DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republicans may order the state to foot the bill for a new family planning program that excludes funding for Planned Parenthood. Key GOP lawmakers confirmed Monday they plan to use state money to fund the estimated $3 million program, which requires Iowa to forfeit millions in federal Medicaid dollars.

Such a move would tap the Iowa Department of Human Services to pay for the program amid separate budget cuts, raising criticism from Democrats that the GOP plan is short-sighted. The move — first reported by the Bleeding Heartland blog — would stray from Gov. Terry Branstad’s original suggestion to use separate federal grant money to pay for the program that purposely excludes health clinics that provide abortions.

Republicans say despite budget cuts, defunding abortion-providing clinics remains a top priority.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, today (Monday), said six people were arrested over the past week on various warrants. 53-year old Patrick Russell Darling, of Greenfield, was arrested April 5th on an Adair County warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $2,000.

28-year old Wichang Gach Chawech, of Lincoln, NE., was arrested April 2nd by the Iowa State Patrol on an Adair County warrant for Failure to Appear in Court on a Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense, charge. He was later released on his own recognizance.

24-year old Kayla Dawn Herring, of Chapparral, NM., was arrested in Greenfield April 5th, on a valid warrant for Probation Violation. She was later released on $2,000 bond. 21-year old Cole Aaron Molyneux, of Huxley, was arrested at the Story County Jail April 6th, on a warrant for Violation of Probation on an original Trafficking of Stolen Weapons charge. He was being held without bond in the Adair County Jail. And, 34-year old Joshua James Kimmel, of Des Moines, was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol April 8th on a warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Malicious Prosecution. He was later released on his Own Recognizance.

The Adair County Sheriff reports also, 23-year old John James Bucklin, of  Solon, was arrested April 4th, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, after the vehicle he was a passenger in was pulled over for speeding on I-80 in Adair County. The driver received a warning for speeding and was released. Bucklin was later released on $1,000 bond.

Genelle Deist, Chair of the Audubon County Community Foundation, has announced that grants totaling more than $114,562 were awarded to Audubon County nonprofit agencies. The following nonprofit organizations, which submitted applications to the Audubon County Community Foundation by the February 1st deadline, were awarded grants by the ACCF Board of Directors:

Organization/Project/Award….

• Audubon Community Cinema – Rose Theater renovations; rebuild marquee, exterior façade, stage curtain $33,262.82
• Audubon County Fair Board/Audubon County Agricultural Society- Renovate Educational/Historical building on fairground $7,200.
• Audubon Recreation Foundation – Build bowling lanes at facility $40,000.
• City of Kimballton – Epoxy floor in main hall and hang sign above Town Hall entrance $10,000.
• Exira Community Cub/City of Exira – Phase 3 of Rec Center storage area, additional seating and new entrance $20,000.
• Exira Lions Club/City of Exira – Scoreboards for two baseball/softball fields, upgrade red ball dirt infield $4,000.

All grantees met the criteria as Audubon County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education and social services.  Only organizations providing services in Audubon County were eligible. Audubon County agency representatives received their checks on April 10th.

The Atlantic Police Department released details Monday on multiple arrests over the past weekend.

On Saturday, April 8th officers arrested 19-year-old Nathaniel Riesberg of Atlantic for Possession of Controlled Substance (Marijuana) and Gathering where Marijuana is used. He was taken to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

Also Saturday Officers arrested 20-year-old Shane Jenkins of Atlantic for Possession of Controlled Substance, Controlled Substance Violation, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug, and Gathering where Marijuana is used. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

On Sunday, April 9th Officers arrested 37-year-old Matthew Baker of Wiota for OWI 1st Offense, Child Endangerment, Possession of Controlled Substance (Marijuana), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was taken to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

Also Sunday Officers arrested 23-year-old Kayla Compton of Atlantic for Child Endangerment. She was taken to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say firefighters have found the body of a man inside a burning house in Sac City. The Sac City Fire Department says police officers arrived at the fire around 7:35 a.m. Monday. A woman outside the home told them her husband was still inside. Heavy smoke kept the officers from going in.

The department says firefighters entered the house when they arrived, and they found the body of 84-year-old Dale Cook. His wife, 76-year-old Barbra Cook, was taken to a hospital for treatment. The fire cause is being investigated.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Sioux City school district’s budget director has been placed on leave after raising concerns about the superintendent’s management style.
Documents obtained by the Sioux City Journal say the district placed John Chalstrom on paid administrative leave Feb. 13. The move wasn’t announced publicly.

Chalstrom had accused superintendent Paul Gausman of creating a hostile workplace and threatening his job if he shared alternative budget options with school board members outside regular board meetings.

Chalstrom brought his concerns to Dan Greenwell, a businessman and frequent critic of Gausman and his administration. Board members learned of Chalstrom’s concerns after Greenwell spoke with two leaders and emailed remaining board members.
Gausman has denied these claims.

