CRESTON, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa DCI, Monday, said a Creston Police Officer was arrested on an assault charge over the weekend. Officers with the Creston Police Department were dispatched at around 5-a.m. Sunday, to 306 West Seneca in Creston, to investigate an incomplete 911 call. Responding officers were met by an adult female with visible physical injuries,  including deep cuts to her head. The female reported being assaulted by Eric Shawler, an off-duty officer with the Creston Police Department.

Investigators say the woman told police Shawler had smashed her head into a table, thrown her into a door and kicked her several times. Shawler denied he had attacked the woman, but investigators say there were inconsistencies in his story. Shawler, who was at the home, was transported to the Union County Law Enforcement Center for follow-up investigation.

Eric Shawler

At the request of Creston Police Chief Paul Vermeer, a Special Agent with the Division of Criminal Investigation conducted an independent investigation into the assault. At approximately 12:00-p.m., Sunday, Eric Shawler was charged with one count of Domestic Assault Causing Injury (Aggravated Misdemeanor). Shawler was transported to the Adams County Jail. He has since posted bond.

Shawler has been placed on paid administrative leave.

Des Moines, Iowa – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced recently that additional federal premium tax credits will be available to individuals purchasing their own health insurance directly through the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) marketplace (healthcare.gov).  The increased federal premium tax credits may result in lower premium amounts paid by Iowans.  New consumers and current enrollees who submit an application and select a plan on or after April 1 will receive the increased federal premium tax credits for 2021 and 2022 marketplace coverage.  By using tax credits, individuals purchasing their own health insurance directly through healthcare.gov can further reduce their premium costs towards the purchase of a health care plan.

Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said “Iowans who have already purchased their own coverage through the marketplace are encouraged to update their information on healthcare.gov on or after April 1 to recalculate their costs based upon the increased federal premium tax credits. These changes, coupled with the special enrollment period that runs through August 15, will make these insurance plans more affordable as Iowans recover economically from the pandemic.”

According to Ommen, “As a result of the economic impact of the pandemic, Medicaid has been there as a safety net.  During 2020, Iowa’s Medicaid participation grew by roughly 80,000 individuals.  But as we come out of the pandemic, we know Iowans want the opportunity to resume family supporting economic growth.  These premium tax credits may help some Iowans to afford health coverage as they economically recover from the pandemic and their incomes move them above eligibility for Medicaid.  Iowans considering individual plans should talk with a licensed insurance agent to thoroughly research all coverage options to determine the best plan for themselves and their families.”

He says “While these changes at the federal level don’t fix – and in fact, may exacerbate – the structural flaws of the ACA that cause overall premiums to be high, these changes do provide Iowans with additional federal resources to help obtain health insurance coverage.  Even with these changes, we encourage bipartisan, thoughtful solutions in Congress that will bring more younger, healthier individuals into the ACA individual market.”

During the special enrollment period that began February 15 and runs through August 15, Iowans may call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov for information regarding enrollment and to calculate applicable tax credits.  Local insurance agents, assisters and navigators are available to help Iowans review which insurance plan may best fit their needs.  Iowans can find local help by visiting https://localhelp.HealthCare.gov/.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate sent a letter to U.S Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi today (Monday) asking her to respect Iowa’s bipartisan election and recount process, State of Iowa law, and the official state certification of Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ election as U.S. House representative for Iowa’s Second Congressional District.

In the letter, Pate said “Iowans take their voting very seriously and I firmly believe we are the best state in the nation for civic engagement. Despite the pandemic, the people of Iowa made their voices heard in record numbers in 2020, both in the June primary and November general election.”  Pate added, “I’m extremely proud of the way our voters, poll workers and county election officials stepped up”

He mentions also, “Our state had the closest U.S. House race in the country, with Mariannette Miller-Meeks defeating Rita Hart. Following a recount in all 24 counties in the Second Congressional District, Miller-Meeks won by six votes. The general election and recounts were conducted in a bipartisan manner. There are 12 Republican county auditors and 12 Democratic county auditors in the Second District. Bipartisan teams of precinct election officials staffed the polling places and processed the absentee ballots” Pate says the recount boards in all 24 counties were bipartisan, comprised of one representative from the Miller-Meeks campaign, one representative from the Hart campaign, and a third member who was agreed upon by the other two representatives or appointed by a district court judge. The Hart campaign signed off on the recount procedures and results in all 24 counties.”

Pate tells Pelosi, “Following the recount, the bipartisan State Canvassing Board unanimously accepted the results and officially certified the election. At the end of this bipartisan process, Mariannette Miller-Meeks won: 196,964-196,958. Iowa law provides for a nonpartisan process if a candidate for federal office wishes to contest the results of an election. A panel of Iowa District Court judges, presided over and appointed by the chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, hears the contest and delivers a ruling. Both my office and the Supreme Court were ready, willing, and able to facilitate a fair and thorough contest process. Every step of the way, the administration of Iowa’s elections is either bipartisan or nonpartisan.”

