(Radio Iowa) – An Iowa House subcommittee has again advanced a bill to ban what’s been called the “gay panic defense.” It would prevent defendants charged with a violent crime from claiming temporary insanity because they discovered the victim was gay, lesbian or transgender. The bill has never been considered in the Iowa Senate, but it has passed the House unanimously twice before. Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton said he’s hoping persistence pays off this year. “Nothing’s changed in my mind,” said Kaufmann, chair of the three-member subcommittee. “I find the use of this defense preposterous and heinous and it does not pass the common sense test that this should be a defense.”

Keenan Crow of One Iowa, a group that advocates for lesbian, gay and transgender Iowans, addressed the House subcommittee that advanced the bill. “Thank you for bringing this forward again. I appreciate the tenacity of the House on this matter. I do think it’s important enough to merit a third vote,” Crow said. “What this bill does is it outlaws a discriminatory defense tactic that is based on excusing or minimizing the actions of a perpetrator based on the characteristics of their victim.”

Defendants in a few other states have been able to use a “panic defense” to reduce their sentences. Supporters of the bill cite the 2016 murder in Burlington. During House debate of the proposal last year, a state representative asked for a moment of silence for Kedarie Johnson, a 16-year-old who was wearing women’s clothing the night he was killed by two men.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports a Bridgewater woman was arrested January 16th in Adair, on two Adair County warrants. 57-year-old Michelle Renee Evans was taken into custody at a restaurant in Adair, on a warrant pertaining to an Order Revoking her pre-trial release that was filed on August 26, 2022, and, a warrant filed July 8, 2022, charging her with Failure to have a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) interview. The warrants are connected with six counts of Animal Neglect with Serious Injury or Death, filed in Adair County on March 24, 2021. According to court records, Evans’ sentencing hearing is set for Feb. 3rd at 10-a.m. She remains in the Adair County Jail on a $20,000 cash-only bond.

Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports also, 59-year-old Todd Lavern Lauridsen, of Ames, was arrested Jan. 15th in Stuart, following an investigation into an occupied vehicle on the side of the road at Adair/Madison Avenue, with its lights off. Lauridsen – who was in the passenger seat – told the Stuart Police officer a friend who was driving, was picked-up by another friend. Together they went to retrieve a trailer to haul the broken down Honda Accord.

A check of Lauridsen’s ID revealed his driver’s license was revoked. The officer noticed a clear plastic zip-style baggie with a torn half, laying on the driver’s seat. The baggie appeared to continue residue consistent with methamphetamine, according to the officer’s report. The officer ordered Lauridsen out of the vehicle, and a substance believed to be meth fell from the passenger seat and onto the floorboard. The substance tested positive for meth. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, resulting in the discovery of a glass pipe under the passenger seat. The trunk contained a black box with another glass pipe, along with paraphernalia. Lauridsen’s wallet contained $448, $300 of which was in 100-dollar bills. Lauridsen was arrested for Possession of less than 5 grams of meth, and possession of paraphernalia. He was released from the Adair County Jail Jan. 17th, on a $10,000 cash or surety bond.

And, 41-year-old Stormy Allen, of Greenfield, was being held in the Adair County Jail after being arrested on the 15th. She served a her court-ordered sentence and was released on Jan. 19th.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department reports four people were arrested on separate warrants from Dec. 26, 2022 through Jan. 11, 2023:

• This past Saturday (1/21), 29-year-old Benser Mark, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear, and 25-year-old Ason Pisalil, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant along with a Public Intoxication.
• On Jan. 11th, 28-year-old Nicholas Renner, of Atlantic, was arrested on Cass County warrants for Violation of Probation (2 counts). And…
• On Jan. 8th, 39-year-old Larry Oles, of Kimballton, was arrested on an Audubon County warrant for Simple Assault.

The following persons were arrested for Public Intoxication:

• On January 23rd (Today), and on Jan. 14th, 23-year-old Tarek Bunan, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intox.
• 19-year-old Tarzan Kochiro, of Atlantic, was arrested Jan. 21st, for Public Intoxication.
• and, on Jan. 8th, 43-year-ol Kierstian Takis, of Atlantic was arrested twice, at 2:02-a.m. and again at 9:15-p.m., both times for Public Intoxication.

On January 21st, 33-year-old Benjamin Sonish, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. One day earlier (Jan. 20th), Atlantic Police arrested 31-year-old Cody Pleis, of Atlantic, on charges of Harassment in the 1st Degree, Simple Assault, and False report to public entity. On January 15th, Atlantic Police arrested 29-year-old TR Takauo, of Atlantic, was OWI/1st offense. The A-PD reports two people were cited and released for different, alleged offenses: On Jan. 10th, 59-year-old Debra Frazier,of Atlantic, was cited for Theft in the 4th, in connection with an incident that occurred in Dec., 2022. And, 24-year-old Allen VanAernam, of Atlantic, was cited for Simple Assault.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday (Jan. 24, 2023), will discuss the future of the former Willow Heights care facility. The building and grounds for the facility are owned by the County. Both failed to sell during an auction held last Saturday. The minimum asking bid was $250,000. The other tracts offered during the auction did sell, for a total of $1.7-million.

Their discussion on the matter will take place during the Supervisors’ regular weekly Board meeting at 9-a.m., Tuesday, in their Boardroom at the Cass County Courthouse, in Atlantic. In other business, the Board will act to approve the resignation of Robert Vernon, Grove Township Trustee, the appointment of Mike Kennon, as Zoning Administrator, and the appointment of a Yardman’s position.

During Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken’s report, the Board will act to approve a Resolution for a bid on a County Bridge Project.

