The Council Bluffs Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing Council Bluffs man. Authorities say 48-year-old David Wittwer was last seen Tuesday, April 16th, at the Walmart Store in Council Bluffs (1800 N. 16th St.).

Wittwer was wearing grey shoes, blue jeans and a black leather coat.He is 5-feet 7-inches, tall, weighs 160-pounds, has brown hair and a mustache. (see the attached photo)

David Wittwer

His family has not seen or heard from him, and are concerned for his well-being. If you know where David Wittwer is, or have seen him recently, please call 9-1-1 or the Pottawattamie County Communications Center, at 712-328-5737.

(Radio Iowa) – The 2024 Iowa legislative session ended overnight. The Senate adjourned just before 3:30 a.m. today (Saturday). And the House wrapped up the year at 4:23 a.m. (Saturday).

The final day of decisions and votes stretched over 20 hours. Lawmakers approved a billion dollar cut in the state income tax that will take effect next year. A nearly nine BILLION dollar state spending plan was finalized. The final bill sent to the governor calls for redeploying a dozen Division of Criminal Investigation agents who work at the state casinos to a task force tht will work on illegal immigration cases.

The governor recently signed a bill into law that authorizes law enforcement to arrest undocumented immigrants — and gives Iowa judges authority to issue deportation orders. It’s similar to a Texas law that hasn’t taken effect due to a legal challenge. Early this (Saturday) morning the House voted overwhelmingly to extend a moratorium on new casinos in Iowa, but the bill didn’t come up for a vote in the Senate.

DES MOINES – Gov. Reynolds today (Saturday) released the following statement in response to the conclusion of the 2024 legislative session:

“Iowa has set a course for transformation, and it was the driving force of the 2024 legislative session. We prioritized special education reform and early literacy instruction to help all students reach their potential, and increased teacher salaries to attract and retain the best educators for our schools. We cut taxes, further reducing and accelerating the implementation of a flat tax for all Iowans with taxable income. We aligned the state’s behavioral health system to support consistent, coordinated care and improve outcomes, and established Thrive Iowa to help at-risk individuals find local support and create a plan for self-sufficiency and long-term independence. We reformed an outdated system of board and commissions, further reducing government’s size and scope, and protected Iowa’s farmland by strengthening foreign ownership laws.

“Iowa is a state that values education, rewards hard work, and encourages strong families. A place where government is driven by a sense of responsibility to the people it serves. I’m proud of what we accomplished this year and I look forward to continuing to build upon our strong foundation, ensuring prosperity and stability for every Iowan.”

Lt. Governor Gregg released the following statement:

“Governor Reynolds set out to have another transformational legislative session, and she has done just that. From increasing teacher salaries to attract and keep the best educators in our state, to protecting Iowa’s farmland, to providing healthcare to the mothers that need it the most, she has set forth and accomplished a broad range of reforms and initiatives that will better serve all citizens of our state. I am proud to serve alongside Governor Reynolds as she executes a bold vision for serving Iowans.”

Governor’s Key Legislative Priorities:

Income Tax Cuts: Accelerates the flat income tax at a reduced rate of 3.8 percent, lowering the tax liability for every Iowan who pays income taxes. Returns over $1 billion to the hard-working men and women of Iowa. (SF2442)

Special Education Reform: Focuses on improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities, and providing transparency, accountability, and consistency to the state’s Area Education Agency (AEA) system. (HF 2612)

Teacher Pay Increases: Increases the minimum salary for teachers in Iowa to $47,500 and sets a $60,000 minimum salary for teacher with 12 or more years of experience for FY25 and grows those minimums to $50,000 and $62,000 starting in FY26. (HF 2612)

Improving Early Literacy: Implements evidence-based reading instruction to help students move from the critical phase of “learning to read” into a lifelong practice of “reading to learn.” Requires schools to create personalized reading plans and to notify parents of retention options if a child does not meet proficiency in grades K-6. (HF 2618)

