DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Preliminary data on the first three months of a state-funded family planning program in Iowa shows it had a nearly 50 percent drop in enrollment since it switched to a system that excludes abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. The information from the Iowa Department of Human Services also shows a reduction in health care providers participating in the program and less services being accessed. The Associated Press received the report after a records request.

The data shows about 6,800 people enrolled in Iowa’s new family planning program during its first three months, compared to roughly 13,100 the previous year during the same time. State officials caution that the information won’t be complete until any outstanding claims have been submitted and processed.

The report offers a glimpse at the effects of Republican lawmakers’ decision to create the program, which excluded organizations providing abortions.

A reminder to residents of Adair County, that a Special Election will be held March 6^th,with regard to passing an additional bond for the courthouse elevator project. The Special Election will ask voters of Adair County “Shall the Board of Supervisors bond for an amount not to exceed $650,000 for the purpose of installing an elevator?”

Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines for the March 6, 2018 Special Election are as follows:

February 19^th – Worry-Free Postmark Date.

Registrations postmarked on or before this day are considered on time to pre-register, even if they are received after 5 p.m. on February 23, 2018

February 23^rd – Pre-registration deadline

Last day to pre-register to vote. Iowa law now permits Election Day Registration.

February 23^rd – Last day to mail absentee ballots.

Last day to request an absentee ballot be mailed, to allow timely delivery and return. Request must be received by 5:00 p.m.

March 5^th – Absentee ballots postmark.

All absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than March 5, 2018.

March 6^th – Last day to return absentee ballots to Auditor’s Office.

Last day to return absentee ballots to the Auditor’s office before the polls close at 8:00 p.m.

Adair County Auditor Mindy Schaefer told KJAN News back in November, the Board of Supervisors passed a Resolution calling for the Special Election. She said the need for a new elevator to replace one that was installed back in the 1980’s, became clear when officials with the State said the elevator does not meet current standards. The State says it will no longer approve the elevator for inspection. Schaefer said when it was installed in the 1980’s it was never intended for commercial use. Some of the current wheelchairs and motor scooters are difficult to maneuver into the elevator.  A Public Hearing was held last May to go out for a bond sale. $600,000 of that bond was designated for a new elevator. Schaefer said the initial feasibility studies placed the price tag for the project at $550,000. She says the County has a statutory limit of $600,000 that it cannot exceed without a special election.

The County went ahead and bonded for the $600,000. The bids for the project came in shockingly higher than expected. The lowest bid was $749,000. The highest was $1-million, $25,000. There were five bids in between. Mindy said the $600,000 limit was for the entire project, and did not take into account architects, soil surveys and other factors. The Board stripped everything possible to reduce costs, but the final answer was to ask the public for a bond to help pay for the rest.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa bankers have launched an advertising campaign calling for an end to credit unions’ nonprofit status, which they say gives an unfair competitive advantage. The move comes as Iowa’s credit unions increase their market share. The Des Moines Register reports that the Iowa Bankers Association has released digital, radio and television ads pushing for a leveled playing field between for-profit banks and nonprofit credit unions. The association says banks’ 5 percent franchise tax on profits should also be levied on the state’s credit unions.

Credit unions say they should remain exempt from the state’s bank taxes. The Iowa Credit Union League is preparing to oppose any potential tax reform bill in the Legislature. Republican Rep. Guy Vander Linden says he’d rather lower taxes for banks than levy new taxes on credit unions.

Atlantic resident John. P. Hartkopf, a Republican, has announced he intends to run in the June 5^th Primary election for the Cass County Board of Supervisors in District 3. The seat became available when current District 3 Supervisor Mark Wedemeyer announced earlier this month, that he would not be running for re-election. (click on the left side of the audio bar to listen)

He said he will be pro-growth, dedicated to the prosperity of the Cass County and the well being of its citizens. Hartkop’s family includes: His wife Linda, who is on the Atlantic City Council; His oldest daughter Cristina Bateman works for Meyer and Gross Real Estate and is active on many boards and organizations; Middle daughter Jessica works for the Verizon Corporation, and their youngest son Brad, works for the Association of Business and Industry.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, this (Wednesday) morning, held the second of three scheduled public hearings on an Ordinance pertaining to the operation of All-terrain and Utility-terrain vehicles on county roads and trails. And, the Board approved a tweaked version of the Ordinance, based on discussion held during the first reading held January 24^th, and those held today. They agreed to strike from the current version of the proposed ordinance, “If so equipped.” with regard to safety equipment, and wrote to include headlight, taillight, and a rear-view mirror. They also removed a part pertaining to a requirement for safety flags. Left unchanged for now, is the requirement ATV’s and UTV’s be operated by 16-to 18-year olds, only with the proper certification. The use of turn signals for ATV’s was not included in the ordinance, despite lengthy discussion about the added safety feature.

And, the Board removed a 35-mile per hour speed limit for ATV’s and UTV’s, and instead will allow them to operate at or below the posted limit, and depending on what the machine operator considers to be reasonable and prudent on county roads. Hours of legal operation would remain one-hour before sunrise, and one-hour after sunset. The Ordinance will have one final reading following a public hearing on Feb. 7^th. During today’s (Wednesday’s) meeting, rural Cass County resident John McCurdy, spoke in opposition of allowing ATV’s and UTV’s on designated county roads because of past issues associated with safety and reckless use of the machines. The issue of safety alone, is his greatest concern.

Board Chair Gaylord Schelling said he had contacted Crawford and Carroll County officials. Both he said, have no problem with the way their ordinances are written, which are similar to what Cass County proposes. The only difference is, that in Crawford County, UTV’s are allowed within the city limits of Dow City. And, their ordinance stipulates the operator be 18 or older.

In other business, the Supervisors approved a request to act as a fiscal agent (necessary for the pass through of funds), for Friends of the Outdoor Classroom project (The County Conservation building), in order to finish the floor and other portions of the structure. Judy Kennedy, who is on the Outdoor Classroom Board, said the urgency to approve the application by Feb. 1^st, is due to an IRS snafu. Somehow the IRS kicked them out of their 501-c3 classification. And while that mistake was rectified, it’ll take 4-to 6-weeks for it to be corrected. For now, though they can’t get a grant without the county acting as a flow-through agency for the funds, and the application is submitted by the deadline.

The non-profit Friends organization has been instrumental in making what was a shelter, into a fully functional enclosed structure, the furnishing of heat, a kitchenette, and a cement floor, which was installed last year. Kennedy said they need to epoxy the floor now, to make it easier to clean manageable. The $5,038 grant amount requested would cover the cost of the epoxy. A grant from Massena Telephone Company is also being used for the Outdoor Classroom building.

The building has been used for many purposes, and will be used for the American Pointing Labrador Association (APLA) dog trials, in May.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested on warrants at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, Tuesday evening. 28-year old Tyler Michael Linderman, of Creston, was arrested a Union County warrant for theft 1st degree. Linderman was later released from the Union County Jail on $10,000 bond. And, 30-year old Melissa Ann Woollums, of Arispe, was arrested on a Union County warrant for controlled substance violation. Woollums was being held without bond for Union County in the Ringgold County Jail, until seen by a Judge.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.9MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Officials with the Creston Police Department report the arrest Tuesday evening, of 52-year old Gary Lee McDougal, of Afton. McDougal was taken into custody on a Union County warrant for Theft in the 3rd Degree. He was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2,000 cash bond or surety.

(7-a.m. News)

SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa (AP) — A Cincinnati-based company is closing a call center in Sergeant Bluff, eliminating about 180 jobs. The Sioux City Journal reports employees of Convergys were notified Tuesday the call center would close in April. The company’s decision means Sergeant Bluff will lose its largest employer. Spokeswoman Brooke Beiting called it a business decision that is “something that is helping us serve our customers.” The company encouraged employees who have lost their jobs to seek positions where they could work from their homes or at other Convergys sites.

The announcement came seven months after Convergys announced it would add about 250 jobs at its Sergeant Bluff location. Sergeant Bluff Mayor Jon Winkel responded to the closure by saying, “Well, I guess we’ll have to get busy and find somebody else for that building.”