(Radio Iowa) – Republicans in the Iowa Senate have approved a budget plan for the Departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture that includes more money to prepare for a potential outbreak of a foreign animal disease, like African Swine Fever. Senator Eric Giddens, a Democrat from Cedar Falls, says the bill falls short in other areas.  “Year after year, there’s been status quo budgets for DNR operations, forestry management and state park operations,” Gidden says. “Our state parks are important to attracting and retaining residents in this state.”

Senator Dan Zumbach, a Republican from Ryan, says he met with the D-N-R’s director to shift money within the agency’s budget, to focus on priorities. “I don’t think there’s anything more enjoyable to drive through Backbone State Park and see it mowed and see the benches fixed and see the shelters in good shape for they’re much more usable for us,” Zumbach says. The 16 Democrats in the Senate voted against the budget plan.

Senator Janice Weiner, a Democrat from Iowa City, says the bill cuts funding for the Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State University and likely ends its collaboration with the Iowa Flood Center at the University of Iowa. Weiner says it’s University of Iowa staff who’ve been measuring whether water quality projects are working.  “We know that water quality is a problem,” Weiner says. “We know that Iowans deserve better, but without data it will be easy to say: ‘There’s no problem’ or ‘We don’t know how to measure the problem’ — so problem solved.”

Zumbach says the water quality funds shifted to the Iowa Department of Agriculture will be spent on science-based initiatives. “What we do know is practices on the land and in our towns is what makes cleaner water,” Zumbach says, “and so when we made the decisions on how to appropriate dollars, it was all about let’s put practices that help clean our water.” Democrats like Senator Sarah Trone-Garriott, of Waukee, also object to language in the bill that would repeal a law that says the State of Iowa should aim to have 10 percent of Iowa land be parks, wilderness areas and other property available for public use.

“To sneak this into our budget work really robs our public from the opportunity to speak out against it,” Trone Garriott says. Zumbach says it’s about priorities. “We have a lot of land in public use that’s not being taken care of the way it should be,” Zumbach says.

The State of Iowa currently owns about 390-thousand acres of land that is to be maintained by the D-N-R. That’s about one percent of the 36 million acres in Iowa according to a D-N-R land inventory.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Senate has unanimously approved a budget for the Iowa Department of Transportation that includes money for a new maintenance garage in eastern Iowa. Republican Senator Carrie Koelker, of Dyersville, says lawmakers are setting aside nearly 22 million dollars for the project.

“This is to demolish and build a new DOT facility in Davenport, a facility that’s not been upgraded in decades,” she says. A budget report prepared by the Legislative Services Agency indicated the current facility is deteriorating due to age and is too small to accommodate the size of snow plows and other D-O-T equipment.

The Iowa D-O-T has 109 maintenance garages. The one in Davenport is responsible for clearing snow and other maintenance on Interstate 80 and other highways in the Quad Cities area.

DES MOINES – Sixty-two Iowa students took top honors in the National History Day in Iowa contest Monday and advanced to compete in the national contest in June. The 62 students emerged from a total of 498 competitors in Monday’s state contest at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. In June, they will travel to the University of Maryland where they will compete in the National History Day national contest against nearly 3,000 students from the United States and around the world. The program is administered in Iowa by the State Historical Society of Iowa, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.

This year’s national qualifiers include students from 18 different schools, including (from our area):

• Abraham Lincoln High School
• Carroll High School
• Clarinda High School
• Lewis Central Senior High School

Special Award winners can be found HERE. Contest Category Award results are shown HERE.

National History Day challenges students to research, develop and present papers, exhibits, documentaries, websites and performances about historical topics related to an annual theme. This year’s theme is “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.”

More than half a million middle and high school students around the world participate in the program each year. In Iowa, 695 students participated in the program, which includes a Junior Division (grades 6-8), Senior Division (grades 9-12), and a non-competitive Youth Division (grades 4-5).

As part of the program, students learn important literacy skills and how to conduct research using primary, secondary, community and statewide resources. Working individually or in groups of two to five, they develop the following attributes that are essential for future success: critical thinking and problem-solving skills, research and reading skills, oral and written communication skills, presentation skills, self-esteem and confidence, as well as a sense of responsibility for and involvement in the democratic process.

More information can be found at this LINK.

(Radio Iowa) – Davenport is preparing for flooding along the nine-miles of Mississippi River that runs along the city. City officials say they learned from 2019 when the single line of HESCO barriers holding back the flood waters gave out and water rushed into a three-block section of downtown. Public Works Director, Nicole Gleason says this year’s barrier is two high and two wide and reinforced along its length with triple the sand.

