DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A House panel has approved a bill that would require a physician to offer an ultrasound image to a woman seeking an abortion in Iowa. Members of a human resources subcommittee approved the bill Wednesday. It heads to a full committee for consideration, where it will need to advance by Friday to beat a procedural deadline in the Legislature.

The bill would require a physician to perform an ultrasound on a woman and give her an opportunity to view an image of the fetus. The woman would be given the option of hearing a description of the ultrasound image and the potential heartbeat of the fetus. Physicians could face jail time and fines if they didn’t comply. It’s unlikely the bill will advance in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Police in Harlan say no injuries were reported following an accident that took place last Saturday. Officials say a 2001 Mercury driven by Shawn Gessert, of Harlan, was traveling north on 6th Street and had entered the intersection with Pine Street, when his car was hit on the right front corner by a 2000 Dodge that failed to stop as it traveling west on Pine. The car was driven by Brian Parker, of Harlan.

After the impact, Parker continued to drive up into a yard of a residence to avoid further damage to Gessert’s vehicle. Parker was subsequently cited for Failure to Obey a Stop or Yield sign.
Damage from the collision amounted to $3,500.

Police in Harlan report five people were arrested over the past week. On Feb. 24th, 50-year old Curt Anstey, of Audubon, was arrested in Harlan on a charge of impersonating a public officials, after police investigated complaints of harassing messages and texts. Anstey was brought to the Shelby County Jail.

On Feb. 26th, 21-year old Nhial Lam, of Denison, was taken into custody when officers investigated a suspicious vehicle. Lam was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of contraband.

On Feb 25th, three people from Harlan were arrested after officers were called to a domestic disturbance in the 1700 block of 6th Street. 43-year old Timothy Sorensen was charged with domestic abuse assault, possession of stolen property, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 29-year old Marcia Finch was charged with criminal mischief and assault. 43-year old Pamela Frieze was also charged with assault.

Officials report also, following a traffic stop, 31-year old Lindsay Schulte, of Portsmouth, was cited Feb, 27th, for driving under suspension and failure to obey stop or yield sign. Schulte was given a date to appear in court, and released.

And, Police in Harlan were called to the 1700 block of 6th Street on March 1st, after receiving a report  tires had been slashed. The investigation showed that a total of eight (8) tires had been slashed. The estimated cost of damage was $1,500. The case remains under investigation.

Shelby County Emergency Manager Bob Seivert says a bridge on Timber Road will be closed beginning next Monday (March 9th), while the bridge is removed and replaced with a culvert. The affected area is between 149 and 117 Timber Road, over an unnamed tributary of Walnut Creek, between Monroe Townships 34 and 35.

The road will be closed for about 5- to 6-weeks, weather permitting. Residents and emergency responders who use the affected section of road will need to find an alternate route. If you have any questions, call the Shelby County Engineer’s Office at 712-755-5954.

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today (Wednesday) announced that they will travel to Fort Dodge on Friday, March 6, 2015 to recognize five new Home Base Iowa Communities and three new Home Base Iowa Certified Higher Academic Military Partner (CHAMPs).

Among the communities to be announced as Home Base Iowa Communities this Friday, is Carroll County. The communities will join Union County, Mitchell County, Dubuque County, Greene County, Howard County, Clarke County, Floyd County and the City of Marion as current Home Base Iowa Communities.

The Governor says “The Home Base Iowa initiative aims to ensure that members of the military leaving the service are met with an abundance of career and academic opportunities right here in Iowa.” Branstad said he and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds “Continue to be impressed by the outpouring of support for the Home Base Iowa initiative through the Home Base Iowa Community and Home Base Iowa CHAMPs programs.”

Reynolds said  “With thirteen Home Base Iowa Communities and twelve Home Base Iowa CHAMPs institutions, it is clear that Iowans are ready to welcome veterans and their families to our great state. I encourage all Iowa communities and higher education institutions to consider joining our Home Base Iowa initiative.”

The Home Base Iowa initiative does the following:

· Fully exempts military pensions from state income tax.

· Gives veterans, their spouses and dependents in-state tuition at Iowa’s colleges and universities.

· Allows Iowa’s licensing boards to adopt rules allowing credit for military training and experience in the licensing process.

· Allows private-sector companies to follow the public sector’s lead by allowing a preference in hiring and promoting veterans.

· Eliminates the special plate issuance fees charged for plates associated with military service.

· Expands eligibility for the Military Homeownership Assistance Program, which provides $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Additional funding for the program is provided in a separate appropriations bill.

A Public Hearing will be held tomorrow evening (Thursday) in Walnut, with regard to the Fiscal Year 2015-16 Budget. Following the hearing, the Council will discuss the budget and act on a Resolution to adopt it.

In other business, the Council will continue with discussions on the possible acquisition of the Walnut School Building. Last month, the City was offered the chance by Walnut Superintendent Jesse Ulrich to acquire the building, which is owned by the Walnut School District. City Clerk Terri Abell said Ulrich wanted to give the City the first opportunity to do something with the building. The decision was then made to form a committee comprised of the Mayor and two Council people, School Board members, and members of the public, to decide what they want the facility to become. They also discussed the possibility of hiring a consultant or an architect to conduct a feasibility study and facility study on the building.

The Walnut City Council will also discuss a proposed Community Garden, the 2016 Walnut Antique show and other, regular business matters. The meeting begins at 5-p.m., Thursday.