(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says he was recently told the D-O-T might have information about registered Iowa voters who may not be U-S citizens — and his staff conducted a manual review of the data before it was released last week. Pate sent the list to county auditors and directed election workers to ask people on the list for proof of citizenship before their votes may be counted.

“The public expects us to address the issue because we’ve had so much pressure put on the elections process across the country about not only non-citizens, but on anything that’s not got full transparency in an election,” Pate says, “and this is the closest we could come to providing that transparency at this time.” Pate says he consulted with attorneys about the move and believes it would survive a legal challenge since none of the names of potential non-citizens have been removed from the voter registration list — giving those who have become U-S citizens in the past couple of decades the opportunity to vote.

“The role of Iowa’s commissioner of elections requires balance,” Pate says. “On one end, it’s absolutely critical that every eligible voter is able to cast their ballot and make their voices heard. On the other end, we are required to follow state and federal law and ensure that only eligible voters participate.” Late yesterday (Thursay), the U-S Supreme Court ruled Virgina may cull alleged non-citizens from that state’s voting lists. Governor Kim Reynolds says she asked Pate a while back about the issue.

“I was hearing other states were looking into it,” Reynolds says. “…I was curious how that was playing out and what we were doing.” Reynolds says the problem is Pate’s office has not been able to check the federal government’s so-called SAVE database that provides information about a person’s immigration status.

“Some states have it, but not all states have access to it,” Reynolds says. “…If we had access to the SAVE file, then our election commissioner, the secretary of state, could verify if they are a citizen or not, but they refuse to give us access to that.” Pate says it’s frustrating. “We’ve repeatedly put requests out to the folks in Washington, D.C. to have a complete list of folks who are legally here and are non-citizens,” Pate says. “To this date, they have not been cooperative in giving us that list.”

Joe Henry is Iowa political director for LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens. He says Pate’s list is an effort to intimidate Latino voters in Iowa. “He waited ’til the 11th hour to do this,” Henry says. Henry’s organization was denied a copy of the list of people whose citizenship may be challenged if they show up to vote. “To make sure that if there is concern here that they will have their naturalization papers with them. If they do that, they’ll be fine,” Henry says. “We could have helped.”

The league is now encouraging Latino voters in Iowa to cast their ballots as soon as possible, so if they are challenged, they’ll have plenty of time to prove to election officials that they are U-S citizens. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued a written statement Wednesday, accusing the U-S Justice Department of trying to pressure Iowa into letting non-citizens vote. Bird said the agency had contacted the state, but she did not offer other details about the discussion.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic held a brief, Special Session this (Wednesday) evening to act on two Resolutions to come before them. Both passed unanimously.

The first Resolution called for “Adopting a Memorandum of Understanding with the Atlantic Community School District for a School Resource Officer Program.”  Councilperson Elaine Otte…

Otte said Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue told the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee that he was concerned if the School Board doesn’t take action on the MOU during their next meeting, the chances of having an officer on-board by the time the District gets back from Christmas break, would be diminished. The SRO will have been certified and completed the Law Enforcement Academy. They will also need to have the required School Resource Officer training.

Atlantic City Council (10-30-24)

The second resolution was to “Authorizing Vision Atlantic, Inc., to proceed with infrastructure construction for the Camblin Hills Development and Assurances Regarding a Development Agreement.”

Once the Special Session concluded, the Atlantic City Council entered a Work Session to Review, discuss and come to a consensus on a Housing Development Policy and Guidelines, including using information from other cities, with regard to how they deal with properties the city owns and wants to see improved or demolished. Their consensus was to review the current policy (including the legalities) and let the bidder for 506 W. 10th Street know their decision, as a courtesy.

The second item on the Work Session was to Review, discuss and come to a consensus on the Sidewalk Program. Once again, the Atlantic City Council decided they would talk first with Public Works Director Kirk Knudsen and gain his input on how the sidewalk improvement projects would begin. Nothing would likely be done until the Spring, regardless. It was also suggested the City send out letters of intent and to begin the process of notifying property owners know which sidewalk projects may affect their property.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council reminds residents of upcoming “Listening Sessions” with various Council members. The meetings will take place at the Atlantic Public Library on Nov. 4th, 12th, 14th and 21st, from 5:30-until 6:30-p.m. Here’s the schedule:

Monday, Nov. 4th: 5th Ward; Councilman Dana Halder
Tuesday, Nov. 12th: 1st Ward; Councilperson Emily Kennedy
Thursday, Nov. 14th: 2nd Ward; Councilman Jim Behrends
Thursday, Nov. 21st: 3rd Ward; Councilman Mike McDermott.

ANY citizen of Atlantic is welcome to attend any or all of the Sessions, regardless of which Ward you happen to live in.

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office K9 “Storm” will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The Sheriff’s Office says K9 Storm’s vest is sponsored by Leah A. Beale of Oklahoma City, OK, and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love-Trained to Serve-Loyal Always”. Delivery is expected within ten weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,794 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Fremont County S/O K9 “Storm” (photo provided)

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $985 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The American Cancer Society’s Cass County Chapter has announced the Festival of Trees is back for another year in 2024, and will once again be held in downtown Atlantic. The Festival of Trees takes place December 5th through the 8th at “Santa’s Workshop” (325 Chestnut Street), the former Robinson Hardware location.

Representatives of Cass County Chapter of the America Cancer Society say they look forward to bringing the spirit of the season to all that wish to visit, while raising cancer awareness and funds to battle the disease.

Area businesses, organizations, and individuals are welcome to register for a space to decorate for Festival. Please email suzie.mages@cancer.org if you would like to be added to the invite list. No “drop-ins” for displays will be accommodated so please register in advance. Space will be limited. If anyone would like to make a monetary or gift donation to the event, also please reach out to Suzie or contact event leader Carole Schuler.

Festival of Trees is scheduled to be open for public viewing on Thursday, December 5th and Friday, December 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

You can also honor cancer fighters in your life by ordering one of the “Every Cancer, Every Life” shirts/sweatshirts online by 5:00 p.m. on November 15th. Items will be available for pickup at Festival of Trees. Order at www.storessimple.com/jjdesign/32714

The ACS of Cass County hopes you can join them to celebrate the Christmas season and raise funds for the fight against cancer.