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Creston man arrested on warrants

News

October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report the arrest at around 5:30-p.m., Monday, of 41-year old Chad Michael Mastin.  The Creston man was arrested at the Moonlight Motel on two outside agency warrants. Mastin was being held in the Union County Jail on a $25,000 cash or surety bond.

 

 

(Podcast) KJAN News, 7:07-a.m., 10/19/2021

News, Podcasts

October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Area News from Ric Hanson.

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Anticipated lay-offs become official in Newton

News

October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Newton, Iowa) – An anticipated round of layoffs in Newton is now official. KCCI reports a posting from Iowa Workforce Development’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act website shows TPI Composites will lay off 710 employees.

Iowa law requires companies to disclose mass layoffs or plant closures to the state within 60 days. In September, the city of Newton announced the facility could be suspending production at the facility later this year. The city of Newton announced Thursday that TPI Composites will possibly be suspending production at the facility later this year.

The company was founded in 1963 and has been producing wind blades since 2001. The city said the Newton plant employs about 800 people.

Declines seen in Iowa COVID hospitalizations and positive tests

News

October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Public Health released new COVID-19 data Monday showing a continued decline in positive tests and hospitalizations. IDPH data shows 6,812 positive tests in the last seven days, down from 7,389 at last report on Friday. Iowa’s 14-day positivity rate is also down from 8.8% to 8.6%. The number of Iowans hospitalized with COVID-19 dropped from 575 to 562. Of those hospitalized with the virus, 77.1% are unvaccinated and of those listed in intensive care with COVID-19, 83.2% are unvaccinated.

The health department reports 26 long-term care facilities with virus outbreaks, unchanged from Friday. There have been 3,577,968 vaccine doses administered in Iowa, with 67% of those 18 and older fully vaccinated and 69.4% of those 12 and older with at least one vaccine dose.

Senate’s GOP leader says eliminating state income tax should be ultimate goal

News

October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The top Republican in the Iowa Senate says every Iowa taxpayer should get an income tax cut, but Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver of Ankeny says the ultimate goal should be eliminating the state income tax altogether.) “Right now, there are about eight states that do not have an income tax. There’s another eight states that have said: ‘We want to get on a path to no income tax.’ And I would like Iowa to be included in those states that say: ‘Ultimately the goal is to get to nothing,” Whitver says. “How you do that is difficult. It takes time, but that should be the goal, to get rid of our income tax.”

A century ago — in 1921 — Iowa was the first state in the country to impose a cigarette tax, then in 1934, the Iowa legislature enacted a statewide sales tax and a state tax on income. Democrats say tax cuts should be targeted toward working Iowans rather than an across-the-board reduction that would benefit wealthy Iowans and corporations. Whitver says Republicans will pursue broadbased tax reform. “We wealthy Iowans work, too,” Whitver says. “We want it to apply to every Iowan and that’s what we’ve done over the last five years is cut taxes for everybody.”

In 2018, Republican lawmakers passed a tax reduction package that Democrats warned was fiscally irresponsible and would lead to underfunded schools and reduced state services. “This is a bobsled to bankruptcy is what they kept saying,” Whitver says. “In fact, the exact opposite is true.”

The state had a more than one billion dollar surplus when the last fiscal year ended on June 30th. Republicans say that should be returned to taxpayers. Whitver says getting rid of the state income tax can’t happen in one or two years, but a flat tax on income — without any deductions or credit — might be the first step. “It’s a good idea. It’s fair. People understand it,” Whitver says. “…We have a tax code that’s a mess with credits and exemptions all over the place. We’ve had to straighten that out before we can really take the next step.”

Whitver made his comments during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S. Iowa State University economist Peter Orazem says if the state income tax is eliminated, the state sales tax would have to be raised substantially. He says Iowa’s property tax rates are a bigger deterrent to economic growth than Iowa’s income taxes.

Montgomery County Sheriff/Red Oak Police Dept. reports

News

October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies arrested Adam Dennis Letts at around 5:10-p.m., Monday. Letts was arrested on a valid Bremer County warrant for driving while barred. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $750 cash bond. Deputies arrested 40-year-old Kyle Danny Mitchell, Jr., of Omaha, at around 9:40-p.m. Monday, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Mitchell, Jr., was being held on a $300 bond. And, 53-year-old Gregory A. Riley, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 11:50-a.m. Monday, for Obstruction of Emergency Communications. Riley’s arrest followed an investigation into an incident reported in Coburg that was reported to law enforcement. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.

And, the Red Oak Police Department Monday, reported the arrest of 44-year-old Chrystal Rush Stewart, of Red Oak. She was taken into custody Monday morning on two Red Oak Police warrants for Theft 5th Degree. Stewart was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $600 bond.

Glenwood Police report

News

October 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Glenwood Police Department, Monday, said two people were arrested on separate charges, Sunday. 46-year-old Steven Howard, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He was being held in the Mills County Jail without bond, until seen by a magistrate judge.

