Governor Kim Reynolds today (Monday) announced that the schedule of unemployment insurance rates used to tax Iowa employers will remain at the lowest possible level allowed by law. This marks the second consecutive year at the current rates, and only the second time Iowa’s rates have been at this level during the past 25 years.

“Today’s announcement will be welcome news to any Iowa business that may be fearing the impact of the uncertainty in the economy on a national level,” said Governor Reynolds. “We have done everything possible to insulate Iowa employers from ongoing inflation and other rising costs and our efforts have ensured that the tax burden for employers in Iowa will be the lowest possible rate for the second time in the last 25 years.”

“Under the leadership of Governor Reynolds, Iowa’s wise investments and prudent stewardship of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund have allowed us to provide stability to Iowa’s employers,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director, Iowa Workforce Development. “Additionally, the positive impact of returning Iowans to work in the shortest time possible through the efforts of the Reemployment Case Management program have helped to keep the UI Trust Fund healthy and well-funded.”

Iowa law requires Iowa Workforce Development to establish a table each year to determine the impact of unemployment tax rates on eligible employers. The trigger for deciding which unemployment insurance rate table to implement is derived from a formula based primarily on the balance in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, unemployment benefit history, and covered wage growth.

The latest calculations based on this formula mean contribution rates in calendar 2024 again will be drawn from Table 8. Last year, the switch to Table 8 from Table 7 saved employers an estimated $72.20 per employee (based on employee wages totaling $36,100 or more with employers paying the median tax rate and remaining in the same tax rank).

Iowa was able to make the switch to Table 8 in 2023 due to decisions by Gov. Reynolds that helped keep the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund in a strong position following record benefit payouts during the pandemic. In 2021, Gov. Reynolds invested $237 million in ARP funds into the trust fund. In 2020, Reynolds previously had directed that $490 million of Cares Act coronavirus relief funds be used to backstop the trust fund during record unemployment.

A Greenfield man faces charges from a traffic stop in April.  28 year old Aaron Joseph Pearson was charged with Operating While under the Influence 1st Offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) 1st, and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs.

The charges were filed after toxicology reports came back from the state lab.

The original incident began with a traffic stop on April 25 when deputies clocked his sedan on Stuart Road in Adair County doing 79 mph in a 55 mph zone.  The deputy reported smelling marijuana and Pearson admitted to smoking recently.  A search of the vehicle uncovered a grinder and pipe, 2 glass meth pipes, a sealed plastic bag with a crystalline substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine, An orange prescription bottle with no label that contained green leafy plant material and two prescription pills.  A urine sample revealed meth in Pearson’s and that the crystalline substance was meth.

Pearson was cited and released.

On August 26th, 28 year old Rebecca Labertew of Des Moines was charged after a traffic stop in Stuart.  When questioned, Labertew admitted to deputies that she had marijuana.  A marijuana pipe was found during a search of the vehicle.  Labertew was released after being charged for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and was given a written warning for Unlawful use of a License. The driver of the vehicle, 32-year-old Justin Fitzmier, of Mound City, Missouri, admitted to possessing THC wax and a glass pipe with plastic on the outside that had residue on it consistent with smoking THC wax.  Fitzmier was released after being charged for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and given warnings for Not having a Valid Driver’s License, Open Container and Improper Rear Lamp.

Also, on August 21st, 62 year old Joseph Skiles of Ardmore, Oklahoma was arrested for Theft 5th Degree.  Skiles is charged with taking a bottle of vodka from the Caseys General Store in Adair.  He was held on $300 cash or surety bond.

If you travel on U.S. 30 near Woodbine in Harrison County you need to be aware of a bridge replacement project that may slow down your trip beginning on Monday, Sept. 11 through Oct. 2, weather permitting.  While construction crews work on this project, you will be detoured around the work zone using Iowa 37, Iowa 191, and Harrison County Road F-32.  Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution.

On August 28^th, 2023, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kenneth Williams, 36, of Lanesboro, IA, on a warrant for OWI 1^st Offense.  Williams was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

On August 27^th, 2023, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kelsea Lyons, 29, of Carter Lake, on the charge of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.  Lyons was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on bond.

Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis says negotiation is the way to resolve property disputes over developing privately-owned projects — like carbon pipelines.

DeSantis held two town hall meetings in northern Iowa this weekend and fielded questions about carbon pipelines at both events. In Algona, a woman asked DeSantis if a government agency should let a for-profit company use eminent domain to force landowners to sign property easements.

At a town hall forum in Garner, a man told DeSantis the carbon pipeline debate is tearing the state apart.

The forums DeSantis held in Garner and Algona were in counties where the proposed Summit Carbon Capture pipeline would pass through.

Produce in the Park is a weekly farmers market and community gathering held every Thursday evening from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM in the Atlantic City Park, now – October 12th.

This week, Sarah Selders will be providing live music and fresh, gourmet pizza will be on site from Hungry Spartan Pizza. Numerous vendors will be in attendance offering sweet treats, plants, crafts, baked goods and produce, produce, PRODUCE!

