(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa Department of Revenue officials, Friday night, said “With recent public concerns shared with the Iowa Department of Revenue following the official public comment period and effective date of the new rule (701—216.3) implementing the taxable service of commercial recreation, the Department is submitting an emergency rulemaking to rescind the new rule and replace it with the prior rule.

This will allow the Department to consider the newly-raised concerns and reevaluate changes to the rule. While this rulemaking takes place, taxpayers should not obtain new permits or collect tax while the rule change is pending. The Department will process refunds as needed to reflect this decision.”

(On the web at tax.iowa.gov)

DES MOINES — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, today (Friday), issued a proclamation to ease restrictions on transportation of heating and motor fuels.

The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through 11:59 p.m. on February 5, 2023. The proclamation suspends the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code pertaining to hours of service for crews and drivers delivering propane, diesel, natural gas, and other fuels used for residential, agricultural, and commercial heating purposes.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Drennan Insurance on Thursday, January 5th to celebrate new ownership. Donnie Drennan entered the insurance business in 1982 and is now ready to slow down after a successful 40-year career. As of January 1st, Drennan Insurance has been sold to John & Nikki Bricker and Donnie plans to stay on board through 2023 to help with a smooth transition. Donnie expressed his gratitude for his clients and the business community of Atlantic.

When asked what he will miss about the job, Donnie shared that he will miss the day-to-day business relationships he has built over of the years.

Drennan Team Left to Right (Front Row): Arlene Drennan, Donnie Drennan, John Bricker, Nikki Bricker
Ambassadors Left to Right (Back Row): Lana Westphalen, Sue Liston, Dolly Bergmann, Rick Mercle, Alden Harriman, Dr.Keith Leonard, Beth Speiker, Elaine Otte, Bill Saluk, Bailey Smith, Rob Claussen, Anne Quist, Julie Waters, Kathie Hockenberry, Kelsey Beschorner

John Bricker and Donnie have built their relationship through the Pymosa Masonic Lodge. Through this friendship came an opportunity for mentorship. John came on board at Drennan Insurance in 2021 and has thoroughly enjoyed his time learning under Donnie. John looks forward to building relationships with the clients and being a part of the Atlantic business community. John plans to keep the company name and uphold the legacy of Donnie by being a community supporter.

Drennan Insurance is located at 104 E. 5th Street in Atlantic. For more information, contact John at 712-249-9292 or Donnie at 712-249-3253.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Cass Health in Atlantic announced today (Friday), the arrival of the first baby of 2023. Aaron Samuel Preis was born on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 and welcomed by proud big brother Larry and parents Sam and Brehana Preis of Elk Horn, Iowa.

Aaron Samuel Preis (Photo courtesy CCHS)

(Radio Iowa) – The Mega Millions jackpots us pushing the one BILLION dollar mark for tonight’s (Friday) drawing. Iowa Lottery spokesperson, Mary Neubauer, says it comes on the heels of the more than two-billion dollar Powerball jackpot in November. She says it is really hard to predict when jackpot will get this big. “There have been times when both jackpots have been into the stratosphere at the same time. Maybe this time, the games are being polite and taking turns, I don’t know,” she says. The Mega Millions prize is estimated at 940 million, with a cash option of 483 million dollars. Neubauer says the jackpot has been growing almost three months, and that includes the normally slow ticket buying holiday period.

“This hasn’t been a quote, unquote, normal run, because the last few weeks, everybody has been distracted with holiday travel, and family gatherings and year-end celebrations, as you should be this time of year. But now that we’re into the new year, you know, folks are getting back into their normal routines,” Neubauer says. “And now Mega Millions has caught people’s attention.” Neubauer reminds players to not get carried away with the big jackpot and to play responsibly. One issue that popped up with the large Powerball jackpot was people buying tickets after the deadline.

“Be sure to buy it here in Iowa before 8:59 p-m. If you buy one after that time, it will still be a valid ticket. It just won’t be for that night’s drawing,” Neubauer says. “And there have been people who have waited too long. I don’t know I think as human beings we’re just procrastinators. And then they’ll get an argument about what time their watch says versus what time is showing on the Lottery Terminal. It’s an automated process and it cannot be pushed back. So just don’t cut it too close.” Large jackpots often lead to group ticket buys — which brings another warning.

“During the Powerball jackpot run that just ended late last year, we had multiple office pools here in Iowa win prizes, which is so much fun because you have a whole you know, a whole group of people sharing in that prize. But one of the things that we say to people is, make sure that everybody in your group knows the rules as you’re going into the drawing,” according to Neubauer. “So one of the things we suggest is, take photos of all the tickets, and send them to everybody in your group so that everyone knows the tickets that are in play for your group.” Neubauer says you should then keep really close track of who puts money into the pool and how much so that there’s never a question later about who was in and who was out.

Neubauer says it is interesting that the Mega Millions jackpot was won six times in 2021, and six times in 2022.

Click on the image to enlarge

(Stuart, Iowa) – Officials with the Adair County Secondary Roads Department report that due to closure of the N-19 Lincoln bridge (southwest of Stuart), 130^th Street between Sheldon Avenue and Trenton Avenue, will be closed Monday, January 9th and Tuesday, January 10th, from about 9:30-a.m. to 3:00-p.m., each day.  A detour has been established. Rerouted traffic should use 120^th Street, Sheldon and Trenton Avenues. See the map >>>

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson spoke about the ongoing fight to elect fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy as the Speaker of the House during her weekly conference call with reporters.

Hinson was asked if she has any relationships with any of the Republicans blocking McCarthy and if she might be able to help unblock the progress.

Hinson was asked at what point do House Republicans start looking at other options.

She says her message to colleagues holding out will continue to be that Iowans are sick and tired of the “chaos and dysfunction.” Hinson is from Marion and was elected to a second term in November representing the new Second Congressional District.

IA (R) Congresswoman Ashley Hinson