(Radio Iowa) – A state senator who’s proposed five different bills in response to proposed carbon pipelines says the current regulatory process is unfair to landowners. Senator Jeff Taylor says the bill most likely to pass would require that developers get voluntary access to 90 percent of the land along the pipeline route before state regulators could grant permission to seize the rest through eminent domain.

“The Iowa Farm Bureau has endorsed the 90% bill,” Taylor says. “It’s probably seen as more of a reasonable compromise by Republicans who are leery of interfering for various reasons into the existing process.” Taylor is a Republican from Sioux Center — in Sioux County — where the proposed Summit pipeline would pass through. Taylor says since Summit is owned by major G-O-P donor Bruce Rastetter and former Governor Terry Branstad has been an advisor to the project, it’s been political uncomfortable to raise concerns.

“These pipelines, carbon capture, helping the ethanol industry, it’s a priority for a lot of my Republican colleagues,” Taylor says. “I’m not against the pipelines per se, but it matters how we do things and I think we’re going about this the wrong way.” Taylor says there’s no guarantee the legislature will take any action on the issue. “I think some of my colleagues would just like us to sit back and let the process take its natural course, but that’s what I object to,” Taylor says, “because I don’t think the natural course is constitutional or fair to the landowners who are affected.”

Dan Tronchetti lives near Paton in Greene County. The Summit pipeline would pass through one of his fields and be within 12-hundred feet west of his front door. He’s frequently at the Iowa Capitol, outlining his objections to having his land seized for the project. “I’ve been forced to come out of my comfort zone and become a political activist,” he says. Tronchetti says the contract Summit presented him suggests he could be sued if his combine or farm equipment damages the pipeline buried four feet below ground.

“Bottom line is that I don’t feel like I have liability protection,” he says, “and that if the pipeline company says that I caused an issue that I could end up losing the farm either by a court judgment or to pay attorney fees to defend myself.” Tronchetti says if the pipeline passes through his farm, he may make the 75 foot wide strip of land on top of the underground pipeline a no-go zone rather than plant corn or soybeans on it.

(Radio Iowa) – Five women who say there are dozens of inappropriate books in their local schools are questioning the process of trying to require parental permission before students may have access to some school library books. The women are members of a group called Moms for Liberty and they were invited to testify at a hearing in the Iowa Capitol last (Monday) night. Amy Dea has challenged a book that’s been required reading in a Carroll High School class. “No student should have access to this filth in their school,” Dea said.

Pam Gronau says she believes 55 books in the Urbandale School Library contain obscene material.  “We have looked up other school districts all across Iowa,” she said, “and there are dozens of inappropriate books found in many of them.” House Government Oversight Committee chairwoman Brooke Boden, a Republican from Indianola, convened last (Monday) night’s hearing. Boden says lawmakers need to make sure Iowa schools aren’t arming children with pornography.

“We need to sit down and figure out a way that we can work together with our school administrations and figure out how this does not get into the hands of our children,” Boden said. Representative Lindsey James, a Democrat from Dubuque, says there’s been a reemergence of book challenges in public schools.  “Long before we had Moms for Liberty challenging the Absolute True Diary of a Part-time Indian, we had the Daughters of the Confederacy…challenging Uncle Tom’s Cabin which aimed to expose the evils of slavery,” James says.

Representative Sean Bagniewski, a Democrat from Des Moines, says his constituents want lawmakers to focus issues like population loss and crumbling infrastructure. “I have not heard from anybody who thinks that the number one priority for the state of Iowa is banning books or going through the school curriculum,” he says.

Governor Kim Reynolds spoke at a Moms for Liberty event last week and said if a book is banned in one school district, state law should require that all other Iowa schools get a parent’s permission before letting a student see it.

(Radio Iowa) – An Iowa District Court judge has granted the state’s motion for a temporary injunction and issued a consent order requiring the cleanup of hazardous waste from the C6-0 facility in Marengo.

C6-0 and its owner Howard Brand agreed to pay $330,000 to a consultant to get rid of the soil and water contamination left from the December explosion and fire at the plant that recycled shingles. The order also requires the company to keep paying until it has reached compliance with state law.

