Glenwood Police are warning residents of the community, that they have recently received reports of someone portraying to be with the “Holy Rosary Catholic Church,” requesting people to purchase steam wallet gift cards. THIS IS A SCAM!!! Authorities say “No one from the church is seeking gift cards.”
The Iowa DOT has joined Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) in support of their unveiling of the preferred route for the Great American Rail-Trail— a proposed multi-use trail that would go through 12 states, including Iowa, and connect more than 1,900 miles of existing trails with more than 1,700 miles of trail gaps to create the nation’s first contiguous cross-country trail that stretches 3,700+ miles between Washington, D.C. and Washington State.
The preferred route was developed over 12 months with input from RTC’s GIS analysis of more than 34,000 miles of multiuse trails; review of state and local trail plans; and in close partnership with Iowa DOT as well as hundreds of additional local trail partners and state agencies representing the trails along the route.
AMES, Iowa – May 10, 2019 – Iowa 2 west of I-29 has opened to local traffic, with limited mobility available. The Iowa DOT says areas of the roadway remain underwater; however, a temporary solution has been put in place to allow traffic to once again move between Iowa and Nebraska. Concrete barrier rails along the edge of the road are being used to keep vehicles on the roadway. Permeable rock laid on the roadway will provide a surface for traffic to pass across while allowing water to continue to flow. This solution restores mobility without causing water to be pushed to surrounding land.
Currently, traffic will move through the area using one lane in each direction. In areas where the gravel temporary solution is in place, traffic will be limited to one direction, led by a pilot car, utilizing the westbound lanes. Motorists should expect delays and greatly reduced speeds.
(Update 11:18-a.m.) Atlantic City Administrator John Lund today (Friday) issued a statement with regard to a matter involving Councilperson Ashley Hayes:
“In further reviewing the issue, the City concedes that Councilwoman Hayes should resign in light of the fact that she no longer resides in the district that she currently represents. However, we dispute the Auditor’s Office assertion that Iowa Code dictates automatic vacancy. Iowa Code 69.02(1) and 69.02(2) are enclosed in their entirety. The first section shows cause of vacancy with the second section outlining process. (See the entire Code section below)
However, the process is not self-executing and there is currently no vacancy. Iowa Code 69.02 states “the entity or officer responsible for making an appointment to fill the vacancy shall decide whether a vacancy exists.” The City has sole authority as to how to determine the vacancy and to address the vacancy, if and when it is declared. The declaration will be forthcoming from Councilwoman Hayes at the next City Council meeting and the Council will make the determination within the timeline dictated in 69.02(2) of the Iowa Code whether to fill this by appointment or special election.”
Hayes moved out of her 3rd Ward residence to a residence in the 1st Ward in December 2018, but no one was appointed, and there was no special election held to take her place, as required by Iowa Code. Cass County Deputy County Auditor Sheri Karns said the Auditor’s Office told KJAN News that someone dropped the ball.
(She says they have addressed the issue with the City, and a meeting was schedule City Attorney Mark Bosworth, who was expected to meet with City Officials today.)
Karns said the matter should have been handled immediately.
(Karns said Hayes changed her voter registration, so the vacancy notification should have been made at that time. Karns said she wasn’t sure when the City was made aware of Hayes’ move and change of voter registration, but “When the City was made aware that she moved out of her Ward, it should have been declared a vacancy, yes.”)
Councilperson Ashley Hayes (Official City photo)
Hayes announced on social media in April, that she would not be seeking re-election in November. Her current term would have expired Jan. 1, 2020.
IA Code 69.2
What constitutes vacancy — hearing — appeal.
Every civil office shall be vacant if any of the following events occur:
A failure to elect at the proper election, or to appoint within the time fixed by law, unless the incumbent holds over.
A failure of the incumbent or holdover officer to qualify within the time prescribed by law.
The incumbent ceasing to be a resident of the state, district, county, township, city, or ward by or for which the incumbent was elected or appointed, or in which the duties of the office are to be exercised. This subsection shall not apply to appointed city officers.
The resignation or death of the incumbent, or of the officer-elect before qualifying.
The removal of the incumbent from, or forfeiture of, the office, or the decision of a competent tribunal declaring the office vacant.
