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Google’s completion of construction phase in Council Bluffs brings the total investment to $5-Billion

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January 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with Google said Tuesday (Today), that the recent construction phase completed by Google at its Council Bluffs data center site brings the data company’s total investment in Council Bluffs to $5 billion. The Google data center in Council Bluffs is one of the company’s largest facilities. Officials say it has created jobs for over 900 people in a variety of full-time and external supplier roles, including computer technicians, engineers, and various food services, maintenance, and security roles.

Google says it has established a long-term commitment to the state and has continued to live the mission of organizing the world’s information and making it universally accessible by all, through support of projects and initiatives that help bridge the digital divide. Internet accessibility is a priority for Google in home communities like Council Bluffs, and Google was a key partner in the effort to bring the BLink community wi-fi network online for Council Bluffs. (All photos submitted by Google)

Google Council Bluffs exterior w/deer.

Google Council Bluffs Network Room

Google Council Bluffs exterior

Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh says “Google’s $5 billion of capital investment represents an unprecedented financial commitment within the entire metropolitan area that is by itself staggering. However, financial expenditure doesn’t truly quantify what having a partner like Google has meant to Council Bluffs over these past 15 years. During that time frame, Google has regularly contributed to the education of our students, helped our local businesses bring their goods and services to market by teaching them ways to establish their own Google Business Profile, and they regularly serve as a contributing partner toward BLink, the City’s free Wi-Fi network. Through these and many other ways, Google has helped to turn Council Bluffs into a hub for technology, innovation, and opportunity.”

Since 2009, Google has awarded more than $3 million to local schools and nonprofit organizations including efforts to expand computer science education and upskilling Iowans to help grow their careers and expand their businesses.

Throughout Iowa, 163,000 Iowa businesses have connected with their customers through Google, and Grow with Google has partnered with more than 160 organizations in the state to train tens of thousands of Iowans on digital skills, including public libraries, chambers of commerce, and more. Google has also supported STEM learning for 1K+ Iowa students through hands-on learning opportunities like the Anti-Gravity Games and CS First coding events. Last year alone, 11,000 businesses, nonprofits, publishers, creators, and developers helped generate $1.5 billion of economic activity for Iowa using Google’s products and services.

Ryan Ackels, Site Lead at Google’s data center in Council Bluffs said “Google is proud to call Iowa home, and this continued level of investment in our data center facilities underscores our long-term commitment to the state and strong desire to be an active member of this community.”

Senate Republicans consider changes to nominating commissions for district court judges

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January 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Republicans in the Iowa Senate are considering changes in the process for nominating district court judges after Governor Kim Reynolds accused a judge from Humboldt of unprofessional behavior as he led a local nominating commission. Reynolds rejected a slate of candidates for a district court judgeship in November after fielding complaints that the judge leading the nominating commission coached one candidate and made negative comments about another. A Senate bill would remove the chief district court judge from local nominating commissions and let the governor appoint a majority of the commissioners. Republican Senator Julian Garrett of Indianola says while the incident this fall was extreme, he’s heard similar concerns in other Iowa districts. “Along the lines of attorneys really reluctant to say anything contradictory to the judge,” Garrett says.

The Iowa Judicial Branch and the Iowa Supreme Court are opposed to the bill. Caitlin Jarzen is the state court administrator. Jarzen says “We understand that there has been an issue with this process at the district level. However, that issue was addressed and resolved and we don’t believe that the entire system needs to be changed because of it.” Other opponents say the proposed change would inject more politics in the judicial selection process. The proposed change for the commissions that nominate DISTRICT court judges mirrors a mirrors a law passed a few years ago for the nominating commission that picks finalists for the Iowa Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. The governor then appoints a justice from the list of nominees.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Katarina Sostaric)

Humboldt middle school student arrested for threatening to bring gun to school

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January 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A Humboldt teenager has been arrested after making a threat to bring a gun to school. The Humboldt Police Department reports that on Monday evening, a 14-year-old student at Humboldt Middle School made a social media post that told students not to come to school on Tuesday because he was going to bring a gun to school. Police identified the student and after searching his residence, arrested the student on a charge of threat of terrorism.

Police did not find any guns at the student’s home, and he remains in juvenile court custody pending court proceedings.

Cass Supervisors approve budget amendment and tax rebate program

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January 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday), held a public hearing on an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2022 Cass County Budget. There were no comments, therefore the Board closed the hearing and adopted the budget and related appropriations, as amended. County Engineer Trent Wolken gave the Board an update on Secondary Roads activities. He said they’re still clearing and stacking brush, stockpiling rock. Wolken also presented the plans for a bridge rehabilitation project (L-289-73-15) with the City of Atlantic, on West 6th Street, near the airport.

