After all the hoopla of the 2014 election, there won’t be much change in the key decision-makers at the statehouse. Republican Governor Terry Branstad easily won reelection, Republicans added four seats in to their majority in the Iowa House and Democrats were able to retain control of the Iowa Senate. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs suggests legislators need to forget about all the election drama and move on.

“Everybody understands a sore loser. Nobody understands a sore winner. Erase the chalk board. Start over,” Gronstal says. “The voters have put a set of people into this golden dome building and it’s our job to work together and try and face the problems Iowa has and solve them.” For the past two years Democrats had held a narrow, 26 to 24 seat edge in the Iowa Senate and, while some of the seats changed hands Tuesday night, Democrats will be in control by the same 26-to-24 margin for the next few years.

“We go out and recruit really good candidates, people who are already leaders in their community, and help them run smart, savvy campaigns and I think that’s why we succeed,” Gronstal says. Senate Democrats plan to meet on Sunday to hold leadership elections and Gronstal is likely to remain the majority leader. Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix of Shell Rock has scheduled a meeting for Senate Republicans on Monday.

“We’ll all get together,” Dix says. “We’ll work on where we want to align ourselves and make sure we continue to stand for those conservative values that grow Iowa’s economy and jobs and try to find a way to work in any way we can to get those issues done and sent on to the governor.” House Republicans are likely to retain Kraig Paulsen of Hiawatha and Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake as their top leaders. House Republicans plan to meet Monday to plot strategy for the 2015 legislative session. House Democrats plan to meet Saturday, November 15th to discuss election losses and their priorities for 2015.

(Radio Iowa)

An Atlantic teen working to receive his Eagle Scout badge has completed a project at Sunnyside Park to earn the award. Grant Podhajsky recently completed his Eagle Scout Service project with the help of Troop 54 and others in the community. He designed and helped to build a fire pit surrounded by log benches near the Camblin Shelter at Sunnyside Park.

On May 19th, Grant approached the Atlantic Park and Recreation Board with his proposal to replace the existing deteriorated fire pit.Soon after Grant was given approval to proceed, it was discovered that the original fire pit was constructed by the Atlantic Lions Club. For many years it was used for the Lions’ annual steak cookout.When the Lions Club learned of the project the offered their full support.

Grant Podhajsky recently completed his Eagle Scout project. He is shown accepting a donation to cover expenses from Merle
Elsberry,representing the Atlantic Lions Club.

Oversight of the project was provided by Atlantic Parks and Recreation Director Roger Herring.The Parks and Recreation Department was also a main supporter of the project.Most notably they provided the pea gravel and the timber boarder.

Grant says he’d like to thank Rob Stamp for helping with the demolition after the scouts uncovered four very large footings.Also, thanks to Ashton Ellingson of Brayton for cutting the log benches with his portable saw mill.Over 150 hours of work when into planning and constructing the project.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — While Iowa Republicans scored big wins on election night and the GOP is poised to dominate the state’s congressional delegation, leaders from both parties say the traditionally purple state is unlikely to turn permanently red. Republican Joni Ernst easily won the competitive Senate race against Democrat Bruce Braley on Tuesday, and Republicans won three of the state’s four congressional seats.

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) — A trade group expected to take over dog racing in Dubuque has presented its arguments for a gaming license. The Iowa Greyhound Association spoke yesterday morning in Altoona to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. The commission is expected to vote on the license application on November 13th.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A Davenport man has been convicted of first-degree murder in the strangulation death of a man he called his best friend. The Quad-City Times reports a Scott County judge found 36-year-old Stephen Boeding guilty yesterday. Sentencing is scheduled for December 4th.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — A trial has been delayed for a northeast Iowa man accused of assaulting a police officer before the officer shot him. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier says a trial date of January 6th has been set for 28-year-old Zachary Church. He’s charged with assault on a peace officer and possession of marijuana for sale.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Nov. 5, 2014 – Beginning at 6 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, traffic on westbound Interstate 80 and northbound I-29 in Council Bluffs, will shift to new pavement lanes west of the south expressway exit (exit 3).

