(Lee’s Summit, MO.) – With the Mother’s Day weekend ahead of us, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) points out it is a time of the year with increased traffic on the roadways. The Iowa State Patrol is participating in a special traffic safety initiative this weekend, to focus on unsafe drivers that include speeders and those who fail to move-over for emergency vehicles. The Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) takes place now (May 6th) through Sunday.

ISP Col. Nathan Fulk

On Thursday, authorities from Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas, gathered for a NHTSA Region 7 Mother’s Day Weekend Press Conference in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, to discuss each state’s part in making sure people make it to their destination for Mother’s Day, and safely returning home. Iowa State Patrol Col. Nathan Fulk spoke about some sobering Iowa traffic statistics.

He said the agencies represented at the press conference have a priority of reducing serious injury, fatal crashes on the roadways (and) not just for this upcoming Mother’s Day weekend, but on a more permanent basis.

Iowa’s “Move Over” law is when a motorist encounters any vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road, they must either move over safely or slow down. Slowing downs doesn’t mean just tapping your brakes, it means reducing your speed by at least 20 miles per hour. If the lane next to you is clear, you must signal to move over, and proceed to change lanes until you are past any vehicle parked, or slowly moving, on the shoulder.

(Radio Iowa) – By most accounts, it’s been a miserable spring in Iowa, with chilly temperatures, plentiful rain and even a few late season snow storms, but forecasters say a big change is coming in a few days. After another cool, drizzly day today (Friday), National Weather Service meteorologist Brad Small says we’ll be skipping from wearing coats and gloves directly to shorts and t-shirts. “We’ll gradually warm through the weekend and really flip the switch into summer,” Small says. “As we start next week, we’ll see highs widespread across Iowa in the 80s and we’ll see dew points up into the 60s, at least, with people probably turning on their air conditioners because it will be definitely warm and humid.”

By Tuesday and Wednesday, high temps across Iowa’s southern half may be climbing into the mid and upper 80s to near 90. Small says it’s a big change in a short time. “The extended outlooks are for more above normal temperatures,” Small says. “Normal highs right now are, depending on what part of the state you’re in, they’re right around 70 degrees, so highs in the 80s are definitely above normal.”

Small warns the arrival of this warming trend may include a higher risk of hazardous weather. “When we turn on the heat and humidity, that does introduce some storm chances,” Small says. “We could have some stronger thunderstorms on Sunday or Monday. Right now, there’s an outlook for a slight risk of severe weather on Monday to keep an eye on as we start the next work week.”

We may experience that Iowa weather phenomenon next week of running both the heater and the air conditioner on the same day.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report the arrest at around 1:40-a.m. today (Friday), of 22-year-old Jonah Lee Kirsch, from Des Moines. Kirsch was taken into custody in the 100 block of E> Maple Street, in Red Oak, for Driving While Barred. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – An Iowa man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a policeman during the riot at the U.S. Capitol last year on January 6th. Thirty-eight-year-old Kyle Young of Redfield pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting or impeding officers and faces a maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison.

Court documents indicate Young aimed a strobe light at a police line and was part of a group that spearheaded the beating of D-C Metro Officer Michael Fanone on the Capitol steps. Fanone suffered a heart attack after being repeatedly shocked with his own taser.

Fanone identified Young in a line up as an attacker who threatened to kill him with his own police gun.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds is not revealing details, but Reynolds says she may agree to adjustments in her plan to provide state scholarships to some parents who enroll their child in private or religious schools. All but one Republican in the state senate has endorsed the idea of providing 10-thousand of these scholarships for private schooling, but it currently lacks the votes to pass the Republican led Iowa House.

“We need to provide opportunities for all families to make sure that their child has every opportunity to learn in an environment where they can thrive…but I need to talk and look at compromises, too, and so we’re working through that process right now and I think we’re making progress,” Reynolds says. “I feel good about it. We still have a lot of work to do, but I feel like we’re moving in the right direction.” Reynolds says she has meetings every single day as she tries round up votes.

