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Gov. announces funding for ISU Vet Diagnostic Lab

Ag/Outdoor, News

January 18th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has announced funding to complete phase two of Iowa State University’s new Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The governor announced that I-S-U will receive 40 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding and is proposing that an additional 20 million dollars from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund go to the project. I-S-U President Wendy Wintersteen earlier said phase one construction would end this year — but phase two is needed to provide an additional 70-thousand square feet for laboratory testing, research and support functions — and would put them all under one roof. Governor Reynolds has earlier indicated her support — saying the Vet Lab is critical to supporting and protecting the country’s ag industry and food supply.

Man from Alabama dies in the semi & SUV crash in Carroll County

News

January 18th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Dedham, Iowa) – One person is dead and another was injured during a collision early  this (Wednesday) morning near Dedham, in Carroll County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2016 Chevy Tahoe was traveling westbound on Highway 141 and approaching the intersection with 330th Street, at the same time a 2023 International semi was traveling eastbound past the same intersection. The SUV went left of center and collided with the semi in the eastbound lane before it struck cable barriers on the north shoulder and came to rest. The semi came to rest in the south ditch. The accident happened at around 5:50-a.m.

The driver of the SUV, 29-year-old James Stovall, from Mobile, AL, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene. The driver of the semi, 34-year-old Derek Pittenger, of Owens Cross Roads, AL, was injured and transported by Carroll EMS to St. Anthony Hospital, in Carroll.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department.

IKM-Manning School Board approves measure for a ballot vote

News

January 18th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Manning, Iowa) – The IKM-Manning School Board has approved a measure that will appear on the ballot Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The measure asks voters to approve the use of $7.9 million in school infrastructure sales service and use tax revenue bonds toward a series of construction and renovation projects on the Manning campus, including:

  • A New gymnasium
  • A New commons area
  • New locker rooms
  • A New spark/fire room

School officials say the work would take place in the northeast corner of the building. To view a diagram with details on the work to be completed, visit https://bit.ly/ikmmprojects. With an approved vote, the district would use Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE)—also known as the statewide one-cent sales tax for education—to complete the projects above. Officials say “This would have no impact on property tax or sales tax rates in our community.”

The measure will pass if more than 50% of voters approve it. This is different from a bond issue, which requires more than 60% approval. The District will share more information and answer community members’ questions as the matter moves forward.

Creston man arrested Tuesday afternoon

News

January 18th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston arrested a man at around 3:50-p.m., Tuesday. Authorities say 38-year-old Curtis Lee Lamasters, of Creston, was arrested on a charge of Driving While Barred. He was cited and released on a Promise to Appear.

Ernst pays a visit to Atlantic

News

January 18th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, from Red Oak, was in Atlantic, Tuesday afternoon. She paid a visit to the Cass County Educational Opportunity Center (CC-EOC) on southwest 7th Street, to learn about the program, how it has a positive impact on students who attend the facility, and how important these types of settings are, if students to are to achieve and excel.

Senator Ernst commented that though she has see other alternative schools throughout Iowa, she has not seen one as positive and as equally as post-high school focused as Atlantic’s. During her visit, Ernst spent time touring classrooms and meeting with and talking to students, staff, ACSD Superintendent Mr. Barber and School Board Vice President Kristy Pellett.

Sen. Ernst at the CC-EOC (Photo& audio via the ACSD social media page)

Mr. Barber said “Our students did a terrific job speaking with Senator Ernst and sharing the positive experience they have had with learning in an alternative setting.”

 

(Update) ISP identifies woman who died in a NW IA crash on Jan. 13th

News

January 18th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Ida County, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol has updates their report on a fatal crash that took place early Friday afternoon, near Holstein, in Ida County.  Authorities say 23-year-old Alexis Grace Renze, of Cushing, died at the scene, when her car was struck by a semi tractor-trailer, near Holstein. The Iowa State Patrol had reported previously, that a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Renze was traveling southbound on Highway 20 and failed to yield during a left turn onto northbound Highway 59. The car was struck on the passenger side by a 2006 Freightliner semi.

The impact resulted in the car bursting into flames. The vehicle came to rest in the intersection. The semi came to rest on Highway 20, west of the intersection. Renze died at the scene. The driver of the semi, who is from Minnesota, was not hurt.

Legislators hear pros and cons of governor’s ‘school choice’ bill

News

January 18th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Parents, educators, school board members and a couple of students testified at last (Tuesday) night’s public hearing on the governor’s plan to give parents state money to cover private school expenses. Bill backer Jennifer Sulgrove told lawmakers she objected to the curriculum at Pleasant Valley high school in Bettendorf and is now teaching her daughter at home.

