(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he would support President Trump sending armed troops to the U-S border with Mexico to stop what Grassley calls an “invasion” by a large caravan of immigrants. As many as seven-thousand people, on foot, are headed northward to seek asylum. Grassley says soldiers would be deployed to the border — as in the past — to support U-S Border Patrol agents. “No one has a right to come to the United States,” Grassley says, “unless the United States gives permission to come.”

Some critics of using troops fear the potential for a civilian bloodbath on the border, harkening back to the Kent State shootings in 1970. Grassley says Trump is justified in his threat to send troops to defend our nation’s southern border and to stop what Grassley describes as the “attack on national sovereignty” from the caravan. “A massive move across the border with Mexico as you saw with the same people violating the laws of Mexico, crossing from Guatemala into Mexico, forcing their way in,” Grassley says. “It seems to me, to protect the borders of the United States from that sort of invasion is perfectly legitimate.”

Reports differ on the status of individuals in the caravan. Some are said to be families with children fleeing violence and poverty. Others are depicted as criminals who’ve already been deported from the U-S who are trying to return and be reunited with their families who remain. Grassley said in a tweet Monday that the caravan is “not fair to legal immigrants going through the proper legal process.”

“I hope I made myself clear that I don’t consider civilians from other countries being a military force invading us, but they’re surely violating our laws,” Grassley says. “We’ve got a right to protect our borders.”

On Monday, the president vowed to cut off or greatly reduce U-S aid to nations like Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador if they don’t find a way to stop their citizens from trying to illegally enter the U-S. Iowa Congressman Steve King suggests President Trump cut off all U-S aid to countries along the route if the caravan reaches the U-S border. King says money saved could be used to build a wall.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Replacing two corroded swimming pools could cost Waterloo taxpayers $11 million and force a public vote. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Waters Edge Aquatic Design presented Waterloo City Council members Monday with a conceptual design for a multi-featured pool and aquatic center at Byrnes Park and a large spray park at Gates Park. The city hired the Kansas-based consultant last year to study how to replace the aluminum pools, which were built in 1981.

Waters Edge engineer Dave Schwartz says the Byrnes project would cost $9 million while the Gates project would cost $2.2 million. He says the projects will likely need a bond issue and public referendum.
City officials say the Leisure Services Commission will likely have public meetings to gather input before council members make a decision.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education met Monday evening at the High School. No action was taken on any of the discussion items. Among the issues discussed, was the Early Retirement Incentive Program. Superintendent Steve Barber provided the Board with revised retirement incentive package proposal. (Click on the left side of an audio bar below to listen)

Essentially, he said the same criteria for early retirement that existed three-years ago remains unchanged in the current proposal. The criteria include teachers being at least 55-years of age, and who have completed at least ten years of full-time service with the Atlantic Community School District. Teachers choosing to take the incentive must notify the District by no later than Dec. 7^th, under the current proposal. If selected, they would receive $25,000 over a three-year period. Those funds, Barber said, would be paid into what is called a “Health Reimbursement Arrangement,” (Or, HRA), which allows the participants to continue their health insurance, as long as they pay the monthly premiums.

They also discussed Early Literacy progress, Monday evening. Barber said the Board is excited because gains have been observed in early literacy efforts

One group of Pilot Teams of Teachers took their training this past Summer, while another group is currently working on completing training under the first three- of six-modules. They will be asked to implement and collaborate with one another on common understandings and provide instruction for a variety of kids at different levels of their literacy development.

Another area of discussion Monday, was with regard to the district’s pre-school program.

Barber said also the Atlantic School Board held further discussion with regard to Facility Planning. Those conversations began a couple of years ago, but not much progress was made due to a variety of reasons. Traffic congestion around district facilities is a big concern, he said.

He said when talks focus on traffic congestion at the Washington Elementary School, a lot of parents can relate to that frustration.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a deputy shot a driver during a struggle after a traffic stop in Davenport. The Scott County Sheriff’s Office says the shooting occurred around 1:10 a.m. Tuesday, just south of Interstate 80. A news release says the deputy “was interacting with a subject during the course of traffic enforcement when a struggle ensued between the driver and the deputy. The incident escalated and resulted in shots being fired by the deputy.”

The injured driver was taken in critical condition to a hospital. The news release didn’t say whether the deputy was injured. The names of both haven’t been made public. The deputy has been placed on administrative leave in line with department policy.

