For the second time in about two-months, voters in the Riverside School District failed, Tuesday, to pass a 10-year Physical Plant and Equipment Levy and a PPEL surtax. According to unofficial results from the Pottawattamie County Auditor’s Office, the measure, which required a 50 plus 1 simple majority to pass, received 438 NO votes and 405 Yes votes, or 52% to 48%. 843 of the 2,783 registered voters cast their ballots, for a voter turnout of 30%. The majority of the No votes came from Oakland, where 229 voters said they were opposed to the measure, and 216 said yes. (See the breakdown below)

The Public Measure had essentially asked if the District would be permitted to impose the levy for 10-years, at a tax rate not to exceed $1.34 per $1,000 taxable valuation, beginning with the levy of property taxes for collection in the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021, and a not to exceed 2% income surtax effective December 31st, 2020. The first proposal presented to District patrons was defeated April 2nd , with 56.4% opposed and 43.6% in favor.

School officials say if it had been approved, the PPEL would generate an estimated $3.7 million over the 10-year period for capital improvement projects, such as the aging HVAC system at the Elementary and Intermediate schools. Revenue raised from the surtax would have been used to pay down the property tax levy to an estimated $1.29 per $1,000 of valuation.

Unofficial results:

Absentee: Yes 95, No 51

Carson: Yes 103, No 80

Macedonia: 42 Yes, 78 No

Oakland: 216 Yes, 229 No.

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report a 17-year old male was arrested at around 1:40-a.m., Tuesday, following an incident in the 90 block of Main Street, in Elliott. The unidentified teen was taken into custody for (Simple) Domestic Assault, and transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs.

Officials with the Animal Rescue League in Des Moines reports the ARL Mobile Response Team deployed today (Tuesday) to Audubon County, to help remove 13 dogs from a residential property in Exira. When the ARL team arrived, they found the dogs outside in a muddy, chain-link dog run, covered in a tarp that was sagging with water collected from the overnight rain.

Animal Rescue League newsletter photos

The ARL said in a social media post, “We could tell instantly that many of these dogs had not been well-socialized, but what we heard next broke our hearts: some of these dogs, all adults, had never even had names. They were extremely shy and many appeared to have never walked on a leash before, so we worked slowly and carefully with each one to load them into the ARL Rescue Van for their drive back to a fresh start.”

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Pottawattamie County residents suffering damages or losses due to the flooding events of 2019 must register for FEMA assistance by July 1. Doug Reed, Director of Emergency Management for the county, said “Even if you don’t think you would qualify or are unsure if you want FEMA assistance, you should register. Registration in the FEMA system does not obligate you to anything and if you have held back because you are unsure you need assistance or if you have eligibility concerns, it’s better to register now than try and get picked up after the deadline.”

Any residents within Pottawattamie County suffering losses or damages due to the ongoing flooding are eligible to register. Your damages or losses must have occurred within the incident period of March 12th through June 16th. The original declaration was only for damages up to May 16th but that closing date has since been extended due to the ongoing flooding and damages.  Reed said “There are several homes, especially in Council Bluffs, that have flood damage and losses that occurred after May 16th – you are now eligible all the way through the 16th of June due to the extension.”

Flooded basements, collapsed or buckled foundations have been a common report in Council Bluffs. Anyone who was previously told they weren’t eligible to apply for federal assistance due to not being in an active declaration is now eligible and should apply immediately. If you have friends, relatives or neighbors who have suffered flooding impacts you are encouraged to let them know to apply before it’s too late.

Property owners, renters, and business owners can register for federal assistance by following three simple steps.

1. Report your damages to Emergency Management on the county website at https://pottcounty-ia.gov/departments/emergency-management/flood-2019-march-12thcontinuing/ and then;

2. Register for FEMA Assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov OR call FEMA at 800-6213362.

A truck rollover accident with possible entrapment has occurred just east of J-J Jensen Park, near Harlan. Harlan Fire was on the scene. Midwest Medical Helicopter out of Audubon was said to have been enroute at around 4:20-p.m.  The truck was reportedly carrying chemicals. No other details are currently available.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Three workers say an Iowa pork processor fired them in retaliation for filing complaints about working conditions. The Sioux City Journal reports that Luis Aceves, Jose Moreno and Jose Magana filed three separate lawsuits last week against Northwest Iowa Pork in Sioux City. They seek back pay and future wages, lost and future benefits, compensatory damages and punitive damages.

The three say they were not provided with protective eyewear and had other workplace complaints. State health workers visited the plant and found no violations. The three were subsequently fired Sept. 13. They say a manager told them they were fired for violating policy and damaging company property.