OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The amount of water being released into the Missouri River from Gavins Point Dam will be increased again to free up more space in the reservoirs upstream before spring. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Tuesday that the amount of water flowing out of Gavins Point on the Nebraska-South Dakota border will be increased later this week to 41,000 cubic feet per second. That is up from the current 35,000 cubic feet per second. The Corps is working to clear out as much space as possible in the reservoirs ahead of what is expected to be another wet year.

(Radio Iowa) — A few kids who’ve operated lemonade stands in Iowa have had a sour experience — with the law. Representative Ray “Bubba” Sorenson of Greenfield says that’s because the iconic child-run lemonade stand is technically illegal in Iowa. “This bill looks to right that wrong,” Sorenson says, “so we don’t continue to have headlines like: ‘Iowa police shut down 4 year old’s lemonade stand.'” The bill passed the House last (Monday) night by unanimous vote.

Representative Sharon Steckman of Mason City was an enthusiastic supporter. “I think it’s great to encourage young folks to get out there and be young entrepreneurs,” Steckman said.  In 2011, police shut down at least three lemonade stands in Coralville the kids didn’t get a permit or under a health inspection to run a food stand on the day the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa came to town. Representative Mary Mascher of Iowa City voted for the bill, but aired this concern about lemonade and food stands run by children: “If parents are going to choose to allow their kids to do this, they also need to know that there’s some liability involved and if someone does get sick, or if there is a problem in any way, shape or form that, in essense, the parent’s insurance would have to cover that.”

In the past couple of years, lawmakers in Texas and Utah have passed laws legalizing lemonade stands set up kids. A few cities around the country have cracked down on kids — including Girl Scouts — selling cookies. The bill passed by the Iowa House would give kids under the age of 18 a pass on having to apply for business and food permits if they sell baked goods as well as beverages.

(Radio Iowa) — Governor Kim Reynolds has signed legislation into law that will help dozens of Iowa schools with big transportation budgets. “The bill provides more than $7.2 million in new funding for the 204 school districts with transportation costs above the statewide average of $347.65 per pupil,” the governor says. This new batch of busing money will be added to the previous budget of 19-million for geographically large school districts with huge transportation budgets. “In a state with so many rural school districts…transportation costs can quickly eat away at the quality of education,” Reynolds says. “By providing a shock absorber for those costs, the state is able to help those districts succeed, which is so important to our rural quality of life.”

Central Decatur School district headquartered in Leon covers 60 percent of the entire county. It had the highest transportation budget in 2019 — spending more than a thousand dollars per student. The legislation Reynolds signed into law today (Tuesday) also provides a 10-dollar-per student boost to 177 districts. This money will help narrow a gap in how much districts are allowed to spend per pupil — a gap that was created when the state school funding formula was implemented in the 1970s. The gap had been as high as 175 per pupil and will narrow as high as 155 per pupil in the next academic year.

After lengthy discussion, the Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday), agreed by a vote of four-to-one, to offer a contract for the County Engineer’s position to a man from Madison County. Trent Wolken, Assistant County Engineer at Polk County Public Works, was offered the job to fill the Professional Engineer’s position, with a starting salary of $110,000. Wolken served as the Assistant County Engineer in Dallas County, prior to be hired in Polk County.

Trent Wolken, P.E. (from his Linked-In page)

His contract calls for him to serve Cass County from March 23rd, 2020 until June 30, 2022. And, while all the Supervisors agreed Wolken was extremely well qualified to hold the position of Engineer, which is currently being filled by former Cass County Engineer Charles Marker, a couple of the Board had reservations about his living arrangements and travel benefits package. Supervisor Steve Green was the lone “No” vote on approving Wolken’s contract, because of the fact he won’t be a Cass County resident.

He currently lives in Earlham, and has family ties in Cass County and the Elk Horn area. Supervisor Green said Wolken brings “a lot to the table, however, the constituents he’s spoken with in his district, want someone who lives in Cass County and invests in Cass County. Then there’s the expense of having him commute back and forth between Earlham and Atlantic the county will have to pick up. Green says “If we’re gonna give you six-figures, come live amongst us.” Supervisor Board Chair Steve Baier says Wolken “Has not ruled out that he would not move to Cass County in the future.” He told Baier he doesn’t want to make the transition right now, because of the age of his children and other family concerns.

Supervisor John Hartkopf said the County is two-years or less away from losing its key staff to retirement, so the priority right now is to “Save our department.” Supervisor Frank Waters ultimately voted in favor of the contract, but he too had concerns, especially with regard to the cost to the County. He said throw in the mileage allowance and use of a County vehicle amounts to a total package of about $119-to $120,000 per year.

Pending a satisfactory performance review at the end of six-months, Wolken will be granted an annual increase of 2.1% (effective October 21, 2020).

Members of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education and Atlantic Education Association (the Collective Bargaining Unit representing the Certified Staff), will meet Wednesday evening in the High School Media Center. During the 5:30-p.m. session, Collective Bargaining Proposals will take place, with the Education Assoc. Bargaining Unit presenting its initial contract proposal for the 2020-21 School Year. Immediately afterward, the Board of Ed. will present its initial contract proposal.

A Special Board meeting will follow conclusion of the Bargaining session. During that meeting, the School Board will discuss a Needs Assessment/Culture & Climate District Survey, and act on approving a Needs Assessment Survey & Timeline.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Department reports three arrests took place from Feb. 18th through the 21st. On Feb. 21st, at around 2-p.m., Adair Police arrested 40-year old Ryan James Cook, of Adair. Cook was arrested at his residence on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance/marijuana-1st offense, and Interference with Officials Acts. He was released the following day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

Also arrested Feb. 21st, was 21-year old Conner Sean Michael, of Humeston, who was taken into custody by Greenfield Police at around 12:52-a.m., on a Wayne County warrant for Violation of Probation. He was subsequently turned over to Wayne County Deputies later that same day.

And, on Feb. 18th, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper arrested 23-year old Way Mu Htoo, of Omaha, on an Adair County warrant for OWI/1st offense. Htoo was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports 22-year old Dillon Fanklin Hastings, of Clarinda, was arrested Monday on a Page County warrant for Assault. Hastings was being held in the Page County Jail on a $300 bond.

(Corrects day of hearing to Thursday, Feb. 27) A Public Hearing on the Cass County Memorial Hospital’s Fiscal Year 2021 County Budget will be held 10:30-a.m. Thursday, in CCMH Conference Room Number 1. Following the hearing, the CCMH Board of Trustees will act on approving the FY 21 Budget, along with Capital Equipment Requests for: Boiler Automation, and, Laboratory Equipment.

DES MOINES — The Iowa Attorney General’s Office today (Tuesday) said a judge has ruled that a former Atlantic vehicle recycler must pay an additional $50,000 penalty for violating environmental laws and ignoring state orders to clean up the abandoned site.   Fourth District Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Larson also ruled that Jason Wright, who now lives in Colorado, is liable for future cleanup costs and could face contempt charges if he fails to comply with the order.

In his ruling issued Feb. 21st, Judge Larson said “Wright repeatedly ignored the DNR’s notifications, warnings, and an administrative order to remove the solid waste and contamination left behind by his company. At trial, Wright appeared unconcerned about the condition of the property, and demonstrated no inclination he intends to comply with the administrative order.”

The ruling is on top of an order last April in which Chief Judge Larson imposed a $100,000 penalty on Wright’s business, Recycling Services LLC.  The Department of Natural Resources, represented by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, sued Wright and Recycling Services on Feb. 1, 2019, and the case was tried on Feb. 5, 2020, in Cass County.