After years of trying, it appears politicians pushing to make it LEGAL to set off fireworks in Iowa may get their wish in 2017. A bill addressing the issue has cleared procedural hurdles and is eligible for debate at any time in the Iowa Senate. Senator Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, says northwest Iowans look across the border at South Dakota, where fireworks displays on private property have been legal for years.

“We see everyone blowing them off, technically illegally, and I’ve always said there needs to be regulation in Iowa that either gets rid of them altogether or fully allows them to be sold and blown off,” Feenstra says.

It is illegal to light fireworks in Iowa without a permit from city or county officials. In addition, it’s illegal to SELL fireworks in Iowa. The bill pending in the senate would erase those obstacles and set up a system for licensing and regulating businesses that sell fireworks and assessing a sales tax on fireworks sales. “We’re simply saying, ‘Hey since they’re allowed in the state at this point, now let’s allow them to be set off,'” Feenstra says.

If the bill advances through the Senate AND the House this year, sales of consumer fireworks could start in June. The legislation would make it legal to sell and ignite fireworks during limited holiday periods, like the 4th of July, Christmas and New Year’s. The bill would give cities and counties the option of passing local ordinances that forbid fireworks displays.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A veteran GOP congressman is drawing bipartisan criticism for saying America can’t restore “our civilization with somebody else’s babies.” Republican Steve King of Iowa made the comment on Twitter. House Speaker Paul Ryan says he disagrees with King’s viewpoint while Republican congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida advises King to “get a clue.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.3 percent in January as Iowa employers added nearly 10,000 jobs. Iowa Workforce Development announced Monday that the rate dropped from 3.5 percent in December and was down from 3.8 percent a year ago. The national rate rose to 4.8 percent in January.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Elected officials in Dubuque County will get pay raises, but it will be less than half of what a panel recommended. The Telegraph Herald reports county supervisors Monday unanimously approved 3.5 percent salary increases for elected officials. That’s in line with the raises approved for county staff who aren’t part of a union, though is far less than the 7.5 percent increase recommended by an advisory board. Annual salaries range from $48,605 for supervisors to $122,726 for the county attorney.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Residents and officials are uneasy about plans for a farm slated to house 98,000 chickens that likely will be approved with little oversight from Cerro Gordo County. The Globe Gazette reports the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reviewing a manure management plan for the proposed Wharam Creek Poultry facility. The proposed farm is just 2,000 birds shy to be regulated by the matrix used to evaluate large animal feeding confinements in Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.3 percent in January as Iowa employers added nearly 10,000 jobs. Iowa Workforce Development announced Monday that the rate dropped from 3.5 percent in December and was down from 3.8 percent a year ago. The national rate rose to 4.8 percent in January.

Agency director Beth Townsend says employers in the state added 9,900 jobs, with hiring especially strong in professional and business services. The number of unemployed resident dropped from 59,000 in December to 56,600 in January.

One person was transported to the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital following an accident this (Monday) morning, in Page County. The Sheriff’s Office say 27-year old Kelly Renae Barrett, of Hamburg, was driving a 2015 Chevy Malibu eastbound on 310th Street about two miles west of Hackberry Avenue at around 7:18-a.m., when she lost control of the vehicle in the icy road.

The car slid into the ditch and struck a tree. Barrett was knocked unconscious during the accident. She was transported to the hospital by Shenandoah Ambulance for treatment of unknown injuries.

The vehicle sustained approximately $2000 damage, while the tree sustained minimal damage.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, Monday, released his weekly arrest and incident report. The Sheriff says on March 9th, 50-year old Duane Allen Funke, of Bridgewater, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Burglary in the 3rd degree, Criminal Mischief in the 5th degree and Trespass, after he allegedly entered an unoccupied structure in rural Stuart by breaking through a porch window. Funke admitted he had been staying at the residence since Dec. 2016, and had hidden a vehicle in the garage. He allegedly took several items from inside the home and garage as well. Funke was located by law enforcement in the basement of the home. A search of his person revealed a small container of meth. Funke was being held in the Adair County Jail on $5,000 bond.

On March 7th, 24-year old Kharlice D. Anderson, of Cedar Rapids, was arrested following a traffic stop for speeding at around 2:30-a.m. on Interstate 80, in Adair County. Anderson was a passenger in the vehicle and admitted to having purchased marijuana in Colorado. He was charged with Possession of Marijuana and later released on $1,000 bond. The driver of the vehicle was not charged.

