(Radio Iowa) — Governor Kim Reynolds went to the “Candy Kitchen” in Wilton, Iowa, Monday to sign a bill that will boost state investment in rural Iowa.  “This iconic Iowa business really embodies the small town character that we’re famous for and it is the perfect example of why we should do everything we can to preserve, grow and strengthen our small town way of life,” Reynolds said. The Empower Rural Iowa Act includes 25 MILLION dollars in tax credits for home builders, for construction in rural communities.  “We have jobs that are available all over this state, but we can’t fill the jobs if there’s not a place to call home, so this bill….doubles the rural set-aside in workforce housing tax credits and, for the first year, the full $25 million will go to clear the current backlog for rural projects.”

State housing tax credits will no longer be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis either. Home builders will have to submit to a competitive bidding process to win the state grants. The Empower Rural Iowa Act also updates the rules for handing out another five MILLION dollars in state grants to companies that extend broadband to underserved rural areas. “We’re just getting started when it comes to that. I told ’em I’d take $5 million, but we’re coming back for more next year so we can continue to grow and expand and be the most connected state in the country!” Reynolds said.

The bill Reynolds signed into law creates a new “Center for Rural Revitalization” in state government. The center’s charge is to find and support leaders in Iowa’s rural communities.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Waterloo officials are moving ahead with plans for a downtown marina along the Cedar River. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports the City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve a $127,500 contract with a company that will develop plans for the proposed marina on the west bank of the river. The study will be funded by gambling revenue from the Black Hawk County Gaming Association.

Community Planning and Development Director Noel Anderson says officials envision private developers would build and operate the proposed marina. Anderson says the city would pursue grants to help fund the project.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Hundreds of students walked out of their Cedar Rapids high school to call for actions to address gun violence following the recent killings of two teenagers. The protest Monday morning at Washington High School came after two 18-year-olds were shot to death early Saturday as they sat in a parked car. Two others were injured in the shooting.
During the walk-out, students held a moment of silence. Students also shared their memories of the teenagers who were killed and called for the community to address gun violence.

Senior Class President Darshaun Smith says he was close with one victim, Royal Abram. He says Abram planned to graduate this week and had plans for his life after high school. Matrell Johnson also died in the shooting.

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund has donated $500 to the Friends of Lake Anita, for their annual Kids Fishing Day which will be held on Saturday, June 1st at Lake Anita State Park.  Registration begins at 9:30 followed by a short program before the fishing begins. Trevor’s mom and fund spokesperson Melanie Petty said “We look forward to sponsoring this event every year.  Fishing is a sport that can be enjoyed all through life and there isn’t anything better than enjoying the outdoors.  The Friends of Lake Anita along with representatives from the DNR will be available to help anyone with questions.”

The 11th annual TFred Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, August 10th at Nishna Hills Golf Club.  It’s the only fundraising event the group holds.  If you are interested in entering a team please call or text Melanie Petty at 712-249-3696.  Petty says “We look forward to another great day of golfing and friendship.  If you aren’t a golfer stop out and bid on several silent auction items that are available for viewing in the clubhouse all day.  Another way of helping is to be become a hole sponsor with a $100 donation.”

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund is a 501c(3) non profit organization.  All monies raised are donated back to things that were important to Trevor.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Community leaders in Des Moines are continuing to oppose plans for a $137 million federal courthouse on the city’s riverfront. KCCI-TV reports former City Council member Christine Hensley and business leaders held a news conference Monday on the steps of the current courthouse and questioned the need for a new building on land the city had hoped would be used for a high-profile private development contributing to the tax base.

Hensley says she initially supported plans for a new courthouse but now believes the current building is underutilized. She says construction of a new courthouse is unnecessary and wasteful.
It has been several years since a YMCA was demolished at the site along the Des Moines River with plans for a private development. City officials suggested other sites for the courthouse, but federal officials insisted on building on the property in the heart of downtown.

Federal officials say planning for the new courthouse is continuing.

A traffic stop at around 7:10-p.m. Monday in Adams County resulted in the arrest of a Union County man on numerous charges. Authorities say Adams County Deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Mark Alan Normandeau, of Creston, but he failed to yield to their emergency lights and siren.

After he eventually decided to stop, the K9 Baxo was deployed and alerted to the odor of narcotics. At that point, Normandeau became uncooperative and combative toward deputies. He was placed under arrest on charges that include:

• Possession of a controlled substance/Meth-1st offense;
• PCS/Marijuana-1st offense;
• Unlawful possession of prescription drugs;
• Possession of drug paraphernalia;
• Carrying weapons;
• Felon in possession of an offensive weapon;
• Interference with official acts;
• and Assault on a Peace Officer.

