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Iowa early News Headlines: Monday, 6/18/18

News

June 18th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Cities, counties and the state of Iowa are less liable for injuries caused by road maintenance issues after a recent Iowa Supreme Court ruling that upheld a longstanding but controversial legal doctrine. The court in a June 8 ruling said a northern Iowa woman cannot sue Humboldt County for failing to remove a concrete wall a farmer had installed in a roadside ditch to keep cows from escaping.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa county gave $844,000 in grants to ten private, religious schools despite a state law prohibiting public funding for such schools. The Des Moines Register reports that Polk County gave the money in 2012 and 2013 to nine local Catholic schools and one Christian school by giving the grants to a corporation that passed the money to the schools.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Residents have begun moving into Des Moines’ newest neighborhood as work continues on apartments and townhomes in the area. The Des Moines Register reports that downtown’s East Village is being transformed by Hubbell Realty Co.’s 16-acre development known as the Bridge District. Developers hope the district will attract homeowners and renters to the city’s core. The neighborhood is slated to have nearly 700 housing units in five years.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republicans have picked a state agriculture secretary nominee, but it didn’t come easy. The Des Moines Register reports that incumbent Mike Naig was selected Saturday at the Iowa GOP state convention after four rounds of voting. After each round, the bottom candidate was dropped from the ballot. In the last round, Naig topped Corning farmer Ray Gaesser. Naig faces Democrat Tim Gannon in the November general election.

Iowa county gave private, religious schools $844,000

News

June 18th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa county gave $844,000 in grants to ten private, religious schools despite a state law prohibiting public funding for such schools. The Des Moines Register reports that Polk County gave the money in 2012 and 2013 to nine local Catholic schools and one Christian school by giving the grants to a corporation that passed the money to the schools.

The money given to the schools came from gambling revenue generated by the Prairie Meadows Casino and Hotel. Mark Stringer of the ACLU of Iowa says that it is unacceptable for state tax money to be intentionally sent to religious schools.
Polk County Attorney John Sarcone says he believes the grants to the private schools were legal, and he said the nonprofit wasn’t set up to get around state law.

Atlantic CPC to discuss changes to City Code w/regard to Tree Trimmers

News

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The City of Atlantic’s Community Protection Committee (CPC) is set to meet Monday evening at City Hall. During their 5:30-p.m. session, the Committee will discuss and make a recommendation to the City Council, with regard to the administration of tree trimming bills for 1110 Locust Street, and discussion with regard to changes to the City’s Code of Ordinances pertaining to “Tree Trimmers,” and “Trees,” to include a recommendation to the City Council.

Area School Board meetings set for Monday evening

News

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

At least three area school district Boards of Education will hold their regular, separate meetings, Monday evening. The Griswold School Board meeting begins at 5:30-p.m. in the Central Office at the Middle School/High School Building. The CAM School Board meets at 6:30-p.m. in the CAM High School Media Center, and the Audubon School Board meets in their High School Board Room, beginning at 7-p.m., Monday.

During the Griswold School Board meeting, they’ll act on approving: Fuel bids; Tech Support Bids; Bid specs for Bakery, Dairy, Snow Removal and Trash collection; City Agreements, Student Handbook changes; and an APEX contract with the Glenwood CSD. They’ll also hold discussion with regard to a crosswalk, and the sale of the Elementary buildings.

The CAM School Board will take action on: Principal and salaried employee contracts for 2018-19; an agreement with Casey Computer Consulting; and a request to change lanes on the salary schedule for the 2018-19 School Year. Discussion and possible action items will include: A request to purchase new math curriculum materials; revisions to board polices (series 504.3, 505.8 and 604.6); Facility projects and other matters.

And, the Audubon School Board will act on several matters, including: Student Handbook changes; renewal of a FY 2019 sharing agreement with the Coon Rapids-Bayard CSD for an Elementary Counselor, and renewal of FY 2019 sharing agreements with the Harlan CSD for Transportation and Human Resources positions. They’re also expected to receive from Superintendent Brett Gibbs, an update on Summer Projects.

Atlantic Parks and Rec Board to meet Monday

News

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board is set to meet Monday evening in the Council’s Chamber at City Hall. During the 5:15-p.m. meeting, the Board will receive updates on the Schildberg Development Project, including the West Shelter and East Playground, along with the status of the Community Parks Project (Cedar and Mollett Parks).

Parks Director Seth Staashelm will also talk about an IDALS (Iowa Dept. of Ag & Land Stewardship) Park Project, with regard to approval of an Engineering Services Agreement. Other updates include those pertaining to the entrance sign at Sunnyside Park, Summer Programs, the Park Foreman position, and Schildberg Park campground.

