DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A House panel has declined to approve a bill that would have required Iowa high school students to pass a civics exam to graduate. Members of an education subcommittee discussed the bill Tuesday. It will not be taken up again this session.

A few education groups were registered against the bill, which would have required high school students to pass an exam given to immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship. Lobbyists questioned mandating such a requirement without funding. Lawmakers also pointed out that Iowa high school students are already required to take a government course to graduate.

Several state legislatures are considering similar bills. The Joe Foss Institute, an Arizona-based nonprofit, is working toward getting all 50 states to approve such laws by 2017, when the Constitution turns 230 years old.

Officials with the Iowa DNR say the three month window to reserve a state park campsite for a Friday arrival on Memorial Day weekend opens this Sunday, Feb. 22. But more than a few campers have their sites already reserved arriving on the weekend before Memorial Day and staying through the holiday. Todd Coffelt, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau, says “Campers can make reservations for sites three months ahead of their first night stay.” He said also “We had a flurry of reservations when campers began getting their sites for a two-week stay that includes the Memorial Day weekend.”

Most parks will have nonelectric sites available for the Memorial Day Weekend. Not every campsite is available on the reservation system. Parks maintain between 25 and 50 percent of the electric and nonelectric sites as non-reservation sites, available for walk up camping.

Information on Iowa’s state parks is available online at www.iowadnr.gov including the link to reservations. Campers can also log on directly to http://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com; enter their preferred amenities and requirements, dates and/or parks to see what sites are available and make a reservation.

Police in Harlan say one person was arrested Sunday, following a disturbance in the 2300 block of 7th Street. Officials say 23-year old Crystal Oliver, of Harlan, was taken into custody on charges of Public Intoxication and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

The H-PD also investigated two, non-injury accidents recently. On Saturday, vehicles driven by Thomas Sondag II, and Melanie Olesen, both of Harlan, collided at 12th and Baldwin Streets, when Sondag’s 1999 Saturn pulled out in front of Olesen’s 2008 Chevrolet. Damage from the collision amounted to $4,000. Sondag was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign.

The other accident happened in the 1000 block of Chatburn Avenue, on Feb. 10th. Officials  say vehicles driven by Maura Goaley, of Omaha, and Dennis C. Petersen, of Harlan, collided when Goaley was attempting to turn from the Casey’s east driveway onto Chatburn Avenue. An uninvolved delivery truck was stopping to turn north into the Casey’s parking lot. As it was doing so, a 1994 Plymouth driven by Petersen went around the truck and proceeded west. Goaley didn’t see Petersen’s car because the truck obstructed her view. When she pulled out onto Chatburn to head east, her 2007 Chrysler was hit on the passenger side door by the Petersen vehicle. Damage from the crash amounted to $6,000. No citations were issued.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County say a Pottawattamie County man was arrested last week at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Gunnar Michael Blum, of Walnut, was arrested Feb. 9th. on a Dept. of Corrections warrant for Probation Violation. Blum was later released from the jail on $1,000 bond.

Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, of Red Oak, made a stop in Atlantic this (Tuesday) morning, as part of her 99-county tour of the state. Ernst toured Mahle Engine Components, USA, Inc. Mahle has facilities on five continents, including over 150 production locations and 10 major research and development centers.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) tours the Mahle Engine Components plant in Atlantic. (Ric Hanson, photo)

In Atlantic, Ernst was asked about ongoing murders and threat posed by ISIS, and what the U-S’ role should be in the fight. She said she would like to see other foreign countries such as Egypt, Jordan and Turkey step-up to the plate and engage more of their ground forces against the terrorist organization.

Ernst expressed her concerns about the continued deadlock in the Republican-controlled Senate over the funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. She claimed Senate Democrats refuse to cooperate in getting the bill through Congress. She was also asked about the FCC taking control of the internet. Ernst said the government should not be the sole source of control over what is seen and heard on the ‘net.

Ernst said “It seems that whenever the federal government gets involved with something it just seems to go much worse, so I would much rather see that the internet and private industry is taking care of its own business. We don’t want to restrict ingenuity, we don’t want to see the federal government trying to run the internet.”

When asked about comparisons between herself and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Ernst said she sees herself as an “Independent thinker,” and will do what’s right for the State of Iowa.” Ernst says she has no other political aspirations than to serve Iowans.

Her visit in Atlantic was the first stop of the day. Ernst’s other stops include Quality Machine in Audubon, and the Guthrie County Hospital. She also was scheduled to attend a meeting of the Greene County Development Corporation, in Jefferson. Her tour continues Wednesday, in Carroll and Thursday, in Denison.

A Nebraska man who allegedly stole a pickup truck Tuesday morning in Pottawattamie County, ended-up being transported to the hospital after the vehicle crashed, trapping him inside. The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office says 31-year old Rudolph Lucero, of Omaha, who was wearing a seat belt, was transported by Treynor Fire and Rescue to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he was reported to be in a medically-induced coma, Tuesday.

The incident began at around 8-a.m., when Pott. County Communications advised deputies an orange, 2005 Dodge Ram pickup had just been stolen from the vicinity of south 13th Street, in Council Bluffs. A deputy saw a vehicle matching the description, and tried to make a traffic stop. Lucero failed to yield and instead drove to Interstate 80 eastbound and then onto Highway 6, where he exited and continued eastbound, in an attempt to elude law enforcement.

Lucero managed to evade stop-sticks as well, but lost control of the vehicle near Highway 6 and 300th Street. The pickup swerved and turned onto its side, skidding until it hit a rise in the road at 300th Street. The vehicle continued to skid until it ramped up over the street into an open field, where it came to rest.

Charges are pending in connection with the incident, but authorities say they will likely include 1st degree theft.

The CAM School District’s Board of Education met Monday night in Anita, during a regularly scheduled session. CAM Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau told KJAN News during the meeting, the Board discussed an e-mail from the Adair-Casey School Board, with regard to Whole Grade Sharing and other matters. He says they went through each question and determined the Board’s response to each question. Their answers and/or position on the matters will be returned to Adair-Casey’s Board.

The Adair-Casey Board sent e-mails to neighboring districts to discuss Whole Grade Sharing and other matters. They’re scheduled to meet Wednesday evening to review the responses. Dr. Berlau said also, the CAM School Board set March the 10th as the date for a public hearing on an early start date for the 2015-16 School year. Berlau said they set the date as a “Just in case” measure, because the issue is still being debated in the Iowa Legislature.

He said “Honestly, I don’t see, as I look at the requirements to get a waiver approved…I think it’s going to be pretty difficult to do.” He said We may not even follow through (on the matter) following the hearing [with] so much uncertainty right now around that topic, we just thought we’ll do one ‘just in case.”

Berlau said the CAM Board increased the Driver’s Education fees from $250 to $300 for CAM students. Students from outside the district who wish to receive Driver’s Ed through CAM will have to pay $450. Dr. Berlau said also, that prior to the regular board meeting, the CAM Board held a Goal Setting session, which he says was time well spent, because it’s a good time for the Board to set the direction of the district, and, Berlau says it was beneficial to him, because he’s been with the district for less than a year as Superintendent.

More area, and state news w/Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.6MB)

Subscribe: RSS

• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 4 chicken breasts, boned and skinned
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 1/2 cup mashed potato flakes
• 1/2 cup melted margarine

In a large resealable bag, combine the first 5 ingredients; mix well.  Add the chicken, one at a time (coating each one, then taking out).  In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs and water.  Dip the coated chicken in the egg mixture, then roll in the potato flakes.  Pour the margarine into a 9″ x 13″ x 2″ pan; add chicken.  Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.  The turn it over and bake an additional 30 minutes longer, or until juice runs clear.

(Deb Theulen, Atlantic)

Police in Creston say a Creston man, 28-year old Sean Cody Stauffer, was arrested late Sunday night on drug charges, at the Creston Wal-Mart. Stauffer faces Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charges. He was also wanted on a Union County warrant for Probation Violation. Stauffer remained in the Union County Jail, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

19-year old Tanner Jay Allen Cassady, of Creston, was arrested Sunday afternoon, on a Woodbury County warrant for OWI/1st offense. Cassady was also being held in the Union County Jail pending a court appearance.

Creston Police say 17-year old Toni Marie Van Scoy, of Creston, was picked up early Sunday morning on an OWI/1st offense charge. The teen was referred to juvenile authorities and then released to her mother.

And on Valentine’s Day, Creston Police arrested 25-year old Michael Lee Schwieters, of Lorimor, on a Union County warrant for Probation Violation. The man was taken into custody at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, and held pending an initial court appearance.