WASHINGTON – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley’s office reports an Audubon County native, Grace Christensen,just completed a four week internship in Washington, D.C with the Senior Senator. Christensen is a junior at Iowa State University, majoring in Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. She’s the daughter of Jason and Tracie Christensen, of Audubon.

Grassley said in a news release, “Interning in Washington D.C. is one of the best ways to get a grasp on the inner workings of Capitol Hill and government. Interns play an important role in my office and fulfill meaningful tasks for staff and myself.  An internship is a unique opportunity for college age students to be right in the middle of the political world and gather essential office experience.”

Senator Grassley and Grace Christensen. (Photo submitted)

Christensen served as a Legislative intern aiding Grassley’s Legislative staff.  Her duties included performing research to aid in answering constituent questions, working on special projects for Legislative Assistants, such as keeping track of legislation as it moves through the House and Senate, preparing binders for bills, as well as filing and organizing paperwork. Christensen says  she thoroughly enjoyed her brief time in our nation’s capitol with Senator Grassley’s office. She says it pushed her out of her comfort zone. Grace said also, “I was able to network with so many admirable people. I acquired knowledge about the legislative process within Congress, and gained a new level of respect for those in this profession.”

College students interested in participating in the internship program for Grassley in Washington, D.C., or any of his state offices, should visit Grassley’s website here.

Sheriff’s officials in Ringgold County report, just before 1-am Saturday, July 3rd, 43-year-old Matthew Reihman, of Coralville, was attempting to back his delivery box truck into the alley between the Princess Theater and Southwest Builder’s Supply, in Mt. Ayr, with a planned final destination being the loading dock of Napa Auto Parts.

While attempting to back to the loading dock the front of his vehicle struck the metal building owned by Southwest Builder’s Supply. A dollar amount of the damage was not indicated in the report. No injuries were reported.

Photo courtesy the Ringgold County S/O.

(Radio Iowa) – Under a new state law, kids who mow lawns, walk dogs or launch other temporary businesses don’t have to pay any business-related fees to cities or counties. Representative Jon Jacobsen of Council Bluffs calls it the Youth Entrepreneurship Act.

Under the new law, cities and counties cannot require permits, licenses or any fees for businesses run by Iowans under the age of 18 – as long as the business operates for no more than 89 days every year. The Iowa Senate gave the proposal unanimous support. Senator Roby Smith of Davenport was the only senator who spoke during senate consideration of the policy.

The proposal got the support of 79 House members, but a dozen voted against it. Representative Mary Wolfe of Clinton says the law is unnecessary because cities and counties aren’t imposing fees or requiring kids to get licenses or permits for their temporary businesses.

LAST year the legislature passed a law that forbids local city or county policies that require kids who run food stands to get permits or licenses. In 2011, Coralville police shut down three child-operated lemonade stands as thousands of bicyclists on RAGBRAI came through town because the kids didn’t have city permits to operate.