Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The leader of a House committee tasked with deciding whether to approve the governor’s broadband expansion bill says there could be major changes to the legislation. The Republican-led commerce committee made a last-minute change to yesterday’s meeting and removed discussion of the bill. Democrats in the committee say they also have concerns about the grant program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Senate panel says it needs more time to review proposed changes to a bill aimed at reducing school bullying in Iowa. No formal action was taken by members of an education subcommittee yesterday. They plan to meet again before deciding whether the bill will advance to a full committee for review. The bill was proposed by Gov. Terry Branstad, who has made anti-bullying legislation a priority this session.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A plan to raise Iowa’s fuel tax to pay for road improvements could come up for votes in the state Legislature as early as today. Legislation to raise the tax by 10 cents a gallon is listed on the today’s debate calendar in the state House. Democratic Senate majority leader Mike Gronstal says it would also be listed on the Senate debate calendar, though he cautioned that putting a bill on the calendar doesn’t guarantee a vote.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) —A long-vacant Waterloo hotel dating to 1913 has been converted into eight residential lofts. Jim Walsh, a developer with JSA development, says the second and third floors of the historic hotel have been transformed into efficiency and two-bedroom units, with the ground floor open for retail or office use. David Deeds, controller for the development company, says many of the building’s original features have been preserved, including tin ceilings and wood floors.

How can Master Gardeners and community volunteers support local food systems? In 2015, exploring the question as part of the Winter Webinar Series (www.mastergardener.iastate.edu/training.html.) Master Gardeners and the general public will learn about how to support school gardens, food banks, community gardens, and more. The final session of the series will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12 at the Montgomery County Extension Office, 400 Bridge Street in Red Oak. The topic of this session is Back to School: Learn how volunteers are engaging in school gardens and supporting systems change for health.  Hear examples from Master Gardener Coordinator Laurie Taylor in western Iowa.

There is a $3 fee to offset charges affiliated with the webinar-Master Gardeners get in free! Call 623-2592 so extension staff can plan for your attendance. Information from ISU Extension and Outreach in Montgomery County can always be found at www.extension.iastate.edu/montgomery or on Facebook page at Montgomery County-IA Extension.

Since there is no school for Exira-EHK this Friday, February 27, the Museum of Danish America is hosting a special Free Admission Day for all. Children must have adequate supervision. All exhibits will be open, and kids and their families will especially enjoy playing in the LEGO play area and seeing the exhibit “Danish Children Growing Up American” which features photographs and artifacts from childhood long ago. The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day.

Millions of high school seniors are attempting to figure out what path to choose for the next step in their life. For most, a four-year college degree is assumed as the next step, however, there are career paths that are local, well-paying and don’t require a mound of debt the four-year college degree typically takes. Officials with Walnut Communications say “Don’t be fooled into thinking that cool high tech jobs don’t exist where you live! They do.”

Walnut Communications, a telecommunications company, with offices in Walnut & Avoca, has developed a program they hope will help fill the void of hard to find technicians. The program is entitled Grow A Tech, with hopes of literally growing a tech. Many do not realize that Iowa is unique in the fact it has more than 150 telecom companies, more than any other state in the nation and it is estimated that 45% of the existing telecommunications techs will be nearing retirement in the next five years. The problem lies in the fact that there simply are not technicians to hire.

Walnut Communications, was founded in 1915 as Walnut Telephone Company and currently serves the communities of Walnut, Avoca, Shelby, Minden, Neola, Persia, Underwood & McClelland with internet, phone and cable TV services. Walnut Communications, and its subsidiaries, has 13 full-time employees and several part-time and seasonal workers too. “Good jobs do exist in this area and we have them.” General Manager of Walnut Communications, Bruce Heyne stated. “We are very excited to offer this program and honestly hope other Iowa telecom companies will follow our path and develop programs to train and hire local ‘kids’. We are a good solid company that has been around for 100 years and hope to continue to be around for 100 more.” said Heyne about Walnut.

The education needed for technicians is very specialized. Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) is the only Iowa school that currently offers a degree in this field. The program is Network Technology – Telecom/Data Communications and focuses on building & designing modern communication networks to make the internet, cell phone and streaming video possible. The degree is officially an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Telecommunications Technology and takes about 20 months to complete.

“Communication technology is becoming more and more important for all customers, city and country. The continued training we receive helps us be ready to serve our customers” said Terry McCarthy, long-time employee and lead project tech for the company.

Interested people need to complete an application, go through an interview and job shadow our techs, Walnut Communications will then choose up to 2-3 people to pursue the program at DMACC. After successful satisfactory completion of the program, a full time job in the technician department of Walnut Communications will be available. For more information on Walnut Communications’ Grow A Tech program, contact Bruce Heyne at 712-784-2211 or e-mail bheyne@walnutcommunications.com

(Press Release)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Senate panel says it will need more time to review proposed changes to a bill aimed at reducing school bullying in Iowa. Members of an education subcommittee discussed the bill Monday but took no formal action. They plan to meet again before deciding whether the bill will advance to a full committee for review.

The legislation would expand how school officials around the state should respond to bullying cases. An amendment discussed Monday would change some language on guidelines for educators looking at why a student might be bullied. It would also create a group of experts who would study the issue. The bill was proposed by Gov. Terry Branstad, who has made anti-bullying legislation a priority this session. Lawmakers failed to agree on a measure last year.

Police in Atlantic said Monday (today), a Villisca woman was arrested Saturday on a charge of OWI/1st offense. 32-year old Bobbie Ostrus was booked into the Cass County Jail. And, an accident Friday night in Atlantic caused $7,000 damage, but no one was hurt. Officials say Jaylnn Farmer, of Anita, was cited for Failure to Maintain Control, after her vehicle rear-ended another that was stopped ahead of her. The accident happened just after 10-p.m. at 7th and Poplar Streets.

Authorities say a car driven by Amanda Oliver, of Adair, was behind eastbound traffic in front of her that was stopped for a red light, when the accident occurred.

The Audubon Police Department today (Monday) released its recent arrests report. Officials say on Saturday, 25-year old Darrin Heller, of Audubon, was arrested for Driving with a Suspended License. On Friday, 53-year old Robert Charles Atkinson of Audubon, was taken into custody on a charge of Public Intoxication – 3rd or subsequent offense. And on Feb. 17th, 29 year old Skielynn Laverne Stephens of Audubon was arrested in Audubon, on charges of Driving While Revoked and Failure To Obey a Stop Sign.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds is going on a statewide tour in March to highlight how women are “positively impacting Iowa,” with the goal of setting up new “networks” of women who will mentor other women.  The tour includes stops in Webster City, Aldin, and Atlantic.

“The movement is important for Iowa’s economic vitality and now more than ever we have an opportunity to continue our unparalleled growth by unlocking the potential of all of our talents,” Reynolds says. “And this is particularly true for women-owned business leaders, women for leadership, women on corporate boards and women in elected office.” Reynolds, however, says this tour is NOT the first step of her own 2018 campaign for governor.

“We just had an election,” Reynolds says. “We’ve got 2016 before that, so we’ve got to take a look at having somebody lead this nation in 2016.” Reynolds was first elected as lieutenant governor in 2010 and won reelection as Governor Terry Branstad’s running mate in 2014. Reynolds says she travels with Branstad often, but has pursued other projects on her own, like boosting science, technology, math and education and leading international trade missions. The lieutenant governor’s tour in March coincides with National Women’s History Month and Reynolds says she hopes to “connect the dots” with women leaders all across the state who have “incredible talent.”

“When we get into a discussion it is not unlikely before we end the discussion that I end up saying: ‘Have you ever considered running for office? We need individuals like you that are engaged and inspired and have a passion to make a difference.'” The lieutenant governor plans to highlight the stories of successful women she meets on the tour by tweeting about it. Her posts on Twitter will be under the hashtag #KimTours99.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Union County are investigating two reported incidents of break-ins and theft. The Sheriff’s Office says a Lorimor resident reported last week that sometime between 7-a.m. and 7-p.m. on Feb. 17th, her house was broken into and the following items were taken: Jewelry, video games, movies, six $2.00 bills, 12 pack Mountain Dew, gum balls, AA batteries. The loss amounted to $5,500 altogether.

And on Saturday (2/21), an Afton resident reported that sometime in the last two months someone broke into his house in Lorimor and took items that included a Gas hot water heater, gas furnace, and copper piping. The loss was estimated at $2,800, with damage to a door estimated at $100.

Authorities said also, one person was injured during an single-vehicle rollover accident early Sunday morning. 19-year old Abel Vasquez, of Lenox, who was wearing his seat belt, was transported to the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston by a friend, after the 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix Vasquez was driving went off the road and rolled over at around 3:45-a.m.

Officials say the car was traveling south in the 2700 block of Highway 25, when Vasquez swerved to avoid a deer. The car entered the east ditch, drove up and over a farm field entrance and went airborne before coming to rest on its top in the east ditch. The car was totaled, with the loss estimated at $7,000. Vasquez was cited for Driving While Suspended.

Police in Glenwood report the arrest on Saturday of a local man, on drug charges. 25-year old Marcus Armstrong, of Glenwood, faces charges that include OWI/1st Offense, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp. Armstrong’s bond was set at $7,300 altogether.

Glenwood Police are also investigating a property damage, hit-and-run incident. Officials say at around 8:45-p.m., Saturday, an unknown vehicle struck a mailbox in the 900 block of north Locust Street, in Glenwood, knocking the box off its post. A broken, passenger side mirror was found about 10-feet north of the mailbox. Authorities think the mirror came from a car or small SUV. The victim claimed her white, metal and plastic mailbox was valued at about $500.