(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s concerned that the military would consider decommissioning the U-S-S Sioux City, which joined the Navy fleet just three years ago. “It’s not just because it’s (the USS) Sioux City that I’m concerned about it, although that gives me a parochial reason for being concerned about it,” Grassley says, “but this is a ship that was just built.”

The Navy is asking congress to approve decommissioning 24 ships over the next five years, to save three-point-six BILLION dollars. The list includes the U-S-S Sioux City and seven other combat ships in the Navy’s Freedom Class. “What’s the Navy doing mothballing ships that are only four or five years old? Doesn’t it say something about their looking to the future, the needs of the Navy, and now all of a sudden a whole group of cruisers are not needed anymore? That’s what bothers me,” Grassley says. “It’s not just because of Sioux City.”

USS Sioux City (Navy photo_

Pentagon officials say the U-S-S Sioux City is among ships that need a costly repair to its propulsion system and six new ships will be delivered with a revamped design to address the flaw. Grassley, a Republican, says this case makes him question the Navy’s budget decisions. “The irresponsible handling of money for cruisers like the Sioux City would say to me the Navy’s not up to handling the taxpayers’ dollars efficiently and effectively and responsibly,” Grassley says.

Iowa’s other U.S. Senator, Republican Joni Ernst, spoke at the christening ceremony for the U-S-S Sioux City in 2018. Ernst says now is not the time to flatten the size of the defense budget, as America’s enemies are on the march and the world has become a much more dangerous place. Ernst says the Biden Administration’s budget puts the sizes of our Navy and Air Force far short of where they need to be and reflects what Ernst calls “appeasement” to an emboldened Putin in Russia.

[*UPDATED] (Greenfield, Iowa) – A woman charged in a March 6, 2018 fatal crash in Adair County was sentenced Monday in Adair County District Court, to serve an indeterminate term not to exceed five-years, on a Class-D Felony charge of Involuntary Manslaughter. The charge against 38-year-old Serena Marie Sims, of Williamsburg, VA, was reduced from a Class B Felony Homicide by Vehicle charge. Sims was also charged with Serious Injury by vehicle, which is also a Class-D Felony. The terms will run consecutive to one another. Sims will serve her time, less time served, at the Iowa Women’s Correctional Center, at Mitchelleville. Bond on the first charge was set at $10,000 cash or surety. There is no appeal bond on the second charge.

The crash near Menlo claimed the life 60-year-old Julie Compton, of Bridgewater, who died at the scene of the crash. Compton was a passenger in the Ford Explorer Sims was driving. The Patrol reported following the crash, that Sims (Who was 34-years-old) was traveling south near mile marker 65 on Highway 25 when she lost control of the SUV and crossed the center-line. Her vehicle struck a car driven by 32-year-old David Nail, of Corning, who was injured, and along with Sims and another passenger in her SUV, 34-year-old Julie Holmes of Bridgewater, were transported to the Adair County Memorial Hospital, in Greenfield.

*Adair County Attorney Melissa Larson tells KJAN, that the accident was caused by more than Serena Sims losing control of the SUV. Larson says Sims provided a urine sample to law enforcement that tested positive for methamphetamine, THC metabolites, and opiates. The passenger who died, Julie Compton, was Sims’ mother. The other driver, David Nail, Larson says, suffered very serious injuries, which will impact him for the rest of his life.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports also, 28-year-old Brandon Joseph Stone, of Gravity, was arrested April 2nd, on Adair County warrants for a controlled substance violation and used or expired drug tax stamp. He was released that same day on a $5,000 cash or surety bond. And, 41-year-old Andres Sanchez, of Des Moines, was arrested March 27th in Adair County, by the Iowa State Patrol. Sanchez was wanted on a Polk County warrant for OWI/1st offense. He posted a $2,000 cash-only bond and was released before he was able to be picked-up by Polk County deputies.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports a single arrest took place Monday morning. During a traffic stop at around 8:20-a.m. officers arrested 26-year-old Jeremiah David Richard Crago, of Creston. He was charged with Driving while Suspended, cited and released from the scene.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council has a lot of ground to cover during their meeting Wednesday evening, at City Hall. According to their 16 page agenda, the Council will act on recognizing the Atlantic High School and Middle School Archery Teams for the performance at the National Archery in Schools (NASP) Iowa State Archery Tournament, and wish them the best of luck for the April 28th-30th Western Nationals in Sandy, Utah. The Council will also recognize Clint Roland for achieving his Grade 3 Wastewater Operator’s Certification, and Travis Hansen, for passing the testing needed to achieve his Grade 2 Certification.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will act on an Order to approve an agreement with the City of Fontanelle, for Wastewater Management Services. It’s the same type of agreement Atlantic has with the City of Marne, and is in effect until their staff is Grade 2 Certified. A similar agreement may be needed with the City of Anita, depending upon whether or not their person passes the Grade 2 Certification test.

