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Fatal, near head-on crash SW of Marshalltown Thu. morning

News

February 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Marshalltown, Iowa) – A woman driving the wrong way in Marshall County died during a near head-on collision this (Thursday) morning, southwest of Marshalltown. The Iowa State Patrol reports 59-year-old Jennifer Gene Robb, of Marshalltown, who was wearing her seat belt, died at the scene of the crash on Highway 330 near Highway 30, at around 7-a.m.

Authorities say a 2006 Ford Taurus Robb was driving was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes. A 2016 Cadillac CT6 driven by 44-year-old Heith Michael Meyer, of Iowa Falls, was northbound in the northbound lanes. Near mile marker 18, the Ford was southbound in the northbound left lane, at the same time the Cadillac was in that lane. Robb took evasive action by braking/steering away.

Meyer saw the Ford after checking a mirror, and attempted to steer away, but the vehicles sideswiped head-on from opposite direction. The crash remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and EMS personnel.

Posted in News |

Tax panel chairmen propose new idea as ‘glide path’ to 0% Iowa income tax

News

February 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The chairmen of House and Senate committees that oversee tax policy are proposing what they describe as a sustainable way to gradually eliminate Iowa’s individual income tax. The idea? Have the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System start managing the state’s more than $3 billion Taxpayer Relief Fund. The profits earned from investing that money would be used to ratchet down the state income tax rate over time.

“We’re doing something that everyday Iowans do for their retirement, everyday businesses here in the state do,” Senate Ways and Means Committee chairman Dan Dawson told reporters. “We’re using the money, growing it for something bigger.”

Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. “If you look at what other states have done, not only is it one of the more innovative plans, I think it’s one of the most responsible in the entire country at getting Iowa to our long term goal of zero percent income tax,” Kaufmann said.

Representative Bobby Kaufmann and Senator Dan Dawson speak with reporters on Feb. 1, 2024. (RI photo)

Dawson said the plan ensures state government can meet its spending obligations even as the state reduces income tax revenue. “Ultimately it’s a responsible glide path to zero,” Dawson said, “as opposed to some massive sales tax increase or eliminating a bunch of (income tax) exemptions out there.”

Kaufmann said now’s the time for the public to weigh in on the idea. “As this is talked about at forums, as it’s disseminated amongst the press, I think you’re going to find a high appetite for Iowans to want to do that,” Kaufmann said. “They’ll communicate that to us and we’ll get this done as soon as we can.”

Both lawmakers, though, describe the proposal as a long-term plan and expect to prepare a bill this spring that would speed up already approved income tax cuts. They’re waiting on a March report on state tax revenue and may use some elements of the tax reduction plan Governor Reynolds introduced three weeks ago. The two lawmakers also plan to advance a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds vote in the legislature to raise any state tax.

Posted in News |

Survey: Recession, lack of workers, still biggest threats to businesses

News

February 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The economies in Iowa and the Midwest improved, slightly, during January, according to Creighton University’s monthly survey of business leaders and supply managers in Iowa and eight other states. Creighton economist Ernie Goss says the Business Conditions Index is a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region, based on a zero-to-100 scale where 50 is considered growth neutral. “The overall reading was up slightly, now it’s up to 50.9 and that’s from December’s 50.3,” Goss says. “I won’t say that’s great news, but it’s better news than I was expecting.”

Iowa’s overall economic index showed a relatively modest increase from 49.7 in December to 51.8 in January. Supply managers were asked about what they see as the greatest threat to their operations during the coming six months, and he says some of their answers were routine, while others were a surprise. “Twenty-two percent said recession, now, that’s pretty much expected,” Goss says. “Twenty-one percent see finding and hiring workers is still an issue, 17.4% said higher input prices, and 4.4%, and that’s a small percentage, said tariff and trade wars.”

Hiring during January was, in a word, bad — according to Goss. The hiring rate fell to 39-point-one for the Midwest, well below growth neutral, but he notes there are diverging reasons being given for the cause. “Twenty-six-point-one percent of the supply managers reported job losses for the month, and 43.5% reported a shortage of job applicants, so there’s some mixed messages in there,” Goss says. “Thirteen percent said they were not hiring due to the economic slowdown, so all in all, it’s showing that the labor market’s still tighter than I would have expected.”

Ernie Goss (Creighton University photo)

According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Goss says Iowa’s manufacturing exports expanded from $14.1 billion for the first 11 months of 2022 to $15.1 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 7.0%.

