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Republican Young beats Appel for 3rd district seat

News

November 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – David Young, a longtime aide to U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, has been elected in Iowa’s 3rd district. Voters on Tuesday elected Young, a Republican, over Democrat Staci Appel, a former state legislator.

Young took an unusual path to his House victory. He first was a candidate for U.S. Senate but switched to the 3rd district race when incumbent Republican Rep. Tom Latham announced he’d retire. Young finished fifth in the primary, but won the nomination at a special convention.

In the campaign, Young fended off arguments by Appel that after working for two decades in Washington, he was more beholden to lobbyists and big donors than to Iowans. Young responded that his Washington experience meant he could be effective on his first day in the Capitol.

Republican Mosiman elected as Iowa auditor

News

November 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican Mary Mosiman has been elected to her first full term as Iowa auditor. Voters Tuesday chose Mosiman, who was appointed to the position in 2013, over Democrat Jon Neiderbach. Gov. Terry Branstad appointed Mosiman after longtime Auditor David Vaudt resigned to become chairman of a national nonprofit accounting board. She was working as deputy secretary of state when she was appointed auditor.

In her campaign, Mosiman called for expanding an annual state budget analysis in 2016 to include money from more sources. She also wants to reduce fraud in government through education and more outreach to local officials.

Neiderbach, an attorney from Windsor Heights, sought more details for the public about government spending.

Miller wins another term as Iowa attorney general

News

November 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa voters have elected Democrat Tom Miller to another four years as attorney general over Republican Adam Gregg. For Miller, his victory Tuesday marked the ninth time he’s won election as attorney general. He’s served in the position since being first elected in 1978, except for four years in the 1990s after a failed bid for governor.

In his campaign, Miller emphasized his work on consumer protection issues, including pursuing businesses that run deceptive member buying clubs. He says he wants to prosecute more cases involving human trafficking.

Gregg called for protecting families by creating a division that would prosecute crimes against children and focus on issues such as human trafficking and cyber bullying.

Bulletin – Ernst elected to U-S Senate

News

November 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican Joni Ernst has won Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat, beating four-term Democratic Congressman Bruce Braley. Ernst, a state senator and lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard, was little known when she announced her Senate bid. Billing herself as a mother, soldier and conservative, Ernst gained attention through television ads and easily won the Republican nomination.

Ernst worked to link Braley to Washington dysfunction, and fended off his arguments that she was too conservative for Iowa. She supports shutting down the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Education and backed a “personhood” amendment that would outlaw abortion.

Her election Tuesday ends Iowa’s place among states that haven’t elected a woman to Congress or as governor. She takes a seat held by Democrat Tom Harkin since 1985.

King elected to 7th term representing 4th district

News

November 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – U.S. Rep. Steve King, a Republican known nationally for his outspoken opposition to the Obama administration, has been elected to a seventh House term representing northwest Iowa. Voters elected King on Tuesday over Democrat Jim Mowrer, a military veteran from Boone who also worked as a civilian in the Pentagon.

Mowrer argued King is too conservative for the sprawling district, which stretches over 39 counties, but voters again backed the Republican, who is known for his fiery rhetoric about issues from illegal immigration to the federal health care law. King notes his Republican colleagues call him “the happy warrior.”

In his campaign, King again called for repeal of the Affordable Care Act, changing Medicare to allow younger participants to receive vouchers and cutting taxes while reducing business regulations.

Western IA 2014 General Election Results – Contested Races/Measures

News

November 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

R= Republican; D= Democrat; I= Incumbent ;  ** = Winner (unofficial until votes canvassed)

State Representative/House District 12: R-Brian Best**, 6,438; D (I)- Dan Muhlbauer, 5,337

State Representative/House District 20: R-(I) Clel Baudler**, 6,352; D- Steve Roe, 4,256

State Representative/House District 21: R-(I)Jack Drake**, 6,892; D- Tim Ennis, 3,822.

Cass County:

Public Measure A – Asks residents in the Edna & Union Townships if the Board of Supervisors should appoint township Trustees and Clerks of Court in those townships.
Yes_13___ No 35___

Public Measure B – Yes 33  N0 51

Adair County:
Board of Supervisors/District 2: R- Ralph A. Lents 307  D- Steven Shelley 315**
Board of Supervisors/District 4: R- Brian Rohrig 290  D- Jodie Hoadley 307 **
County Attorney: ** R- Clint Hight 1,662    D-(I) Mike Maynes 1,456
Sheriff (to fill vacancy): Jeffrey Vandewater 2,761

Adams County:
Board of Supervisors/District 1: R- Doug Birt** 220,  D- Larry Sawyer 91
Board of Supervisors/District 3: R- Linda England** 192, D- Kevin Wynn 181
Board of Supervisors/District 4: R- Leland Shipley** 197, D- Tyler Edwards 152.
County Recorder: R- Jamie Stargell**l1,053, D- Iona Allen 639.
Public Measure A: Issuance of $1.3 million in G.O. Notes for Lake Icaria Timber Ridge Improvements: Yes – 1,175, No – 432. (Requires 60% supermajority)

Audubon County:
Board of Supervisors: ** R-(I) Gary VanAernam 1,414  D- Jerry Carter 961

Guthrie County:
Board of Supervisors/District 2: **R- Cliff Carney 412  D- Kerry Sheeder 318
Board of Supervisors/District 3: **R-Everett Grasty 643 D- Kathy Miller 343
County Ag Extension Council (5):
Jim Calvert ** 2,449,  Jim Clark** 2,137, Sheree McClellan** 2,116, Erica Tunink **2,078,     Bill Messinger** 2,036,   Michael Thomas, 2002.

