(Radio Iowa) — Governor Kim Reynolds went to the “Candy Kitchen” in Wilton, Iowa, Monday to sign a bill that will boost state investment in rural Iowa.  “This iconic Iowa business really embodies the small town character that we’re famous for and it is the perfect example of why we should do everything we can to preserve, grow and strengthen our small town way of life,” Reynolds said. The Empower Rural Iowa Act includes 25 MILLION dollars in tax credits for home builders, for construction in rural communities.  “We have jobs that are available all over this state, but we can’t fill the jobs if there’s not a place to call home, so this bill….doubles the rural set-aside in workforce housing tax credits and, for the first year, the full $25 million will go to clear the current backlog for rural projects.”

State housing tax credits will no longer be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis either. Home builders will have to submit to a competitive bidding process to win the state grants. The Empower Rural Iowa Act also updates the rules for handing out another five MILLION dollars in state grants to companies that extend broadband to underserved rural areas. “We’re just getting started when it comes to that. I told ’em I’d take $5 million, but we’re coming back for more next year so we can continue to grow and expand and be the most connected state in the country!” Reynolds said.

The bill Reynolds signed into law creates a new “Center for Rural Revitalization” in state government. The center’s charge is to find and support leaders in Iowa’s rural communities.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Waterloo officials are moving ahead with plans for a downtown marina along the Cedar River. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports the City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve a $127,500 contract with a company that will develop plans for the proposed marina on the west bank of the river. The study will be funded by gambling revenue from the Black Hawk County Gaming Association.

Community Planning and Development Director Noel Anderson says officials envision private developers would build and operate the proposed marina. Anderson says the city would pursue grants to help fund the project.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Hundreds of students walked out of their Cedar Rapids high school to call for actions to address gun violence following the recent killings of two teenagers. The protest Monday morning at Washington High School came after two 18-year-olds were shot to death early Saturday as they sat in a parked car. Two others were injured in the shooting.
During the walk-out, students held a moment of silence. Students also shared their memories of the teenagers who were killed and called for the community to address gun violence.

Senior Class President Darshaun Smith says he was close with one victim, Royal Abram. He says Abram planned to graduate this week and had plans for his life after high school. Matrell Johnson also died in the shooting.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Community leaders in Des Moines are continuing to oppose plans for a $137 million federal courthouse on the city’s riverfront. KCCI-TV reports former City Council member Christine Hensley and business leaders held a news conference Monday on the steps of the current courthouse and questioned the need for a new building on land the city had hoped would be used for a high-profile private development contributing to the tax base.

Hensley says she initially supported plans for a new courthouse but now believes the current building is underutilized. She says construction of a new courthouse is unnecessary and wasteful.
It has been several years since a YMCA was demolished at the site along the Des Moines River with plans for a private development. City officials suggested other sites for the courthouse, but federal officials insisted on building on the property in the heart of downtown.

Federal officials say planning for the new courthouse is continuing.

A traffic stop at around 7:10-p.m. Monday in Adams County resulted in the arrest of a Union County man on numerous charges. Authorities say Adams County Deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Mark Alan Normandeau, of Creston, but he failed to yield to their emergency lights and siren.

After he eventually decided to stop, the K9 Baxo was deployed and alerted to the odor of narcotics. At that point, Normandeau became uncooperative and combative toward deputies. He was placed under arrest on charges that include:

• Possession of a controlled substance/Meth-1st offense;
• PCS/Marijuana-1st offense;
• Unlawful possession of prescription drugs;
• Possession of drug paraphernalia;
• Carrying weapons;
• Felon in possession of an offensive weapon;
• Interference with official acts;
• and Assault on a Peace Officer.

Normandeau was also cited for  No insurance, Fraudulent use of registration, operating a non-registered vehicle, and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. He was transported by Prescott EMS to the hospital in Creston, for treatment.

Adams County deputies were assisted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office and Creston Police Department’s K9 Unit.