“With the current setup I’m very confident. The one thing you can’t be confident in is the rain. So as long as the rain comes in as forecasted, I feel very highly confident in this set up,” Gleason says. Gleason says this barrier could take on a 22-foot flood, a similar scale to 2019. Davenport, Mayor Mike Matson stood next to the temporary floodwall in downtown Monday and says the city learned its lesson from that 2019 record flood.

“We rehearsed we pre-position we practice and set this wall up in two and a half days and then the pumps are in place the core is with us the E-M-A is with us, we’re all ready to go,” he says. Matson says this year’s wall is based on what they found from the 2019 failure.

“A lot of the questions, how big? Well now it’s bigger. We made sure whatever was connected and where the break was that we reinforced. So all of those things are in play here. Confident? We’ll see what happens, right?,” Matson says. Governor Kim Reynolds issued a state disaster proclamation Monday for the ten counties along the Mississippi River as they prepare for the flooding.

The governor’s declaration allows local governments to use state resources at no cost to prepare and respond.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa legislature has unanimously voted to increase prison sentences for human trafficking in Iowa. Representative Zach Dieken, a Republican from Granville, says the bill will dramatically change how human trafficking and sex trafficking is prosecuted in Iowa. “These crimes and their victims deserve more than a simple misdemeanor pled down from a D felony,” Dieken says. Republican Representative Mark Thompson of Clarion says Iowa has anemic sentences, forcing prosecution of major Iowa human trafficking cases into federal courts, which have a backlog. “The scourge that is on Iowa right now is that we have this and it’s hidden and most of us don’t see it. Most of us, in some cases, don’t want to see it,” Thompson says. “It’s the crime that keeps on giving. You sell drugs, you smuggle drugs, that money’s gone. You smuggle a person, that person keeps providing money to the perpetrator.”

Dieken says the rescue of a child during a western Iowa traffic stop in 2014 illustrates the gravity of the problem. “The six year old boy was not related to anyone in the vehicle and thought he was being taken to his mother’s house in Las Vegas…There was a strong feeling and suspicion from all officers involved that this child was destined for a life in child labor or the sex industry,” Dieken says. “This trooper would see a national award for this traffic stop. This happened in Council Bluffs, not in some far away land.” Those convicted of trafficking anyone under the age of 18 could be sentenced to life in an Iowa prison once the bill becomes law. Representative Elinor Levin, a Democrat from Iowa City, says human trafficking is a serious offense.  “I am not generally a big fan of increasing penalties, but this is a case in which I think the current standard does not match the crime,” Levin says.

The bill passed the House 96-to-zero on March 9th and the Senate approved it today (Tuesday) on a 49-to-zero vote. Senator Brad Zaun of Urbandale was the only senator who spoke before the vote.  “This bill’s very important. Seems like most all the parties have agreed to what we’re trying to do here,” Zaun says. “If you’re doing, engaging in any of these human trafficking, you’re going to pay the price.” Attorney General Brenna Bird has expressed support for the bill and legislators expect Governor Reynolds to sign it into law.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Washington was the first state to criminalize human trafficking in 2003. In 2006, the Iowa legislature unanimously voted to make human trafficking a class D felony — which carries a fine of up to 75-hundred dollars and a sentence of up to five years in prison.

Atlantic high school Spanish students are conducting a fundraiser this week to help defray costs of an upcoming trip to Costa Rica. A canned food drive effort is underway for all K-12 classes within the Atlantic school district. Atlantic freshman Hank Roberts discussed the effort.

The food drive works in two ways to raise funds. K-12 classes will be competing to see which grade brings in the most food items through Friday. The winning grade will be announced the week of May 1st and will receive a pizza party sponsored by Pizza Ranch at a future date.

AHS Spanish students will then be out in the community this Saturday to collect donations door-to-door. Once all items are collected they are then taken to the Atlantic HyVee to scan and get a monetary value. A number of local businesses have then pledged to match the monetary amount that is raised. Items will then be donated to the Atlantic Food Pantry. If you would like to donate items on Saturday you are welcome to just leave them outside your door. Roberts talked about the value of the experience.

He said they immerse themselves in different scenarios throughout class to try to improve their speaking skills.

AHS Spanish students appreciate the community and sponsor support to help them with the trip experience.

(Ellsworth, Iowa) – Officials with Champion Seed have announced Grant Gleason, a senior at Audubon High School, has received a $1,000 scholarship from Champion Seed to support his college education. Gleason, nominated for the scholarship by his father, will attend Iowa State University to study agricultural studies. After graduation, Gleason plans to return to the family farm and successfully manage the crop and livestock operation.