Normandeau was also cited for  No insurance, Fraudulent use of registration, operating a non-registered vehicle, and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. He was transported by Prescott EMS to the hospital in Creston, for treatment.

Adams County deputies were assisted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office and Creston Police Department’s K9 Unit.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) — A judge has refused to delay sentencing for a northern Iowa farmer who appeared on ABC’s “The Bachelor” and who was involved in a fatal crash. Chris Soules has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of leaving the scene of a serious injury accident. His lawyers had sought the sentencing delay, citing the prosecution’s lack of response to a motion regarding a presentence investigation. The judge denied the request last week and said the sentencing will be held Tuesday as scheduled.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Heavy rain has caused a gaping hole in the roof of a Mason City building that houses a number of government offices, forcing the structure to close. Mohawk Square closed after weekend thunderstorms dumped more than an inch of rain in the area and led to the corner of the downtown building’s roof to collapse. The building, which once was home to Mason City High School, now provides space for government offices. An official says an engineer planned to assess the damage.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say an Omaha man defrauded Medicare and Medicaid in a scheme involving recipients in Nebraska, Iowa and other states. A U.S. District Court complaint filed earlier this month says Nereus Sutko committed health care fraud that began in November 2010 and continued into this month. His attorney said Monday that Sutko will plead not guilty. The documents say Sutko sometimes threw pizza parties at nursing homes, promising gifts as a way to obtain information for his scheme.

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) — Five siblings gathered in Storm Lake this weekend to watch their youngest brother graduate from high school decades after their parents emigrated from war-torn Sudan to the United States. The Sioux City Journal reports that Cham Deng graduated Sunday from Storm Lake High School with a 3.4 grade point average, ranking the first generation Sudanese-American 28th in his class of 190 students. Storm Lake Superintendent Stacey Cole says that Deng has been a positive inspiration at the school.

(Update 3:45-a.m.) — A man and a woman were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital following a residential fire in Atlantic, Monday. Firefighters were called to 403 W. 14th Street at around 8:27-p.m.

Photos by KJAN News Director Ric Hanson (Click on images to enlarge)

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees told KJAN News as crews were enroute, dispatch advised both residents – Mark and Claudia Eoff — were out of the house, but then Mark Eoff went back inside to try and rescue a cat and a bird, possibly a cockatiel. Both animals died. Eoff suffered from minor burns to his hands and arm, before he had to withdraw from the residence.

Firefighters were advised of a possible explosion in the residence just before they arrived. Upon arrival, there was smoke pouring from the eaves of the homes. Crews knocked down the flames within 15 minutes. McNees said there was a lot of fuel (Combustible) material inside the home.

The last crews were on the scene until about 10-p.m. McNees said an investigation determined the fire was caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director Bryant Rasmussen reports the west side playground equipment and safety/fall material at the Schildberg Recreation Area (SRA) is ready to be installed, and he’s putting out a call for volunteers to help put everything together June 21^st and 22^nd. Lunch will be provided for volunteers who are willing to lend a hand. If you’re interested in turning some wrenches, tightening screws and leveling the rubberized fall material, call the Parks and Rec Department at 712-243-3542.

Rasmussen said he’s been in talks with the City Street Department about excavating the site and helping in other areas of preparation, such as setting the cement for support poles. The west restroom at the SRA, as you may have noticed, has already been installed. The next step is to pack down the backfill and lay concrete for an ADA accessible path from the walking path to the restroom facility. Work on the Campground bathhouse is also underway, with soil work preparation.

Rasmussen said work on the East Ridge Park washout is set to begin as soon as possible, weather permitting. At Mollett Park (located at the east end of E. 3^rd Street Place), a split rail fence has been installed. A more defined, blocked-off parking lot is in the works for this summer or fall. The fence was installed to try and prevent vehicle vandalism that’s taken place in the past few months. Parks Board member Charlene Beane was concerned about the lack of lighting for the park, especially with a raised bed community garden in the plans. She wanted to see better lighting and security cameras to help prevent vandalism.

Rasmussen said the Sunnyside Pool was up and running, but the pump fought them. A new pump would cost anywhere from $45,000-to $50,000. Assistant Parks Director Roger Herring said there needs to be a renewed conversation about sources of funding for future of the pool, including a possible pump replacement in a few years.

In other business, Bryant Rasmussen said lilacs were installed at Harl Holt park to create a natural barrier along the basketball court, as opposed to a fence. He said also, work on the docks at the SRA, which were damaged by the flood, will begin in earnest as soon as possible. Work on the SRA Dog Park is done, and the park is usable. Fencing was re-installed, and holes have been filled-in. The parking lot has also been patched.

And finally, Rasmussen invites the public to the 4^th Annual Block Party at Sunnyside Park, June 1^st from 4-until 6-p.m. Volunteers are need to help chaperone at the event, as well.