(Radio Iowa) – There will be no debate in the Iowa House this week due to the impasse over a plan to create state scholarships to cover private school expenses for 10-thousand students. The proposal is Governor Kim Reynolds’ top priority. Republicans in the Senate have endorsed it, but there aren’t enough Republicans in the House who will vote for the bill. The speaker of the House says discussions about the budget and other policy decisions are on hold as a result. Democrats, who occupy about 39 percent of the 150 seats in the legislature, aren’t part of the negotiations, if any are happening. “We’re at ‘Let’s Make A Backroom Deal’ time.”

That’s Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City. Senator Bill Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo, suggests the negotiating strategy the governor and Senate Republicans are using will backfire.  “The House isn’t here. They aren’t here. They don’t want to get beat up on,” Dotzler says. “They don’t want to change their votes on some of these bills, so playing chicken with them isn’t the right way to do stuff.”

The governor and Senate Republicans have agreed on a one-week delay in sending out a person’s first unemployment check along with reducing the maximum duration of benefits from 26 to 16 weeks. House Republicans passed a bill that would cut 10 weeks off unemployment benefits, but omitted the one-week delay. Senator Jesse Green, a Republican from Boone, says it’s a rarity for a Republican governor to have Republicans occupying more than 60 percent of the seats in the legislature. “This is a very unique moment in Iowa political history,” Green says. “The last time we had a trifecta this large was in 1972. It was exactly 52 years ago this year, so Iowans are expecting something different out of Republicans this year, something pretty special.”

Green says G-O-P leaders should take as much time as they need to reach an agreement on the governor’s top priority. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights says the longer the stalemate lasts, the worse it will be for Iowans. “It is silly and irresponsible to keep this legislative session open just because the governor has a wish that she’s not going to get this legislative session,” Konfrst says. “It is disrespectful and it’s a waste of everyone’s time.”

Konfrst says it would make more sense to focus attention on affordable housing and child care issues. “I don’t see that happening,” Konfrst says. “I know Iowans are frustrated. They see this as politics as usual.” Today (Tuesday) is the 100th day of the 2022 legislative session.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department reports numerous arrests dating back to April 7th. On Sunday (April 17), 38-year-old Nolen Billy, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. There were five arrests in Atlantic on April 16th:

• 47-year-old Ian Haas, of Emerson, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense.
• 42-year-old Kim Trost, of Red Oak, was arrested for Public Intoxication.
• 39-year-old George Johnson, of Ft. Dodge, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree.
• 30-year-old Anthony Asay, of Atlantic, was arrested for Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, and
• 43-year old Monty Casteel, of Atlantic, was arrested April 16th for Violation of a No Contact Order.

On April 14th, 25-year-old Sotonas Aten, and 23-year-old Merma Sefich, both of Atlantic, were each arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault.  On April 12th, 21-year-old Kyle Gehling, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Violation of Probation.

On April 9th, there were three people arrested in Atlantic:

• 35-year-old Leslie Herrick, of Atlantic, was arrested for shoplifting (5th Degree Theft).
• 20-year-old Alvin Nantz and 19-year-old Owen Hensen, both of Atlantic, were each arrested for Public Intoxication and Interference with Official Acts.

And, as previously reported, on April 7th, 19-year-old Michael Gehling, of Atlantic, was arrested for Attempted Murder and Willful Injury, in addition to Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Of those who were arrested, Monty Casteel, Sotonas Aten, Kyle and Michael Gehling remained in the Cass County Jail, as of April 19th. The rest were released.

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School Board met Monday evening, and during the regularly scheduled session, discussed and approved a bid of $110,849 for maintenance of the Baseball Field. Superintendent Dave Henrichs says that will allow for the installation of a sprinkler system.

The Board also approved several resignations.

They approved one transfer.

And the Griswold School Board approved three new hires for the coming school year.

In other business, the Board approved:

• A renewal of the District’s Mechanical Breakdown Insurance for three-years, at a cost of $29,427.
• The establishment of book/registration fees for the next school year. Dave Henrichs says there will be no change from the current school year, with $30 per student; The fee for those who qualify for Reduced lunch is $15, and for those who qualify for free lunch, the fee is waived.
• And, they approved the purchase of video streaming cameras for both indoor and outdoor activities.

There were also two closed session items, which were annual reviews for Board Secretary Hannah Bierbaum and Superintendent Dave Henrichs. The comments pertaining to Mr. Henrichs will be forwarded to the Lenox School District, since they hold his contract.

A traffic stop in Creston Monday night resulted in an arrest. Creston Police report 19-year-old Steven Shane Mills, of Kent, was arrested for Driving While Barred. Mills later posted a $2,000 cash or surety bond, and was released from the Union County Jail.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Police Department reports a Fremont County man was arrested on assault and weapons charges, Monday evening. Officers took 57-year-old Dale Martin Rasmussen, of Randolph into custody at around 6:17-p.m., in the 200 block of E. Corning Street. He was charged with Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. Ramussen’s bond at the Montgomery County Jail, was set at $2,000.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet in a Closed Session 7:30-a.m. Wednesday, April 20th, to act on a personnel matter. When they reconvene, the Board will act on a resignation. No other information about the matter was available. The meeting takes place in the Central Office Conference Room.