Expanding Work-Based Learning: Establishes a $30 million Workforce Opportunity Fund, provides schools more flexibility to offer core credit for Work-based Learning opportunities, finalizes the transition to a State Apprenticeship Agency, and allows Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship participants to accrue classroom time toward student teaching requirements. (SF 2411)

Charter School Expansion: Adjusts per pupil funding to support educational freedom opportunities and allows vacant or underutilized public school district facilities to be available for lease or purchase by nonpublic or charter schools. (SF 2368)

Behavioral Health Alignment: Aligns Iowa’s 13 mental health regions and 19 substance use regions into seven unified behavioral health districts to provide consistent, coordinated services statewide and improve outcomes. (HF 2673)

Post Partum Coverage Extension: Extends post-partum Medicaid coverage from two months to one year for thousands of mothers. (SF 2551)

Thrive Iowa: Authorizes the use of resources to support the launch of Thrive Iowa, a platform that will connect individuals and families in need of assistance with support outside of government leveraging faith-based organizations and private sector networks. (HF 2698)

Strengthening Iowa’s Foreign Ownership of Land Laws: Further protects Iowa land by increasing reporting requirements, giving the Attorney General subpoena power to investigate potential violations, and strengthening penalties for foreign owners. (SF 2204)

Mega Sites: Establishes a MEGA project tax incentive program to recruit major development projects (> $1 Billion) to locate in Iowa. Includes funding for rural certified sites to also be established. (SF 574)

Streamlining Boards and Commissions: Returns accountability to the people of Iowa through their elected representatives by eliminating 83 unnecessary and redundant unelected boards and commissions. Requires an ongoing annual review process of boards and commissions. (SF 2385)

Gender Balance: Repeals gender balance requirements for appointive bodies ensuring the most qualified Iowans can serve regardless of gender. (SF 2096)

Government Regulation Review: Cuts red tape and improves Iowa’s regulatory environment, requires a regulatory analysis of all new rules, and sunsets rules unless they undergo a substantive review and are re-adopted at least every five years. (SF 2370)

Government Alignment: Eliminates barriers for newly aligned agencies to fully implement new efficiencies across state government, unlocked in last year’s legislation, to better serve Iowans. (HF 2686)

Other legislative priorities that passed during the 2024 Legislative Session:

Religious Freedom Restoration Act: Prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person’s constitutional right to religious freedom unless it has a compelling interest and uses the least restrictive means to support that interest. (SF 2095)

Immigration: Prohibits certain aliens, as defined in 8 U.S. C. § 1101, from coming to Iowa following their illegal reentry into the United States. The bill also prohibits arrest in certain locations like churches and schools, provides immunity from liability and indemnification for enforcement actions, sets sentencing restrictions, and provides penalties. (SF 2340)

School Safety: Addresses the use of school security personnel by school districts and authorizes school employees to be issued professional permits to carry weapons. (HF 2586)

DEI Elimination: Prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion at institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents with exceptions for compliance with federal law and accreditation. (SF 2435)

Civil Statute of Limitations for Boy Scout Victims: Allows child sexual abuse victims to make claims in the Boy Scout bankruptcy proceeding without being time barred. (SF 2431)

Graduation Requirements: Requires the department of education to conduct a comprehensive review of the state’s high school graduation requirements, core curriculum, core content standards, and educational standards, and to recommend policy changes. (HF 2545)

Mutual Insurance Industry: Allows flexibility to utilize reinsurance resources and introduces new options to acquire capital to stabilize the mutual insurance market. (HF2100, HF2490, SF2361)

Livestock Capital Gains: Reinstates the capital gains deduction from the sale of cattle or breeding livestock. Retroactive to January 1, 2023. (HF2649)

Ag Class Credit: Modifies provisions related to the curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve by allowing instruction related to agriculture to meet a portion of the unit requirements related to science and allowing instruction related to applied sciences, technology, engineering, or manufacturing to meet a portion of the unit requirements related to mathematics. (HF 2465)

