DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Legislation that would make it harder for two energy projects to win eminent domain rights has passed another legislative hurdle in the Iowa Senate. The Senate Government Oversight Committee approved the bill Tuesday. Under the proposal, a project seeking eminent domain to build through private properties could get permission only after negotiating voluntary deals for at least 75 percent of the affected land.

The proposed change could impact two current proposals, both before the Iowa Utilities Board. One is to build an oil pipeline that would ship 450,000 barrels daily from production sites in North Dakota to an oil hub in Illinois. The other proposal is to build an electrical line across 16 Iowa counties that would transmit wind-generated energy from Iowa to customers in the Midwest and East Coast.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet Wednesday morning at their Boardroom in the Courthouse. During their session, which begins at 8:30-a.m., the Board will act on appointing a Cass Township Trustee to fill a vacancy term through 2016. They’ll also appoint a representative to SIRHA (the Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority), to fill a vacancy through 2017.

Other business includes:Approval of the third Amendment to the Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement with Department of Human Services, Bureau of Collections (Child Support); Accepting or rejecting the bids for a bridge replacement project. The bridge (#83) is located over Baughman Creek.

The Board will also receive a quarterly report from Cass County Veterans Affairs Director Mitch Holmes, and regular reports from the Cass County Attorney, Engineer, and Mental Health/Disabilities Services & General Assistance Director.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports one person was arrested Monday on drug and other charges. 33-year old Bo Wilson, of Lewis, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree, Possession of Marijuana/1st Offense, Domestic Abuse Assault/1st Offense, Obstruction of Emergency Communications, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Wilson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released today (Tuesday), on his own recognizance.

The Glenwood Police Department reports the arrest today (Tuesday), of 20-year old Dylan Conn. The Glenwood man was taken into custody on charges that include Interference With official acts, Carrying weapons, obstruction prosecution or defense, 2 counts of possession of paraphernalia, and Unlawful possession of prescription drug. His cash bond was set at $6,600.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation said a pre-construction meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday) May 6th beginning at 1-p.m. at the DOT’s District 4 Office, in Atlantic.  Transportation Planner Scott Suhr said the meeting (which is not open to the public, as it is between the DOT and the contractor) is with regard to the upcoming Highway 6/7th Street reconstruction project in Atlantic, that will result in detours being established once construction begins.

Suhr says the contractor has not given a specific start date yet but they have indicated they will likely begin work on the project the first week of June. That he says, will help ease some traffic with school being out for the summer. Once construction begins, the road will be closed from the intersection of Olive Street and Highway 6 (7th Street) east to just past the entrance to Burger King.

In the days leading up to construction, orange “Trailblazing” detour signs with the names of each business will be erected, directing people to those local businesses they would normally have access to on 7th Street. Signs will also be placed at 7th and Olive directing traffic to 10th Street for local, through traffic. Other, non-local or “Global” traffic will take Highway 173, Interstate 80 and U-S Highway 71 into or around Atlantic.

Bid letting on the project took place on March 17th. Once construction begins, KJAN will keep you informed on progress and relevant news pertaining to the project until it is completed.

The Harlan Police Department reports three people were arrested recently, while three others were cited for various offenses. Officials say on April 17th, 32-year old Malcolm McDonald, of Harlan, was taken into custody as a result of an investigation in to an alleged shoplifting incident reported by Do It Best Hardware. McDonald was cited for theft, 5th degree and released.

On April 29th, 40-year old William Willis, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was arrested on an active warrant out of Webster City following a traffic stop. Willis was taken to the Shelby County Jail to await extradition on the warrant.

On May 1st, 29-year old John Hinkel, of Woodbine, was arrested following a traffic stop. Hinkel was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and speed. A passenger in the car, 27-year old Joshua Derengowski, of Logan, was cited for open container and released.

And on Sunday, 18-year old Curtis Scheffler, of Harlan, was cited when he was seen driving a golf cart in the 700 block of Durant. Scheffler was cited for driving under suspension and released.

(9-a.m. News)

Volunteer firefighters from Menlo, Casey and Stuart battled a house fire Monday night, on the north side of Menlo. Stuart Rescue was also on the scene. Guthrie County Sheriff’s officials say the 9-1-1 call came in at 6:05-p.m. Menlo Fire Chief Ben Gilman told KJAN News the blaze at 3317 Rose Avenue apparently started in the attic, but he wasn’t able to declare a cause.

While other firefighters were released from the scene at around 7:40-p.m., Menlo Fire remained to put out any hot spots. Gilman said the home sustained significant water damage, and the family was making other, temporary living arrangements. No injuries were reported.

The Creston Police Department reports the arrest Monday evening of 46-year old Susan Lemon. The Creston woman was taken into custody for Driving While Barred. She was later released from the Union County Jail on $2,000 bond.

And a resident on South Stone Street, in Creston, reported to police Monday afternoon, someone had broken a plate glass window on his front door. The incident happened at around 4-p.m. Damage was estimated at $100.

(8-a.m. News)

More area, and state news w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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