The company has until February 17th to implement a site assessment plan required by the DNR and until March 3rd to submit a remedial action plan. It must also provide the DNR with a list of chemicals present during the explosion, and allow DNR representatives to visit the site.

(Radio Iowa) – Abortion opponents say it’s time for a ban on all abortions in Iowa. Republican Representative Luana Stoltenberg of Davenport spoke at a prayer service in the Iowa Capitol. “My prayer is that Iowa will pass a life at conception bill to protect our most vulnerable and defenseless citizens and our women and children,” Stoltenberg said. Stoltenberg had three abortions as a teenager and has become an outspoken critic of the procedure. “I stand before you to say abortion is not a good option and we need to end it in our state,” Stoltenberg said.

Maggie DeWitte of Pulse Life Advocates said the goal is to make abortion “unthinkable” in our society. “Now is not the time to stand on the sidelines,” DeWitte said. “Roe was the first step, but we have much much more that we need to do.” DeWitte cited self-administered abortion pills, for example, as a target as well as legislation to ban all abortions.

Republican Senator Kevin Alons of Salix said the six-week abortion ban Governor Reynolds approved in 2018 spurred similar action in other states and he’s urging the Iowa Supreme Court to quickly let that law take effect. “There is a lot more to do and obviously the goal is a life at conception (law), to preserve every life,” Alons said.

Governor Kim Reynolds addressed the crowd, but did not directly mention passage of a state law to ban all abortion. Reynolds said after a five year court fight, her focus is on getting the six-week abortion ban she approved in place, as well as more state spending on groups that support pregnant women and at-risk fathers. “It’s up to us to not only dismantle abortion’s culture of death, but to build a culture of life,” Reynolds said.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird also addressed the crowd at the prayer rally. “As your attorney general, my job is to uphold the law and to protect the rights and freedoms of all Iowans, born and unborn,” she said.

Republican legislative leaders have said they’d hold off on considering new abortion restrictions until after the Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling on the six-week abortion ban is issued. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst has been predicting Republican lawmakers “can’t help themselves” and would not be able to wait until 2024.

(Creston, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Union County say a 16-year-old suffered suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries during a rollover accident that took place at around 10:55-a.m. today (Monday. Authorities say Jackilyn Faith Campbell-Mills, of Creston, was driving a 1997 Saturn passenger car westbound on Highway 34, when the vehicle left the road and entered the north ditch.

The car hit Lark Avenue and went airborne before landing upside down toward the middle rear of the vehicle, which then proceeded to roll and land upright in the west side ditch off of Lark Avenue.

The teen was transported by EMS to the hospital in Creston, and her mother contacted. Campbell-Mills is said to have told a witness that the wreck was intentional. The car was totaled in the crash. The loss was valued at $4,000.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports three recent arrests. At around 11:54-p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3rd, Police in Adair arrested 57-year-old Adam Duane Wright, of Boone, following a traffic stop on a vehicle pulling a trailer with no tail lights. The car was pulled over on 5th Street in Adair, while the vehicle was turning onto the I-80 westbound on-ramp.

A subsequent investigation and questioning of Wright, resulted in his arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense – Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Wright was released a $5,000 cash or surety bond the following day.

On Feb. 1st, at around 11:19-p.m., an Adair County Sheriff’s Deputy arrested a man in Orient. 35-year-old Corry Donald Johnston, of Des Moines, was arrested for Driving While Barred, providing a False ID to law enforcement, and on a Felony warrant out of Ringgold County. He was released on his Own Recognizance (ROR) on the Adair County charges, and turned over to Ringgold County Deputies. His bond on multiple charges in Ringgold County was set at $15,000.

And, 58-year-old Donald Duane Worth, of Lewis, was picked-up from Cass County in a prisoner swap. Worth was wanted on and Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. He was released the following day on a $1,000 bond.

DES MOINES – Governor Reynolds has appointed Sergeant Brady Carney of the Des Moines Police Department’s (DMPD) Investigations Division to lead the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.  

