(Radio Iowa) — A singer and storyteller who’s done extensive research on the vital work of the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s is touring Iowa this month. Bill Jamerson (JAY-mer-son) will make 19 appearances in 14 Iowa cities, performing mostly in high schools, libraries and nursing homes. Jamerson says he’ll be re-telling stories he’s gathered over the decades, like this one from an elderly Iowa man. “His dad had plenty of work, he was a blacksmith, but nobody could pay him,” Jamerson says. “These were young men on relief, very poor farm families and it paid them $1 a day. That’s $30 a month and $25 was sent home to the families. This was during the Great Depression and $25 a month was a lot of money.”

The C-C-C hired young men between the ages of 17 and 25 and put them up in work camps. Some worked on farms while others planted trees, built roads and dams, or carved out state parks from practically-untouched land. Most of those who were in the C-C-C are no longer living and Jamerson says it’s important that their stories continue to be heard. “Wherever I go, people come and say, ‘Oh, I always wanted to know about my dad’s experience in the CCCs,'” Jamerson says. “They’re so grateful to hear these stories. A lot of them are moving stories, they’re very heartwarming stories of fellas who couldn’t catch a break.” The young men are largely responsible for the foundation of Iowa’s state park system. “Backbone, Beed’s Lake, Lake Keomah, Clear Lake, all of these beautiful parks came into being because of the supply of CCC boy labor,” Jamerson says. “These fellas built the shelters. They built the hiking trails. They built the lookouts. It was hard work.”

The C-C-C has long fascinated Jamerson and he produced a documentary, recorded a C-D of songs, and wrote a historical novel about it. Jamerson, who’s 64 and lives in Michigan, puts on his “Dollar-A-Day Boys” performances while wearing a corps uniform. More than two-and-a-half million young men enlisted in the corps during the Depression era and they faced significant challenges from the weather — and the work. “Amazing stories, but they endured the hardships because the money was going home to help their families,” Jamerson says. “That $25 a month was a lifeline. It was feeding their brothers and sisters. These guys, 60 years later, say, ‘Man, when your brothers and sisters are starving, you’ll do anything to help them.”

Jamerson has appearances planned in Iowa starting October 15th in Decorah, with more dates in: New Hampton, Hampton, Marion, Iowa City, Coralville, Pella, Indianola, Winterset, West Des Moines, Des Moines, Carroll, Lake View and Eldora.
www.billjamerson.com

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Officials in Waterloo have approved a measure banning the city and many businesses from asking about applicants’ criminal records in early stages of the hiring process. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports the City Council on Monday night approved a so-called “ban-the-box” ordinance. It doesn’t let employers ask about an applicant’s criminal history until after making a conditional job offer. The measure is intended to ensure people with criminal convictions get a fair chance of getting jobs.

Similar measures have been passed around the country, but Waterloo is the first city in Iowa to approve such an ordinance. The measure applies to business with at least 15 employees and the city government. It will be several weeks before the measure takes effect, and the council is scheduled to discuss minor changes later this month.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska judge has imprisoned a western Iowa man who authorities say was driving drunk when his pickup truck rammed into a sports car in north Omaha, fatally injuring two other Iowa men. The Omaha World-Herald reports that 29-year-old Tony Kenkel, of Earling, Iowa, was sentenced Monday in Omaha to 19 years. He’d pleaded no contest in June to two counts of manslaughter. Prosecutors dropped two related counts in exchange.

Police say the collision occurred Oct. 13 last year on Nebraska Highway 36 near Glenn Cunningham Lake, when Kenkel’s eastbound pickup crossed the center line and struck the oncoming car. Authorities say 21-year-old Joseph Daniels and 21-year-old Thomas Greise were fatally injured. They lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The Creston Police Department reports the arrest at around 2-p.m. Monday, of 33-year old Michael Baker, from Creston. Baker was arrested on a Union County warrant for Failure to Appear on original charges of OWI, and Possession or carrying of dangerous weapons while under the influence. He was additionally charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense, Possession of paraphernalia, and Possession of Contraband in a Corrections facility. Baker was being held in the Union County Jail on an $8,300 bond.

36-year old Luke Mullen, of Orient, was arrested Monday morning in Creston, for Driving Under Suspension. He was later released on $300 bond. And, Monday evening, 40-year old Sheri Watters, of Creston, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct, and interference with official acts. She was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $600 bond.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of fatally shooting two 18-year-olds in a vehicle in a business parking lot wants his trial moved out of Cedar Rapids. Linn County District Court records say an Oct. 25 hearing is scheduled to hear the request from 26-year-old Andre Richardson. He’s pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the May 18 slayings of Matrell Johnson and Royal Abram. Police say two others also were hit by bullets in the parked vehicle at the Iowa Smoke Shop in Cedar Rapids.

Richardson’s lawyer says extensive media reports of the slayings and subsequent investigation have made it impossible for Richardson to get a fair trial before an impartial jury in Linn County.
Richardson’s trial is scheduled to begin May 4.