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Mental health advocates buoyed by House action, pressing Iowa Senate to act

News

March 1st, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Groups and individuals calling for improvements in Iowa’s mental health care system say it appears some progress may be near. On Tuesday, the Iowa House passed a comprehensive plan to improve access to mental health care services in Iowa. Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt was among advocates who were at the statehouse Wednesday to lobby SENATORS to approve that bill.

“Our goal, with the Iowa Sheriffs and Deputies Association, is for when people have a mental health crisis, it’s just as important as somebody having a heart attack or a stroke,” he said. “The people need the care and this bill will help do that.”

Mary Neubauer of Clive began “speaking out for change” after her son, Sergei, took his life in September. She says her son’s story “shows those with mental illnesses don’t have time to wait.” “It’s too late for us and for Sergei,” Neubauer said. “…We have the opportunity to save lives. I want us to do better and I am not alone.”

More than five-thousand people have signed an on-line petition that calls for urgent action to address deficiencies in Iowa’s mental health care system. Steve Baumert the president and C-E-O of Jennie Edmonson Hospital in Council Bluffs is chairman of the Iowa Hospital Association’s board of directors. He was at the statehouse yesterday (Wednesday) to deliver that message to state policymakers.”You have a chance to change lives and save lives,” he said, “and what a tremendous legacy that would be.”

Peggy Huppert of the National Alliance on Mental Illness says Iowa has reached a “tipping point.”  “Mental illness affects tens of thousands of Iowans and they’ve raised their voices in unison to say: ‘More must be done,'” Huppert said.

Preliminary discussions also continued at the statehouse yesterday (Wednesday) over a plan to improve mental health care services for children.

(Radio Iowa)

After ‘lively debate,’ Senate Republicans vote for their $1 billion tax cut

News

March 1st, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Republicans in the Iowa Senate last (Wednesday) night cast their “yes” votes for legislation that would ultimately cut state taxes by more than a billion dollars a year. The vote came after what Republican Senator Randy Feenstra described as a “lively” debate. “The one thing this talk or this discussion truly showed tonight, I mean…in black and white, it showed the difference between our politial parties,” Feenstra said.

There was a sharp exchange when Democratic Senator Herman Quirmbac asked Republican Senator Charles Schneider where the G-O-P planned to cut the state budget to make up for the tax reductions. “I think this shows a fundamental difference in approaches between your side of the aisle and mine,” Schneider said. Quirmbach interjected: “Yeah, we believe in facts and you believe in fantasy.” Schneider said: “We believe in keeping money in taxpayers’ pockets.”

Democrats like Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque cited a report indicating Iowans who earn less than 250-thousand dollars a year will get a tax cut worth about 10 dollars a week — about the price of a McDonald’s Happy Meal.  “So in exchange for that Happy Meal, Iowans are going to see increases in tuition at our universities and colleges,” Jochum said. “We may see further consolidation of rural school districts. We will have fewer state troopers.”

Senator Matt McCoy, a Democrat from Des Moines, says it was the “height of fiscal irresponsibility” to cut taxes by a billion dollars a year. “Senator Feenstra, I know you mean well, but you are about to pilot a bobsled to bankruptcy for the state of Iowa,” McCoy said.

Feenstra, the chief Republican architect of the plan, responded at the close of the debate.  “We want to carry the Olympic torch for the hard-working Iowans and inside every one of our Happy Meals, the toy will be $1000,” Feenstra said.

Last night’s debate may be the final airing for Feenstra’s plan, however. Late this (Thursday) morning, Republicans in the HOUSE will hold a hearing for a bill that would implement Governor Kim Reynolds’ tax cut plan instead.

(Radio Iowa)

Girls State Basketball Scores from Wed., 2/28/18

Sports

March 1st, 2018 by Ric Hanson

1A State Quarterfinal

Central Decatur, Leon 52, Montezuma 48

Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton 57, AGWSR, Ackley 47

Newell-Fonda 61, Kee, Lansing 45

Springville 54, Bishop Garrigan 36

2A State Quarterfinal

Cascade,Western Dubuque 61, Dike-New Hartford 44

North Union 47, Panorama, Panora 46

Big Ten Tournament at Garden opens with Iowa over Illinois

Sports

March 1st, 2018 by Ric Hanson

NEW YORK (AP) — The first Big Ten tournament game at Madison Square Garden featured a couple of teams that were a combined 1,665 miles — give or take — away from home, no players from New York City, and a kid from Iowa having a blast on the big stage.

