(by Mike Moen/Iowa News Service) DES MOINES, Iowa — Talks continue in Washington on another stimulus-style package to help the U.S. recover from the pandemic, including transportation infrastructure improvements. A coalition said it’s not just crumbling roads and bridges that need a federal boost and the jobs that come with it. Organizers say it’s time for the U.S. to invest in the nation’s care infrastructure by adopting a permanent paid family leave policy.

Dawn Huckelbridge, director of the Paid Leave for All campaign, said the nation can’t walk away from the crisis without one. “You know, we talk about front-line workers and essential workers and the sacrifices that families and caregivers have made,” Huckelbridge observed. “This is how we honor that, by passing a permanent law to protect them.”

While a temporary paid leave policy was included in a previous stimulus bill, advocates contended working families will struggle in the long term, because fewer than ten states require it, not including Iowa. Opponents of the idea said many employers have their own policy, and a requirement could harm small business owners.

Sue Dinsdale, executive director of the Iowa Citizen Action Network, said paying into a federal fund would provide stability for businesses in the long run because they could retain quality workers by offering the benefit. “It’ll make businesses stronger, and it offers better equality for everyone,” Dinsdale argued. She added even though states such as Iowa adhere to requiring 12 weeks of unpaid leave through a federal law adopted in 1993, there are uneven results of employers providing compensation with any leave.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported only about 20% of Americans have access to paid family leave.

The Exira Community Club held their 5^th Annual 4^th of July Kickoff event this past weekend, during which it was announced Don and Mary Greving will serve as the Grand Marshals for the 156^th Celebration, entitled “Stronger together.”

Don and Mary Greving (Photo via Exira Community Club Facebook page)

The ECC says the Greving’s raised three kids and worked in Exira. Don Greving worked for the city and recently retired after a 39-year career. He also serves with the Exira Volunteer Fire Dept. Mary started the fall festival with another woman in town many years ago.

The couple have been involved in numerous volunteer activities and events, are active in their church and Meals on Wheels.

(Radio Iowa) – The number of students who take a community college class while still in high school in Iowa continues to go up. Department of Education Consultant, Jen Rathje, reviewed the report for the State Board of Education. “Joint enrollment of high school students reached an all-time record high of 51-thousand-800 during academic year 19-20. This accounted for a two-point four percent increase since the year prior,” Rathje says. She says the enrollment in what are called contracted-courses has increased 146 percent since 2004. Rathje says ten of the 15 community colleges experienced an increase in enrollment in the course last year. Students taking both types of courses make up nearly 41 percent of the community college enrollment.

“The highest percentage coming from Northeast Iowa Community College with 49-point-eight percent of overall student enrollment. Followed closely by Des Moines Area Community College with jointly enrolled students making up 48 percent of total enrollment,” according to Rathje.  She says the types of joint-enrollment classes preferred by students didn’t change much. “Thirty-six-point-two percent were classified as career and technical education. Which is a zero-point-six percent increase from academic year 19. And 63-point-eight-percent were classified as arts and sciences — which is a decrease of zero-point-six percent from academic year 19,” Rathje says.

She says high school students who also take community college classes get a lot of benefit from them. “Research indicates that joint enrollment opportunities ease the transition of students from secondary to post-secondary education,” she says. “And students who participate in joint-enrollment are more likely to graduate high school, immediately enroll in college, have higher college grade point averages, and persist to completion compared to their peers.”

Nearly 45 percent of the high school students who take community college classes are seniors, 34 percent are juniors.

(Radio Iowa) – Legislators have been notified that someone associated with the Iowa Senate tested positive for Covid on Monday. According to the notification from the Secretary of the Senate, Thursday the 25th is the last time the person who has the virus was in the Senate. This is the first publicly-reported case of Covid in the Senate. In January and February, six cases were reported among people associated with the Iowa House.

It’s a voluntary reporting system and names are not disclosed in the email advisories of positive cases. However, Representative Amy Nielsen of Cedar Rapids revealed on January 30th that she had tested positive for Covid.

Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids was among a handful of senators who were absent yesterday (Monday). Hogg tweeted that he stayed home because the Capitol is not a safe place to work due to lack of safety precautions.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has unanimously passed a bill that establishes the guidelines for state grants to companies that extend broadband to areas of Iowa that lack adequate service. Representative Ray Sorensen is a Republican from Greenfield.

The bill specifies that most grants should go to companies that install broadband capable of download and upload speeds of at least 100 megabits per second. However, some grants could be used for lower speed broadband in rural areas. Sorensen says connectivity is crucial wherever you live.

Representative Dave Williams, a Democrat, is from Cedar Falls where there’s a municipal broadband utility — and Williams just had his broadband speed at home upgraded to 250 megabits per second.

