(Radio Iowa) – Des Moines Black Lives Matter activists are proposing their own language for an executive order to restore felon voting rights as they continue to pressure Governor Kim Reynolds to act. Organizer Ellie Odole spoke at a rally this weekend. “After giving Reynolds nearly a month to produce an executive order, which she promised to sign, BLM is taking action,” Odole said. “We will not accept such a lack of urgency and disregard for disenfranchised Iowans.”

The group’s proposal would restore voting rights to all Iowans with felony convictions after they get out of prison. In January of last year, Reynolds proposed restoring voting rights to those who complete their sentence and last month she promised to issue an executive order on felon voting rights before the November election. Reynolds has supported a legislative plan requiring payment of all victim restitution, but she hasn’t publicly revealed what she’ll include in her executive order. Representative Ras Smith, a Democrat from Waterloo, worked on the language the Black Lives Matter protesters have proposed. It would go further than the last time a governor restored voting rights in Iowa — and restore voting rights to Iowans after they get out of prison, instead of also requiring completion of probation and parole.

“It gives the largest number of people restoration of their rights to utilize their voice,” Smith said after this weekend’s rally. “That’s what we believe in.”  Every day Smith tweets the number of days since Reynolds promised to issue the executive order — and the number of days until the November 3rd election.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Katarina Sostaric)

Atlantic, IA – SHIFT ATL, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is hosting their second SHIFT Network gathering/opportunity for the community, this Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 from 5:30 – until 6:30-p.m.  The event will be held in the Camblin addition at Sunnyside Park. SHIFT ATL will give an update on where the organization is both financially, and with their projects. They’ll also make two big announcements.

All current SHIFT Network members are encouraged to attend, as well as non-members. The organization hopes to grow it’s SHIFT Network membership before the end of the year, and get more community-minded people involved in the economic development of Atlantic. The Wednesday evening event will kick off with SHIFT ATL giving an update on their “State of the Union,” and answering any questions related to the information presented. Those that would like to stick around from 6 – 6:30-p.m., are more than welcome to do so, while the group facilitates conversation and brainstorming. Please plan to practice appropriate social distancing.

If you would like to attend, but want to stay in your vehicle, a SHIFT ATL member can come to your car and deliver the update. Or, if you’re unable to attend but would like to join SHIFT Network or get the updates, please email shiftatlantic@gmail.com. For more information about SHIFT ATL or the fundraiser, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/shiftatl, their website at shiftatl.org or by email at shiftatlantic@gmail.com.

The Creston Police Department reports three recent arrests, including the arrest Friday evening of a man on drug charges. Authorities say 34-year old Michael Matherly, of Creston, was arrested for Violation of a Protection Order, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine. Matherly was being held in the Union County Jail on $1,600 bond. Late Friday morning, 51-year old Misti Brown, of Clearfield, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center (LEC), for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Theft in the 5th Degree. Brown was released from custody on a $300 bond. And, Sunday afternoon, 46-year old Christine Selvy, of Creston, was arrested at her home for Public Intoxication, Interference with Official Acts, Harassment in the 3rd Degree, and three counts of Simple Assault. Selvy was being held in the Adams County Jail on $1,800 bond.

Creston Police said also, on Friday evening, a man residing in the 800 block of N. Sycamore Street reported that sometime between 10-p.m. Thursday and 7-a.m. Friday, someone stole a youth bicycle from his yard. The silver, Tony Hawk BMX-style bike was valued at $150.

(Radio Iowa) – A young inventor from southeast Iowa finished first in his grade at the National Invention Convention.  Charles Smith, a student at Eisenhower Elementary in Ottuwma, topped the first grade division for his invention that he calls H.E.R.B., which stands for Home Emergency Responder Beacon. Smith’s creation is an exterior light that can be placed on a house or mailbox that creates a beacon for emergency workers. It can be activated by a wireless signal from a smoke detector, dispatcher, or Life Line.

This is the second time Smith finished first nationally in his division. Last year, the youngster finished first in the kindergarten category. Smith also made a 2019 appearance on Good Morning America to showcase an invention he titled the “Benge Beacon”