“We would have loved to have put her in a private school this year, but the cost is prohibitive,” Sulgrove said. “…As a parent, I want my child to have an education that has an academic rigor and challenges her thinking without crushing her moral compass in the process.” Bernie Scolaro, a retired educator who’s now a member of the Sioux City School Board, says the governor’s bill will chip away at public schools.

“Taking more money away from schools who are already struggling financially will force them eventually to shut down,” she said. “How is that providing more choice for your communities?” Patty Alexander of Indianola, a retired teacher, says public schools are now a monopoly that needs to be broken up.

“Public education has become socially destructive, ruled by selfish elitists that do not care about our family values or our society in general,” Alexander said. Several parents and teachers told lawmakers private schools won’t accept all students as public schools are required to do. Kerry Lust, the mother of three children who attend Ankeny public schools, has a 15 year old son who has been diagnosed with autism and other disabilities.

“The reality is that a private school will not accept my son because of his disabilities,” Lust said. “…When you hear the term ‘school choice,’ remember that private schools have the choice who to accept.”

More than 50 people testified at last (Tuesday) night’s hearing and large crowds gathered around video screens in the Capitol that were broadcasting the hearing. More than 12-hundred people submitted written statements opposing the legislation, with about 430 writing they supported it.

Effort underway to name highway after fallen state trooper

News

January 17th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – An effort is underway to name a northeast Iowa highway after a fallen Iowa State Patrol Trooper. Government entities in Winneshiek, Fayette, Buchanan and Benton counties are being asked to show their support to name Highway 150 the Sergeant Jim Smith Memorial Highway.

ISP Sgt. Jim Smith

Smith, who resided in Independence, was killed in the line of duty on April ninth of 2021 while attempting to arrest a barricaded subject in Grundy Center. Highway 150 begins in Calmar in Winneshiek County and runs south through Vinton in Benton County.

House GOP speeds up process for governor’s ‘school choice’ bill

News

January 17th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The governor’s bill to establish state funded accounts for the parents of private school students will bypass the House committees that review spending and tax issues. House Speaker Pat Grassley says he created the new, five member Education Reform Committee to review and then advance the bill to a vote in the House — so it didn’t get blocked in a committee.

“For two sessions now that has been the case,” Grassley says. “We feel that Iowans have an expectation, whether you support it or you don’t, that a committee procedure should not be the reason you don’t get to see where the legislature stands.” Groups that represent educators, administrators and public school districts object to having the plan skip traditional committee review. Margaret Buckton, a lobbyist for the Rural School Advocates of Iowa AND the Urban Education Network, says the normal process gives the public time to understand and comment on bills.

“And legislation this year coming out of the Ed Reform Committee is likely to have a significant impact on the state budget,” Buckton says, “somewhere in the neighborhood of $300-$400 million annually.” Grassley says the five-member House Education Reform Committee will have open debate of the tax and spending implications of the plan — and the panel is holding a public hearing tonight (Tuesday).

“House Republicans are being as transparent, in fact what beyond what even the rules would call for in the Education Reform Committee process, so I don’t want this to be an argument (about) trying to hide anything or sneak anything through,” Grassley said. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says changing the rules for Republican Governor Kim Reynolds’ top legislative priority is wrong.

“Frankly, we’re supposed to be an independent body that doesn’t work for the governor and if the governor wants to push this through, she can do that,” Konfrst says. “This is not our role to rush this through for anyone else.” Tonight’s (Tuesday’s) 90-minute public hearing on the governor’s “school choice” plan begins at 5 p.m. Members of the public will be given up to two minutes each to address the committee.

Fayette City Council turns down fire chief nominee a second time

News

January 17th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The town of Fayette in northeast Iowa is still without a Fire Chief after the City Council rejected the nomination of firefighters for the job a second time during their meeting Monday.

The department members recommended long-time Chief Jason Rohde both times and failed to gain a motion from the city council to accept the recommendation. Mayor Kurt Wood tells KCRG TV the City Council is looking to move the fire department in a new direction, one in which hopefully the number of volunteers grows.

“I know there’s a concern on my part and the part of City Council on the number of people we have,” Mayor Wood says. “There is a concern about the future direction.” Wood declined to comment on Rohde specifically. “I’m not at liberty to discuss that,” Wood said.

Rohde told KCRG TV in a phone interview he thought he wasn’t getting the backing of the City Council because of “perceived personnel problems.” Wood says the Council understands the issue with finding volunteers in Fayette.“We have an aging demographic, we also have a declining demographic,” Wood said. But it’s clear the council doesn’t want the long-time firefighter to be a part of a long-term solution. The Fire Department currently only has nine volunteer firefighters.