(Radio Iowa) – Pointing a laser at an aircraft has been a federal crime since 2018 and it is likely to become a state crime soon. A FEDERAL conviction carries a prison term of up to five years and an 11-thousand dollar fine for a single incident. Senator Dan Dawson of Council Bluffs explains what state penalties are proposed. “Depending on the conduct and injury, the penalties range from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony,” Dawson says. A judge could sentence someone to up to a decade in prison for a Class C felony conviction.

A bill making it a state crime to point a laser at an airplane cleared the Senate unanimously a year ago. The Iowa House approval it this week, sending it to the governor for her signature. Representative Sami Scheetz of Cedar Rapids points to a 2021 case in which a laser was aimed at an Iowa National Guard helicopter flying in the Waterloo area. “This is a good bill that will help protect the members of the National Guard in our state,” Scheetz said.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, between 2010 and 2010, there 271 incidents of lasers being pointed at aircraft flying over Iowa. Officials say if a laser hits the Plexiglas windshield of an aircraft, it can flood the entire cockpit with light and temporarily blind a pilot. Pilots reported over 13-thousand laser incidents to the F-A-A in 2023.

(Radio Iowa) – The salaries of Iowa’s direct care workers have remained mostly stagnant in recent years, according to a recent report by the Iowa Caregivers, which represents certified nursing assistants and home health aides. The organization compared Iowa Workforce Development data from 2019 to 2022, the most recent year available. It found, for example, the median wage for certified nurse aids increased just 62-cents during the period to 14-dollars-42-cent per hour. Di Findley, executive director of Iowa Caregivers, says low wages are causing many workforce issues.

“It contributes to not being able to attract people,” Findley says, “and to the shortages, and it contributes to the high turnover, and the cost of turnover.” Findley says wages growing by less than five percent over four years is directly contributing to the worker shortage in the industry.

“These individuals are grossly underpaid,” she says, “and they’re not being paid a wage that’s consistent with the importance of the work that they do.” The report comes as many Iowa nursing homes are facing chronic staffing shortages of direct care workers.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday) received a presentation from a representative with the Anita Food Pantry, and a request for funds to pave access to the property. Tim Miller explained the situation with the access road.

He said in addition to making it easier for deliveries to take place, it would be better for the Food Pantry’s clients. The Board took no action on the funding request. Instead, it was tabled while that wait to receive more information with regard to the City of Anita’s role in the project, and related matters. Board Chair Steve Baier….

In his regular report to the Board, Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken talked about Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities. He mentioned they are hauling road rock out of Atlantic. Wolken said also, work on Bridge 319 west of Atlantic Highland Road/G-30 over Indian Creek, will start Wednesday (March 20th), beginning with the approaches and guardrails.

Last week, the Engineer’s Office said the bridge will be closed. A signed detour is being provided via Cass County Road M-56, U-S Highway 6, and County Road M-47 back to G-30. The project should be complete in approximately four to five (4-5) weeks, weather permitting.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors tabled action of the abatement of taxes for 405 Cherry Street in Atlantic, and instead directed the Treasurer to collect taxes owed on the property. They also approved the appointment of Peter Smith to the Cass County Condemnation in Eminent Domain Board for the 2024 term. The Supervisors accepted the resignation of Michelle Schroder, RN, as Medical Examiner, effective March 23rd, and appointed Madison Lund as ME effective the same date.

(Audubon, Iowa) – Members of the Audubon School Board, Monday night, received an update from Superintendent Eric Trager, with regard to actions/inaction by the Iowa Legislature, the District’s Building Project, and other matters. Like many other Superintendents, Eric Trager is frustrated by a lack of definitive action from the Legislature, with regard to teacher pay and School Supplemental Aid (SSA).

He said their March meetings are typically pretty big, because they approve salaries and talked through the budget, but “Unfortunately, our legislature has not done what they need to do so that we can do what we need to do.”

He said they’re also waiting on establishing the school calendar.

Trager says a much of the delays seem to be tied up with the AEA reform bill, which the Senate passed Monday night. A different version resides with the Iowa House.

He says the good news is that the Governor’s proposal on the AEA’s got a lot of public attention, and the legislature appears to be willing to find a compromise with the governor. Still, it’s frustrating for school officials. In other business, the Audubon School Board, Monday night, approved the purchase of a Suburban.

They also approved the repair of a school roof where they HVAC units were removed.

And, because they are currently fully staffed, there was no action on personnel matters during the meeting.

Their final order of business was to approve the transfer of funds from the General-to Activity Account for Safety Equipment, and from the Management to General Fund, in order to repay a loan.

(Update 9:40-a.m.) – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s 511ia.org website reports eastbound Interstate 80 between Adair and Casey (Exit 76: County Road N54 and Exit 83: Antique Country Drive), is blocked in the right lane, due to a crash. The accident involved a semi tractor-trailer. Additional details are not available.

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School District’s Board of Education has set April 3rd (2024) at 5:30-p.m., as the date & time for a Public Hearing on a proposed Fiscal year 2025 Property Tax dollar levy compared to the final FY24 Levy, with regard to the District’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. The hearing takes place in the Conference Room at the school. No action is expected, just public input.

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School Board met in a regular monthly session Monday evening. Superintendent Dave Henrichs told KJAN News the Board acted on approving a few resignations and transfers.

They also approved the hiring of certain personnel.

In other business, the Griswold School Board approved bids for Chemical Application and Mowing.

They also received a presentation from some staff members, with regard to a four-day school week.

The Board then acted on approving the Summer Driver’s Education Program and fees.

In his report to the Griswold School Board, Superintendent Henrichs mentioned there are some teaching positions that remain to be filled for the next school year.

The Griswold School Board discussed a Snow Make-Up Day Plan, which Henrichs said offers some forgiveness and a reasonable last day of school scenario.

As for school staff…

And finally, Superintendent Henrichs discussed with the Board the possibility of using a Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy on a part-time basis, as a School Resource Officer (SRO).

Henrichs says they’re waiting to see if the Iowa Legislature includes funding for an SRO program in the School Safety Bill before proceeding with further discussion/action on the matter.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports 41-year-old Jacob Jeffrey Fry – who has  no known address – was arrested Monday night at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center. Fry was taken into custody at around 7:35-p.m., on a warrant for Violation of Parole.

Fry was being held without bond in the Union County Jail, while waiting extradition to Polk County.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie Center Community School District’s Board of Education will meet 7-p.m. Wednesday, March 20th, in the AC/GC Junior High Media Center, in Guthrie Center. Among the action items on their agenda, is:

• A Public Hearing on the 2024-25 School Master Calendar, followed later by possible approval of the calendar and adjusted 2023-24 calendars, as presented.
• Action on approving the resignations of Zach Brandt, HS Teacher & Coach (effective end of the 2023-24 school year), and Brandy Clark, Special Education Paraeducator.
• Contract recommendations/approval of contracts for Bethany McCool, Marketing & Communication Specialist, & Ki Fleming, HS Night Custodian.
• Setting April 17th at 7-p.m. as the date/time for a Public Hearing on the 2024-25 Certified Budget.

The Board will also discuss equipment for the Weight Room.  The full agenda can be seen below: