(Anita, Iowa) – An accident involving a semi-tractor trailer has both lanes of Interstate 80 eastbound blocked, at mile marker 69. The accident happened a little after 6-a.m. Anita Fire/Rescue & Cass EMS responded to the scene. A detour is in-place via Highway 148 and White Pole Road.

Iowa DOT Traffic CAM at mm 72 near Adair

(Red Oak) — Montgomery County became the 34th out of Iowa’s 99 counties to become a second amendment sanctuary. According to reports, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, voted 3-2 on approving a resolution declaring the county as a sanctuary for the U.S. Constitution’s second amendment. Montgomery County joins other area counties, including Page, Mills, Adams, Taylor, and Pottawattamie. Fremont County added itself to the list passing a resolution Wednesday morning, making them the 35th County.

The move did not come without opposition, however. That came from some board members, the public, and other county officials. Assistant County Attorney Bruce Swanson reminded the board that the resolution had zero policy impact but is rather symbolic and political. Swanson also strongly advised the board to avoid any language in the resolution that could impact the enforcement of current gun laws.

Supervisor Mike Olson said the resolution wasn’t about changing gun laws about where and when people can use a weapon but instead defending and standing up for the U.S. Constitution.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests took place Wednesday. Authorities say 40-year-old Rebecca Larocco was arrested on 12 Felony counts of Forgery, with additional charges pending. Larocco was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $60,000 cash bond. And, 25-year-old Mathew Avila was arrested on a valid Adams County warrant for Failure to Appear. He was being held without bond in the Adams County Jail.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Omaha-based Sapp Bros., Incorporated, Wednesday, announced that the company has acquired Atlantic-based propane servicer, Pelgas. Company officials said the deal officially closed on December 30th.

In a news release, Sapp Bros. CEO Andrew Richard said “Sapp Bros. is excited to be a part of this community and welcome the Pelgas employees to our team! The core of our propane mission is great customer service by safely, efficiently and thoughtfully providing propane to your homes, businesses and farms.”

Richard say also, “Lord willing, we intend to keep doing business the way we have for the last 5 decades to keep our customers happy and hopefully gain new customers for many years to come in this area.” Todd Pellett, owner of Pelgas, in Atlantic, said “We are pleased to join such a well-respected member of the energy industry,” and “I am confident this change will enhance the customer experience, while retaining the family inspired service Pelgas customers are accustomed to and appreciate.”

Sapp Bros., Inc says it will honor all existing Pelgas contracts and service will continue with as little disruption as possible. For more information, customers can call (712) 243-9595 or (402) 895-2202.

Woodbury County, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Pubic Safety, Wednesday night, said an investigation is underway into a fatal, officer-involved shooting that occurred in northwest Iowa. Authorities say shortly before 6-p.m. Wednesday, two Woodbury County Deputies responded to the Woodford Mobile Home Park in Sergeant Bluff for report of a burglary in progress.  A witness directed the deputies to a white male subject who was attempting to force his way into a trailer home.

Upon making contact with the male subject, the subject advanced on the deputies with a tire iron in his hand.  One of the deputies fired their Taser, but the Taser was ineffective.  After being struck with the tire iron by the subject, the second deputy fired their firearm striking the subject.  The subject was transported to Mercy Hospital in Sioux City where the subject died as a result of the gunshot. The name of the suspect was being withheld, pending notification of family.

An Autopsy will be scheduled at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny, Iowa in the coming days. The deputy who was assaulted was transported to Unity Point hospital in Sioux City for injuries they sustained.  The deputy has been released from the hospital.  The deputy has been placed on administrative leave which is standard procedure.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has been requested to investigate the shooting.  The Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Bluff Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are conducting the investigation.

This is an active, on-going investigation.  No further details are being released at this time.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting, Wednesday. During the meeting, the Board received a Special Presentation from Cheryl Andersen, with regard to an ESL (English Second Language) Program update. They also received updates from Schuler Principal James Northwick, Middle School Principal Josh Rasmussen, and High School Principal Heather McKay.

Superintendent Steve Barber presented his report, as well (read the bullet points on his Superintendent Report).