“Unfortunately,” he said, “Rita Hart chose to bypass the nonpartisan Iowa process and take her challenge to the U.S. House of Representatives where her political party has the power to grant her a seat she did not win. Ms. Hart…” he said, “has stated that her reason for failing to give Iowans a voice in this process is that Iowa law does not allow for sufficient time to review her claims. That assertion is in stark contrast to the fact that Iowa’s Judicial Branch has always gone above and beyond to issue expeditious rulings in cases concerning election law.” Pate says The Hart campaign should have exhausted all state avenues before asking a federal chamber controlled by her party to make the final determination. Iowans should have the final say in all Iowa elections, not Washington, D.C. politicians.”

Secretary Pate concluded by saying to Speaker Pelosi, “Now, Rita Hart is asking you to “depart from Iowa law” and give her an election victory she did not earn. I strongly urge you to reject any attempts to overturn the will of Iowa voters. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is the official U.S. House Representative for Iowa’s Second District and is serving the district capably. Let her continue to do the job Iowans elected her to do.”

You can view the full letter by clicking here.

WASHINGTON—The Office of Senator Joni Ernst says “After Democrats tucked a little-known provision into their $1.9 trillion “COVID relief” bill that would ban states, like Iowa, from cutting state taxes, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is backing legislation to reverse the provision. According to Ernst, “The Democrats’ partisan, nearly $2 trillion ‘COVID relief’ package rewards states that have mismanaged their budgets while punishing those who have acted responsibly during this pandemic. It’s no surprise that this rushed bill also prevents states—like Iowa—from cutting taxes for its hardworking taxpayers. We shouldn’t punish states, and our working families, for prioritizing fiscal responsibility, and this commonsense legislation will repeal this ill-conceived provision that infringes on states’ rights.”

Governor Kim Reynolds said “Iowa’s fiscal health is strong and we are cutting taxes so that Iowans can keep more of their hard-earned money, but unfortunately our approach is in jeopardy because of what’s happening in Washington, D.C.” She added, “Biden’s stimulus plan is full of reckless spending with strings attached aimed at bailing out mismanaged states and cities. I appreciate Senator Ernst taking the lead on the State Fiscal Flexibility Act to help prevent the federal government from slowing down Iowa’s economic recovery.”

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s unemployment rate is again near where it was before the pandemic hit more than a year ago, but the state’s leisure and hospitality industry now employs 25-thousand fewer people than it did in February of 2020. Jessica Dunker, president of the Iowa Restaurant Association, says many businesses that scaled back to follow health precautions are now looking to bring workers back. Dunker says, “If April 5th offers everything it promises to, which is allowing any Iowan who wants to be able get vaccinated the opportunity to go find an appointment, we expect a summer that will be vibrant and busy and really help us on the path to recovery.”

Job numbers in the industry may not add up to what they were before because Dunker says many restaurants are doing more take-out, which requires fewer workers. She says public health restrictions were a critical blow, but there is growing optimism as businesses reopen their patios and more people become vaccinated.  “As vaccines get out there, people are coming back out, the weather is warming, carry-out and delivery is now an integral part of what we’re doing,” Dunker says, “and so for restaurants and bars that made it to the other side, the future looks bright.”

Employment in all industries was down by more than 80,000 in Iowa from February of 2020 to February of 2021. While the greatest decline in job numbers from a year ago is in leisure and hospitality, that’s followed by education and health services, and government.

(By Grant Gerlock, Iowa Public Radio)

The 8:05-a.m. News w/Ric Hanson.

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Police in Creston report three arrests. On Sunday, 26-year-old Ashley Starlin, of Creston, was arrested at around 1:50-a.m. for OWI/1st offense. She was later released from the Union County Jail on a $2,000 bond. And, 48-year-old Eric Shawler, of Creston, was arrested at his residence for Domestic Abuse Assault with the Intent to Inflict Serious Injury. He was later released from the Adams County Jail, on a $2,000 bond.

On Saturday, 66-year-old Vernon Loudon, of Creston, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He was later released on a $1,000 bond.

The News at 7:07-a.m. from News Director Ric Hanson.

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KCCI reports a recent Iowa Poll reports a majority of Iowans who would be in favor of legalizing marijuana. The Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll was conducted between March 7 and March 10 and 775 Iowans participated. It reports 54% were in favor of legalizing marijuana, 39% were opposed and 6% were unsure. The results were similar to the March 2020 Iowa Poll.

The poll also asked participants about expanding the medical marijuana program in the state. Of the participants, 78% said the program should include more diseases and conditions, 14% opposed the expansion, and 7% were unsure. There was a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

(Updated 10:30-a.m., 3/29) – Police in Newton have released the name of a man who’s body was found Sunday morning, in a creek. The remains of 47-year-old Gregory Jayson Zwick, of Newton were discovered on the bank of a creek at around 10-a.m. in the 1400 block of South Fourth Avenue. An investigation is continues. Authorities say while there were no apparent indications of foul play, the cause of death was unknown, pending the results of an autopsy.