(Radio Iowa) — Dordt College in Sioux Center says the school’s Board of Trustees has fired their band director, who has been on leave for nearly two weeks following accusations of inappropriate contact with students. Dordt Vice President of Enrollment & Marketing, Brandon Huisman, made the announcement. “The board of trustees deliberated late last week and voted unanimously to affirm the president’s recommendation to discharge Doctor Bradley Miedema from his employment at Dordt College — effective October 22 of 2018 — for the causes of moral dereliction and professional irresponsibility,” Huisman says. Information surfaced beginning October 8th regarding Miedema’s inappropriate solicitation and elicit contact with students.

Huisman says the investigation continues. “While not yet complete, the Title Nine investigation has uncovered nothing to indicate criminal activity,” according to Huisman. “Yet, to ensure that we are acting with care and caution for those involved — we have consulted with law enforcement as we continue to conduct an appropriate review.” Huisman says the school takes the events seriously and says they and are committed to the health of their students and faculty by providing care and counseling for everyone involved. He says Dordt remains committed to finding healing, while remaining centered on their mission to equip students, alumni, and the broader community to work effectively towards Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.

The college asks if anyone has information that may be relevant to the investigation, to contact either Howard Wilson, Chief Administrative Officer or Robert Taylor, Dean of Students.

A man from central Iowa was arrested Monday afternoon on a drug charge, in Creston. Authorities say 18-year old Isaiah Jones, of Dallas Center, was arrested at around 3:30-p.m. at Lincoln and Spencer Streets, for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Jones was being held in the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

And, an Afton man reported to Creston Police, Monday evening, that sometime over the past few days, a vehicle parked in the 600 block of E. Fremont Street, and a residence near there, had been broken into and items removed. Taken from the vehicle, was an air hose, generator and a saw. Missing from the residence, was a small table, tennis shoes, a bag of clothing, a 32-inch TV, a drill, and cleaning supplies. The loss was estimated at $1,435 altogether.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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OSCEOLA, Iowa (AP) — A county attorney in southern Iowa who’s accused of being drunk in a courtroom has apologized and has asked voters to let her continue her work. Clarke County court documents say 42-year-old Michelle Rivera is charged with public intoxication. A sheriff’s deputy says in a criminal complaint that he noticed Rivera “slurring her words and stumbling on her feet” in the Osceola courtroom last Thursday afternoon. He arrested her after she refused to take a breath test.

Rivera, a Democrat, is running for re-election against Republican Adam Ramsey on Nov. 6. She issued a statement in which she said she’s “taking every step necessary to get help, to fix this problem and to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again.”

She apologized for what happened Thursday and said she hopes voters “will afford me the opportunity to continue this endeavor next term.”

Acorn Acres in Red Oak will be the site for a free, interactive and educational program one-week from today, designed to improve older driver safety. Red Oak Police Certified Reserve Officer Brad Baker told KJAN News the program is provided by the Iowa DOT, in associations with the Red Oak Police Department, Southwestern Community College, Acorn Acres, the Red Oak Rotary Club, AARP and AAA (Triple A).

Baker said the program on Oct. 30th is called “CarFit.” Trained volunteers will provide information to ensure the safest “fit” for older drivers and their vehicles. He says the volunteers offer a 12-point inspection, where a senior driver can pull-in and get a car safety check-up as well as ideas on how to drive safely and comfortably through the use of adaptive equipment, if necessary. The equipment may include assistance with a seat belt puller/extenders, better mobility with keys, a swivel seat device, pedal extenders, and more. It’s all designed to make senior drivers safer. The equipment, and the check-up, will help to lower insurance rates with some companies. Some seniors are noticeably too close to their steering wheel, for various reasons.  Being that close to your airbag can result in severe injuries. Baker says with airbag deployment, there should be a 10-inch gap between the driver and steering wheel.

The event begins at 9-a.m. Oct. 30^th, with a Distracted Driving Program set-up by Red Oak Police Chief Justin Rhamy, Brad Baker, and Katie Lewis with Southwestern Community College. It features a 10-to 12-minute video with a local woman who lost her two young sons in a distracted driving accident. Nina Todd was returning to her home near Cumberland after a Thanksgiving Holiday visit in Shenandoah, when her car was struck head-on by an 18-year old woman who was speeding and texting as her vehicle came over a hill near Red Oak. The accident happened Nov. 28^th, 2010.

The program is geared to all ages. Coffee and rolls will be available in the Acorn Acres meeting room, before the Car Safety check-up is performed in the north drive of the facility. Baker says they are taking appointments for the 10-to 20-minute inspections/safety checks, but no one will be turned away if you just stop by from 10-a.m. Until Noon on Oct. 30^th. If you’d like to make a reservation for the CarFit event, call Brad Baker through Montgomery County Communications at 712-623-6500.

Baker says you won’t be cited if you have defective vehicle equipment or violations. The program is simply meant to provide safe solutions to issues affecting drivers, especially those who are older.