DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has named 14 officials to a committee she’s created that will make recommendations for removing racial bias from the Iowa criminal justice system and help reduce recidivism among former offenders. Reynolds says the group’s recommendations will form the foundation of a package of legislative proposals aimed at advancing her second chance initiative which will include her continued push for a constitutional amendment that grants felons the right to vote.

The committee is chaired by Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg and includes leaders from departments of corrections, public safety, the law enforcement academy, the parole board and state public defender’s office. She’s also included on the committee a county sheriff, a police chief, a county attorney and leaders of the NAACP, a Latino affairs group and a crime victim lawyer from the Iowa attorney general’s office. The first meeting will be Thursday.

(Radio Iowa) — The open enrollment period for Medicare is underway. The spokesperson for the organization that oversees the enrollment, Julie Brookhart, says it’s an important time. “Beneficiaries can take a look at the way they receive their Medicare and change their plan if they can find one that is better for their needs. We tell people to take advantage of this opportunity — because usually when they do compare — they usually do find something that will meet their needs better for next year,” according to Brookhart.

She says the 625-thousand Iowans who use Medicare have several options. She says there are 39 Medicare Advantage health plans if you do not want to be in the original Medicare. And she says there are 29 stand-alone Medicare drug programs across Iowa. Brookhart, who works for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, says you should have received a mailing that would let you know about any changes in your current plan.

“Everyone should get what’s called an annual notice of change. And that’s from any plan that they are in currently — and it’s going to tell them what’s changing for the next year. It would ell them if their monthly premium is going up. It might tell them if a specific drug they take is no longer going to be on their formulary,” Brookhart says. “And so, these are the reasons why you would definitely review your options.”

She says you can use that information to help you decide what will work best in the coming year. “The Medicare Advantage plans might be an option for people. It covers everything original Medicare A& B covers — but the offer additional benefits — dental, vision, hearing and sometimes gym memberships. They key there is you have to go to the providers in their network,” Brookhart explains. There is a Medicare Finder Tool available to help you. “It’s just been updated for the first time in ten year…the biggest change is that it is going to connect you if you have a My Medicare-dot-gov account. You would just register for a My Medicare-dot-gov account. And it’s going to pull in the last 12 months of your Medicare Part D prescription claims data, so its already going to populate the prescriptions you already take,” Brookhart says.

Brookhart says you can also call and get help in making your decision. “One-800-633-4227. A customer service rep can walk you through this comparison over the phone. They’ll just need some of your basic information like your Medicare card number. If you don’t want to connect to the My Medicare-dot-gov portal — they are going to need your prescriptions so they can input those,” Brookhart says. The Medicare Open Enrollment period runs through December 7th.

There aren’t many contested races during Tuesday’s City/School Elections in Shelby County. In the Harlan Community School District, Incumbent Joni Larsen faces a challenge from Allyson Bendorf, for one seat on the School Board. Shelby County voters in the Tri-Center School District will vote on two of four candidates for the At Large Director’s seat, including: Cecilia Thomas; Sara Arnold; Tami Harman, and incumbent Katie Ausdemore.

In Irwin, four people are running for two seats on the City Council: Jonna Willadsen; Jim Kramer; Jessie Bates, and Richard Wiig.  There are three candidates for two seats in the Boyer Valley School District/ Director District 2 (which includes part of Shelby County): Jeffrey L. Miller, and incumbents Steve Puck and Paul L. Klein. Incumbent Kert A. Barnum faces a challenge from three other candidates for one of two seats on the Woodbine School Board At Large seat: Shawn Cogdill; Teresa Coenen, and Martin Murdock.

And, voters in Tennant and Shelby (residing within the AHSTW School District), will chose between Steven Kock and Michelle Mertz, for the At Large seat on the school Board. They also get to select Kim Wise or Robert Bryant for on District 2 Director’s seat on the Board. In Shelby, four candidates hope to fill one of three seats on the City Council: Robert Morton; Christopher J. Evans; Karen Schlueter, and Donavon Gail Dontje.

There are also Public Measures on the ballot Tuesday, in Shelby County. Patrons of the Harlan Community School District: The renewal of a 10-year Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) at a rate not to exceed 67-cents per $1,00 assessed property valuation, a renewal of an Instructional Support Tax not to exceed 10%, both commencing Dec. 31st in Calendar Year 2022, AND an Income Surtax (beginning in 2022).

