. 17 in Division III) Blocked Punts - 4 (No. 2) First Downs (Def.) - 118 (No. 86) First Downs (Off.) - 161 (No. 31) Fumbles Recovered - 6 (No. 42) Kickoff Returns - 22.06 (No. 44) Passes Intercepted - 18 (No. 2) Punt Return (Def.) - 3.44 (No. 30) Rushing (Def.) - 95.1 (No. 58) Rushing (Off.) - 244.4 (No. 17) Scoring (Off.) - 44.6 (No. 12) Total Defense - 305.7 (No. 80) Total Offense - 442.7 (No. 29) Turnover Margin - 1.71 (No. 8) Turnovers Gained - 24 (LEADS DIVISION III)
A LOOK AT NPI (D3 DATACAST) Wartburg rose to No. 53 in the National Power Index (NPI), following its victory over Dubuque last Saturday. The Knights produce an NPI score of 60.062, and is projected as the 39th overall seed in the Division III Playoffs.
2026 WARTBURG POTW HONORS LB Adam Link - Sept. 8 WR Drew Hobart - Sept. 21 RB Dawson Rud – Oct. 5, Oct. 26 DL Jake Walker – Oct. 5
ALL-TIME WINNINGEST DIV. III HEAD COACHES (Min. 50 Games) – NCAA Statistics - Brad Spencer (2022-23 – pres.) – North Central (Ill.) 64-3 Overall (5th Season)** - Vince Kehres (2013-14 – 2019-20) – Mount Union 95-6 Overall (7 Seasons) - Geoff Dartt (2022-23 – 2025-26) – Mount Union 72-7 Overall (6th Season)** - Larry Kehres (1986-87 – 2012-13) – Mount Union 332-24 Overall (27 Seasons) - Chris Winter (2021-22 – 2025-26) – Wartburg 58-10 Overall (5th Season)** ** - Indicates Active Head Coach
LOOKING AT THIS YEARS ROSTER The 2026 Wartburg football roster features 62 sophomores, 44 incoming freshmen, 37 juniors, 33 seniors and one 5th year.
Longest Active Winning Season Streaks — All Divisions Linfield (Ore.) – 68 seasons Mount Union – 46 seasons Wartburg – 32 seasons Northwest Missouri State (DII) – 30 seasons
D3Football.com Week Top 25 1. Wheaton (20) 2. UW-Platteville (4) 3. St. John's 4. North Central 5. UW-Whitewater (1) 6. Hardin-Simmons 7. Endicott 8. WashU 9. Hope 10. Christopher Newport 11. Cortland 12. Wartburg 13. Baldwin Wallace 14. John Carroll 15. UW-River Falls 16. Bethel 17. Mary Hardin-Baylor 18. Trinity (Texas) 19. Berry 20. Susquehanna 21. Linfield 22. Chapman 23. Rowan 24. Heidelberg 25. DePauw
Dropped out: No. 20 UW-La Crosse; No. 23 Salisbury.
Others receiving votes: Utica 52; Calvin 21; Trinity (Conn.) 20; Mount Union 20; Lake Forest 19; Washington & Jefferson 16; Franklin & Marshall 15; UW-Stout 12; Springfield 12; UW-La Crosse 11; Concordia-Moorhead 11; Salisbury 6; Brockport 2; Concordia Wisconsin 1; Ithaca 1; Montclair State 1; Ursinus 1.
