(Radio Iowa) – There’s a fierce debate between appraisers and the insurance industry over a bill that would adjust some rules for the evaluation of damaged property in Iowa. The Iowa House has unanimously approved the changes, but the bill is in limbo in the Senate. Republican Senator Zach Nunn of Bondurant says he and others want to review the arguments before deciding whether to advance the bill.

“This past weekend we had horrific disasters across our state,” Nunn says. “…I want to make sure that we have a bill that really takes care of the property owner first, specifically those who have been impacted by catastrophic loss.” Iowa Insurance Institute lobbyist Brittany Lumley says the bill is necessary because a 2018 Iowa Supreme Court ruling gave appraisers too much leeway.

“It’s just making sure the appraisers stick to the loss and the cost of the damage as opposed to the coverage causation disputes, which are best left to the courts,” she says. Tim Johnson is the Cedar Rapids attorney who handled the court case that’s at the center of this dispute. He says it the bill becomes law, lawyers like him will make a lot of money taking insurance companies to court.

“The citizens of Iowa cannot afford to not have a cheap resolution process that gets these claims resolved without needing somebody like me,” Johnson says. Johnson is urging lawmakers to preserve the current process that lets a property owner ask a neutral umpire to resolve a dispute over insurance claims when appraisers for the insurance company and the property owner do not agree. The insurance industry’s lobbyist says that option will remain, but appraisers will no longer be able to judge what caused the damage if the bill becomes law.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Monday (Today), was the first day candidates for the June Primary Election could begin filing their nomination papers. On the first day of filing, the Cass County Auditor’s Office reports Mary Ward has filed for re-election as County Recorder.

The filing deadline is March 25^th, 2022. If you have any questions about the nomination and/or filing process, contact the Cass County Auditor’s Office or see the Iowa Secretary of State’s website .

Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday), reports an adult and two juveniles were arrested on burglary and other charges, Friday evening.  Authorities say that on March 4^th, at 6:45 p.m., the Mills County Communications Center received a 911 call about a burglary in progress at Vinton Equipment, in Pacific Junction. Law Enforcement responded to that location where the reporting party saw one person with a flashlight run behind some equipment. The reporting party stayed on the phone with the Communications Center to give updates to responding units.

When law enforcement arrived on scene, K9 Deputy Evan Ruse gave multiple loud verbal commands to come out with hands up prior to releasing K9 “Danken.” K9 Danken then started barking and was released to do an area search. Almost immediately after K9 Danken was released, three suspects came out with their hands up. All three were taken into custody without further incident.

Jeffrey Greene

During the investigation, law enforcement located burglary tools on all three suspects and a bucket full of copper wire and other parts that were removed from different tractors. Two of the three suspects were juveniles, the third suspect was identified as Jeffrey Greene of Malvern. Law enforcement was able to locate their vehicle, which was parked in the Martin Chapel Cemetery.

Both juveniles were charged with Burglary 3^rd Degree of a Vehicle, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Criminal Mischief 2^nd Degree. Greene was charged with Burglary 3^rd Degree of a Vehicle, Possession of Burglary Tools, Criminal Mischief 2^nd Degree, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Glenwood Police Department and the Iowa State Patrol.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman from Adams County was arrested Friday evening on drug and other charges. 36-year-old Breeanna May Fallin, of Corning, was arrested at 330th and Highway 34, for: A Controlled Substance Violation; 3 counts Possession of a Controlled Substance; Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia and Interference with Official Acts. Bond for those offenses was set at $25,000. Fallin was also taken into custody on a Woodbury County warrant for Failure to Appear. Bond on the warrant is $600.

And, Sunday morning, 26-year-old Dakota John Allen, of Hastings (IA), was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300.

DES MOINES – Today (Monday), Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for nine additional counties in response to the March 5 severe weather. The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather in Adair, Benton, Decatur, Jasper, Lucas, Polk, Tama, Warren, and Wayne counties.

In addition, the proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program, for the aforementioned nine counties, as well as Madison County. The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website at https://dhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

The Disaster Case Management Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case managers work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referral to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Management Program, contact your local community action association or visit www.iowacommunityaction.org.

On Saturday, March 5, the Governor issued a disaster proclamation for Madison County in response to the severe weather.

Council Bluffs, Iowa – The open burning ban in Pottawattamie County will be lifted later today and residents may resume open burning beginning Tuesday, March 8, 2022.

Pott. County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Reed reports open burning is now allowable throughout the county EXCEPT in any municipal city limits where there is a standing ordinance prohibiting open burning on a regular basis. Before burning, check with your local fire department or city clerk to determine whether your community has such an ordinance.

Residents are to continue using extreme caution whenever burning. The recent rain and snow cover will provide temporary and likely short-term relief of dangerous fire conditions. The county is still significantly below precipitation averages, and it won’t take long for fuels to become extremely volatile under the right atmospheric conditions as we approach spring and planting season