(Radio Iowa) – Republicans on the Senate Ag Committee have approved a bill that would forbid energy companies, including Rural Electric Cooperatives, from installing solar panels on land that’s suitable for growing corn and soybeans. Senator Dan Zumbach, a Republican from Ryan, says he sponsored the bill because of a rapidly expanding solar farm in his district. “It’s about protecting our most precious resource and that’s Iowa’s farmland,” Zumbach says.

If the bill becomes law, solar panel fields also would have to be at least half a mile from other solar installations and 12-hundred-50 (1250) feet from a neighbor’s property line. Senator Kevin Kinney, a Democrat from Oxford, says the bill limits his local R-E-C from expanding its solar operation, which is five miles from Kinney’s farm. “We’re also dealing with property rights, someone owning a property and being able to do with that property as they wish,” Kinney says.

Aerial shot top view of solar panel photovoltaic farm

Democrats on the committee voted against the bill, and the Senate’s Democratic leader says it would have a chilling effect on investment in solar energy installations in Iowa. Zumbach says he’s willing to consider changes to the bill, but he says there are no statewide restrictions on solar arrays today and it’s time to put some lines in the sand. “I’m saying the word ‘sand’ because lines in sand are movable,” Zumbach says, “but what we do need to have is some good energy policy on putting solar farms on agricultural land which is being used for agricultural purposes and having respect for folks on both sides of those fence lines.”

The bill would forbid solar installations on land with a Corn Suitability Rating of 65 or above, meaning the soil is considered fertile ground for row crops. The Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association and the Iowa Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives are opposed to the bill, while both the Iowa Farm Bureau and the Iowa Farmers Union have registered as undecided.

(corrects day of the meeting) (Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session at 9-a.m. Tuesday. According to the meeting minutes, Representatives of the Harlan, Irwin and Elk Horn libraries were on hand to present to the Supervisors, the happenings and programs that take place at their facilities. Irwin representatives announced an uptick in attendance at events and reading programs at the library. Elk Horn was represented and told of the appreciation for County funding and that the Elk Horn Library has achieved a 5 star rating, the highest rating available to a library in Iowa. Amanda Brewer of the Harlan library thanked the Supervisors for contributions to the library. Making the exterior areas of the library more user friendly is a goal for the coming year.

The Shelby County EMA requested Shelby County to be the fiscal sponsor for their agency, concerning a grant application. No action was taken. Also, the Shelby County Relay for life made an application to the Supervisors for their annual event on the Harlan Square, June 3rd, 2022. The application was approved as presented. Todd Valline of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce advised the Supervisors of the upcoming Legislative coffee this Saturday and the Annual Chamber Banquet which will be held February 25th.

Brandon Burmeister, Shelby County Engineer, was present to update the Supervisors of his Departments current activities. The lack of moisture in the ground he said has made maintenance on granular surfaced roads more of a challenge. Burmeister has been looking over the entrance policy the County currently has in place, it calls for steel culverts, he advised the Supervisors that plastic culverts are starting to be used in other counties in Iowa, and the only drawback is a burning ditch, that could damage the plastic culvert.

And, the Board set the date for a Maximum Levy Hearing, along with allowing publication. The Resolution calls for the hearing to be held 9-a.m. March 2nd, in the Supervisor’s Chambers at the Shelby County Courthouse. The budget shows there are some increases, which officials say are attributed to: Wage increases per union negotiations and state mandate; Inflation; Departmental revenue decrease causing wages to be drawn from General Basic in the future; and an increased capital outlay for road rock. The Budget notice is available for review HERE.

The tax rates shown in the notice do not include county voted levies, mental health and disabilities services levy, debt service levy and the rates of other local jurisdictions. Regarding proposed maximum dollars, the Board of Supervisors cannot adopt a higher tax asking for these levies following the public hearing. Budget year effective property tax rate is the rate that would be assessed for these levies if the dollars requested is not changed in the coming year.

In other business, Jamie Goetz, Mayor from the City of Defiance was present to explain the need for rehabilitating the currently unused water tower in Defiance. Goetz explained that water could be used for emergency services as well as helping out with neighboring communities in times of water shortages. An ARPA application for the City has been submitted to the Supervisors for assistance in the cost of repairs that are needed. No action was taken as there are currently more ARPA funds are currently requested than will be available.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday morning, held a public hearing on a Redistricting Ordinance (28C), that’s been in the news for several weeks. Board member Jodie Hoadley explained why the Ordinance was needed…they didn’t have any other options.

There were no written or spoken objections. After the hearing closed, the Board voted to waive the second- and third- Readings of the Ordinance, and passed a Resolution to approve it. Board Chair Matt Wedemeyer…

Wedemeyer then signed the Ordinance, making it official. The Adair County Supervisors heard from Brenda Dudley, Director of the Stuart Area Chamber of Commerce, who requested approval for a temporary (1-to 2-hour) road closure on April 23rd, for the “Bonnie and Clyde 5-mile Run/Walk, 1 mile Fun/Run/Walk,” sponsored by The Stuart Revitalization Group. While this is technically the fourth-year for the event, it’s actually the second run, since the event wasn’t held the past two-years, due to the pandemic. The purpose, she said, is to get more people coming to Stuart. Dudley said the 5-mile race/walk will begin at a different location, in Dexter and make its way onto the White Pole Road into Stuart.

