Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports the Fremont County Reserve Deputy Association recently received a very generous donation to “Operation Santa.” Cooper Avey had a birthday party, and instead of presents for himself, he asked his friends to bring presents to donate to Operation Santa. Aistrope says Cooper’s very generous donation will never be forgotten.

From left to right: Tucker Wyant, Carter Rycroft, Blake, Schaaf, Andy Carter, Diesel Driskell, Noah Howe, Cooper Avey.

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

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has commuted the prison sentence of an Iowa kosher meatpacking executive who received 27 years behind bars for money laundering. The commutation is Trump’s first in office and comes following the encouragement of members of Congress and other high-ranking officials who argued the sentence was too harsh. Sholom Rubashkin ran the Iowa headquarters of a family business that was the country’s largest kosher meat-processing company.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Citizens may be allowed to carry guns in some public areas of county courthouses after the Iowa Supreme Court revised an earlier order banning weapons from the public buildings. Chief Justice Mark Cady issued an order Tuesday revising the edict he’d written in June that banned guns from all courthouses in Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The husband of Iowa’s first female governor has unveiled a doll of himself at the state Capitol, adding a twist to a popular _ and some would say quirky_ tradition honoring the state’s first ladies. Kevin Reynolds, husband of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, was on hand Wednesday as a doll with his likeness became the newest addition to a permanent display case at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines. The case holds a doll of most Iowa first ladies in history, dating back to territorial governors.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — New U.S. Census Bureau data show Iowa and Nebraska’s populations grew slower than the national average. Iowa’s population increased to 3,145,711 as of July 1, up from 3,130,869 at the same time in 2016. That’s a growth rate of 0.47 percent. Nebraska’s population grew to 1,920,076 during that same window, compared to 1,907,603 the previous year. That’s an increase of 0.65 percent. The United States’ population increased by 0.71 percent, to 325,719,178.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening (Dec. 20th), paid recognition to a couple of members of the AHS Trojans Cross Country team, Taylor McCreedy and Jalen Petersen. Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Somers asked Coach Dan Vargason to talk about their performances

He said McCreedy and Petersen were the two State qualifiers. There were 35 runners-up for the program. Petersen, a junior finished in 67th place on the boys side, while Taylor, who is a freshman, finished 20th on the girls side. He says they have a good program coming back next season.

In other business, the Council discussed with Snyder and Associates Engineers’ Dave Sturm, the Community Beautification Project, as proposed by ISU intern Matt Iekel. A Beautification Committee proposed Snyder’s handle the technical aspects of executing the project. Sturm said the agreement as proposed, would include “Way-finding” signage, a Clocktower, and a fountain at the northwest corner of 7th and Olive, along with corridor lighting pole modifications and banners.

Snyders’ services would include a preliminary design, Iowa DOT coordination and permits, final design, bid, and obtaining competitive quotes and construction services.
Altogether, the bill would come to $39,000. Councilman Dana Halder said he and Councilman Gerald Brink have been left out of the loop on the scope of the project, and were both on the Beautification Committee, and nothing has been pared down from the original plan or discussed to a consensus.

He said there’s no reason to spend $39,000 on some of the things City crews can do, and that the Clock Tower had been removed from the project. He said also there are some issues with the lot at 7th and Olive that need to be addressed, including the need for a survey team to come out and determine property lines. Halder said there needs to be some meetings on what really needs to take place and discussion on who will be responsible for the mowing, leaves and weeds.

Nick Harris, who is on the Beautification Committee, said he welcomes the Council to attend their meetings, and work with the Committee and Snyder’s Tim Teig, to revise the plans and clarify the action to be taken.

In other business, the Council approved, by a vote of 4-to 2 (with Councilperson Ashely Hayes absent), the awarding of a contract to Howery Construction in the amount of $98, 350 for work on the concrete 1,300-foot long, eight-foot wide AMU Wellfield Trail Head Project. AMU will utilize the City’s access to a Tranportation Alternatives Program Grant (TAP grant), to help fund the construction. Councilmen Jimerson and Casady voted against the award.

Michelle Andersen

The Council was also introduced to new Atlantic Library Director Michelle Andersen. She spoke about her background and plans and family. Andersen said she’s from north central Iowa, and was the library director most recently at SteamBoat Rock. Prior to that, she’s had experience at two academic libraries as well as serving on the Outreach Board for a community about the size of Atlantic, in UpState New York. She had extensive board and administrative experience. Her husband and three of their four children will move to Atlantic. Her oldest sign wishes to finish his academic activities at his current school.

And, the Oath of Office was administered to Mayor Dave Jones by City Clerk Barb Barrick. Jones then administered the Oath to Councilpersons Somers, Casady and Brink, all of whom won re-election this past November.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The husband of Iowa’s first female governor has unveiled a doll of himself at the state Capitol, adding a twist to a popular — and some would say strange — tradition honoring the state’s first ladies.

Kevin Reynolds, husband of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, was on hand Wednesday as a doll with his likeness became the newest addition to a permanent display case at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines.

The case holds dolls of most Iowa first ladies in history, dating back to territorial governors. Clad in tiny inaugural gowns, the dolls are from a mold based on former first lady Billie Ray, who started the tradition more than 40 years ago.

Officials say Kevin Reynolds’ doll, which is slightly taller than the others, was made in Colorado

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has eased its ban on guns in county courthouses. Chief Justice Mark Cady says in an order signed Tuesday that county supervisors and other local officials may request guns to be allowed in areas of courthouses not totally occupied by the courts.

Cady’s order in June banned guns throughout all courthouses after the Iowa Legislature passed a law authorizing citizens to sue local officials who enact local gun bans in public buildings including courthouses. The law also allows guns to be carried into the Iowa Capitol.

Gun rights advocates say Iowans should not lose the right of self-defense when inside public buildings like courthouses. Opponents say emotions often run high in courthouses and it’s asking for trouble allowing guns inside.

Officers with the Council Bluffs Police Department responded a little after 9:30-a.m today (Wednesday), to 828 Ave B to assist US Marshalls with a wanted person refusing to exit an apartment. Officers received information alleging a wanted party, considered to be armed and dangerous was at this location. Upon knocking and announcing a Police presence officers observed people inside begin to move around but ignore requests to answer the door.

Acting on information that the occupants were possibly armed and had made statements of wanting to resist arrest, the Council Bluffs Emergency Services Team and Negotiators were activated. Following numerous at tempts to establish communications with the occupants a window was breeched at which time the occupants stated they would exit and comply with any orders.

A man, 43-year old Casy Kagy and a woman, 37-year old Heidi Kopf, exited the residence and were taken into custody. No injuries were reported from the incident. Kopf was arrested on outstanding warrants through Lancaster County, Nebraska. Kagy was charged with Interference with Official Acts.

The Cass County Boards of Supervisor today (Wednesday), heard from Joel Dirks with West Central Community Action (WCCA), which serves Cass and nine other counties in the area. Dirks requested $4,000 in County funding for their services, the same amount as last year. The Board took the request under advisement for when they begin working on the Budget. Those funds are used to provide local match support required by some Federal programs they use, they provide financial assistance for clients, but provide no means of paying program delivery costs or administrative costs, which this past year amounted to $278,179.

In addition, the County’s funds assist in supporting West Central’s efforts to maintain safe and affordable space for their dual outreach centers. Dirks said their goal is to maintain a reserve fund for operating capital, which allows them to cash flow their operations until Federal and State funding partners reimburse the agency for work completed on their grants and contracts. Among the services WCCA provides to its clients is: Head Start; Child Care Resource and Referral;Early Childhood Iowa Areas (via Early Childhood Iowa); the Child and Adult Care Food Program; Weatherization of low-income homes; LiHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program); Senior Employment Program (Senior Aides); Family Development and Self-Sufficiency, and the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program.

Dirks says West Central Community Action programs are important alternatives to the County general Relief program, in meeting citizens’ needs. Without the County’s support, Dirks said the savings generated from WCCA would be in jeopardy. He reported to the Board that 646 households and 1,594 individuals were served during Fiscal Year 2017, in Cass County. The County received more than $1.3-million dollars worth of direct, in-client program services, for a total of $1.66-million dollars in services provided by WCCA.

The five Republicans in Iowa’s congressional delegation voted for the G-O-P’s tax plan and the lone Democrat voted against it. Senator Chuck Grassley called the tax bill “landmark” and  “historic.” Senator Joni Ernst noted the bill includes her “SQUEAL Act” which means members of congress will no longer get a tax break for their living expenses in Washington. Congressman Steve King of Kiron called the legislation an “early Christmas present to American taxpayers.” Congressman Rod Blum of Dubuque did not issue a statement after the vote, but has tweeted recently that “families…will see their tax home pay increase” as a result of the bill’s passage.

Congressman David Young of Van Meter tweeted right after voting for the bill that it would “give hardworking Iowa taxpayers the relief they deserve.” Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack of Iowa City criticized the bill, saying it “focuses on slashing taxes for millionaires, billionaires and corporations.”

(Radio Iowa)

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — New U.S. Census Bureau data show Iowa and Nebraska’s populations grew slower than the national average. Estimates released Wednesday show Iowa’s population increased to 3,145,711 as of July 1, up from 3,130,869 at the same time in 2016. That’s a growth rate of 0.47 percent.

Nebraska’s population grew to 1,920,076 during that same window, compared to 1,907,603 the previous year. That’s an increase of 0.65 percent. The United States’ population reached 325,719,178 during that period, up from 323,405,935. That’s an increase of 0.71 percent.

The Census Bureau says Idaho was the nation’s fastest-growing state, with a population increase of 2 percent. Utah, Washington, Florida and Arizona were also among the biggest gainers. Illinois experienced the largest population loss in terms of numbers, while Wyoming saw the largest percentage decline.

An accident this morning in Atlantic caused a brief evacuation of the Atlantic Hy-Vee Store. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon says the incident happened at around 8:45-a.m. He said a straight truck backed into the external gas line connection to the store causing a leak of natural gas that was noticed outside and inside the store. A valve to the line was quickly shut-off and the store ventilated. The doors were re-opened to customers about 30-minutes later.

Atlantic Firefighters at the scene of a gas line leak. (Photo courtesy Mike Kennon/Cass County EMA)

No injuries were reported. Kennon says the driver was backing up to a loading dock when the incident occurred. He says the truck managed to miss the concrete post barriers and it was fortunate it struck the incoming line on the opposite side of the shut-off valve.

Alliant Energy crews were working on repairing the connection as firefighters were leaving.