DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa House committee is moving forward with a bill that significantly weakens any attempt to require schools to test for radon gas. The bill was approved by the House Local Government Committee and is eligible for floor debate. The bill requires the districts to report to the state by Dec. 1 whether they’ve tested for radon. The information is to be sent to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2015.

Democrats had been pushing for a bill that would require testing in schools and a plan to reduce radon if the gas was found to exceed recommended safe levels. Rep. Matt Windschitl, a Missouri Valley Republican, says there’s concern required testing would open up the districts and the state to liability and expensive repairs.

EARLY, Iowa (AP) — A western Iowa man has been accused of sexually assaulting his ex-wife and threatening to shoot her. The Sac County Sheriff’s Office says the man, of Early, was arrested Wednesday morning. His ex-wife reported from a local convenience store and said her two children were in a house with her ex-husband. She said he was armed with a shotgun.

Authorities surrounded the home and instructed the man to come outside. He was taken into custody without incident. An 8-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy inside were not hurt. The woman told authorities her ex-husband sexually assaulted her on Tuesday.

The man faces third-degree sexual assault and other charges. (The Associated Press is not naming him to protect the woman’s identity. The AP generally does not identify victims of sexual assault.)

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports there will be a race for the County Attorney’s office this June. Incumbent Republican County Attorney Dan Feistner, of Atlantic, filed nomination papers with the Auditor’s office today (Wednesday). Feistner faces a challenge in June from fellow Republican Dave Wiederstein, who’s also from Atlantic.

Another race leading up to the June 3rd Primary will feature Republicans Mary Ward and Jess Ehrman, both of Atlantic. Both women hope to fill the position of County Recorder.

By Haley Carlson

The Atlantic FFA took eight members to District Convention in Denison on Saturday, March 8, 2014. The members participated in a variety of events from quizzes to competitions to chapter delegates. Juniors, Adam Freund and Clint Hansen took the Farm Business Management Quiz, Freund placing 3rd and Hansen placing 4th. Freund also participated in Ag Broadcasting, earning a Bronze. Freund said, “Broadcasting was difficult but I thought I did well”. Hansen took part in the Extempt Speaking contest, earning a Bronze. Four of Atlantic’s freshman FFA members took the Greenhand quiz, Nate Moen placing 25th, Morgan Barkley placed 27th, Haylee Valekia placed 28th, and Colby Sorenson placed 30th. Moen said, “This was my first official FFA event and I had a lot of fun. I hope to be able to compete in more events in the coming years”. Sophomores, Clayton Saeugling and Haley Carlson were the chapter delegates for Atlantic FFA at convention.  A delegate is someone who sits in on the speeches of new district officer candidates and also votes on these candidates. Delegates also approve the secretary and treasurer’s report.  Saeugling thought “it was a fun and memorable experience”. The Atlantic FFA chapter will be traveling to Iowa FFA State Convention from April 27-29.

Left to Right Front Row
Haylee Valeika, Morgan Barkley, Haley Carlson
Left to Right Back row
Clint Hansen, Colby Sorensen, Nate Moen, Adam Freund, Clayton Saeugling

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A member of the Iowa House says he’s been assaulted at the Capitol as he was confronted by members of an activist group pushing his committee to consider a wage theft bill. Rep. Greg Forristall, a Republican from Macedonia, reported an incident Tuesday while Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement rallied at the Capitol.

Iowa State Patrol Capt. Mark Logsdon says Iowa CCI member Joe Fagan has been charged with simple assault for grabbing Forristall’s arm as the group sought to talk with him. Iowa CCI organizer Ana Mancebo denies an assault occurred.

The group is pushing for a bill that would require businesses to tell workers when they’re hired how much they’ll be paid and reveal any paycheck deductions. Forristall says the bill will not come up in his committee.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the state Department of Transportation’s new rules limiting traffic enforcement cameras. The Des Moines Register reports Wednesday that Sioux City filed the lawsuit in Woodbury County District Court, saying the regulations make it impossible for the city to use cameras along Interstate 29. The suit asks a judge to stop the rules or at least put them on hold until the litigation is resolved.

The Transportation Department’s rules took effect Feb. 12, though agency director Paul Trombino says cities don’t have to immediately remove cameras. Under the new rules, local agencies must show cameras are targeting “high-crash or high-risk locations,” and they must justify renewal every year. The lawsuit argues the rules are too broad.

The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Board of Directors today announced affordable housing awards to fifteen affordable rental projects totaling more than $82.4 million in federal Housing Tax Credits and HOME program awards to build and preserve 650 affordable housing units in thirteen Iowa counties. Locally, a 2014 Housing Tax Credit Award amounting to $195,000, went to the Regency Villa Apartments, in Atlantic, for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 20 affordable units for Seniors, ages 62 and up.

Also in the KJAN listening area, Hilldale Estates in Denison, received a Tax Credit Award of $686,011 and a HOME Award of $1-million, for the construction of 42 affordable units for families.

IFA Executive Director Dave Jamison said “The tax credit and HOME program awards announced today will improve affordable housing options for Iowans, including providing more options to fit the needs of seniors and persons with disabilities.” Jamison said also, “These projects have leveraged an additional $8.2 million in local contributions, which shows that communities understand the benefits of these projects.”

A Massena man was arrested Monday for failing to comply with the State of Iowa’s Sex Offender Registry. Cass County Sheriff’s officials say 54-year old Robert John Rasmussen was taken into custody on a Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) warrant. Rasmussen was brought to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $2,000 bond.

The Sheriff’s Department reports also, 27-year old Jacky Ray Walters, of Atlantic, turned himself-in to authorities Tuesday. Walters was wanted on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. He was booked into the jail and released later that day on $7,500 bond.

And on Sunday, 37-year old Jennifer Sue Alexander,of Griswold, was arrested on a charge of Disorderly Conduct. Alexander was taken to the Cass County Jail where she pled guilty before the magistrate and was released later that day.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says two people were recently arrested on drug charges. On Tuesday, 31-year old Dial Larry Amador Bolin, of Lewis, was arrested on Possession of a Controlled Substance, OWI 2^nd Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, charges. Bolin was booked into the Cass County Jail and later released on his own recognizance. And on Saturday, March 8^th, Cass County deputies arrested 51-year old Ronald Eugene Keller, of Massena, on a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance. Keller was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $1000 bond.