The CAM School Board, Monday, approved a contract agreement with the CAM Education Association for the 2021/2022 school year. It calls for a 2.5% package increase and some positive tweaks with regard to insurance, for teaching staff, support staff, and the administration. The School Board also agreed to continue with the district’s current mask mandate through the end of the school year.

The mandate says students are required to continue to wear face coverings in the classroom, in the building, and on the bus or other forms of district transportation. Officials say there will be no bleachers at the baseball and softball fields this summer. Attendance will be unlimited, and those attending can bring their lawn chairs. Social distancing and masks will not be required at outdoor events.

(Radio Iowa) – As part of National Police Week, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s introducing a number of pieces of legislation designed to help those who dedicate their careers — and too often their lives — to protecting and serving our communities. “This week, I’m pushing several bills in the Senate Judiciary Committee to improve the mental health resources for cops,” Grassley says, “and to insure that those disabled in the line of duty receive the assistance that they’ve been promised.”

While the past year of COVID-19 has been hard on everyone, Grassley says the pandemic has been especially difficult for law officers who, day in and day out, have repeatedly been exposed to the virus throughout the course of their duties. “Our law enforcement supports our communities each and every day,” Grassley says. “These bills are a way to give back to the people in blue.”

There’s been a law on the books since the 1970s that provides federal grants to front-line workers who are harmed in the line of duty. Grassley says that needed to be updated with his bill, the Helping Families of First Responders Act, so the families of police officers and others will still be covered, regardless of how COVID-19 may’ve been contracted. “If they die of the virus, they will still get the money from the federal treasury, the family will, because it’s just impossible to show where you got the virus,” Grassley says. “You may’ve got it in church on Sunday when you weren’t on duty or you may’ve got it when you were helping people that had the virus.”

Grassley, a Republican, says efforts must be made to “back the blue,” as he says the number of applications being submitted to join several of Iowa’s largest police departments are down dramatically in recent months.

(Radio Iowa) – Republicans on two Senate committees have approved what’s described as a proposed compromise on tax policy, but Republicans in the Iowa House have their own alternative. Senator Dan Dawson, a Republican from Council Bluffs, is chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and he spoke before the panel voted on the Senate G-O-P’s bill.

“I have higher hopes for more tax policy reforms next year, but I can certainly say this today…if this was the only piece of policy that we did in the entire two years here in this chamber, it would be a hell of a bill,” Dawson says. “It’s something we can take back to all of our constituents and say: ‘We did a damned good thing.'” Senator Pam Jochum, a Democrat from Dubuque, is wishing Dawson good luck in the coming weeks.

“I’m hoping you and your House counterparts can end this family feud,” Jochum said, “and we can come to some kind of conclusion on a tax policy that will garner bipartisan support.” Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says Republicans should consider erasing the sales tax on period products, something Republican Governor Kim Reynolds proposed a year ago.

“The House and Senate are still a long way away from reaching a compromise…and if we are going to do a tax package that is this large, I hope that you will look at some of Governor Reynolds’ gender equity issues.” Republican Senator Amy Sinclair of Allerton says the Senate G-O-P’s bill takes the right approach. “Solid, comprehensive, common sense, lowered tax policy is best for all people, whether they’re male or female,” Sinclair said, “and to carve out women or men as better or worse in this tax conversation is just a silly thing.”

Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee have approved the same tax plan, so the bill is eligible for debate now in the full Senate. The legislature is in a holding pattern, however, and Republican leaders in the legislature and the governor will continue negotiations in private until a final agreement is developed that can pass both the Senate and the House.

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County, Tuesday, responded to an accident that involved a Page County dump truck. The incident was reported at around 7:45 AM. It occurred near the intersection of 130th and N Avenue, or about nine-miles northwest of Clarinda. No injuries were reported.

An investigation determined 59-year-old Ricky Alan Auten, of rural Clarinda, who is employed by Page County Secondary Roads Department, was driving a 2016 international 7000 Series dump truck, and was turning west on 130th from N Avenue. At the intersection, Auten had the dump box of the dump truck partially raised and had just begun to spread the approximately 17 tons of road rock from the intersection to the west on 130th Street.

