AMES, Iowa – Nov. 15, 2023 –  Now that the Interstate 74 bridge connecting Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline, Illinois, is completed, the Illinois and Iowa DOTs are focused on your input for a new I-80 bridge in the area.

The Illinois DOT is the lead agency for the I-80 project. They held the fourth in a series of public meetings related to the project this afternoon.

A Factsheet has been developed for the project and can be accessed on the project website – https://www.i80mississippibridge.com/.

DES MOINES-The Department of Management Division of Information Technology, formerly the Office of the Chief Information Officer, is requesting public comment on the State of Iowa Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal Plan. The Initial Proposal encompasses Iowa’s proposed implementation of $415,331,313 of broadband infrastructure funding made possible through the Investment Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA).

The funds are being administered by the National Telecommunications and Infrastructure Administration. This proposal will result in a future broadband grant opportunity within Iowa targeting unserved and underserved locations.

Public comments may be submitted until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 15th by going to comment.iowa.gov. The public comment link may also be accessed by going to ocio.iowa.gov/broadband. Public comments will be made available to the public with personal identifying information redacted (pursuant to Iowa Code section 22.7) no later than December 27, 2023. Any questions regarding the initial proposal may be directed to ociogrants@iowa.gov.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic met this (Wednesday) evening, and wrapped-up their business in about 30-minutes. The Council acted to approve the following:

• A permit to close certain streets for the Lighted Christmas Parade on December 2nd. Line-up for the Parade begins at 5-p.m., at 6th and Walnut Streets. The parade gets underway at 6-p.m.
• The 2023 Street Finance Report (as required under the Code of Iowa).
• And, the second reading of an Amended Ordinance regarding a section pertaining to the duties of the City Administrator.

The Council’s amended agenda included the removal for discussion and action,an Order to approve termination of tenancy at 11 Locust Street, in Atlantic.

During his report to the Atlantic City Council, City Administrator John Lund said he’s taking a long Thanksgiving Break to keep his vacation hours where they need to be, but when he returns, he said he would like to schedule a Personnel and Finance Committee meeting to discuss possible fine dining incentives. Lund says “We just have to use TIF [Tax Increment Financing] and LOST (the Local Option Sales Tax] like  a sledge hammer, and make it almost impossible for someone to say ‘no’ to come in here,” with regard to luring in a new restaurant, since “Going around the edges is getting us no where with restaurants,” according to Lund. He says they want something that’s not a classic American dinner food, breakfast food, fast food or Mexican or Chinese [since] we have all that here.”

City Administrator John Lund reports to the Atlantic City Council during their meeting Nov. 15, 2023

John Lund tooted his own horn in saying he spoke with the Iowa League of Cities with regard to his thoughts on the Department of Management’s Property Tax Calculator.  He said the ILC’s Policy Analyst agreed with him, and confirmed he read the law correctly, but he did catch an error he made in entering the calculators, but it still comes full-circle to his original July forecast of $84,200 in the General Fund, and “Property taxes,” he said, “which is not actually a whole lot.” He added the City will be involved in Union negotiations in January, and the City’s Ambulance Service will be meeting with the City in January, “So buckle-up,” he warned the Council, “January is going to be a fun time.”

December will be a busy month, as well, with the Emergency Management Committee wrapping-up business, the Personnel Policy will be sent to Committee, the Board of Adjustment and Planning and Zoning Commission will be meeting, there will be a new council member orientation tentatively set for December 5th, and then of course, there are the holidays.

In Council Committee reports, recent meetings of the Landfill Commission, Library Board, Airport Board and other business was discussed.

(Radio Iowa) [UPDATED] – One of two students who pleaded guilty to murdering a Fairfield High Schoool Spanish teacher two years ago has been sentenced to life in prison, however Jeremy Goodale will be eligible for parole after he’s served at least 25 years because he was a juvenile at the time of the murder. Goodale is the second teen to be sentenced for the beating death of 66-year-old Nohema Graber. The two-day sentencing hearing was broadcast online by K-C-R-G T-V. Ten people submitted victim impact statements. Tom Graber, the teacher’s brother-in-law, spoke directly to the teenager.

“One of the most shocking aspects of your role in this murder is the casualness with which you agreed to take a life,” Tom Graber said. The teacher’s relatives described her as joyful and committed to her family, her students, her friends and her Christian faith. Jim Graber, a brother-in-law, gave emotional testimony. “Nohema was a fantastic person,” Graber said, his voice cracking with emotion. “…She cared for strangers. It didn’t matter — she loved everybody and for this to happen — it’s just insane.”

Paul Graber’s brothers say Nohema’s death greatly contributed to their brother’s declining health and his death this past June. Goodale also spoke in court before his sentencing. “Two years ago I made the worst decision of my life and I take full responsibility for what I did,” Goodale said, “and today, as a young man, I can begin to pay for that.” Goodale read from a prepared statement.

“I want to say I’m grateful for this chance to speak my piece. I offer my sincerest apologies to the Graber family, but I know my words will never be enough,” Goodale said. “I’ve had time to think on what to say and I’m sorry, truly sorry.” Christian Graber, the couple’s son, was the final member of the family to speak in court today (Wednesday) and he told Goodale he forgave him.

“You do the best you can to be the best man you can be so you can redeem yourself because a lot of people don’t believe in you, but your family believes in you…and I believe in you,” Graber said. “And if you do the best you can to be a good man, just know that everything’s going to be o.k.”

The sentencing hearing lasted two days. Fairfield Police Lieutenant Julie Kinsella testified that Fairfield was shaken by Graber’s murder. “Fairfield’s supposed to be a place that you raise your kids…It’s supposed to be a safe place. Nobody locks their doors. Everybody knows everybody. As a result of Nohema Graber’s murder, people were scared to go out. People refused to walk in the parks,” Kinsella said.

“Parents were scared to send their kids to school. Teachers were scared to teach in school. I think the general public felt a lack of security….as a result of this murder. It’s not a reflection of who our community as a whole is and I think, for everybody, they suffered some kind of loss as a result of this murder.”

The teens beat Graber with a bat and left her body hidden under a tarp in a city park. Goodale’s father Dean, testified that the pandemic had a negative impact on his son.  “I knew he was smoking a lot of marijuana. I tried to do everything I could to stop him from that,” Dean Goodale said. “…I was just at my wits end. I had to go to school every day and he was again, during COVID, he was sitting home by himself every day and there was no supervision. It was an utter disaster.”

Goodale testified that his son felt abandoned by his mother, who moved to Colorado after the couple divorced. Goodale was 10 at the time. His father also described his son as troubled. “Based on his behavior…my primary concern for him leading up to this was that he would commit suicide,” Dean Goodale said.

The other teenager who pleaded guilty to Graber’s murder was sentenced to life in prison in July, but Willard Chaiden Miller will have the possibility of parole after 36 years. He is appealing the sentence.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Glenwood Police Department reported the arrest today (Wednesday), of 61-year-old Christine Hobson, from Glenwood. Hobson was arrested on a Pottawattamie County Warrant. Her bond was set at $5000 cash or surety.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Carter Lake man was sentenced on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, to 114 months in prison following his plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Jeremy Allen Bothwell, 35, conspired with other individuals in the sale and distribution of cocaine in Omaha, Nebraska and Carter Lake, Iowa between June 2021 and March 2022. Bothwell stored and distributed cocaine from his Carter Lake residence. Bothwell also instructed others to conceal cocaine in an attempt to avoid law enforcement detection.

Following his prison sentence, Bothwell must serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Council Bluffs Police Department, and Omaha, Nebraska Police Department investigated the case.