Posted in News |

House Democrats propose Iowa minimum wage rise to $15 by mid-2026

News

February 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) Democrats in the Iowa House are calling for an increase in the minimum wage, an expansion of the annual state sales tax holiday and a state subsidy for some child care workers. “We, as Iowa House Democrats, are proud to remind Iowans we are focused on the things they care about,” House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst said. “…Iowans are telling us what they need and we’re responding.”

House Democrats propose raising the minimum wage to $10.80 in July — to equal the minimum wage in Minnesota — with another increase in 2025 and then setting it at $15 dollars in mid-2026. Iowa’s minimum wage has been $7.25 an hour since 2008. “No other adjoining state in this northern plains region pays less to its minimum wage workers,” said Representative Ken Croken, a Democrat from Davenport. “It’s wrong. It’s indecent.”

Representative Tracy Ehlert, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, said it’s time to take a pilot project statewide and provide state assistance to child care workers, to help pay for child care for their own kids. “This not only offers an incentive for the child care workforce who’s often underpaid,” Ehlert said, “but it also helps address access issues across the state and will help families looking for child care.”

House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst speaks at news conference on Feb. 1, 2024. (House Democratic Caucus Staff photo)

Representative Sue Cahill, a Democrat from Marshalltown, said Iowa’s two-day sales tax holiday should go for two weeks and cover items worth up to $250 rather than just $100. She’d also include far more than just apparel, exempting school and art supplies, musical instruments, computer supplies and sports gear from the state sales tax in the first two weeks of August. “I’m submitting this bill to provide relief or more money in the pockets of more Iowans,” Cahill said.

House Democrats also propose speeding up the process for thousands of Iowans with disabilities who are waiting to hear if they qualify for Medicaid coverage. Representative Josh Turek, a Democrat from Council Bluffs, said 21,000 Iowans with disabilities are currently on a waiting list. “This is abhorrent, honestly, and morally reprehensible that individuals would have to wait for six years for basic health care,” Turek said.

Turek told reporters that as “the sole disabled legislator,” this issue is “near and dear to him.” Turek was born with a condition called spina bifada and has used a wheelchair since childhood.

Posted in News |

Cass County to Host Free VITA Tax Prep sites in February & March (Free basic tax return preparation available for qualified individuals. Call to schedule or for more information)

News

February 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County ISU Extension Office in Atlantic is now taking appointments for FREE preparation of 2023 Taxes for qualifying taxpayers through the VITA Program in February and March of 2024. Appointments will be at the Extension Office on the Fairgrounds in Atlantic or at the Atlantic Public Library.

What is VITA? (From IRS.gov) The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.

The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:

  • People who generally make $64,000 or less
  • Elderly
  • Persons with disabilities; and
  • Limited English-speaking taxpayers

Full information on what types of tax preparation the VITA Program can assist with is available by visiting the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers.

While the IRS manages the VITA program, VITA sites are operated by IRS partners and staffed by IRS-certified volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. VITA services are not only free, they are also a reliable and trusted source for preparing tax returns. All VITA volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards. This training includes maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of all taxpayer information. In addition to requiring volunteers to certify their knowledge of the tax laws, the IRS requires a quality review check for every return prepared at a VITA site prior to filing. Locally, volunteers are trained and supported by the Iowa Center for Economic Success. Find more information about documents needed for tax preparation at https://theiowacenter.org/taxservices/

In addition to benefiting eligible taxpayers, the VITA program also benefits local communities by helping low-income taxpayers access special tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or Disabled. In Iowa the average Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refund is $2,311, and almost 20% of eligible Iowans to not access this credit. When taxpayers claim this credit, local economies get double the benefit, as every EITC dollar claimed results in up to $2 in local economic activity!

Please call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 to schedule your appointment. We have limited dates available in February and early March of 2024. For more information on the VITA program in Cass County or other local Extension programs, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.

Posted in News |

No. 12 Iowa State men prepare for Saturday’s game at No. 18 Baylor

Sports

February 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger wants his team to stay focused on the process and not the rankings. The Cyclones are second in the Big 12 at 5-2 and have risen to 12th in the AP Poll heading into Saturday’s game at 18th ranked Baylor.

The Cyclones have won three straight games but Otzelberger says there are plenty of road blocks ahead.

Baylor is 15-5 overall and 4-3 in the Big 12.

The Cyclones beat the Bears three times last season.

