(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has sent the Senate a bill that would set a statewide policy for disciplining disruptive and violent students in public K-through-12 schools. It would require an in-school suspension and a counseling session after the first two incidents, but a third episode of violent or disruptive behavior would require the school to consider transferring the student to another class or learning environment. The bill also sets up a process for educators to report incidents of classroom violence and destruction of school property to the State Ombudsman for investigation. Representative Skyler Wheeler, a Republican from Hull, is chairman of the House Education Committee.

“This was not an issue that was on my radar at all when we came into session. This issue sought us out and we hear from individuals who are teaching in our public schools who are extremely concerned or they are being hit and they are being attacked,” Wheeler says. “We cannot just stand idly by and allow that to happen.”  Wheeler says lawmakers are hearing from teachers who don’t believe disruptive behavior in the classroom is being addressed.  “I’m not overly excited that we have to take a topic like this up,” Wheeler says, “but if we do not, I fear we are going to continue to see problems and we are going to potentially lose very good employees in our schools.”

Representative Sharon Steckman, a Democrat from Mason City who’s a retired teacher, says she’d like the policies to be required in Iowa’s private schools as well, but she supports the bill. “This bill has come a long way and I appreciate the collaboration that has been done to make it an improved bill, a bill that will really help teachers,” Steckman says. “And it is an issue that I’ve heard about from a lot of teachers and I’m really pleased that we could work together to get something that I feel will work.” Representative Sue Cahill, a Democrat from Marshalltown who’s a retired teacher, also voted for the bill. “This bill is a good starting point,” Cahill says. “I fully support having safety measures in place for teachers and that they have a recourse to maintain the safety of their own persons not only for their physical health but for their mental health as well.”

However, Cahill says she’s hoping the Senate changes it, to ensure schools have other options for kids in kindergarten and early elementary grades rather than an immediate in-school suspension after an initial fight or disruption in class. The bill passed the House on an 89-to-six vote. If it becomes law, administrators will be required to notify parents if their children have been violent or disruptive in school. The Iowa Department of Education’s report on student violence in Iowa classrooms indicates there were nearly two-thousand assaults during the last school year, causing more than 17-hundred injuries. The agency indicates schools reported more than 11-hundred incidents of property damage caused by students during the last school year.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session at 9:00 A.M. Tuesday, in Harlan.  According to the meeting minutes provided by Auditor Mark Maxwell, Roger Bissen of the EMS Advisory Council presented funding recommendations as determined by the Advisory Council. A 75 cent per thousand dollar valuation and a 1% state income surtax was proposed as necessary to fund the EMS operation in Shelby County. A public hearing was held on a declaration by the Supervisors that EMS is an essential service and funding options presented.

Alex Londo, Shelby County EMA Coordinator noted that information is on the County website including a frequently asked questions section about this issue. Londo said the countywide ambulance service will require tax dollars to operate and that the long time ambulance business owners are retiring. Local volunteers will still be available, but EMT/EMS certified volunteer numbers are dropping. There are many regulations controlling this type of business or operation. Todd Valline of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce also spoke and echoed Londos sentiments and added that the medical facilities offered by Shelby County need ambulance service for county residents. It is very important for Shelby County to have this service.

Having heard or received any other comments, the Board approved publicizing public hearings notice at least 60 days before the hearing dates of Thursday May 25th 2023, Tuesday June 6th 2023 and Tuesday June 13th 2023 at 10:00-a.m. each of the days, for public input on the Declaration of Emergency Medical Services as an essential service and the funding of the service.

Chris Nelson of Gronewald Bell and Kyhnn presented the independent audit of Shelby County to the Supervisors. Although Shelby County is in a good position overall financially, some funds generally used for payment of claims against Shelby County have lower than normal resources going forward. It was noted that three service areas were overbudget and that three departments went over budget in fiscal year 2022. Auditor Maxwell said his lack of oversight was the main cause of the unamended $21,779.57 spending in fiscal year 2022. The audit is a snapshot of the financial condition of Shelby County on June 30th, 2022. Parkhurst made a motion to accept the Audit report and Schaben seconded the motion, the motion passed.

Shelby County Roads Superintendent and County Engineer, Brandon Burmeister, presented the 5-year plan for fiscal years 2023-2028 and the currently planned projects. All voted in favor of the proposed 5-year plan. After a short recess to allow County Department Heads to gather and speak with regard to their respective budgets, the Board heard from Brandon Burmeister, who presented the secondary roads foremen wage scale for fiscal year 2024. The wage scale was approved unanimously.