As the vehicle rounded the left hand corner, the load shifted in the dump truck, causing the vehicle to roll onto its passenger side. Auten exited the cab through the driver’s side window, once the truck came to rest in the traveled portion of the road. Damage to Page Counties Dump Truck was estimated to be more than $50,000.

No charges have been issued at this time.

Officials with the Harlan Police Department on Tuesday, released a report on a dozen arrests made and two citations issued, between April 22nd and May 7th. Beginning with the latest dates:

On May 7th: 36-year-old Reid Jeffrey Hemminger, of Harlan, was cited for driving while suspended; 37-year-old Corey Christopher McCoy, of Harlan was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant.

On May 2nd, tthree people were arrested: 20-year-old Cameron Richard Schriber, of Harlan, was arrested for disorderly conduct; 44-year-old Joseph L. Miller, of Carter Lake, and 22-year-old Kenneth Clyde Miller, of Harlan, were both arrested for assault.

On April 30th: 46-year-old Joseph Peter Scheffler, of Harlan, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, following the execution of a search warrant.

On April 25th: 38-year-old Amy Joy Carman, of Avoca, was cited by Harlan Police for driving while suspended.

There were two arrests in Harlan on April 24th: 45-year-old Corey Denise Schroder, of Harlan, was arrested for driving while barred, possession of drug paraphernalia, no proof of insurance, and speeding; and, 52-year-old Angel Ahumada Perez, of Denison, was arrested for driving while revoked, false reports to police, no proof of insurance, and having an improper brake light.

Two people were arrested on separate charges of driving while barred, on April 23rd: 22-year-old Austin Lee Dusenberry, of Harlan, and 28-year-old Jacob Patrick Sweeney, of Audubon, were both taken into custody.

And, there were three separate arrests on April 22nd, in Harlan: 28-year-old Cody Duane Wills, of Harlan, was arrested for driving while revoked, no proof of insurance, and operating a non-registered vehicle; Dakota Lynn Blum was arrested in Harlan on an active Sac County warrant; and, 21-year-old Dawson Gage Hansen, of Manilla, was arrested for Possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

(Iowa DNR News) – There’s a pretty good chance that, in the next several weeks, Northeast Iowa will be visited by a few wandering black bears coming down from Minnesota and Wisconsin ahead of the breeding season. It’s been an annual occurrence in this region each spring since 2014. While much of Iowa does not have the habitat necessary to support a black bear population, certain locations do, primarily northeast, eastern and southern parts of the state. As black bear populations in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Missouri are stable to increasing, it is possible that a small population could set up residence in Iowa.

“Within the next three to five years, I think we can expect to see cubs show up and a small breeding population become established. If that occurs, we should look to our neighbors in Wisconsin and Minnesota who have learned to live with bears,” said Vince Evelsizer, furbearer and wetland wildlife research biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “It won’t be perfect and there will be bumps along the way, but we need to start having conversation about the idea of bears coming back to Iowa, at least in certain places along the Mississippi River and Northeast Iowa where suitable habitat exists.”

Wisconsin’s black bear population is estimated at close to 30,000, Minnesota’s 15,000 and Missouri, which is holding its first bear hunt later this fall, as many as 1,000. “For example, in Wisconsin, with that many black bears, residents have learned to make a few adjustments to minimize bear conflicts, like putting away their bird seed in the spring, putting away their barbeque drip pans, and by keeping pet food and garbage in places bears can’t access. There are still occasional problems, but these basic precautions result in much fewer negative encounters between bears and humans,” Evelsizer said.

Bears are omnivores and their diet changes with the seasons. In the spring, bears emerge from their winter dens hungry. They’ll feed heavily on newly emerging tender grasses and sedges. In summer, its berries, ants, various plants, and grubs. In the fall, its acorns and other tree nuts. They are also known to feed on nontraditional sources, like row crops, orchard fruits, and honey – which is similar to striped skunks and raccoons. “They’re like a big raccoon, motivated by hunger and willing to take advantage of whatever food is available, from fawns to eggs, bee hives, bird feeders – this is where making some changes can minimize nuisance bear interactions,” he said.

Black bears are native to Iowa. However, Iowa has been without a resident bear population for more than 100 years. In the Iowa code, black bears are not listed as a species of wildlife found in Iowa because they were not present in the state when these laws were created, nor have they been since. This means the Iowa DNR does not have the legal authority to manage black bear populations through actions such as designating protection status or adding a limited hunting season if the population eventually support it in the future. Iowa is the only state among its Midwest neighbors where the state’s wildlife agency does not have regulatory authority to manage bear populations, which typically includes handling nuisance conflicts and conducting research.