While the five-mile race/walk starts at the Dexter City Museum instead of the Round House, the one-mile race/walk will start in Stuart at the former First National Bank. You can find more information on the Stuart Revitalization Group Facebook page. Register for the event at www.getmeregistered.com or www.runnerstuff.com.

In other business, the Board, by a vote of three- to two, to spend $50,500 out of ARPA Funds for the Conservation Department. The funds will be used for a skid-steer loader. Any other attachments, such as a cutter or a gravel bucket, would have to come out of the Department’s Budget. County Engineer Nick Kauffman reported on the Lakeview Drive project agreement between the County and City of Greenfield. The project is estimated to cost $844,000, with the County’s portion amounting to $723,144.

He also discussed the Secondary Roads Dept. 5-year Construction Program, and the Adair-Cass County Line Agreement for the G-61 Paving Project, which the Adair County Board approved. Cass County approved their participation in the project, last week. And, the Board passed a Resolution for a Reinforced Concrete Box (RCB) Project for West20/ Jackson Road. The low bid was $439,211, which was higher than the engineer’s estimated of $406,828. Kauffan said the problem with estimates right now, is the ever changing price situation with demand, supply and shipping.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Mayor of Harlan has announced he’s resigning to run for a seat on the Shelby County Board of Supervisors. Mayor Mike Kolbe‘s resignation is effective on March 31st.

While Iowa law allows one to serve simultaneously as Mayor and County Supervisor, Kolbe said he feels it’s appropriate to announce his intention to vacate the Mayor’s seat before he begins collecting signatures to run for another office.

In his resignation letter, Mayor Kolbe says public service has been part of his life since he arrived in Harlan 39-years ago, with his last eight years as a Councilman and Mayor. While the Harlan City Council will begin taking applications rather than hold a special election, the public can petition for a special election.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman has submitted his letter of resignation, with his last day being April 15, 2022. In his letter to Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Baier, Sunderman said “I have enjoyed working for the County of Cass as its County Auditor, and I sincerely appreciate the support provided to me by my coworkers and the other citizens of our county during my 37 plus years as an elected official. I have learned a great deal over the years and have enjoyed the many challenges that kept our county progressing forward.

Dale Sunderman (Official Cass County photo)

“While I look forward to my retirement, I will miss being part of our team and serving the county. I trust that the friendships I have developed here will last well into the future. I will gladly assist, as I am able, before my retirement and afterward, as a consultant, to make the transition to my successor as smooth as possible.”

Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department report a man suffering from gunshot wounds to his legs managed to walk into Jennie Edmundson Hospital early this (Wednesday) morning. Police were dispatched to the hospital at around 1-a.m. today (Wednesday), where Nicholas Thomas told them he was walking in the area of N. 16th Street and Avenue G, when an unknown white male subject walked up to him and started an argument. When the unknown man pulled out a handgun and pointed it at Thomas, the men began to fight. During the altercation, Thomas was shot twice.

The suspect was described as being 5-feet 11-inches tall, medium build, with blond curly hair. He was wearing a red hat and a Carhart-style coat. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the incident, is asked to contact the Council Bluffs Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 712-328-4728, or remain anonymous by calling Crimestoppers, at 712-328-7867.

(Radio Iowa) – The Davenport Community School District is thanking its two-thousand employees for their hard work during the pandemic. The Board of Education approved incentive pay totaling two-thousand dollars each for all but the top administrators. Jami Weinzierl, the district’s director of human resources and equity, explains the many motivations for the financial reward.

“Due to the lack of substitute teachers, the turnover, the inflation and competing with other organizations for talent because of the increase in wages,” Weinzierl says. “A lot of our staff has had to pick up extra duties and have been extremely flexible in working hard for us.”

The first installment of one-thousand dollars will be paid on March 25th for hourly employees, and April 1st for salaried workers. The second installment of 500-dollars will be paid in the fall, with another 500 next spring. It will cost the district about five-million dollars, with the money coming from the federal pandemic relief program ESSER, Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund.

(Radio Iowa) – The owner of a Marshalltown towing and auto business showed his support on Tuesday for truck drivers who are protesting mask mandates in Canada. Lonnie Hogeland Senior, the owner of L. Hogeland Auto Plaza, held a display of solidarity with the Canadian truckers by parking tow trucks and other vehicles along the property lines of his business. Several trucks were lined up along the edge of Hogeland’s property line, which runs along east Main Street, with their engines running and lights flashing as a means of protesting the current mask mandate in Canada.

In January, a large group began protesting against mandates requiring truckers crossing the U.S./Canadian border to be fully vaccinated. The protest has been dubbed the “Freedom Convoy” by its supporters.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – A motorcycle accident early this (Wednesday) morning in Council Bluffs, resulted in a death and a person with serious injuries. Council Bluffs Police report officers were dispatched at around 2:06-a.m. to the 48.9-mile marker of Interstate 29 northbound, for a report of a motorcycle that left the road and entered a ditch. Upon arrival Police found a man suffering from serious injuries, and a female who had died from her injuries.

The man was transported by Council Bluffs Fire Department personnel to Nebraska Medicine, for treatment. Names of the victims were being withheld, pending notification of family. The accident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the accident, is asked to call the CB-PD’s Traffic Unit, at 712-328-4948. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers at 712-328-7867.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department says a local man reported Tuesday night, that sometime between January 15th and February 15th, someone broke into his storage locker, in Creston. The locker was located at Graphic Displays Self Storage (711 E Clark). A coin counter and loose change were taken. The loss was estimated at $50.