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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
(By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach)
COLUMBIA, S.C. – A Kimballton, Iowa, native volunteered at a local food bank to give back to the community during Columbia Navy Week Oct. 18 – Oct. 24. Lt. j.g. Taylor Petersen is a 2010 Atlantic High School graduate. Today, Petersen serves aboard USS James E. Williams. Williams is the namesake of Chief Petty Officer James Elliott Williams, one of the Navy’s most highly decorated enlisted sailors. Through his 20 years of service, Williams earned 18 awards including the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart (with two gold stars). Williams was born in Fort Mill, South Carolina. “We have an awesome namesake for our ship,” said Petersen. “James E. Williams was a hero and it is an honor to represent this command.”
Lt. j.g. Taylor Petersen (Photo courtesy NOCO)
Columbia Navy Week will have approximately 75 events designed to bring American’s closer to their Navy. Some of the featured events throughout Columbia Navy Week include live band performances, educational demonstrations, an enlistment ceremony and much more. “Navy weeks are important to be able to interact with local communities and give them a better picture of who we are and what we do,” said Petersen.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Petersen, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow. “Serving in the Navy means putting the country first and yourself last,” added Petersen.
(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report the arrest at around 5:30-p.m., Monday, of 41-year old Chad Michael Mastin. The Creston man was arrested at the Moonlight Motel on two outside agency warrants. Mastin was being held in the Union County Jail on a $25,000 cash or surety bond.
(Newton, Iowa) – An anticipated round of layoffs in Newton is now official. KCCI reports a posting from Iowa Workforce Development’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act website shows TPI Composites will lay off 710 employees.
Iowa law requires companies to disclose mass layoffs or plant closures to the state within 60 days. In September, the city of Newton announced the facility could be suspending production at the facility later this year. The city of Newton announced Thursday that TPI Composites will possibly be suspending production at the facility later this year.
The company was founded in 1963 and has been producing wind blades since 2001. The city said the Newton plant employs about 800 people.
(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Public Health released new COVID-19 data Monday showing a continued decline in positive tests and hospitalizations. IDPH data shows 6,812 positive tests in the last seven days, down from 7,389 at last report on Friday. Iowa’s 14-day positivity rate is also down from 8.8% to 8.6%. The number of Iowans hospitalized with COVID-19 dropped from 575 to 562. Of those hospitalized with the virus, 77.1% are unvaccinated and of those listed in intensive care with COVID-19, 83.2% are unvaccinated.
The health department reports 26 long-term care facilities with virus outbreaks, unchanged from Friday. There have been 3,577,968 vaccine doses administered in Iowa, with 67% of those 18 and older fully vaccinated and 69.4% of those 12 and older with at least one vaccine dose.
(Radio Iowa) – The top Republican in the Iowa Senate says every Iowa taxpayer should get an income tax cut, but Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver of Ankeny says the ultimate goal should be eliminating the state income tax altogether.) “Right now, there are about eight states that do not have an income tax. There’s another eight states that have said: ‘We want to get on a path to no income tax.’ And I would like Iowa to be included in those states that say: ‘Ultimately the goal is to get to nothing,” Whitver says. “How you do that is difficult. It takes time, but that should be the goal, to get rid of our income tax.”
A century ago — in 1921 — Iowa was the first state in the country to impose a cigarette tax, then in 1934, the Iowa legislature enacted a statewide sales tax and a state tax on income. Democrats say tax cuts should be targeted toward working Iowans rather than an across-the-board reduction that would benefit wealthy Iowans and corporations. Whitver says Republicans will pursue broadbased tax reform. “We wealthy Iowans work, too,” Whitver says. “We want it to apply to every Iowan and that’s what we’ve done over the last five years is cut taxes for everybody.”
In 2018, Republican lawmakers passed a tax reduction package that Democrats warned was fiscally irresponsible and would lead to underfunded schools and reduced state services. “This is a bobsled to bankruptcy is what they kept saying,” Whitver says. “In fact, the exact opposite is true.”
The state had a more than one billion dollar surplus when the last fiscal year ended on June 30th. Republicans say that should be returned to taxpayers. Whitver says getting rid of the state income tax can’t happen in one or two years, but a flat tax on income — without any deductions or credit — might be the first step. “It’s a good idea. It’s fair. People understand it,” Whitver says. “…We have a tax code that’s a mess with credits and exemptions all over the place. We’ve had to straighten that out before we can really take the next step.”
Whitver made his comments during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S. Iowa State University economist Peter Orazem says if the state income tax is eliminated, the state sales tax would have to be raised substantially. He says Iowa’s property tax rates are a bigger deterrent to economic growth than Iowa’s income taxes.