The Big Ten opened a five-day run at the “Mecca of Basketball” with Jordan Bohannon leading Iowa past Illinois 96-87 on Wednesday night. Bohannon scored 25 points and had six assists, including a bounce pass to Luka Garza for a jam with 34 seconds left to keep the Illini at bay.

The 12th-seeded Hawkeyes (14-18) got solid work inside from Tyler Cook (19 points, five rebounds) and Garza (20 and eight) to go with the accurate shooting of Bohannon. The sophomore was 5 for 7 from 3-point range. Iowa will face fifth-seeded Michigan on Thursday. “They’re not an easy team to guard,” Iowa coach Fran McCaffrey said. “They share it. They spread you out. They have multiple 3-point shooters. They also have multiple drivers.”

Iowa News Headlines: Thursday, March 1st, 2018

News

March 1st, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Senate Republicans appear set on approving more than $1 billion in annual tax cuts to the state without explaining how they plan to pay for it. GOP lawmakers in the chamber are advancing legislation that would include reducing corporate income taxes and individual income taxes. The sweeping bill also would eliminate some tax credits, rework sales tax collections and mirror parts of the federal tax system.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lawmakers in the Iowa Senate have approved a bill that would ban most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat. The Republican-controlled chamber voted 30-20 Wednesday along party lines in support of the so-called heartbeat bill. The chamber’s lone independent lawmaker also voted for the legislation. A heartbeat can be detected as early as 6 weeks of pregnancy. The legislation would only allow abortions at a later period to save a pregnant woman’s life.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge has set a trial date for a lawsuit filed by a former state official who alleges he was pressured by former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad to resign because of his sexual orientation. A judge on Wednesday set aside four weeks beginning Jan. 14 for the lawsuit filed by Chris Godfrey. He accuses the state of discrimination based on sexual orientation and retaliation, and of violating his constitutional due process guarantees.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a western Iowa farmer has pleaded guilty in a tax fraud case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa says 64-year-old Kurt Neldeberg, of Whiting, pleaded guilty Wednesday to making a false and fraudulent tax return. Prosecutors say he failed to report more than $315,000 in farm income from 2009 through 2012 and filed false tax returns.

Initial proposals made for Atlantic School District negotiations

News

February 28th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Members of the Atlantic Education Association, representing the Certified staff, and Atlantic Employees Association, representing the Non-Certified staff, presented their initial bargaining proposals today (Wednesday), to the Atlantic School Board. The Board, in-turn, presented it proposals, as well.

Joanne Runyon and Mike McDermott spoke on behalf of the Education Association. Runyon said they are proposing a three-percent increase on the base, including step and lane, in the amount of $1,051. The TSS (Teacher Salary Supplement) payment remains the same. The current Base pay on the Master Contract is $35,049. The increase was based in-part, on Atlantic’s base pay as compared to other schools in the Hawkeye 10 Conference. Atlantic is ranked 9th in Base dollars for 2017-18.

The Base salary determines a hiring base, according to Runyon, who said also “If we are to continue to remain competitive, one needs to take a look at that.” The Education Association also asked for increases in: the Activity Sponsor for Archery from one, to two sponsor/coaches, each of whom would be paid 2.42%, or $1,046, based on the current contract; They also requested the Middle School Student Council be increased from the current 2% to 5.5% because they are more active than in the past; the Middle School Yearbook they requested be increase from the current zero percent, to 2-percent. The person who is in charge of that has not been paid in the past, and they are going “above and beyond” the duties of her classroom time; And, Head School Cross Country – there is a requested increase from the current 8.32% to $3,616 to 10.19%.

The Atlantic Board of Directors, conversely, proposed freezing the salary schedule for 2018-19, and that each full-time employee receive a $100, one-time payment. And, that Permissives for: TSS Calulation in Salary Schedule; a Column of the schedule referencing percentages tied to BA, Step 6 (for each position), be deleted.

