DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A proposed constitutional amendment making it harder for government officials to limit who can get a gun and where they can carry firearms could come up in a House committee as early as this week.  Rep. Clel Baudler, a Greenfield Republican and chairman of the Public Safety Committee, says he’s planning to bring the amendment forward for discussion in his committee soon. He expects it to get enough support to move to the House floor.

The amendment declares the right of individuals to get and carry firearms shall not be denied. It also prohibits fees related to guns and limits restrictions that can be imposed. Polk County Attorney John Sarcone says the measure would be a regression to the wild west, and could create major problems, especially in urban areas.

Montgomery County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hamman says due to the recent precipitation and current snow cover, Montgomery County Fire officials have agreed to lift the Open Burn Ban which was put in place last week. The ban was established due to abnormally dry conditions throughout all of Montgomery County.

As a reminder to all area residents Hamman asks you to call the Montgomery County Communications Center at 712-623-5107 to report any open burns in Montgomery County that are taking place, in order to prevent any unnecessary fire department responses. Hamman says all area fire departments thank you for your consideration of not open burning while the burn ban was in place during the abnormally warm and dry conditions that were present in the previous week.

The first day of Spring is still well over a month away, but it’s time to start thinking about the first flower of Spring, and what it represents.

Am. Cancer Society's "Daffodil Days" 2012

 With the American Cancer Society’s “Daffodil Days” set to take place March 12th through the 16th, orders are being taken now through February 17th, to raise funds for cancer research. Purchasing daffodils offers you a chance to show your support for cancer patients, and the hope cancer will be beaten. The daffodil is a symbol of hope.

Denise Coder, Board member of the Cass County Unit of the ACS, says the latest statistics indicate a decline in cancer mortality for the second year in a row, and Daffodil Days serves to continue as a means to fight cancer. Bouquets of 10 daffodils are available for your $10 donation. In addition, the ACS is once again offering the Boyd’s “Bear and a Bunch” selection, made up of a bunch of daffodils, along with a specially-commissioned Boyd’s bear with the American Cancer Society logo on one paw, and a bunch of daffodils on the other. The bear edition is being made available for a $25 donation.

For $15, donors can order “Dainty Daffodils,” in a pot, which can be replanted outside, to bloom year-after-year. And, the “Gift of hope” can be purchased for $25. It will be delivered anonymously to a cancer survivor. Atlantic residents can call Meyer & Gross Real Estate at 243-4100 to place your orders.

Donations collected through the sale of daffodils will be used for cancer research, education, advocacy, and patient services. For more information, call Denise Coder at 243-7475, or log on to www.cancer.org.

Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Jason Wickizer says a course for experienced firefighters and other personnel exposed to fire, heat or toxic atmospheres, is being offered in Defiance next month. The Advanced Breathing Apparatus Course is designed to provide experienced fire service personnel with advanced knowledge and skills development involving the use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), for the purpose of increasing the chance of survival, in an emergency situation.

Wickizer says a Mobile Breathing Apparatus Trailer (MBAT) will be in Defiance from March 5th through the 17th. Among the topics to be covered during the ABA Class are: fire fighter deaths and injuries; respiratory hazards; maintenance of SCBA; limitations of SCBA’s; tight space maneuvering, and, emergency survival techniques.

For more information, or to schedule a time, call Jason Wickizer at 712-755-2124 or e-mail jwickizer@shco.org.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – An American Airlines flight to Dallas had to return to Omaha shortly after takeoff because the pilot reported engine problems.  American Airlines flight 1349 landed safely in Omaha Tuesday morning. It originally took off from Omaha around 8:20 a.m.  It’s not clear how many people were aboard the plane.

The Cass and Adair County Boards of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly meetings Wednesday, in Atlantic and Greenfield, respectively. In Greenfield, the Adair County Board will receive a recap on the new Public Safety Center/Jail building, along with their monthly reports, and a 5th Judicial Annual report. Other business will include discussion and/or action on the E-911 addresses, a sponsored Research Agreement, and, work on the budget. In addition, the Adair County Supervisors will set the date for a public hearing on their budget. The meeting begins at 9-a.m.

In Atlantic, the Cass County Supervisors will meet at 1:30-p.m., instead of at their usual 9-a.m. time slot. The board will hear a report from the Cass County Fireman’s Association, and a related Request for Funding from the Emergency Management Association Budget, for fireman’s training. The Board will also hear a Secondary Roads update from the County Engineer, and possibly act on the appointment of a Pymosa Township Trustee. As time allows, they will also review the proposed Fiscal Year 2013 departmental budgets.