(Radio Iowa) – A bill that would have required Iowa public schools to install cameras in classrooms so parents could watch the livestream has been tabled in the Iowa House. Representative Ray Sorenson, a Republican from Greenfield, says it lacked the votes to clear a House subcommittee. “This bill will not be moving,” Sorenson said.  “I was never in support of it. I think it needs a lot better fencing if we’re going to do something like that and a lot better explanation and a lot more time, honestly, to hear from the public on what something like that would look like strictly from a fiscal standpoint on what would it cost to put cameras in classrooms.”

(R) Rep. Ray “Bubba” Sorensen

Sorenson had intended to hold a subcommittee hearing to let the bill’s sponsor and others discuss the bill, but one member of the panel was absent due to illness and rescheduling the hearing before a February 18th deadline was difficult.) “I think we’ve got next year and this campaign bill to visit about this bill,” Sorenson says, “whether the public likes it or not.”

Republican Representative Norlin Mommsen of DeWitt, the bill’s sponsor, says he’s disappointed the hearing was cancelled.

Norlin Mommsen. (IA Legislature photo)

“I what is important is the conversation takes place and that’s what I was trying to provoke here was a conversation,” Mommsen says, “because when I look at like the remote learning, it did spark parental interest in what was going on in the schools and that’s what I was trying to nurture and continue on was that, take what we learned and expand upon it.” Mommsen was hoping to testify about his bill.

“We need parents involved. I think that’s one of the issues we have today,” Mommsen says. “I’m a little disappointed have that conversation because then all ideas get thrown on the table and that was the goal here.” Mommsen says after he introduced the bill, the superintendent of Central DeWitt, his local school district, has promised to provide more transparency to parents.

“I believe my home district is looking basically down the same road I was trying to go down, maybe a different method, but you know that’s why we’re here,” Mommsen says. “…It’s a big meat grinder and who knows what comes out the other end.” In addition to the cost of installing cameras in classrooms and upgrading livestreaming capacity in schools, opponents of the bill raised privacy concerns about showing students on camera. Mommsen says his intent was to have the camera point to the front of the class.

“I would not want anybody’s children to be shown on the camera. I think that’d be wrong. When I look at the security issues, we had remote learning. I look at it like remote learning, but one way, you know,” Mommsen says. “I did not hear any security issues there. I mean, couldn’t the parents see the children? I thought that was the case.” Mommsen, a farmer, has been a member of the Iowa House since January of 2015 and is seeking reelection to a fifth term.

Atlantic, Iowa—Officials with Cass Health in Atlantic report the Cass Health Foundation is hosting their annual gala on Saturday, March 26^th at the Atlantic Golf & Country Club, and several table sponsorships are still available for the western-themed event.

The gala is a fundraiser for the Cass Health Foundation’s 2022 campaign to purchase a mobile tele-medicine stroke system. The evening includes dinner, dessert auction, and entertainment. Attendees are encouraged to wear western wear like boots, hats, jeans, etc.

For more information, please call Dawn Marnin at 712-243-7409 or visit casshealth.org/donors/2022-gala to view the details or pay online.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday (today), reports four persons were arrested between last Friday and this past Tuesday. At around 3:40-a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8th, 34-year-old Keegan Patrick Rooney, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault, and three counts of Child Endangerment, Rooney was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

Monday morning, 30-year-old Sarah Marie Wentz, of Plattsmouth, NE., was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Intent to Manufacture/Deliver, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Her bond was set at $10,000.

Friday evening, 38-year-old Christina Marie Stockstill, of Riverton (IA) was arrested at 305th St. & Waubonsie Ave. in Mills County, for: Possession of a Controlled Substance; Drug Tax Stamp Violation; Contraband in a correctional facility; Child Endangerment, & Interference with Official Acts. Her bond was set at $100,000. 39-year-old Jeffrey Dale Hankins, of Malvern, was arrested at the same time and place, on charges of: Eluding; OWI/2nd offense; and 3 counts of Child Endangerment. His bond was set at $13,000.

