Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — Ankeny leaders are taking steps to form the city’s first human rights commission and bring the Des Moines suburb into compliance with state law. The Des Moines Register reports that City Council members on Monday discussed a draft ordinance for a commission that would include five volunteer members. Iowa requires cities with more than 29,000 people to have such a human rights agency. Ankeny’s population passed that mark more than 15 years ago and now stands at around 65,000. City Administrator David Jones said city officials learned of the oversight only a few months ago.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — The frenetic chase for momentum in Iowa is underway among Democrats seeking the 2020 presidential nomination. Candidates such as Pete Buttigieg point to large crowds showing up for his campaign events in small towns. Others note late spikes in fundraising as proof they are gathering enthusiasm less than a month before the leadoff nominating contest. Energy could allow one of a cluster at the top in Iowa to break away in the final month or help another work his or her way into the pack. Just as easily, the look of momentum can paint a target on a candidate’s back and send him or her limping out of Iowa next month.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republican legislative leaders say they aren’t planning to hold oversight committee meetings about problems at an Iowa care center for people with intellectual disabilities. Incoming House Speaker Pat Grassley says lawmakers are waiting to hear results of federal and state investigations into Glenwood Resource Center issues before acting. Grassley says House leaders were told last year by Iowa human services officials there was no need for an investigation. The federal inquiry announced in November appears focused on whether the state violated federal rights of residents through unnecessary experiments. Lawmakers and Gov. Kim Reynolds spoke about the issue Tuesday during the AP’s annual legislative forum.

MIDDLE AMANA, Iowa (AP) — A private utility providing water to 850 customers in east-central Iowa’s Amana Colonies has stopped using three wells because tests show a nitrate level above federal safety standards. The Amana Society Service Co. instead is using water from three other wells that have tested as safe. The Gazette reports that the company has warned customers to avoid giving tap water to infants or nursing mothers. Nitrate in drinking water has been linked to blue-baby syndrome. Officials don’t know why the nitrate levels rose in late fall. Spring usually is the season for elevated nitrate as melting snow washes fertilizer off farm fields.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republican legislative leaders say they aren’t planning to hold oversight committee meetings about problems at an Iowa care center for people with intellectual disabilities. Incoming House Speaker Pat Grassley says lawmakers are waiting to hear results of federal and state investigations into Glenwood Resource Center issues before acting.

Grassley says House leaders were told last year by Iowa human services officials there was no need for an investigation. The federal inquiry announced in November appears focused on whether the state violated federal rights of residents through unnecessary experiments. Lawmakers and Gov. Kim Reynolds spoke about the issue Tuesday during the AP’s annual legislative forum.

Officials with the Cass County Health System today (Tuesday) announced the arrival of the first baby of 2020. Lenoxx Lee arrived January 3, 2020. The CCHS Obstetrics team presented the family with a 2020 embroidered baby blanket and a year’s supply of diapers.

Pictured are CCHS nurses Judi Petersen and Tabetha Smith, mom Sierra holding Lenoxx, and grandma Amy holding big brother Monixx.

Thurman, Iowa – William and Sara Blackburn, from Long Grove, Ill., donated 151 acres in northwest Fremont County to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that will be used to create the Blackburn Wildlife Management Area and Blackburn Unit of Waubonsie State Park. The donation is valued at more than $515,000. Blackburn traces his family history to southwest Iowa and was looking to buy property in the area when this parcel became available. After acquisition in 2003, he began working to turn his vision for the property into reality.

blackburn-property-stone-benches (IA DNR photo)

The family began hauling away junk and old machinery, and removed about 200 cedar trees and acres of tree of heaven and honeysuckle that were invading the native timber. They researched what prairie plants would likely have been on the area during settlement and searched for those seeds to include as part of the mix used for a 35-acre prairie restoration. They improved the oak timber, installed roads, trails and erosion control, and developed an open-air picnic shelter and performance pavilion, with adjoining boardwalk leading to a viewing platform. The family’s investment totaled more than $300,000.

In more recent years, the Blackburn property has become a popular nature preserve for the family and community, and site for weddings, graduation parties, and a biennial music festival, a charity affair that has helped serve tornado victims, a local library and, last fall, flood victims of Fremont County. It was Blackburn’s wish that everyone could enjoy this property in the Loess Hills that has meant so much to generations of his family. Whether visitors come in October when the leaves are a shock of reds, oranges and yellows, or in June when the prairie is alight with wild flowers and alive with bees and butterflies, Blackburn said his goal was to spark visitors’ interest in the Hills.