Voters in the Exira-EHK School District have a Public Measure to decide on, as well: Whether or not a 7% Hotel Motel Tax is implemented in the City, beginning Jan. 1, 2020. The proposal states 67% of the total revenue raised from the tax would be put in the tourism promotion fund or for any lawful purpose. 33% would be spent for funding the library, pool and park, or any other such lawful purpose.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of sex abuse and sexual exploitation while supervising a care program in Davenport has taken a plea deal. Scott County District Court records say 63-year-old Bruce Enger pleaded guilty Thursday to sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist. Two counts of sexual abuse will be dismissed in return for his plea. Enger’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 20.

The records say the person involved has been a client of REM Iowa for six years. REM Iowa serves adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Enger’s responsibilities including supervising the residence in which the person lived.

There are races for several City Council and School Board seats throughout Pottawattamie County for the November 5^th City and School Board Elections.

Below are the candidates:

Council Bluffs

City Council (Vote for 3)

Deb Bass

Chad Hannan

Roger Sandau

Nate Watson

Sharon White

Joe Disalvo

Macedonia

Mayor (Vote for 1)

Gary Wax

City Council (Vote for 3)

Brad Swope

McClelland

Mayor (Vote for 1)

Mitchell A. Kay

City Council (Vote for 5)

Dani Baxter

Michael P. Conrad

Kristine Magnuson

John Springhower

Daniel Lee Williams

Minden

Mayor (Vote for 1)

Kevin D. Zimmerman

City Council (Vote for 2)

Jason Schneckloth

Glenn Hurst

Neola

Mayor (Vote for 1)

Karla Pogge

Dawn M. Goodsell

City Council (Vote for 3)

Richard D. Schuning

Jason Zaborowski

Jonathan McDonald

Joseph R. Munch

Ty Ungrad

Lori Eckrich

Oakland

City Council (Vote for 2)

Jeremy Perkins

Tina Drahota

Kelly Towne

Coralee Bernard

Betsy Moniz

City Council to Fill a Vacancy (Vote for 1)

Douglas Reed

Courtne Turner

Treynor

Mayor (Vote for 1)

Allen Hadfield

City Council (Vote for 2)

Justus Brammer

Matt Saar

Underwood

City Council (Vote for 3)

Royce D. Forbush

Josh H. Madsen

Robert W. Dose

Ashleigh M. Robinson

Walnut

Mayor (Vote for 1)

Gene Larsen

City Council (Vote for 2)

Justen Tooley

Erich Cochran

LaVonne Wood

Cheyenne Mertz

Carter Lake

City Council (Vote for 3)

Keebie Kessler

Nathaniel Bradburn

Pat Paterson

Avoca

Mayor (Vote for 1)

Aaron C. Long

City Council (Vote for 2)

Lori Hansen

Fred G. Miller III

Matt Gramkow

City Council To Fill a Vacancy (Vote for 1)

Steve Kerr

Charles J. Stolz

Park Commissioner (Vote for 1)

Adam C Long

Carson

Mayor (Vote for 1)

Tim Todd

City Council (Vote for 2)

Frankie Knudsen

Marlene Richardson

Troy Graves

City Council to Fill a Vacancy (Vote for 1)

Kelly Pilling

Crescent

Mayor (Vote for 1)

Brian M. Shea

City Council (Vote for 3)

Michelle Hargens

Charles Hildreth

Jack A. Powers

Randall J. Adams

Hancock

Mayor (Vote for 1)

James Kock

City Council (Vote for 3)

Donald Ehlers

Vince Guyer

Linda Wageman

City Council to Fill a Vacancy (Vote for 1)

Ray C. Evans

 

AHSTW School

Director District #2 (Vote for 1)

Kim Wise

Robert Bryant

Director District #3 (Vote for 1)

Allen D. Cordes

Director District #5 (Vote for 1)

No Candidate

Board of Director (Vote for 1)

Steven Kock

Michelle Mertz

Treynor School Board (Vote for 3)

Gina Mieska

Keith Christensen

Amy Bierbaum

B.J. Dreyer

Stephen Winchell

Bob Beattie

 

 

Riverside School

Director District #3 (Vote for 1)

Jamie Kadel

Rodney Pendgraft

Director District #4 (Vote for 1)

Matthew W. Bowen

Director District #7 (Vote for 1)

Mark Jeppesen

Director District #2 (Vote for 1)

Todd Pendgraft

Underwood School Board of Directors (Vote for 3)

Nathan Burns

Brian Leaders

Nicole Snyder

Rick Larson

Teresa Mace

Matt Brummett

Tri Center School Board (Vote for 2)

Cecilia Thomas

Sara Arnold

Katie Ausdemore

Tami Harman

Council Bluffs School Board (Vote for 4)

Jill Shudak

Dick Dallinger

Troy Arthur

Chris LaFerla

David Coziahr

Lewis Central School Board (Vote for 3)

Brian Stoufer

Amie Adkins

Daryl Weilage

Travis Houseton

Voters in Montgomery County will be heading to the polls, Tuesday, will decide the fate of some contested races and a Public Measure for the Villisca Community School District. The following candidates are on the ballot:

Red Oak School District/Director At-Large (elect 2): Mike Carlson; Bryce Johnson; Jackie DeVries.

Stanton School District/Director At-Large (elect 2): Angela Silva; Angue Schenck-Roberts; John McDonald; Sally Stoakes.

Villisca School District/Director At-Large (elect 3): Richard Allen Mullen; Jason Poston; Tom A. Williams.

Southwestern Community College (SWCC) Director’s At-Large

District 1 (To fill a vacancy) (elect 1 – 2 year term): Jane Ernst.

District 2 (elect 1) – Fred Shearer.

District 4 (elect 1): Carol Saxton

District 7 (elect 1): Vicki Sickels.

District 8 (elect 1): John Cass

***Note:

1. District 1 covers Portions of Adams, Adair, Clarke, Madison & Union Counties.
2. District 2 covers Portions of Montgomery, Adams, Ringgold, Union, Taylor & Page Counties.
3. District 4 includes parts of Decatur, Lucas & Ringgold Counties.
4. District 7 includes parts of Decatur, Page, Taylor & Ringgold Counties.
5. District 8 covers portions of Union County.

Villisca School District Public Measure to be on the ballot Nov. 5^th:

The Measure essentially asks District patrons if the District will be authorized to impose a 10-year levy and Physical Plant & Equipment Levy (PPEL), for the purpose of school infrastructure improvements, including the purchase of transportation equipment, purchasing and improving District grounds, and other matters. The levy (tax) would not exced 67-cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation, authorized annually, commencing with the levy of property taxes for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. AND the Measure asks for the imposition of an INCOME SURTAX upon the State Income Taxes patrons file, on December 31^st for each calendar year, beginning in 2020, or each year thereafter.

The Combined City/School Election will be Tuesday, November 5, 2019 in Adair County. The names of those candidates who will appear on the ballots are as follows:

Adair City City Council – elect 3: Jeremy Marvin Gettler; Perry Lee Leeper.

Mayor – elect 1: John M Larsen

Bridgewater City City Council – elect 3: Debra J Tindle; Kristen Walker Haley Williams

Mayor – elect 1: Roberta Carpenter

Fontanelle City City Council – elect 3: James Campbell; Marlene Davis; Dixie D Dukes; John Huddleson
Mayor – elect 1: Ryan Cooper; Mary Sturdy-Martin

Greenfield City City Council – elect 2: Holly Dullard; Rod McMorran; Joshua Nelson

Greenfield Parks Board – elect 1: William A Raasch

Mayor – elect 1: Jimmie A Schultz; Ron Smith

Orient City City Council – elect 2: Josh Madison; Gary R Metzger

Orient City Council (To Fill Vacancy) – elect 1: Clarissa Pashek

Mayor – elect 1: No Candidate Filed

Stuart City City Council – elect 2: Michael Kalbach; Kristina A Renslow

Adair Casey School School Board – elect 2: Randy Carney; Dallas Dinkla

Nodaway Valley School School Board (District 2) – elect 2: Rebecca McCann; Susan Stevens

Orient Macksburg School School Board (District 2) – elect 1: No Candidate Filed

School Board (District 3) – elect 1: Eldon Ray

School Board (District 4) – elect 1: Jana Scott

Patrons of the Exira-EHK School District have four persons on their ballot for the Nov. 5^th School elections. Matthew Jorgensen, Terri Harris, and Joel D. Schlueter are all seeking re-election and will run unopposed. Kevin Wilson has decided not to run for re-election, and Jodee Dixon has filed papers for her seat.