Sheriff’s officials said also, 24-year-old Stephanie Rhodd, of Pacific Junction complained of pain and injuries, following an accident Feb. 5th at 195th/196 Street, at around 9:23-a.m. She was transported to Mercy Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities say Rhodd was in a 2014 Ford traveling north behind a 2015 Toyota driven by 34-year-old Carissa Van Sickle, of Pacific Junction, when the Toyota turned onto 196th Street to make a U-turn.

Van Sickle failed to notice the oncoming northbound Ford before she began to pull out in front of the vehicle. Rhodd took evasive action to avoid a collision, and as a result caused her vehicle to enter the ditch. The Ford struck a hedge pole and went through a barbed-wire fence before coming to rest in a grassy area. The Ford sustained severe damage and the airbag was deployed.

Officials say Van Sickle was at fault for entering the roadway without yielding, causing an accident. She was not hurt, and her vehicle was undamaged.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says she and a group of other Republican governors are mulling more legal action in hopes of nullifying the federal requirement that health care workers get vaccinated against COVID-19. “We’re continuing to review our options and what our next steps are,” Reynolds says. “I think you’ll see shortly the direction that we’re moving”

Reynolds spoke with reporters late this (Wednesday) morning in the Capitol rotunda. A month ago, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Biden Administration’s vaccination requirement that employees in health care settings and the governor did not indicate what new path the governors might take.  “Vaccines aren’t stopping the spread of Omicron…It’s less severe, I mean I get all that, but it’s not stopping the spread,” Reynolds says. “…I do not believe that we should tell somebody that has been on the front line from the beginning to choose between their livelihood and getting a vaccine that you just don’t believe in.”

Reynolds also objects to the Department of Defense requirement that Iowa National Guard members be vaccinated by this summer. About one in five Iowa Guard soldiers haven’t gotten a COVID shot. “These are people that have fought for the very freedoms and liberties that we are talking about. I absolutely don’t agree with the mandate and we’re continuing to look at what our alternatives are with that as well,” Reynolds says. “Both are wrong. I mean, I’ve been consistent with that. I do not think that mandates are the right way to go.”

Reynolds is among five governors who wrote the U.S. Defense Secretary in December, asking him to withdraw the COVID vaccine mandate for the National Guard. Last week, the Defense Secretary said the vaccinations are a part of ensuring military readiness among all units. Reynolds announced a week ago that her public health emergency proclamation will expire next Tuesday. “It was time to move on,” Reynolds says, “and we’ll continue to treat it like we do other viruses and if we see for some reason another uptick, then we’ll reevaluate at that point and decide what mitigation steps we need to do.”

Some information on the Iowa Department of Public Health’s online COVID dashboard will be removed. Reynolds says most of the data will be posted elsewhere on the agency’s website. “We’ve seen a significant decline in the use of the information on website. I think about 93-98% down from where we were,” Reynolds says. “People are not going there. They’re not utilizing it.” Reynolds says 24 percent of those who logged onto the COVID dashboard were repeat users who she suspects were there to download data, which is also being compiled by the Centers for Disease Control.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The attorney for an Atlantic man facing felony charges of Attempted Murder and Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, has filed a request for Waiver of a Speedy Trial. The document was filed Tuesday in Cass County District Court, according Iowa Courts Online. A preliminary hearing for 34-year-old  Richard J. Doss, JR., was held Tuesday. Doss’ attorney entered his client’s plea of not guilty to the charges on Jan. 7th.

Doss Jr., was arrested Dec. 6th, hours after a man arrived at the Cass County Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Room Jan.5th, after being stabbed. Atlantic Police said the incident happened at an apartment complex across the street from the hospital. The victim was treated at the hospital and then transported by helicopter to UNMC in Omaha for further treatment. The victims’ identity has not been released.

