A state representative from north central Iowa has proposed a one-hundred dollar fine for drivers caught dawdling in the left-hand lanes of Iowa’s highways and interstates. Representative Josh Byrnes, a Republican from Osage, says truckers tell him poky drivers in the passing lane are causing bottlenecks and that’s why he introduced the bill. “Really, just to raise awareness,” Byrnes says. But once word of his legislation got out on social media, Byrnes has been inundated with Facebook email on the subject.

“You know, one person comes forward and says, ‘This happened to me,'” Byrnes says. “It almost turns into a support group.” The bill Byrnes has proposed would require drivers in the passing lane on the highway to go no more than 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. That means vehicles going less than 60 miles an hour in the left lane on Iowa’s interstates could be pulled over and ticketed, because the posted speed limit is 70. Byrnes isn’t hearing from people who are opposed to the concept to ticketing drivers who dillydally in the passing lane.

“I’ve got nothing but all these emails from people telling me their horror stories of the left-lane experiences they’ve had,” Byrnes says. Byrnes says this really isn’t an issue in rural Iowa, but it is a safety concern in congested areas of the state where there are more drivers using multi-lane highways. The bill isn’t likely to bcome law. The chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee says distracted driving is a bigger issue, as more motorists talk and text on their cell phones while driving. Under current Iowa law drivers are to maintain a “reasonable and proper” speed and can be fined for “impeding traffic.”

However, police and state troopers are allowed to use their own judgment as to what is the proper speed for driving in the passing lane. Vehicles and implements that are incapable of going at least 40 miles an hour are not allowed on the interstate.

(Radio Iowa)

A special election will take place Tuesday for residents in three southwest Iowa Counties. The election is being held in Iowa House District 23 to fill the legislative seat formerly held by Mark Costello, who won a special election Dec. 30th for Iowa Senate District 12, which was held by now U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst. David Sieck, a Republican from Glenwood, and Steve Adams, a Democrat from Red Oak, are also in the race for the 23rd District.

The District includes Mills and Fremont counties, plus two-thirds of Montgomery County. Cities include Pacific Junction, Hamburg, Glenwood, Tabor, Sidney, Red Oak and Malvern. Adams and Sieck won their respective party nomination conventions last month.

Polls close at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With the election of Senator Joni Ernst last year, the state of Iowa finally shed its status for having never selected a female governor or member of Congress. On Friday the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University will kick off its fifth “Ready to Run” campaign training for women.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The amount Iowa counties borrow to repair their roads and bridges may be a key factor in the debate over whether to increase the state fuel tax. The Des Moines Register reports Winnebago, Worth, Mitchell and Howard counties all carry large road construction debts. Worth County carries the highest debt at $25.4 million. That translates into $3,366 per resident of the county.

FOREST CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man is still recovering from the injuries he sustained in a serious fall while decorating Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City for Christmas. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports Mark Newcom fell roughly 35 feet when a lift he was using to hand garland and replace light bulbs tipped over on December 5th. Newcom is easing back into his daily routine of teaching at Waldorf College, and says he’s grateful for all the support he has received.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lottery officials say no jackpot winner was selected in the latest $380 million Powerball drawing. The next drawing will be Wednesday after no one matched Saturday’s winning numbers.

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will meet Monday evening in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall, beginning at 5:15. On their agenda is information about and possible action on the preliminary site plan from Snyder and Associates, for the replacement of the Kiddie Korral at Sunnyside Park.

The Board will also hear updates on: the Bull Creek Reconstruction Project; the Buck Creek Dog Park; an Urban Forestry Grant; and a T-A-P (Transportation Alternatives Program) Grant application due Feb. 26th, with regard to the Schildberg Quarry Lake #2 Trail, and, the Boat Ramp project.

Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring reminds area residents Sunnyside Park is still open to anyone wanting to use it for lunch, or other recreational activities, even though the gates to the park were closed January 5th for the Winter season.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With the election of Sen. Joni Ernst last year, the state of Iowa finally shed its status for having never selected a female governor or member of Congress. But advocates say there is still plenty of work to do to get more women involved in politics.

On Friday the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University will kick off its fifth “Ready to Run” campaign training for women. The program, which will be held over three days between February and April, includes seminars on how to organize a campaign, raise money and deal with the media.

Dianne Bystrom, the center’s director, said women in the state need encouragement to enter the political arena.

