DES MOINES – Gov. Reynolds, Senate Majority Leader Whitver, and Speaker Grassley have reached an agreement to provide property tax relief for Iowans.  Gov. Reynolds, Senate Majority Leader Whitver, and Speaker Grassley released the following joint statement:

“We’ve heard Iowans across the state voice their concern about out-of-control property taxes and the impact on family budgets. Today, we’ve come to an agreement on a path forward. This deal provides much-needed property tax relief for Iowans and lays the groundwork for even bolder reform in the future.

“House File 718 curbs the growth of local governments in a responsible manner and begins reducing property taxes next year. It also provides additional relief for older Iowans and military families and requires property tax bill transparency. In total, the bill is estimated to provide $100 million in relief.

“This is an important first step toward long overdue property tax reform. Iowa’s existing property tax code is outdated, overly complex, and costs Iowans too much of their hard-earned pay. Work on this issue is just getting started.”

Governor Kim Reynolds released the following statement:

“My commitment to cutting taxes for the hard-working people of Iowa has never been stronger. After enacting the largest tax cut in state history last year, I’m proud to work alongside the House and Senate to begin property tax reform this year. Earlier this session I signed legislation to make state government more efficient, effective, and less expensive for Iowa taxpayers. This serves as a model for local governments, and property tax reform is a good first step.”

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver released the following statement:

“We heard the urgent concerns of Iowans about rising property assessments. This agreement delivers on our promise to protect homeowners from huge property tax increases. I appreciate Senator Dawson’s tireless work on this bill, which will result in the most significant property tax reform in our state’s history.”

Speaker Pat Grassley released the following statement:

“With House Republicans representing all 99 of Iowa’s 99 counties, we are in a better position than ever to listen to Iowans. Our constituents spoke loud and clear that property tax relief must be a top priority this session and we got straight to work.  I am very proud of the work Representative Kaufmann has done to deliver on yet another promise made to Iowans. This is a good first step and we will continue to work hard to provide certainty and relief for Iowa taxpayers.”

(Harlan, Iowa) -The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports numerous arrests spanning the time frame of April 1st through the 30th. In order from the most recent to the earliest arrests (Date/name/age/City of residence/Offense(s):

4-30-23:

• Omar Barquero Flores, age 34, Harlan, IA was arrested after a call for service in Harlan. Flores was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Trespass.
• Megan Nicole Gettys, age 28, Harlan, IA was arrested and charged with Violation of a No Contact Order.
• Adam Tyrone Scheffler, age 30, Harlan, IA was charged with Violation of a No Contact order.

4-29-23: Omar Barquero Flores, age 34, Harlan, IA was arrested after a call for service in Harlan. Flores was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Public Intoxication.

4-28-23: Erin Elizabeth Smith, age 41, Kirkman, IA was arrested after a call for service in Kirkman. Smith was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

4-26-23: Daija Suzanne Buttry, age 19, Harlan, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 59. Buttry was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License is suspended and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.

4-25-23: Joshua Lewis Hytrek, age 26, Irwin, IA was arrested following a traffic stop in Irwin, IA. Hytrek was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 2nd, Driving while Barred, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, and Open Container; Pawel Antoni Baran, age 35, Roselle, IL was arrested following a traffic stop in Elk Horn, IA. Baran was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Keeping Vehicle for Controlled Substance

4-23-23: Robert Gail Christo, age 28, Harlan, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on 9th St. Christo was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 1st, Improper Registration Lamp, Open Container, Failure to Provide proof of Financial Liability, and No Valid Driver’s License.

4-20-23: Robert Joseph Arkfeld, age 50, Avoca, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on St F66. Arkfeld was transported to the Shelby County Jail on active Shelby County Warrant for Homicide by Vehicle-Operating Under the Influence. Arkfeld was also charged with Person Ineligible to Carry Dangerous Weapons, Keeping Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance, and Introduce Intoxicants or Drugs into Institution;–Jesse Eugene Hutton, age 33, Harlan, IA was arrested after a call for service in Harlan, IA. Hutton was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Interference with Official Acts.

4-19-23: Kaitlyn Noel Mingo, age 29, East Grand Forks, MN was arrested following a traffic stop on St F32. Mingo was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Failure Affix Drug Stamp, OWI, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Keeping Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance, Controlled Substance Violation, Operating a Non-Registered Vehicle, Open Container, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.

4-16-23: Candelario Hernandez Mosqueda, age 53, Council Bluffs, IA was arrested following a traffic stop in the 1100 Block of Highway 59. Hernandez Mosqueda was transported to the Shelby County Jail and Charged with Driving while License is Suspended.

4-11-23: Christopher Sloan Gifford, age 38, Harlan, IA was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant and charged with Violation of Probation.

4-10-23: Joshua Michael Haggerty, age 28, Harlan, IA was arrested following a traffic stop at 6th St and Durant St, Harlan, IA. Haggerty was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License is Revoked, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.

4-9-23: Ricki Frank Andersen, age 64, Marne, IA was arrested after a call for service in the 2600 Block of 200th St. Andersen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Obstructing Emergency Communication; Nicole Renee Petersen, age 41, Harlan, IA was arrested after a call for service in Irwin, IA. Petersen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Trespassing.

4-8-23: Drew Ashton Gagnon, age 30, Shelby, IA was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant and charged with Violation of Probation.

4-7-23: Anton Jason Ahlhelm, age 25, Harlan, IA was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant and charged with Failure to Appear.

4-6-23: Justin Clay North, age 29, Portsmouth, IA was arrested following a call for service in Portsmouth, IA. North was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Assault.

4-5-23: Fernando Rodriguez Juarez, age 25, Omaha, NE was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 37, Earling, IA. Juarez was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.

4-2-23: Serafin Sanchez Ramirez age 32, Harlan, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on St F32, Harlan, IA. Sanchez Ramirez was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License is Revoked, OWI 2nd and Failure To Provide Financial Liability.

4-1-23: Tiffanie Ann Newcomb, age 37, Kirkman, IA was arrested following a traffic stop in the 1500 block of Peach Rd. Tiffanie was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance, Keeping Premises of Vehicle for Controlled Substance, and Driving while Barred.

(Radio Iowa) – As the weather got warmer, so did the state and regional economies, according to the monthly Creighton University survey of supply managers in Iowa and eight other states. Creighton economist Ernie Goss says for the third straight month, the Midwest’s overall index climbed above growth neutral, which is 50 on a zero-to-100 scale. Goss says the region’s April numbers were particularly encouraging.

“The overall reading jumped significantly up,” Goss says. “It’s still in a slow-growth range to April 54.8, and that’s up from March’s slightly-above-growth neutral reading of 50.8. It was a good reading, but still not back up to the readings we saw at this time last year.” The survey found almost six in ten supply managers fear recession will strike later this year, while about half report having trouble finding qualified workers to fill open positions.

“We’re still seeing labor hoarding out there, because companies really are attempting to not let loose of workers,” Goss says. “They don’t want to let them go knowing full well they may not ever get them back. So in some cases, we’re seeing workers not being fully busy at their jobs, so that’s bringing down productivity.” For April, Goss says hiring numbers were weak. On the plus side for consumers, the survey shows inflation is finally backing off.

“The inflation gauge dropped. It’s down from March’s 77.1 down to April 67.4, and that’s the lowest reading since December of 2022,” Goss says. “We’re seeing less and less inflationary pressures now as the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates and that is putting downward pressure on prices.”

Iowa’s economic numbers looked especially good during April, as the overall index jumped from 49.4 in March to 55.8, well over growth neutral. Goss says between the first quarter of 2022 and this year’s first quarter, Iowa’s hourly manufacturing wages climbed by more than eight-percent.