(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says a provision in a bill the senate passed last (Thursday) night authorizes the U.S. military to train Ukrainian soldiers how to remove the explosives Russia’s military has dumped in the Black Sea. “Reclaiming the Black Sea would be a major step forward for Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Ernst says, “allowing them to resume trade from their most important port.”

The Port of Odessa is on the Black Sea, a body of water that is now invested with hundreds of mines. The operation to remove those mines is included in this year’s 858 BILLION dollar defense spending bill. President Biden is expected to sign the legislation, which will provide an additional 800 MILLION dollars to Ukraine’s war effort. “Training and armed the Ukrainian military keeps U.S. service members safe, supports a U.S. partner, degrades one of our most vicious foes, “Ernst says, “and preserves American safety and prosperity.”

The bill will also get rid of the requirement that American soldiers get COVID-19 vaccinations. Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, says eight thousand soldiers who refused to get a COVID shot have been discharged from the regulars military. The mandate for National Guard and Reserve units was to take effect at the end of the year. “With record low recruitment across all service branches, shrinking the number of service members puts our national security at risk,” Ernst says. “This was the right move for our military readiness.”

This year’s National Defense Authorization Act includes a four-point-six percent increase in the basic pay for service members — the largest military pay hike in 20 years.

(Radio Iowa) – The Keokuk County Emergency Management director has been arrested on a felony theft charge. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. says 66-year-old Larry Smith was arrested following a state audit that determined Smith traded the Emergency Management Agency’s 2006 diesel truck for 800 dollars to a fleet dealership in September. He then paid 800 to the dealership to buy the truck for himself. The vehicle was estimated to be worth 66-hundred to more than 14-thousand dollars.

The audit said with the trade-in amount for the vehicle less than its value, the Keokuk County agency incurred additional costs. Smith resigned in October. The D-C-I says the investigation is ongoing– but no further details are being released at this time.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop at around 12:45-a.m. today (Friday), in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest of a woman from southeast Iowa. Red Oak Police report 35-year-old Heather Lynn Porter, of Ottumwa, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. She was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on bond amounting to $491.25.

(Radio Iowa) – A group that successfully pushed for spending limits in state government three decades ago is urging Governor Reynolds to propose new limits on local governments. Chris Hagenow is president of Iowans for Tax Relief.  “We think it would be a good idea to implement a two-year property tax freeze in Iowa,” Hagenow says, “so that we can press pause and take a look at what some of what the various ideas might be to reform the system.”

Property taxes are the bulk of most city and county budgets. Hagenow’s group suggests that state lawmakers place both spending and borrowing limits on local governments — and resist having state government provide more money for the things local governments pay for today. “Real tax reform is placing limitations on government itself,” Hagenow says. Hagenow says it will be a multi-year discussion to come up with permanent changes to the state’s complicated property tax system.

“We don’t believe that this gets solved in one year. It’s taken many years to get to this point,” Hagenow says, “but property taxes in Iowa are the 10th highest in the nation and, as assessments are going up, Iowans are going to be faced with increasing property tax bills.” Hagenow made his comments yesterday (Thursday) during an online forum hosted by the governor. Another speaker told Reynolds his group fields the most complaints about property taxes.

“You’re right on property tax. It’s probably that most hated tax out there,” Reynolds said. “We’re working on individual and corporate (income taxes). That’s next up.” During a speech in Florida last month, Reynolds said she hopes to eliminate Iowa income taxes by the end of 2026.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s four person Board of Adjustment met Thursday evening in the Council’s Chambers at City hall, to determine if an application by the New Life Church meets the seven criteria for a Conditional Use Permit. After one-hour and 40-minutes of discussion, questions and answers, the Board unconditionally approved the request to operate a church at 28 W. 5th Street and a business office at 410 Poplar Street, in what is by Ordinance, a C-3 “Central Business District.”

More than two dozen people were present for the public hearing and discussion, but before the Board opened the hearing to consider a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the New Life Church, they called for nominations for Board Chair and Vice-Chair. Current Chair Melissa Ihnen was re-elected to the post, and Alexis Fleener was voted to be Vice-Chair. Afterward, the Board Chair reviewed the Board of Adjustment’s Role as a Quasi-Judicial Body, and the Legal Framework for Decision Making.

There were seven criteria that were examined prior to the decision to grant the permit. And, while some sticking points with regard to potential issues with parking and traffic flow, the Board ultimately concluded those issues were not insurmountable enough to warrant denying a permit. Board Chair Melissa Ihnen and Alexsis Fleener…

It was noted that a Conditional Use Permit does not mean the Board has a say on the sale of the property. That is between the owners and buyers. The Church had previously entered into a purchase agreement with Atlas Atlantic Cinema property owners Jacob and his wife Rylea Anderson, with whom they had been renting the building prior to the decision to purchase.

Jacob Anderson

Pastor Ben Winford

Board of Adjustment

Ben Winford, Senior Pastor of the New Life Church, said they have looked at other sites, but the ones they have explored so far, are either too costly at the onset, or don’t fit their needs.

He said they ended up at their building at 6th and Pine Streets, but that has had some structural issues, which is why they inquired about renting the Atlantic Theater. Jacob Anderson said after meeting with Pastor Winford, it was agreed to rent the space, and he had high praise for what’s transpired since.

He said they know or no complaints about the building or use of it, for the purposes of a church. The Board and audience heard next from the property owners of 28 W. 5th an 410 Poplar Streets. Roger Steffens spoke as an abutting property owner. He owns a business across the Street from the theater and to the west. Steffens recounted fond memories he had of the theater, which he said was a church back in the 1940’s, and that he was baptized there. Steffens alleged some groups conspired to block the sale of the building to the church.

There were only two people who signed-up to speak during the hearing. Angie Johnson owns a grooming business on 4th Street. She said she’s glad the church is growing, but she said her clients, some of which come from out of town, often ask what there is to do downtown after 5-p.m. The theater was one option, when it is open.

She cited also, the historical value of the building that houses the theater, and was in favor of keeping the building as a theater. Barb Jorgensen, owner of the Little Cobbler, also spoke about the historical significance of the theater, and efforts to save it.

Rylea Anderson said renting their building to the church, helped when attendance at the theater was low. She said attendance has been declining for quite some time, and the scene is the same in a lot of small towns, and there’s not much of an expectation theater attendance will rise again.

(Radio Iowa) – Many Iowans make grand plans for New Year’s Eve, but the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is urging those who love the outdoors to commit to an event on New Year’s Day. Sherry Arntzen, chief of the Iowa D-N-R’s Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau, says this will be the 10th year for the state’s First Day Hike Challenge. “First Day Hikes are a great way to get out and start the new year out in nature,” Arntzen says. “Our parks are open all year, I don’t know how many people take advantage of that. It’s just a great way to get out there and not only to enjoy the sights and the sounds that you can see in the wintertime, but creating those memories with your family and friends.”

While the immediate forecast is for very cold weather to move in, the picture could be much different by the time January 1st arrives. Arntzen says the events will go on, no matter what the forecast. “It varies, obviously,” Arntzen says. “The winter may play into people’s decisions but we’ve had people who have braved some of the coldest weather that we’ve had, and we’ve had years where it’s been mild and just absolutely an enjoyable way to spend the morning or an afternoon.”

When the First Day Hike Challenge started, hikers were led on guided hikes through the parks by park rangers and caretakers. During COVID, hikers were instead encouraged to check in using their Park Passports.  “For this year, we’re offering both,” Arntzen says. “Your hikes that you can do on your own at your own leisure and check in and be eligible to win a two-night stay at Pine Lake State Park cabins, or we do have 17 of our parks that are continuing to offer a designated time with a guided hike.”

More than 50 state parks and forests are doing the Park Passport check-ins this time, from December 30th through January 1st. In addition to the guided hikes, several parks will host get-togethers, providing hot chocolate and snacks.

On the web at www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes

(Creston, Iowa) – A collision in Creston this (Thursday) morning resulted in one person being transported by ambulance, to the hospital. Creston Police report 51-year-old Jody Lynn Johnson, of Creston, suffered possible (unknown) injuries, and was transported by Greater Regional Hospital medics to be checked out.

Johnson was driving a 2019 Cehvy Equinox (SUV) westbound on Townline Road/Highway 25 at around 8:05-a.m., and preparing to turn south onto Cottonwood Street, when her vehicle was struck by a 2001 Ford Escort.

Police say 15-year-old Owen Jacob Weis, of Creston, was driving the car north on Cottonwood and approaching the controlled intersection, when the car started sliding on the snow/slush covered road, and collided with the SUV.

Officers said while the road conditions may have played a role in the collision, the teen was also driving too fast for conditions. No citations were issued. Damage to the vehicles amounted to $10,000.

(Radio Iowa) – A managed care company has agreed to pay a 44-point-four million dollar settlement after being accused of submitting excessive prescription drug bills to the Iowa Medicaid program. The Missouri-based insurance company Centene does not admit wrongdoing. A news release from the Iowa Attorney General’s office indicates there were irregularities in the way a pharmacy benefits management company that’s a Centene subsidiary was billing for medications provided to Iowa Medicaid patients. Centene operates under the name Iowa Total Care in Iowa. It’s one of three private companies that oversee care and billing for 800-thousand Iowans who are enrolled in the government’s Medicaid program.

Senator Pam Jochum, a Democrat from Dubuque, says the huge settlement is a sign Centene defrauded the state and a stark reminder the privatization of Iowa Medicaid isn’t working.

Attorney General Tom Miller’s office has announced a series of legal settlements for Iowa and other states in the last month, regarding allegations about the marketing of opioids. “There’s going to be considerable money coming into Iowa and all the states to deal with opioids and that’s really important,” Miller says. In late November, Miller announced opioid makers Teva  and Allergan would pay the State of Iowa a 46-point-six MILLION dollar settlement.

Miller and his top deputy were the lead negotiators for all states in that case — and the national settlement from these two companies is six-point-six BILLION. Miller, a Democrat who has served as Iowa’s attorney general for 40 years, lost his bid for an 11th term. Republican Brenna Bird’s term as attorney general begins in January.