(Radio Iowa) – A key lawmaker says Republicans in the Iowa Senate intend to reform Iowa’s property tax system in 2023. Senator Dan Dawson, a Republican from Council Bluffs, is chairman of the Senate committee that drafts tax policy. “We are going to be laser focused on property taxes this upcoming session,” Dawson says. “Frankly, it may be one of the only few topics that the Ways and Means Committee from the Senate is prepared to look at.”

Dawson says the system has been on auto pilot and it’s time for meaningful reform of property tax levies. Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque, is the top-ranking Democrat on the Iowa Senate’s tax-writing committee. “If we’re going to make that kind of a change, I hope we use a scalpel and not an ax,” Jochum says, “because right now, local governments are way too dependent on one tax — and that is property.”

A couple of years ago, state officials agreed to spend about 100 million dollars on Iowa’s mental health system, paying bills that have been covered by county property taxes — but Dawson says that’s barely, if at all, reduced Iowans’ property taxes.”What we have done thus far appears to not be producing a result to make us a competitive state for property taxes,” Dawson says. Jochum says lawmakers should have a broader discussion that might let local governments diversify their tax base.

“To start reducing the pressure of property taxation to support the police, fire, emergency services, snow removal, recreation,” she said, “all of the things that we rely on our local government to do.” The biggest chunk of local property taxes supports local public schools and Jochum says lawmakers should consider increasing state funding for public schools to offset those dollars.

Jochum and Dawson made their comments at the winter meeting of the Iowa Taxpayers Association.

(Radio Iowa) – University of Northern president Mark Nook says U-N-I’s plan to start a nursing program is part of a reassessment of university programs. “We’re looking at several other areas in this academic positioning,” Nook says. “…What are the programs the state needs or the programs that students really want to get into and how do we grow those programs and do they make sense on our campus?”

U-N-I administrators say the new bachelor of science in nursing should be launched in 2024, to help address the nursing shortage. There’s also a shortage of accountants and C-P-As. U-N-I already offers an accounting degree to students at the Cedar Falls campus, but Nook says that could expand soon. “It is a program where we’ve recently got approval from our accrediting agency to offer courses here in Des Moines,” Nook says, “and we’re looking at how we might be able to manage that and make that work out.”

Nook says he and other U-N-I officials are looking at how to expand academic programs in applied engineering and what some call “big data” because students are seeking those skills. “We’ve got a data analytics program in the College of Business, but we also recognize that data analytics is important in every other field, whether it’s education, the sciences, the humanities,” Nook says. “And so how can we make data analytics available to students, regardless of their discipline, so they have a better understanding of how to use the data that’s in their field?”

Nook says colleges and universities around the country are facing enrollment headwinds, because fewer high school graduates are pursing a four-year degree, so figuring out which majors are most attractive to students that do intend to go to college is key.  “That’ll help us grow our enrollment,” Nook says, “because we’ll have the programs students want and the state needs as well.” U-N-I’s enrolllment peaked in 2000, at more than 14-thousand students. This fall’s enrollment is just under nine-thousand students.

Nook made his comments during a weekend appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S.

ATLANTIC, IA (December 5, 2022) – Produce in the Park’s Christmas Market will be held at a new location this year. Market Manager Brigham Hoegh reports the 2022 winter farmers market will be held at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA on Thursday, December 22 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and the YMCA will offer free activities for kids during the market.

Hoegh says while Produce in the Park’s summer farmers markets consistently offer activities for people of all ages, finding a holiday market space that can accommodate both vendors and activities has been more challenging. The Nishna Valley Family YMCA has been a supporter and sponsor of Produce in the Park’s summer markets, and the organizations are excited to partner for Christmas Market 2022.

Christmas Market is held just days before Christmas, so shoppers can pick up premium local produce, meats, desserts and baked goods, and other local foods for holiday meals. The farmers market also offers seasonal candles, bath and body products, decorations, and gifts. Zipp’s will be at Christmas Market 2022 selling pizzas (both frozen and ready-to-eat).

Spirits of the Faire will be selling gourmet hot cocoa at Christmas Market December 22, 3-7 PM at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA

Christmas Market 2022 vendors confirmed as of December 4 include: Smudge, Holaday Baking, Bridgewater Farm, Brun Ko Farm, Sue’s Country Garden, Miss NiNi’s Fine Desserts, Noble Provisions, The Kringle Man, DezaRae Farm Soaps, Johnna Joy Designs, Wud Bi Tek, JD Crafters, Atlantic Atlas Cinema, Frosting Inc., Spirits of the Faire, Sweet Sisters Vegan, Donna’s Jewelry, Rolling Acres Farm, Unicorn Clouds, Studio Samantha, and Corn 4 a Cause.

