Main Streets & Backroads

In this episode of Mills County Routes , we sit down with Army combat veteran Ron Salisbury to talk about something that matters more than ever, gun safety and youth education . Ron shares his journey from military service to becoming a cardiac nurse, and how that experience led him to help launch a youth marksmanship and firearm safety program in Southwest Iowa. We cover: • Why early firearm educ...

This Memorial Day, something powerful is coming to Southwest Iowa. In this episode of Mills County Routes , Carlene sits down with Brad Powell , President of the Iowa Veterans Foundation, to talk about The Wall That Heals — a traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial coming to Council Bluffs. This 3/4-scale replica of the Washington, D.C. memorial brings the experience closer to home for veterans, famil...

A packed crowd gathered in Mills County to hear Iowa gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn share his vision for the future of the state. In this full town hall, Lahn dives into the issues Iowans are feeling right now: • Rising property taxes and pressure on family farms • Keeping young people in Iowa • Housing affordability and rural community growth • Education, workforce, and local opportunity • Gov...

Life can get repetitive. Work, home, repeat. In this episode of Mills County Routes , Carlene talks about something simple that can completely change that… volunteering . From mentoring students to supporting veterans and local organizations, volunteering isn’t just about giving back. It’s about connection, purpose, and breaking out of the everyday cycle. In this episode: • Real volunteer opportun...

In this episode of Mills County Routes , we visit the Commemorative Air Force museum and hangar and sit down with curator Jim Friberg to explore thousands of artifacts, restored aircraft, and stories from World War II and beyond. This isn’t just a museum. It’s a living piece of history. In this episode: • A walk-through of a WWII training aircraft and restoration hangar • Over 5,000 cataloged arti...

The library isn’t what you think it is anymore. In this episode of Mills County Routes , we visit the Glenwood Public Library during National Library Week and sit down with Autumn (Director) and Emily (Adult Services) to break down everything available to the community. And here’s the kicker… 👉 You don’t even need a library card for most of it. In this episode: • Free services you can use right n...

In this episode of Mills County Roots , we visit Enspire Boutique in Malvern, Iowa and sit down with owner Julie Mount to talk about building a business that truly serves everyone . From everyday basics to standout pieces, Enspire is designed to help people feel confident no matter their size, style, or budget. In this episode: • How Julie transitioned from teaching to owning two retail businesses...

What starts as a joke in a high school classroom turns into a 30+ year career in professional rodeo. In this episode of Mills County Roots , we sit down with Shawn “Boom Boom” Thompson , a professional rodeo clown and entertainer from Fremont County, Iowa, who’s performed across the country and is now returning to his roots at the legendary Sydney, Iowa Rodeo . In this episode: • How a class clown...

What used to be a nursing home is now one of the most important community investments in Mills County. In this episode of Mills County Roots , we visit the Lakin Foundation Child Development Center of East Mills in Malvern and sit down with Jasmine Zeitner and Brittney Rimel , Director of the center, to explore how this project came to life. This conversation covers: • How the community transforme...

When you call 911, the first voice you hear isn’t police, fire, or EMS… it’s a dispatcher. In this episode of Mills County Roots , we sit down with Travis Hitchcock , Director of Emergency Management & Telecommunications, and Dawn Christensen , Lead Dispatcher, to give you a real look inside emergency communications. This is what most people never see. You’ll learn: • What actually happens dur...

Drake Roller’s story isn’t just about business… it’s about resilience. In this episode of Mills County Roots , Drake shares his journey from serving in the U.S. Marine Corps to hitting a personal low… and ultimately rebuilding his life, his mindset, and his future. Now the owner of Full Metal Junket , Drake is turning hard lessons into purpose, helping people clean out homes, properties, and even...

What started as a handmade quilt for a granddaughter turned into something much deeper… a song, a legacy, and a story of faith, love, and purpose. In this episode of Mills County Roots , Carlene sits down with Billy Cooper at Falcon Wood Park to share the powerful story behind a handcrafted quilt that took years to complete and the unexpected song it inspired. From hand-stitched Bible verses to a...

County Supervisor candidates step up and answer questions directly from concerned citizens — no filters, no spin, completely UNCENSORED. This is your chance to hear straight from the source where each candidate stands on the issues that matter most to our community. Couldn’t make it in person? No problem — we’re bringing it straight to you. Stay tuned, watch closely, and decide for yourself. Becau...

We’re sharing something a little different today on Mills County Routes, but it matters just as much to our community. Still Serving Iowa Veterans , presented by the Iowa Veterans Foundation, Inc., is a statewide show focused on the issues, updates, and resources that impact veterans and their families right here in Iowa, including Mills County. Hosted by Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin, this sh...

Less than 0.1% of the water sent to your home is actually used for drinking. So… what’s the rest of it doing to your home, your body, and your health? In this episode of Mills County Roots , Carleen Hall sits down with Randy Hayden of Futuramics Clean Water Center to break down what’s really in your water and what you can do about it. • The difference between hard water vs purified water • Why bot...

What if your security system didn’t just watch… but actually worked for you? In this episode of Mills County Roots , we sit down with Ryan Haag , Navy veteran and owner of Snowy Owl Security , to talk about modern security, privacy, and how smart technology should actually serve people… not the other way around. Ryan shares how a simple church livestream project during the pandemic turned into a f...

What does it actually take to serve a community well? In this episode of Mills County Routes , we sit down with Sandi Winton to talk about leadership, service, and what she’s hearing directly from the people of Mills County. From organizing community events to hosting listening sessions across the county, Sandi shares how her approach is simple but powerful: listen first, then lead . Inside this c...

What if the way we’ve been doing education… just isn’t working anymore? In this episode of Mills County Routes , we take you inside SWITCH – Southwest Iowa Technical Career Hub , where educators, industry leaders, and community partners are rethinking how students prepare for real careers. From hands-on HVAC training to industry-sponsored education paths, SWITCH is flipping the script on tradition...

In this episode of Mills County Routes , Carlene Hall sits down with Travis Waldstein , business owner, tradesman, and instructor at Iowa Western, for a real, no-BS conversation about the future of work. From teaching electrical fundamentals to running successful HVAC and plumbing businesses, Travis brings decades of hands-on experience and straight-up truth about what it takes to succeed in the t...

In this episode of Mills County Routes , Carlene Hall sits down with Sandra Dollen and Sarah Dressel to talk about the incredible impact of the Teammates Mentoring Program at Glenwood High School. Founded by legendary coach Tom Osborne , Teammates is built on a simple but powerful idea: one caring adult + one student = life-changing impact. Right here in Mills County, that idea is transforming liv...

In this episode of Mills County Routes , Carlene Hall sits down with Katie Lewis , director of SWITCH – Southwest Iowa Technical Career Hub , to explore one of the most innovative education and workforce solutions happening in rural America right now. What started as a former school building has been transformed into a career training hub, community center, and economic driver for Mills County and...

In this episode of Mills County Routes , host Carlene Hall sits down with Mills County Supervisor Jack Sayers to talk about leadership, responsibility, and what’s really happening behind the scenes in local government. At just 18 years old when elected, Jack became one of the youngest county supervisors in Iowa history. Now at 20, he’s helping make decisions that impact roads, public safety, taxes...

Welcome back to Mills County Roots . In this episode, we take you inside the Mills County YMCA in Glenwood, Iowa for a full tour of everything this incredible community space has to offer. This isn’t just a gym… it’s a place built around healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility . We sit down with YMCA leaders to talk about: Fitness programs and classes for all ages Youth sports...

In this episode of Mills County Routes , host Carlene Hall visits Hillsdale Lily Farm just outside of Malvern, Iowa, to wrap up Ag Week with a look at agritourism in action. Owned by Todd and Lu Peverill , this family farm has been in operation for generations and now features over 280 varieties of lilies across more than an acre of vibrant gardens. While this visit takes place during the winter s...

In this episode of Mills County Routes , host Carlene Hall sits down with Mills County Sheriff Greg Schultz for a candid conversation about law enforcement, community service, and what it really takes to keep a rural county safe. Sheriff Schultz shares his journey from the South Dakota Highway Patrol to the Council Bluffs Police Department , where he served for over 25 years, and ultimately return...