(Radio Iowa) — Republicans in the state legislature may pursue a policy that will require most “able-bodied” Iowa adults enrolled in Medicaid to work. Republican House Speaker Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake says it could help ease the worker shortage in Iowa.  “Certainly we’re not suggesting that people that are unable to work should, somehow, work. That’s not the point,” Upmeyer says, “but when we do have able-bodied adults that could work, we frankly need them in the workforce.”

The Trump Administration has given states the go-ahead to impose a work requirement for Medicaid recipients. Seven states have adopted the policy and eight other states have submitted requests for federal approval of the move. In 2018, Republicans in the Iowa legislature began reviewing bills to require “childless” adults who are Medicaid recipients *AND* receive food stamps to work or engage in volunteer activities if they are able. Upmeyer says the policy has not been labeled a top priority for Republicans this year, but it may be considered. “I think there are some inherent benefits to work. The rewards that are sort of intangible sometimes — in addition to a paycheck, you also feel a little better about getting up in the morning and having something to do,” Upmeyer says. “…We genuinely need people in the workforce and if there’s a way to do that where we can get people the skills they need to be more productive and have some opportunities they don’t have today, I think that’s worth considering.”

The 2019 Iowa legislative session starts a week from today (Monday) and Republicans will again determine what gets debated because the G-O-P won a majority of seats in the House and Senate in November.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports 28-year old Chad Sterling Cozad, of Creston, was arrested Saturday evening, at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Cozad was charged with possession of a controlled substance and later released from the Union County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report a traffic stop early Saturday morning resulted in the arrest of a man from Cass County. A Deputy patrolling at around 1-a.m. near the intersection of Highway 59 and Highway 6,  observed an SUV with several equipment violations. Upon stopping the vehicle the driver, 58-year old Gary Joe Buboltz, of Lewis, was found to be driving without a license. Buboltz was subsequently arrested for Driving While Barred, and given written warning for the equipment violations.

A reported reckless driver was arrested late Saturday night, in Pottawattamie County. Authorities say a pickup heading eastbound over Interstate 480 into Pottawattamie County was later located, and the driver, 45-year old Michael Phillip Castor, JR., of Omaha, was taken into custody at around 10:45-p.m. for Eluding, OWI/1st offense, Interference with Official Acts, and Theft in the 1st degree. Castor was also arrested on a U-S Marshal’s warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice. Castor was being held without bond on the Fugitive warrant, and $10,000 bond on a felony Escape from custody charge.

And, an investigation into a reported Burglary in Avoca, Sunday morning, resulted in the arrest of a woman from Nebraska. 25-year old Michelle Grace Waldhauser, of Omaha, was taken into custody for Burglary in the 3rd Degree (Breaking and Entering) for an incident that occurred at a garage in Avoca, whereby she allegedly attempted to take a pancake-style air compressor valued at $500.  Waldhauser suffered apparent, minor injuries during the incident that happened in the 500 block of Locust Street, in Avoca.

Des Moines – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division report 24-year old Almedina Suljic, of Johnston was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud – Presenting False Information (Class D Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau. The charges against Suljic stem from an investigation that began in September 2018. It is alleged that Suljic submitted a fraudulent insurance claim to her insurance company seeking reimbursement through her insurance policy following storms that caused extensive flash flooding in the Des Moines Metro area this past summer.

Almedina Suljic

On December 27, 2018, a Polk County warrant was issued for the Suljic’s arrest. On January 3, 2019, Suljic turned herself into Polk County authorities. She posted a $5,000 bond and was released. Trial will be set at a future date. Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-242-5304.

(Radio Iowa) Hundreds of people, including dozens of firefighters and law officers, lined streets and overpasses in eastern Iowa to salute a fallen hero. Supporters met the return of the body of Clinton Firefighter Eric Hosette as he was returned on Sunday afternoon. The 33-year-old Hosette was killed as he was fighting a fire at the ADM plant on Saturday. The body had been transferred to the state medical examiner’s office in Ankeny for an autopsy.

Funeral services are still being planned but are expected to be held later this week. Clinton officials say a second firefighter was badly hurt in the fire. He’s identified as 23-year-old Adam Cain, who is breathing on his own, awake and alert at University Hospitals in Iowa City.

KEOSAUQUA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have recovered the body of a Missouri man who was in a vehicle that crashed into the Des Moines River in southeast Iowa. Television station KTVO reports the body was found around noon Sunday east of the crash site near Keosauqua. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office identified it as that of 22-year-old Gavin Hannah, who lived in Memphis, Missouri.

A female traveling with him was rescued shortly after the crash Friday night. Her name and other information about her haven’t been released. A Van Buren County dispatcher said Monday morning that she couldn’t provide any more details. The crash cause is being investigated.

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

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Creston Police report four arrests took place over the past few days. Sunday evening, 23-year old Spencer Fisk, of Creston, was arrested at his home for Aggravated Assault. Fisk was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2,000 bond. Friday night, 37-year old Shawn Garrison, of Creston, was arrested at his home and charged with Disorderly Conduct. He was later released on a $300 bond. Also arrested Friday night, was 60-year old Sherry Harris, of Creston, who was charged with Theft in the 5th Degree. She was later released on a $300 bond, also. And, early Friday morning, 56-year old Ronald Brammer, of Afton, was arrested in Creston for Driving While Barred. He was later released on a $2,000 bond.

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

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COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A $7 million indoor turf facility for soccer and other sports is being planned for Council Bluffs. The 75,000-square-foot building would be erected just northwest of the Mid-America Center. Funding would come from the Iowa West Foundation and other grant sources. It would be called the Iowa West Sports Plex and would be operated and managed by the Council Bluffs Soccer Club. The fields inside would be used for youth baseball, softball, flag football and other sports in addition to soccer.

The Daily Nonpareil reports that the proposal awaits a city Planning Commission vote Tuesday and a City Council vote likely later this month.