Once the project is sent out for bids and the contractor is lined-up, Wolken said the repair work will take about two months for the larger segments of construction, with traffick likely being reduced to one lane once the major bridge rehabilitation is complete, and finishing work is underway. The project will cost $400,000, and is being split between the City and County.

In other business, after consulting by phone with Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman, the Board voted to set the pay rate for the remainder of FY 2022 at $20 per hour, for Auditor’s Assistant Doreen South. She was hired in Oct. 2021 and has ended the probationary requirement for her employment. Sunderman had originally proposed an increase of $1.29 per hour (to $19.29), but Supervisor Steve Green suggested her pay be more in-line with other County Office employees.

The Board also approved a Cass County Tax Rebate Program for new, non-residential construction Cass County, beginning with the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Tax Years. Cass County Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns…

And, they approved Rocky Anderson, of Griswold, as Pleasant Township Clerk.

Marshalltown police make arrest in murder case

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January 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Marshalltown police have arrested a man in connection with a fatal stabbing incident that occurred earlier this month. Kalalizi Jean Baptiste Madogo, 48, of Marshalltown, was arrested by police Monday in connection with the stabbing death of 30-year-old Yannick Mangubu on January 2nd. Baptiste Madogo was booked into the Marshall County Jail while awaiting an initial court appearance.

According to Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper, the stabbing occurred at a private residence. The incident remains under investigation and police say there is no ongoing threat to the public.

SWIPCO Launches HUD Lead Hazard Reduction Program, Contractor Scholarships Available

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January 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC, IOWA – Officials with the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) have announced a residential lead paint abatement program. The three-year endeavor will allow for lead-based paint removal in homes across the 7-county area served by the Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund, which SWIPCO administers.

Lead Hazard Reduction Program Coordinator, Nicole Rhodes, says the newly created program will allow for lead hazard reduction in approximately 35 housing units and build a more skilled workforce in the region. “This is really a great opportunity for us to get some of those lead hazards out of the way and make southwest Iowa a safer and healthier place to live for everyone, especially kids who are particularly vulnerable,” said Rhodes. “The other side of it is that we’re helping to get contractors certified to do the work, so that outlasts this program and will continue to benefit the community in the years to come.” Rhodes says that to qualify, homes must be built before 1978 and homeowners must meet certain income guidelines specific to the county where they live.

Nicole Rhodes

Scholarships are available for Iowa contractors to take a 40-hour lead hazard reduction certification training and offer an accompanying 24-hour lead hazard reduction training for an employee of their firm. Training offered will take place in Des Moines February 14-18, 2022. The scholarships, which cover the cost of certification, will include a per diem for hotel, meals, and lost work time for contractors who complete the training.

To apply, contractors must be licensed in Iowa and willing to submit bids for lead abatement in the counties covered by the program. Interested contractors can request and complete an application by emailing matthew.lee@swipco.org, visiting www.swipco.org, or calling SWIPCO at 712-243-4196.

(Podcast) KJAN morning News #2, 1/25/22

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January 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

More news from Ric Hanson.

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(Podcast) KJAN morning News, 1/25/2022

News, Podcasts

January 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Area News with Ric Hanson.

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Cedar Rapids nurse given probation for stealing opioids

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January 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – An eastern Iowa surgery center nurse who took an opioid for her own use was sentenced to probation. Fifty-two-year-old Sabrina Thalblum of Cedar Rapids pleaded guilty to one count of acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge, and one count of adulteration and misbranding with intent to defraud and mislead. Thalblum admitted to being addicted to the opioid fentanyl and carefully punctured vials with needles to get the drug and refilled the vials with saline and reglued the caps on. Thalblum was also fined ten-thousand dollars and must forfeit her nursing license.

Iowa man charged in New Year’s incident

News

January 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Perry, Iowa — A man from Perry was being held in the Dallas County Jail after being charged with threatening a woman and holding her against her will. Court documents show that 53-year-old Derrick Sandy flew a woman to Iowa from Minnesota. She stayed with him at his house over the New Year’s holiday.According to court documents, on New Year’s Eve, Sandy had been drinking and took Xanax. The woman claims that Sandy then hit her over the head so hard that she was left semi-conscious. Sandy also broke the woman’s cell phone.

The court documents also claim that Sandy held a gun to her head and threatened to kill her. The next day, he allowed her to contact a family member so they would not be suspicious about the lack of contact. The woman was able to escape three days later, while Sandy was sleeping. Sandy was arrested on Friday on Felony charges that include: 2nd Degree Kidnapping/Armed with a Dangerous Weapon; Willful Injury – Causing Serious Injury; Assault while participating in a felony – serious injury; and Dominion/control of a firearm/offensive weapon by a felon

He faces four additional charges, three aggravated misdemeanor and one a serious misdemeanor. Sandy was being held in the Dallas County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond. His preliminary hearing was set for February 1st.