Mr. Barber said also, school officials on Monday had a construction meeting on the District’s Facilities Project. They focused, he said, “On how do we get to the finish line.”

He said also, progress is being made at the Middle School, following the devastating fire last Summer. All the sub-floors are in, and dry wall hanging on the bottom floor began Wednesday.

He said they’re still looking to get staff into the building by the first part of July and early August. In other business, the Board discussed an Employee Retention Stipend proposal, to assist in the teacher shortage during the pandemic. Mr. Barber said the district has received confirmation from the Iowa Dept. of Education, that providing staff with a retention stipend fits an appropriate use of ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief ) dollars. Governor Reynolds has proposed a $1,000 stipend to Iowa’s Teachers, to recognize their commitment to education and to assist with the current teacher shortage.

His proposal for all employees (full- or part-time) will receive a stipend based on continuous years of service at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year. Years of service will be determined by the number of continuous years as a contracted employee (breaks in service or years spent as a substitute employee will not be counted).

All totaled, it would cost the District $350,000 for the 275 employees, if they return for the 2022-23 school year. If approved, payment would be made to staff on Sept. 1, 2022. Board member Josh McLaren liked the proposal, he just didn’t care for the word “Retention,” and proposed “Hero Pay,” citing other school districts who have taken the same path. The proposal will be listed as an action item on the Board’s agenda next month.

Board President Jenny Williams reminds parents, there is no school next Monday, Jan. 17th, due to a Staff Wellness Day. The Atlantic School Board, Wednesday, approved the resignations of Melissa Smith – HS Paraeducator, and Richard “Dick” Casady, Bus Driver. The Board also approved contract recommendations for: Linda Templemann, Schuler Food Service; Hillary Zellmer, Internal transfer to Junior Kindergarten Teacher; Kendra Henningsen, Internal transfer to Elementary Literacy Teacher, and Montana Applegate, Internal transfer to Preschool Teacher.The Board acted on approving Mr. Mitchell’s recommendation to hire fall sports coaches(Football [FB], Cross County [XC] & Volleyball [VB]) for the 2022-23 school year, including:

• Joe Brummer – Head FB Coach
• Lee Saathoff – Varsity FB Asst.
• Oran Perkins and Matt Best – JV FB
• Matt Mullenix & Bryce Smith – 9th Grade FB
• Tim Duff, Chase Roller, Bryce Casey and Clint Roland – MS FB
• Dan Vargason – Head XC Coach
• Derek Hall – Asst. HS XC
• Taylor Williams – MC XC
• Michelle Blake – Head VB
• Alyssa Dovenspike – JV VB
• Tori Dolch – 9th Grade VB
• Faith McCunn, Jessica Larsen and Amber Moore – MS VB
• and Dean Junker – Girls Swimming.

The Board also approved: SBRC (School Budget Review Committee) Modified Allowable Growth for 2022-23 At-Risk/Dropout Prevention, in the amount of $496,929; An Athletic Dept. Yard Sale to dispose of 100’s of old uniforms and warm ups (The Yard Sale will take place January 20th, during the HS Wrestling meet, and on Jan. 25th, during the HS girl’s basketball game).

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved overnight/out-of-state trips for/to:

• HS Show Choir Invitational in Wahoo, NE, on Feb. 9th,
• and HS Boys/Girls Track – Indoor Track Invite at NWMSU (Maryville, MO.) March 19, 2022.

They also approved on an Engineering Service Contract with Snyder & Assoc. in the amount of $74,750, for the south High School parking lot project, and approving an invoice from FirstOnsite in the amount of $400,000 for the Middle School Restoration Project, using AMS Fire Insurance Proceeds.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says her four percent flat tax plan would make Iowa’s income tax system simpler and might one day lead the way to zero percent — no state income tax. “I think we’re working our way there,” Reynolds says. “…Every year, we’ll take a look at the revenues, we’ll take a look at expenditures, see where we’re at and then see what those next steps look like.” During an interview with Radio Iowa Wednesday afternoon, Reynolds made it clear zero percent isn’t something she’s proposing this year. She’s set four percent as the goal to reach by tax year 2026.

