CHEROKEE, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republican Steve King says the criticism he has faced from fellow members of Congress over his offensive remarks gives him “better insight” into what Jesus Christ experienced when he was persecuted for his beliefs.
King was attending a town hall meeting Tuesday in his home district in northwest Iowa when someone attending voiced concern about Christianity being persecuted in the U.S., the Sioux City Journal reported . King answered, in part, by drawing a comparison to facing his “accusers” on the House floor.

“When I have to step down to the floor of the House of Representatives, and look up at those 400-and-some accusers … you know we just passed through Easter and Christ’s passion … and I have better insight into what he went through for us partly because of that experience,” King said.

The House voted 424-1 in January to rebuke King for remarks he made to The New York Times in which he asked why the terms white nationalist and white supremacist came to be considered offensive. King was also stripped of his committee assignments for two years.

King did not initially deny making the remarks to the Times and even cast a vote in support of his public rebuke. He has since said the Times mischaracterized his comments and on Tuesday said the newspaper had misquoted him. The controversy sparked numerous calls for King’s resignation, including the editorial boards of at least four daily newspapers with circulations in his district.

King has long been known for making caustic comments , especially on issues related to race and immigration. Shortly before his November re-election — the closest contest he has faced in his nine terms — the Washington Post reported that King met in Austria with the far-right Freedom Party, which has Nazi ties.

King also has called for an electrified fence on the U.S. southern border, defended racial profiling as a needed component of law enforcement and has suggested white people made more contributions to civilization than other groups.

Rescue crews were called to the scene of an injury accident at around 1:30-this afternoon. The accident happened on Interstate 80 westbound near Exit 75. Pictures from the scene show a semi tractor-trailer that looked like it may have rolled over, in the grassy area between the interstate and exit ramp. No other details are currently available.

Photo courtesy Becky Christensen, of Atlantic

The Atlantic Police Department reports two people were arrested on drug charges, recently. On Saturday, 26-year old Daniel Jones, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Child Endangerment. And, on April 19th, 51-year old Charles Dejong, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Theft in the 5th Degree, and on a Cass County warrant for Theft in the 5th. Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

On April 18th, 39-year old Michael Trotter, of Atlantic, was cited by Police for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. He was released with the citation to appear in court.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – April 24, 2019 – The schedule for interstate closures in Council Bluffs this week has been updated. All closures are weather permitting and may be rescheduled if weather impacts construction.

Wednesday, April 24:

The right lane of the westbound I-80 Express, just east of the South Expressway, will be closed for repairs beginning at 9 a.m. The closure will be taken down for the afternoon rush hour by 3 p.m.

Northbound I-29 between Nebraska and Ninth avenues will be closed overnight from 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24 to 5:30 a.m. Thursday April 25. The northbound I-29 on-ramp at Nebraska Avenue will also be closed.

Friday, April 26

The right lane of the westbound I-80 Express, just east of the South Expressway, will be closed for repairs beginning at 9 a.m. The closure will be taken down for the afternoon rush hour by 2 p.m.

Iowa DOT anticipates significant delays could occur during the westbound I-80 Express lane closure. Motorists are encouraged to use northbound I-29/westbound I-80 local lanes as an alternate route. Please allow for extra travel time while this interstate repair takes place.

NORTHWOOD, Iowa (AP) — The owner of a northern Iowa dog breeding operation has pleaded not guilty to 17 counts of animal neglect. Worth County court records say the written pleas were submitted Tuesday for 66-year-old Barbara Kavars, of Manly. A nonjury trial start is scheduled for July 23. Court records say Kavars was holding Samoyed dogs in inhumane conditions when officials raided her operation on Nov. 12 and visited at other times. The records say the 17 dogs had fur matted by feces, skin conditions leading to fur loss, painful wounds, intestinal parasites and other maladies.

The records also say the dogs’ kennels lacked food and had water containers that were filled with ice. Kavars denied any wrongdoing and told officials she didn’t think the dogs needed additional care.

Cass County is the latest County to partner with the state of Iowa and the Home Base Iowa (HBI) initiative to become a Home Base Iowa Community. At an event held today (Wednesday) morning in Atlantic, Jason Kemp, a retired Air Force Veteran and Program Manager for Iowa Workforce Development/Home Base Iowa, said Cass County is the 91st Home Base Iowa Community .(Click on the left side of the sound bars below to listen)

Home Base Iowa is a statewide program designed to assist veterans transitioning back into civilian life. It helps Veterans and transitioning Service Members find positions at Iowa companies, pursue continued education, continue their service through the Guard or Reserves or any combination of those.

Cass County, in partnership with Home Base Iowa, will provide veterans countless resources and opportunities in Iowa.

Kemp said there are 130 Veterans published on Home Base Iowa. 36 of them are interested in opportunities in Cass County or Statewide. 17 have wage expectations of $55,000/year or less. He said they average 45 new Veterans per month. He said as the program continues to grow and be used by more veterans, it’ll be easier to share both statewide and local resources, opportunities and assistance. Cass County Veteran’s Affairs Director Mitch Holmes said during the event, said the transition from active military-to civilian life can be a big challenge.

HBI Program Manager Jason Kemp

Their training and discipline, he said, makes them a perfect fit for employers needing a consistent, dependable employee.

With Iowa’s current unemployment rate at 2.4 percent, businesses are looking to hire skilled workers. The Home Base Iowa program helps connect Iowa businesses with qualified veterans looking for career opportunities. Home Base Iowa’s private-public partnership provides a high level of commitment for veterans, transitioning service members and their families.

For more information go to homebaseiowa.gov.

(Radio Iowa) — Republican lawmakers are setting new financing requirements for construction on the public university campuses in Ames, Cedar Falls and Iowa City. Under the plan, the state will provide just 60 percent of the cost for building projects at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. Officials at those universities will have to raise the remaining 40 percent of the cost from federal grants or private sources. Republican Representative Gary Mohr, of Bettendorf, a retired college administrator, says the universities can ask their 50-thousand graduates for more money. “I’ve done this for 40 years,” Mohr said. “In this economy and in this world, you can raise 40 percent.”

The University of Northern Iowa would be required to raise 20 percent of the construction costs from sources other than state tax dollars. Representative Mary Mascher, a Democrat from Iowa City, says it’ll be hard to raise private donations for some vital projects, like power plants and steam tunnels. “This has enormous ramifications to our universities in Iowa and I don’t understand why you would spring this on us at the last minute,” Mascher said.

Lawmakers are hoping to complete the work of the 2019 legislative session by this weekend. The proposal on private fundraising for construction at the public universities is included in a budget bill that’s been approved by the Senate AND the House, but senators must vote again on some adjustments House members made.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday morning, in Atlantic. According to Auditor Dale Sunderman, during their session, the Board discussed a request from Montgomery County, to share the services of Cass County Engineer Charles Bechtold on an interim basis. Montgomery County Engineer Brad Skinner submitted his resignation to his Board of Supervisors during a special meeting on April 11th. Bechtold would serve in the interim position until a new Engineer is hired in Montgomery County, if the agreement were approved.

Since Bechtold was away from the County, Tuesday, and could not address the matter, it was tabled until the Board’s next meeting, April 30th. In other business, CABEDA/Valley Business Park Corporation members Don Sonntag and Keith Harlan requested the board not dispose of the Valley Business Park site.  They believe the site continues to have development potential. The request was taken under advisement.

A report was received from Cass County Conservation Director Micah Lee, who presented his 3rd quarter FY19 report of activity at county recreational sites (maintenance at Cold Springs, West Nodaway Area, T-Bone Trail, Pellett Memorial Woods and Outdoor Classroom) and the naturalist’s environmental education activities (143 programs were presented to 2,612 persons). And Cass County Veteran Affairs Executive Director Mitch Holmes gave report of 3rd quarter FY19 activity.  He said during the quarter 152 veterans received assistance for Federal VA benefits and/or local general assistance.