A long-standing surcharge on gasoline may end January 1st. The penny-per-gallon fee was established in 1989 to finance clean up of underground storage tanks that were leaking gasoline, diesel or oil. Representative Walt Rogers, a Republican from Cedar Falls, says the clean-up of all those pre-1990 tanks is done, but lawmakers are leaving 42 million dollars in a fund for any tanks that may start leaking again.

“Or they might find what they call an orphaned tank somewhere,” Rogers says, “like a Dairy Queen somewhere, there was a tank underneath that they didn’t know about, that was pre-1990, so those potentially have to be taken care of.” The fee was charged to petroleum wholesalers, but Rogers and other legislators hope consumers see a tiny dip at the gas pump.

“You hopefully will save a penny January 1,” he says. Three separate House committees unanimously approved the bill. It cleared the full, 100-member House last night on a 94 to zero vote. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill that would have expanded Iowa’s medical marijuana law has failed in the Republican-controlled House. The chamber voted 31-63 Monday night to turn down legislation that would have expanded the list of medical conditions eligible for possession of cannabis oil. The measure faced an uncertain future in the Democratic-majority Senate, where there had been support for a more comprehensive system.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa House has approved legislation that would allow specially trained psychologists to prescribe medication to mentally ill people in the state. The Republican-majority chamber voted 72-22 Monday for the legislation, which would allow licensed psychologists to complete additional coursework and training to prescribe medication typically offered by psychiatrists and others.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Forecasters say a severe weather outbreak with powerful, long-track tornadoes and enormous hail is possible Tuesday in the Great Plains. The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, says the most dangerous weather is predicted for an approximately 70,000-square-mile area stretching from southern Oklahoma to southern Nebraska, including the Oklahoma City area. In all, nearly 37 million people are at a slight risk or higher of seeing severe weather on Tuesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have passed legislation to create a tax rebate program that could benefit construction at the “Field of Dreams” movie site. The Republican-controlled House voted 77-18 Monday for legislation that would provide sales tax rebates to owners who spend at least $10 million on a baseball and softball complex. There’s $5 million available in total and a single recipient could receive up to $2.5 million. The Senate already passed the bill and it now heads to Gov. Terry Branstad.

A juvenile is being blamed for a fire that destroyed the Stuart Sale Barn Sunday night. Stuart Police late Monday afternoon said their investigation determined that a juvenile entered the structure at some time prior to the fire. The juvenile used a cigarette lighter to ignite a bale of hay. The juvenile then attempted to extinguish the fire but was un-successful. The fire was never reported to authorities by the juvenile. Evidence located at the scene and statements from witnesses and the suspect have been corroborated. The juvenile has been identified and is cooperating with officers.
Due to the suspect’s age, the case will be referred to juvenile court for any criminal charges and the name and information related to the juvenile will not be released to the public.

The incident began to unfold at around 6:41-p.m. Sunday, when two Stuart Police Officers received a report of smoke coming from the Stuart Sale Barn at 523 E. Front St. Officers requested that the Stuart Fire Department be dispatched while they were in route to investigate the smoke. Upon arrival Officers discovered a fully involved structure fire, with flames and smoke visible to approximately ¾ of the building.

Officers checked the windows and doors to determine if the structure was occupied and then began traffic control on Highway 6, which is directly in front of the building.
The Stuart Fire Department arrived approximately 4 minutes later and began fire suppression operations. Fire Departments from several surrounding communities were called in to assist. Unfortunately due to the size of the fire, the responding departments were unable to stop the spread of the fire to the remaining parts of the structure. The fire department remained on scene until approximately 10:10-p.m

Due to the suspicious nature of the fire, the Stuart Police Department and Stuart Fire Department requested that the Iowa State Fire Marshall’s Office be notified.
At approximately 8-a.m. Monday, Iowa State Fire Marshall Investigators arrived and began an investigation of the scene. The Stuart Police Department then took lead of the investigation.

Stuart Fire Chief Mark Renslow told KJAN News about a dozen or so goats died in the blaze. The owner of the building has said he will rebuild, and that until that happens, a tent will be erected in the parking lot for upcoming sales.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Monday of 24-year-old Shanda Kile of Corning after a traffic stop.  Kile was initially stopped for Driving Under Suspension but a search of the vehicle resulted in other charges.  Kile was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Child Endangerment.  No other details were given at this time.

(Updated) A 15-year old female on a bicycle was suffering from knee pain after the bike she was riding collided with a Chrysler Town and County van Monday afternoon, at 10th and Plum Streets. The accident was reported at around 3:25-p.m.

According to Police, the van, driven by Patrick Odell, was traveling east on 10th Street, when the teen entered the street from the sidewalk, heading north. Witnesses state the girl didn’t stop or look for cross traffic before entering the road.

Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Medivac Ambulance responded to the scene. The girl was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.