(Radio Iowa) – A bill that would override business policies that prevent employees from having guns in their vehicles in the company parking lot has cleared initial review in the Iowa Senate. Senator Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, is the bill’s sponsor. “The employee, I believe, has a fundamental right on their way to work…on their way home after work to have a weapon as a means of well-being and security,” Schultz says.

Schultz says his bill wouldn’t affect businesses that do not allow employees to bring guns into the workplace, but he says leaving a gun in a locked, parked vehicle should be allowed. Rita Carter of the United Methodist Church Advocates says she’s concerned because the bill also applies to the employees AND volunteers of non-profits. “So what’s to prevent an employee from — even though they’ve lawfully locked their gun and ammunition in their car — from going out, getting it, coming back in and wreaking havoc?” she asks.

Tracey Kennedy is an Iowa chapter leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense. “There are legitimate reasons employers choose not to have firearms being stored on the property, including the risk of guns being stolen from cars,” she says. “Research actually suggests that nearly one quarter of guns are taken from cars and other vehicles.” The legislature’s website shows the Iowa Association of Business and Industry is opposed to the bill, while a number of other business groups are monitoring the legislation.

Richard Rogers of the Iowa Firearms Coalition says about two dozen states have similar parking lot laws. “What we believe is that employers have rights, but employees and citizens have rights, including a right to an expectation of privacy in their vehicle, just as they do in their home,” Rogers says, “and that the place to draw the line between those rights is at the locked door of a private vehicle.”

The bill is tentatively scheduled for debate in a Senate Committee this week. Policy bills like this one must be approved by a Senate or a House committee by the end of NEXT week — or the bill is tabled for the year. That deadline does not apply to spending or tax-related bills.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department is pairing up with the Atlantic Public Library to promote recreation and “I love my library” month. There will be 15 pairs (of things like Salt and pepper shakers, socks and shoes, milk and cookies, etc.) hidden in City Park and 15 pairs hidden in Cedar Park. Find both hearts which pair up, take a picture with both, and show either the pictures to the Atlantic Library Staff OR the Atlantic Parks and Rec Department, to earn a prize. Pairs vary, but there are pairs specific to Cedar Park and pairs specific to City Park.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Sunday (Today), released a report on an arrest and an incident. At around 7:12-p.m., Saturday, 55-year-old Matthew Eric Browning, of Council Bluffs, was arrested by Greenfield Police, on an Adair County warrant for Violation of a Protective Order, and on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Violation of Probation. He was being held without bond on the Adair County warrant until making an initial court appearance, and on a $2,000 bond on the Pott. County warrant.

On Feb. 1st, Stuart Police arrested 50-year-old Scotty Lee Coe, of Stuart, for Driving While Barred. He was released the following day on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports eight arrests took place from January 24th through February 5th.

Donald Ryan

David Ryan

Bobbie Jo Cristo

Three of the arrests took place on Saturday (2/5): 45-year-old Donald Ryan, of Shenandoah, was arrested on a Fremont County Warrant for Operating While Intoxicated 1^st Offense; 48-year-old David Ryan, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, 3^rd Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving while Barred, Habitual Violator, and 39-year-old Bobbi Jo Cristo, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine 2^nd Offense, Possession of Marijuana 2^nd Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

On Feb. 2nd, 30-year-old Cassandra Rodriguez, of Sidney, was arrested for Simple Assault, and 25-year-old Brianna Kelley, of Sidney, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

There were two arrests on Jan. 29th, in Fremont County: 49-year-old Timothy Fantroy, of Omaha, Nebraska was arrested on a Fremont County warrant for Forgery; and 23-year-old Brandon Logan, of Sidney, was arrested for a Fremont County warrant for Child Endangerment.

Rodriguez

McKinstry

Fantroy

Kelley

Logan

And, on January 24th, 20-year-old Cory McKinstry, of Hamburg, was arrested for a Fremont County warrant for Child Endangerment.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Red Oak Police, early this (Sunday) morning, arrested 32-year-old Mildred Helenora Douglas. The woman was taken into custody at around 4-a.m., in the 1700 block of N. 4th Street, on a valid Montgomery County warrant for Harassment in the 3rd Degree, and Public Intoxication. Douglas was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 cash-only bond.