(Radio Iowa) – The only Democrat in Iowa’s congressional delegation says the plan President Biden announced this week to forgive student loan debt is just a temporary solution that doesn’t address the core problem, the soaring cost of higher education. Congresswoman Cindy Axne, of West Des Moines, says the debt cancellation plan is a good start, but more work needs to be done.

“I don’t look at this as a long-term or permanent fix in any way, shape or form,” Axne says, “and if I would have done anything like this, I’d be looking at figuring out how we can make this a better opportunity across the board for everybody by lowering the cost of school, and fixing the student loan interest rate, in general.” Axne says students need to understand their obligations to repay student loan, as well as post-secondary alternatives to four-year institutions, like trade schools and apprenticeship programs. At the same time, she says the high costs of college education must also be addressed.

“Here in Iowa even, we’re Topsy-turvey just like every other state,” she says. “Back in the day, the majority of the college costs at a regents institution–so, you know, our public schools–60% of it would have come from the state financing it, then about 40% from the students. That’s reversed now. So, not only has college gone up, but there’s also a reversal on who’s paying the bulk of it.”

Axne disputes comments from Republicans who say Biden’s plan will increase inflation and taxes. She points to a Goldman-Sachs analysis released Thursday indicating student loan forgiveness will have a modest impact on the national debt, but slightly lower inflation. She says that’s important. “People come to my office all the time,” Axne says. “I hear from realtors that student loan debt is strapping people from buying new homes. When folks buy a property, not only does that help the economy–with, you know, paying for the house to be built and those workers to built it, but it’s all the stuff they buy to put in there–that creates jobs in America for appliances, and things. If they build a family, all this stuff. It helps build our economy.”

Axne cites a U-S Education Department announcement of an income-driver repayment plan, capping monthly student loan repayments at 5% of income. She says the plan ensures that borrowers’ loan balances won’t grow as long as they’re making payments. Under the president’s plan, the Department of Education will provide up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients with loans held by the federal government, and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients.

Borrowers are eligible for this relief if their individual income is less than $125,000, or $250,000 for married couples. The White House says no high-income individual or high-income household — in the top 5% of incomes — will benefit from this action. In addition, the plan also extends the pause on federal student loan repayments one final time through December 31st.

(Villisca, Iowa) – Three people in two separate residences were arrested in Villisca, Thursday and Friday (today), as the result of an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine. At around 8:15-a.m., Thursday, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies executed a search warrant at 115 N. 4th Avenue, in Villisca. As a result of the warrant, 44-year-old Justin James Smith and 31-year-old Jamie Elizabeth Gentry, both of Villisca, were arrested.

Justin Smith was taken into custody on charges that include two counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Jamie Gentry charged with Child Endangerment. Her bond was set at $2,000.

At around 9:45-a.m. today (Friday), Sheriff’s Deputies executed a search warrant at 121 W. 3rd Street in Villisca. Authorities say Bruce Warren Fitzwater was arrested, and charged with four counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine, and one count of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver. Fitzwater was being held without bond.

A large amount of methamphetamine was seized during the execution of both warrants. The incidents remain under investigation.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The owner of an ag chemical supply company near Atlantic is hosting the Cass County Republicans Trap Shoot and BBQ tomorrow (Saturday, Aug. 27th.) Erich Wickman, owner of Wickman Chemical, says the trap shoot takes place on his property north of Atlantic across from his place of business, off Highway 71, to the east, and will feature Republican candidates for office.

Last year there were about 260 who stayed for the dinner. Wickman says they’re hoping for more this year. The politicians or their representatives who have said they will be in attendance, aren’t coming to make a campaign stop.

Aside from the trap shoot, Cass County Cattleman’s BBQ steak sandwich dinner and elbow rubbing with politicians, there are many other things that will draw your interest.

There will be a raffle for a gun and gun safe, following the dinner. The drawing will take place at the end of the trap shoot. You do not need to be present in order to win. The cost is $10/1 gun ticket; $25/3 gun tickets; $100/12 gun tickets; $100 worth of tickets = 1 chance at the Kodiak Gun Safe. There is a $25 entry fee and register when you arrive. That covers the shooting event and the cost of the dinner. Many people come just to watch and enjoy the food. Wichman says while the event is intended to benefit the Cass County Republican Party, there is another purpose.

