(Radio Iowa) – A key Democrat in the Iowa Senate says the one billion dollars in the state’s Taxpayer Relief Fund should be used to reduce taxes for working Iowans and invest in schools, hospitals and child care. Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City is the top Democrat on the Iowa Senate’s tax policy committee.

“Iowa GOP tax policies have hollowed out Iowa’s small communities and rural landscapes,” Bolkcom says, “and their tax and economic policies have created rural teacher and health care worker shortages and child care deserts.” The billion dollars accumulated over the past two years as state tax collections surged past official estimates and were deposited in the Taxpayer Relief Fund.

“It was seen as kind of a gimmick by Republicans to draw attention to their desire to cut taxes and I don’t think anybody expected it would have this kind of revenue come to it the way it was designed.” Bolkcom says the latest estimate indicates more than nine billion dollars in federal pandemic relief money and loans has been sent to Iowa during the Trump and Biden Administrations and the state wouldn’t have this billion dollar surplus without that.

“If it were not for the CARES Act money and the American Rescue Plan money from the federal government, Iowa would need every single one of these dollars that people have paid in state and local taxes to solve our problems that have been created by a pandemic that remains out of control in Iowa.” As Radio Iowa reported Monday, Speaker Pat Grassley — the top Republican in the House — says the billion dollars is an overpayment that should be returned to taxpayers. Bolkcom says the across-the-board reduction in individual income taxes he expects Republicans to pursue primarily benefits the wealthiest Iowans.

“I think the tax cuts will absolutely be loved by their Des Moines donors,” Bolkcom says. Bolkcom says he and other Democrat favor increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit for low and moderate income Iowans who work and have little to no income from savings or investments.

(Tabor, Iowa) – A traffic stop late Monday night near Tabor on Interstate 29, resulted in the arrest of a man on felony drug charges. According to the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, 58-year-old Raymond Lamar Greene, of Nebraska City, Nebraska, was taken into custody at around 11:03-p..m.

Authorities say the Mills County K9 Unit assisted the Iowa State Patrol on the traffic stop near mile marker 30 on I-29. During an investigation, the K9 “Danken” was deployed around the vehicle, and presented a positive indication for the odor of narcotics. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of nearly 40 grams of methamphetamine.

Greene was arrested and transported to the Mills County Jail.

Raymond Greene

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department say there were no injuries reported after a car struck a utility pole, Monday afternoon. Authorities said 18-year-old Logan Tanner Wissner, of Fontanelle, was driving a 2009 Nissan Altima eastbound on Russell Street at around 4:20-p.m.

Wissner told Police that as he was passing through the intersection, another vehicle was in his lane traveling in the opposite direction, forcing him to move over. When he did so, right front side of the car hit an Alliant Energy utility pole. The car sustained $2,000 damage, while damage to the pole was estimated at $100.

There were no citations issued.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County say three people were arrested over the past week on separate charges. (As reported earlier) Saturday evening, 33-year-old Aaron Wade Opdyke, of Malvern, was arrested on I-29 for Possession of a Controlled Substance, A Controlled Substance Violation, and Eluding. Bond was set at $15,000.

Thursday night, 26-year-old Shayleigh Lauren Small, of Standwood, IA, was arrested on I-29 on three counts of Child Endangerment, and OWI/1st offense. Her bond was set at $2,000. And, on the 24th, 28-year-old Lawrence Albert Pace, IV, of Percival, was arrested on a Harrison County warrant for Failure to Appear. His bond was set at $1,000.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office said also, there were two incidents of 3rd Degree Burglary reported on the 24th, an incident of 4th Degree Theft, and one incident of Trespass.

(Radio Iowa) – Two Fairfield teenagers accused of killing a high school Spanish teacher have pleaded not guilty. Sixteen year olds Jeremy Goodale and Willard Miller filed written not guilty pleas to charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony in the death of 66-year-old teacher Nohema Graber.

Both teens have asked to be released before their trial. A judge is still considering that request — and a request to reduce their one-million-dollar bail. Prosecutors argue the bail should stay the same or be raised to two million dollars.

(Radio Iowa) – A former West Des Moines insurance agent has been charged with a felony for allegedly filing a false insurance claim for coverage of fire damage. According to the Iowa Insurance Division, 48-year-old Tanya Schettler listed the wrong date of the fire on an insurane claim, knowing the fire occurred during a period when no insurance coverage was in effect.

Tanya Schettler

A state investigation of Schettler began in August of 2020. Last Wednesday, she was charged with one count of insurance fraud. If convicted, Schettler could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of 75-hundred dollars.

(Radio Iowa) – Clearfield Mayor Chris Knox is hoping an egg production facility that was heavily damaged by fire this weekend will be able to recover. Knox says he noticed the plant burning at around 7:30 Saturday morning — and most of the facility’s employees were standing outside when he drove by. The mayor says the gusty winds made for what he called “a scary deal.”

“The wind did pick up pretty strong there Saturday afternoon,” he says. “It was blowing right towards town at that particular time, and there was a pretty big concern about starting a cornfield on fire right to the east side of where the fire was. From there, it could have carried into the town of Clearfield.” Knox says the facility was bought from Iowa Cage-Free last month and is now known as Hen Haven Fire crews brought the fire under control by about 6 p-m Saturday–but not before it caused considerable damage.