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Council Bluffs Construction Office says motorists are urged to use caution when shifting onto the new permanent pavement, which is in place to prepare for the construction of westbound I-80 express lanes scheduled to begin in summer 2015.

Iowa DOT is in the process of reconstructing I-80, I-29, and I-480 in the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. This comprehensive interstate redesign will modernize the highway system and improve mobility and safety of approximately 18 miles of interstate. If you would like more information about this Council Bluffs Interstate Improvement Program project, visit: www.councilbluffsinterstate.iowadot.gov/.

Two people have been arrested on separate charges, in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Office reports 52-year old Mark Sheaffer Uebele, of Mineola, was arrested at around 3:25-a.m. today (Wednesday) in Mineola, for Interference with Official Acts and Public Intoxication. His bond was set at$600.

And on Tuesday, 39-year old Chad James Johnston, of Glenwood, was arrested at around 9:55-p.m. on a charge of OWI/1st offense. Bond was set at $1,000.

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County say no injuries were reported to the driver of a vehicle that struck a deer this (Wednesday) morning. Authorities say Amanda Donahoo, of Corning, was traveling east on 190th Street just before 8-a.m., when a deer crossed the road in front of her car, about a half-mile east of Mulberry Avenue.

The vehicle sustained damage to its grill and radiator, in addition to minor damage on the front of the vehicle and its bumper.

The Glenwood Police Depart reports the arrest on Tuesday, of 25-year old Scott Reed. The Glenwood man was taken into custody on a Mills County warrant for Assault. His bond set at $300 cash.

The Glenwood P-D said also, a resident reported today (Wednesday), an incident of Burglary. No other details were provided.

A hearing has been set for next Monday, Nov. 10th, on a request by the lawyer for Atlantic woman accused of faking her daughter’s cancer, with regard to a change of venue in the case. According to online court documents, the hearing in Cass County District Court will be held 9-a.m. Monday, Nov. 10th, for 30-year old Leatha Slauson, whose trial is set to begin next Wednesday. The judge will also consider the waiving of a speedy trial in her case.

Jay Mez, Slauson’s attorney, filed the motion for a change of venue on Oct. 24th. In making the request, Mez said his client’s Nov. 12th trial should be moved due to extensive media coverage, gossip, rumors and speculation by residents in Cass County that would make selecting a fair and impartial jury impossible.

In presenting his motion, he entered into exhibit stories that aired from various media outlets, press releases that were distributed, and trial information alleging that Slauson obtained donations and other services by deception, from the community.

Earlier, Mez had said Slauson was competent to stand trial, but unable to tell right from wrong. Mez is expected to use a defense of “Diminished Responsibility” when her case comes before a jury.

Authorities say Slauson lied about her daughter having cancer, inserted a feeding tube into the 5-year-old girl and gave her drugs and cannabis oils. Slauson has pleaded not guilty to 20 counts, including assault, child endangerment and theft by deception.

An Audubon County man was arrested on drug charges Tuesday, following a traffic stop in Exira. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department says 20-year old Robert Paul Joens, of Exira, was arrested at around 7:30-p.m. on a felony Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Deliver, charge.

Joens is being held in the Audubon County Jail. The incident remains under investigation.

In an update to our earlier report, the Council Bluffs Police Department today (Wednesday), said two people died in a crash that occurred Tuesday morning.Authorities identified the victims as 47-year old Wendy Hastie and 50-year old Tammi Murray, both of Council Bluffs.
The women were passengers in a car driven by Damian Morgan, that was hit by a van at the intersection of the South Expressway and Vets Memorial Highway. The accident happened at around 9:45-a.m., Tuesday. Officials say their investigation showed the van driven by Armando Mendez of Council Bluffs was westbound on Vets. A Dodge Intrepid, driven by 31-year old Damian Morgan of Council Bluffs was eastbound, turning north onto South Expressway, when it was hit on the passenger side by the van. Hastie, who was a front seat passenger in the car, died at the scene. Murray, who was sitting in the back seat, died at Creighton University Trauma Center, as a result of the injuries she suffered in the crash. Both drivers suffered minor injuries in the crash. Charges are still pending toxicology results on Morgan.