A light dusting of snow and freezing road surfaces contributed to numerous, minor accidents Tuesday evening along Interstate 80 in Cass and Pottawattamie Counties. The accident reports starting coming in to the Cass County Communications Center in Atlantic, at around 5:50-p.m. Within minutes, two separate accidents were reported. Other accidents included a semi that tipped over near on or about exit 54 (The Elk Horn exit). Despite the various mishaps, no injuries were reported. Cass County Sheriff’s deputies transported some of the motorists whose vehicle became stuck, to “The Valley,” at exit 71, where they obtained lodging or were able to seek other assistance.

Snowfall in Atlantic amounted to two-tenths of an inch late Tuesday afternoon and evening. That melted into just One one-hundredth of an inch of liquid precipitation.

Iowa cities and counties would not be allowed to ban firearms in government-owned buildings if a bill gun rights advocates are pushing for becomes law. The legislation would establish a fine of as much as five-thousand dollars for city and county officials who would let such gun restrictions stand. Representative Matt Windschitl, a Republican from Missouri Valley, says he’s aware of at least 13 localities in Iowa that have some type of ban on firearms in public places. “A lot of people think that if we put restrictions on firearms that all of a sudden that’s going to make our city streets safer. Really? There’s criminals out there that don’t abide by the law right now,” Windschitl says. The bill cleared an initial, three-person panel Tuesday and now awaits action in a House committee.

Kate Carlucci, of the Iowa League of Cities, says communities should be able to decide whether public places should be weapons-free zones, as many businesses are making that call. “A city should have the power to exercise that same right as a private business owner,” Carlucci says. Windschitl also would like to let gun owners bring their weapons inside the statehouse.   “I’m appalled that they’re not allowed to, and that’s actually an administrative rule and I’ve looked at trying to change that for years,” Windschitl says. “But I know in the current climate there’s people that wouldn’t want to see that changed.”

After the 9/11 attacks metal detectors and security guards were stationed at the public entrances to the statehouse.

(O. Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

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Patrons of the Oakland-Riverside Community School District apparently were not convinced the district needed to replace three separate, aging buildings, with one brand new building south of Oakland, that would house all of the districts students. For the second time in less than a year, a bond issue referendum that would have helped to pay for the $21.6-million project, has failed.

Unofficial results from the Pottawattamie County Auditor’s Office indicate the $13.3 million dollar bond issue received roughly 54 percent of the vote–925 “yes” votes to 758 “no” votes. A 60-percent super majority was necessary in order for the measure to pass. A similar, previous referendum failed last April, when it received only 53 percent of the vote.

Meanwhile, patrons of the Glenwood and Sidney Community School District have overwhelmingly approved the renewal of a Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS). Unofficial results showed the referendum garnered 406 “Yes” votes to 54 “No” votes, in Glenwood, and 91 “Yes” and zero “No” votes, in Sidney. A simple majority was needed for the measure to pass in both districts.

Officials in the Project Recovery Iowa office are trying to ensure that those who were hit by the Missouri River flooding have been able to get all the state and federal recovery aid they’re due. Spokesperson Karen Hyatt says you don’t have to do it all yourself. She says there are staff in Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona and Pottawattamie County to help you out. “Staff can make sure that they have applied for everything that they are eligible for, they can offer resources, referrals, guidance, stress management and emotional support if that’s needed,” Hyatt says. The P-R-I staff have been on the ground since the flooding began, but Hyatt says they still haven’t reached everyone that might need some help.

“We are finding people who didn’t apply for federal funding because they didn’t think they met the requirements,” Hyatt says. “The Missouri River flooding was a little different this time, because a lot of people evacuated, but they didn’t have flooding to their homes. There are resources available to people who fit into that category, and that’s not typical, so we want to be sure that people explore all opportunities while the window is still open.” Anyone who lives or lived in the counties hit by the flooding can check with the Project Recovery Iowa office by calling the Iowa Concerns Hotline. That line is open 24-hours-a-day.She says just call 800-447-1985 and asked to be connected with Project Recovery Iowa staff. You can also go on-line to; www.projectrecoveryiowa.com, or search for the P-R-I page on Facebook. Hyatt says the Missouri River flooding was unlike any other recent disasters because of how long the water remained before the recovery efforts started.

Hyatt says, “It went on for months, and people are still recovering from that, financially, emotionally, physically. And so we certainly want people to realize that it’s normal at this point, even though it’s been months since the flooding started in the summer, there are still reasons that people may need to connect with services.” Hyatt says if you work in Iowa but live in Nebraska, they can direct you to the appropriate help in Nebraska if you call the Iowa Concerns Hotline.

(Dar Danielson/Radio Iowa)