A retired utility engineer who is a member of the Iowa House of Representatives is raising concerns about a proposed high-voltage transmission line that is to be constructed across Iowa. Representative Ralph Watts, a Republican from Adel, objects to the use of the government’s “eminent domain” authority to seize property along the 500-mile route for the Rock Island Clean Line project.

“Rock Island Clean Lines is a non-utility, private enterprise embarking on a private project for private gain,” Watts says.”…Therefore, it would not serve a public purpose which is required as a justification for use of eminent domain.” Developers of wind farms are not allowed to use eminent domain authority to seize ground for wind turbines, but state law does allow eminent domain authority to be used for power lines. A bill stalled in the House this year that would have set up a new appeal process for Iowa landowners affected by power line projects that stretch 200 or more miles.

The proposed Rock Island Clean Line would export energy from wind turbines in northwest Iowa to Chicago and other electricity customers to the east. Representative Watts says it would be “shamefully negligent” for the Iowa utility board to allow the firm to use eminent domain authority to seize some of the Iowa farm ground needed for its project. “After all is said and done, if Rock Island Clean Lines is allowed the use of eminent domain for their project, it could likely result in the largest unjustified taking of private property in the history of the state of Iowa,” Watts says.

Governor Terry Branstad’s economic development director has called the transmission line “an important infrastructure project that needs to occur” because wind energy has the potential to be a growing Iowa export. Developers of the 500-mile Rock Island Clean Line project have charted a preferred route that would start in northwest Iowa’s O’Brien County and would exit on the east side of the state in Scott County, just north of the Quad Cities.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The federal government is starting a new program to help monitor and possibly control the spread of a virus that has killed millions of pigs since showing up in the U.S. last year. The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, believed to be from China, causes severe diarrhea in newborn piglets, who die from dehydration. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday it is stepping up efforts by requiring farmers to report infections.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A prosecutor pursuing several cases against felons charged with voting illegally says an Iowa Supreme Court ruling shouldn’t impact them. Assistant Black Hawk County Attorney Linda Fangman said Thursday the prosecutions will “proceed as is,” despite Tuesday’s ruling suggesting that not all felons lose their voting rights. She’s handling felony election misconduct cases against six offenders accused of voting in the 2012 election even though they lost their rights. A seventh may plead guilty Monday.

SHELDON, Iowa (AP) — A northwest Iowa bar and bowling alley owner and one of her employees have been accused of setting a fire to collect insurance money. Authorities say 36-year-old Kristina Manasil owned the Budd-Z’s Sports Bar and Grill and its bowling alley in Sheldon. Manasil and 36-year-old Adam Sickles were arrested Wednesday.

PROLE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an escaped prisoner captured in central Iowa was found under a house porch. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says 37-year-old Kenny Bevard was found Friday hiding under a residence in Prole, just south of Des Moines.

Iowa’s Secretary of State and Republican candidate for Congress, Matt Schultz, Friday, announced a twelve-stop tour through Iowa’s Third Congressional District. The tour will take place on April 22nd and 23rd. During the tour, Schultz’s will be meeting with voters throughout the district listening to their concerns and talking about his vision to fix Washington DC.

The tour, which is open to the public and the press, will begin in Perry on the morning of the 22nd and will end the day with a meet and greet in Council Bluffs, where Schultz lived and served as City Councilman for five years. Schultz will then travel through the southern part of Iowa’s Third Congressional District ending the tour in Indianola on the evening of the 23rd.

Among the stops during his trip on Tuesday, April 22nd, is: The Hilltop Diner in Guthrie Center, beginning at 9:30am; The Downtowner Cafe in Atlantic, at 11:30, and the Fountain Perk in Red Oak, starting at 1:30-p.m.  Schultz will also be at the Gridiron Garage in Glenwood, at 3-p.m. Tuesday, and he’ll conclude the day’s stops with a visit to Barley’s Bar in Council Bluffs, beginning at 5:30-p.m.

On Wednesday, April 23rd, Matt Schultz will be at the Garrison Coffee House in Clarinda, beginning at 8-a.m.; From there he travels to Bedford for a 10-a.m. visit to the Junction Cafe. Then it’s on to Corning, for an 11:45-a.m. stop at Kay’s Cafe. Schultz’s journey brings him next to Creston, for an 11:30-a.m. stop at the Garden Cafe’ and Coffee Shop. And from there, it’s on to the Northside Cafe in Winterset, where Schultz will meet with the public at 3-p.m.

His day concludes in Indianola.

A truck driver from South Dakota died early Friday morning in Fremont County, when he was struck by a vehicle on Interstate 29. The Iowa State Patrol says 34-year old Christopher Vonderlieth, of Sioux Falls, SD, was partially in the right lane changing a flat tire on the left side of 2001 Freightliner semi he was driving, when he was struck by a 2008 Chrysler van. The man died at the scene of the accident that happened at around 5:40-a.m., about one-quarter of a mile south of the Thurman exit.

Officials say the semi was parked on the shoulder of the interstate facing southbound, and had its four-way flashers on, but the van’s driver, 49-year old Roger Norton, Sr., of Bellevue, NE, failed to see Vonderlieth in the traveled portion of the road. No charges have been filed.

Sheriff’s officials in Page County say one person suffered possible/unknown injuries during a single-vehicle accident Thursday evening. In a report released Friday, authorities said 16-year old Jennifer Gullion, of Maryville, MO., was transported to the hospital in Shenandoah, after the 2004 Chevy Impala she was driving went out of control on Hackberry Aveue, just south of 280th Street.
When the car drifted off the road onto the east shoulder, the teen over-corrected. The car skidded across the road and entered the west ditch before rolling twice and coming to rest on its wheels. The accident happened at around 7:50-p.m. Gullion was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an escaped prisoner in suburban Des Moines has been captured. Lt. Brent Long with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office says 37-year-old Kenny Bevard was placed into custody at around 3:20-p.m. Friday, in Prole. He was found underneath the porch of a residence and refused to obey officers’ orders to come out. An K-9 was sent in to convince Bevard to surrender, but not before Bevard suffered some injuries.

Authorities say 41-year old Casey Joe Risius, of Des Moines, has been charged with aiding and abetting Bevard’s escape.  He was also charged with possession with intent to delivery a schedule II drug — methamphetamine and possession of schedule I drug — marijuana.

Authorities say Bevard was being driven Thursday to Adel in adjacent Dallas County for a court hearing in a burglary case. He was handcuffed when he got out of a Dallas County sheriff’s vehicle. He reached a nearby wooded area.

Authorities say Bevard has served prison time for burglary and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He faces additional charges associated with the escape.

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Georgia man has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of his former roommate in Iowa.  The Fort Dodge Messenger reports 54-year-old John Green, of Blairsville, Ga., made the written plea Thursday. Online records do not list a scheduled trial date.    Green is accused of killing 58-year-old Mark Koster, of Sac City. Koster’s skeletal remains were found buried in the basement of his house in 2012.

Police say Green briefly lived with Koster in 2009. Relatives say they last saw Koster that year, and he was reported missing in 2010.  Green was arrested in Florida in March. He is being held at the Sac County Jail without bond.