SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Officials say Morningside College in Sioux City plans to eliminate some degree programs.

The Sioux City Journal reports that majors and minors will be phased out in several subject areas, including music, philosophy, physics and theater.

The programs have few students and were chosen for elimination after a task force evaluation of all 135 academic programs. The reductions are projected to save $1 million per year by cutting 12 faculty positions. In addition, a dozen administrative positions will be cut to save an additional $1.5 million. Most of the eliminated posts are open.

Some faculty positions will be retained temporarily to allow existing students to complete their degrees.

w/ Chris Parks

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A woman from Pottawattamie County plead guilty Wednesday, with regard to a case of Identity Fraud. The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa said Thursday, that Gina K. Malloy, of Council Bluffs, pleaded guilty to the unlawful use of an identification document. Malloy will be sentenced January 24th, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at the Council Bluffs Federal Courthouse.

According to the plea agreement, in 2014, Malloy applied for a $30,000 loan from Windset Capital Corporation. The loan application was made in the name of Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs, where Malloy was the Executive Director. The promissory note required a second signature from a Habitat for Humanity member.

Malloy signed the name of an unknowing victim, used the victim’s name, social security number, and attached the victim’s driver’s license’s copy to the promissory note. The application was then sent to Windset Capital Corporation via an electronic transfer service.

Malloy also admitted she applied for a U.S. Bank business Visa credit card for Habitat for Humanity on or about January 13, 2015. The application was sent to the U.S. Bank by Malloy, and contained the same victim’s personal data. Malloy has agreed to pay at least $13,490 to Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs and $12,100 to U.S. Bank in restitution.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

A reminder from Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman: City Elections in Cass County will take place on November 7, 2017.  IN CASS COUNTY, IOWA ALL NOMINATION PETITIONS FOR A CITY OFFICE MUST NOW BE FILED WITH THE COUNTY AUDITOR and not  with the city clerk.

The first day to file papers is August 28. The last day to file papers is September 21. The process for filing nomination petitions is as follows:

• Obtain an original nomination petition and candidate’s guide from the county
  auditor, a city clerk or online from the Iowa Secretary of State  (www.sos.iowa.gov ).
• Obtain the nomination signatures of the required number of eligible electors of
  the city or ward, as the case may be (The candidate’s guide lists the number of
  signatures required.  In Cass County, the minimum number of signatures required is 10 for all positions in all cities except Atlantic.  In Atlantic, the minimum number of  signatures required is 25 for all positions.*)
• A person may sign nomination petitions for more than one candidate for the same office.
• Attach a notarized affidavit acknowledging the candidate’s eligibility.
• File the petition with the County Auditor during working hours.  Petitions must be filed prior to 5 p.m. on September 21, 2017.
• Each candidate who successfully files a completed nomination petition is assured a place on the ballot.

Signature Requirements for Cities Without Primary or Runoff Provisions (Chapter 45 nominations):

• The minimum number of signatures needed is dependent on the size of the city.
• For cities with a population of 3,500 or greater: at least 25 signatures
• For cities with a population between 100 and 3,499: at least 10 signatures
• For cities with a population of 99 or less: at least 5 signatures.

Now is the time for Seniors to get their America the Beautiful — The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Lifetime Senior Pass.  The price of the pass is set to increase from $10 to $80 on August 28th as result of the National Park Service Centennial Act.

The Act will also raise the rate of an annual pass for senior citizens to $20. Four annual passes may be traded in for a lifetime pass at that point as well.

The price is being increased to better align with the regular lifetime pass price and to help fund upkeep and projects at parks across the country. The pass provides access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six Federal agencies. The Senior Pass covers all entrance fees and standard amenity (day use) fees and may provide senior discounts for things such as tours or campsites. The pass also waives the entrance fee for traveling companions.

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg and Waukee Mayor Bill Peard joined Apple CEO Tim Cook Thursday afternoon to announce the company’s significant investment in Iowa. At special meetings earlier today, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board and the Waukee City Council took action to support a more than $1.3 billion data center.