(Radio Iowa) – Two long-running strikes at eastern Iowa factories ended over the weekend. Some 11-hundred U-A-W workers at Case New Holland plants in Burlington and Racine, Wisconsin ratified a new contract on Saturday, ending a strike against the ag equipment maker that started last May. On Sunday, nearly 120 workers at Ingredion in Cedar Rapids agreed to a new four-year deal with the grain processing plant.

Those workers are represented by the Bakery Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 100G, and they’ve been striking since August. Statements from both groups say the strikes ended with wins on wages and insurance premiums.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports two men were arrested on separate warrants, recently. Late Sunday morning, 37-year-old Robert Eugene Kibbe III, of Creston, was arrested at his residence on two Union County Warrants. One was for Violation of Probation on an original charge Harassment/1st Degree  – No Bond. The second was for Violation of Probation an original charge Domestic Abuse Assault Display or Use of Weapon/1st Offense  – No Bond. Kibbe is being held in the Union County Jail.

And, 40-year-old Jacob Jeffrey Fry (No known address) was arrested at a residence in the 300 block of N. Jarvis Street, in Creston. He was arrested Friday morning on a Department of Corrections Felony Warrant for Possession of Products Intended for Manufacturing Any Controlled Substance. Fry was taken to the Union County Jail and held on a $5,000 cash-only bond.

A Creston man reported to Police, Wednesday afternoon, that on Jan. 14th, between 5:30- and 6-p.m., he lost his Camo Winchester SX4 shotgun, while hunting at the Gator Farm. The loss was estimated at $1,000.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Do you help take care of an adult with chronic conditions? If so, you are not alone. Over 43.5 million family caregivers in America provide a vast array of emotional, financial, nursing, social, homemaking and other services on a daily or an intermittent basis. Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an online educational series designed to provide tools you need to take care of yourself.  If you take good care of yourself, you will be better prepared to take good care of your loved one. As a participant you will learn how to: reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate your feelings, balance your life, increase ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is brought to you by Connections Area Agency on Aging in cooperation with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach starting Thursday, January 26, 2023 from 6:30-8:00 PM (https://connectionsaaa.tiny.us/PTevening) OR Tuesday, January 31, 2023 (Register: https://connectionsaaa.tiny.us/PTafternoon).  Classes consist of six, 90-minute sessions held once a week.  Class size is limited, and registration is required.

The Caregiver Helpbook and handouts will be mailed. There is no cost for the program but participants will receive an opportunity to donate.  Two experienced leaders conduct each class. Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action for your life. For more information, contact Jan Schnack, Family Caregiver Community Engagement Specialist at Connections Area Agency on Aging at 800-432-9209, Ext. 8116 or JSchnack@connectionsaaa.org

Connections Area Agency on Aging Family Caregiver Program supports people who care for their parents, spouses, or others aged 60+ by providing information, resources, and support.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa –  If you’re one of the thousands of tourists who flock to Iowa’s Great Lakes region each summer, a new construction project will help make getting around the area between Arnold’s Park and Okoboji a lot easier. The project led by the Iowa Department of Transportation is planned to be completed in 2024 and will improve pavement, intersections, and sidewalks. Details of the project are now available on a new Iowa DOT website. The DOT says they will do their “best not to interrupt your summer plans in the area by completing the road work during “off-peak” tourist season (before Memorial Day and after Labor Day). The work is scheduled to be completed in four phases over two years.

The website includes more information on the schedule and details of the project including how the project will affect your travel. Improvements you can expect to see in the area when the project is done include:

• New pavement on U.S. 71 from Okoboji Grove Road in Arnolds Park through Okoboji View Avenue in Okoboji
• Extension of the three-lane section of U.S. 71 to the south of Lake Street.
• Improved mobility in the area by updating the sidewalks to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act
• New barrier rail that separates vehicles from pedestrians on the causeway
• Aesthetic enhancements on the causeway barrier rail and updated pavement in the space between the road and the barrier rail
• New traffic signals at Lake Street and Linden Street in Arnolds Park

For questions, contact Dakin Schultz at Dakin.schultz@iowadot.us or 712-274-5837

(Radio Iowa) – This could be a pivotal week for Governor Kim Reynolds’ top legislative priority. Speaker Pat Grassley says the goal is for the House to take some level of action on the governor’s new bill to give state money over the next two years to low income parents sending kids to private school. In year three, all private school parents could apply for the state payment. Governor Reynolds told Radio Iowa state money spent on education should benefit all students.

“We made that decision a long time ago when it came to education. We just said we’re going to fund education for students, people that have the means and people that don’t. We fund Social Security the same way. It’s not based on whether you have money or you don’t,” Reynolds says, “so I feel like this is the status quo.” Some House Republicans have publicly said they will not vote for the plan. It would require “no” votes from at least 14 of the 64 Republicans in the House, though, to prevent its passage.

The governor’s bill is eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate this week as well. None of the Democrats in the Senate or the House will vote for the plan. Senator Claire Celsi of Des Moines says the core mission of the the legislature is to fund public, not private schools. “It’s an embarrassing overreach,” Celsi says. “It’s an embarrassing waste of taxpayer dollars for a very small portion of our population.” Senate President Amy Sinclair of Allerton says Republicans in the Senate have been supporting this move for years.

“I don’t think I’ve been shy in six years of introducing possibility after possibility on parents rights and choice in education,” Sinclair says. “For six years I’ve been singing this same song.” Governor Reynolds issued an open letter to Iowans late Friday, calling her plan a worthy investment in the future. The top Democrat in the Senate says the governor’s plan diverts state funding for public education to wealthy Iowans who don’t need the subsidy to pay private school tuition.