Doss JR.’s trial remains set for Feb. 22nd.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Attorney Vanessa Strazdas, Tuesday, waived her rights and entered a plea of guilty to the charge of Operating a Motor Vehicle while under the Influence (OWI) -1st Offense. Atlantic Police say she was arrested after crashing her car near the Atlantic Airport on Jan. 16. Court documents indicate Strazdas blew a BAC (Breath Alcohol Content) of .159 (nearly twice the legal limit), after being taken to the sheriff’s office due to cold weather.

Her preliminary hearing had previously been set for February 14th. Iowa Courts Online did not indicated when she will be sentenced. Since her arrest, Strazdus has completed a court required course on drunken driving and has requested a temporary, restricted license.

Strazdas became the Cass County Attorney in Feb., 2019, after Governor Kim Reynolds announced the appointment of former County Attorney Michael Hooper to serve as a Fourth Judicial District Judge.

(Radio Iowa) – A Virginia man has pleaded guilty to laundering thousands of dollars in federal Paycheck Protection Program money he received through a former Iowa man. Thirty-one-year-old Benjamin Sakyi pled guilty in federal court in Sioux City to one count of conspiracy to launder money. Evidence at his plea hearing showed that Sakyi fraudulently received more than 900-thousand dollars in the names of two Virginia corporations from former Armstrong Iowa resident Donald Trosin.

Trosin had filed more than 20 fraudulent federal loan applications claiming he had 120 employees with more than five million dollars in payroll expenses. Trosin is serving 40 months in prison for his role in the money laundering and Sakyi is waiting for a sentencing date.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is encouraging every high school in Iowa to conduct a voter registration drive on Tuesday, February 22. The date coincides with the birthday of first U.S. President George Washington and will also be “Twosday” on the numerical calendar, 2/22/22.

Pate says “Engaging young people in civics is a great way to inspire them to be active citizens throughout their lives. It’s vital for students to learn that registering to vote and participating in elections is the best way to make sure their voices are heard. I hope every high school in Iowa will participate in this statewide event.”

State law allows 17-year-olds to register to vote and there are more than 3,500 17-year-olds currently registered. They can also participate in the upcoming June primary elections if they turn 18 by the time of the November general election. Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo says “Voting is both a fundamental right and an important way for individuals to take part in shaping the world that we live in. Participating in high school voter registration day is a great opportunity to engage students and foster a culture of civic engagement among our next generation of voters.”

To check your voter registration status, register to vote or update your information, visit VoterReady.Iowa.gov. Governor Reynolds plans to issue an official proclamation declaring Tuesday, February 22 as “Iowa High School Voter Registration Day.” Kelli Hutt, communications director for the Iowa Council for the Social Studies, says “The Iowa Council for the Social Studies commends the Secretary of State’s Office for its High School Voter Registration Day initiative and its ongoing collaboration with Iowa social studies teachers to encourage our young people to engage in one of their fundamental rights and responsibilities as citizens of our democracy. Encouraging good citizenship is one of the centerpieces of a quality social studies program and the Carrie Chapman Catt Award is a wonderful way to recognize the ongoing efforts of Iowa’s social studies teachers to support our next generation of citizens.”

(Radio Iowa) – A bill to mandate that doctors prescribing medication abortions tell patients another drug could reverse the process has resurfaced in the Iowa House. Republican Representative Shannon Lundgren of Peosta says the bill has been a priority of hers for three years. “I think it gives women another choice is they get home and their family decides that it is something they don’t want to go through,” Lundgren says, “and I think it will save a lifetime of mental and brain health issues and heartache.”

Karla Fultz McHenry is a lobbyist for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa and Iowa Independent Physician Group. She says the bill would force Iowa doctors to give inaccurate information to their patients. “This bill also puts clinics and physicians at risk of malpractice claims because they are breaking their ethical duty,” she says.

Ten states have passed similar legislation and the American Medical Association sued North Dakota in 2019 to block that state’s law. The Iowa House Hunan Resources Committee approved this bill in 2021, but it was never debated in the full House. It cleared a House subcommittee this (Wednesday) morning.