(Radio Iowa) – Some House Republicans are publicly stating their opposition to the governor’s plan to create state scholarships to cover expenses for sending 10-thousand students to a private school. Republican Representative Megan Jones of Sioux Rapids, who is opposed to the bill, says the votes just aren’t there in the House to pass it. “I myself have a lot of concerns about that bill, too, because I don’t think it’s going to impact any kids in our area,” Jones says, “and so if we’re going to pile more money into this, I don’t want to see that money just going to Des Moines.”

There are more than a dozen private schools in the Des Moines metro, including Dowling Catholic and Des Moines Christian High Schools — while 42 of Iowa’s 99 counties do not have a private or parochial school. Jones says the 55-million dollar price tag for the governor’s private school scholarships is also a worry. “We could only do 2.5% supplemental state aid for our public schools, but now we’re going to bite off another huge chunk here,” Jones says. “…I’m just not sure we can carry that through.” Jones is vice chair of the legislative committee that meets year-round to oversee state regulations.

The Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and a retiring Republican lawmaker from Walcott announced at a forum in the Quad Cities that they are opposed to the spending plan.

The Glenwood Police Department reports the arrest on Wednesday, of a Sioux City, Iowa, resident. 39-year-old Leslie Wilson was arrested for Driving While Barred. Wilson’s cash or surety bond was set at $2,000.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department says officials with AgriVision Equipment, in Creston, reported Wednesday morning, that one of their vehicles was stolen. A white, 2020 Chevy Silverado pickup registered to AgriVision, was stolen. The vehicle was valued at $37,200.

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(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic, Wednesday, approved a request from Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) Community Development Director Alexsis Fleener, to support an application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), for a $900,000 CDBG-CV (Community Development Block Grant-Covid Recovery) grant to facilitate facade improvements to buildings in the 200-to 210-block of Chestnut Street, in downtown Atlantic.

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Fleener says the City’s support is needed in advance of the submission of the application to IEDA, as they will judge which projects are to be approved in the next grant cycle. The application deadline is April 30th. If approved, the City would act as the holder of the construction contract without any financial obligation. The building’s owners are Keith and Cindy Steffens.

The proposed plan will bring the buildings to good condition by repairing or replacing elements of the fronts of the buildings, which could include brick tuckpointing, windows, doors, painting, awnings, and storefront work.

The Steffens’ property is not the only project on the list for downtown improvements.

She says once it begins, construction will take approximately ten months to complete and must be completed by June 2023. In other news, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved a preliminary plat for the Redwood Subdivision for residential development. The land will be used for the creation of nine new lots for single-family homes. The first reading of a related ordinance changing the area zoning classification from R-4 (multiple family) to R-2 (low density single family),was also approved.

The Atlantic City Council also held and approved the first reading of Ordinances pertaining to the “Mowing of Properties” (reducing the maximum allowable growth of grass from 12 inches to 9 inches), and an Ordinance under Nuisance Abatement to include the amended mowing ordinance.

If the property owner fails to comply after the 2nd notice, the City would mow the grass and bill the owner accordingly. The hourly rate for mowing would be considerably higher than if a private mower were hired to handle the unsightly grassy area.

(Radio Iowa) – Eight people were arrested on Wednesday as part of an undercover investigation by Iowa Drug Task Force agents in Marshalltown and the surrounding area. According to a press release from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, three Marshalltown residents were taken into custody by law enforcement authorities after a search warrant was issued at a home located at 522 North Center Street.

Twenty-seven-year-old Austin Peter Baer was arrested and charged with having possession of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine), with intent to deliver; failing to affix a drug tax stamp; and violating a parole warrant. Twenty-nine-year-old Scott William Doc Slocum was also arrested and charged with violating a parole warrant, while 22-year-old Ramon Jesus Mora was charged with having possession of a schedule II controlled substance (meth).

A search warrant was also issued by authorities at a home located at 206 South Third Avenue, at which time multiple arrests were made. Thirty-year-old Omar Alejandro Cruz, and 26-year-old Stefani Jo Perdue, both of Marshalltown were each charged with having possession of a schedule II controlled substance (meth); engaging in prohibited acts; and possession of drug paraphernalia. Thirty-one-year-old Jose Eduardo Victor of Marshalltown was also arrested at the same address on felony warrants. In addition, 45-year-old Michael Joseph Alexander of Wellsburg was arrested by authorities in Wellsburg on a failure to appear warrant.

A warrant was also issued by authorities in Hampton, resulting in the arrest of 41-year-old Andrew Craig Buttshaw on charges of having possession of a schedule II controlled substance (meth); and possession of drug paraphernalia. Warrants were also served at three other addresses in Marshalltown on Wednesday with no additional arrests being made. However, the search did lead to the seizure of a “distributional” amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, with a stolen vehicle also being recovered.