“I continue to meet with families, I continue to meet with educators. I continue to meet with superintendents,” Reynolds says, “and, of course, legislators who are a big part of that.” Reynolds says as she meets with superintendents who oppose state scholarships for private schooling, she’s been expressing support for public schools AND explaining how other states are spending tax dollars on charter schools as well as private and religious schools.

“That’s been helpful, too,” Reynolds says. “You know, I don’t have any illusions, as I said earlier, that I’ve changed their minds, but I feel good to be able to have the opportunity to actually sit down at a table and have that conversation,” Reynolds says, “and talk about things that maybe we can do next year to provide them some flexibility, to look at the education formula. It is antiquated and to really walk through flexibility and different chapters that may be helpful for them as well.”

A formula originally established in state law in the 1970s is used to distribute state tax dollars to public schools on a per pupil basis. Reynolds had a private meeting with parents in Marion this week to talk about a Linn-Mar School District policy for transgender students. Reynolds says those parents feel trapped in the public school system and her idea for state-funded scholarships for private schools would help them.

“I think parents need an option if they feel that their child is not being educated in a safe environment or they feel that their values aren’t being represented at school,” she said, “or they feel that the school district is not focused on a quality education.” Linn-Mar officials say the transgender support plan the school board adopted last week aligns with federal requirements the district has been following for years. Reynolds says the district is “way off track” and — after meeting with upset Linn-Mar parents — she’d consider legislation that would require all Iowa students to use the bathroom in their school that matches the gender listed on their birth certificate.

“You think back to when you were in high school, some of the things you did,” Reynolds says. “Think about a girl going into a restroom and having boys peering over the top taking photos. Talk about how uncomfortable that would be — and that’s what some of their kids are experiencing.” Reynolds made her comments during a brief question and answer session with reporters in her statehouse office.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Late Thursday evening, Atlantic Police released information about a stabbing that had taken place earlier in the day, Thursday. According to Police Chief Devin Hogue, 30-year-old Anthony Rey Asay, of Atlantic, was arrested at around 2:43-p.m., on a Felony charge of Willful Injury causing Bodily Injury, along with charges that include Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) – 1st Offense, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, and Interference with Official Acts.

Chief Hogue says the A-PD was notified by the Cass County Communications Center at around 2:32-p.m., about a stabbing that had occurred at 106 Cedar Street. During the investigation, police made contact with the victim, who was checked-out by Cass County EMS for injuries suffered in the assault. While the investigation was underway, police were also notified an assault had also occurred at around 11:00-a.m. Thursday.

The investigations led Police to take Asay into custody at 1207 Birch Street, on the aforementioned charges. Hogue says Asay was uncooperative during his apprehension, and resisted arrest. Police were assisted in their investigation by Deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol.

No other details are being released at this time. If you have any information regarding the incident, you’re asked to call the Atlantic Police Department at 712-243-3512.  Anthony Asay has a long history of arrests. Prior to his alleged involvement in Thursdays’ stabbing, he was arrested in Pottawattamie County Wednesday, in connection with a Road Rage incident. He was charged with Assault, Driving While Barred and Poss. of a Controlled Substance.

Asay had also been arrested in April, 2022, for Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, and in January for Poss. of a Controlled Substance and Eluding. Asay was arrested numerous times in 2021, including for Simple Assault in July.

**Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.**

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says she will not be proposing any new abortion restrictions until after the U.S. Supreme Court issues its ruling on abortion. “No, we’re going to wait until we get the final ruling,” Reynolds says. “You know I am pro-life. I’ve made that very clear. I’m proud of the legislation I signed in 2018 and I am going to do everything I can to protect the unborn.”

