OELWEIN, Iowa (AP) — Officials say the expansion of a battery company facility will bring 350 new jobs to northeastern Iowa. East Penn Manufacturing Co. executives joined city and state officials Friday at a celebration of the new battery manufacturing and distribution plant in Oelwein. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that the expansion was aided by $3.1 million in state tax credits and $1.75 million in direct financial assistance approved by the Iowa Economic Development Authority in 2015.

The company has operated a smaller distribution center in Oelwein for about 10 years.

Parents who enroll their child in a private school would get up to five-thousand dollars in state tax dollars to pay for that child’s tuition and other expenses under legislation introduced in the Iowa House. Representative Walt Rogers, a Republican from Cedar Falls, is the bill’s sponsor. “Allows the parent to pick the best place for their kid,” Rogers says. “We love public schools. Public schools are great in the state of Iowa, but they’re not the best fit for everybody.”

Rogers discussed his proposal during an appearance on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press” program. Last year, Rogers had envisioned sending state money for each of the 33-thousand students who already attend a private school in Iowa, but there was sticker shock over the 170-million dollar price tag. His new plan would make the money available only for children attending a private school for the first time. “We are educating the public,” Rogers says. “It’s my philosophy that parents should have the right to decide where those public dollars, that they’ve all put into, should go.”

Critics call this a “voucher” plan that would undermine public schools. Matt Sinovic is executive director of Progress Iowa, a coalition that includes the Iowa State Education Association — the union for teachers. “Vouchers would represent gutting public education and undermining what we all believe in, which is every kid — not matter where they live — should have access to quality education.” Sinovic says.

A January survey conducted by Public Policy Polling found 62 percent of registered voters in Iowa oppose public tax dollars being spend on private schools. “There is bipartisan opposition to this proposal,” Sinovic says, “and so legislators hopefully will take note of that and pay attention to what their constituents want or, in this case, don’t want.” Sinovic points to the survey result that found while 40 percent of Republicans support the idea, 48 percent of the Republicans surveyed opposed sending tax dollars to non-public schools.

(Radio Iowa)

The drivers of two vehicles that collided Sunday night in Red Oak, were each cited for traffic infractions. Red Oak Police say the accident involving a 2000 Ford F-250 pickup and a 2002 Ford F-150 pickup, happened at around 8-p.m. at the intersection of 2nd and Prospect Streets. The report says the driver of the F-250 (Thaddeus Neil Bridges, of Elliott), was traveling westbound on Prospect Street, when he failed to obey the stop sign with 2nd Street. His pickup sideswiped the other pickup, driven by 44-year old Thomas James Milner, of Red Oak, as Milner was northbound on 2nd Street.

Bridges was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign and Yield the Right of Way. Milner was cited for Failure to provide proof of Financial liability (insurance) – accident related. Damage from the collision amounted to $9,000.

Organizers for the annual “Produce in the Park,” in Atlantic, say planning for the 2018 Produce farmers market will be held Thursday, February 15th. The meeting will be held at The Depot Atlantic Chamber Office beginning at 2:00 pm. This will be the fifth year for the event being held once a week through the summer months in Atlantic City Park.

Growers of veggies, fruits, herbs, eggs, meat and other locally produced food are invited to attend. Artists and crafts persons are invited. A vendor may be anyone who grows or makes products they will be selling. Others who are interested in the community event are also encouraged to attend. The opening and closing dates will be decided. The contract for vendors and fees for 2018 will be reviewed. Everyone attending the meeting has input for decisions about dates, fee and more.

Contact Susan Retz, Emily Krengel, or LaVon Eblen for more information. Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce also can provide information.

Police say one person was injured when a pickup truck struck a motel Sunday night, in Council Bluffs. Officers were called at around 11:15-p.m. Sunday, to The Red Roof Inn (500 30th Ave) to investigate a crash in which a 2006 Chevy Silverado pickup truck had run into and partially through the side of the building. The driver of the vehicle was suspected of being intoxicated.

At the time of the crash there were occupants in the hotel room where the truck impacted. A female party in the room was treated by Council Bluffs Medics after being hit with flying debris.

Mark Bryceson

The driver of the vehicle, 59-year old Mark Bryceson, of Macon, MO., was arrested and transported to Pottawattamie County Corrections. He was booked for Operation While Intoxicated.

A city building inspector was called in to inspect the structure. The hotel was permitted to remain operational with the exclusion of a few rooms.

Police in Council Bluffs were called at around 2:21-p.m. Sunday, to 1601 Ave. H for shots fired. Initial reports stated the female resident, who lives at 1601 Ave. H Apt. #3, was walking out of her residence. She believed a male, who was  inside, fired a shot at her. Officers arrived on scene and secured the area.

The Emergency Services Team made entry to the residence and discovered no one was inside. Officers were unable to locate evidence of a shot being fired. The female resident was transported to the police station and interviewed by detectives.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa health agency is proposing to roll back requirements in its oversight of the state’s privatized Medicaid program, a move that comes amid growing public scrutiny over the department’s plans to improve the program. The Department of Human Services requested a bill be filed last week in the Legislature that would reduce some consumer protection metrics among other changes. The department insisted the bill will not worsen transparency.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man has been charged with selling fraudulent life insurance policies and keeping the money. The Des Moines Register reports that 59-year-old Roger Duane Goodwin is facing seven federal charges of mail fraud.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The officials who manage the reservoirs along the Missouri River say the system is in good shape to handle this spring’s runoff. John Remus with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the reservoirs are ready to reduce flood risk in the region even though runoff is expected to be slightly above average at 104 percent of normal.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A woman accused of leaving her children home alone, including one child covered in feces, has pleaded guilty to one of the charges against her as part of a deal with prosecutors. The Des Moines Register reports that 26-year-old Destinee Miller, of Des Moines, appeared Thursday in Polk County District Court and pleaded guilty to neglect or abandonment of a dependent person. She faces up to 10 years in prison when she’s sentenced March 26.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man has been charged with selling fraudulent life insurance policies and keeping the money. The Des Moines Register reports that 59-year-old Roger Duane Goodwin is facing seven federal charges of mail fraud.

Prosecutors say that between 2013 and August 2016, Goodwin recommended life insurance to several clients and then deposited their premium checks in a personal bank account. Authorities say the Windsor Heights man used part of the money for his personal expenses and some of it to repay other clients or make payments to insurance companies on behalf of other clients.

Goodwin’s case is tentatively scheduled for trial on April 2. His attorney didn’t immediately respond to a message Sunday afternoon.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa health agency is proposing to roll back requirements in its oversight of the state’s privatized Medicaid program, a move that comes amid growing public scrutiny over the department’s plans to improve the program.

The Department of Human Services requested a bill be filed last week in the Legislature that would reduce how often it must report performance data on the health care program for the poor and disabled. The legislation would also remove some consumer protection metrics and eliminate a requirement that the agency report its expected savings under the privatized system.

The department insisted the bill will not worsen transparency and is aimed at more flexibility in presenting data to the public.

The wide-ranging proposal surprised lawmakers, both Republican and Democrat, who worked to enact oversight provisions in 2016 when the program was turned over to private insurance companies.

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors are set to meet 5:15-p.m. Monday, in the City Council’s Chambers at City Hall. During their regular meeting, The Board will receive updates from Parks & Rec Director Seth Staashelm on: The Schildberg Recreation Area Development Project, including the West side Shelter Design, East side playground, and Lake number three trail;  And updates on the Community Parks Project, as well as the Sunnyside Park Entrance Sign. Other updates include those pertaining to the Ice Rink, and Campground at the Schildberg Rec Area.

The Board will also discuss with Staashelm, the Parks Dept. 10-year plan. They’ll hear about upcoming program events, also. A reminder from Staashelm: Sunnyside Park is open all winter, and the roads will remain open, weather permitting.