According to the press release, a minor child was also encountered while the warrants were being served.

(Radio Iowa) – The City of Ottumwa has a pit bull ban in place, but the city’s leadership are discussing some changes to the ordinance after hearing from some community members. Ottumwa City Council member Cara Galloway says while she can emphasize with the public’s feelings on both sides of the debate, some people are out of line. I don’t like the threatening emails, the bullying tactics and people being rude,” she said at this week’s city council meeting. “I’m sorry. I understand this is a heated issue, but threatening and bullying is not going to get anyone anywhere. It’s really just going to shut us down from listening and truly understanding what you’re trying to say.”

City Council member Marc Roe says some citizens have threatened legal action.  “People are taking pictures of litigation papers and (saying): ‘We’re just going to sue the city if we don’t get what we want,'” he said during this week’s council meeting. “Here’s my invitation: If the speed of this process to make sure it’s done correctly is not to your liking, please hire an attorney because we’re not going to be threatened by litigation.”

City Administrator Phil Rath did not directly mention the pit bull ban at the council’s meeting this week, but indicated council discussions about the ordinance began last fall. “We looked at other communities, the Iowa Humane Society, different resources,” he said. “The public weighed in, has been weighing in — the pros, cons, people for and against.”

A revised version of the ordinance is expected to be read during the Ottumwa City Council’s May 3rd meeting. It must be publicly read three times at these meetings before the city council can vote on it. The earliest that vote could happen is June 7th. Ottumwa has had a pit bull ban since 2002 after a child died following a pit bull attack.

(Neola, Iowa) – One person was transported to the hospital Wednesday morning by the Neola Fire Department, following a collision in front of the Tri-Center High School in Neola. The accident happened at around 7:45-a.m. No other details are currently available. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

Photo courtesy of Zach Ploen.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, welcomed the City’s newest Police Officer and his family. Nicholas Wimmer was sworn-in with the Oath of Office from Mayor Grace Garrett. Afterward, he spoke about his background and family. Officer Wimmer has two young girls. He and his wife Jamie have been married for nine-years. They moved to the area from Council Bluffs.

Officer Wimmer said his wife sent him a link to the Atlantic P-D job opening. The couple purchased a house in Elk Horn (Iowa), and moved-in Tuesday.

Newly sworn-in Atlantic Police Officer Nicholas Wimmer is congratulated by Mayor Grace Garrett.

Joining his wife and kids in the audience, Wednesday evening, was his mother, father, grandmother and great-great grandmother.

Police Chief Devin Houge said there remains one more position to be filled on the police force before he has a full complement of Officers.

(Breda, IA April 21, 2022) – In early 2021, Western Iowa Networks (WIN) announced fiber optic construction projects as part of a public-private partnership with Mills County. WIN and Mills County have teamed up once again to expand fiber optics even further in Mills County. An area just north of Glenwood has been mapped out which includes portions of Ellington & Gaston Avenues as well as 230th & 237th Streets and an area along and just east of 221st Street (s outlined in red on the map below.)

WIN CEO Jeff Roiland stated, “We are very happy to be working with Mills County again on this particular project that will make fiber available to almost 230 additional Mills County homes.” Roiland added “What we have been able to accomplish through this partnership is truly extraordinary and is a huge benefit to the residents of Mills County. The vision of the County Supervisors to see what this will do for their home and business owners in building towards the future is quite remarkable.”

Construction will be wrapping up in the Loess Hills fiberhood project this summer and the crews will then transition to begin construction in the Glenwood North fiberhood. Once a more accurate timeline is available, it will be posted on the Status of Fiberhoods page here https://fiber.westianet.com/mills-county-map/. This network will bring fiber internet with speeds of 100Gbps, 500Gbps and 1Gbps as well as Phone to residents in this area. WIN will be offering construction of a fiber drop to the home at no cost as well as free installation to everyone who signs up for services before the network construction is complete.

Mills County Supervisor Lonnie Mayberry stated “Mills County and Western Iowa Networks started our partnership a few years ago when we worked together on our Broadband Study. Since then, the partnership has grown exponentially. Mills County assisted in helping WIN acquire several grants to install fiber throughout the entire unincorporated part of the county.” Mayberry added “This will help the residents of Mills County both now and into the future. They’re a great company to work with and the staff and support is top notch. I can’t recommend them enough.”

Residents and businesses in any of the service area can sign up for fiber optic services online at www.westianet.com, by calling or texting 712-775-2946 or by calling toll-free at 888-508-2946.