(Des Moines, Iowa) – At a capitol event this week in Des Moines, a group of Iowa pastors will call for equal protection of all humans in the womb. Raymond Simmons, pastor of the Ascension Reformed Church in Red Oak and Stanton, says after a year of coordination, the group has released guidance “that makes the biblical case for life at conception and equal protection of all humans in Iowa.” Eighteen pastors across Iowa have signed the guidance, and the number is growing.

If legislation followed the pastors’ counsel, all chemical and surgical abortions would be outlawed in Iowa except for rare cases of medical emergencies where the life of the mother is in danger. It would also classify abortion as murder, with varying degrees, to be handled under the existing penal code. The existing penal code deals with knowledge and intent to ensure justice, says the group.

Pastor Simmons say “We thought it was important to come as local pastors in Iowa. Well-intended legislation can still fall short of God’s requirements. We also want to bring the good news that God will bless our state if we follow Him.”

Eleven other states have already outlawed abortion; however, none of them have implemented equal protection. Equal protection means that both the doctor and the mother would be held accountable under the existing civil penal code for ending a life, no matter the stage.

“The simple fact is that a baby during the first day of conception must be protected the same way she would on the first day of birth. Legislation that does not uphold that is not pleasing to God and is not internally consistent.” Simmons said. “We understand what we are saying is controversial, even among faithful Christians, but we believe it is biblical and have signed our names to it. It is also the historical position of the church before the Soviet Union and Hitler’s Germany institutionalized abortion in the 1920s and 30s.” Simmons said that equal protection bills are popping up all across the US.

The event will be held Wednesday, January 31 at 11:30 a.m. at the Iowa Capitol Rotunda.

SIGNATORIES for Biblical Guidance to the Iowa Civil Leaders on Abortion:

Grant Brown, Crossroad Church, Earlham.
Caleb Castro, Rock Valley United Reformed Church, Rock Valley.
Todd DeRooy, Redeemer United Reformed Church, Orange City.
Dan Donovan, Cornerstone United Reformed Church, Sanborn.
Lloyd Grant, Central Baptist Church, Sioux City.
Cary Gordon, Cornerstone Church, Sioux City.
Sam Jones, Abundant Life Church, Humbolt.
David Koch, Crossroad Church, Earlham.
Joshua Loomis, Church of All Nations, Sioux City.
Jody James Lucero, Providence Reformed Church, Des Moines.
Garry Mayes, Ascension Reformed Church, Red Oak & Stanton.
Kyle McBee, Zion Lutheran Church, Atlantic.
Jamie Mogler, First Baptist Church, Bedford.
Micah Sample, First Baptist Church, Dunkerton.
Christian Shields, Christian Life Church, Cedar Rapids.
Micheal Shover, Christ the Redeemer Church, Pella.
Raymond Simmons, Ascension Reformed Church, Red Oak & Stanton.
Matthew Wiese, Crossroad Church, Earlham.

RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, on Monday, announced her Small Business of the Week: Penn Drug Company of Fremont County. Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“Penn Drug combines the nostalgia of Iowa traditions with a dedication to providing essential rural health care services to create a renowned southwest Iowa business,” said Ranking Member Ernst. “There’s no doubt that Penn Drug has stood the test of time, and I’m excited to watch the business thrive in Sidney for years to come.”

As the oldest pharmacy in Iowa, Penn Drug has served the Fremont County community since 1863. The business takes pride in filling and delivering prescriptions for its customers, and also operates an old-fashioned soda fountain where customers can order drinks and food. Throughout its 161 years of history, Penn Drug has been led by generations of the Penn family and folks committed to maintaining this piece of Iowa history.

Today, Penn Drug is owned by Angie and Leo Ettleman, and Mark Vogt, who purchased the store in 2015.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports an SUV sustained $4,000 damage, but the driver was not injured, after the vehicle struck a deer Monday night on Highway 25, near 130th Street. The accident happened at around 7:33-p.m.

Officials say a 2018 Chevy Traverse driven by 44-year-old Katherine Whetzell, of Creston, was northbound on the highway, when a deer entered the roadway. Whetzell was unable to avoid striking the animal, which impacted the left front side of the SUV.

The vehicle was able to be driven from the scene following the collision.

(Radio Iowa) – A few Johnson County officials are pressuring County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith to drop charges against seven people for a protest in Iowa City. Each was initially charged with disorderly conduct for obstructing the street and for interfering with police in a protest against the appearance of a California activist who speaks against transgender surgery for minors. Supervisor Jon Green says while the interfering may set a bad precedent, it’s a matter of conscience.

“It’s not that they necessarily shouldn’t be pressing charges. It’s that if you are going to charge people, you should charge everybody or nobody. You know, there were upwards of a hundred protesters at the Cole event,” Green says. The Board of Supervisors has budgetary authority over the County Attorney’s Office. Janet Lyness was the Johnson County Attorney before retiring. She didn’t take issue with elected officials expressing their opinions to the county attorney, but she drew the line at them taking action against the county attorney for doing her job.

“The political views of the county attorney or the recorder — they can certainly be supportive of actions taken by people — it doesn’t mean they can ignore their duties and their job. They still have to uphold the law, even if they disagree with it,” Lyness says. Green has also called on the Johnson County Democrats to censure Zimmermann Smith for pursuing charges. They’ll vote on his resolution Thursday. One of the protestors has turned down a plea bargain and will challenge the arrest in court.