(Radio Iowa) — Iowans who attend United Methodist churches are concerned about how Tuesday’s vote may bring dissension and splits in the nation’s second-largest Protestant Church. U-M-C leaders voted to strengthen rules against homosexual clergy and same-sex marriages. Reverend Jeff Flagg, pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Webster City, says it’s a global denomination. “Many times, the United States is culturally different than places like the African nations who are 30% of the United Methodist Church,” Reverend Flagg says. “Their culture is quite different and usually votes quite traditional, so what that does is, it plays into the cultural differences of who we are here in the states as compared to the rest of the world.”

The decision passed by a margin of 53-to-47 at a conference in St. Louis attended by church officials and lay leaders. Flagg says he’s heard comments both for and against the ordaining of gay and lesbian ministers and whether or not to allow same-sex marriage services in the church. “As a whole, the United Methodist Church in the United States would like to move to be more progressive in this situation,” Flagg says, “but this last gathering in St. Louis has pushed us into staying more traditional.”

The United Methodist Church works to project itself as being inclusive to all, Flagg says, and he hopes people aren’t confused by the vote and its subject matter. There are fears this vote could cause some congregations to split off, but Flagg says there will be much discussion. “We’re going to talk about where we are and where we’re going,” Flagg says. “Everybody is invited inside the walls of the church. This has to do with marriage and being a pastor and things of that nature. It looks like at this point we’re continuing and going to stay on the traditional side.”

There are 12-million members of the United Methodist Church worldwide. In Iowa, there are more than 158,000 members of the church with 767 congregations statewide.

(Radio Iowa) — A resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences unanimously passed a three-member state senate panel today (Wednesday). Two felons spoke at the subcommittee’s hearing. Sixty-year-old Rick Sattler, of Iowa City was convicted of vehicular homicide in 2006 and is paying 150-thousand dollars in restitution.

“I’m not diminishing what I did. I feel terrible about what I did. I live with that every day,” Sattler said. “…That’s not what this is about.” Sattler — and others around the room — said giving felons the right to vote is about redemption and second chances. Sheila Corsbie was paroled in 2009 and is among the felons who applied to the governor to have their voting rights restored.

“Because of getting my rights back and becoming a productive member of society, now I am able to give back to people,” she said, “and I think if I wasn’t given my rights back, who knows where I would be.” Rick Admiraal is pastor of New Life Prison Community at the Newton prison. “As a prison pastor, I see guys wanting to change their lives and part of changing your life is reintegration into the society after a person is released,” Admiraal said. “I strongly believe that we don’t need to punish people excessively, that we need to give them a second chance.”

Pat Stalter of Adel, a pastor of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ Church in Woodward, says she believes in second chances “without strings attached.””I believe in redemption. I believe in wholeness,” Stalter said, “and this legislative body has a chance to move into that space.” Governor Kim Reynolds has made this issue a top priority. Kayla Lyon from her governor’s staff told legislators they were hearing “powerful” testimony today.

“She truly does believe in second chances and that’s why we’re talking about this today,” Lyon said. “She believes that the voting rights of a convicted felon should be forever stripped and further she does not believe the restoration should be in the hands of a single person.” Since Reynolds became governor, she has used her authority to restore voting rights to 122 paroled felons. The governor told reporters she’s granted two of those requests this week and she spoke to both applicants.

“I can’t even begin to describe to you their appreciation for that phone call and what it means to them to really get back their dignity and really become a better citizen in the state of Iowa,” Reynolds said. ” A month ago, a subcommittee in the Iowa HOUSE embraced the governor’s proposed constitutional amendment on felon voting rights.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five recent arrests. On Tuesday, Feb, 26th, 25-year old Shawna Marie Watson, of Glenwood, was arrested on a probation violation warrant out of Pottawattamie County. Her bond was set at $5,000. And, 33-year old Brandon Scott Bryen, of Malvern, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. Bond was set at $1,000.

Monday night, 33-year old Jeremy Wayne Jennings, of Little Sioux, was arrested in Glenwood, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond set at $300. Last Saturday, 42-year old Michael Lee Butcher, of Red Oak, was arrested following a traffic stop. He was wanted on a warrant out of Pottawattamie County. Bond set at $5,000.