“One complete hen house was burned clear to the ground. I would estimate it to be 700-to-800 feet long. It took it completely down. From there, the barn was connected by breezeways to the processing facility, and to the office space, and I believe to the distribution center. The processing, the office space, and the distribution area were all completely damaged, as well,” according to Knox. It’s believed hundreds of thousands of chickens died in the fire. Knox says the plant employs up to 70 people and the fire is a big blow to more than just the facility’s workers.

“It goes to people supplying the facility with feed resources and other resources,” he says. “It doesn’t even affect just the employees, it affects everybody that has ties to that business, as well. It would be really great if we could salvage what we can out of the mess, and continue to have that for the community. It really would.” Knox praised fire departments from surrounding communities for their assistance in battling the fire.

There’s no word on what caused the fire. None of the facility’s employees were injured, but Knox says two firefighters reportedly were treated for smoke inhalation.

(Radio Iowa) – A federal judge in Missouri has temporarily blocked a federal agency’s Covid vaccine mandate for most health care workers in Iowa and nine other states. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued the requirement that U.S. health care facilities ensure staff are fully vaccinated by January 4th. Hospitals, clinics and nursing homes that failed to do so were at risk of losing the federal funding that pays the bills for Medicare and Medicaid patients.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds joined a lawsuit challenging the requirement earlier this month. Reynolds says the vaccination mandate would make workforce shortages worse and was an attack on individual liberties. The judge says the vaccination rule has vast economic and political significance and should have been approved by congress.

In a statement Monday afternoon, the Governor said “Iowa is fighting back against the Biden Administration’s attack on individual liberties and I applaud the court’s decision to enjoin the vaccine mandate rule for Medicare and Medicaid certified providers and suppliers.  Medical providers that have been on the frontlines of this pandemic saving lives deserve the freedom and ability to make their own informed health care decisions.

“I believe the vaccine is the best defense against COVID-19, but I also firmly believe in Iowans’ right to make health care decisions based on what’s best for themselves and their families, and I remain committed to protecting those freedoms. President Biden should do the same.”

(Atlantic, Iowa)  – Beef producers needing to renew or obtain their certification for Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) can attend an in-person workshop held Monday, December 6^th from 6:30 – 8:30 PM.  The training will be held at Cass County Community Center at 805 W 10^th Street in Atlantic.

A majority of packers require cattle sellers to be BQA certified.  BQA is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that raises consumer confidence through offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry.  The Iowa BQA Program is funded by the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) and the Beef Checkoff.  The education component is delivered as a joint effort by Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University and IBIC.

There is no cost to attend the training, but pre-registration is appreciated. To reserve a seat at the training, please RSVP by noon on Monday the 6^th by contacting the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 or emailing keolson@iastate.edu. A light meal will be served to all who RSVP in advance, grilled by the Cass County Cattlemen, starting at 6:00 PM ahead of the meeting.

To learn more about the Iowa BQA Program and other upcoming certification trainings in your area, please visit www.iabeef.org.  BQA certification is also offered online for free at www.bqa.org.  For more information, feel free to contact Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, ISU Extension beef specialist at 641-745-5902 or ellundy@iastate.edu.

AMES, Iowa – The 2022 Crop Advantage meetings will give producers a solid foundation of current research-based crop production information to help make smart, informed decisions for their farming operation. The meetings are an opportunity for farmers and crop advisers to hear current research and crop production information from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Specialists will travel to 14 locations around Iowa (Including Atlantic, Denison & LeMars), from Jan. 4-27, providing updated management options and recommendations on crop production issues facing Iowa growers.

Meetings include continuing education credits for Certified Crop Advisers and pesticide applicator recertification. All sites offer private pesticide applicator continuing instruction, which is included in the registration fee. The Chariton location also offers commercial ag pesticide applicator continuing instruction for an additional cost.

Nearly 2,000 individuals attended one of 14 Crop Advantage meetings across the state in 2020, representing all 99 Iowa counties and surrounding states. Approximately 85% of attendees said information from Crop Advantage would likely save them between $5 and $20 per acre.

Program topics vary by location and are selected for regional issues. Topics on this year’s agenda include: crop market outlook for 2022, precipitation and weather variability trends, corn rootworm management, managing cover crops before corn, fertilizer management for 2022, management of corn and soybean disease issues, tax law changes and many more.

Financial support for this farmer-focused meeting series is provided by the Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Locations, times and program details are available online.

Early registration for each location is $60; late registration made less than seven days prior to the meeting, or on-site, is $75. Registration includes lunch, private pesticide applicator recertification, and CCA credits.

Online registration and additional information is available at www.cropadvantage.org. For questions, contact ANR Program Services at 515-294-6429, or anr@iastate.edu, or contact your regional Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomist.

2022 Meeting Dates and Locations

• Jan. 4 – Sheldon.
• Jan. 5 – Storm Lake.
• Jan. 6 – Burlington.
• Jan. 11 – Okoboji.
• Jan. 12 – Ankeny.
• Jan. 13 – Cedar Falls.
• Jan. 14 – Mason City.
• Jan. 18 – Chariton.
• Jan. 19 – Webster City.
• Jan. 20 – Atlantic.
• Jan. 21 – Davenport.
• Jan. 25 – Coralville.
• Jan. 26 – Le Mars.
• Jan. 27 – Denison.