Posted in Sports |

No. 2 Iowa wrestling visits No. 12 Michigan Friday night

Sports

February 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The stretch run begins Friday night for the Iowa wrestling team when the Hawkeyes visit 12th ranked Michigan. The second ranked Hawkeyes have a 10-0 dual record.

That’s Iowa coach Tom Brands who says his team needs to make a lot of progress before top ranked Penn State visits Iowa City next week.

Posted in Sports |

Funeral fund set up for a man who died in Farragut Wed. morning

News

February 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Fremont County, Iowa) – The family of a man who died in a Fremont County fire early Wednesday morning has established a GoFundMe page to help with his funeral expenses. The family says 59-year-old Steven Clark Lustgraaf, of Coin, was not employed due to his disability, and he had no life insurance. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office on Friday (Feb. 2nd), confirmed the victim’s identity. The fire that claimed his life occurred in a detached garage at around 12:15-a.m., Wednesday, in Farragut.

Anyone wishing to help the family may go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/steve-lustgraaf?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

Posted in News |

Investment idea for reducing Iowa income tax

News

February 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The chairmen of House and Senate committees that oversee tax policy are proposing what they describe as a sustainable way to gradually eliminate Iowa’s individual income tax. The idea? Have the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System start managing the state’s more than three BILLION dollar Taxpayer Relief Fund. The profits earned from investing that money would be used to ratchet down the state income tax rate over time. Senate Ways and Means Committee chairman Dan Dawson is a Republican from Council Bluffs.”We’re doing something that everyday Iowans do for their retirement, everyday businesses here in the state do,” Dawson says. “We’re using the money, growing it for something bigger.”

House Ways and Means Committee chair Bobby Kaufmann is a Republican from Wilton. “If you look at what other states have done, not only is it one of the more innovative plans, I think it’s one of the most responsible in the entire country at getting Iowa to our long term goal of zero percent income tax,” Kaufmann says. Dawson says it ensures state government can meet its spending obligations even as the state reduces income tax revenue. “Ultimately it’s a responsible glide path to zero,” Dawson says, “as opposed to some massive sales tax increase or eliminating a bunch of (income tax) exemptions out there.”

Kaufmann says now’s the time for the public to weigh in on the idea. “As this is talked about at forums, as it’s disseminated amongst the press, I think you’re going to find a high appetite for Iowans to want to do that,” Kaufmann says. “They’ll communicate that to us and we’ll get this done as soon as we can.”

Both lawmakers, though, describe the proposal as a long-term plan and expect to prepare a bill this spring that would speed up already approved income tax cuts. They’re waiting on a March report on state tax revenue and may use SOME elements of the tax reduction plan Governor Reynolds introduced three weeks ago. The two lawmakers also plan to advance a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds vote in the legislature to raise any state tax.

Posted in News |

Guthrie County non-profit to offer free, pre-owned dresses this month

News

February 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Coon Rapids, Iowa) – A non-profit business in Guthrie County, this month, is offering those who can’t afford a new dress for their prom, opportunities to receive a pre-used dress, for free. They’re also accepting donations for floor-length gowns from prom, to make available to young ladies in need. Dona Tuel runs the non-profit, “Prom Closet” located at the Ascension Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids (406 5th Avenue South).

She says it’s a fun thing to do, and very needed, because prom dresses are very expensive. Tuel says they don’t take money for the dresses and accessories.

There are several locations to drop-off good condition, pre-owned dresses in western Iowa any time of the year. That includes banks and Catholic charities. All items collected are hung-up on hangers and minor repairs are made. Volunteers hand-wash any dresses that come in, if needed.

Photo from The Prom Closet Facebook page

Shoes, jewelry and purses are also available to accessorize the dress. Dona said the need for prom dresses to be free or at least affordable, is high, because the price for something that will likely be used only once, is very high. The price can be a deterrent to enjoying an event that young women look forward to every year.

She says the hope of everyone at the Prom Closet is that everyone regardless of their financial circumstances, is able to attend Prom and have that memory.

Dress sizes come in a variety of colors and styles. The range in size from double-zero to 28-by-30. Sizes 16 and up are most desired by the Prom Closet, because they don’t have as many of them. All sizes in any color are needed, though.

Free Shopping Days at the Prom Closet in Coon Rapids, are scheduled for:

  • Saturday, February 3 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Saturday, February 10, from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Saturday, February 17, from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Saturday, February 24, from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Sunday, February 18, from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Sunday February 25, from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

For more information, call Dona Tuel at 712-830-7825. On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/promclosetdresses

Posted in News |