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Iowa corner Deshaun Lee talks spring drills

Sports

April 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa corner Deshaun Lee hopes the experience he gained last season helps take his game to another level. Lee was inserted into the lineup due to an injury and started six games as a red shirt freshman.

Lee says the focus during spring drill is about skill development.

Lee says Iowa’s offense under new offensive coordinator Tim Lester looks a lot different.

The Hawkeyes close out spring drills with an open practice on April 20th.

Nunn Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Incentivize Adoption of Siblings

News

April 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES — U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced bipartisan legislation to incentivize the adoption of siblings. The Fight for Siblings Act, which is co-led by U.S. Representative Don Davis (NC-01), will double the federal adoption tax credit for families that adopt siblings.

“Family is everything to Iowans, and I want to make sure that I’m doing everything in my power to help Iowans who are willing to open their home to disadvantaged children,” said Rep. Nunn. “When we began fostering and ultimately adopted Jayna and Aliya, we knew it was incredibly important to keep them together as sisters. Now, I’m fighting to ensure every sibling in the foster system or awaiting adoption can stay together forever.”

Nothing is more important than providing children with a safe, loving environment to grow and learn. In April 2023, Rep. Nunn and his wife adopted two sisters into their family. His firsthand experience with the shortcomings of the foster and adoption process is the foundation for his passion to help other children find their forever homes. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, there are 4,144 Iowa children in foster care and 1,004 Iowa children awaiting adoption.

“It’s important to ensure that low- and middle-income parents have the same opportunities as others when it comes to adopting children,” said Rep. Davis. “Our legislation aims to level the playing field and guarantee equal access to adoption for all families willing to provide caring and loving homes to children.”

Under federal law, foster care agencies are required to strive to find temporary placements in the same home for foster siblings. When placed together, siblings are ultimately provided with a sense of stability that positively impacts their transition and long-term well-being. “A family should not be discouraged to foster and adopt because of cost,” said Mary Beth O’Neill, President and CEO of Four Oaks. “This legislation will allow more siblings to stay together through the adoption process. This, in turn, will provide consistency and stability for not just the children and families supported by Four Oaks in Iowa, but foster and adoptive families all across the country. We are grateful for Representative Nunn’s Fight for Siblings Act. His advocacy efforts will drive positive outcomes for children throughout the nation.”

Adoption fees and related expenses are high which makes it difficult to adopt more than one child at a time. According to the HHS, independent adoptions as of June, 2023 range from $25,000 to $45,000. Adoptions from a private agency range from $30,000 to $60,000. These costs can be prohibitive to families seeking to adopt siblings, unintentionally forcing the separation of siblings.

“When most people think about adoption from foster care, they often envision heartwarming pictures of families proudly standing outside a courthouse with a sign that reads, ‘After X days in foster care, I’ve joined my forever family.’ While these moments are certainly worth celebrating, it’s important to acknowledge that adoption from foster care can also be a bittersweet experience, marked by the loss and trauma that these children have experienced,” said Traci Schermerhorn, President and CEO of Foster Squad. “The Foster SQUAD is committed to supporting foster families as they navigate the next phase of their journey, and we’re excited to get behind the Fight for Siblings Act, which aims to alleviate some of the financial burden on these families so they can focus on providing the love and care that these children need.”

The bipartisan Fight for Siblings Act would double the federal adoption tax credit for families who adopt two or more siblings within the same fiscal year.

Rep. Nunn introduced the bipartisan bill at a press conference in Ankeny on Tuesday with representatives from Four Oaks and the Foster Squad. Text of the bill can be found here.

Gov. Reynolds Signs Foreign Ownership of Land Bill into Law

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that gives Iowa’s attorney general subpoena power to investigate agland purchases and ensure foreigners and foreign governments are not investing in Iowa farmland. “Important legislation to secure Iowa farmland from adversaries of the United States,” Reynolds said this morning.

For decades it has been illegal for a foreign citizen for own more than 320 acres of Iowa farm ground, but Reynolds says foreigners could be using a loophole by investing in limited liability companies that buy agland. The new law requires agland purchase reports filed with the state to include more information about ownership structures. “When Iowa speaks, the country listens and with this bill our message is unmistakable: American soil belongs in American hands,” Reynolds said.

