A proposal to add an amendment to the Iowa Constitution that would ensure Iowans have the right to keep and bear arms has cleared an initial hurdle in the Iowa House. Representative Matt Windschitl, a Republican from Missouri Valley, says Iowa is one of just six states with a constitution that does not provide “gun rights” to its citizens. “I’ve gotten a lot of people who have talked to me about stuff like this. Why don’t we have that protection in our constitution?” Windschitl says. “There’s a great unease out there.” If adopted, this proposal would be the toughest constitutional defense of gun rights in the country.

Representative Deborah Berry, a Democrat from Waterloo, says she supports the “second amendment rights” spelled out in the U.S. Constitution.  “You know my father was a hunter and so I know all that, but I think sometimes there are some consequences to some of the things we do related to guns and what have you and I’m concerned about that,” Berry says. Berry says she wants to know more about the proposal before she’ll decide whether to support or oppose it.

Richard Rogers of the Iowa Firearms Coalition says there’s nothing in the state constitution to “guarantee” gun rights in Iowa. “As our constitution states, you have an inalienable right to defend yourself from threats, but to say that you have that right but that you do not have the right to possess an effective means of doing so, a tool — doesn’t have to be a gun, by the way — that’s nonsensical,” Rogers says. Supporters like Rogers say the modern-day U.S. Supreme Court has narrowly ruled on gun rights issues and it’s important to enshrine those rights in the state constitution. The right to keep and bear arms….despite the fact that it’s an inalienable right, it seems to be one that people try to figure out ways around the constitutional guarantee, to kick it to the curb, sweep it under the rug and so we’ve learned by experience,” Rogers says, “and that’s why this is worded somewhat differently.”

If Iowans approve this constitutional amendment, Representative Windschitl says it would be possible for advocates of gun rights to sue to to get rid of some gun-related laws, like the state law which requires Iowans to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon. “The intent of this is not to cause controversy,” Windschitl says. “The intent of this is to protect Iowans second amendment rights and it’s meant to do that with the strongest language possible because there have been so many judicial abuses, in my opinion, of our second amendment rights. We’ve come so close to losing those fundamental rights. This is why we have the language crafted as we do.” The process of amending the state constitution isn’t easy. This proposal must pass the Iowa General Assembly this year, and then sometime in 2013 or 2014 before Iowans could vote on the proposed amendment in November of 2014. Early this morning (Thursday), a three-member House committee gave its approval to setting that process in motion. The proposal — it’s not a bill but a resolution — will next be considered by the House Public Safety Committee.

(O. Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

A Spanish teacher at the Lewis Central High School has resigned, and is scheduled to turn himself-in today to authorities in Pottawattamie County, after a warrant was issued for his arrest. 30-year old Daniel Pantoja, of Omaha, NE, faces a felony charge of with Sexual Exploitation by a School Employee, and a Serious Misdemeanor charge of Lascivious Conduct with a Minor.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker says the warrant for Pantoja’s arrest was issued after authorities conducted an investigation into his activities, following a complaint filed on Wednesday, by a 17-year old female student at the Lewis Central High School, and her father. The complaint alleges the juvenile received inappropriate text messages from Pantoja.

Danker says in December, Pantoja obtained the girls’ cellular phone number in class, because she was working at the Mall of the Bluffs as Santa’s Elf. Pantoja reportedly told the girl that he wanted to get his picture taken with Santa while the juvenile was on the job. Soon thereafter, she began to receive text messages from Pantoja, consisting of statements indicating if he were her age, he would ask her out, and other, similar statements.

The girl alleged Pantoja took her phone during class and without her consent, had searched the picture folder, where he discovered pictures of her wearing a sports bra and shorts. She said after he discovered the pictures, he texted her, asking her to send him that photo. The juvenile agreed to send Pantoja the picture in exchange for a better grade in class. Pantoja also reportedly sent the girl a nude picture of an adult male torso, with the genitalia covered by the left hand. The picture was allegedly sent from Pantoja’s cell phone, the same phone from which the text messages originated. He then allegedly requested she send him two more pictures of herself, one with more clothing, one with less.

Pantoja’s bond was set at $5,000. The man has made arrangements with his attorney, to turn himself-in.

Sheriff’s officials in Harrison County say two people were injured during a two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon, about two-miles east of Missouri Valley. Authorities say a 2011 Ford Fusion was traveling east on Highway 30 at around 2-p.m, Wednesday, when the car crossed the center line of the road and hit a 1991 Honda. The driver of the Honda, 54-year old Jennette McGraw, of Magnolia, suffered life threatening injuries, and was transported by LifeNet helicopter to the trauma center at Creighton University Hospital, in Omaha.

The driver of the Ford Fusion, 31-year old Kerri Collier, of Woodbine, was transported by ambulance to Alegent Hospital in Missouri Valley. The crash resulted in Highway 30 being closed for about 2-hours, while an investigation was conducted and the vehicle removed.

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Iowa State Patrol, Missouri Valley Police Department, and Missouri Valley and Logan Rescue squads.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones and the City Council surprised City Clerk Deb Wheatley Field during the Council’s meeting Wednesday night, by passing a Resolution in Honor of her more than two decades of service to the City. The Resolution expresses the City Council’s appreciation to Field for her service to the City over the past 30-years. The Mayor then brought out a large, rectangular cake, which he and the Council served to members of the public who attended the meeting.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance amending the speed limit on 22nd Street, from Highway 71 to Olive, and from Chestnut Street, to Highway 6. The ordinance, when approved after the 3rd and final reading, calls for the speed limit to be reduced on that stretch of road, from 45- to 35-miles per hour, following concerns over the hilly terrain and reduced visibility of residential driveways.  And, the Council passed the second reading of an ordinance establishing a Stop sign at the intersection of Pine Ridge Road and 22nd Street. The Council waived the third reading and adopted the ordinance as written.

They also received an annual report from Cass Atlantic Development Corporation (CADCO) Executive Director Russell Joyce, who mentioned the unemployment rate in Cass County is 4.8%, which he says is much lower than in previous years, and better than in some surrounding counties. He says local manufacturers are keeping busy, and the other sectors appear to be doing as well as can be expected. Joyce says having a diversified employment field in Cass County has helped to keep the local economy moving.