America reached a dubious record this week for having gasoline prices of at least three-dollars a gallon for one-thousand straight days. Gail Weinholzer, spokeswoman for Triple-A-Iowa, says unless we fall into a recession again, we’ll likely have prices that high for another thousand days — or more. Weinholzer says, “The record for a thousand consecutive days over $3 was set nationally a couple of days ago, Tuesday to be exact, but it will not be set until next week in Iowa, because Iowa hit the $3 level one week later than the nation did.”

The last time Iowa had gas prices averaging under three-bucks a gallon was December 28th of 2010. Weinholzer says it’s possible we may not see pump prices that low again. “Certainly not within the next couple of years,” Weinholzer says. “There’s no reason to anticipate that, even though in some areas, production is increasing when you look like things like fracking.”

Earlier this year, Iowa spent five days with the average price above four-dollars a gallon — in late May. Even with the rising popularity of ethanol, the growth in the use of electric and hybrid cars, and efforts to produce oil domestically, Weinholzer says key developing nations are just starting to use gas-powered vehicle technology. “You have to keep in mind that probably tens of thousands of people in China and India are buying their very first automobiles every month as we go forward,” Weinholzer says. “As a result, even though there is an increase in some areas of crude oil development, there is a more significant increase in demand.”

Iowa’s current average price for gasoline is three-52 a gallon, three-cents higher than the national average.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An attorney for a teen accused of killing a 5-year-old Atlantic boy is asking that his case be moved to juvenile court.  The Des Moines Register reports that public defender Michael Williams of Sioux City is also asking for a full evaluation of 17-year-old Cody Metzker-Madsen‘s mental health, juvenile court history and family history.  The teen’s family has said he is mentally disabled and has the mental capacity of a preschooler.

A judge has scheduled a hearing for Sept. 30, the same day the teen is supposed to be arraigned.  Authorities believe Metzker-Madsen killed 5-year-old Dominic Elkins, whose body was found at the bottom of a ravine near Logan, on Aug. 31st.

The teen and the boy had lived at the same foster home for nearly three weeks.

An Atlantic man who was set to stand trial next month on domestic assault charges, will instead appear in court Monday (Sept. 23^rd), to enter a plea of guilty. 46-year old Rex Dean McDermott was arrested on October 13^th, 2012, following an incident which allegedly occurred at a feed dealership, in Atlantic. His sentencing will take place at a later date.

McDermott had initially plead not guilty to a felony charge of Willful Injury causing bodily injury, and a serious misdemeanor charge of Domestic Abuse Assault causing bodily injury/mental illness. McDermott was released on bond a few days after his arrest, and was ordered to have no contact with his alleged victim.  His trial date was continued several times this year, with the last date set for Oct. 22nd.

A series of town hall meetings meant to inform Iowans about the federal health care overhaul begin this weekend. Angel Robinson, with the Iowa Insurance Division, says individuals and business owners can ask questions about the health insurance marketplace that goes live on October 1st. “We are going out to a couple places nearly every week. We are hoping that people will come and will come with their questions, to get educated, to understand, so they’re not surprised by the changes that are coming,” Robinson says. The Affordable Care Act requires everyone to have insurance coverage in 2014 or pay a tax penalty.

“This affects everybody. You either have to have coverage or find it or decide you will take the penalty. People don’t always realize that, so we definitely want to talk to them,” Robinson says. Iowans will be able to access a marketplace allowing them to compare health insurance plans and see if they qualify for subsidies to help pay for premiums. More than 20 informational meetings are planned around the state through November 21st.

Locally, meetings on the health care changes will be held:

Nov. 6^th, in Carroll, from 6:30-to 7:30-pm.

Nov. 7^th, in Atlantic, from Noon until 1-p.m., at the Cass County Community Center

Nov. 13^th, in Clarinda, from 6:30-to 7:30-pm at the Lied Public Library.

Details about additional meeting times and locations are available on the Iowa Insurance Division website at http://www.iid.state.ia.us/sites/default/files/page/2013/04/10/consumer_flyer_des_moines_pdf_20635.pdf

(Radio Iowa)