While the Iowa DNR does not regulate bears, it does have a bear response protocol. “The objective with the response protocol is to provide guidance for our staff in dealing with any potential human-bear conflicts that arise. A proactive strategy will increase the odds for a better outcome for both the bears and for humans. For example, trap and transport of bears is a common scenario shown on TV shows, however in reality most states have moved away from this method because it often results in simply moving the problem to someone else’s backyard. It’s all about reducing conflicts where bears are instead,” Evelsizer said. “We want to keep Iowans informed about this interesting and emerging wildlife story and increase our collective knowledge about bears in order to live with them successfully and minimize conflicts.”

Since 2002, there have been 43 confirmed black bears in Iowa, and two to five per year since 2014. As bears have become more of a regular visitor, the chance to encounter a bear, although small, is a possibility. “Black bears have some general tendencies and habits, but individual bears may go against the norm. Some are shy, others are not. They are typically secretive and want to be left alone – while others are bold and may be more daylight active,” he said.

Bears are typically nocturnal but get more active during the June to July breeding season, especially at dawn and dusk. Most of Iowa’s bear sightings start in late May continuing into July. “If you encounter a bear, avoid running away,” Evelsizer said. “Instead, back away slowly and cautiously while facing it. Make noise so they know you’re there.” There are a number of resources available to help people minimize conflict with bears, Evelsizer said, including www.bearwise.org

(Radio Iowa) – The state teachers union is calling on superintendents and school boards to include teachers and other school staff in discussions about how districts plan to use the latest batch of 770 MILLION dollars in federal pandemic relief. State law limits teacher contract negotiations to a discussion of salaries, but I-S-E-A president Mike Beranek says U.S. Department of Education guidelines require all school employees to be engaged in meaningful consultation in how federal funds approved in March are used. “There is no ambiguity about this direction and we want to want to make it perfectly clear that Iowa’s educators who bravely and consistently worked on the front lines of the pandemic, who understand first hand what their students need will be at the table when the ideas for use are discussed and the final decisions are made.”

Allison Grier, a Spanish teacher at Newton High School, says this new batch of federal funds can be used in creative ways to address student needs and learning loss. “These funds offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for innovation and for remediation,” she says. Kelly McMahon, a kindergarten teacher at Hoover Elementary in Cedar Rapipds, says the money can help address barriers to student success. “This historic influx of money in our school communities can be a game-changer for so many students, families and educators — if done right,” she says.

“Now more than ever,” McMahon says, “educators, parents, administrators and other stakeholders absolutely must be at the table when discussions and decisions are being made about these funds. We can rise above the effects of this pandemic in ways we’ve never dreamed of.” The latest round of pandemic relief funds from the federal government can be used to do things like hire new teachers, mental health counselors and school nurses or to finance summer school programs.

(Boone, IA) – Fareway Stores, Inc. will showcase its appreciation of essential healthcare workers with a special offer. In honor of International Nurses Day on Wednesday, May 12, all medical professionals are eligible to receive a 10 percent discount at the register. Fareway Executive Vice President of Merchandising, Mike McCormick, says “We are proud to celebrate our essential healthcare workers. They continue to rise above the challenges, and we hope this discount shows our appreciation for their continuous efforts.”

Healthcare workers are asked to show a work badge or medical ID at the time of purchase. The offer is available in-store only on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at all 128 Fareway locations. Tobacco, lottery tickets, and gift cards are not eligible for discount.

Iowa State Patrol Trooper/District 3 Public Information Officer Ryan Devault, Tuesday (Today), mentioned on social media that another triple-digit speeder was caught. It’s the second Monday in a row someone has been clocked and ticketed for exceeding the speed limit by 100 miles per hour or more. In a Tweet, Trooper Devault said “We will see you at 102!!!!! District 3 troopers on I-80 Monday stop this motorist who “ Didn’t realize I was going that fast.” Do you believe you wouldn’t realize 32 MPH over the posted speed limit?”

Devault emphasized “We need to get back to paying attention to DRIVING!!!