Police in Red Oak arrested a Cass County woman Saturday night, following a traffic stop in the 200 block of north 2nd Street, in Red Oak. Officials say Sarah Beth Ewing, of Griswold, faces a charge of Driving While Suspended. She was taken into custody at around 8:30-p.m., and held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 cash bond.

An investigation into an incident that took place on Feb. 3rd in Adams County lead to the arrest Saturday evening of a Corning man. 60-year old Jerry Lee Gilbert faces charges that include: Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon; Reckless use of a firearm (property damage-related), and Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. His bond was set at $10,000.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Department says at around 3:30-a.m. Feb. 3rd, authorities took a report of shots being fired at 1006 Nodaway Street, in Corning. During their initial investigation, it was determined Gilbert fired a weapon twice, at the kitchen ceiling. The gunshots caused damage to light and caused holes in the ceiling.

A woman from Union County was arrested Saturday night following a traffic stop in Adams County. Sheriff’s officials say 20-year old Daniela Aguirre, of Creston, was pulled over at around 8:30-p.m., and as a result of an investigation, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, after pot was allegedly found in the vehicle. Aguirre was being held in the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush will make his first campaign splash in Iowa one month from today. He is among the likely Republican presidential candidates who have agreed to appear at the first-ever “Iowa Ag Summit” on March 7th. Bruce Rastetter, a mega-donor to Republican candidates like Terry Branstad and a major contributor to the “American Future Fund” Super PAC is the event’s host. Nick Ryan runs the American Future Fund and he’s also helping to organize Rastetter’s summit.

Ryan said “The unique thing about Iowa is that every four years, our state becomes the epicenter of American politics and we often have the role of shaping and reflecting national policy movements.” He added “Being an ag state, unfortunately up until this point, there’s not been an event, a forum, that’s solely focused and dedicated to matters that directly affect Iowa farmers.” Ryan says each candidate will get 20 minutes on stage with Rastetter to answer his questions and some from the audience as well.

“And provide an opportunity for those folks that might be running for president an opportunity to come this state and share their views on modern agriculture,” Ryan says. Rastetter, the event’s host, is among seven Iowa Republicans who flew to New Jersey in 2011 to encourage Chris Christie to run for president, but Christie is not among the field of possible 2016 candidates to accept an invitation to Rastetter’s Ag Summit.

Bush and seven other Republicans who have indicated they’re considering a run for the presidency this time around have agreed to participate. The list includes former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, the winner of Iowa’s 2008 Caucuses, and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, the winner of Iowa’s 2012 Caucuses. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas have R-S-V-P’d for the event, too. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry and businessman Donald Trump plan to be there as well. The event will be held at the Elwell Family Food Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lottery officials say no jackpot winner was selected in the latest $380 million Powerball drawing. The next drawing will be Wednesday after no one matched Saturday’s winning numbers. Sue Dooley is the senior drawing manager for the Multi-State Lottery Association, which oversees Powerball. She says the estimated value of Wednesday’s drawing will be $450 million. The huge jackpot is a return to form for Powerball, which has been known along with Mega Millions for its record-breaking jackpots in recent years. But the Powerball lottery has experienced a slump, with nearly a year passing since its jackpot total climbed above $300 million. Powerball’s last major jackpot was in February 2014, when it climbed to $425 million. Powerball tickets cost $2 each.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man who says he was kicked in the face by a Des Moines police officer following a traffic stop is suing the now ex-officer, former Police Chief Judy Bradshaw and the city of Des Moines. The Register reports that Orville Hill filed the federal lawsuit Wednesday. The officer, Colin Boone, was fired in 2013 following the incident and faces a second federal trial on March 9th on an excessive force charge.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A 91-year-old Mason City woman accused of hitting a bicyclist with her car has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that the incident happened Friday afternoon. Police investigators say Patricia Fullerton was driving west on a city street shortly before 3 p.m. and attempting to turn south when she struck 54-year-old Terrie Eliason’s bicycle.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Des Moines City Council is set to review changes to its dog ordinance Monday that officials say will hold owners more accountable for misbehaving pets. But the changes won’t include removal of “breed-specific” rules that automatically classify all pit bull-type dogs as vicious.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A West Des Moines Valley High School student is set to attend the Grammy Awards Sunday night. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that Jared Freiburg won a nationwide vocal audition contest to become one of eight high school singers selected to be part of the Grammy’s Jazz Choir.