(Radio Iowa) – Republican Senator Chuck Grassley is urging Americans to respect the country’s Constitutional system — and its new commander-in-chief. “Like four years ago, I know that many Americans are not happy with how it turned out,” Grassley said. “…I hope we can retire #resist.” Grassley delivered brief remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon. Grassley said as a responsible senator, he has to engage with the administration that’s in office. “As I have with every president, I will seek to find common ground with President Biden wherever possible,” Grassley said, ” but I will strongly oppose policies that I think are not good for Iowa or all Americans.”

Grassley and Biden served together in the senate for 28 years. Grassley has held public office since 1959, over the course of a dozen presidencies. “In our country, nobody is obliged to like or support a president, but hopefully people will really respect the office of the presidency,” Grassley said, “regardless of who holds it.”

Grassley is no longer third in line to the presidency. For the past two years, Grassley has served as the senate president pro tem, but a Democrat transitioned into that role yesterday (Wednesday). The position is occupied by the longest-serving senator from the party that holds a majority in the Senate. Late Wednesday afternoon, three new senators were sworn into office, giving Democrats a working majority in the U.S. Senate.

During a meeting of the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, City Administrator John Lund presented a preliminary overview of the FY21 Budget. The timeline calls for the Council to receive the proposed Budget on Feb. 17^th, a Public Hearing on the Budget and maximum tax dollars resolution and proposed budget adoption on March 3^rd, and on March 17^th, a Public hearing and adoption of the final budget. Lund said the property tax levy is expected to remain the same as last year, at $16.56.

(That’s because the residential rollback went up. Residential taxes per $100,000 of assessed value he says, will increase by $22.11, or 2.42%.)

Mayor Dave Jones explained the City has no control over the amount of rollback. That’s set by the Iowa Legislature. Lund said also, there will be no increase for commercial and industrial properties.

(There would be no increase and for multi-residential the rollback declined so multi-residential taxes will decline $62.10 per $100,000 of valuation, or 5.26%.)

Lund says between the rollback changes and TIF catcher, and debt service versus other levies and new construction coming online, total new property tax dollars the rate will be 2.59%, but the resolution will show 2.87%, which is still better than the 2.71% increase last year.

He said there would be no recommended changes to permits and licenses, fees and fines, wastewater utilities or stormwater utility. The FY 22 Budget however, will likely see some changes in the rates the City charges for wastewater, which has not been changed since 2014.

He concluded by saying “As it stands, things are looking pretty good.”

The Atlantic City Council breezed through most of their agenda, Wednesday night, at least until it came time for a report of the budget. First-off, the Council recognized Street Department Superintendent Kirk Knudsen for his 35 years of work with the City. Mayor Dave Jones presented Knudsen with a plaque and an insulated beverage mug.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones and Street Dept. Superintendent Kirk Knudsen.

In other business, the Council, with Councilman Behrens absent, agreed to set the date for a Public Hearing on the sale of real estate at 403 W. 14th Street. The Hearing will be held during the Council’s meeting at 5:30-p.m. on Feb. 3rd.

The City, in April 2019, adopted a resolution for the disposition of City-owned properties, that outlines how properties may be disposed of. In this case, owners of an abutting property have submitted a bid for $10,000 to acquire the property at 403 W. 14th, but a hearing is required before the agreement can be signed-off on.

On a related note, the Council passed a Resolution “Amending the Policy for the Disposition of City Own Properties.” And, they passed on the Second Reading, an Ordinance with regard to the Collection of Solid Waste. City Clerk Barb Barrick explains…

And, they passed the First Reading of an Ordinance amending sections of the Code of Ordinances entitled “City Clerk,”and “City Attorney,” that would eliminate the current two-year reappointment schedule, and make the City Clerk and Attorney permanent employees.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests. This past Sunday, 37-year-old Natalie Marie Ringen, of Shelby, was arrested following a traffic stop in Harlan. Ringen was charged with OWI/1st offense, and failure to stop at flashing red signal. Ringen was released later that morning on her own recognizance. And, 32-year-old Cory John Petersen, of Marion, was arrested following a traffic stop along Highway 44, in Shelby County. Upon further investigation it was determined that Petersen’s driving privileges are suspended with multiple withdrawals in effect, therefore he was placed under arrest for driving under suspension and cited for failure to provide financial liability. Petersen was released from the jail the following morning, on his own recognizance.

On January 14th, 24-year-old Jeffery James Gulick, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop in Harlan for a traffic violation. Upon further investigation Gulick was charged with prohibited acts, possession of controlled substance, unlawful possession of prescription pills, possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also cited for open container as a driver, and driving on the wrong side of a two-lane road. Gulick was released later that morning on his own recognizance.

And, on January 13th, 24-year-old Casey Richard Kobjerowski, of Omaha, NE., was taken into custody from the Pottawattamie County Jail on an outstanding active warrant for Burglary 3rd, a Class D felony. Kobjerowski had initial appearance and was being held under a $5000 cash or surety bond.