“I want them to say ‘Wow! I had no idea this natural beauty was right here in my back yard! We have to come back!’ I want folks to realize this is something rare enough, enchanting enough to take care of, not just for their own use, but for their children, their children’s children, and all who come after them,” he said. The 72-acre parcel containing the shelter-pavilion, stone viewing benches, and other facilities—roughly the southwest half of the donated grounds– will become the Blackburn Unit of Waubonsie State Park. “It’s a natural gem that’s been well managed,” said Matt Moles, park manager at Waubonsie State Park who will manage the park portion of the donation. “It’s definitely a place that people will enjoy.”

Moles said the plan is continue to maintain the high-quality natural landscape, hiking trails and open-air shelter. A local fundraising effort and assistance from Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) allowed the park to receive a new pit latrine prior to ownership being transferred. The area does not currently have water or campsites. “Mr. Blackburn has held charity music festivals here and we are interested in continuing that tradition,” Moles said. The 79-acre undeveloped parcel to the northeast will become the Blackburn Wildlife Management Area and managed by the Nishnabotna Wildlife Unit.

“This is a really nice piece of Loess Hills timber with high quality prairie reconstruction on the edges,” said Matt Dollison, wildlife biologist with the Iowa DNR who will be managing the new wildlife area. “The Blackburns did a great job of using a quality mix of native local ecotype plants to reestablish the prairie, and fire to manage it. They’ve also been vigilant in keeping unwanted invasive species off the property.” The impact on existing and future natural resources is much greater than the value of the donation. The location is important as the Blackburn parcel links a newly acquired 200-acre Wiedel tract to its north and west with the 350-acre Green Hollow Wildlife Area. This resulting 700-acre wildlife area and park abound with turkey, deer, and a wide variety of birds, along with other wildlife.

More than a dozen threatened or endangered species have been have documented on the two areas, including the regal fritillary butterfly, the western worm snake, the plains pocket mouse, the great plains skink – a lizard found in few places in southwest Iowa, including Waubonsie State Park, plains spadefoot toad, six-lined racerunner and more. “That’s a big deal,” Moles said. “This is some of the best, most cared for prairie that I’ve ever seen. And the views from the prairie ridges are phenomenal. It has some of the best oak woodland in the area that would be a great place for viewing wildlife.” The addition of the Blackburn donation will significantly increase the footprint and permanently protect the habitat necessary for these species, and more, to survive.

“I firmly believe that the Loess Hills is a rare gem, a jewel, that we must protect,” Blackburn said. A land donation to the Iowa DNR of this size does not happen often. The most recent comparison occurred in 2013 when the Larson brothers donated nearly 150 acres in Humboldt County. The INHF played an important role in helping this donation happen. “For years we’ve helped Bill explore ways that this special place could be permanently protected, so it is exciting to see this happen,” said INHF Vice President Anita O’Gara. “We thank the DNR, the Blackburns and local volunteers for their diligence and patience in bringing together the ideas and resources that have protected this land for all to experience and appreciate. We were continually inspired by the Blackburns’ deep commitment to this vision for the land and the future.”

The land donation was completed in early December.

The driver of a 2004 Honda was transported to the hospital by private vehicle, following a single-vehicle accident at around 7:20-a.m. Monday, in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Office reports 23-year old Lydia Umberger, of Glenwood, was traveling south on 230th Street, a few miles north of Glenwood, when she swerved to miss a raccoon on the road. Her vehicle went out of control and entered the west ditch, where it struck a mailbox and a fence at 56002 230th.

The Honda came to rest on the road. No citations were issued.

MIDDLE AMANA, Iowa (AP) –  A private utility providing water to 850 customers in east-central Iowa’s Amana Colonies has stopped using three wells because tests show a nitrate level above federal safety standards. The Amana Society Service Co. instead is using water from three other wells that have tested as safe. The Gazette reports that the company has warned customers to avoid giving tap water to infants or nursing mothers. Nitrate in drinking water has been linked to blue-baby syndrome. Officials don’t know why the nitrate levels rose in late fall. Spring usually is the season for elevated nitrate as melting snow washes fertilizer off farm fields.