Later that same day, 24-year old Junior Romain Hicks, of Lamoni, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia, following a traffic stop in the 2000 block of Highway 25. His vehicle was pulled over when a deputy clocked the vehicle traveling 71mph in a 55 zone, and noticed the car was not maintaining its lane. Hicks admitted he was trying to roll a marijuana cigarette at the time his vehicle strayed out of its lane. Marijuana and a marijuana grinder were observed on the vehicles’ floorboard. Hicks was brought to the Adair County Jail and later released on $1,000 bond.

On March 8th, 24-year old Alex Robert Coyle, of Bagley, MN, was arrested in Stuart for Criminal Mischief in the 4th degree, after allegedly using his fist to punch a hole in a wall. Coyle was later released on $1,000 bond.

No injuries were reported following a rollover accident near Creston this (Monday) morning. The Union County Sheriff’s Office says 66-year old Richard Cook, of Creston, was driving a 2008 Toyota Tacoma pickup southbound on Green Valley Lake Road, when the vehicle went out of control on the icy roadway. The pickup entered the east ditch and rolled onto its top, causing about $5,000 damage. The accident happened just before 11-a.m.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest at around 4:30-a.m. Sunday, of 28-year old Nathan Andrew Wilcoxsen, of Coin. Wilcoxsen was taken into custody on a felony warrant for Theft /Possession of Stolen property.  The Charge stems from an investigation conducted by the Page County Sheriff’s Office.  Wilcoxson was unable to post the $5000 bond, and was being held in the Page County Jail.

Nathan Wilcoxsen (Photo submitted by Page County S/O)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Department store operator Gordmans is filing for bankruptcy protection and plans to liquidate the inventory of its 106 discount stores. The Omaha, Nebraska-based company announced Monday it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Gordmans had posted losses in five of its last six quarters. It’s stock price fell to 6 cents a share Monday after the announcement. Gordmans did not give a time frame for the liquidation sale. It employs about 5,000 people at its stores in 22 states.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers says a car stolen from Clarinda over the weekend, was recovered Sunday partially submerged in the Nodaway River a few hundred yards south of the low head dam. The vehicle, a 2003 Chevy Cavalier, was stolen sometime last Friday night or early Saturday morning from in front of a residence in the 200 block of N. 18th Street, in Clarinda. The keys had been left in the ignition.

When the car was found, it was on it’s top in the river. The incident remains under investigation by Clarinda Police, with help from the Iowa State Patrol.  Chief Brothers says there is no reason to believe at this time that anyone was injured during the stolen vehicle’s departure from the roadway into the Nodaway River.

The City Council in Atlantic will meet in a regular session this Wednesday evening at City Hall, beginning at 5:30. Among the items on their agenda, is action on an Order to close 6th Street, from Chestnut on west to the alley between Chestnut and Poplar, on Thursdays, from 4-until 7-p.m., for the purpose of holding “Produce in the Park.” The event, featuring locally grown produce, will take place every Thursday from June 1st through September 29th in the Atlantic City Park, weather permitting.

The Council will also act on approving the closing of an alley west of the Fireside Lounge on April 29th, from 10-a.m. until 8-p.m., for their annual “Shop-with-a-Cop fundraiser. The business needs the alley to hold their bags cornhole tournament to raise money for the program. Last year, the Fireside raised $6,500 for Shop with a Cop. The owners say the do not intend to prevent access to an adjacent property, and only wish to stop traffic flow in the alley for the hours mentioned.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will act on adopting a new Personnel Policy for City Employees. The Policy has been updated and received a thorough legal review. And, as part of the City’s efforts to remove and clean-up blighted properties, the Council is expected to act Wednesday, on a Resolution approving the purchase of properties at 202 and 204 W. 3rd Street (west of Fareway), as part of a long-term goal to redevelop the area. The City has negotiated a price for $5,000 for both properties, that are assessed at $5,480.

And, the Council will hold a Public Hearing on a revamped Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, prior to acting on the 1st reading of the Ordinance. A Public Hearing will also be held on amending provisions to the Flood Plain Regulations in the Code of Ordinances, in association with new flood plain maps. The Ordinance must be updated by May 16th in order for the City to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program. The hearing will be followed by the 1st reading of the Ordinance.