The Iowa Senate has passed a bill that would keep a Nebraska doctor from opening a late-term abortion clinic in Council Bluffs. The Republican-led Iowa House already passed a bill to prohibit abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy. A similar law in Nebraska took effect October 15 and Dr. LeRoy Carhart announced he’d open a late-term abortion clinic across the border in Council Bluffs. Yesterday (MONDAY), the Democratically-led Iowa Senate passed a bill that would require Carhart and others who want to open that kind of a clinic apply to the State of Iowa for permit. And the clinic would have to be located near a hospital with a neonatal unit for premature babies. There is no such hospital in Council Bluffs. Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, suggests the proposal keeps Carhart out of Council Bluffs while still allowing late-term abortions when necessary.

“We need to be honest about the circumstances under which a woman pursues an abortion after 20 weeks,” Bolkcom said. “Not every pregnancy ends the way a family hopes it will. A woman with a wanted pregnancy that goes terribly wrong must face an awful decision that none of us ever want to face.” Critics of the plan say Carhart would be able to open a clinic in four other Iowa cities which do have hospital units for premature babies. Senator Nancy Boettger, a Republican from Harlan, was blunt.

“I’m sick that this bill actually sets up a pathway for late-term abortionists to set up work here in Iowa,” Boettger said. “…I call it the Late Term Abortionists Invitation Bill.” Senator Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, suggested the bill’s merely cover for Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal who is from Council Bluffs. “We’re going to pass this bill just to save face, but not save a life,” Zaun said. “This bill is a sham. We should be ashamed of ourselves and it disgusts me.” Gronstal spoke near the end of debate, saying he “generally” votes in favor of abortion rights. “But at times I, too, have reeled at the suggestion of something like late-term abortion,” Gronstal said.Gronstal characterized the bill as a compromise that will answer the fears of his constituents in Council Bluffs without banning all late-term abortions in the state.

“I reel at the thought of abortion, but I also reel at the thought of telling a woman she must take to term a baby that cannot survive,” Gronstal said. “That’s got to be the most gut-wrenching decision anybody has ever made.” Senator Mark Chelgren, a Republican from Ottumwa, says the Senate bill won’t see the light of day in the Republican-led House.

“You know the challenge that we have in front of us right now is Senate File 534 might feel good, but it’s not going to do a darn thing,” Chelgren said. “…Even if we passed it unanimously, it — like a ship in the night — would pass to the House and nothing would happen.” Bolkcom argues the House-passed ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy would be challenged in court on constitutional grounds.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate, given our budget constraints, to pass things that are unconstitutional that will require the state to defend and spend money to try and address,” Bolkcom said during debate. Republicans tried several different tactics to try to sideline the Democratic proposal and substitute their own plan. With shouts of “point of order” ringing through the senate, Senate President Jack Kibbie asked for a bit of a time out from both sides.

“Would the senators have a little patience here and cool your heels here a little bit?” Kibbie asked. After two hours of debate, the bill passed on a 26 to 23 vote, with Democrats on the “yes” side and Republicans voting “no.”

(Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Operators of seven feedlots in Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa have been told to stop violating federal rules on animal waste discharges, the Environmental Protection Agency said Monday.

The EPA’s Region 7 office in Kansas City, Kan., said in a statement that four feedlots in Iowa, two in Kansas and one in Nebraska had violated various provisions of the federal Clean Water Act. It said the violations could lead to contamination of nearby bodies of water, including streams, creeks and wetlands.

The EPA said it has issued administrative compliance orders to the feedlots, which range in capacity from 800 cattle up to 13,000 cattle.

In a phone call, EPA spokesman Chris Whitley said the compliance orders were the first step in a potential series of regulatory actions. If the feedlots fail to comply, civil penalties could follow. Those penalties would vary, Whitley said, depending on the severity of the violations and other factors.

The EPA issued the orders to the following four feedlots in Iowa:

– Crossroads Cattle Co. in Woodbine. The EPA said the feedlot didn’t have enough storage capacity in its waste lagoons and that some cattle were kept in areas that lacked adequate controls to prevent unauthorized waste discharges. Crossroads Cattle Co. did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

– Feedlot Services Co., Neola. The EPA said the operation doesn’t have a discharge permit.

John Roane, part-owner of Feedlot Services, said Monday that he just got the letter from the EPA. He said his outfit has been working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for years to ensure the feedlot followed environmental regulations.

“We thought we were in compliance, and we were, until the EPA showed up,” Roane said.

He said he’s having an expert look at the EPA letter to see what his company needs to do.

– Harlan Northrup Feedlot, Griswold. The EPA said the operation doesn’t have a discharge permit. The company did not immediately return a phone call from the AP on Monday.

– Petersen-Bubke LLP, Mapleton. The EPA said the operation doesn’t have a discharge permit. There was no answer at a phone number for feedlot co-owner Norman Petersen. Co-owner Joel Bubke declined to comment on Monday.

Eight law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, including two from southwest Iowa, will be honored Tuesday by the State of Iowa, as part of Peace Officer Memorial Week. Among those whose name will be on the Peace Officer’s Memorial, is Officer Robert Heller, with Avoca Police Department.

Officer Robert Heller arrived at a domestic disturbance on the south side of Avoca, on June 20, 1886. Officer Heller announced himself at the residence and was fatally wounded by a shotgun blast from the drunk offender, William Farrell. Farrell then turned the gun on himself, dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Also, being honored during Tuesday’s ceremony, is Deputy Thomas Walsh, with the Union County Sheriff’s Office. On December 4, 1899, Deputy Walsh served Al Williams a writ of execution. In the afternoon, the deputy went to the Williams farm to secure the property to satisfy the judgment. Walsh was met at the farm with Al Williams holding a shot gun. Mr. Williams told Deputy Walsh to leave and when Deputy Walsh advanced toward Williams, Williams shot Deputy Walsh just below the right ear killing him instantly.

The latest addition to the Peace Officer’s Memorial is Sergeant Erik Stein, with Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office. On April 4th, 2011, Sergeant Eric Stein was shot and killed as he, the county sheriff, and another deputy attempted to question a man regarding an incident that had occurred the previous night.

The three officers had gone to the man’s rural home shortly before noon when they were fired upon. Sergeant Stein was struck and killed. The sheriff and remaining deputy took cover and called for assistance. The stand-off was brought to an end by the Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team.  Sergeant Stein served with the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office for 11 years. He is survived by his 9-year-old daughter, sister, and father.

The ceremony takes place at 10-a.m. at the Peace Officer Memorial next to the Lucas State Office Building, on the corner of East Grand and East 12th Street in Des Moines. Governor Terry Branstad and other notables will be on-hand for the event, which the public is welcomed to attend.