That 2018 law calling for a ban on abortions was ruled unconstitutional. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that Iowa women have a fundamental right to an abortion under the State of Iowa’s Constitution. Since then, a majority of the justices on the Iowa Supreme Court have been appointed by Reynolds and she has asked the court to overturn that ruling. Reynolds says she doesn’t plan to ask legislators to pass any abortion-related measures in the not-yet-concluded 2022 session.

“We’ve got an issue before our Supreme Court, so we’ve got a lot of things that, you know, are in the works,” Reynolds says, “so let’s see where those things end up and then we’ll do what we need to do.” The Republican-led legislature has also drafted a constitutional amendment that says the document is silent on abortion, but 2024 is the earliest Iowans could vote on the proposal.

Reynolds spoke with reporters today (Thursday) after speaking at a National Day of Prayer service in the Iowa Capitol. She told the crowd of worshipers the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court are under tremendous pressure after the leak of draft opinion that indicates at least five justices have voted to overturn Roe v Wade.”This week, a glimmer of light broke through the darkness in the form of an early indication that the court is prepared to undue this fatal mistake,” Reynolds says. Reynolds asked the crowd to pray for the Supreme Court justices.

“And let’s not rest until our laws and our society recognize all human beings are precious, not matter how small,” Reynolds said, to applause. She read a National Prayer Day proclamation, then said a prayer. Other legislators and elected officials also prayed at the event. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, a Democrat, prayed for all officials at the state and federal level, including Reynolds as well as President Biden and the U.S. Supreme Court. Miller also mentioned the government and the people of Ukraine in his prayer.

May 5, 2022 (DES MOINES) – Governor Reynolds today announced a total of nearly $20 million in investments to support downtown housing projects in 61 communities, which will create 466 new homes for Iowans. Awards were made through the Downtown Housing Grant program, which provides support for downtown revitalization through new housing opportunities in communities with populations of 30,000 or below.

In southwest Iowa, the projects include:

• Atlantic: $300,000 for Upper Story Conversion at 300 Chestnut Street (4 units)
• Clarinda – $200,000 for Upper Story Conversion at 115 E Main Street (2 units),
• Coon Rapids – $200,000 for Upper Story Conversion at 511 Main Street (2 units),
• Corning – $200,000 for Upper Story Conversion at 721 Davis Avenue (2 units),
• Creston – $600,000 for Upper story Conversion at 110 N Maple Street (12 units),
• Glenwood – $200,000 for Upper Story Conversion at 2 N Walnut (2 units),
• Griswold – $300,000 for Upper Story Conversion at 421 Main Street (5 units),
• Logan – $178,984 for Upper Story Conversion at 307 E 7^th Street (2 units),
• Neola – $162,000 for Upper Story Conversion at 101 4^th Street (3 units),
• Stanton – $100,000 for Upper Story Conversion at 312 Broadway Avenue (1 unit),
• Stuart – $180,000 for Upper Story Conversion at 203 E Front Street (4 units).

“An adequate housing supply is the lynchpin to attracting and retaining a healthy and flourishing workforce,” said Gov. Reynolds.  “The investments announced today will not only provide 466 Iowans the opportunity to live near where they work but they will breathe new life into dozens of underutilized facilities in our communities.”

Examples of projects awarded funds through the program include the former Iowa Mutual Insurance building in DeWitt which will create 53 rental homes; A former middle school in Jefferson will be converted into 25 rental homes; And an historic brewery in Cascade that has sat vacant for the past 25 years will create 10 new rental homes.

The program will spur the conversion of a total of two former schools, seven underutilized facilities and 52 upper story buildings into housing. “This program provides a unique and transformative opportunity to both revitalize our communities and increase our housing stock across the state,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Communities have answered the call for unique and inspiring housing projects, and I look forward to seeing them come to fruition.”

The program had $20 million available for awards and received 94 applications requesting $31 million in funding. Projects were scored on a competitive basis on criteria including project appropriateness, funding and partnerships, impact on housing in the community and population size.

