DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa has become one of a dozen states to notify domestic violence victims when protective orders have been issued to keep an abuser away from the victim. Attorney General Tom Miller announced the program Tuesday, saying it’s financed by a federal Department of Justice grant. Ongoing costs of $160,000 come from a state program funded by fines and penalties assessed against criminals. Domestic abuse victims now may sign up with the state and receive automated phone call or email notifications when courts issue a protective order. That includes notification of when an order is about to expire.  Miller says the program’s intent is to give victims peace of mind.  Last year the Iowa Protective Order Notification for Domestic Abuse Program processed more than 15,000 protective and no-contact orders.

Members of the Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School District’s Board of Education will hold a special meeting this Thursday morning (May 3rd) in the Superintendent’s Office at the High School, in Elk Horn. On their agenda is discussion about and possible action on, approving a resolution for adopting a Redistricting Plan, and the redrawing of Director District boundaries.

Sheriff’s officials in Audubon County say an Audubon man was arrested this (Tuesday) morning, on a drug-related warrant. 47-year old Roger Lee Bates was taken into custody at around 9:30-a.m., on a warrant charging him with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Gathering where drugs are used. The charges are the result of an investigation into an incident that occurred on April 19^th at a residence on Washington Street, in Audubon. Bates appeared before the magistrate, and was released on $1,000 bond. His preliminary hearing will take place May 21st. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department was assisted in its investigation, by officers with the Audubon Police Department.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says the Atlantic Downtown Beautification Group, in association with the City of Atlantic’s Community Promotion Commission (CPC), will plant more than 5,000 petunias during the sixth annual “Atlantic: A Great Place to Put Down Roots” event on Tuesday, May 15^th, from 4 to 7 p.m. Officials say hundreds of volunteers will beautify Downtown Atlantic and City Park by planting flowers provided by Hy-Vee, and reviving the many flower beds.

Funds to purchase the flowers come from the City through the Local Option Sales Tax. A team of workers gather to plant and maintain the beds over the course of the summer. Volunteers will receive a free meal at the Rock Island Depot following the planting in appreciation for their time and efforts.

In order to participate, volunteers must sign up by May 11th at 5 p.m. by calling the Chamber at 243-3017. Former volunteers are encouraged to wear their planting t-shirt from previous years to celebrate the longevity of the Spring Planting event. Businesses, service organizations and families of all ages are encouraged to take part. To register for the event, call the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com, with the name of your volunteers.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is narrowing down plans for a new high-speed passenger railway linking Chicago and Omaha. A two-million dollar study looks at possible routes across Iowa, with stops in the Quad Cities, Iowa City and Des Moines. The DOT’s Amanda Martin says the project is a long way from completion and it’s uncertain where the money will originate. “We do have the funding in place for the study,” Martin says. “We’re just in the study mode right now and that was the two-million dollars I mentioned earlier.” One-million of that is coming from Iowa, with another million matched by the federal government. Martin says since the chosen route goes through populated areas and uses already-laid track, it will be affordable and profitable.

Martin says this train would -not- be like the one Amtrak runs through the southern part of the state. “The service is very different from the service we are studying now,” she says. “The service we’re studying now is inner city passenger rail service, typically between two urban areas.” She says this train would run a lot more often and go much faster, making it a viable alternative to driving. The project is still in its infancy, but the DOT is hosting public forums on-line and in person. In-person meetings are planned in Des Moines tomorrow (Wednesday) and in Council Bluffs on Thursday.

Learn more at: “iowadot.gov”.

(Matt Kelley/Radio Iowa)