Exira Mayor Mike Huegrich is unopposed. Exira City Council candidates (elect 3) include: Robert Sorensen; Mark A. Paulsen; Clark M. Borkowski, and Isaac Kommes.

Voters in Elk Horn will also decide the fate of a Public Measure asking them to consider raising an existing Hotel/motel tax from the current 5%, to 7%. Elk Horn is one of about three locations in the State with a hotel/motel tax below 7%. A good chunk of the tax revenue (67%), is set aside for tourism/promotions, and “any lawful use.” If approved, the increase will go into effect Jan. 1^st, 2020.

Voters in the Audubon School District will have three candidates for 3 seats on the school board: Christine Konkler; Mark Nissen, and Joni Madsen. Mayor Barb Jacobsen is unopposed. The two candidates for City Council (elect 2) are Jacob Murray and Andrew Grabill. Audubon voters will also act on approving a new, 7% hotel/motel tax, half the funds from which would be used for cultural and other projects, while the remainder for any lawful purpose.

Voters in the Adair-Casey School District have two candidates for a two-seat Director’s seat: Randy Carney and Dallas Dinkla. In the Coon Rapids-Bayard School District, six candidates are vying for four At-Large seats on the School Board: Jessica Chrystal; Timothy Owen Lee; Kyler South; Jeff Andersen; Jason Rosenbeck, and Theresa Gelhaus. Voters residing in Audubon County have no unopposed candidates in the CAM School District, where Julie Williamson is the incumbent in the North District, and Michael Plagman is running for the South District.

There are three At-Large seats on the Guthrie Center School Board, and three candidates: Tim Benson, Wanda Knobbe, and Wilma Stetzel. And, there are no opposed candidates in the IKM-Manning School District, where Zachary J. Meiners is running for At-Large, David Heller is the candidate for At-Large 2-A, Roger E. Rasmussen is running for At-Large 2-B, and Beth C. Williams is the lone candidate for Director, DD-1A.

Elsewhere in Audubon County:

Cally Christensen is unopposed for Mayor, and there are three candidates running for three City Council seats, in Brayton: Tanya Marshall, Steve Fister & Steven L. Sykes. In Gray, there are no candidates for Mayor. Val Woodrum, Samuel Wendl and Penny Schmidt are running for the three City Council seats, in Gray. In Kimballton, there are two candidates for Mayor: Glen Hoegh, and Millette Shores. There are also five candidates for two City Council seats: Ramadasa Jivatma; Peggy Mortensen; Joanie Heuton; Justin Larsen, and Carol Hartvigsen.

The polls are open from 7-a.m. Tuesday until 8-p.m. Voting sites are at the Audubon Agri-Hall for those persons residing in Audubon, Coon Rapids-Bayard, IKM-Manning Schools, and the cities of Audubon and Gray. The Exira Rec Center is the polling place for Audubon County eligible voters in the Exira-EHK, Guthrie, Adair-Casey, CAM and Atlantic School Districts, along with the cities of Exira, Kimballton and Brayton.

City/School Elections are being held Tuesday in Adams County, and around the State of Iowa. Here’s a list of the candidates/Public Measures featured on the Adams County ballots (Keep in mind some ballots feature the same candidates, such as SWCC directors, etc):

City of Corning –

Mayor – Janice Mercer Leonard

City Council – Ward 1: Gary Badgett

City Council – At Large: Bert Beckham

Corning Community School District Director (elect 2): Gwen Larsen, & Amy Grau.

Southwestern Community College Director – District 2: Fred Shearer.

Creston Schools (for those patrons in Adams County):

Director (elect 2) – Don Gee, & Bradley W. James.

Southwestern Community College Director – District 1: Jane Ernst

City of Carbon –

Mayor – Larry E. Johnson

City Council (elect 5): Harold Wayne Mitchell; Donna Rochau; Helen Hickman; Vicki Haley; Michael Kempton.