The bill does not appropriate money for the grants. That spending decision will be made later according to legislative leaders. Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver says it will be a significant amount. House Speaker Pat Grassley says it’s likely to be around 100 million dollars. Governor Kim Reynolds asked lawmakers for 150 million in each of the next three years.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports numerous arrests took place over the past week, including four people who were arrested March 25th, on drug charges:

• 52-year old Dianne Marie Ricketts, of Bridgewater, was arrested on an Adair County Felony warrant for a Controlled Substance Violation, and a Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $10,000.
• 43-year old Whitney Lynn Smith, of Greenfield, was arrested on a warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense, and PCS/Marijuana – 2nd offense. Her bond was set at $2,000. She was released on bond that same day.
• 37-year old Joseph Ryan Somori, of Greenfield, was arrested on warrants charging him with: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia;PCS/Marijuana-1st offense; 2 counts PCS/1st offense & PCS/Methamphetamine-1st offense. His bond was set at $4,300.
• and, 59-year old Lorie Jane Jungers, of Bridgewater, was arrested on warrants for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Controlled Substance Violation, PCD/1st offense, and PCS/Cannabidiol/1st offense. Her bond was set at $10,000.

Adair County deputies arrested 20-year old Joel William Blazek, of Greenfield, March 21st, on a warrant charging him with Felony Sexual Abuse/3rd Degree, Child Endangerment, and Lascivious Acts with a Child/Solicitation, all in violation of his probation. His bond was set at $1,000.

52-year old Jodie Suzanne Walhovd, of Adair, was arrested March 25th, on an Adair County Felony warrant for three counts of Theft in the 1st Degree, and one count of Dependent Adult Abuse/Exploitation over $100. Bond was set at $10,000.

34-year old David Spencer Reeves, of Earlham, was arrested March 24th for Conspiracy to Commit an Aggravated Misdemeanor, Tampering with a Witness or Juror, and Contempt of Court/Violation of a No Contact Order. The Sheriff’s Office says Reeves was being held in the Adair County Jail, when he allegedly communicated by text message with his brother, regarding a witness and their family. Authorities say the men were conspiring to tell the victim that they would “Drop their mouth” with information regarding illegal activity, so that the victim would withdraw her statement against David Reeves. The two men also allegedly communicated with each other regarding contacting the DHS, as well as sending the victim’s photos to stores in Des Moines, saying that she shop lifts from those stores.

On March 17th, the victim provided a statement to Stuart Police regarding a message she received from Daniel Reeves, requesting she drop the charges against him, or the photos would sent to the stores telling them the woman was a thief. Daniel Reeves also allegedly said he called the DHS about drug usage by various family members in the home and around children. His bond on all the latest charges, was set at $5,300.

Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports also, 25-year old Tyler John Thielsen, of Guthrie Center, was arrested March 26th, for Driving While Barred, and 42-year old Sarah Heather Mathiews, of Orient, was arrested March 27th, for OWI/1st offense. Thielsen and Mathiews were cited for their alleged offenses, and released.

And, 44-year old Shawn Jason Parmenter, of Greenfield, was arrested March 24th on a warrant out of Union County. He was transferred to the custody of Union County authorities.

(Sioux City) – A man from northwest Iowa man plead guilty last week to driving under the influence, in connection with a 2019 crash that killed another man. According to the Sioux City Journal, 42-year-old Joshua Mahler plead guilty to a charge of OWI/1st offense.

Under the terms of the plea, Mahler was sentenced to a suspended term of 180 days in jail. Mahler will spend 60 days on electronic monitoring and a year of probation. Investigators say Mahler was driving an SUV Oct. 6, 2019, when he hit an off-road utility vehicle driven by 61-year-old Jerome Schueller.

Schueller died. Two boys ages six and eight riding with him, were injured.

Officials with Guthrie County Extension and Outreach are holding a STEM Fest (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) to promote awareness and understanding of the importance of STEM-related educational and career opportunities. They are asking businesses to have a “display station” where you will interact with the guests (youth and adults) to:

·Give a brief overview of your business

·Present a STEM hands-on activity that 10-15 kids can participate in at a time

·Possibly distribute artifacts that the youth can place in their backpacks (pens/pencils, something they make, bookmark, etc.)

·Consider giving the kids a “real world” problem from your business to solve

If you have a store front on main street, Guthrie County Extension would like to get youth in your doors and have your booth in your store. This free interactive event will take place Saturday, May 1, 10:00 am to noon. Located in the Panora Square, 115 W Main Street. This festival will be open to all youth and families, grades K—6th!

Organizers are asking all participants in attendance, presenters included, wear masks when social distancing is not available. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the event. If you are interested in participating, please call Guthrie County ISU Extension at (641) 747-2276. The committee has quite a few suggestions and will do what they can to help make your exhibit a success! They thank you for your partnership for the future of our children and communities!