Nick Preston, Shelby County Conservation Director, was present to voice concerns over his FY 23 budget. Using ARPA funds for tourism was discussed to pay for a project and cancelling another also using the funds for tourism. Kyle Lindberg, Shelby County Jail Administrator, voiced his concerns about not being able to run expense reports at a time convenient to his department. Auditor Mark Maxwell assured the Supervisors that this would not be an issue going forward and that the reports are sent out at least monthly.

A draft of the final 2024 budget was shared during the meeting, for the Supervisors to discuss. Current budget conditions were discussed and after discussion, Supervisor Charles Parkhurst made a motion that no departments will be allowed to go over their budget in fiscal year 2024, and if they do that amount will be deducted from their 2025 budget. Supervisor Bryce Schaben seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The School Board in the Audubon School District met in a regular session Monday evening, during which a Public Hearing was held on the 2024 School Calendar. Superintendent Eric Trager said they approved the state mandated earliest start date of August 23rd. He said they added one-long Spring Break for next year, “Otherwise it’s a pretty standard calendar.” The Audubon School Board set the time and date for a Public Hearing on the Budget, as their next regular meeting, April 17th and 7-p.m. They also approved the Teacher Salary Settlement, and other staff not included in the bargaining unit.

Mr. Trager said also, the Audubon School Board, Monday, approved a track resurfacing quote of $52,500, which was well under budget.

And, they approved a Greenhouse quote.

The Board also approved the purchase of an electric bus and charging station. The bus was ordered and is expected to arrive in January, 2024.

The bus is made possible through an EPA grant amounting to $390,000 ($375,000 for the bus and $20,000 for the charger that comes with). He said “We’re not trying to make a statement one way or the other, in terms of electric vehicles.”

And, Eric Trager said he updated the Audubon School Board on the District’s Building Projects.

In other business, the Board approved a Budget Gurantee Resolution, and AEA Purchasing Agreement and Timberline Billing Services Contract.

(Radio Iowa) – The deadline to file your federal tax returns is under a month away now, and a certified public accountant in central Iowa is urging people to get their shoeboxes full of receipts together, pronto. Jeff Strawhacker, a C-P-A in Urbandale, says the majority of his clients are very aware of the looming deadline but there are always a few procrastinators who will end up having to file for an extension. “There’s a combination of both,” Strawhacker says. “Most people are very good about getting us the materials we need. Obviously, a lot of people are waiting either for 1099s from brokerage firms, maybe K-1s from partnerships and S Corporations, so those kind of get pushed to the end, but that’s just part of the normal process.”

The I-R-S touts electronic filing as the most accurate method to use, in addition to e-filing bringing a faster refund check. While there were delays during the pandemic, Strawhacker says refunds are back on track this year. “Usually those refunds are coming out within about a two- to three-week period,” Strawhacker says. “The things that make that go faster is, make sure things are accurate on the return, that things aren’t missing, proper lines are filled in. If they want direct deposit, that information is put in there, because if you’re doing direct deposit, it’s speeding up the refunds. You want a paper check? It may take a few more weeks to get that paper check.”

Strawhacker says there were a few minor changes on the federal side that folks will want to note, and big shifts are likely on the state side next year. “There’s been some changes to the Child Tax Credit rules and Dependent Care rules. Those had some expanded provisions back in ’21 due to the pandemic. Those were not extended, so that could impact some people,” Strawhacker says. “And in Iowa, Iowa has not gone through a lot of changes for the ’22 returns, but 2023 is a whole different story, because they’re going through some massive tax reform.”

While practically everyone likes to get a big, fat refund check, Strawhacker says it’s his goal to get his clients’ withholdings adjusted so they’re close to breaking even every year. “If you’re getting a refund, that’s simply dollars that you have paid into the tax system during the year, either through payroll tax withholdings or estimated payments, but that’s your money that you’ve paid in, and you’ve just paid in more than you need to,” Strawhacker says. “So all they’re doing really at the end of the year is giving you back the excess funds, so think about it as an interest-free loan to the government.”

The deadline for filing federal taxes is April 18th this year, while state tax returns are due May 1st.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Association of Business and Industry quarterly survey finds most of its members plan to make capital investments in the second quarter of the 2023. Mike Ralston is the president of the association which represents 15-hundred Iowa manufacturers. “You know, that’s a big deal. That’s a multi-million dollar piece of equipment. It’s a plant expansion. It’s something big it’s out of the ordinary. And boy business people wouldn’t do that if they didn’t feel pretty confident about the way things were heading,” Ralston says.

Ralston says the survey shows his members are still experiencing higher prices, longer waits and sometimes struggle to get needed parts or equipment. “Before the pandemic, somebody got their particular component it took them 30 days. Then after the pandemic, literally it took like maybe a couple of years,” he says “It’s still high, but that’s a lot better than two years.” Other questions in the survey show 50 percent of businesses expect sales to increase, and 70 percent foresee their workforce remaining stable.