Orient-Macksburg Community Schools – for those patrons in Adams County

Director – District 2: No candidate filed (write-in wins)

Director – District 3: Eldon Ray

Director – District 4: Jana Scott

Villisca Community School District – for those patrons in Adams County

Director/At-Large: (elect 3) Jason Poston; Richard Allen Mullen; Tom A. Williams.

Villlisca Public Measure B – 10 year PPEL renewal at 67 cents/$1,000 taxable property valuation (beginning June 30, 2021, & PPEL Surtax on Individual tax returns (Beginning Dec. 2020).

CAM School Board (for those patrons in Adams County)

North Director – Julie Williamson; South Director – Michael Plagman

Griswold School Board (for those patrons in Adams County)

At-Large: Ryan Askeland (Incumbent)

City of Nodaway –

Mayor – Patricia A. Shipley

City Council (elect 5) – Gary Poen; Gene Dixson; Brenda Dunn; Rebecca Poen; Christine Dunn

Lenox Schools –

Director At-Large (elect 4) – Noelle Parrish; Monty Douglas; Jake Tripp; Seth Evans.

City of Prescott –

Mayor – Theresa West

City Council (elect 2) – Julie Krauth, & Kimberly Reed.

City Council to fill a vacancy expiring in 2021 – None filed

Voters in Pottawattamie County will decide the fate of several City Council and School Board contested races. In Council Bluffs, there are six candidates for three City Council seats: Deb Bass; Chad Hannan; Roger Sandau, Joe Disalvo, and incumbents Nate Watson, along with Sharon White.

In Macedonia, there are three seats open on the City Council, but only one announced candidate: Incumbent Brad Swope. In Neola, incumbent Dawn M. Goodsell faces a challenge for the Mayor’s chair from Karla Pogge, and six people are vying for three seats on the City Council: Incumbent Joseph R. Munch; Richard D. Schuning; Jason Zaborowski; Johnathan McDonald; Ty Ungrad; and Lori Eckrich.

There’s a five-way race for two seats on the Oakland City Council. The candidates include: Incumbent Betsy Moniz; Jeremy Perkins; Tina Drahota; Kelly Towne; and Coralee Bernard. There are also two people running to fill one Vacancy Council seat in Oakland: Douglas Reed and Courtne Turner. In Underwood, Royce D. Forbush, incumbents Josh H. Madsen and Robert W. Dose, along with Ashleigh M. Robinson, are running for three open seats on the Council.

In Walnut, three people are running for two seats on the City Council: Erich Cochran, LaVonne Wood, Cheyenne Mertz, and incumbent Justen Tooley. Two incumbents, Lori Hansen and Fred G. Miller III, along with Matt Gramkow, are running for two seats on the Council, in Avoca, while Steve Kerr and Charles J. Stolz are running to fill a single Vacancy seat. There is also a challenge for a Director’s seat on the AHSTW School Board. Candidates include Michelle Mertz and incumbent Steven Kock.

In Carson, Incumbent Troy Graves faces a challenge from Frankiie Knudsen and Marlene Richardson, for two open seats on the City Council. In Crescent, there are four candidates for three City Council seats. They include Michelle Hargens, and incumbents: Charles Hildreth; Jack A. Powers and Randall J. Adams.

Six people are hoping to fill three seats on the Treynor School Board: Gina Mieska; Keith Christensen; Amy Bierbaum; B.J. Dreyer; Stephen Winchell, and Bob Beattie. Riverside voters get to choose between Incumbent Rodney Pendgraft and challenger Jamie Kadel, who are running for Director/District 3 on the School Board. Six candidates, including incumbent Ric Larson, are running for three seats on the Underwood School Board. The others are: Nathan Burns; Brian Leaders; Nicole Snyder; Teresa Mace, and Matt Brummett.

Tri-Center voters have a choice of four candidates for two School Board positions: Cecilia Thomas; Sara Arnold; Tami Harman, and incumbent Katie Ausdemore. Lewis Central School District Patrons have to choose which of the four candidates will fill three seats on the School Board: Travlis Houseton, along with incumbents Brian Stoufer, Amie Adkins and Daryl Weilage.

There are five people running for four seats on the Council Bluffs School Board: Jill Shudak; Dick Dallinger, and three incumbents: Troy Arthur, Chris LaFerla, and David Coziahr.