And, 27-year-old Jacob Crouch, of Glenwood, was arrested Sunday for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

Atlantic Parks & Rec Board meeting recap

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 18th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board met Monday evening at City Hall. Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen reminds the public a Scarecrow Contest is underway in downtown Atlantic. For $20, people can rent a pole downtown and decorate with a scarecrow. The deadline to reserve a pole with the Chamber passed as of today (Monday, Oct. 18). All the proceeds benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. Spectators can vote for their favorite scarecrow by making a monetary donation, located at the chamber. Votes must be cast between Oct 18th-31st.

A reminder also, of this weekend’s “Tour de Parks” bike ride. The ride will start and end at Sunnyside park and is about 9.5 miles, but it is broken into 6 stages and goes past all the different parks in Atlantic. Come do all the stages or just do a few. Come enjoy great conversation and learn more about the great things happening in the area. There will be local organizations along the route with free goodies and giveaways showcasing many upcoming events. The Parks and Recreation Department has bikes and helmets you can use free of charge. If you have questions, please contact the Parks and Rec Office at (712) 243-3542.

Another event Bryant spoke about during the Parks and Rec Board Monday, is the Lions Club Pancake Supper from 4:30-until 7-p.m. Nov. 11.  The event takes place inside the Atlantic Community Building on the Cass County Fairgrounds. The cost is $7 per person for adults, children 12 and under at $5.00. Rasmussen said all the proceeds will be used toward the purchase of “inclusive playground equipment” for one of the City’s Park. One of the sites they’re looking at more specifically, is the Schildberg Recreation Area. Inclusive parks and ADA accessible, but designed for everyone.

Along that same line, Bryant Rasmussen said Atlantic Kiwanis and Lions Club members this past Saturday added more pea gravel around the various park playground equipment, as part of the service project day. Bryant says prior to the added gravel, the amount of fall material designed to protect kids against injury, was “definitely lacking.” He said about 20-tons of pea gravel was moved. The two swing sets at Cedar Park now have new pea gravel, along with a swing set at the Kiddie Korral at Sunnyside Park, and the playground set by the Kiddie Korral Shelter, as well.  Another project is being planned for this coming spring.

And, Rasmussen reported to the Board that a recycled plastic bench has been installed at Cedar Park basketball court area. It was donated by the Lions Club from all the recycled plastic. He said as of two weeks ago, the Elks Club reached their goal of 500 lbs of plastic. They’ve picked a color for their bench, which should arrive within the next four-to-five weeks. Bryant says two other organization: The City of Griswold and the Master Gardeners, are applying for similar benches. He says there are currently 1,800 lbs of plastic available for recycling projects. Their goal had been 500 lbs over six months, so they’ve surpassed in less time than expected. Byrant says they take in about 200-to 300-lbs per week.

For more information on how you can sponsor a recycled bench, contact the Parks and Rec Office at (712) 243-3542.

Atlantic Parks & Rec to have a booth at the Youth MH Symposium on Oct. 25th

News

October 18th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – One of the informational booths to be featured as part of next Monday’s Youth Mental Health Symposium, will be staffed by Atlantic Parks & Rec Department staff. The symposium will be held from 5-until 7:45-p.m. Oct. 25th, at the Atlantic High School. Park and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen says “Our main focus is going to be obviously on outdoor recreation, and just trying to promote the impacts that outdoor recreation can have on mental health, and then also push that people can take advantage of it through the Atlantic Parks and Rec Department to utilize that.”

Bryant said that’s especially true during the winter months when people don’t like to be outside, but “there’s still things that we offer to allow people to get out and about. through trails and cross country skis, sledding, or anything like that.”

All middle school and high school students, parents, and community members in Cass County are invited to attend the symposium. The free event includes a meal sponsored by area businesses, door prizes, and free childcare. Motivational speaker Joe Beckman will talk about the importance of human connection at a time when loneliness is at an all-time high, and a series of short presentations will be given on issues affecting students today, including anxiety, healthy relationships, and mental health awareness. Organizations from Cass County and across the state will be at the event providing resources to students, parents, and community members.

No registration is required, but those needing childcare are asked to RSVP to Sarah Rose at srose@atlanticschools.org or 712-243-5358. To slow the spread of COVID-19, masks are encouraged and will be available at the door.

For information on community wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty.

Deere & UAW resume contract talks amid strike

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 18th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Representatives of the United Auto Workers and John Deere say contract talks have resumed. Ninety percent of union workers rejected Deere’s initial contract offer and more than 10-thousand workers at 14 John Deere plants and distribution centers have been on strike last Thursday. Union members say Deere’s initial offer did not meet their wage and retirement goals, plus the union says it’s important to end a two-tiered pay system that ensures younger workers get less. A spokeswoman for the company says John Deere is fully committed to the collective bargaining process, resolving the strike and giving production and maintenance workers the opportunities to earn the best wages.

Revenue for the first three quarters of Deere and Company’s current fiscal year is up 11 percent and net income is up 84 percent compared to the same portion of 2019, before the pandemic hit. The turn-out at many picket lines today (Monday) was larger than it had been in the opening days of the strike.