Christmas Market 2022 will offer both in-person shopping as well as pre-ordering. Pre-order will be available through www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com from December 10-20. Pre-ordering is an excellent option for customers who want to plan on a particular food item—such as a favorite cheesecake—as well as customers who are short on time to shop at the market. Some vendors, such as Miss NiNi’s Fine Desserts, will only be offering pre-ordered products.

Produce in the Park continues to accept vendor applications to Christmas Market and other holiday farmers markets (Sweetheart Market Feb. 11, and Spring Celebration Market April 6). For more information visit produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com or contact Market Manager Brigham Hoegh at produceintheparkatlanticiowa@gmail.com or 712-249-5870.

Christmas Market is sponsored by the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, Cass County Tourism, First Whitney Bank and Trust, Cass Health, Meyer and Gross Real Estate, and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. For the latest information on Christmas Market, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/) or sign up for the Produce in the Park newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

MT PLEASANT, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety reported Sunday night, that on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at approximately 10:04 PM, Officers of the Mt Pleasant Police Department and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at the 700 block of Main Street, where the male caller was being held at gunpoint.

Upon arrival, Officers encountered a male calling for help from the bathroom window.  The male was able to exit the bathroom window.  While attempting to make contact with the subject, the subject brandished a weapon and an officer discharged their weapon.  The Officers were not injured during the encounter.  The subject sustained a gunshot wound to the right arm as a result of the officer involved shooting.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was notified and requested to investigate the incident.  Per protocol, the Officer has been placed on Critical Incident Leave, pending the investigation.  The name of the subject is being withheld, pending the continued investigation.  The name of the officer is being withheld, pending an interview with DCI.

No further information will be released at this time.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

For the third year in a row we will be doing a radio luminary show in conjunction with the Anita Winter Walk and Festival of Trees on KJAN. The show will be on-air from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and then available streaming online repeatedly until 7:00 p.m. tonight for those that want to listen while they attend the Anita Winter Walk. The show will also be available in podcast form here on the website to listen to on-demand.

Tune in to hear from those who have helped battle cancer and have fought cancer here within the Cass County area. We will remember those we’ve lost and celebrate those who are fighting. Inspirational music will be part of the show.

(Montgomery County, Iowa) – A traffic stop at around 12:34-a.m. today (Sunday) on Highway 34 resulted in the arrest of a woman from Mills County. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies conducted a traffic stop on the highway, at the Mills/Montgomery County line, and upon further investigation, arrested 22-year-old Dezirae Marie Kuhl, of Glenwood, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense.

Kuhl was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – When the Atlantic City Council meets at 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, they’ll have a lot of items to act on. First up, is approval of a Class-C Liquor permit for Weiztel’s Restaurant. The Council denied the license during their Aug. 5, 2022 meeting. Weitzel’s appealed and a hearing was held with an Administrative Law Judge, who ruled in Weitzel’s favor, and reversed denial of the liquor license. The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD), has informed the City that the matter needs to be placed back on the Council’s agenda for approval.

The Atlantic City Council will also act on passing a Resolution approving the Amended Calendar Year 2022 Budget for Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU), and the Utility must follow suit. AMU General Manager Steve Tjepkes has stated the “Wholesale market prices of power increased 67% in 2022,” which resulted in “much higher purchased power costs ($1.8-million),” hence the need to amend AMU’s budget filed with the State of Iowa, that reflects the additional costs. Along the same line, the Council will act on approving the CY 2023 Budget for AMU, which has already been approved by the Utility’s Board of Directors, and is essentially a formality.

In other business, the Council will act on three Mayoral appointments:

• The appointment of David Schwab to the Atlantic Library Board of Directors. The move will fill a position left open by the resignation of Adam Skog, whose term would have expired on July 1, 2024.
• The Council will act to approve Bill Garrett to the Atlantic Airport Commission. Garrett was appointed by the Council in Dec., 2021, to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Dr. Trewet.
• And, they will act on appointing Kyle Steffens to the Planning and Zoning Commission, as a replacement for Geoff Barrick, who has resigned, and whose term expires April 1, 2027.

A public hearing will take place during the Council’s meeting, Wednesday, at City Hall, with regard to the sale of the 301 Maple Street property to Mr. Jaime Joyce, in the amount of $10,000. A house on the City-owned lot was demolished as part of the City’s effort to cut down on blighted properties and open up the parcel for purchase. Joyce – who owns JJ Design, LLC – proposes the construction of a building with the purpose of warehousing, sign assembly, graphic application on vehicles, and his business vehicle housing. The Council previously acted to approved a site plan for the building and the property was rezoned.

