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Regents approve U-I tuition increase

News

December 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Board of Regents gave final approval Wednesday to the proposal to increase the tuition at the University of Iowa by three percent next fall. That brings the U-I into line with the tuition increase implemented for Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa in September for this spring semester. Student Regent Rachael Johnson joined the board this year and says there has been a lot of discussion about tuition in that time.

“Throughout these long conversations I have come to believe that the current way we as a board go about setting tuition is neither predictable to the students and their families, nor sustainable,” Johnson says. “This lack of predictability, reliability and sustainability is a point of concern for me as a student and as a regent.” Johnson, who is originally from Sioux City, says the board should look at the recommendation of a consultant that they use a need-based aid system for students in the public university system.

“I think the way in which tuition rates are decided needs to be carefully looked at and discussed to find the best methods for the state, the Board of Regents, our universities and out students and their families,” Johnson says. The increase is for undergraduate students who are residents of the state. Board of Regents president, Bruce Rastetter says they have continued to work with state officials to turn around the trend that saw students paying more of the burden of college and the state less. Rastetter says that continued as the presidents of the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa all made pitches to the governor for more state money during budget hearings this week.

“So, if we’re not successful in doing that, it would be my recommendation that this board come back and revisit tuition increases. Because at the end of the day, the universities need the resources to compete and improve programs and maintain quality,” Rastetter says. “Student debt without quality isn’t something that this board is going to support.” Regent Larry McKibben of Marshalltown, says the board needs to keep up the push for the state to spend more on higher education.

“It is time that we stop the decline in the amount of support we get from our legislature and from our state of Iowa. It has been a downturn for the last decade and it is time it stops,” McKibben says. “We’ve made some headway…. but we have not made enough, in my estimation.” McKibben is a former legislator and says it is important that lawmakers hear about the issue.

“I’m asking all Iowans that might listen and hear this — it is time to talk to your resident legislator. It is time to get into their back yard, get into their town halls and deliver the message. The only way you do it is to deliver it to one senator or one representative at a time,” McKibben says. The tuition rate had been frozen for three years before the increase in the spring semester.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowa early News Headlines: Thu., Dec. 3rd 2015

News

December 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A House Republican leader says Iowa lawmakers will need to make deep cuts to the budget next year, but he did not elaborate. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Grassley of New Hartford said yesterday that Republicans will base their budget priorities for the fiscal year beginning in July on roughly $7.35 billion in current revenue projections.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — The Cedar Falls fire department has purchased small cameras that can be attached to helmets, and plans to start using them next year. The Courier reports Cedar Falls Fire Chief John Schilling plans to put the high-definition video cameras to use in January after developing written policies on their use to respect patient privacy in the event of injuries.

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Fort Dodge police have arrested an 18-year-old man on charges including possessing pictures depicting bestiality. KCCI-TV reports police charged 18-year-old Nicholas Loftus of Fort Dodge, with possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana, purchase and possession of depictions of minors in sex acts as well as possession of pictures depicting bestiality. Loftus was booked into the Webster County Jail on Tuesday and released pending his next court appearance.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Peter Jok scored 24 points, including a 3 with 25 seconds left in overtime, and Iowa rallied to beat Florida State 78-75 Wednesday night to seal the Big Ten/ACC Challenge for its league. Jarrod Uthoff added 15 with eight rebounds for the Hawkeyes at home.

 

Atlantic City Council approves AMU budget & rate increases

News

December 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The City Council in Atlantic met Wednesday night and approved the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget for Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU), following a presentation by AMU General Manager Steve Tjepkes. The $17.9-million dollar budget was approved earlier by the AMU Board of Directors, following a public hearing. The City Council’s adoption of the budget was merely a formality, and is an opportunity for the Council to ask questions about how the utility spends its money.

Tjepkes said along with the budget is a proposed three-percent rate increase for both electric and water users, effective Feb. 1st, 2016, for usage beginning in January. He said electric rates are being increased because of expenses associated with the coal powered generating plant in Council Bluffs. He said EPA regulations on the handling and disposal of coal ash will result in an increased cost to AMU of to $2.3-million.

AMU has a 2.5-percent investment in the plant, from which it receives about two-thirds of its power. The costs to run and maintain the plant are shared by three other utilities, including Mid-American Energy, which is an 80-percent share holder. Cedar Falls Utilities and two rural electric cooperatives are the other owner-investors.

Locally, Tjepkes said the utility is in the process of burying many of its overheard power lines in order to reduce the number of power outages related to power lines being down from ice and wind damage, and, they are continuing to work on the installation of “smart” electric meters, which relay real-time two-way communications to AMU on usage and power outages. Tjpekes said overall, the three-percent rate increase will mean about an extra $1.80 per month on their residential electric bill.