Red Oak Police report a juvenile was arrested Wednesday for Interference with Official Acts. The youth was taken into custody in the 1000 block of E. Washington Avenue, cited, and transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs. Additional details were not released.

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — A 37-year-old central Iowa man has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his nephew. Mark Mash, of rural Adel, was charged Wednesday in the death of 20-year-old Jakob Mash of Perry. The younger Mash was found dead of a gunshot wound on Dec. 22 in a car at an intersection in Adel. Court records say Mark Mash fired a gun at a vehicle that his nephew was riding in.

It was not clear if Mash was aiming at his nephew or what prompted the shooting. Mark Mash was taken into custody that day on other charges and remains in custody.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An owner of a large pork production company that disproportionately benefited from an Iowa coronavirus aid program donated $25,000 to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ campaign last month. Mary Ann Christensen is a board member of Christensen Farms, one of the nation’s largest family-owned pork producers. The $25,000 campaign donation she gave Reynolds was among the largest that Reynolds received in 2020 and far more than the $1,000 that Christensen gave the governor in 2017.

Christensen Farms received $1.86 million in 2020 through the Iowa Disposal Assistance Program, which was 72% of the pandemic aid awarded in its first rounds. The program reimbursed farmers who euthanized their hogs after COVID-19 disrupted their supply chain.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 25-year-old western Iowa man has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for having a Molotov cocktail during racial injustice protests in downtown Omaha last year. Steven Fitch, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced Wednesday in federal court for unlawful possession of destructive device. He will serve three years of supervised release after his prison term. Prosecutors said Omaha police found Fitch with a Molotov cocktail in his front pants pocket during protests on May 31.

The device contained a clear liquid inside a bottle with a red rag attached. The rag had gasoline on it and Fitch had several lighters in his pocket.

(Updated 8:45-a.m.) LONACONING, Md. (AP) — A single winning ticket for the $731.1 million Powerball jackpot was sold by a store in Lonaconing, Maryland. The Maryland Lottery says it was sold at Coney Market. The Allegany County store will receive a $100,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. This was the fifth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever. The drawing was only a day after nobody won the even-larger Mega Millions prize, which now stands at $970 million.

Winning numbers for Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing were: 40-53-60-68-69 and a Powerball of 22. Neither jackpot had seen a winner since mid-September, allowing the prizes to grow steadily for months.

Atlantic, IA — Iowa’s Infectious Disease Advisory Council has provided recommendations to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) about the Phase 1B prioritization for COVID-19 vaccination. Phase 1B includes persons aged 75 years or older, or the following populations vulnerable to high risk of exposure or severity of illness:

• Individuals with disabilities living in home settings whom are dependent on attendant care staff, and their attendant care staff, if not otherwise vaccinated under Phase 1A.
• Correctional facility staff and individuals incarcerated, including state and city or county operated facilities.
• Staff of and individuals living in congregate settings, not covered by the first two bullets, including shelters, sober living homes, behavioral health treatment centers, and detention centers. College dormitories shall not be included as part of Phase 1B.
• Where public health data indicates outbreaks or clusters of disease among food, agriculture, distribution and manufacturing workers whom work in or live in congregate settings that do not allow for social distancing. For example, working in a meatpacking or manufacturing production line or migrant workers whom live in bunkroom style housing.
• PK-12 school staff, early childhood education, and childcare workers. Sub-prioritization should consider persons who work with younger and at-risk children in care, to better ensure child-wellbeing and mitigate impact to parent workforce.
• First responders (e.g., firefighters, police officers, and dependent adult abuse and child welfare social workers).
• Inspectors responsible for health, life and safety, including those in hospital and long-term care settings, child, and food production safety.
• Government officials, including staff, to ensure continuity of government, engaged in state business at the Iowa Capitol during the legislative session.

Cass County Public Health Director Beth Olsen reports, “At this time, IDPH expects to begin vaccinating 1B populations in February. We do not have vaccines yet for 1B, and we do not know when we will receive our first shipment, but we will keep updating the public as we receive more information.” If individuals meet the 1B eligibility criteria, they should complete the survey at casshealth.org/covidvaccine or call 712-243-3250 and press 7. Cass County Public Health is collecting contact information for those who want to receive the vaccine.

Olsen says “While we are waiting to hear when and how much vaccine we will receive, we can at least begin to keep a list of people who are eligible and want it. Then, as we are able to plan our public clinics, we can call and schedule these people.” Until vaccine is widely available to all, which may be sometime around mid-2021, it is crucial that Iowans continue to practice the mitigation measures that can slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
• Wearing a mask or face covering
• Practice social distancing with those outside your household
• Clean your hands frequently with soap and water
• Stay home if you feel sick

For information and updates related to COVID-19, visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus/Vaccine and follow IDPH on Facebook (@IowaDepartmentofPublicHealth) and Twitter (@IAPublicHealth).