(Radio Iowa) – House Speaker Pat Grassley says Republicans are having productive conversations and he’s predicting the governor’s school choice bill has the votes to pass the Iowa House.  “I don’t think I’d be moving the bill along throughout the process if we didn’t have that expectation,” Grassley says. Governor Kim Reynolds has proposed less expansive plans in the past two years, but each failed to secure enough support among House Republicans to pass.

Her new plan would let low income parents get state funds to cover expenses if they enroll a child in a private school and starting in 2025 — any private school parent could apply. Grassley says the goal now is to take a vote on the governor’s bill next week.  “I think we’ve come up with a really good bill here,” Grassley said. “I think the governor has proposed a really strong bill that addressed a lot of any of concerns that may have existed over the last two years in the debate that we’ve had.”

Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced the bill yesterday (Thursday), so it’s eligible for debate next week in the Senate, too. Democrats say legislators should at least wait for the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency to complete its analysis of the bill’s fiscal impact. Senator Claire Celsi, a Democrat from Des Moines, says she doubts the governor’s estimate the plan will cost about 900 million dollars over the next four years.

“We have no clue what it’s really going to cost,” Celsi says. “If you look at what it costs in other states that have gone this route, the estimates are way low.” Other Democrats say the bill doesn’t have enough oversight of the private company that will be hired to distribute the state money to private school parents.

(Cass County, Iowa) – 2023 mobile food pantries have been scheduled for Atlantic, Massena, and Anita. A mobile pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to families in need for a one-day distribution. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome. Mobile food pantries are available free of charge. Anyone in need is welcome, and no documentation is required. Each car can take food for up to two households at a time. It is important to note that Massena pantries require registration. (See below for details)

Anita 2023 Mobile Food Pantries
Where: Anita Food Pantry (208 Chestnut Street, Anita IA 50020)
2023 Dates: February 15, May 17, August 16, October 18
Time: 4:00-6:00 PM

Atlantic 2023 Mobile Food Pantries
Please note: Atlantic 2023 Mobile Food Pantries are being held at different locations during the school
year (Cass County Community Center) and summer months (Atlantic High School).
Time: 4:00-6:00 PM

Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th St., Atlantic, IA 50022): February 8, April 12,
October 11
Atlantic High School (1201 E. 14th St. Atlantic, IA 50022): June 14, July 12, August 9

Massena 2023 Mobile Food Pantries
Please note: Massena pantries require registration. Boxes are limited. Registration ends the Monday
prior to the pantry date. To register for pantries in Massena, call (712) 779-3447.
Where: Southwest Iowa Egg Coop (74877 Clarke Ave. Massena, IA 50853)
2023

Dates: Feb. 8 (register by Feb. 6), April 12 (register by April 10), June 14 (register by June 12), July
12 (register by July 10), August 9 (register by Aug. 7), October 11 (register by Oct. 9)

Box pick-up time: 4:45-5:15 PM

Mobile pantry dates, times, and locations are subject to change. For the latest information on mobile
pantries in Anita and Atlantic, visit https://foodbankheartland.org/food-resources/find-food/. For the
latest information on Massena pantries, call (779) 3447.

For information on local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood.

(Radio Iowa) – The number of Iowa counties without a confirmed infestation of the emerald ash borer is now down to three. The Iowa Department of Agriculture has added Monona, Osceola, and Woodbury Counties to the list of infestations. The insects were confirmed in Blencoe, Melvin, and Sioux City, making it 96 of Iowa’s 99 counties with an infestation.

Plymouth, Emmet, and Palo Alto are the only counties that are still E-A-B free. The tree-killing insect from Asia was first discovered in Iowa twelve years ago. Thousands of trees across the state have been cut down after being infected — or in an effort to slow the spread.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says state funding for small public schools in rural areas will remain stable or could increase if the legislature approves her plan to set up state-funded accounts for parents who send their kids to private schools. Reynolds discussed details of her school choice bill during an interview with Radio Iowa.

“I would say that we’re putting a significant amount of money into our kids and into education, both public and private as well with the new ESA language that we’re proposing,” Reynolds said. Reynolds estimates about 107 million dollars of state funds would be deposited in Education Savings Accounts for low income parents enrolling children in a private school this fall. She’s also recommending that legislators provide 190 million dollars more to public K-through-12 schools in the next academic year.

Reynolds said she’s under no illusion she’ll change opponents’ minds about her plans. “I want somebody to tell me what is the magic number. What is the magic number that all of a sudden will make all of education wonderful? Is it 75% of the budget? Is it 65% of the budget? You know 57% of the state budget is going to education. Come on,” Reynolds said. “There are examples of states out there that are spending way less on education and getting better results.” Current state law guarantees small public schools with declining enrollment don’t see their state funding decline.

The governor has proposed public schools get 12-hundred dollars for every district resident who’s enrolled in a private K-through-12 school. The governor says that could benefit some small rural schools.  “Their funding will stay the same or increase with the proposal that we put forward,” Reynolds said. This is the third and most expansive “school choice” plan Reynolds has presented to legislators. Last year, Reynolds met with rural school superintendents and principals as she tried to round up support — and votes in the House — for the concept.

“I just said: ‘Hey, I want to look you in the face and I just want you to know that it is critical that we have a strong public school system. It’s the foundation of our educational system. It’s the foundation of our economy and our society. I don’t have any illusion that I’m going to sit across from you and change your mind,'” Reynolds said. “‘But I do believe that parents also, regardless of whether make enough money or not, if their child is not thriving in the system that there is and we can provide some choices, we should do that.”

By 2025, all private school parents in Iowa, regardless of income, could get state money to cover private school expenses under the governor’s plan — an estimated 341 million dollars in total. A private company would oversee those payments.  “It will be a separate platform that we will be able to manage the system through,” she said. Reynolds indicates the chosen company would then ensure the money is spent on private school tuition or other allowed expenses, like private tutoring, textbooks or school-related fees.

The money is not to be spent on food, clothing, transportation or disposable school supplies, like pencils and paper.  “It will be automated. I think that’s the important thing to understand,” Reynolds said. “It’s not going to through the Department of Education. This will be a separate entity that will handle that, much like we do the 529.” The state authorized so-called five-29 College Savings Iowa Plans provide some tax advantages to parents saving for college expenses and the accounts are managed by Vanguard, an investment company.

Earlier today (Thursday), Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the governor’s school choice bill. The legislation is now eligible for debate next week in the House and Senate.

(Radio Iowa) – Whenever a person’s life is lost, there’s an opportunity for lives to be saved — if that person was a registered organ and tissue donor. Heather Butterfield, spokeswoman for the Iowa Donor Network, says their final figures are in for 2022, during which she says many hundreds of lives were transformed by generous gifts from donors. “In 2022, we had 115 deceased organ donors in the state of Iowa that generously gave 347 organs for transplant,” Butterfield says. “Additionally, we have 979 tissue donors and every single tissue donor has the opportunity to heal and enhance the lives of 50 to 300 people.”

Since 2018, she says the state’s donor network has experienced a 62-percent increase in the number of organ donors as well as a 40-percent rise in the number of organs transplanted.  “There are more Iowans registering as organ and tissue donors,” Butterfield says. “We’re also seeing more opportunities with advancements in medicine and healthcare and in the organ donation field. There’s just a greater opportunity for people to donate.” She says the Iowa Donor Network coordinates with hospitals, transplant centers, E-M-S providers, medical examiners, and other healthcare partners to maximize donation opportunities.

“Anyone of any age can register to be a donor here in the state of Iowa,” Butterfield says. “Of course, the most common way is at the DMV, but if you check your license and you don’t have the word DONOR on the front, you can visit our website, IowaDonorNetwork.org. It takes less than three minutes and you can register to save lives.” Still, the transplant wait list is long. She says there are more than 105-thousand people nationwide in need of a life-saving organ transplant, including 625 Iowans.

ATLANTIC, IA (January 19, 2023) – Produce in the Park’s Sweetheart Market has been scheduled for Saturday, February 11 from noon to 3:00 PM at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA in Atlantic. This is a new and highly anticipated location for the winter farmers market because the Nishna Valley Family YMCA will be offering free activities for kids during the market. Additionally, Pim’s Thai food truck will be in the parking lot selling their popular Thai Food. Sweetheart Market is held the Saturday before Valentine’s Day, so shoppers can pick up Valentine’s Day themed sweets, baked goods, and gifts, in addition to farmers market favorites premium local produce, meats, jams, seasonal candles, crafts, art, jewelry, and bath and body products.

Sweetheart Market vendors confirmed as of January 19 include:

• Smudge
• Bridgewater Farm
• Brun Ko Farm
• Miss NiNi’s Fine Desserts
• Noble Provisions
• The Kringle Man
• DezaRae Farm Soaps,
• Ter-Bear Honey
• Johnna Joy Designs
• Midwest Candles by Brit,
• Wud Bi Tek
• Creekside Crystals and Crafts
• Frosting Inc.,
• Spirits of the Faire
• Sweet Sisters Vegan
• Donna’s Jewelry
• Unicorn Clouds
• Studio Samantha
• Sugar Mamma Cookie Co., and
• Pim’s Thai Food Truck.

Sweetheart Market 2023 will offer both in-person shopping as well as pre-ordering. Pre-order will be available through www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com from February 1- 9. Preordering is an excellent option for customers who want to plan on a particular food item—such as Valentines cookies—as well as customers who are short on time to shop at the market.
Some vendors, such as Miss NiNi’s Fine Desserts, will only be offering pre-ordered products.

Produce in the Park continues to accept vendor applications to Sweetheart Market and Spring Celebration Market (April 6). For more information visit produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com or
contact Market Manager Brigham Hoegh at produceintheparkatlanticiowa@gmail.com or 712- 249-5870.

Sweetheart Market is sponsored by the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, Cass County Tourism, First Whitney Bank and Trust, Cass Health, Gregg Young Automotive of Atlantic, and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. For the latest information on Christmas Market, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/) or sign up for the Produce in the Park newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports there were three arrests on Tuesday and another arrest this past Monday. Officials say on Monday (1/16/23), 33-year-old Matthew Stevens, of Lewis, was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear. Stevens was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

Those taken into custody on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, include:

55-year-old Bernard Ewertz III, and 47-year-old David Headley, both of Log Lane Village, CO. Each was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Drug Trafficking. Ewertz was additionally charged with being a Felon in Control of a Firearm. Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail, and held. Separately, 40-year-old Zachary Frank, of Atlantic, was arrested Tuesday, on a warrant for Theft 4th Degree.  Frank was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

All criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has issued an update on a rollover accident that we previously reported on with limited information. Authorities say that at around 3:10-p.m. Wednesday (January 18th, 2023), deputies and area first responders were called to the intersection of Highland Road and Indian Creek Street, for a single vehicle rollover accident.  Upon investigation it was found that a 2018 GMC Yukon, being operated by Madison Darnell, of Hancock, was traveling East on Highland Road.  Darnell lost control of the vehicle due to slick roadway conditions, and the vehicle entered the south ditch, tipping to it’s side.

The vehicle had five occupants who were all transported via EMS for medical evaluation.  At the time of the accident and during subsequent investigation, it was reported that all injuries were considered to be minor and non-life threatening.  The vehicle sustained significant, totaling damage.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, received an update from a firm contracted to help recruit new businesses and developers to the City. Last Fall, the Council agreed to renew an agreement with the “Retail Coach” which works alongside the Atlantic Area Chamber pf Commerce to conduct market research and development, in an effort to further high-impact retail recruitment and development strategies. The agreement was for $20,000 – $10,000 less than what was charged the first year of the contract, in 2021.

Austin Farmer, “Retail Coach” Project Director, speaking via video conference call with the Council, said part of the process is attending conferences and speaking with retailers and developers on behalf of the City, such as a conference they are attending this week in Dallas, Texas.

He said there are four key areas of focus in networking with the retail trade industry.

Austin Farmer

The third area of focus is with regard to developers.

The last element in the process, he said, is “Franchisee Recruitment.”

Austin Farmer said they have actively recruited more than 60 regional and national retail prospects and are coordinating with persons who are in charge of searching for real estate for a franchise. Similar efforts are being conducted for the downtown area.

Some of the prospects didn’t have the financial resources to locate in Atlantic, while others are still recovering from the affect of COVID on their business functionality. Following his nearly 40-minute presentation, Farmer answered some questions from the Council, who appeared to have been pleased with his report.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports no one was injured following two separate accident so far this week.  Monday evening, a 2011 Jeep driven by 20-year-old Martin Plascencia-Marquez, of Omaha, was traveling east on Highway 34 near mile marker 1, when at around 7:23-p.m., the vehicle began to malfunction. After Plascencia-Marquez pulled-over and popped the hood, he saw flames coming from the engine bay. The compartment became fully engulfed in flames, and was extinguished by first responders.

On Wednesday, Mills County Deputies responded to a rollover accident at 360th/Lambert. A 2022 Nissan was observed in the north ditch. The driver, 23-year-old Ian Rieple, of Omaha, informed the Deputy that he was en route to Malvern, when his vehicle slid-off the road and into the ditch. The Deputy transported the man to a local convenience store to be picked up by his friend and transported back to Nebraska.