This week you can look forward to the following vendors:

Bridgewater Farms: wide assortment of produce
Brun Ko Farms: assortment of tomatoes, peppers, herbs, eggs, pork, lamb & chicken
Frosting, Inc.: gourmet cupcakes
Sue’s Country Garden: assortment of plants, produce, baked goods & jams/jellies
Cake’s, Cookies & Confections: assorted pastries & desserts
CJ Treats: baked goods & candles, soaps, body scrubs & oil diffusers
CK3 Farms: wide assortment of produce including watermelon
Harrisdale Farmstead: assortment of produce
Holaday Baking Company: assortment of baked goods & concession items
Imagine Garden Gifts: unique garden gifts including antique, vintage, and repurposed planters.
Johnna Joy Designs: wide selection of handmade jewelry & art
Kringleman: assorted Danish pastries
Neighborhood Bakehouse: sourdough, baguettes, sandwich bread & mini chocolate baguettes
Noble Provisions: homegrown ribeyes, beef snacks (jerky, summer sausage, beef sticks), beef brats, patties, pork brats, Italian sausage, & ground pork
Oak Hill Honey: home raised raw packaged honey
Piper’s Brae: assorted produce, jams/jellies, syrups & eggs
Ter-Bear Honey: home raised raw packaged honey
The 11th Acre: wide assortment of produce, baked goods, cottage foods & crafts

Our featured kids activity will be ‘Art in the Park’, featuring fun artistic crafts for kids to do, provided by YOUR FORTE. Visiting organizations include Zion Recovery and Cass County Cats. Yard games will also be on hand, provided by Atlantic Parks & Recreation.

All vendors accept cash, with many accepting credit cards and Venmo. All qualifying food vendors accept SNAP/EBT (also known as food stamps) with all fresh produce vendors accepting Double Up Food Bucks–coupons given for SNAP/EBT purchases of fresh produce.

For updates and information on Produce in the Park or how to sign up to participate, visit www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com. ‘Like’ or ‘follow’ Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/).

Today (Monday) is the first day to file nomination papers for the upcoming City/School Election. Last day to file is Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Nomination papers may be circulated prior to first date for filing as well as during the filing period. Nomination papers and candidate information are available at the office of the county auditor and from the secretary of state:www.sos.iowa.gov

Signature requirements for Cities are as follows:
City of Atlantic (Runoff Provisions)
• Council At Large Position-21 signatures
• Wards 1-2-3-4 Positions-10 signatures
• Park & Recreation Board-25 signatures

All other cities in the county require 10 signatures for each position

Signature requirements for School Districts are as follows:
Atlantic School District Positions- 50 signatures
CAM School District Positions- 20 signatures
Griswold School District At Large Position- 16 Signatures
Griswold School District Director 1- 10 signatures
Griswold School District Director 2- 10 signatures
For more information contact the Cass County Auditor’s Office at 712-243-4570 or email to auditor@casscoia.us.

The city positions to appear on the Cass County ballot for the 2023 City/School Election are:

Anita:
• Council Member- 2 Positions
• Mayor

Atlantic
• City Council At Large
• Atlantic 1st Ward Council Member
• Atlantic 2nd Ward Council Member
• Atlantic 3rd Ward Council Member
• Atlantic 4th Ward Council Member
• Park & Recreation Board-2 positions
• Park & Recreation Board-Vacancy Position

Cumberland
• Council Member-2 positions
• Mayor

Griswold
• Council Member-3 Positions

Lewis
• Council Member-3 Positions
• Mayor

Marne
• Council Member-3 Positions
• Mayor

Massena
• Council Member-3 Positions
• Mayor

Wiota
• City Council-2 Positions
• Mayor

The school positions to appear on the Cass County ballot for the 2023 City/School Election are:

Atlantic School District
• Board Member At Large-3 Positions

CAM School District
• Board Member North District
• Board Member South District

Griswold School District
• Board Member-At Large
• Board Member District 1
• Board Member District 2

On Monday, August 28 at 1:01 am, Creston Police arrested 29 year old Alan Dean Smith of 720 North Oak in Creston on charges of Harassment 1st Degree-Threaten Forcible Felony, OWI 1st Offense, and Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness, No Intent.  Smith was taken to the Union County Jail where he is being held on $4,000 cash or surety bond.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is investing $13,435,000 in loans and $2,946,000 in grants to five projects in Iowa to strengthen infrastructure, promote business expansion and create jobs.

One of the grants goes to the city of Irwin in Shelby County, who received a $1,795,000 loan and a $2,346,000 grant through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to make water distribution system improvements.  This project will construct a new 35,000 gallon water tower and replace water mains with 6″ PVC.  This project will also replace older galvanized steel, cast iron, and lead service lines with copper lines and will eliminate four dead-end lines by adding two short loops.  Once completed, this project will improve water security and storage, bring the city into compliance with water quality standards, and better protect the health and safety of 341 townspeople and residents of surrounding rural areas.

The other four grants will go the rural electric cooperatives.

Black Hawk County will soon be turning methane from its landfill into fuel for vehicles. Black Hawk County Solid Waste Management Administrator John Foster says that carbon reduction has been at the forefront of his team’s mind for a long time, and the public-private partnership provided the answer.

The landfill is the 4th-largest in Iowa and will be only the second in the state to recycle its methane into this type of fuel.

Foster expects that the project will be ready to go by November, and the sale of the recycled gas could yield 70-thousand dollars in revenue in its first year.