Reminder: Cass County Primary recount set for Mon. afternoon

News

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A recount of the votes cast during the June 5th Primary Election for nomination of a Republican candidate for the District 3 Cass County Board of Supervisors will be held tomorrow (Monday), in Atlantic. The recount takes place in the Supervisors Board Room at the Courthouse, beginning at 3-p.m.

Ballots cast in Wards 4 and 5 as well as Absentee will be re-counted at the request for Dana Halder, who came in a close second in votes to John Hartkopf. Immediately after Primary, Hartkopf had a total of 161 votes, Halder 157, and Linda Templeman 103.

A three-member Board was appointed to conduct the recounts, with two of the three selected by Hartkopf and Halder, the third selected by the two other appointees.

Residents move into new development in Des Moines

News

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Residents have begun moving into Des Moines’ newest neighborhood as work continues on apartments and townhomes in the area. The Des Moines Register reports that downtown’s East Village is being transformed by Hubbell Realty Co.’s 16-acre development known as the Bridge District

Developers hope the district will attract homeowners and renters to the city’s core. The neighborhood is slated to have nearly 700 housing units in five years. The area’s first apartment building, called the Verve, opened last month. Half of the building’s nearly 130 units are leased, said Kris Saddoris, vice president of development at Hubbell.

Units range in size from studios measuring about 480 square feet to 3-bedroom units with 1,500 square feet. Monthly rent ranges from $895 to $1,895. Each apartment includes a patio or walk-up doorway. The building includes a community room and a fitness center.

Residents began moving into the company’s upscale townhouses, known as The Banks, in the fall. About 36 of the 44 units have sold, said Rachel Flint, vice president of Hubbell Homes. Nearly 80 percent of phase one units were sold before crews were finished with construction, she said.

“People have been buying before the foundation is poured,” she said. “When you want to buy downtown, you know there’s only so many options and so much land, so there’s a sense of urgency. There’s more demand than there is supply.”

The second phase will include 55 townhomes. The townhomes each have three stories with rooftop patios and garages. Floor plans range from 1,800 to 3,500 square feet. Costs vary from $375,000 to $750,000.

SD man injured in Fremont County crash

News

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

One person was injured during a single-vehicle crash off Interstate 29 early Sunday morning, in Fremont County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2013 Ford Focus driven by 26-year old Steven Gross, of Jefferson, SD, was traveling north on I-29 at around 6-a.m., when for reasons unknown, the car went off the road and into the median.

The vehicle then collided with the east side bridge rail on the southbound side of I-29 before coming to rest upright on the south side of the bridge. The accident happened about a mile north of the Iowa/Missouri State line.

Gross – who was wearing his seat belt — was transported by Hamburg Rescue to the Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg.

Iowa court reduces government liability for road safety

News

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Cities, counties and the state of Iowa are less liable for injuries caused by road maintenance issues after a recent Iowa Supreme Court ruling that upheld a longstanding but controversial legal doctrine. The court in a June 8 ruling said a northern Iowa woman cannot sue Humboldt County for failing to remove a concrete wall a farmer had installed in a roadside ditch to keep cows from escaping.
Kaitlyn Johnson was injured in March 2013 when the pickup truck she was riding in left the road southwest of Humboldt and struck the concrete structure. She sued the farmer for installing the barrier and the county for failure to remove it.

The Supreme Court has upheld a judge’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit, saying Iowa maintains the public-duty doctrine, a legal concept that says governments cannot be held liable for breaching a duty owed to the general public. Four justices held the doctrine remains the law in Iowa but three disagreed, saying it is at odds with the legislature’s clear intent to limit government immunity.

Child found unresponsive following Saturday night incident in Polk County lake

News

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A two-year old girl was flown to a nearby hospital following an incident Saturday night at Big Creek Lake, in Polk County. According to KCCI-TV, the incident happened at around 9 p.m. It was not immediately clear how the girl, who was with her parents, got into the lake. Emergency response personnel performed CPR on the victim before she was transported to the hospital. The Polk City Police Department is investigating the case. It was the second incident involving a child at an Iowa Lake in as many days. On Friday, a fisherman pulled a young girl from Lake Red Rock, and saved her by using CPR.   Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say you should use extreme caution while swimming in rivers or lakes, especially due to high waters after flooding this past week.

Authorities told KCCI also, that a fisherman was missing after his boat was found unoccupied and wedged into the riverbank. The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call around 10:45 a.m. Saturday reporting that a fisherman was unaccounted for on the Des Moines River in Ottumwa. Officials said his boat was found near what is referred to as Turkey Island, northwest of Ottumwa. The Ottumwa Fire Department responded with watercraft along with the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office watercraft. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources also responded with three additional watercraft equipped with sonar. No other details were immediately available.