Lt. Mike Connolly, (retired) New York Fire Department (NYFD) firefighter and first responder on September 11, 2001, will take part in what’s being called a “Candid conversation about 9/11” in Red Oak, 3-p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26th. His appearance is sponsored by the Montgomery County First Responders, with a reception hosted by the Red Oak Rotary Club, to follow. The event takes place at the Wilson Performing Arts Center (300 Commerce Drive) in Red Oak. There is no fee to attend, but you’re asked to bring a non-perishable item for donation to the local food pantry.

Connolly was born and raised in New York City and spent 19 years with the fire department, before he moved to Red Oak with his wife Robin. He spoke Sept. 11, 2019, with students at the Red Oak Junior-Senior High School about the event that changed America.

Iowa’s Smokefree Air Act marked its 11th year in 2019. Since the law was enacted in 2008, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has received 6,400 complaints about smoking in prohibited places. Since 2008, the top five categories of violation complaints are:

• Bars (1670)
• Restaurants (1370)
• Retail store/service (1102)
• Government (441)
• Educational facility (242)

Any Iowan may report a violation of the Smokefree Air Act easily and anonymously by calling 888-944-2247 or online at http://smokefreeair.iowa.gov. Business owners may also visit this website to find free resources, such as signage. Businesses may need new signage that features the updated web address, smokefreeair.iowa.gov. The old web address, Iowasmokefreeair.gov, is being retired.

Iowans seeking smoke-free rental properties may visit http://smokefreehomes.iowa.gov, where more than 18,000 smoke-free rental units are listed. According to the most recent Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, smoking has declined among Iowa adults from 23.2% in 2000 to 17.1% in 2017; however, an estimated 400,000 Iowans still smoke cigarettes. Free, convenient, safe and secure help to quit tobacco use is available at https://quitlineiowa.org or by calling 800-QUIT-NOW.

Free tax preparation services will be available in Shelby County for low and moderate income taxpayers as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. For more information or to make an appointment call on or after January 13th to 712-755-3104. Call between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. After an appointment is scheduled the taxpayer will receive a confirmation letter explaining what to bring to the appointment.

The VITA program is open to Iowa residents with adjusted gross income below $57,000. Tax preparation services will be provided by IRS trained and certified local volunteers who utilize the Tax Slayer software to complete returns. Most returns will be electronically filed and to speed up the refund process participants are encouraged to have a savings or bank account, although it is not required. Taxpayers can have refunds deposited into more than one account and also purchase Series I US Savings Bonds.

Only Basic Federal, Iowa and nearby state returns will be processed. The program does not prepare Schedules or Forms related to Business profit/loss (except Schedule C-EZ or C with business expenses under $10,000), Capital gains/losses, Farm or rental income, Employee business expenses, or Moving expenses. A professional tax preparer should be consulted for these services.

In Shelby County the VITA program is a joint effort of Shelby County Extension and Outreach and The Iowa Center for Economic Success. The program is financially supported by the Internal Revenue Service and the Iowa Department of Human Services. For more information about the program contact the Shelby County Extension Office at 712-755-3104.

Officials with the Creston Police Department report four recent arrests, including two taken into custody on drug charges.  At around 6:15-a.m. today (Tuesday), 26-year old Jacob Malcom Cauthorn, of Creston, was arrested at Wal-Mart on a Union County Warrant for Failure To Appear. Cauthrorn was also charged with Possession of paraphernalia and possession of controlled substance 1st offense, after the K9 “Jax” was deployed and alerted to the presence of drugs. Cauthorn was being held without bond in the Union County Jail, pending an appearance before the judge.  And, at around 3:15-a.m. Sunday, 18-year old Alexander Smith, of Creston, was arrested on the 300 block of E. Clark, with the assistance of Creston PD K9 Jax. Smith was arrested for Possession of Paraphernalia. He was later released from the Union County Jail on a $300 bond.

Creston Police said 39-year old Jennifer Beard, of Creston, was arrested Saturday afternoon, on a Union County Warrant for Violation of a Protection Order. Beard was released later from the Union County Jail on a $300 bond. Friday afternoon, 62-year old William Powell, of Creston, was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was later released on a $300 bond.

There were also two thefts reported in Creston. On Monday, a woman told Creston Police a trailer was stolen from 623 New York Ave., sometime within the last week. The trailer was valued at at $1,500. And, a woman reported her storage unit located at 515 Livingston Ave., was broken into. The missing property included household, furniture, clothing and kitchen items. The loss was estimated at $1,100.