A bill co-sponsored by both of Iowa’s U-S senators that’s designed to shield American innovators from intellectual property theft passed the Senate last night (Monday). Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he was very pleased to see the Defend Trade Secrets Act be approved by the chamber on a unanimous vote of 87-to-0.

Grassley says, “That will provide new tools for businesses to fight back against bad actors and prevent thieves from disseminating valuable trade secrets.” Grassley is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee which convened a hearing on trade secret theft last December and he steered the bill to committee passage earlier this year. The measure would be a boon to many U-S companies, Grassley says, including Iowa-based DuPont Pioneer.

Grassley says, “The company was victim in a high profile 2013 trade secrets case in which six foreign nationals conspired to steal engineered corn seeds in order to benefit a foreign company.” Those seeds were said to be the product of 30-to- 40-million dollars in research. Grassley says the Defend Trade Secrets Act would create a new avenue for companies like DuPont Pioneer to pursue civil claims against trade secret thieves in federal court.

(Radio Iowa)

A pubic hearing will be held Wednesday morning, in Atlantic, with regard to an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2016 Cass County Budget. The meeting takes place shortly after the Cass County Board of Supervisor’s meeting convenes at 8:30-a.m. Following the hearing, the Board will act on adopting the amendment, and the FY 2016 Iowa DOT/Secondary Roads Dept. Budget.

In other business, the Board will act on approving a contract with Rasmussen Mechanical Services, for courthouse boiler and burner service and/or upgrades. If a candidate is available, the Board will also act on the appointment of a Grove Township Trustee to fill a vacancy term that ends Dec. 31st. 2018.

The Supervisors will also hear a report from the Engineer Candidates Interview Committee, with Board action to follow. In February, Cass County Engineer Charles Marker announced he would be retiring at the end of June. A committee has since received applications for his replacement, and interviewed the finalists.

Police in Red Oak arrested a woman this (Tuesday) morning on a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Dept. warrant for a Controlled Substance violation. 33-year old Mandy Marie Knapp, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 8:45-a.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where she was being held on a $50,000 cash bond.

The Atlantic Police Department reports three arrests. On Sunday, 24-year old Mark Fredericksen, of Atlantic, was arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Prescription. On Monday, 20-year old Tyler Osborn, of Atlantic, was arrested for 5th Degree Theft (Shoplifting), and Public Intoxication. And, on Tuesday (today), 23-year old Jason Mark, of Atlantic, was arrested for Criminal Trespassing.

All three men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

LOGAN, Iowa (AP) – A western Iowa man accused of killing a pedestrian while driving drunk on July Fourth has pleaded guilty. The Daily Nonpareil reports 26-year-old Austin Arndt, of Logan, entered the plea Monday to a charge of vehicular homicide while intoxicated. His sentencing is set for April 18th.

Authorities say the body of 50-year-old Charlotte Anderson was found a little after 11:15 p.m. on July Fourth last year along Iowa Highway 127 on the north side of Logan. Friends and family told investigators they think Anderson had been walking from her home nearby to watch a band perform in downtown Logan.

Authorities say Arndt told officers he’d been at a bar and drank 15 to 17 beers within less than six hours before the accident.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley talked by phone last night (Monday) with Judge Merrick Garland, President Obama’s pick to fill a vacancy on the U-S Supreme Court. Grassley says he and Garland agreed to meet for breakfast in the next week or two for what Grassley says is a “courtesy call.” “I’d like to see him and I think he is a very decent person,” Grassley says. “I think it’ll be a good conversation.”

Grassley chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and says he will -not- call a hearing for Garland as Grassley believes the -next- president should pick a replacement for Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February. Garland is the chief judge of the U-S Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and Grassley knows, Garland plans to argue his case during the breakfast meeting.

“That’s his privilege and I can state my position as well,” Grassley says. “I think I made it very clear that that’s what I’m going to do, is tell him what the situation is and why we aren’t moving forward and he’s going to tell me why we should, and that’s his job. I think he’s going to tell me a lot about him and I’m gonna’ listen.” A specific date for the Grassley-Garland meeting hasn’t yet been set.