(Radio Iowa) – More Iowa high school and middle school students are enrolling in educational programs offering courses directly related to employment in current or emerging occupations. Dennis Harden oversees the career and technical education area for the Department of Education, and says the number of courses increased seven-point-six percent in 2022 from the previous year. School districts are required to offer at least 12 units of coursework within four of the six C-T-E service areas.

Harden says all school districts experienced growth in courses with a statewide average of two courses being offered and the participation rate of students in 2022 was 73-point-one percent. He says the largest C-T-E service area with 90 programs is applied science, technology, engineering and manufacturing, followed by health science and information solutions, human services, business, and finally agriculture.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa is known for its many thousands of acres of fertile farmland which help to feed perhaps millions of people around the world, and a new report details just how valuable the agriculture industry is to the state. Brent Johnson, president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, says the report just confirms what we already know, that agriculture is vital to our state’s economy and identity.

The report says Iowa has 326-thousand jobs that are directly tied to agriculture with an economic impact of more than 96-billion dollars tied to those jobs. When that 96-billion figure is trickled down to Main Street and other industries, he says it quickly more than doubles to nearly 222-billion dollars. Even through the past few years with the pandemic, Johnson says agriculture saw steady gains, and farmers are growing significantly more food on less land.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak arrested a woman and a man on separate charges, Thursday. Authorities say 40-year-old Mandy Marie Knapp, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 8:15-p.m. in the 1500 block of N. Broadway Street. Knapp was taken into custody on Adams County warrants for Trespass/1st offense, Open Container as a driver (21+) and Felony Burglary in the 3rd Degree. She was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

And , at around 5:25-p.m., Thursday, Red Oak Police arrested 24-year-old Austin Alexander Thompson, of Red Oak, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. He was being held on a $1,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says congress cannot let TikTok stockpile sensitive information and spy on Americans. Miller-Meeks and other members of the House Commerce Committee quizzed TikTok’s C-E-O for more than five hours yesterday (Thursday).

“Certainly, as you can see, in a bipartisan way we have concerns,” Miller-Meeks told TikTok’s CEO, “and those concerns are valid.” The app, which has 150 American users, is owned by a Chinese company and the Biden Administration is demanding that the Chinese sell their stake in the company — or the app will be banned in the U.S. Miller noted the hearing began hours after China announced its opposition to the sale of TikTok.

“Why would China or the Chinese Communist Party be opposed to a forced sale of TikTok?” Miller-Meeks asked. “…That leads people to believe that there’s something more nefarious and that there is, in fact, data that is captured, is stored and poses a risk not only to children in the United States, but also poses a risk to national security.” Miller-Meeks, a Republican who represents Iowa’s first congressional district, says she believes TikTok is gathering personal data from Americans and sharing it with our adversaries.

Republican Ashley Hinson, Iowa’s second district congresswoman, says TikTok needs to be banned.  “I believe the time to act was yesterday here,” Hinson says. Hinson says the U.S. Treasury Department has been negotiating with TikTok’s owners for three years — since the Trump Administration — and cutting ties with China and it’s time to ban what Hinson calls a Trojan horse app. Hinson made her comments during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday.

(Sidney, Iowa – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports that a man from northwest Iowa was arrested on Monday for driving a stolen vehicle, faces additional charges following the alleged assault of a Sheriff’s Deputy at the Fremont County Jail, on Wednesday. The deputy suffered minor injuries during the incident.

The Sheriff said that on Monday (March 20), Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible stolen vehicle near a truck stop at the intersection of Highway 2 and Interstate 29. Deputies located a 2015 Chrysler 200, reported stolen out of Dickinson County, Iowa at that location. The driver, 20-year-old Kendel Cole Schmidt, from Spirit Lake, Iowa was arrested for Theft in the 1^st Degree. Schmidt also had a warrant for his arrest out of Dickinson County, and was being held at the Fremont County Jail on $10,000 cash/surety bond.

Kendel Cole Schmidt

On Wednesday, Schmidt assaulted a Fremont County Correctional Officer, tearing the correctional officer’s uniform in the process, and attempted to steal items from their person in an attempt to escape.

Schmidt was additionally charged with:

• Criminal Mischief 5^th Degree, a Simple Misdemeanor
• Assault on persons in certain occupations, an Aggravated Misdemeanor
• Attempted Escape, a Class D Felony
• Robbery 2^nd Degree, a Class C Felony

He remains in the Fremont County Jail on an additional $17,300 cash bond.