The National Weather Service has confirmed that two tornadoes touched down in Iowa, Monday afternoon. According to the NWS, the first tornado was an EF1 with maximum windspeeds of around 90 mph in Iowa County, near Williamsburg. The tornado traveled less than 5 miles north, into the Amana Colonies area, and was on the ground for about 8 minutes. No injuries were reported.

It was the first January tornado in Iowa since 1967, when there were 13.

A second tornado occurred briefly around 2:50 p.m. in Linn County. The NWS classified the tornado as an EFU. No damage was reported.

(Radio Iowa) – A large crowd is expected at the Iowa Capitol late this (Tuesday) afternoon for a public hearing on what Governor Kim Reynolds calls her “school choice” plan. When fully implemented, at least 341 million dollars in state money would be distributed each year to Iowa parents with kids in private K-through-12 schools to cover tuition and other expenses. Reynolds and House Speaker Pat Grassley say it would promote competition and improve public schools.

“This is obviously a huge shift within the state,” Grassley said, “but I think we can do it in a way that we can support both.” Democrats are opposed to the idea. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says the plan will siphon resources away from public schools.”I think there are some Republicans who also have serious concerns about what this will do to communities with public schools,” Konfrst says. “Will it make public schools dry up in small towns?” The governor’s previous, more limited plans for private school funding faltered in the House in each of the past two years.

Grassley, the top Republican in the House, says he’s optimistic there enough G-O-P votes this year. “I feel confident we will have the support, but there’s going to be a vote in the House either way, Iowans are going to get to see where their legislator stands on the issue,” Grassley says. “Part of why we’ve made some changes in committee functions or committee make-ups as well to assure that the process did not stop this from at least being voted on in the Iowa House.”

Grassley and two other House G-O-P leaders on the new House Education Reform Committee will be able to advance the bill under new House rules that bypass three other committees where the bill could have faltered. Konfrst, the top Democrat in the House, says ensuring wealthy Iowans get thousands of state tax dollars to send their child to a private school is unpopular.

“When you ask Iowans: ‘Do you want school vouchers?’ the majority say, ‘No,'” Konfrst says. The House speaker says it was no secret on the campaign trail that the governor and G-O-P candidates would pursue this policy — and Republicans scored sizable victories. “The dynamic has fundamentally changed since last session,” Grassley says. “There’s been an election. This issue has been out there. Candidates for the House all across the state were successful and almost all of them at least campaigned with this as part of their campaign strategy and their platform moving forward.” Konfrst says there are just 51 private high schools in the state and 40 counties don’t have even a private elementary. “We need to focus on the 485,000 kids in public schools and that’s what we will be pushing for,” Konfrst says.

This evening’s public hearing is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and last for 90 minutes. Hundreds of people have already submitted written comments.

(Truro, Iowa) – A collision in southern Madison County Monday evening resulted in a teenager being transported to the hospital. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2007 Arctic Cat 700 UTV operated by 16-year-old Tyler J. Heitink, of Truro, was following a slow moving McCormick farm tractor driven by 42-year-old Joseph A. Heitink, of Truro, because there were no lights on the tractor.

A 2000 Chevy pickup truck driven by 15-year-old Walker W. Nelson, of Saint Charles, rear-ended the UTV, causing the UTV to strike the rear of the tractor. The accident happened on Madison County Road G-68 (The Truro Road), at around 6:04-p.m., Monday. Tyler Heitink was injured in the collision, and transported to Methodist Hospital.

The Patrol was unable to determine (at the time of their report) if the UTV had its lights on. The accident remains under investigation.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors, Monday, tabled action on a vote to prioritize an increase in the Hotel/Motel Tax, with an increase being used to help pay for a Splashpad and improvements to the Sunnyside Pool. The Board will wait until their next meeting on February 20th at 5:15-p.m., at which time Ashley Hayes, SWIPCO Community Development Specialist, will make a presentation on grants and matters related to the project.

Roger Steffens, who owns a bed and breakfast in Atlantic, said he would be opposed to any increase in the Hotel/Motel tax. If the City moves eventually move with increasing the tax, it would be left up to the voters. With regard to the Splash Pad, Ali Pieken, member of the Splash Pad Executive Committee, has been in contact with two companies  – Vortex Aquatic Structures, and Crouch Recreation, of Elkhorn, NE. – the Board selected to come up with a design renderings for the project.

Last month, Pieken said what’s been decided so far, is for a bean-shaped splash pad area with 4,500-square feet of play space, and features chosen by the Executive Committee. Both renderings the companies designed have elements favorable to the Parks Board. At the end of their discussion, the Parks Board voted to give the Splashpad Fundraising Committee the authority to decide on the final fundraising image that will be presented to the public.

Roger Steffen said he would be the first to donate $500, but it was with a caveat that the Board rejected. He wanted the Board doesn’t go to taxpayers for support (i.e the Hotel/Motel tax increase). It must solely be done with donations. Pieken said they won’t even be ready to solicit bids until they have raised at least 50-percent of the estimated project cost, which will depend on the final elements the project incorporates.

(Radio Iowa) -House Republicans have unveiled a list of 13 priority bills, including one that forbids classroom instruction of sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through the third grade. Another would require schools to notify a parent if a student asks to be identified by a different gender when they’re at school.

House Speaker Pat Grassley says the bill specifies that school employees cannot facilitate, encourage or coerce students to withhold that kind of information from parents. “Those are the kind of conversations that need to be happening amongst students and parents,” Grassley said on . “The public school system is not the place for this to be happening. It needs to be about empowering the parents and that’s what we’re doing with a lot of these policies.”

House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says these bills are “mean-spirited attacks” on LGBTQ teenagers and adults. “No matter who you are in this state, no matter you love or how you live, we love you,” Konfrst said. ” We see you and we believe in you.”

Another bill on the House GOP agenda would require schools to provide parents with details about coursework, including what books and other materials will be used. It’s similar to legislation the House passed in 2022. Thirty-one of the 64 House Republicans have also filed a bill that would require social studies classes in all of Iowa’s public and private schools to teach that communism conflicts with freedom and democracy.

(Radio Iowa) – One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight, and Iowans who are now looking into health club memberships are warned to read everything carefully before signing a contract. Consumer protection advocate Mike Domke says it’s essential to do your research on the gym before signing anything.

“Look at the fine print on what their agreements are, what that particular promotion is, understand the cancellation policy,” Domke says, “so if you get to June, you find out you’re not going, do you have an opportunity to cancel it.” It’s important to give a gym a trial run for a week or two before signing the contract, Domke says, and that’s something most reliable gyms will offer you.

“You don’t want to pay and end up at a gym where you do a few exercises or workouts and realize this isn’t for me,” he says. “So understanding what your goals are and then finding a facility that matches that.” If you’re not careful, Domke says, you could be on the hook for an expensive, lengthy contract, so know what questions to ask first.

“Is there an initial signup fee? What is the monthly fee? What is the cancellation? What is the term?” he says. “All of these are going to be really important in case you find out that something happens that you don’t want to go anymore.” A recent study found about 80% of resolutions fail by the second week in February, while different research shows that on average, it takes about 66 days for a new habit to become automatic.

(Radio Iowa) – Where would you rather spend the winter, Iowa or Hawaii? For most people, it’s an easy call, but not if you plan to do much driving.  A survey by the credit reporting website Wallethub, says Iowa is the best state in the nation for driving, while Hawaii came in last. The study is based on 31 different criteria, things like rush hour traffic, road conditions, safety records, and the cost to maintain a car, including gas prices.

Iowa ranked seventh for ownership costs and ninth for its infrastructure. Full car insurance coverage in Iowa averages 12-hundred-60 dollars a year, more than 400-dollars below the national average. Commute times for Iowans average about 19 minutes, one of the lowest in the country, while New York’s commute is longest at more than 33 minutes.

(Bridgewater, Iowa) – Dave Nichols of Nichols Farms, near Bridgewater, was honored with induction into the American Angus Association’s Heritage Foundation at the 2022 Angus Convention held in Salt Lake City, Utah, in November 2022. AAA created the Heritage Foundation in 1983 to honor the contributions of individuals who have gone above and beyond for the Angus Breed.

Nichols was selected for his groundbreaking work in data collection. Nichols Farms was one of the first herds to incorporate computer performance records to intricate feed intake and measurement systems, and has continuously adapted and extended the limits of performance records. Today, Nichols Farms collects and maintains more than 70 fields of data on each animal.

Officials with the Foundation say Nichols’ immense interest in data led to his heavy involvement in the Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR), and Beef Improvement Federation (BIF), along with partaking in numerous research projects to improve technology, placing him at the forefront of today’s EPD program. The farm’s latest research project focuses on feed efficiency, collecting data beef producers can utilize in breeding decisions.

Dave Nichols (Photo & story submitted by Terri Queck-Matzie.

In making the award announcement, officials with the Foundation said “Inductees of the Heritage Foundation depict the type of individuals who built a reputation with their drive, ambition and forward-thinking attitude. From his leadership and accolades, to his dedication to providing customers with a firm handshake and the best genetics possible, Nichols’ investment in the breed and its success is evident in all he does.”

In addition to Nichols, the 2022 Heritage Foundation inductees include: Jim and Sue Coleman of Modesto, California; Leo and Sam McDonnell of Columbus, Montana; and Becky and the late Arlen Sawyer of Bassett, Nebraska.

The American Angus Association® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 22,000 members across the United States, Canada and several other countries.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports three arrests from the past week. On Wednesday (Jan. 11, 2023), 44-year-old Michael Ross Waddingham, of Orient, was arrested on a Department of Corrections warrant for Violation of Parole. He remains held without bond in the Adair County Jail.

On Jan. 10th, 29-year-old Matthew Ray Garcia, of Macksburg, was arrested in Red Oak on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. He was released the following day on bond. And, on January 8th, 31-year-old Jon Rubin Stewart, of Waterloo, was arrested in Stuart, on a warrant out of Bremer County. He was released to Bremer County Deputies the same day.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill introduced in the Iowa House would set up a state licensing process for “rural emergency hospitals.” Federal rules now let small rural hospitals discontinue in-patient care and just provide an emergency room and outpatient services. Representative Martin Graber of Fort Madison says this could be a financial lifeline for more than 30 small Iowa hospitals where very few patients are being admitted for an overnight stay. “This is the first step in the process,” Graber says. “We’ve got to get the state to say: ‘It’s o.k. to license one.'”

Keokuk’s hospital closed in October and Graber says a stand-alone E-R would be a viable alternative in the community. “Blessing Hospital has said they’d be interested in it,” Graber says, “and they’re the logical ones.” Blessing Health, based in Quincy, Illinois, closed its 49-bed Keokuk hospital September 30th due to operating losses and low demand for in-patient care. The Rural Emergency Hospital license Graber and others are working on would increase the government’s reimbursement rates for Medicare and Medicaid patients treated in an emergency room.  “To make sure we have a place so that if one my constituents down in Keokuk shows up and they’ve had a stroke or they’re having a heart attack or some major problem, we can get them treated,” Graber says.

Once a critical patient is stabilized in a Rural Emergency Hospital’s E-R, Graber says they’d be transferred to in-patient care elsewhere, while patients with less acute emergencies could be quickly treated and discharged.