Under current law, foreign entities caught owning more than 320 acres of Iowa farmland can be fined $2000. The new law raises that fine to 25% of the assessed value of the land. “Together, these policies ensure that Iowa can continue to deter hostile nations from attempting to undermine or co-opt the agricultural dominance that Iowa farm families have worked so
hard to build,” Reynolds said.

Governor Kim Reynolds signed SF2204 into law in ceremony in Iowa Capitol rotunda on April 9, 2024. (RI photo)

A huge crowd of legislators and ag group leaders gathered in the Iowa Capitol rotunda for today’s bill signing ceremony. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said Iowa has had a good law since 1979 to ban foreign ownership of large tracts of Iowa farmland and this update makes it better.

“We know how important it is to protect our farm ground here in Iowa and I really appreciate the governor and the legislature for giving our office the tools that we need to get to the bottom of a situation if we think a foreign government might own some farm ground,” Bird said. “Call our office. We’ll investigate it and we appreciate the tools that we need to make sure that everybody is following the law.”

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig said it’s landmark legislation to keep farm ground in the hands of Iowans. “With strengthened enforcement, deterrence and disclosure tools being implemented with this legislation, Iowa’s prohibition on foreign ownership of farm ground will continue to be the gold standard for this type of legislation in other states,” Naig said.

National estimates indicate foreigners own millions of acres of farmland, roughly equal to the size of Ohio.

$250,000 ‘first installment’ to fix ADA issues in state parks

News

April 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A House panel has voted to set aside a quarter of a million dollars for projects that make Iowa’s state  parks more accessible to visitors with disabilities. Republican Representative Norlin Mommsen of  DeWitt says it’s a first installment for needed improvements.) “The DNR’s been running a survey, evaluating their parks and stuff,” Mommsen says. “I’m hoping they have a list and I would think they’d prioritize most important and start there.”

The proposed funding boost is included in a budget plan for the Department of Natural Resources that is supported by Republicans and Democrats on a House subcommittee. Representative Sami Scheetz is a Democrat from Cedar Rapids. “State parks need to be accessible to everybody in our state, so this is a good start,” Scheetz said.

Most historic structures in Iowa’s 69 state parks are not required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, however any park facility built or updated in the past 12 years must comply with the A-D-A’s accessibility standards.

Pott. County Supervisors approve Avoca Main Street funding request

News

April 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Pottawattamie County, today (Tuesday), approved a funding request from Main Street Avoca, in the amount of $3,000. The funds will be used for general operations of the non-profit, volunteer-driven organization, which is focused on community engagement, historic preservation and economic development.

Avoca Main Street spokesperson Amber Mohr was asked about the organization’s economic impact on the community. She said their efforts to date have produced over $4.2-million dollars worth of investment in downtown projects and acquisitions.

Avoca Main Street has been in operation for 10-years. In other business, the Pott. County Supervisors held public hearings on, and passed resolutions for:

Pottawattamie County BOS meeting, 4-9-2024

  • The reallocation of certain unspent proceeds of the General Obligation Capital Loan Notes, Series 2020A, in the amount of $4.610-million.
  • The reallocation of certain unspent proceeds of the General Obligation Capital Loan Notes, Series 2021A, in the amount of $1.905-million.
  • And, a resolution for the reallocation of certain unspent proceeds of the General Obligation Capital Loan Notes, Series 2022, in the amount of $1.745-million.

They also approved an amendment to the FY 2023/24 Pott. County Budget, and the appropriation of funds from the amendment for FY 2023/24.

PAM MATHIEWS, 76, of Orient (Svcs. 4/15/24)

Obituaries

April 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

PAM MATHIEWS, 76, of Orient, died Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at her home.  Funeral services for PAM MATHIEWS will be held 10:30-a.m. Monday, April 15, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Creston. Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

Open Visitation:  Will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Family Visitation:  The family will greet friends on Sunday, April 14, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield.

Burial is in the Greenfield Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the church following the burial.

Memorials:  May be made to the Pam Mathiews Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

PAM MATHIEWS is survived by:

Her husband – Earl Mathiews, of Orient.

Her sons – Leonard (Connie) Mathiews, of New Port, NC; Lee (Brandi) Mathiews, of Atlantic; Larry (Jessica) Mathiews, and Lance (Sarah) Mathiews, all of Orient.