Dolly Bergmann of Atlantic was recently honored as an Outstanding Volunteer by the Iowa Urban Tree Council. The presentation was made Thursday, April 6 at the 27th Annual Urban Forestry Awards Luncheon in Des Moines.

Bergmann has been a part of the Atlantic Trees Forever since 1999 and is currently serving as president. She has raised $156,000 for trees through grants and donations, translating to approximately 3,900 trees planted in the Atlantic community. The trees are planted throughout Atlantic — at entry signs, the hospital, assisted living facilities,the high school and middle school, the YMCA, the fairgrounds, parks, cemetery and in many city and highway rights of way.

Paul Tauke, State Forester (left) and Heath Ellis, President of the Iowa Urban Tree Council (right)

In addition to writing grants, Bergmann has applied for the Tree City Award every year on behalf of Atlantic. She organizes and leads Arbor Day events with the Atlantic School District, planting a tree with the local 4th graders every year for the past decade. Each year she provides an educational program, teaching the importance of properly planting and maintaining newly planted trees.

“Dolly Bergmann is an outstanding example of Iowa’s community forestry volunteers,” said State Forester Paul Tauke. “Her volunteer efforts will enhance our forest resources and benefit Atlantic for future generations.”

Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert says with the lack of rain this weekend it is still dry in the fields and grassy areas, therefore fire will spread more rapidly than anticipated. The Local Fire Danger Index will be in the HIGH Category until at least Thursday.

Seivert thanks the public for calling their planned/controlled burns in ahead of time. That reduces the number of unnecessary response by volunteer firefighters and others. He asks you to  continue calling 712-755-2124 with your burn information, and to inform your local fire chief.

It’s prom season in Iowa and more online retailers are offering to rent formal dresses as an attractive and affordable option for high schoolers. Ellen McKinney, a professor of apparel, merchandising and design at Iowa State University, is studying the growing trend of renting gowns for big occasions. McKinney says most kids love the concept. “On the whole, they are extremely happy,” McKinney says. “They get to wear something that’s unique and special and they don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to do it. In general, they get a lot of positive feedback from other people at the event.”

McKinney says dress rental offers students who don’t have a lot of spending money an excellent advantage. “By renting a dress, they’re paying maybe 10 to 20% of what they would pay to buy it,” McKinney says. “For the same budget, they’re getting a high-quality dress that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to have.”

She says it creates an edge for internet-based merchants versus the brick and mortar businesses for formal wear. “Some of the competitive advantage of the rental service is that they offer all of this information of reviews that they can read,” McKinney says. “It lets people know, okay, how are other people liking this dress? Will I like it? It gives them confidence to order online.”

Consumers are moving away from owning clothes and other products, shifting toward more rental, trading and sharing and she expects the trend to continue. McKinney’s research can be found in the latest edition of the Clothing and Textiles Research Journal.

(Radio Iowa)

A pursuit that began in Washington County, NE early this (Monday) morning ended in Iowa with a crash and the arrest of a man wanted on a Fugitive from Justice warrant from Woodbury County, IA. 23-year old Alan C. Reyes, Jr., of Sioux City, was taken into custody after the SUV he was driving went out of control following a wild chase that saw speeds reach 100 miles per hour and ended near 152nd and Rosewood Road at around 1-a.m.  Reyes was charged with Felony eluding, distribution of narcotics, a drug tax stamp violation, driving while barred, and prohibited acts. Inside the vehicle, authorities found a large bag containing 115.5 grams of methamphetamine. Reyes was also wanted on a warrant out of South Dakota for Failure to Appear on dangerous drug charges.

Three passengers in the vehicle were also arrested: 23-year old Marcos Avila, of Sioux City, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp and prohibited acts; 34-year old Tiffany Radley, of Sioux City, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, no drug tax stamp and prohibited acts; and, 24-year old Victoria Eyer, of Hornick, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, no drug tax stamp and prohibited acts.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 18-year old Sydnie Morgan Collins, of McClelland, was arrested Sunday morning for Interference with Official Acts, after authorities forced entry into a home where alcohol was being served to persons under the legal age. Collins, along with eight other individuals – one female and seven males – was also cited for consuming alcoholic beverages at the party, located at a residence in McClelland.

Early Saturday morning, Deputies arrested 40-year old Anthony Joseph Blotzer, of Avoca, following a traffic stop in Avoca, for expired registration tags. Blotzer was taken into custody for OWI/2nd offense, and cited for expired drivers license.  Also arrested Saturday, was 25-year old Matthew John Swanson, of Council Bluffs, who was charged with OWI/2nd offense, eluding, and cited for speeding.

A traffic stop on a motorcycle Saturday, in Underwood, resulted in the arrest of 30-year old Johnathon Daniel Kunze, of Underwood, for Driving While Revoked/OWI Test Failure, and two citations for moving violations.