(Radio Iowa)

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The City Council in Atlantic will meet Wednesday (April 6th) and act on an agreement with UMB Bank for the purchase of General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds, not to exceed $5-million. The meeting, at City Hall, begins at 5:30-p.m. City Administrator John Lund says UMB has offered to significantly reduce the underwriter’s fees and offer a ceiling on the true interest rate for the bond issuance.

Lund says the agreement, if approved, would result in a savings of more than $142,778 in interest costs between Fiscal Years 2018-and 2026, and it would free-up $790,000 in critical debt levy resources that can be made available for other projects. On the other hand, the City would accrue $75,980 in NEW interest due to the extended maturity date of the bonds, plus $22,604 in issuance costs and nearly $10,870 in underwriter’s fees.  All-in-all, he says more than $33,200 in taxpayer dollars would be saved by the change, if approved.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will receive a presentation with regard to Bull Creek Storm Water Improvement Projects, and, a presentation from Hospital, Chamber and Cass County Foundation officials, with regard to a Strategic Community Plan. They’ll also act on: Appointing Christina Bateman to the Planning & Zoning Commission; An order closing specified streets on August 7th for a church block party, and August 13th, for AtlanticFest.

The Council is also expected to set April 20th as the date for a Public Hearing on a proposed ordinance for vacating an alley in Block 73 of the City of Atlantic. The so-called “Phantom Alley,” is not maintained by the City, and does not connect any streets. An offer has been made to purchase the land for $500. The Planning and Zoning Commission has previously voted to vacate the property.

The second annual “Women Gaining Ground” conference will take place Sat., April 30th, in Glenwood. According to officials with the ISU Extension Service, the day will be jam-packed with fun and informative opportunities.  Participants are invited to arrive between 8-and 9- a.m. to check in, browse vendor booths, and enjoy a famous Donut Stop donut, fresh fruit and coffee bar.

At 9-a.m., Laurie Guest will take the stage for her presentation, Life in the Espresso Lane.”  With a mix of fun and wisdom, she will share behaviors that can change our accelerated lives and teach us how to manage our mental caffeine and find contentment even during stressful times.  Laurie is the author of “Wrapped In Stillness” and blogs at www.solutionsarebrewing.com..

Following the Keynote Speaker, the first breakout session will be held and participants will be invited to choose one of the following:

• Becoming A Grape Goddess:  A history of grape growing in Western Iowa and discussion about efforts to establishing the Loess Hills American Viticulture Area.
• Ag In Iowa.  So What?:  Jenni Richards, District Field manager with the Iowa Corn Growers Association, will discuss Iowa corn and the importance of getting involved in the industry.  Carrie Kelly, the Producer Services Regional Coordinator in Western Iowa for the Iowa Soybean Association, will explain the services offered Iowa ISA and discuss finding the “right fit” for Iowa soybean producers.
• Building Business Rapport~Marketing Strategies:  Dana Wenstrand will address the basics of effective communication, customer service, and marketing strategies to make a positive impact in promoting your business.  YOU!
• Meals In Minutes:  A Love Story:  Whitney Larsen, a Registered Dietician and Licensed Medical Nutrition Therapist, will present tips and tricks on creating healthy, simple, fast and affordable meals while Chef Corey Hall demonstrates the preparation of a family-friendly recipe.

The second break-out session will begin at 11:30 and will feature topics that include:

• Building Business Rapport
• Farmland Ownership & Management
• Putting Pinterest Into Practice
• Low-Maintenance Landscaping

Participants will be treated to a hearty lasagna lunch. During the lunch hour, there will be time to visit the vendor booths and socialize.  There will also be drawings for door prizes and a $100 Early Bird Cash Prize.

The final session of the day will feature topics that include:

• Iowa:  Caught In The Crosshairs of Human Trafficking
• Low-Maintenance Landscaping
• Ag In Iowa.  So What
• Putting Pinterest Into Practice

The day’s activities will conclude around 2:30 or 3:00-p.m.  Vendor applications are still be accepting for the event.  Download the form at www.extension.iastate.edu/fremont .

Registration forms are available at www.extension.iastate.edu/montgomery or by visiting the Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/womenlandlegacywgg/.

Register by April 8^th to take advantage of Early Bird discounts and for a chance to win $100 CASH!  The final registration deadline is April 21st. For more information, call Iowa State University Extension & Outreach—Montgomery County at (712) 623-2592.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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