It appears lawmakers will adjourn the 2014 session of the Iowa Legislature without taking action on proposals that would have raised additional money to maintain and expand the state’s transportation system. House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, a Republican from Hiawatha, says those who’ve been lobbying for an increase in the state gas tax have gained no traction.
“I don’t think anything’s changed in that dialogue this session,” Paulsen says.

Efforts over the past few years to raise the state gas tax have fallen short and last fall the Iowa D-O-T’s director developed a list of other alternatives, like getting rid of the tax exemption for fuel used in farm machinery, to raise funds for roads. None of those alternatives have been endorsed by a legislative committee and Governor Branstad did not include the proposals in his own budget plan.

Representative Josh Byrnes, a Republican from Osage who supports increasing the gas tax, suggests now would be a good time for Branstad to change his tune. “What the governor’s office should do, if they want to divert attention from this other conversation, they should come out in support of the fuel tax,” Byrnes says. Branstad’s administration is under scrutiny for alleged “hush money” payments to laid off state workers. Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix of Shell Rock does not sense a groundswell for a gas tax increase.

“I believe that what you’re seeing happen in the Iowa Senate is that people are listening and while attitudes may be changing about that, at the moment they’re not hearing a strong message from the vast majority of their constituents to make those changes,” Dix says. Representative Byrnes says Republicans in one of the counties in Dix’s district called for an increase in the gas tax in their party platform. “I don’t get why he’s been so anti, against this when his own constituents are wanting it,” Byrnes says.

Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs has said if a gas tax hike is to pass, it must get bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. “I personally believe we need additional in the Road Use Tax Fund and, if that’s going to happen, it requires a meeeting of the minds,” Gronstal says. “…If we get to that, I am still open to considering (a bill to increase the gas tax) this session.” Representative Byrnes says he’s frustrated by those comments from Gronstal.

“If you know that we need to do this and you know that it needs to be done, then quit putting up this stupid requirement that says you need to have 12 Republicans in favor of it out of the Senate,” Byrnes says. “If you get 10, take it. It’s still a bipartisan vote.” In November Governor Branstad said raising the gas tax is “not popular” with Iowans. State transportation officials estimate they are 215 million dollars short of what’s needed to maintain and build new roads and bridges. Iowa’s gas tax hasn’t been raised since 1989.

(Radio Iowa)

It appears more young Iowans are interested in pursuing a field in agriculture than ever before. The Iowa chapter of the Future Farmers of America Association has announced its membership has climbed to a record high this year. Iowa FFA executive secretary Scott Johnson says there are 14,207 members in 219 high schools across Iowa. That’s up 57-percent compared to a low reached in 1989, following the Farm Crisis.

“So, this is something that has been 25 years in the making,” Johnson says. “We’re thrilled to be back to where we really think we should be and hope to grow some more.” The previous record was set during the 1977-78 school year with 14,204 Iowa FFA members. Johnson says more girls are joining the organization.

“Our male enrollment has been fairly steady to slowly growing over the last 25 years, but our significant growth has been in our female membership,” Johnson says. The organization was launched in the state in 1929. The 86th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference is scheduled for April 27-29 on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — New London residents are getting ready to dedicate their new veterans memorial nearly four years after planning for it began. The Hawk Eye reports New London Veteran Memorial Park and its tributes to veterans will be celebrated on Saturday.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The owners of a historic Sioux City building that dates to the 1930s are trying to determine how much can be salvaged after a weekend fire. The Sioux City Journal reports the distinctive Normandy building sustained significant damage Saturday. Fire officials haven’t been able to determine what caused the fire partly because it hasn’t been safe for inspectors to enter the building. Sioux City Fire Marshal Mark Aesoph says the roof will have to be removed before investigators can enter.

FARLEY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an eastern Iowa man struck and killed a pedestrian early Sunday. KWWL reports the accident happened before 3 a.m. yesterday along Highway 20 near the town of Farley. The Dubuque County Sheriff’s office says 24-year-old Alex Hannan was merging onto the highway when his vehicle struck the pedestrian. A deputy arrested Hannan on suspicion of drunken driving. The name of the pedestrian was not immediately released.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Police say the death of a 37-year-old Cedar Rapids woman is suspicious. Cedar Rapids police say Shanna Beyhl’s death is being investigated. Beyhl was found dead in her apartment Friday.

(Updated 8:45-p.m.: 1 injury requiring transport)

One person was transported to the hospital following an accident that occurred Sunday night about 3-miles west of Portsmouth, across the Shelby/Harrison County line in Harrison County. Portsmouth Fire and Rescue was called to the scene of the crash on Highway 44 at Vienna Avenue, at around 8:23-p.m. Initial reports indicated three people were hurt, but only one required transport to the hospital.

The most seriously injured person was a male in the back seat of the vehicle who suffered a head injury when he hit the back of a head rest on the seat in front of him.

No other details were available late Sunday evening.

About a dozen members of the Atlantic Fire Department took the “Plunge for Landon,” Sunday evening. Led by their Chief, Mark McNees, the crew jumped into a large icy water-filled container, but not before the Chief challenged others to do the same. (Video link at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=561754383921718&set=vb.323655237731635&type=2&theater&notif_t=notify_me )

Atlantic Firefighters “Plungin’ and Lungin’ for Landon.

McNees said “We were challenged by the Atlantic Police Department [to take the plunge], and I’ll be doggoned if we’re gonna get beat by them. We’re ‘Lungin’ and Plungin’ for Landon. We challenge the Harlan and Audubon Fire Department to do the same.” Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen later posted a video on Harlan Fire and Rescue’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harlan-Fire-and-Rescue/246119622074074, of 30 members of his department accepting the challenge, and issued a challenge to the Avoca, Denison and Grinnell Fire Departments to take the plunge as well.

Fire Chief Mark McNees shakes off the cold with a smile. (Ric Hanson/photos)

Organizers of the Facebook-based Plunge for Landon fundraiser said they have lost count of how many people have posted videos of themselves taking a dive for Landon Shaw, a Tarkio, MO., infant who was diagnosed in late February with a rare form of cancer. People are jumping in, from chilly farm ponds north of Kansas City to the Gulf of Mexico and the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.

Before they jump into the water, participants record themselves challenging three other people to do the same, with monetary pledges for each person who completes the challenge. The effort had raised more than $30,000 by Friday evening, only five days after notice of the fundraiser was first posted on the popular social networking site. Entire schools, police departments and businesses around the region have posted videos of participants taking the plunge.

Landon was 4 months old on Feb. 23 when his parents took him to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City to find out why he was vomiting and losing weight. Doctors found a tumor on his left kidney, which they removed, and later discovered a large mass on his brain.  Landon did make it through, and his condition improved enough that on April 1st, Alyssa Shaw and her husband, Brandon, were able to bring their baby home.

But the child still has a long road ahead, with chemotherapy sessions, MRIs and CT scans. And the family is on Medicaid, Shaw said, which isn’t nearly enough to cover medical bills that are just starting to arrive.

The plunge group’s Facebook page had over 20,000 members Sunday evening, more than seven times the number of people who live in the small farming community of Tarkio, two hours north of Kansas City.

(Ric Hanson/with A-P content added)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The owners of a historic Sioux City building that dates to the 1930s are trying to determine how much can be salvaged after a weekend fire. The Sioux City Journal reports  the distinctive Normandy building sustained significant damage Saturday.

Fire officials haven’t been able to determine what caused the fire partly because it hasn’t been safe for inspectors to enter the building. Sioux City Fire Marshal Mark Aesoph says the roof will have to be removed before investigators can enter.

The white building with cone-shaped turrets was the longtime home of the Normandy Restaurant. It has also housed other businesses and in recent years, several art studios.

(7-p.m.: corrects name in 2nd graph to Tiffani Burks)

Several groups and individuals took the polar “Plunge for Landon” Sunday afternoon, at the Schildberg Recreation Area in Atlantic. Last Friday morning, members of the Atlantic Police Department took “Plunge,” to show support for 5 month old Landon Shaw from Tarkio, Missouri. Landon is battling cancer, and the Tarkio community came up with the “Plunge Challenge” as a way to show support and raise funds to help the family.

The first group gets ready to jump in.

At around 3:30-p.m. Sunday, Tiffani Burks from Anita was challenged by her employees at REM Iowa Community Services, to take the plunge. Burks will donate $5 for each of the employees who takes the plunge where she works. Amy Nelson from Griswold also took plunge, promised to donate $5 for each of the Griswold Fire Department members who take the plunge, and, Charlie and Lisa Mills, from Massena challenged their son Ted Mills and staff at the Cumberland Fire Department to take the challenge and raise funds for Landon.

Then it was time for members of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office to accept the challenge from the A-PD’s Devin Hogue. Taking the plunge Saturday was Deputy Josh McLaren, who issued his own challenge to the Ft. Dodge Police Department and a local radio station. McLaren said he would donate $10 for Landon for each group that completes the plunge.

Cass County Deputies McLaren, Shields and Quist get ready to take the plunge.

Deputy Tyler Shiels issued a similar challenge to the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office. Cass County Deputy Kyle Quist and his partner Vader took the plunge as well. He was challenged by the A-PD and the Nodaway County, MO. K-9 Dept. to take the challenge. Quist in-turn issued a challenge to Guthrie County K-9 officer Kent Gries, Cass County Deputy Ryan Johnson, and IA DOT Officer Brian Rink.

Once the soggy trio of McLaren, Shiels and Quist emerged from the lake, Cass County E-911 Director Rob Koppert and 9-1-1 Dispatcher Shawn Page ran into the lake. Koppert was challenged to take the plunge by Montgomery County 9-1-1. He pledged $10 and is issued a challenge to Pottawattamie County Communications and their Director Bob Anderson, Tom Ling and the Mills County 9-1-1 staff. Page challenged Atlantic Boy Scout Troop 54 and Pack 53.

Rob Koppert & Shawn Page

The Atlantic Fire Dept. was set to take the plunge at the fire station, at 5-p.m.

Two Red Oak residents were arrested early Sunday morning as authorities were executing a search warrant at a location near Highway 48 and E. Ratliff Road. Red Oak Police say 52-year old Jack Ray Steinspring was taken into custody at around 3:50-a.m. on a warrant for Failure to comply with the Sex Offender Registry/5th offense. During the incident, 34-year old Becky Jo Hegarty was arrested for Interference with Official Acts. Both Red Oak residents were brought to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, where Steinspring was being held on $5 ,000 cash bond. Hegarty’s bond was set at $300.

The Iowa State Patrol has identified the victims of a snow-storm related crash that happened Thursday afternoon in Woodbury County. As we reported on Friday, the fatal crash happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday on Interstate 29 near Salix, when a northbound vehicle towing a flatbed trailer crossed the median and hit a southbound vehicle. The crash killed a passenger in the northbound vehicle and sent the driver to a Sioux City hospital.

Officials say 71-year old Allen J. Lueck, of Rosendale, WI...a passenger in 2004 Ford driven by 69-year old Gary C. Schwantes, of New Holstein, WI…died at St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City from injuries he suffered in the crash. Schwantes, along with the driver of a 2004 Pontiac, 25-year old Desiree Lhotka, of Onawa, and the other driver, 38-year old Kevin Johnson, of Sioux City, as well as 70-year old Michael Fuller, of East St. Paul, Manitoba, Canada, were injured in the crash. Each of the injured were transported to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.