Biomarker Testing: Improves quality of life and saves lives by including biomarker testing as a covered cost by health insurers. (HF 2668)

Teaching Licenses: Modifies requirements related to teacher intern license programs and establishes a temporary initial teaching license to be issued by the board of educational examiners to applicants who complete an alternative teacher certification program. (HF 255)

Looting: Establishes the criminal offense of looting and providing penalties. (HF 2598)

Grooming as a Crime: Establishes a criminal offense of grooming and provides penalties. (HF 2602)

Psychiatric Medical Institutions for Children (PMIC): Increases reimbursement rates for children behavioral health providers and provides family-centered behavioral health services. (HF 2402)

Meat and Poultry Inspections: Allows state meat and poultry programs to provide the opportunity for state official poultry plants to also preform custom-exempt slaughter and processing, as is currently allowed for official red meat plants. (HF2257)

Small Business Investment Programs for Veterans: Includes veterans in the small business linked investment programs. (SF 461)

Renewable Fuels Infrastructure: Provides a transition period for renewable fuel infrastructure upgrades supported by the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Program. (HF2687)

Swatting: Relates to false reports to or communications with public safety entities, and provides penalties. (SF 2161)

Use of Local/County Funds: Provides additional flexibility to local government to use public funds to tackle the child care needs of their community. (HF 2264)

Insurance Coverage for Diagnostic Breast Exams: Requires insurance coverage for supplemental and diagnostic breast examinations. (HF 2489)

MOMs: Allows HHS to partner directly with pregnancy resource centers to provide maternal supports and services to pregnant women and new mothers. (SF 2252)

Improving Access to Professional Licensure: Several bills reduced unnecessary barriers to entry to professional licensure in high-need health care professions. (HF 2232, SF 477, HF 2515, HF 2512, HF 2013)

Rental Property Management: Eliminates unnecessary licensure for rental property management activities. (HF 2326)

Pharmacy Benefit Managers: Creates additional pricing transparency for pharmacists, prohibits bad faith negotiations as well as retaliatory business practices. Grants insurance division additional regulatory tools. (HF2099)

Traffic Cameras: Pauses the proliferation of unmanned traffic cameras including new regulations and oversight by the Department of Transportation. (HF2681)

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has overwhelmingly voted to extend a moratorium on new casinos in Iowa until 2029. The current moratorium will expire July 1st. Representative Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, says this is a policy decision for lawmakers, not state gambling regulators.

Kaufmann says the commission has vague rules for considering casino license applications and the bill strengthens those guidelines. Representative Sami Scheetz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says the proposed rules would effectively block Cedar Rapids from getting a casino license.

Shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday the House approved the extended casino moratorium and new regulations for casino applications on a 71 to 21 vote. The Senate must approve the policy, too, before it could go to the governor for review.

**UPDATE: Suspect was arrested Saturday, in Des Moines**

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Safety says the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect connected to a double homicide in rural Marshalltown.

On Friday, April 19, 2024, at approximately 1:45 am, Marshall County Deputies were dispatched to 2645 182nd Street, Marshalltown Iowa for a welfare check on occupants of the residence. When deputies arrived, they located a male and female deceased. They are identified as Mario Murillo, age 28, Marshalltown, and Frances Tillie Gasca, age 33, Marshalltown.

As a result of the investigation by Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Ilias Julian Lasley, age 29, has been charged with two counts of Murder in the 1st Degree for the death of Mr. Murillo and Ms. Gasca. Mr. Lasley is considered armed and dangerous. If you see him or know his location do not approach him, call law enforcement. We are seeking public assistance in locating him.

Ilias Julian Lasley,

If anyone has any information concerning Ilias Lasley’s whereabouts, please contact the Marshall County Communications Center, 641.754.5725, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, 641.754.6380, or tips can be submitted online at www.marshallcountysheriff.com

(A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.)