The Downtown Housing Grant Program is a part of Gov. Reynolds’ $100 million investment to increase the supply of housing options and protect and expand housing opportunities for Iowans to live in or near the communities where they work. The funds are made available through Federal American Rescue Act State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A man suspected of stabbing another man Thursday afternoon in Atlantic, was taken into custody after he barricaded himself in the area of 13th and Birch, and then fought with law enforcement. According to dispatch information, a male subject at 109 Cedar Street** suffered apparent non-life threatening injuries during the incident that happened at around 2:30-p.m.

While Police were on the scene investigating, they learned a man was barricaded in a residence about 10 blocks south of there. The suspect was taken into custody at around 2:45-p.m. Additional information is currently unavailable.

**Police said later, the address was 106 Cedar. Not 109 as in the initial dispatch**

DES MOINES, Iowa (May 5, 2022) — The Wellmark Foundation has notified 22 Iowa organizations they will receive Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grant funds, contingent upon securing the required dollar-for-dollar match. To ensure community support for these projects, organizations have until Aug. 17 to secure their matching funds. Each of these grantees are planning projects that can help individuals, families and communities achieve better health through built environment initiatives that encourage physical activity or providing access to healthy foods.

“Each project included here has the potential to make a positive, long-term impact on the overall health and well-being of their community which will enhance the quality of life for generations to come,” said Mary Lawyer, executive director for The Wellmark Foundation. “We’re excited to see the planning, focus and community engagement within each of the selected applications.”

Among the (area) organizations and projects selected to receive a 2022 MATCH Grant is:

Carroll County Conservation Board, $100,000: Sauk Rail Trail Resurfacing – Swan Lake to Maple River (Carroll); A beautiful 33-mile trail system connecting Swan Lake State Park and Black Hawk State Park, the Sauk Rail Trail provides an excellent place for biking, walking, jogging and in-line skating and is open for snowmobiling and cross-county skiing during the winter, and portions of the trail are open for hunting during the appropriate seasons. The Sauk Rail Trail resurfacing project will update 6.2 miles of existing aging asphalt trail to concrete, providing a safer experience for trail users.
Casey Service Club, Inc., $100,000: Abram Rutt Park Trail (Casey) ; The Abram Rutt Park Trail will be a paved walking and biking path that follows the perimeter of Abram Rutt Park. The trail will be graded to protect the path from any potential flooding, and benches will be added along the trail for people to stop, relax and enjoy the scenery.
City of Afton, $65,000: Trail Extension to Rec Complex (Afton) – This trail extension project will create a multi-purpose trail along the county road connecting the city to the school, trails and sidewalks in existing residential areas where safe off-street walkways currently do not exist. The project will also connect existing trails and sidewalk systems at Scott and Temple streets to East Union Schools and the community sports complex.
City of Lenox, $100,000: Recreational Trail Extension — Phase I & II (Lenox); As part of a two-phased project, phase I of the recreational trail extension project will extend existing trails and add connectors between the Lenox School District and newly developed athletic courts, encouraging safe walking and biking for students and families. Phase II will further extend the trail, add safe crossings and signage.
City of Winterset, $100,000: Winterset All-Inclusive Playground (Winterset); The Winterset all-inclusive playground project will create a play space that encourages play and activities for all abilities.The creation of an all-inclusive playground within the 76-acre Winterset City Park will include ramps, a merry-go-round, zipline, safety surfacing, adaptive switch technology, swings, proper draining, safe curbing and sidewalks all around.

“The Wellmark Foundation recognizes sustainable changes take time and we are pleased to continue to offer these grant opportunities to support the overall health and well-being of local communities,” said Lawyer. “Recently, we have better aligned the grant focus and awards to encourage even more communities to get involved and take advantage of support from The Wellmark Foundation and upcoming improvements will allow for a more defined focus on physical activity and healthy foods.”

Since its inception in 1991, The Wellmark Foundation has awarded nearly $58 million in grant and project funding to initiatives that positively impact the well-being of Iowans and South Dakotans.