The City Council in Walnut will meet 5-p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3rd, during a regular session. On their agenda is a Public Hearing with regard to a proposed MidAmerican Energy Franchise Renewal for a period of 25-years. A bit later on in their meeting, the Council will discuss the franchise renewal with MidAmerican’s Mark Reinders, followed by discussion and possible action on the first readings of Ordinances 165 & 166, assigning the rights and non-exclusive franchises to the energy company, with regard to electrical and natural gas system services and related matters.

In other business, the Walnut City Council will discuss: A lease agreement for TLC Food & Clothing Pantry at the Walnut Community Center; Providing a tire drop-off during general garbage pickup; and the Oct. 6th Community Appreciation Dinner. They will also receive a City of Walnut Infrastructure Needs Study and Strategic Plan, followed by action on the adoption of a Resolution adopting the study and plan, and action on a Resolution for the possible adoption of an updated Walnut Municipal Utility Identity Theft Prevent Program, and a request to rename Walnut Ridge Road.

Another item of business, is discussion with regard to a complaint about merchandise on downtown business sidewalks, in Walnut.

(by Roz Brown – IA News Service) DES MOINES, Iowa – America’s unemployment rate remains very low, but that doesn’t always apply to people with disabilities. It’s an issue Iowa is working on. As part of October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month, employers across the state are reminded that many people with disabilities want to work, and often need only minimal help to transition into the workforce.

Brooke Lovelace, executive director of the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, said evidence shows that individuals with disabilities can be highly successful workers, but they still face obstacles. “Nationally, there’s still a 41% employment gap between people who have disabilities and people who do not have disabilities,” she said. “Iowa is a little bit better than that, where that gap is only at 36%, but we have a long ways to go.”

Lovelace encouraged employed Iowans with disabilities to reach out to their legislators this month and invite them to their place of work for a 30-minute visit to inform lawmakers and perhaps help change perceptions. She said those who want to participate can contact the council. Too often, Lovelace said, employers overlook the diverse, untapped skills of applicants with disabilities. She said these workers also need a “real” wage rather than the current minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. “Communities are stronger when everybody is working,” she said, “when you have more people shopping because they have more money, because they are employed, so they’re part of the community, they’re going out – all of that.”

She said more than 1,600 Iowans with disabilities are working at the types of jobs that pay only the sub-minimum wage of $4.35 an hour.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — A man has been burned while working at a hog confinement in northwest Iowa. Firefighters were sent a little after 5 p.m. Monday to the hog operation, which sits about 5 miles northwest of Le Mars. Officials say two people had been inside a building, using a power washer to clean it. One left the building to refuel the power washer engine, and he spilled gas on himself and the machine. Fire officials say the vapors ignited, burning the man.

Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says the man was initially taken by private vehicle to Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. He then was flown to a burn center in Lincoln, Nebraska. The man’s name hasn’t been released.