“If it drives revenue like we believe that it will, then we’ll be able to maybe look at it again in the next several years and see if we can even go further,” Reynolds says, “but this is a big jump from where we were in 2018.” Five years ago, Reynolds signed a bill that was, at the time, the largest tax cut in state history. It reduced the top income tax rate to six-and-a-half percent and got rid of a deduction that made Iowa’s top income tax rate appear higher than it actually was when compared to other states. The plan Reynolds has released this week retains current deductions, like the one for charitable donations, and tax credits.

“So what we are going to do, though, is at some point take a look at our tax credits and really put some metrics in place, we can start to understand maybe the value and as we continue to lower the income tax rates that’s something we’re going to have to take a look at before we go completely to zero,” Reynolds says, “because if you look at other states that have zero individual income taxes there are other mechanisms that they’re getting their revenue from.” Ten other states have a so-called flat tax, including Illinois and Michigan.

“When I took office we had the sixth highest income tax rate in the country and if we get the done or when I get this done, we’ll be the fifth lowest,” Reynolds says. “That is significant.” Iowa does not tax Social Security benefits, but another component of the Republican governor’s tax plan calls for no longer charging the state income tax on other types of retirement income. Reynolds says Iowa loses many retirees to other states that don’t tax pensions.

“They could be volunteers, the money that they would generate in our economy that we’re losing,” Reynolds says. “I mean, they’re even jumping over to Nebraska, so give me a break. It’s not any sunnier or warmer over in Nebraska, but we’re losing them, so I’m really, really excited about the impact that could have.” Farmers would get a tax break, too, in the Reynolds tax plan. Reynolds says it’s written in such a way so that out-of-state investors who own farmland couldn’t be able to claim it. Iowa residents who’ve retired after being actively engaged in farming for at least 10 years would be able to receive cash rent on their land without paying taxes on that income.

“We didn’t want somebody coming in, buying a bunch of land and then claiming an exemption,” Reynolds says. Reynolds has for weeks promised she’d reveal her tax cut plans during the annual “Condition of the State” address to legislators and the governor says it was clearly a surprise to some lawmakers. “I loved the gasp that I heard when I said a 4% flat tax…It was noticeable…They didn’t know. We worked on it right up to the end and I wanted to be the first to present it at the Condition of the State,” Reynolds says, “so I was thrilled.”

The governor’s fellow Republicans occupy 92 of the 150 seats in the legislature. While G-O-P leaders haven’t guaranteed passage of the governor’s flat tax proposal as is, they’ve made it clear the plan is the basis for their tax policy debate this year. Democrats say a flat tax is unfair and would provide a big tax break to wealthy Iowans while forcing some low income Iowans to pay more.

(Radio Iowa) – The state Health Department reports COVID-19 hospitalizations and test positivity rates continue to surge. The report today (Wednesday) shows hospitalizations increased to 923 — the most since December 2020. The 14-day test positivity rate has spiked to 21-point-two percent, with more than 31-thousand new infections confirmed in the past week. State Public Health Department director Kelly Garcia says demand for testing remains very high.

“We need you to be strategic about when you’re testing. We want to follow best practices here. But we really don’t have nationwide the capacity to be testing for every exposure all the time,” Garcia says. She’s asking Iowans to be strategic about testing as demand remains very high.

“So are you actively sick? Have you been exposed, somebody else in your household has it and you’re trying to figure out, you know, do I send my child to school or not? If they’re asymptomatic, which is what we’re seeing a lot of right now, this is a space where that P-C-R test can be incredibly helpful,” Garcia says. The state has confirmed an additional 182 deaths this past week. Fifty-six percent of all Iowans are fully vaccinated against the virus.

(By Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio)

AMES, Iowa – Jan. 12, 2022 – The Iowa Transportation Commission, meeting in Ames, Wednesday, approved an amendment to the highway section of the 2022-2026 Iowa Transportation Improvement Program (Program). Among the projects included in the program, are those in Guthrie, Shelby and Pottawattamie Counties.

The amendment is possible due to additional highway funding expected to be available later this fiscal year from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. In order to put this funding to work quickly across the state, the Commission approved this amendment to add projects to..