April 19, 2024 (Des Moines) – Main Street Iowa hosted the annual Main Street Iowa Development Awards celebration Friday evening in Des Moines. The program honors the efforts of local leaders who work tirelessly to revitalize Iowa’s downtowns and Main Street districts.

Fourteen projects were recognized with Main Street Iowa Development Awards and 47 leadership award recipients were honored for exceptional leadership and volunteer contributions to their local Main Street programs. Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Director Debi Durham said “The Main Street Iowa program stands as one of the nation’s most distinguished, as witnessed from the award-winning projects in rehabilitation, business recruitment and support, façade improvement, housing, placemaking and special events. It’s evident that Main Street Iowa communities thrive under passionate leadership, achieving remarkable success.”

Main Street Ottumwa received the 2024 Spirit of Main Street Award, a prestigious honor awarded annually to an individual or community that truly demonstrates the spirit of Main Street at work in Iowa.  The recognition honors their groundbreaking partnership with Main Street America, Main Street Iowa and Google through the Grow with Google initiative, which teaches local business owners and entrepreneurs the skills that are essential to reaching customers in today’s digital economy. The partnership impacted more than 1,000 businesses.

2024 Main Street Iowa Development Award Winners:

• Building Rehabilitation (Over 5,000 Population): Hopkins Willard Project, Marshalltown
• Building Rehabilitation (Under 5,000 Population): The Serving Café, West Branch
• Business Recruitment (Over 5,000 Population): Something Blue, Nevada
• Business Recruitment (Under 5,000 Population): Tour of Dreams, Grundy Center
• Business Support (Over 5,000 Population): Main Street Micros Grant Program, Spencer
• Business Support (Under 5,000 Population): Influencer Marketing Collaboration, West Branch
• Façade Improvement (Over $50,000): Art on the Fly & Imagination Alley, Jefferson
• Façade Improvement (Under $50,000): Cox Law Firm, Centerville
• Housing: The Pub Lofts, Jefferson
• Placemaking (Small Scale Activity): Mayfly Mayhem Murals, Burlington
• Placemaking (Comprehensive Effort): Bridges to Renewal Projects, Lansing
• Special Event (Under 5,000 Population): First Fridays, Albia
• Special Event (Under 5,000 Population): Saving a Slice of History Building Tours, Woodbine
• Special Event (Over 5,000 Population): District Street Party, Cedar Falls

Six communities were recognized for reaching new milestones in the amount of private investment in their commercial districts:

$100 Million – Cedar Rapids – Czech Village and New Bohemia
$3 Million – Monticello
$2 Million – Nevada
$1 Million – Albia, Coon Rapids and Jewell

Main Street Iowa was established in 1985 and operates as a part of the IEDA’s Downtown Resource Center. Since its inception, the Main Street Iowa program has had a significant impact on Iowa’s economy, including more than $2.7 billion in private investments, more than 3.8 million volunteer hours, more than 5,500 new businesses created and more than 16,600 jobs.

A detailed list of all 2024 Main Street Iowa Award winners is available here.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) on Thursday, April 18th, 2024, to view the recent addition.

SWIPCO’s main location has been in Atlantic since 1975 and has continued to grow throughout the years, providing more services for more projects throughout Southwest Iowa. The current building was originally designed for seven employees and the organization has had 17 staff members working out of the building. The renovation began in early 2023, which added an additional 1800 square feet of open office space, additional restroom, and many windows to brighten the space. The addition also allowed the conference room to once again be used for meetings instead of acting as an office space.

Southwest Iowa Planning Council serves all of Cass County, along with Fremont, Harrison, Montgomery, Mills, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby County. SWIPCO promotes regional cooperation in Southwest Iowa by improving community assets and infrastructure, promoting and enhancing economic and business development, and maintaining and improving the quality of life for all residents.

