(Radio Iowa) — A Senate committee has advanced a bill that would raise the penalties for abusing, neglecting or torturing animals. However, key lawmakers expect farm interests to seek major changes if the bill is debated in the full senate. Senator Tony Bisignano of Des Moines says he believes the bill, as written now, will not impact the agricultural community. “I mean, there’s something fundamentally wrong when torturing dogs and cats doesn’t seem like something you care about,” Bisignano said. “Tell us what we’re missing, so we can correct it.”

Senator Rich Taylor, a Democrat from Mount Pleasant, voted against the bill in committee. “I think this bill will actually hurt my good pet breeders, which I have several (in my district) and I’ve been to several of their facilities and know that they take very good care of their animals,” Taylor said.

Senator Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, says public sentiment is behind the bill. “Companion animals are members of our families,” Zaun said. “I know when we lose our pets, it’s devastating.” An animal cruelty bill has never gotten to this point in the Iowa Legislature. It cleared the House by unanimous vote a week ago and was approved by a senate committee Thursday on a 12 to two vote.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reports the nomination deadline has been extended for the 6th Annual Young Professionals Awards Luncheon and Dessert Gala. The previous deadline was April 3rd, but that’s been extended now to Monday, April 8th. The Young Professionals of Atlantic (YPA) awards program takes place April 26th. Community-wide nominations for the awards are being accepted. The awards are designed to recognize the achievements of young professionals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and innovation in their profession and within the community. The awards are open to any Young Professional that meets the following criteria: the professional is between the age of 21-45 years old as of January 1, 2019, and they either work or reside in Cass County.

Young Professionals will be nominated for their excellence in four different categories: YP Newcomer, YP Entrepreneur, YP Business Leader and YP Public Servant. There will also be one YP Choice Workplace Award given. The YP Choice Workplace Award recognizes a company who effectively attracts, retains and develops young professionals. Individuals can either nominate their company or another company. Companies must be Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce members. You can check the membership directory at www.atlanticiowa.com for eligibility. Nominees for Newcomer, Entrepreneur, Business Leader, and Public Servant do not need to be members of Atlantic Rising to be eligible for nomination.

To submit a nomination, go to www.atlanticiowa.com for a nomination form or pick one up at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Office (102 Chestnut, Atlantic, IA 50022). All nomination forms must be submitted by Monday, April 8, 2019 by 5 PM. The Atlantic Rising nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee including: an AR Representative, an Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Board Representative, a member of CADCO, an Atlantic City Official and an out of town guest. For more information, call Ashley at 712-243-3017.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — The University of Dubuque says a $2.4 million organ with more than 3,000 pipes will be installed in the university’s Heritage Center. The Opus 97 pipe organ is being constructed by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, of Lake City. The pipes will range in length from the size of a pen to 32 feet (9.75 meters). It will be used for campus events such as worship, convocations and choir performances and will be a practice and recital instrument as well.

The university said Friday that the organ is a gift from university trustee John Butler and his wife, Alice, for whom the Heritage Center’s John and Alice Butler Hall is named. Construction began in Dobson’s workshop last year. The university says installation will begin in May 2020 and be completed by November 2020.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports two men were arrested on warrants for Violation of Probation. 57-year old Jose Figueroa-Garcia, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Thursday at the Pott. County Courthouse. And, 40-year old Jamar Dwayne Brown, of Omaha, was picked-up at the Douglas County, Nebraska Dept. of Corrections and transported to Pott. County, to address the warrant filed on him. Both men were booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail.

The Creston Police Department reports two arrests took place Thursday. At around 11-a.m., 33-year old John Vanscoy, of Orient, was arrested in Creston for Driving While Barred. He was later released on $1,000 bond. At around 4:15-p.m. Thursday, 42-year old Joel Gross, of Creston, was cited for Trespass. He was released at the scene on his own recognizance. And, at around 9:40-p.m., 29-year old Anthony Short II, of Creston, was arrested on a Union County warrant for Failure to Appear in court on an original charge, of Driving While Suspended. Short was being held in the Union County Jail on a $300 bond.