Montgomery County:
Board of Supervisors/District 2: **R- Joshua Wiig 412    D- Karen Blue 232 (No Party)
County Ag Extension Council (5)
Lori DeKay**2,069, Joseph Jardon** 1,855,  Kate Fridolph 1,355, Misty Adams** 1,596
Darcy Dalton**1,708, Linda Parker** 1,694.
Soil & Water Conservation Commission (2):
Deborah Howe 1,005, Mary Robinette 839 Kirk Baird**1,723, Roger Cerven** 1912.

Shelby County:
County Recorder: **R- Geralyn Greer 3,004   D- Jessica Gessert 1,184

Pottawattamie County:
County Recorder: R- Mark Brandenberg** 17,111   D- Flory Blount 7,981
Board of Supervisors (3):
R-(I) Scott Belt 13,810, R-(I) Loren Knauss12,505, R-(I) Justin Schultz 12,699
Tom Hanafan (No Party affiliation) 14,523

Past Athena Award Winners and Sponsor meet to discuss upcoming awards

News

November 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Deter Motor Company and The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the 14th annual ATHENA Award in Atlantic, Iowa. Nominations are now being accepted for the award, which will be presented on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2014 at the Cass County Community Center. The award will be presented to an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in her/his business profession, has served the community in a meaningful way and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills.

The ATHENA Award was first presented in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan and has grown to include presentations to more than 6,000 individuals in hundreds of cities across the globe. Locally, past winners include Pat Markham in 2014, Dolly Bergmann, Wendy Richter, Ann Pross, Janell Hansen, Jan Kinison, Carole Schuler, Glenda Farrier, Margaret Slepsky, Denise O’Brien, Leanne Pellett, Judy Marnin and LaVon Eblen.

ATHENA Winners

ATHENA Winners

Deter Motor Company believes in the values underlying ATHENA’s philosophy of incorporating talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities and our government. The spirit of the ATHENA Award Program is captured in a quotation from Plato, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there.” By honoring exceptional leaders, others will be encouraged to excel.

Those interested in nominating an individual can pick up a nomination packet after Nov. 5th at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, 102 Chestnut Street, or by visiting www.AtlanticIowa.com. Nominations are due by December 5th, 2014

Fatal accident in Council Bluffs, Tuesday

News

November 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A collision between two vehicles Tuesday morning in Council Bluffs resulted in the death of one person, serious injuries to another,  charges pending against one of the drivers. According to Council Bluffs Police, rescue personnel were called to the scene at the South Expressway and Vets Memorial Highway, at around 9:45-a.m. An investigation showed a van driven by Armando Mendez of Council Bluffs was westbound on Vets. A Dodge Intrepid, driven by 31-year old Damian Morgan of Council Bluffs was eastbound, turning north onto South Expressway. The van collided with the passenger side of the Intrepid. A front seat passenger in the Intrepid died in the crash. A rear seat passenger in the intrepid suffered critical injuries and was transported to Creighton University Hospital. Both drivers suffered minor injuries in the crash. Currently charges are pending toxicology results on Morgan. Names of the other individuals involved were being withheld Tuesday. pending notification of next of kin.

Wadley provides spark for Iowa’s run game

Sports

November 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa has received subpar production from experienced running backs for much of the season. Now an unknown freshman is providing a spark for the Hawkeyes. Akrum Wadley turned the first 15 carries of his college career into 106 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s 48-7 victory over Northwestern. It was the first 100-yard rushing game for an Iowa player this season.

With Jordan Canzeri questionable for this weekend’s game at Minnesota and LeShun Daniels Jr. out for at least the rest of the regular season, Wadley is listed as a starter alongside Mark Weisman.

Task force recommends new student testing in Iowa

News

November 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An education task force says it will present Iowa lawmakers with recommendations for implementing new state testing for students. The Assessment Task Force said Tuesday it was endorsing the Smarter Balanced assessments for public and accredited nonpublic schools starting with the 2016-17 school year. The assessments were developed by a consortium of states. The task force says it will be aimed at monitoring student progress in mathematics and reading.

The recommendations come amid heightened interest in Iowa’s system for student testing. Gov. Terry Branstad recently removed the state from an organization developing an assessment system for the Common Core education standards.

The task force is made up of more than 20 education leaders. It will present a final report in January to the Legislature and education leaders.