The Top Shot finished-up Thursday night, with about $9,000 raised for the Atlantic Police Community Charitable Organization (APCO). To participate in the Trap Shoot, you must bring a 12 or 20-gauge shotgun (target loads only) and ammo. Protective ear/eye equipment is required. Wickman says if you want to participate in the shooting part of the day, please call ahead to reserve a specific time slot…which are filling fast. He says the afternoon is already full.

For more information contact Erich Wickman at (712) 243-7739.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports the Page County Sheriff’s Office’ front Office, is closed today, August 26, 2022, due to staff shortage in that Office. The Front Office will re-open on Monday, August 29, 2022.

(Radio Iowa) – Veterans from at least 15 northern Iowa counties will be spending tomorrow (Saturday) in the nation’s capital as part of the latest Honor Flight from Iowa. Russ Naden of Webster City is one of the coordinators of the flight, which will fly out of the Fort Dodge Regional Airport early in the morning. “We’ve probably got 130-some veterans on it,” Naden says. “I think last count was about eight or nine Korean vets, the rest are mainly Vietnam vets.”

This marks the group’s 22nd Honor Flight over the years and Naden says it’s always a privilege to carry each veteran to Washington D-C to see the monuments, as for many it’s their first time. “We are taking a few what we call in-betweeners, people that were in between Korea and Vietnam are now eligible,” Naden says, “and in between World War Two and Korea are also eligible, although there aren’t too many of them still around.”

Image from honorflight.org.

The plane is scheduled to arrive at Dulles International Airport at mid-morning. From there, the veterans will board buses for the one-day tour visiting the memorials and historical buildings. The day wraps with a tour of Arlington National Cemetery and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The charter will return to Fort Dodge tomorrow night.

(Ames, Iowa) – It’s a busy time of year. School is starting, harvest is just around the corner and there seem to be more priorities than time for many of us. If you find yourself rushing to get from here to there, remember that cutting a few minutes from your drive by speeding or driving aggressively is not worth the risk. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2020, speeding killed 11,258 people in the United States.

In Iowa in 2021, law enforcement officers determined speed and aggressive driving played a part in the deaths of 176 people. If you are lucky enough to just get pulled over and not get into a crash, the average cost for a ticket for aggressive driving is $195. Just a speeding ticket will run you anywhere from $92 to $402.

What does a crash look like at different speeds? Check this out – https://youtu.be/71xuU9y-iwM…

(West Des Moines, Iowa) – A long-time County Employee in Pottawattamie County was honored recently. Officials with ISAC (Iowa State Association of Counties) report Melvyn Houser, Pottawattamie County Auditor, was presented with the prestigious “Golden Eagle” award on Wednesday, during ISAC’s 2022 Annual Conference in Des Moines. The Golden Eagle is given to commend extraordinary public service to ISAC and county government. The honor was created to recognize elected or appointed county officials, business or civic leaders, persons rendering assistance to counties as trainers, consultants or advisors, and former members of ISAC staff also are eligible.

The ISAC Board of Directors selected Houser as the Golden Eagle, an honor that has been given annually since 2010 on the basis of service rendered to county government generally, including leadership in ISAC, ISAC-affiliated boards, service on state or national boards or commissions, service to the National Association of Counties (NACo), service to counties in training, education and development of local leadership, advocating for counties and good local government, and providing exceptional professional assistance and support to counties.

Melvyn Houser was honored as the 2022 ISAC Golden Eagle during a ceremony in Des Moines. (L to R: ISAC President Richard Crouch: Pottawattamie County Auditor Melvyn Houser; Black Hawk County Auditor Grant Veeder; ISAC Executive Director Bill Peterson)

Melvyn Houser served as Pottawattamie County Supervisor from 2001-2017. Since that time, he has served as Pottawattamie County Auditor. He has been actively engaged in ISAC and NACo and has gone above and beyond for both organization for many years. He has been a mainstay on the Boards of both organizations. He has served on the ISAC Board since 2009, on the NACo Board since 2013, and served as ISAC President in 2015. He has served on countless statewide boards and committees related directly to ISAC, including, but not limited to:

• ICTS Advisory Committee
• Iowa State Association of County Auditors
• Iowa State Association of County Supervisors
• Case Management and Mental Health and Disability Services

At the federal level, Melvyn Houser has been a member of the Rural Action Caucus (RAC), the Membership Committee, the Arts & Culture Commission, the Finance Pensions and Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee, and much more. He has been an enthusiastic proponent and successful recruiter for NACo membership, participation, and event attendance. He currently lives in Carson with his wife LaRue. They have three grown sons.