Ellsworth, Iowa-based Champion Seed selected Gleason because of his impressive academic achievements and his plan to continue working in agriculture. Champion Seed was also impressed by Gleason’s application essay on the role of technology in the future of agriculture. “Until now, equipment has only gotten bigger and bigger, but we have likely reached a point where it is hard to make things bigger, and instead we will start making our machines more precise,” wrote Gleason.

Grant Gleason (Photo submitted)

“Instead of having 48-row corn planters, farmers will buy six different four-row planters that will run themselves,” added Gleason. “In today’s industry, there is often a large financial obstacle involved in getting into farming because equipment is so expensive. With smaller, more cost-competitive machines, beginning farmers won’t have to spend so much.”

The Champion Seed team congratulates Gleason and other area seniors pursuing degrees in agriculture.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Dept. reports two people were arrested Monday on separate charges. 26-year-old Destiny Anderson, of Red Oak, was arrested for Driving While Barred. She posted a $2,000 bond and was released. And, 34-year-old Lucas North, of Glenwood, was arrested for Public Intoxication. He posted a $300 bond and was released.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent arrests:

• On April 20th, 46-year-old David Vincent Grund, Jr., of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $20,000.
• On Sunday (April 23), 52-year-old Jesus Chavez-Ramirez, of Omaha, was arrested for Public Intoxication (Bond $300), and, 25-year-old Edgar Fabian Ochoa-Santillan, of Washington, D-C, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. (Bond $1,300).

Sheriff’s officials said also, the Loves Truck Stop in Pacific Junction reported on Saturday, a Burglary in the 3rd Degree. Additional details were not released. And, no injuries were reported following an accident Sunday evening on 188th Street. Authorities say a 2022 International was parked, when it was struck by an unknown vehicle that left the scene. Video obtained from the operator of the semi, 28-year-old Tarrion Byrd, of Chicago, IL, showed the second vehicle attempting to back into a parking stall, hitting the semi and trailer in the process. The incident caused damage to the semi’s cab and trailer. It also destroyed a tire.

The name on the side of the truck and trailer that struck the International semi, was shown as George C. Potterfield Trucking. The company – located in Monroe City, MO. – was notified and a message left with them.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday (Today), adopted a Resolution “Allocating [ARPA] funds to the Cass County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), for the Rural EMS Pilot Grant, in the amount of $25,000.” The grant comes out of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. The State funds are contingent upon approval of a grant application. Cass County EMA Coordinator Mike Kennon explained how the grant funds would be used.

A part of the funds will be used to work with County Dispatch to geo-locate current trained EMS/Fire volunteers’ cell phones.

Supervisor Wendy Richter asked who will monitor the program. Kennon said a committee will be established, including Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett, who said the grant application is due this week.

Seven cities are applying for the grant. Grantees will be notified in June, if the application is approved. Garrett said the State has already purchased 30 AED’s, which will be divided among the grantees. The County – if approved – would have a chance to get additional Automatic External Defibrillators (AED), through certain, State-approved providers, if necessary. Supervisor Mark O’Brien said “No money has to go in with this application,” because it is contingent upon the County being accepted for the grant funds. Garret said adopting the Resolution and attaching it to a application is a “good faith” move.

In other business, the Supervisors received a quarterly update from Cass/Guthrie Environmental Health Director Jotham Arber, who such much of his department’s time over the past month was devoted to entering Well and Septic system data into their computer database. He said also, Perk tests are set to begin in May.

Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken updated the Board on Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities.

He said also, they’re hauling (road) rock in the Massena District, for driveway extensions, and so on. The Board held a Public Hearing on the proposed FY 2023-24 Cass County Budget, and, having received no comments, passed a Resolution to Adopt the Budget as presented and published the week prior in the assigned newspapers, along with the Certification of Taxes. They also approved by a vote of 4-to 1, a waiver of a $14 tax penalty for Valley Business Park property taxes, following an update from Supervisor Bernard Pettinger.

Mark O’Brien was the lone “nay” vote. And, the Supervisors acted to approve the appointment of Tabetha Smith, RN, as an additional medical examiner’s office investigator, at the request of Dr. Elaine Berry, and, Stephanie Witzman as a Civil Process Server. Supervisor Wendy Richter explained Sheriff Darby McLaren mentioned Witzman had served in the role before, and that it’s only fitting she step into the role once again.

The Board also approved the hiring of Hannah Richter as Accounts Payable/Elections Administrator, at a rate of $18/hour.

Des Moines, Iowa/KCCI — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is being featured on a beverage cooler touting “real women of politics.” The Koozies are an apparent parody of the partnership between Bud Light and a transgender influencer. In response, Reynolds tweeted quote “Woke Corporations are trying to change who WE are!”

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is selling the koozies. They’re $15 for a set of two.