Apple plans to purchase 2,000 acres of land in Waukee. The first phase of the project is two state of the art data center facilities. They will serve North American users of iMessage, Siri, the App Store and other Apple services. Like all Apple data centers, the proposed facilities will run entirely on renewable energy.

“Apple’s significant investment and commitment to grow in Iowa is a clear vote of confidence in our state,” Gov. Reynolds said. “This announcement further solidifies Iowa as a hub where innovation and technology flourish and demonstrates this is a place where world-class companies can thrive.”

For the past 20 months, state, regional and local officials have been working with Apple to find a suitable Iowa location for the company’s next data center facility. The company selected a site on the west side of Waukee to build the first two buildings. Apple will also contribute up to $100 million to a newly created Public Improvement Fund dedicated to Waukee community development and infrastructure.

“The City of Waukee is excited to be selected for this project,” Mayor Peard said. “After the responsible leadership and planning from our city council and staff, we are thrilled to welcome Apple’s investment in the City of Waukee. We look forward to the great benefits this partnership will bring to our community as the project develops over the next two decades.”

The IEDA worked with the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Waukee once the company’s project team narrowed its Iowa search to one site. Waukee acted to support the project Thursday morning with a local tax abatement and infrastructure improvements. Subsequently, the IEDA Board approved tax incentives via the High Quality Jobs program for the more than $1.3 billion project that will create at least 50 jobs at a qualifying wage of at least $29.12 per hour.

“Economic development projects are partnerships between companies, communities, states and others,” Lt. Gov. Gregg said. “Many individuals and organizations were involved in making this project a reality—one that will pay dividends for years to come.”

Data center projects have economic impact well beyond the permanent jobs created and the initial capital investment made. A recent study released by the U.S. Chamber’s Technology Engagement Center estimates that a typical data center employs 1,688 local workers, provides $77.7 million in wages, produces $243.5 million in output along the local economy’s supply chain and generates $9.9 million in revenue for state and local governments.

Every year thereafter, the data center supports 157 local jobs paying $7.8 million in wages, injecting $32.5 million into the local economy and generating $1.1 million in revenue to state and local governments.

Iowa is well-positioned to continue attracting data center investments in the future because of its geographic location safe from hurricanes, earthquakes and rolling blackouts, coupled with affordable electric rates and high percentage of electricity generated by wind.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa agency that advocates for the elderly and people with disabilities has halted nearly all nursing home visits because of budget cuts.

The Des Moines Register reports that the Iowa Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s office has eliminated in-state travel after losing a quarter of its nearly $2 million budget this fiscal year. In-state travel can cost up to $85,000 annually.

Data from the office says staff visited more than 5,000 care facilities in the 2015-16 fiscal year.

Lori Smetanka is the executive director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care in Washington, D.C. She says it will be difficult to thoroughly investigate complaints without facility visits.

Interim Long-Term Care Ombudsman Cindy Pederson says staff is using telephones and other technology to connect with residents.

A Creston man was arrested Wednesday at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. At 7:52pm Deputies arrested 38-year-old Dustin James Seley of Creston for 3^rd degree burglary and at 9:43 PM on a Department of Corrections warrant for violation of parole.  Seley is being held in the Union County Jail on no bond.

The Creston Police Department reports two arrests in the past two days. On Tuesday at 12:20pm Officers arrested 34-year-old Joseph Dean Gaiser of Creston on two Union County warrants for the charges of Unauthorized Possession of Offensive Weapons and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arrested at 300 North Pine Street and was later released on $5,300 bond.

On Wednesday at 2:53pm Officers arrested 19-year-old Gregory Welcher of Thayer on two Adams County warrants for the charges of Failure to Appear on the original charges of Driving While License Under Suspension and Distributing Drug near a School. He was arrested at 210 North Walnut Street in Creston and later released on $2,700 bond.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest Wednesday of 21-year-old Blake Zweck of Madison, WI for OWI 1st Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Assault with Injury on a Police Officer.

No further details are known at this time.