Back Rows (Pictured left to right): Lana Westphalen, Kathie Hockenberry, Bill Saluk, Sue Liston, Ashley Hayes, Karen Mauer, Nicole Rhodes, Daurine Petersen, Erin Hudson, Barb Boggs, Dolly Bergmann, John McCurdy, Elaine Otte, Julie Waters, Tori Gibson, Jeff Christiansen, Jim Kickland, Chris Parks, Jeremy Butler, Tammy DeBord, Steve Andersen, Jennifer McEntaffer, Alden Harriman, Dr. Keith Leonard
Front Row (Pictured left to right): Bailey Smith, Aaron Koontz, Krysta Hanson, Kelsey Beschorner

SWIPCO is located at 1501 SW 7th Street, Atlantic. For more information about Southwest Iowa Planning Council, contact 712-243-4196 or visit https://www.swipco.org/.

CRESTON, Iowa – April 19, 2024 – You may notice a delay on eastbound Interstate 80 west of Des Moines overnight on Monday, April 29 into Tuesday, April 30. The Iowa Department of Transportation needs to close the road overnight between Jordan Creek Parkway and Grand Prairie Parkway to allow the contractor to install new sign trusses and digital message boards.

DOT contractors have planned an overnight road closure on Monday, April 29 at 8:30 p.m. until Tuesday, April 30 at 5:3- a.m., weather permitting.

While the roadway is closed, you will follow a marked detour route using Jordan Creek Parkway, University Avenue, and Grand Prairie Parkway (see map).

Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – An Iowa City man was sentenced April 17, 2024, to 144 months in federal prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, on July 3, 2022, Chris Lee Gordon, 34, a two-time convicted felon, possessed a stolen and loaded pistol at an apartment in Iowa City, Iowa. While Gordon slept, a three-year-old child staying at the apartment, got out of bed, found Gordon’s pistol, and fatally shot himself. Gordon, heard the gun shot, got up and saw the injured child, picked up his pistol and ran out of the apartment. Several weeks later, the pistol used in this fatal shooting was found on a roof of a building, with the serial number scratched off.

On July 24, 2022, Gordon was arrested with another firearm, a loaded Polymer 80 nine-millimeter handgun with an extended magazine that was capable of holding up to 32 rounds of ammunition.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Gordon will be required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The case was investigated by the Coralville Police Department and the Division of Criminal Investigation.

(Johnston, Iowa) – The National Weather Service in central Iowa reports two additional tornadoes occurred during the storms on April 16th. One took place in/near Anita in Cass County (IA), the other in/near Carbon, in Adams County.

Anita tornado path

The twister in Anita happened between 9:58- and 10:00-a.m. Tuesday, and was rated an EF-1 on the Fujita Scale, with wind speeds estimated at 90-mph. The tornado was on the ground for a little more than six-tenths of a mile. It was estimated to be 30-yards wide.

The tornado in Carbon took place between 9:31- and 9:33-a.m., Tuesday. It was rated an EF-0, with winds estimated at 80-mph. It traveled on the ground for about 1.75-miles, and was a maximum of 30-yards wide.

In both counties, there were no injuries or deaths resulted from the storms, but there were reports of property damage. Wednesday morning, Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon said 12 homes were identified as having some minor damage, such as broken windows, siding and trim, shingles and ridge caps, as well as to garage doors. Caring Acres Nursing Home sustained some damage. Numerous trees were knocked down in the area.

Tornado near Carbon (Photo courtesy McCade Morrison)

Adams County tornado path

With the additions of Cass and Adams Counties, total number of tornadoes that occurred on or about April 16th in Iowa, amounts to 15.

Other confirmed tornadoes include those in/near:

• Rockwell City

• Manson

• Palmer

• Gilmore City

• Rolfe

• LeMars
• 2 in Sioux County (near Struble & Sioux Center)
• George (Lyon County)
• Buchanan County (near the Pine Creek Wildlife Area)
• Houghton

In some cases, the same tornado appeared in two-or three-counties. The preliminary information is still be compiled by the Weather Service.