The Atlantic Employees Association, represented by Andrea Halterman, requested an overall 40-cent per hour increase to the base pay, and she said the Transportation staff has expressed an increase in being paid bi-weekly, rather than monthly, and the Transportation Support Staff proposed a 50-cent per hour increase per hour, for wait time pay (associated with events where they must wait in the bus or vehicle for students to return). The would mean $11.00 per hour, instead of $10.50.

For its part, the District proposed no changes to the salary schedule for 2018-19, but that each eligible employee moves a step on the salary schedule. Additional meetings are planned between the entities, but no firm date for the next session, was set.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board Wednesday night, also approved the resignation of Assistant High School Principal/Athletic Director Matt Alexander, who has accepted the Superintendent’s position for the OA-BCIG School District, effective July 1st.

Exira-EHK rides strong second half to win over AGWSR

Sports

February 28th, 2018 by admin

The Exira-EHK Spartans turned up the defensive pressure in the second half and came away with a Class 1A Quarterfinal win over AGWSR 57-47.

It was a close game throughout the first half and the Spartans trailed by one 27-26 at the break. The Spartans were able to gain a 2 point edge by the end of the third quarter at 40-38. The Spartans then took over in the fourth outscoring the Cougars 17-9 in the final period.

Senior Kealey Nelson was a big difference maker in the second half with 12 points and a number of key steals and rebounds down the stretch. Nelson finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals. Fellow senior Sophia Peppers worked hard to get to the free throw line in the second half, knocking down 10-12 from the line in the half to help seal the win. Peppers finished with 24 points and 9 rebounds. After the game Peppers said they knew what they needed to do in the 4th quarter to get the job done, and they turned up their intensity to win the game.

Exira-EHK Head Coach Tom Petersen talked about his seniors getting the job done, “I know it gets old saying it, but you don’t get two players like that in your program very often. So when you do you have to cherish it.”

AGWSR was led by 14 points from their star guard Mandy Willems but the Spartans were able to limit her outside shooting prowess with just two makes from downtown. The Cougars see their season end with a record of 21-4.

The Spartans improve to 25-1 and will move on to the Class 1A Semifinals on Friday. The Spartans will take on two-time defending champion Springville on Friday afternoon at 1:30pm.

Senate GOP set on approving tax cuts without explaining cost

News

February 28th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Senate Republicans appear set on approving more than $1 billion in annual tax cuts to the state without explaining how they plan to pay for it.

GOP lawmakers in the chamber are advancing legislation that would include reducing corporate income taxes and individual income taxes. The sweeping bill also would eliminate some tax credits, rework sales tax collections and mirror parts of the federal tax system.

Senate Republicans have scheduled a floor vote for the bill Wednesday, one week after releasing the proposal publicly. It would then head to the House, where its future is uncertain.

GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds has proposed a separate bill that would cut $1.7 billion in taxes over several years. A House panel is scheduled to review that bill Thursday.

Western Iowa farmer pleads guilty to filing false tax return

News

February 28th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a western Iowa farmer has pleaded guilty in a tax fraud case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa says 64-year-old Kurt Neldeberg, of Whiting, pleaded guilty Wednesday to making a false and fraudulent tax return.

Prosecutors say he failed to report more than $315,000 in farm income from 2009 through 2012 and filed false tax returns.

Neldeberg faces up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he’s sentenced at a later date. He will also be required to pay the taxes due on the unreported income.

Girls State Basketball Scoreboard Wednesday 02/28/2018

Sports

February 28th, 2018 by admin

Class 2A Quarterfinals

10:00 a.m. – #3 Cascade 61, #6 Dike-New Hartford 44
11:45 a.m. – #7 North Union 47, #2 Panorama 46

Class 1A Quarterfinals

1:30 p.m. – #1 Springville 54, #8 Algona Bishop Garrigan 36
3:15 p.m. – #4 Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton (23-1) vs. #5 AGWSR (21-2) – ON KJAN Pregame 1:45pm
5:00 p.m. – #3 Newell-Fonda (24-0) vs. #6 Kee (22-1)
6:45 p.m. – #2 Central Decatur (24-0) vs. #7 Montezuma (20-3)