(Radio Iowa) — A Democrat from Ames was sworn in as a new member of the Iowa House early this (Friday) afternoon. A state representative resigned this summer to take a seat on the Story County Board of Supervisors and Ross Wilburn won a special election in early August to fill the vacancy.

“I want thank you all so much for coming here today. I can’t help but think of the history…There are now five African Americans serving in the House,” Wilburn said. Wilburn noted the first African American woman to serve in the Iowa House was elected in 1964 — the year he was born.

Wilburn says the trip he took to Washington, D.C. about two decades ago marks a key turning point in his life. “I was in front of the Lincoln Memorial, the spot that they have marked where Dr. King gave the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech and it was that moment that I decided that I was going to go ahead and make my first attempt, in 1995, to run for city council,” Wilburn said.

Wilburn lost his first two races, but wound up winning and serving a dozen years on the city council in Iowa City — including two terms as Iowa City’s mayor. He moved to Ames a few years ago to take a job with Iowa State University Extension. Wilburn — who is a University of Iowa graduate — was asked by a reporter about the upcoming Iowa-Iowa State football game.

“I know the folks in Ames will forgive me that as an Iowa grad, I cheer for the Hawks,” Wilburn said. “I cheer for the Cyclones except for one game of the year and we’ll let you guess which game that will be.” Wilburn served six years in the Iowa National Guard after he graduated from high school.

(Radio Iowa) — Union County officials have approved plans for a MidAmerican Energy wind farm in the northwest part of the county. The Union County Board of Supervisors issued a permit for up to 36 turbines this week. Union County Engineer Zach Gunsolley says the sites MidAmerican selected fall within the guidelines of a county ordinance adopted this spring.

“It’s 1,250 feet from the nearest residence if they are participating, 1500 feet from a residence or a church, one mile from parks,” Gunsolley says. MidAmerican plans to erect 38 wind turbines in neighboring Adams County as well.

A MidAmerican representative told Union County officials the company expects to start construction next spring. On Tuesday, officials in Madison County will hold a public hearing on a proposed moratorium for new wind and solar projects in the county.

ATLANTIC, Iowa – Sept. 6, 2019 – Movement of equipment on Iowa 2 between Interstate 29 and Nebraska City, NE, scheduled for this Sunday, Sept. 8, has been postponed, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 Office.

The Cass County Auditor’s Office today (Friday), updated the list of candidates who have filed nomination papers for the Nov. 5th City/School Elections. The list follows:

Atlantic City Council:

3rd Ward – Pat McCurdy (Appointed)

4th Ward – Linda Hartkopf (incumbent)

At Large (Vote for 1) – Grace Garrett; Dana Halder (Incumbent)

Anita City Council (vote for 2): Mark Harris; Kevin Littleton.

Anita City Mayor: Thomas R. Harris

Griswold City Council (vote for 3) – Carmen Sorensen.

The deadlines to file nomination papers is Sept. 19th.

(Radio Iowa) — Vice President Mike Pence’s wife, Karen, will be the special guest speaker at Governor Kim’ Reynolds annual fundraiser on September 21st. Reynolds calls her fundraiser the “Harvest Festival” and it will be held Saturday, September 21st. This is the third year for the event, which the Reynolds campaign bills as “family-friendly” with activities for kids — as well as the speaking program for adults.

Karen Pence

Karen Pence, the Second Lady of the U.S., is a teacher and artist. She’s been championing art therapy as an option for soldiers and veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress. As Reynolds and her fellow Republicans gather on the Iowa State Fairgrounds for the governor’s fundraiser — thousands of Democrats will be about seven miles away at a Des Moines park, listening to 18 Democratic presidential candidates speak at a Polk County Democratic Party fundraiser.

ATLANTIC- Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) have announced that Dr. Nicholas Southard, began seeing patients in the CCHS Specialty Clinic September 3rd. CCHS CEO Brett Altman said Friday (today), “We are delighted to have Dr. Southard see patients in our Specialty Clinic. As part of our commitment to continue to provide more services locally, Dr. Southard will be able to provide his expertise in vascular medicine to our neighbors here in Cass County and beyond.”

Dr. Nicholas Southard.

Dr. Southard will provide care for patients regarding Peripheral Arterial Disease, Carotid Artery Disease, Aortic Aneurysms, Dialysis Access and Venous Disease. He graduated from the Des Moines University in 2013 and completed his residency at the Mercy Medical Center. Dr. Southard is board certified with the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, General and Vascular Surgery. For information on how to schedule an appointment with Dr. Southard, patients may call 712-243-7590.

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County, Thursday, arrested a Clarinda man on a valid Adams County warrant. 62-year old David Wayne Robinette was arrested for Probation Violation. He was transported to the Page County Jail for holding without Bond, and later transferred to the Adams County Jail.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The state of Maine is considering new physical fitness requirements for school bus drivers. Officials are considering the new standards along with other new safety requirements, including seat belts on all large school buses and clearer standards for annual driver physicals. The push for new standards is inspired by a December 2017 crash in Oakland, Iowa, that killed a 74-year-old driver and a 16-year-old student. An investigation found a lack of physical fitness testing contributed to the crash.

The Portland Press Herald reports Maine is among 44 states that don’t require physical performance tests for drivers. The National Transportation Safety Board has urged the states to do so in the wake of the Iowa crash.