(Danville, Iowa) – An 18-year old pedestrian died Monday, after they were struck by an SUV in southeast Iowa. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2010 Ford Escape driven by 24-year-old Kaitlyn M. Boyer, of Weldon, was traveling east on Highway 34 south of Danville, at around 8:55-p.m., when a pedestrian ran in front of her vehicle and was struck. The accident happened near the intersection with Danville Road.

The pedestrian came to rest on the shoulder of the road and died from their injuries at a hospital in Burlington. Their names was withheld pending notification of family.

(Radio Iowa) – Republicans in the Iowa Senate have voted to let 16 and 17 year olds be in charge of school age children at child care centers, without direct adult supervision. Senator Craig Johnson of Independence, a Republican, says Iowa teens are already allowed to work as lifeguards and certified nursing assistants. “When I was a young kid back in the ’70s, we had many lifeguards that were at the pool that I know they weren’t seniors yet. I don’t remember their age, but they had to have been just old enough to drive themselves to work,” Johnson says. “That’s in rural Iowa at our local pools.” The bill also raises staffing ratios, so one adult child care worker could oversee up to 10 three-year-olds.

Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says these changes could become a nightmare for parents. “Iowa is ranked one of the worst states in the country for child abuse…we should be fixing that, not making matters worse with a bill that takes away regulations that are put in place to secure the safety of our future generation.” If the bill becomes law, one adult could oversee a room of seven two-year-olds. The upper limit under current law is six two-year-olds per child care staffer. Democrats opposed the bill. Senator Claire Celsi of Des Moines says better pay and benefits are the answer to Iowa’s child care crisis.

“It’s not as easy as it looks. You have to pay attention every second,” Celsi says. “…It’s not just warehousing kids in a child care center. They need…quality attention from the person who’s watching them.” Senator Jeff Edler, a Republican from State Center, says these proposed staffing ratios would not be requirements, but options. “I trust in our day care providers that they can make the proper decisions…And, you know, how are all the other states doing it? I mean, we’ve 33 other states that are one-to-seven up to 35 months (and) 41 other states doing a one-to-10 ratio on three year olds,” Edler asked. “You know Iowa is behind.”

The bill now goes back to the House for consideration of Senate changes.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Vandals hit two Atlantic Parks restrooms over the weekend. Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen informed the Parks Board Monday evening.

He said the Camblin Addition restroom was spray painted with a swastika and a racial epithet. Bryant asks park patrons to “If you see stuff or know stuff,” please let the parks department and/or Atlantic Police know. A few weeks ago, someone went through and vandalized the signs at the Atlantic Dog Park.

There are cameras near the waterless restroom, so they’re hoping the footage will reveal some clues as to who the vandal or vandals are. In other business, Rasmussen said tree removal along Bull Creek has wrapped-up before the migratory bird treaty kicked-in. That means anywhere from 130-to 140 trees were removed to the stumps. Those will be removed by the contractor in the near future.

He said there are still some Community Gardens on raised beds available in Mollett Park, in association with the Lion’s Club. There are currently 10 in place, with five having been spoken for. The remaining beds are available for $35 each, and three more are on the way. Anyone wanting to grow their own vegetables in a mulch garden, should contact Bryant Rasmussen at 712-243-3542.

A rendition of an inclusive piece of playground equipment

He said also, the Parks and Rec Department has been working with Landscape Structures for “inclusive playground” equipment for children with special needs. That includes a “ring the bell” piece of equipment. Another panel deals with a more verbal aspect of entertainment. Two pieces will be installed at the Schildberg Recreations Area, with more to be installed in other parks.

And, in keeping with the theme of incorporating art into the City’s athletic facilities, such as the tennis courts, Hunter Oliver has been working on a mural for one side of the Tennis Wall. The rendering of “Fiona the Finch” is near completion.

Tennis wall (currently unfinished) rendering of Fiona the Finch by Hunter Oliver

A collision Monday morning in Sac County resulted in a death and one person injured. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2000 BMW Z3 driven by 54-year-old Jan Gentry, of Shawnee, KS, was traveling south on Highway 39, south of 340th, as a 2012 Chevy Equinox driven by 19-year-old Clay Roberts, of Dunlap, was traveling northbound.

The BMW lost control on slushy patch of highway from blowing snow, and moved into the northbound lane. The car was struck on the right side by the SUV. Gentry died at the scene. The crash happened at around 10:22-a.m.

Roberts suffered non-life threatening injuries and transported by Odebolt Ambulance to the Crawford County Hospital, in Denison.

Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.