(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.

(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 5^th Degree. Stewart was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $600 bond.

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, 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.

(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.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – There have been lots of local events and news recently about mental health in Cass County, in part because mental health was identified as the top health need in the 2021 Cass County Community Health Needs Assessment this spring. If you’re curious about how you can make a difference, Monday, October 25, offers two opportunities for area businesses and individuals to learn how to “Make it OK” at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. The sessions are free to attend and open to all people in Cass County. The schedule is as follows:

• Noon – 1 p.m. (Lunch will be served. RSVP required by Oct. 21.)
• 2-3 p.m. (Refreshments will be served. No RSVP required.)

Make It OK is a campaign by the Healthiest State Initiative to “reduce stigma by starting conversations and increasing understanding” about mental health. The Healthiest State Initiative is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the health and wellness of Iowans.

Jami Haberl, Executive Director of the Healthiest State Initiative, says “Stigma prevents people from getting the help and support they need.” Haberl will be leading the presentations in Cass County. Visit MakeItOK.org/Iowa to learn more. Both sessions will include the same information and will touch on the important role workplaces play in relation to mental health. According to the Healthiest State Initiative, mental health issues are costly for employers, and while work can contribute to mental well-being, work can also negatively affect mental wellness.

The Atlantic Lions Club and Cass County Iowa State University Extension are sponsoring lunch (A-Town Smokeshack and Miss NiNi’s Fine Desserts) for attendees of the noon session. Attendees must RSVP by Thursday, October 21 to receive lunch. To RSVP contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or 712-249-5870 or call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132. Miss NiNi’s Fine Desserts will also be provided to all attendees of the 2 p.m. session, however no RSVP is required. Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling will provide refreshments at both sessions.

Seating will be arranged to allow for social distancing at the October 25 events, and masking is appreciated. A virtual session will be held online at 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 4, for those who would rather attend virtually or cannot attend the in-person events. To register for the Nov. 4 virtual event, visit www.iowahealthieststate.com/cassco.

Cass County Make it OK in the Workplace events are supported by Healthy Cass County, Cass County Iowa State University Extension, the Atlantic Lions, the Healthiest State Initiative, and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

Red Oak Police report the arrest on Monday afternoon of 44-year-old Chrystal Rush Stewart of Red Oak on 2 active warrants for Theft 5th Degree. She was arrested at 2:00 p.m. at 106 West Coolbaugh Street in Red Oak and taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $600 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans are being warned to start their holiday shopping early due to shortages and long wait times for products, but now they’re also being warned to be careful how they’re going about finding gifts. Bao Vang, spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau, says scammers are ready to take advantage, especially if you’re ordering something online.

“Thirty-five percent of scams reported to BBB Scam Tracker in 2021 so far are online purchase scams,” Vang says, “and they have been the riskiest scams for the last two or three years.” Vang says the bureau’s Scam Tracker shows each person who fell victim to an online scam lost more than a hundred dollars on average.

“Seventy-five percent of those who report scams related to online shopping lose money,” she says. “The largest demographic being targeted are people ages 18 to 24-years-old.” Vang says consumers should protect themselves by doing their research, watching out for deals that appear too good to be true, and anytime you’re paying with a credit card.

On the web at: BBB.org/scamtracker

(Anita, Iowa) – A Special Meeting of the CAM School District’s Board of Education will take place in Anita at 5-p.m. Thursday, in the CAM High School Superintendent’s Office. The Board will discuss and take action on admitting or denying “enrollment or educational placement of a student that is an individual who is required to register as a sex offender, under [Iowa Code] Chapter 692A.” That will be followed by an open forum.

No other information was presented on the agenda for this meeting.