The Mayor will administer the Oath Of Office to Devin Hogue, Atlantic’s new Chief of Police, and Paul Wood, Assistant Police Chief. Both men were appointed during the Council’s meeting on March 16th. Wood is the first Assistant Police Chief the City has had. The Council will then act on approving an Order to accept the assignment of an Option Agreement – with proposed purchase agreement – from Bob Camblin, and to reimburse him for the $10,000 option fee. The agreement is with regard to the development of new, single-family housing in Atlantic, which has been discussed for more than a decade, but for which only 26 building permits have been issued since 2012, along with one new housing addition. Camblin secured an option from Jim Comes to sell the City 41.54-acres of land located northeast of 22nd and Olive Streets, for $20-thousand dollars per acre ($830,000 total). Camblin used $10,000 of his own money to lock-in the option, which must be exercised by May 16, 2022 or it will expire. Purchase by the City will be financed through General Obligation Debt.

The Council will follow-up action on approving the Order, by moving forward with approving an Order to authorize the City Attorney to deliver a written notice to Mr. Comes, of the City’s decision to purchase the land under the option agreement. The Atlantic City Council will also hear a presentation from Code Enforcement Officer Kris Erickson, on proposed changes to the Nuisance Abatement Process. Action will follow on an Order to close-off E. 4th Street and parking in the vicinity, for food truck parking on Saturday, April 23rd, from 9-a.m. until 2-p.m., for SHIFT ATL’s Pop-Up (fundraising) event. A similar closure was approved last year for the same event.

The Council will act on:

• an Order to approve the first amendment to an Ambulance Services Agreement with Midwest Medical Transport Company, LLC.
• holding a Public Hearing on a proposal to enter into a General Obligation Solid Waste Management Loan Agreement associated with a 28-E agreement for the Cass County Landfill.
• a Resolution adjusting Season 2022 compensation and benefits for Sunnyside Pool Lifeguards.
• They will hold a Public Hearing on an Ordinance Amending the City Code, by dividing the City into five wards and five precincts, as required by the recent census.
• and finally, the Atlantic City Council will act on an Order authorizing the Mayor and/or City Administrator to sign agreements necessary to execute a joint County-City 6th Street bridge repair project, with regard to the bridge on the airport road.

The Atlantic City Council meeting begins at 5:30-p.m., Wednesday, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall.

(Radio Iowa) – April is national “Donate Life” month — which is meant to inspire people to become organ donors. Unity Point St. Luke’s Hospital of Sioux City recently joined the Iowa Donor Network in a “Donate Life” flag raising ceremony to celebrate donor families and transplant recipients. John Jorgensen is the donation services coordinator of the Iowa Donor Network. “We often think about organ donation as being something for the recipient only. But it is also for the family to help families in their grief,” Jorgensen says, “help families to know that their legacy will live on in the lives of others through organ, tissue, and eye donation.” he says.

Jorgensen says organ donors helped save many lives in Iowa this past year, despite the pandemic. “There were 128 organ donors who generously gave 365 organs for transplant. Thousands more were healed by the gifts of 984 tissue donors in Iowa But yet still there are more than 107-thousand people on a transplant list in the United States. And in Iowa, that number is over 600,” according to Jorgensen.

Jorgenson says every donor makes an impact on many lives. “Through organ donation, up to eight lives might be saved through an organ donor’s gift of life. One tissue donor has the ability to enhance the lives of up to 300. It is a selfless act for this gift of life,” he says. You can sign up to be an organ donor when you renew or obtain your driver’s license. More than 70 percent of adults in Iowa are registered organ donors. You may also register online at iowadonornetwork.org.