AFCA DIVISION III COACHES' POLL 1. Wheaton (37) 2. UW-Platteville (15) 3. St. John's 4. UW-Whitewater (1) 5. North Central 6. Hardin-Simmons 7. WashU 8. Christopher Newport 9. Hope 10. Endicott 11. Cortland 12. John Carroll 13. Wartburg 14. Mary Hardin-Baylor 15. Trinity (Texas) 16. Baldwin Wallace 17. Bethel 18. UW-River Falls 19. Berry 20. Susquehanna 21. DePauw 22. Calvin 23. Lake Forest 24. Rowan 25. Heidelberg
Dropped Out: Salisbury (20), Ursinus (25)
Others Receiving Votes: Springfield, 75; Utica, 46; Linfield, 42; Chapman, 41; Mount Union, 36; Concordia-Moorhead, 22; Trinity (Conn.), 22; Hampden-Sydney, 20; Franklin & Marshall, 19; Benedictine (Ill.), 18; Concordia (Wis.), 18; Washington & Jefferson, 14; Illinois Wesleyan, 7; Ursinus, 4; Salisbury, 3; LaGrange, 2; U.S. Merchant Marine, 2; Amherst, 1; Brockport, 1; Montclair St., 1; UW-La Crosse, 1.
WEEK-BY-WEEK RANKING - AFCA Preseason - No. 9 Week 1 - No. 10 Week 2 - No. 10 Week 3 - No. 18 Week 4 - No. 18 Week 5 - No. 16 Week 6 - No. 15 Week 7 - No. 13 Week 8 - No. 13
WEEK-BY-WEEK RANKING - D3football.com Preseason - No. 9 Week 1 - No. 9 Week 2 - No. 6 Week 3 - No. 11 Week 4 - No. 12 Week 5 - No. 11 Week 6 - No. 11 Week 7 - No. 11 Week 8 - No. 12
CONSECUTIVE WEEKS RANKED D3football.com - 45 weeks AFCA - 42 weeks
A-R-C PRESEASON COACHES' POLL 1. Wartburg College - 49 (7) 2. Coe College - 42 3. Central College - 38 4. University of Dubuque - 29 5. Simpson College - 27 6. Loras College - 20 7. Nebraska Wesleyan University - 10 8. Buena Vista University - 9
Four St. Paul's Lutheran Church confirmation students, Liam Keith, Lucas Whitinger, Robert Wells and Jhett Diercks, went above and beyond for their community, packing over 1,000 meal ingredient bags with over 6,000 servings.With the help of donations from Greater Waverly Kiwanis Club, community members, the Rotary Club and a Thrivent Action Grant, the four high school freshmen were able to raise over $800 to obtain and package meals from the Union Outreach Program to distribute them locally.The organizations they chose were War...
Four St. Paul's Lutheran Church confirmation students, Liam Keith, Lucas Whitinger, Robert Wells and Jhett Diercks, went above and beyond for their community, packing over 1,000 meal ingredient bags with over 6,000 servings.
With the help of donations from Greater Waverly Kiwanis Club, community members, the Rotary Club and a Thrivent Action Grant, the four high school freshmen were able to raise over $800 to obtain and package meals from the Union Outreach Program to distribute them locally.
The organizations they chose were Wartburg Food Pantry, Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation, the Waverly-Shell Rock BackPack Program and Waverly-Shell Rock Area United Way, which got the meal packages around the beginning of this month after packaging them on Sept. 22.
“It feels good to be able to help my community and to be able to help meet food insecurity needs,” Liam said.
The students thought of the service project through their church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, after all confirmation students were assigned to pick one out. One of the group members’ parents had a connection with the Outreach Program, a nonprofit organization based in Union, Iowa and the project took off from there.
Their next step was fundraising for the minimum $800 fee for the Outreach Program’s Meal Packaging program, where the program provides meal packaging kits, filled with ingredients, packaging supplies and packaging equipment.
After earning the $250 Thrivent grant, the students spoke with the Greater Waverly Kiwanis Club in August. The local organization agreed to fulfill the remainder of the $800 fee.
The students also spoke with the Waverly Rotary Club, where individuals within the club also donated an “amazing amount,” according to Mandy Keith, mother of Liam. She also noted that through supporting the Kiwanis group, the club is able to put money towards community needs such as this service project.
There were additional donations made privately by community members as well.
Even though the group exceeded their $800 goal, the extra proceeds still went to Outreach.
For Jhett, talking with all of the local organizations was his favorite part, as well as talking in front of St. Paul’s about their project.
“My favorite parts were speaking to different groups to donate money, getting to present with my friends and gain experience public speaking,” he explained. “You can do a lot when you put people together.”
The students got to choose two meal ingredients to pack. They chose pasta with tomato basil sauce and apple oatmeal rice, which are lightweight meals packed with vitamins, protein and minerals and only require boiling water to make. Jhett also noted that the two chosen meal packs were the most popular at Outreach.
In total, it took around five hours to package the meal ingredients with the help of around 25 parents and friends, who all gathered at one of the service project members’ houses after football practice.
“A lot of people out there are willing to help,” Robert said of the meal packing. “We had a lot of volunteers help package meals, so we were able to help a lot of people.”
One of the people Mandy highlighted was Becky Prostine, the foodservice director and registered dietitian for Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools. In the Outreach Program’s requirements, there needed to be a certified dietitian to oversee the packaging and she stepped up to the task.
“She helped set up and package the meals,” Mandy noted. “She was super helpful and gave up her time to help with this project.”
The meal packages were equally distributed and sent out to the chosen organizations within ten days of packaging.
For Lucas, packaging meals for local food banks and organizations was more than a project; it was a reminder that a small group can make an impact.
“Even though we didn’t have a ton of people, we could still make a big difference,” he said about the project. “There are people in Waverly who struggle with food insecurity, and it only takes a small group to help in their community.”
The Bremer County Board of Supervisors approved the final plat for the Sentinel One subdivision on Oct. 20, moving the proposed development forward despite concerns from neighboring property owners about drainage, groundwater, traffic and the long-term effects of residential growth in an agricultural area.The decision followed a lengthy process, public hearings, meetings with building and zoning and requested changes to the plan from the board lead to a final hearing. During which residents questioned whether the development’s s...
The Bremer County Board of Supervisors approved the final plat for the Sentinel One subdivision on Oct. 20, moving the proposed development forward despite concerns from neighboring property owners about drainage, groundwater, traffic and the long-term effects of residential growth in an agricultural area.
The decision followed a lengthy process, public hearings, meetings with building and zoning and requested changes to the plan from the board lead to a final hearing. During which residents questioned whether the development’s stormwater management plans would adequately protect surrounding properties and whether the project made sense for the rural location.
The subdivision has been under consideration for more than a year, according to Mark Halbach of Sentinel One Developers, who thanked the board for its work and said the developers intend to improve property values and contribute positively to the community.
“We take pride in our design, and we aim to set a high standard for Bremer County and Waverly,” Halbach said.
Several residents urged supervisors to reconsider the project, citing uncertainty about runoff and the potential effects on existing wells.
Mick Weiss questioned whether the proposed drainage system could handle water from future homes, garages, driveways and roads. He said he remained concerned about how the system would perform during heavier rainfall and who would be responsible if drainage problems developed after construction.
Weiss also questioned whether soil percolation tests, which help determine the suitability of land for septic systems, had been completed as required by the county’s subdivision ordinance.
“I know the Bremer County subdivision ordinance that you helped instigate and create back in 2022 states that all subdivision lots have to have a perc test prior to approval. Has that been done?” Weiss asked of the board, calling into question what safeguards had been completed to protect surrounding properties.
Building and Zoning Director Lindsay Koehler said individual lots would be tested when property owners pursue septic system approval. She acknowledged that the existing ordinance language should be reconsidered because testing an entire subdivision in advance may not accurately reflect conditions on every lot.
Koehler cited a previous subdivision in which a lot passed a percolation test during development but failed when a homeowner later sought approval for a septic system.
“That would be something pertinent to a subdivision in the 70s when they were only doing traditional fields,” Koehler said of the ordinance provision. “That should probably be amended out.”
Kathy Folkerts questioned the financial and practical benefits of the subdivision compared with homes built within city limits. She presented a comparison indicating that a $450,000 home would generate about $800 more in county revenue when built in the proposed development than on a city lot.
Folkerts said buyers in the subdivision could face approximately $20,000 for a septic system, another $10,000 to $13,000 for a well and about $3,000 to bring water and sewer lines into a house.
She also raised concerns about the loss of agricultural land, increased traffic, emergency service demands and the possibility of future construction being affected by a proposed carbon pipeline.
Before Supervisors took action, Koehler addressed concerns, saying the developers’ restrictive covenants limit impervious surface coverage to 12% of each lot. Impervious surfaces, such as roofs and concrete driveways, prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground.
The limit corresponds to the assumptions used in the development’s stormwater calculations. If a proposed project exceeds that coverage, the covenants require an evaluation by a professional engineer licensed in Iowa.
Bruce Gipple, who said he has lived near the proposed development for 52 years, expressed concern that increased groundwater use could affect his well. He also cited traffic, wildlife habitat and a former sinkhole on one of the proposed lots.
Koehler said residents who experience problems with their wells can file a complaint with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which investigates and determines responsibility when groundwater problems are reported.
Supervisor Dewey Hildebrandt said he understood the neighbors’ concerns, drawing on his own experience with drainage changes that left his backyard prone to flooding.
However, Hildebrandt said he ultimately supported the subdivision because he believed growth could benefit the broader community.
Supervisor Corey Cerwinske also supported the project, saying rural development can contribute to the county’s long-term vitality.
“I think given that ability, if a developer wants to take on this risk and develop, there’s a path forward,” Cerwinske said.
Board Chairman Bob Brunkhorst said the proposal had improved during the lengthy review process, particularly regarding water management. He encouraged the developers to continue working with neighbors during construction before the board voted to approve the final subdivision resolution.
Marsh McLennan Agency, or MMA, reached an agreement to acquire Accel Holdings Inc., a leading diversified independent insurance and advisory firm headquartered in Waverly, IA, according to a news release from Monday, Aug. 10.MMA, a business of Marsh (NYSE: MRSH), is a leading provider of business insurance, employee services, and private client insurance solutions across the U.S. and Canada.The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, according to the release.“The...
Marsh McLennan Agency, or MMA, reached an agreement to acquire Accel Holdings Inc., a leading diversified independent insurance and advisory firm headquartered in Waverly, IA, according to a news release from Monday, Aug. 10.
MMA, a business of Marsh (NYSE: MRSH), is a leading provider of business insurance, employee services, and private client insurance solutions across the U.S. and Canada.
The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, according to the release.
“The Accel Group is one of the industry’s leading firms due to its hands-on service, deep local ties, and proactive approach to managing risk. Combined with MMA’s broader capabilities, we can deliver even more value to the businesses, families, and agricultural organizations that count on Accel and need integrated solutions to grow with confidence,” said David Eslick, CEO of MMA.
Founded in 1936, the Accel Group further established its legacy through a strategic merger with Millhiser Smith Agency in 2018, an agency that itself was founded in 1928. Today, the firm provides commercial and personal insurance, employee benefits and agribusiness solutions, as well as wealth management and retirement advisory services.
The Accel Group operates seven offices across Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, including one at 5500 Fountains Drive NE in Cedar Rapids, and has more than 130 employees, all of whom are expected to join MMA from their current locations.
“The Accel Group has a strong reputation because of its talented team and client-first culture. It is an excellent fit for our business and the clients we serve,” said Ryan Watkins, CEO of MMA’s Upper Midwest region, in the release. “In addition to expanding our geographic footprint in Iowa and strengthening our presence in neighboring states, Accel’s retirement and wealth capabilities and extensive agribusiness knowledge will enhance our current offerings and the value we provide to our clients.”
Corey Rekers, president of property and casualty insurance at The Accel Group, added: “MMA’s national platform, global resources, and specialized capabilities build upon the strong foundation Accel has established for nearly 100 years. We’re excited about the future, the opportunity to expand our vision, and the ability to elevate how we serve our clients.”
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