And, on Feb. 22nd, 38-year old David Charles Anderson, of Glenwood, was arrested on I-29 for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

(Radio Iowa) — The top Republican in the legislature says Iowa schools struggling with the accumulation of “snow days” have the option of extending the hours of future school days to make up for lost time. A recent law change set the number of HOURS Iowa students are to spend in the classroom for an entire school year, not the number of DAYS. House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, a Republican from Clear Lake, says at the beginning of the school year, many districts included extra hours to plan for EXPECTED snow days. “At least initially they were not too concerned because they had plenty of time built in,” Upmeyer syas. “I think now we’ve had weather experiences that perhaps have gone beyond that, but they can add some time to the day to get that work in. They could do a Saturday or something to accommodate.”

Extending the school year later into June is not a popular option, according to Upmeyer.  “It’s really hard to keep kids’ attentions out far beyond Memorial Day,” Upmeyer says. “…I think schools will hear from families and they will make a decision that’s right for their school.” Upmeyer says she’s intrigued by districts that are experimenting with “digital snow days.”

However, state regulations do NOT let schools count the hours students spend doing that kind of online homework as regular school hours.

The Atlantic Police Department reports four arrests occurred over the past two-weeks. On Feb. 15th, 35-year old William Mendez, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for a Sex Offender Registry violation. And, 46-year old Dwayne Rollins, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Assault Causing Bodily Injury.

On Tuesday (Feb. 26th), Atlantic Police arrested 63-year old Mark Eoff, of Atlantic, for OWI. And, 19-year old Colin Peterson, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Page County warrant for Theft in the 5th degree (A bad check).

All four subjects were transported to the Cass County Jail and booked-in.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports 54-year old Alan Leo Peacock, of Winterset, was arrested Tuesday night. Peacock was taken into custody on a Union County warrant for failure to appear. He was being held in the Union County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman says the accounting firm of Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co. P.C. CPA’s, have released an audit report on Cass County, Iowa. The report said the County had local tax revenue of $31,821,810 ($31.8-million) for the year ended June 30, 2018, which included $3,115,699 ($3.1-million) in tax credits from the state. The County forwarded $23,399,305 ($23.3-million) of the local tax revenue to the townships, school districts, cities and other taxing bodies in the County.

The County retained $8,422,505 ($8.4-million) of the local tax revenue to finance County operations, a percent increase from the prior year. Other revenues included $5,404,559 ($5.4-million) from the state, including indirect federal funding of $159,957, charges for service of $374,718, and $255,281 the use of money and property. Expenditures for County operations totaled $16,055,995, ($16-million). a 17.3 percent increase from the prior year. Expenses included $5,498,607 ($5.4-million) for roads and transportation, $317,227 for mental health, $2,790,288 ($2.7-million) for public safety and legal services, $4,211,694 ($4.2-million) for capital projects, and $1,410,669 ($1.4-million) for administrative services.

A copy of the audit report is available for review in the office of the Auditor of State and the County Auditor’s office.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowans are being warned about scams which authorities say have cost a few people in northwest Iowa several thousand dollars. Tricia Driessen, director of the Center for Financial Education in Sioux Center, says con artists may call or send a letter or email claiming you’re overdue on a bill or you’ve been picked for a “secret shopper” program and in either case, you need to act right away. “They’re sent out to buy these gift cards and are told to send pictures of the numbers,” Driessen says. “The cards are almost immediately drained. There’s very little recourse and the money is essentially gone.”

The scammers are good at what they do, Driessen says, and they can be very convincing. “These people are very crafty in how they ask you to get this money for them,” Driessen says. “They play on your emotions. They make it sound like it’s going to be a tremendous opportunity. You’re best off to hang up.”  Cody Huizenga, with the Better Business Bureau, says the Secret Shopper scam can take different forms and you need to be wary. “Either you get something in the mail and it’s a legitimate-looking check and they want you to go out and buy some stuff and then send a portion of the money back,” Huizenga says. “Ultimately, this check, if you deposit it, after a couple of days, it will bounce.”

The B-B-B tracks scams that are reported in Iowa and gives other information regarding the various cons. Huizenga says the best advice to consumers is to be vigilant. “Even just clicking on a link, if you get an email, we tell people to be very cautious in clicking on it,” Huizenga says. “Do some research. Check it out on BBB.org and check out other sites, too. See if there’s any reviews.” If in doubt, Huizenga says to call the nearest chapter of the B-B-B, and report scams to the appropriate government agency.