(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies arrested Adam Dennis Letts at around 5:10-p.m., Monday. Letts was arrested on a valid Bremer County warrant for driving while barred. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $750 cash bond. Deputies arrested 40-year-old Kyle Danny Mitchell, Jr., of Omaha, at around 9:40-p.m. Monday, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Mitchell, Jr., was being held on a $300 bond. And, 53-year-old Gregory A. Riley, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 11:50-a.m. Monday, for Obstruction of Emergency Communications. Riley’s arrest followed an investigation into an incident reported in Coburg that was reported to law enforcement. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.
And, the Red Oak Police Department Monday, reported the arrest of 44-year-old Chrystal Rush Stewart, of Red Oak. She was taken into custody Monday morning on two Red Oak Police warrants for Theft 5th Degree. Stewart was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $600 bond.
The Glenwood Police Department, Monday, said two people were arrested on separate charges, Sunday. 46-year-old Steven Howard, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He was being held in the Mills County Jail without bond, until seen by a magistrate judge.
And, 27-year-old Jacob Crouch, of Glenwood, was arrested Sunday for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board met Monday evening at City Hall. Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen reminds the public a Scarecrow Contest is underway in downtown Atlantic. For $20, people can rent a pole downtown and decorate with a scarecrow. The deadline to reserve a pole with the Chamber passed as of today (Monday, Oct. 18). All the proceeds benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. Spectators can vote for their favorite scarecrow by making a monetary donation, located at the chamber. Votes must be cast between Oct 18th-31st.
A reminder also, of this weekend’s “Tour de Parks” bike ride. The ride will start and end at Sunnyside park and is about 9.5 miles, but it is broken into 6 stages and goes past all the different parks in Atlantic. Come do all the stages or just do a few. Come enjoy great conversation and learn more about the great things happening in the area. There will be local organizations along the route with free goodies and giveaways showcasing many upcoming events. The Parks and Recreation Department has bikes and helmets you can use free of charge. If you have questions, please contact the Parks and Rec Office at (712) 243-3542.
Another event Bryant spoke about during the Parks and Rec Board Monday, is the Lions Club Pancake Supper from 4:30-until 7-p.m. Nov. 11. The event takes place inside the Atlantic Community Building on the Cass County Fairgrounds. The cost is $7 per person for adults, children 12 and under at $5.00. Rasmussen said all the proceeds will be used toward the purchase of “inclusive playground equipment” for one of the City’s Park. One of the sites they’re looking at more specifically, is the Schildberg Recreation Area. Inclusive parks and ADA accessible, but designed for everyone.
Along that same line, Bryant Rasmussen said Atlantic Kiwanis and Lions Club members this past Saturday added more pea gravel around the various park playground equipment, as part of the service project day. Bryant says prior to the added gravel, the amount of fall material designed to protect kids against injury, was “definitely lacking.” He said about 20-tons of pea gravel was moved. The two swing sets at Cedar Park now have new pea gravel, along with a swing set at the Kiddie Korral at Sunnyside Park, and the playground set by the Kiddie Korral Shelter, as well. Another project is being planned for this coming spring.
And, Rasmussen reported to the Board that a recycled plastic bench has been installed at Cedar Park basketball court area. It was donated by the Lions Club from all the recycled plastic. He said as of two weeks ago, the Elks Club reached their goal of 500 lbs of plastic. They’ve picked a color for their bench, which should arrive within the next four-to-five weeks. Bryant says two other organization: The City of Griswold and the Master Gardeners, are applying for similar benches. He says there are currently 1,800 lbs of plastic available for recycling projects. Their goal had been 500 lbs over six months, so they’ve surpassed in less time than expected. Byrant says they take in about 200-to 300-lbs per week.
For more information on how you can sponsor a recycled bench, contact the Parks and Rec Office at (712) 243-3542.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – One of the informational booths to be featured as part of next Monday’s Youth Mental Health Symposium, will be staffed by Atlantic Parks & Rec Department staff. The symposium will be held from 5-until 7:45-p.m. Oct. 25th, at the Atlantic High School. Park and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen says “Our main focus is going to be obviously on outdoor recreation, and just trying to promote the impacts that outdoor recreation can have on mental health, and then also push that people can take advantage of it through the Atlantic Parks and Rec Department to utilize that.”
Bryant said that’s especially true during the winter months when people don’t like to be outside, but “there’s still things that we offer to allow people to get out and about. through trails and cross country skis, sledding, or anything like that.”
All middle school and high school students, parents, and community members in Cass County are invited to attend the symposium. The free event includes a meal sponsored by area businesses, door prizes, and free childcare. Motivational speaker Joe Beckman will talk about the importance of human connection at a time when loneliness is at an all-time high, and a series of short presentations will be given on issues affecting students today, including anxiety, healthy relationships, and mental health awareness. Organizations from Cass County and across the state will be at the event providing resources to students, parents, and community members.
For information on community wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty.