IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court is giving the green light to a major wind energy expansion by the state’s largest public utility. The court today (Friday) upheld a 2009 decision by the Iowa Utilities Board that guaranteed MidAmerican Energy could raise customers’ rates in the future to pay for a huge wind energy project set to be completed this year. The court rejected a challenge by NextEra Energy Resources, a rival who argued MidAmerican didn’t demonstrate a need for extra capacity and didn’t properly consider other alternatives. In a 5-0 ruling, the court says the board’s decision was based on “substantial evidence” the expansion would reduce emissions, diversify the fuel supply, promote economic development and maintain reasonable prices for customers. MidAmerican spokeswoman Ann Thelen says the company is pleased with the ruling.
 
MidAmerican says it owns the most wind-powered capacity among the nation’s rate-regulated utilities. Among its area projects, are: The Adair Project in Cass and Adair Counties, producing 174.8-megawatts (MW) of power; The Eclipse Project in Audubon and Guthrie Counties, producing 200.1 -mw; The Morning Light Project in Adair County, which produces more than 101.2-mw of power; The Rolling Hills Wind Energy Project in Adair, Adams & Cass Counties, which generates 443.9-mw of power; and the Carroll Project, which can produce up to 150-mw of power.

All together, there are 56 wind turbines which have been built or are in the process of being erected, in those counties. The total amount of energy generated by those turbines amounts to slightly more than 1,070-megawatts. Mid-American says by the end of 2012, all of their wind energy projects, when completed, will have the capacity to generate more then 2,284-megawatts of power. According to the American Wind Energy Association, 1 Megawatt of wind-generated power can provide electricity for anywhere from 240-to 300-households, per year.

For more information: http://www.midamericanenergy.com/wind/include/pdf/facts_iowa_wind.pdf

June is one of Iowa’s most popular months for weddings and if you’ve gotten an invitation to attend someone’s nuptials in a few weeks, you can expect the unexpected. Wedding planner Adelaide Polk-Bauman says many Iowa couples are mixing things up. “When you look at the trends for 2012 there is certainly a theme,” Polk-Bauman. “There are modern twists on the very traditional, classic wedding ideas.” The location is one big change. Many Iowans aren’t getting hitched in churches but instead, they’re tying the knots in mansions and country clubs — or in backyard gardens of their own homes.  “Brides are pushing the envelope,” she says. “They’re getting married in modern art museums and refurbished barns that kind of capture that vintage, old world feel but maybe with more of a contemporary look.”

Polk-Bauman says one tradition has returned — in the wedding dress itself.  “The royal wedding really influenced a lot of brides’ decisions for their dress,” she says. “Everybody saw Kate Middleton choosing a very classic, traditional white wedding dress, long lace sleeves, with the train and the veil, the works, but she made a point of going with a very contemporary designer. Alexander McQueen is known for really mixing things up in the fashion space.” Polk-Bauman says the traditional hand-tied wedding bouquet is also making a comeback.  “Brides we’re seeing are choosing white flowers, the traditional but smaller bouquets,” she says. “If you have a particular flower in mind, you may want to try to plan you wedding in season of the flower so your budget doesn’t go through the roof.”

Polk-Bauman says many brides are jazzing the flowers up by adding sparkling ribbons or gemstones. When it comes to the reception, some Iowa brides are skipping the three-tier wedding cakes for cupcakes. Also, instead of a sit-down dinner, some are opting for a specialty buffet like a taco bar.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Guthrie County say five people were arrested over the past couple of weeks, on drug charges. On Sunday (June 3^rd), 52-year old Kevin Dale Ross, of Manning, was arrested for possession of marijuana first offense and possession of drug paraphernalia following a routine traffic stop on Highway 141 approximately three miles east of Coon Rapids. 

On Friday (June 1^st), 19-year old Jacob Ryan Scherer, of Grimes, was arrested on a charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, after a search warrant was issued for a residence in Panora. The warrant was issued as a follow-up to a traffic stop which occurred the previous day. Online court records indicate Scherer pled not guilty. His Pre-Trial hearing will take place on July 5^th, with trial set for July 26^th. 

On Thursday, May 31^st, 31-year old Ryan Carl Koester, of Ankeny, was detained by Guthrie County authorities on two Polk County warrants for failure to pay child support, following a routine traffic stop east of Guthrie Center, on Highway 44. Koester was also arrested for possession of marijuana first offense and possession of drug paraphernalia. Also arrested during the traffic stop was 28-year old Cory Michael Dawkins, of Clive. He was taken into custody on two counts of Possession of Controlled Substances/Marijuana.

And, on May 25th, 20-year old Holly Joelle Jensen, of Menlo, was arrested for possession of Xanax, first offense, following a traffic stop west of Stuart, on White Pole Road. Jensen was released on $1,000 bond. Court records show her arraignment will take place July 2^nd.

LOGAN, Iowa (AP) – A former western Iowa school principal accused of pulling down the pants of a student has been found guilty of simple assault.  Online court records say 35-year-old Mike Loftin was given a year of unsupervised probation after his conviction on Wednesday. He also was given a deferred judgment, which means the conviction could be removed from his record if he successfully completes probation.
 
Loftin, who lives in Omaha, Neb., was principal for the West Harrison Community School district junior-senior high school in Mondamin.  Loftin also coached the girls’ basketball team. Authorities say he pulled down a girl’s warm-up pants before a game on Jan. 20. She wasn’t wearing uniform or gym shorts underneath.  He was fired in late January.