A public hearing will also be held with regard to the vacating of City Right-Of-Ways (ROW) on properties abutting Palm Street, whereby the property owners disagree on the use of the public ROW. The Council is being advised by City Administrator John Lund, to reach a consensus on the proper use of the property, to benefit the City and act accordingly, with deferred action, only if they refer the matter to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

And, the Council will hold the Third and Final Readings, Wednesday, on previously reported amended ordinances pertaining to: Billing for Storm Water Utility; Zoning Regulations for the area of 4 State Street, and 601 East 8th Street. Their final order of business is to act on a Resolution establishing the procedures for Collection, Interest and Penalties, for Delinquent Storm Water Bills, with regard to the proposed new billing schedule.

(Norwalk, Iowa) – Officials with Greg Young Chevrolet, in Norwalk, and Deter Motor Company, in Atlantic, have announced the sale of the GMC/Chevy/Buick, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep and RAM dealership in Atlantic is complete. The official word came on the Greg Young Facebook page:

“Excited AND grateful. That’s what we are today as we have anotherBIG ANNOUNCEMENT from The Gregg Young Automotive Group…Today (Friday) we added our 8th Gregg Young location in beautiful and bustling Atlantic, IA!

We couldn’t be more thankful for the continued support from our friends, family, customers & partners.

And a big congratulations to Matt Miller, our new General Manager of our Atlantic stores. You’re hard work, constant perseverance & dedication to going the Extra Mile every single day has led you here. We can’t wait to see what you bring to Atlantic.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop late Friday night in Red Oak, resulted in a man’s arrest for Operating [a motor vehicle] While Intoxicated.  Red Oak Police report 22-year-old Jacob Christopher Cashatt, of Red Oak, was arrested in the 1400 block of Broadway Street, at around 11:26-p.m. and charged with OWI/1st offense. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond

(Radio Iowa) – A panel of national Democratic Party leaders has voted to eliminate Iowa’s Caucuses from its leading position in the party’s next presidential campaign.

President Biden recommended that South Carolina’s Primary be the first voting event for Democrats in 2024. Biden, in a letter to party leaders, said Caucuses prevent shift workers and others from participating because they’re held at a specific time and the party should no longer let states hold presidential caucuses. Scott Brennan, a former Iowa Democratic Party chairman, is one of only two members of the national party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee that voted this afternoon against Biden’s recommendation.

“The characterization of Caucuses set forth in his letter did not reflect any acknowledgement of the historic changes we propose to the Caucuses,” Brennan said. “We recognized that that the Caucuses, as they were, no longer aligned with 20th century democracy.”

Iowa Democrats have proposed mail-in voting in the weeks leading up to its 2024 Caucuses, with the results to be announced on Caucus Night. Brennan said dumping the Iowa Democratic Party’s Caucuses sends a clear signal.

“Make no mistake, Republicans in Iowa will seize this opportunity double down on Caucuses and feed the narative that Democrats have turne their back on Iowa,” Brennan said. “…We are creating a self-fulfilling prophesy of electoral failure and creating a Fox News bubble for our presidential candidates in which they have no opportunity or responsibility to meet and communicate with voters in red-leaning states in the middle of this country.”

The panel is keeping New Hampshire and Nevada in the group of early voting states — and adding Georgia and Michigan to the group.

“Iowa’s Democratic Caucuses have advanced diverse, historic and often unlikely presidential candidates over the years, including Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama and Pete Buttigieg,” Brennan said. “…Instead, two very large, very expensive states are being added to the mix. This will surely favor frontrunner and billionaire vanity candidates.”

Other members of the committee expressed enthusiasm for the changes. Minyon Moore, co-chair of the Democratic Party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, said grouping South Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, Georgia and Michigan in the early window of election contests makes sense.

“We feel strongly that this window that reflects our values paints a vibrant picture of our nation and creates a strong process that will result in the best Democratic nominee,” she said.

Stuart Applebaum of New York, a vice president of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, said the states that kick off the presidential nomination process must reflect the economic, geographic and racial diversity of the party.

“I think that the story that we are telling with these selections is a story we can be proud of,” he said. “This is what our party looks like. This is what America looks like.”

Biden, in his letter, said his goal in reshaping the 2024 calendar is to ensure voters of color and union members have an earlier voice in choosing a nominee earlier in the voting process. Susan Swecker, another panel member voting on Biden’s plan, is a former Democratic National Committee staffer who voted to dump Iowa’s Caucuses and approve Biden’s list.

“This party has historically understood where this country was going, where the growth was going, where the demographics were going,” Swecker said, “and Joe Biden is reflecting that now.”

If the Democratic National Committee ratifies this plan early next year, Iowa Democrats would violate party rules if they hold Caucuses before March.