“Sergeant Carney’s years of experience in police patrol, investigation, and intelligence have prepared him to provide the best possible training experience for recruits,” stated Governor Reynolds. “I’m confident that his proven leadership abilities will continue the tradition of excellence at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy for the next generation of officers.” 

“I’m excited for the opportunity to use my background and training to develop Iowa’s new peace officers,” Sergeant Carney remarked. “Law enforcement training is dynamic and must always evolve. The citizens of Iowa deserve excellence from their public servants and the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy will work tirelessly to ensure those expectations are met.” 

Carney is a graduate of Adair-Casey High School and Iowa State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology in 2006. He was named Outstanding Recruit of the Des Moines Regional Police Academy’s 68^th Recruit Class in 2007. 

During his career, Carney has served as a uniformed patrol officer and narcotics investigator and has trained and supervised other officers throughout. He was named Des Moines Police Officer of the Year in 2019 and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2021. 

As director of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, Carney’s responsibilities will include overseeing law enforcement training and education, evaluating its performance in meeting immediate and long-term objectives, and developing and implementing a training plan to accomplish organizational goals. Carney begins his new role on March 6, 2023. 

ELK HORN, IOWA — Residents of the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School District will vote on both a Physical Plant & Equipment Levy (PPEL) and a Revenue Purpose Statement on Tuesday, March 7. If these measures are approved, the district would prioritize the most urgent and required repairs throughout its school buildings. These include updating facilities, roofing repairs, safe and secure entrance improvements based upon our vulnerability assessments, technology, transportation etc.

“As we address key facility needs throughout our schools, the district and board are seeking ways to protect the investments our community has made in our buildings while respecting the needs of our property taxpayers,” said Trevor Miller, Superintendent. “If both of these measures are approved in March, we will be able to repair systems and facilities throughout our schools, which will help us ensure a safe and secure learning environment for our students.”

A voted PPEL is a voter-approved levy that generates funds a school district can use for infrastructure and equipment repairs, purchases and improvements. Funds may be used only for these purposes. The PPEL must be renewed every 10 years and is anticipated to have a maximum property tax rate impact of $1 per year on every $1,000 of taxable property value. The voted PPEL has been in place in the district for 10 years. Both measures are renewals and neither of these votes have an additional impact on tax rates. “We are not asking for additional funds as we will maintain our current funding mechanism,” said Trevor Miller.

A Revenue Purpose Statement allows a school district to use statewide one-penny sales tax dollars (through a program called SAVE) toward construction projects. It does not represent a tax increase. Rather, it simply changes how the district can use these dollars.

The district and board will share more information on the voted PPEL and Revenue Purpose Statement in the weeks ahead.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Sheriff’s Officials in Mills County report two arrests took place, Friday. Authorities say at around 12:50-p.m., 47-year-old Brent William Michael, of  Malvern, was arrested for Driving While Barred and Possession of Controlled Substance, His bond was set at $2,000. And, at around 3:50-p.m., Friday, 26-year-old Summer Brooke French, of Red Oak, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Failure To Appear, on a charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was being held without bond in the jail.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood report a man was arrested Saturday on three charges. Authorities say 26-year-old Kameron Myers, of Glenwood was arrested for Eluding, driving under suspension and neglect or abandonment of dependent person. His total bond was set at $10,300 (cash or surety). And, on Sunday, 23-year-old Cesar Salazar-Najera, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for OWI 1st. He posted a $1,000 c/s bond and was released.

Glenwood Police said also, no injuries were reported following a collision that took place at around 12:30-p.m. Saturday, on Sharp Street. Authorities say a 2011 GMC Acadia driven by 50-year-old Amy Coleman, of Elkhorn, NE, was traveling westbound on Sharp Street in the center lane, and turning right into a business drive. Coleman told police she was on the phone and didn’t realize the road was a four-lane street.

Coleman said also, she didn’t see a westbound 2008 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 19-year-old Rhett Donald Bruce Bentley, of Macedonia, who was in the outside lane. When Coleman attempted an (improper) turn into the business drive, her SUV struck the pickup. Damage from the accident amounted to $6,000. No citations were issued.