The conviction of the incumbent of a felony, an aggravated misdemeanor, or of any public offense involving the violation of the incumbent’s oath of office.
The board of supervisors declares a vacancy in an elected county office upon finding that the county officer has been physically absent from the county for sixty consecutive days except in the case of a medical emergency; temporary active military duty; or temporary service with another government service, agency, or department.
The incumbent simultaneously holding more than one elective office at the same level of government. This subsection does not apply to the county agricultural extension council or the soil and water conservation district commission.
An incumbent statewide elected official or member of the general assembly simultaneously holding more than one elective office.
If the status of an officeholder is in question, the entity or officer responsible for making an appointment to fill the vacancy shall decide whether a vacancy exists. The appointing entity or officer may act upon its own motion. If a petition signed by twenty-five registered voters of the jurisdiction is received, the appointing entity or officer shall convene within thirty days to consider whether a vacancy exists. The appointing entity or officer shall publish notice that a public hearing will be held to determine whether a vacancy exists. The notice shall include the time and place of the hearing and the name of the office and the officeholder whose status is in question. The public hearing shall be held not less than four nor more than fourteen days after publication of the notice. The officer whose status is in question shall be notified of the time and place of the hearing. Notice shall be sent by certified mail and must be postmarked at least fourteen days before the hearing. No later than seven days after the public hearing, the appointing entity or officer shall publish its decision. If the appointing entity or officer decides that the office is vacant, the publication shall state the date the vacancy occurred and what action will be taken to fill the vacancy.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge says jurors will decide whether former Gov. Terry Branstad singled out a former state official for a pay cut because of his political party or sexual orientation.
Judge Brad McCall on Thursday rejected the state’s request to dismiss a long-running lawsuit filed by former Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey. McCall’s ruling sets up a trial in Polk County, which is scheduled for June 3.
Branstad slashed Godfrey’s pay by 35 percent after the commissioner refused the governor’s request to resign in 2011. Godfrey had been confirmed to a six-year term by the Iowa Senate.
Branstad says he wanted to appoint a more “pro-business” commissioner than Godfrey, who had been appointed and reappointed by prior Democratic governors. Godfrey argues that the pay cut and other retaliation was improperly motivated by his status as an openly gay man and Democrat. McCall says the “jury’s determination as to the true motives involved will determine the outcome in this case.”
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man lost part of an arm in an accident at a Des Moines tire recycling facility. The accident occurred Thursday morning at Liberty Tire Recycling. Des Moines Fire Lt. Chris Clement the man suffered a partial amputation from the elbow down after being caught in a machine. His name hasn’t been released.
The Des Moines Register reports that Iowa’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the facility $27,500 after a 2016 accident. The fine was reduced later to $12,250 and two of the six serious violations alleged were dropped. The Des Moines operation is one of 24 production facilities for Pittsburgh-based Liberty Tire.
Company spokesman Don Meyer said Friday that Liberty Tire is “deeply saddened at the injury” suffered by the employee. He says company officials are working with local authorities “to help ensure the effectiveness of our safety standards and practices.”
The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released the Regional Girls Soccer brackets for 2019 on Thursday afternoon. Regional play will begin on May 23rd in Class 2A and May 28th in Class 1A.
In Class 1A Region 2 first round match-ups include: Riverside @ Treynor, Harlan vs. Logan-Magnolia (@ Treynor), AHSTW @ Tri-Center, St. Albert @ Underwood.
In Class 1A Region 3: Grand View Christian @ North Polk, Creston @ Panorama, Chariton @ Des Moines Christian, and Clarke @ West Central Valley/Nodaway Valley/AC-GC.
Kuemper Catholic will host Greene County in Class 1A Region 5.
In Class 2A Region 1 First Round Match-ups have Sheldon @ Spirit Lake and Storm Lake @ Carroll. Spencer and Denison-Schleswig await winners in the Semifinals.
Class 2A Region 1 First Round games are Atlantic @ Glenwood and Des Moines Hoover @ Carlisle. Lewis Central and Winterset await winners in the Semifinals.
In Class 3A CB Thomas Jefferson will play a Regional Semifinal match against Sioux City North in Region 1. CB Abraham Lincoln will host a semifinal game in Region 2 against the winner of Sioux City East vs. Sioux City West.