Water rates in Atlantic will increase about 70-cents per month to help cover the costs of new lines being installed in the residential area near the Sunnyside Pool, and near.
Councilman Dick Casady asked “What would happen if [AMU] didn’t get the three-percent raise. Tjepkes said the utility issues revenue bonds, which are paid for by revenue from the utility. AMU he said, needs to keep up its cash reserve level in order to maintain its revenue bond rating.

He said there is also a huge risk associated with maintaining the Council Bluffs plant, and funds need to be set aside to purchase electricity from other sources, should the Bluffs plant go down. If AMU didn’t have a cash reserve, Tjpekes said there could be a substantial rate increase in that type of emergency situation. Tjepkes said utilities such as AMU should have an eight-to 10-million dollar cash reserve. Right now, he says they have about five-to six-million dollars.

The last rate increase from AMU came about two-years ago, and about three-increases over the past 10-years, due to environmental improvements at the Council Bluffs generating plant. Tjepkes says Atlantic is still “On the low end” for electric rates, when compared to utilities of similar size.

Iowa beats Florida State 78-75 in OT

Sports

December 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Peter Jok scored 24 points, including a 3 with 25 seconds left in overtime, and Iowa rallied to beat Florida State 78-75 on Wednesday night to seal the Big Ten/ACC Challenge for its league. Jarrod Uthoff added 15 with eight rebounds for the Hawkeyes (5-2), which won its third straight at home.

Florida State tied it at 71-all on a Boris Bojanovsky tip-in with 2:02 left. But Jok got free in the corner and drilled a 3 that gave Iowa a 74-72 lead. Malik Beasley scored 20 points for Florida State (4-2), which lost despite grabbing 19 offensive rebounds.

Tulane hires Northern Iowa’s Dannen as new athletic director

Sports

December 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Tulane has named Troy Dannen as the university’s new athletics director, luring him away from the same post at Northern Iowa. The announcement, made Wednesday by Tulane president Michael Fitts, comes as the Green Wave seeks a new football coach to take over for Curtis Johnson, who was fired last weekend following a second straight 3-9 season.

Fitts says Dannen was hired because he has “demonstrated outstanding leadership and success in every job, at every level,” and because of “his dedication to his student-athletes and his goal to win championships in every sport.”

Dannen says Tulane, which recently built a new on-campus football stadium and a new practice center for basketball, was attractive to him because it has built a “terrific infrastructure” that has set the university up to win.

 

Henry, Watson, McCaffrey among 5 Walter Camp finalists

Sports

December 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Alabama running back Derrick Henry, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey and Iowa cornerback Desmond King are the five finalists for the Walter Camp player of the year award. The Walter Camp award is voted on by FBS head coaches and sports information directors, and the winner will be announced Dec. 10.

Henry, considered the Heisman Trophy favorite, leads the nation in touchdowns with 22 going into the Southeastern Conference championship game Saturday. Watson has accounted for 36 touchdowns for No. 1 Clemson. McCaffrey leads the nation in all-purpose yards with 3,305 for No. 7 Stanford.

Mayfield has passed for 3,389 and 35 touchdowns for the Big 12 champions. King leads the nation with eight interceptions for No. 4 Iowa.

 

Chiefs place offensive lineman Grubbs on injured reserve

Sports

December 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have placed offensive guard Ben Grubbs on injured reserve with a neck injury and brought in back backup center Daniel Munyer to help with their ailing offensive line. The Chiefs announced the moves before Wednesday’s practice.

Grubbs, a two-time Pro Bowl selection with New Orleans, was acquired by Kansas City prior to this season. He started seven games before the neck problem cropped up, and the Chiefs were hopeful that he would be able to return to the field this season.

In other injury news, outside linebacker Justin Houston is day to day with a hyperextended left knee. Offensive lineman Jeff Allen has an ankle injury, while center Mitch Morse and wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas are undergoing concussion testing.

 

DONNA UNINE ROSS, 80, of Harlan (Svcs. 12-05-2015)

Obituaries

December 2nd, 2015 by admin

DONNA UNINE ROSS, 80, of Harlan died Wednesday, November 25th at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan.  Memorial Services for DONNA UNINE ROSS will be held Saturday, December 5th at 1:00pm at First Assembly of God Church in Harlan.  Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

No visitation or burial is planned.

DONNA UNINE ROSS is survived by:

Daughters: Durinda Wellman of Harlan.  Helen Purcell of Harlan.

Son: Russell Lacy of Council Bluffs.

12 Grandchildren

13 Great-Grandchildren

4 Great-Great Grandchildren

Cass County Extension Report 12-02-2015

Ag/Outdoor, Podcasts

December 2nd, 2015 by Jim Field

w/ Kate Olson

Play

Backyard and Beyond 12-02-2015

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

December 2nd, 2015 by Jim Field

Lavon talks about forgiveness.

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