(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s three congresswomen — a Democrat and two Republicans — have voted for a bill to make the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage federal law. The move comes after U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the court should reconsider the ruling that legalized same-sex marriage across the country. Democratic Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines says the bill that passed the U.S. House ensures marriage equality for same-sex and interracial couples.

Congresswomen Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa and Ashley Hinson of Marion were among the Republicans who joined Democrats in supporting the bill. Hinson says she did so because it respects and maintains settled law. Same-sex marriages have been legal in Iowa since a state supreme court ruling issued in 2009.

The other Iowan serving in the U.S. House — Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull — voted against the bill.

(Griswold, Iowa) [UPDATED} – A capital campaign in Cass County to raise funds for an 88-hundred square-foot daycare center in Griswold has gone from private to public. Jared Wyman, of Griswold, President of the Noble Initiative Foundation, said today (Wednesday), they are very close to reaching their fundraising goal, and hope to have a groundbreaking ceremony this Fall.

The Noble Initiative Foundation, he said, was founded in November, 2018 following the closing of the Noble Center United Methodist Church. The church donated its remaining funds to develop a local childcare center serving Griswold and families from the surrounding communities. Wyman said the Noble Initiative is a 501(c-3) non-profit organization.

Noble Initiative Foundation President Jared Wyman (Ric Hanson/photo)

He said so far they’ve raised over 70% ($1.6-million) of their $2.3-million goal through grants and private donations, and from the Cass County Board of Supervisors. Land for the building was made available just south and east of the Griswold High School Football Field & Bus Barn, on the east side of Harrison Street.

Griswold Day Care Center floor plan.

The childcare center will provide quality, affordable year-round child care, including full-time, drop-in, and before and after school care. It will feature four childcare rooms to accommodate children from 6-weeks old to 4-years-old, including a separate area for before and after school care, for elementary age children.

In addition to fundraising, the Noble Initiative is searching for up to 40 volunteers to join them in the upcoming months, for a variety of purposes, including hosting events, writing “thank-you’s,” helping find facility furnishings and creating policies. Jared Wyman said there are opportunities for persons of all ages and backgrounds.

If you are interested, call (712)-789-1046, or go email griswoldtigercare@gmail.com.  Learn more at http://www.NobleInitiativeFoundation.org/ or find them on Facebook at Noble Initiative Foundation.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Sunday evening, of a man from Red Oak. Deputies conducted a traffic stop at around 6:13-p.m. on Highway 34 at the Avenue of Industries (West of Corning), on a vehicle driven by Bruce Edward Swanson, for failure to maintain his lane. He was subsequently taken into custody for OWI/1st offense. At the Adams County Jail, Swanson’s BAC (Blood Alcohol Test) results showed .272%, or more than three-time the legal limit for intoxication. He was held in the Adams County Jail until seen by a Magistrate.

(Humboldt County, Iowa) – The pilot of a small airplane made an emergency landing Tuesday, in a Humboldt County soybean field. According to reports, the pilot was flying home to Colorado after attending a wedding in Wisconsin, when his aircraft ran out of gas. He brought the plane down safely in the field off of Utah Avenue. Neither the pilot nor his passenger were injured.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s office said someone gave the pilot some gas and he took off again off of the gravel road on Texas Avenue nearby.

The pilot has agreed to pay the farmer back for the damage his soybean field.

(Radio Iowa) – A couple who live across the street from the governor’s mansion is seeking a zoning change so they can sell guns out of their home. A hearing with the Des Moines Zoning Board is scheduled for July 27th on the request from Travis and Elizabeth Aslin. The couple told Axios they conducted a few online gun sales from their previous home in a Des Moines suburb as a hobby and let customers pick up the guns at their house in Grimes.

Des Moines officials seeking to deny the couple’s request to sell guns near the governor’s residence will have to show the home business would endanger public health and safety or impact the neighborhood. Those are the guidelines from a law Governor Reynolds approved aw last month that restricts city and county ordinances for home based businesses.

During House debate of the legislation, Republican Representative Skyler Wheeler of Orange City said Iowans should be able to operate a business out of their home if they aren’t disturbing neighbors.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – A man from Nebraska was injured during a motorcycle accident Saturday evening, in Mills County. Sheriff’s officials say 48-year-old Bennette Roberts, of Omaha, was riding a 2020 motorcycle eastbound on Highway 34 near 180th Street, when for reasons unknown, the cycle drifted into the median and hit an embankment for a median turnaround. When the cycle went airborne, Roberts was ejected. The accident happened a little before 6-p.m., Friday.

Multiple bystanders came to Roberts’ aid, one was a nurse, another was an EMT. Roberts was transported by LifeNet 1-1 to Nebraska Medicine, for treatment of suspected minor injuries. Sheriff’s officials say he was wearing a helmet.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report six arrests took place from July 15th through the 19th. Most recently, 42-year-old Billie Jo Monson, of Glenwood, was arrested Tuesday morning, on a warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. Monson was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail. Monson was previously arrested July 15th, on a warrant for Theft in the 5th as well as Trespass in the 1st (Bond $300).

Early Sunday morning, 31-year-old Marvin De Jesus Cortez, of Omaha, was arrested on Highway 34, for OWI/1st Offense, with bond set at $1,000. Sunday night, 43-year-old David Andrew Farr, of Lincoln, NE, was arrested at 195th & Lambert Avenue in Mills County. Farr was charged with Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs, Poss. of a Controlled Substance, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond set at $2,300.

At around 1-a.m. Friday, 35-year-old Christopher Douglas Grow, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at 310th Street & Highway 34 in Mills County, on charges of Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree, Operating a vehicle without owner’s consent, OWI/1st, Reckless Driving, and Driving Under Suspension ($5,000 bond). At around 1:10-a.m., Friday, 28-year-old Nickolaus Brett Bennett, JR., of Plattsmouth, NE, was arrested for Poss. of a Controlled Substance ($1,000 bond).

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Civil Deputy Spencer Walton reports on arrests conducted between July 7th and the 15th.

On July 14th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 35-year-old Mulap Subba, of Des Moines, on a warrant for Failure to Appear. Subba was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance. On the 14th also, 32-year-old Benjamin Deal, of Marne, was arrested on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault 1st Offense. Deal was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held until his later release on his own recognizance.

On July 11th, 21-year-old Rachael Stanley, of Sac City, was arrested in Cass County, on a warrant for Violation of Probation. Stanley was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held.

On July 9th, 39-year-old Matthew Echternach, of Red Oak, was arrested in Cass County for OWI 3rd Offense and Driving While Revoked. Echternach was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

And finally, on July 7th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 45-year-old Eric Ostrander, of Council Bluffs, on a warrant for Violation of Probation. Ostrander was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

(Creston, Iowa) – A woman from Creston reported to Police Tuesday morning, that someone slashed a tire on her vehicle, unplugged a freezer, and damaged a garage door. The incident occurred at her residence in the 900 block of N. Oak Street. The loss was estimated at $257.

The City Council in Harlan next month will act on appointing a person to fill a soon-to-be vacant seat on the Council. Greg Bladt, the current Ward 4 Councilman, presented his resignation to the Harlan City Council during their meeting, Tuesday. Bladt has served on the Council for the past 6 ½-years. His resignation is effective July 31st, and due to the fact he has accepted a position on the Harlan Community School District’s Board of Education.

Mayor Jay Christensen presented Bladt with the key to the city and thanked him for his service on the Council.

According to Harlan City Administrator Gene Gettys, the Council can opt for a special election to fill the seat, or fill the position by appointment. Individuals residing in the 4th Ward who may want to fill the seat, should turn in their completed nomination form no later than August 16th.