Her sister – Shirley Curry of San Bernardino, CA.

10 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

JAMES MICHAEL HOWARD, 34, (formerly of Atlantic) – Celebration of Life 4/12/24

Obituaries

April 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JAMES MICHAEL HOWARD, 34, of Phoenix, AZ (formerly of Atlantic), died February 22, 2024, as the result of an automobile accident in Arizona. A Celebration of Life Memorial service for JAMES MICHAEL HOWARD will be held at Pioneers Pub & Grub in Casey, Iowa, on Friday, April 12th at 10-a.m. Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic has the arrangements.

The service will be livestreamed, and a link will be available closer to the time of service, on James’ tribute page on the funeral home’s website. The service will be recorded and made available for viewing by Noon, on Monday, April 15th.

Burial will be held at Dalmanutha Cemetery north of Casey following the memorial service and light luncheon.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

JAMES HOWARD is survived by:

His son – Xayne Michael Howard.

His mother – Jennifer (Mick) Allen.

His father – Mike (Juli) Howard.

His maternal grandmother: Karla Caltrider; paternal grandparents: George and Sharon Howard.

other relatives and friends.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Grassley says national security at risk due to agencies being ‘asleep at the switch’

News

April 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is accusing seven key federal agencies of “dragging their feet” on upgrading their systems against cyber attacks. Grassley, a Republican, says it may be putting our national security at risk, along with the personal data of an untold number of Iowans. “We’ve had studies made on what agencies ought to be doing,” Grassley says, “and then we find out after years, they haven’t followed up and protected the American people the way they should.”

Keeping Americans safe is “job one” for the federal government, and Grassley says Congress needs to know how those agencies are working to bolster critical infrastructure defense, or “whether they’re asleep at the switch.” “It’s a matter of accountability,” Grassley says, “the extent to which cyber attacks might affect our national security, steal our military secrets, even stealing our most advanced war materiel.”

Grassley is singling out the E-P-A as well as the U-S Departments of: Defense, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Treasury and Transportation. On a related matter, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell called Monday for action on legislation that would restrict TikTok. Grassley says it’s clear that social media platform needs to be more closely regulated. Grassley says, “I’m committed to making sure that the privacy of our teenagers, well, there may be people older than teenagers, but I think most of the people I hear from are teenagers about this issue, that it’d be protected and not this privacy information being sold to some company in China.”

Sen. Grassley

Grassley says he would support the House bill that passed last month which would force ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to sell the app or face being banned across the U.S. He says changes to that legislation may be pending in another Senate version of the bill.

Montgomery County Supervisor’s approve additional tuckpoint work; E-recycling set for Wednesday

News

April 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisor’s, today (Tuesday), reminded citizens of the County about electronic recycling, which takes place Wednesday (April 10th), from 4-until 6-p.m., at the Fairgrounds, in Red Oak. Supervisor Donna Robinson said it’s a regular event, with some new features this year.

New this year, residents may bring old vehicle their tires in for recycling. Two high school seniors are in charge of that aspect of the event.

Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert updated the Board on Secondary Roads Department activities.

In other business, the Board approved additional square footage for the tuckpointing project, with regard to the West elevation of the courthouse. Maintenance Director Dan Wright…

The additional work is estimated at $40,948, for a total project cost of $423,217. The Board approved the added work, and a quote to spray the Law Enforcement Center lawn to keep down the dandelions and other weeds. Auditor Jill Ozuna presented to the Board results of the FY 2022 Montgomery County Audit.

Ozuna said Auditor of State Rob Sand’s office found five findings related to receipt and expenditure of taxpayer funds. She said those are items that counties tend to get “dinged” for every year.

Supervisor Donna Robinson said with regard to the Board’s “Fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight to the County’s operations and financial transactions,” she feels, they have and are continuing to conduct due diligence in that aspect of their duties.

A copy of the Audit Report is available in the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office, or on the Auditor of State’s website. The next meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, is April 16th at 8:30-a.m.

Nebraska man arrested on a warrant in Mills County

News

April 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a Nebraska man was arrested Monday evening on an Out-of-County/Out-0f-State warrant. Authorities say 29-year-old Kody Allen Gregg, of Nehawka, NE, was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.