DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that allows Iowa farmers to legally grow industrial hemp. The Iowa Hemp Act passed the Legislature with overwhelming support last month.

The bill Reynolds signed Monday allows licensed growers to cultivate the crop on up to 40 acres. First, however, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship must develop a plan and submit it for approval of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The USDA must still release its own regulations this fall, with hopes of allowing farmers to grow hemp next year. Since the 2018 Farm Bill eased federal restrictions on hemp production, most states have either legalized production or are growing it under a 2014 law that allows limited commercial production or research plots.

Among those that haven’t is South Dakota, where the governor vetoed such a law last month.

The Cass County Health System Foundation recently awarded the Louie and Elsie Hansen Scholarships, which provide $5,000 to each student for the upcoming academic year. The 2019 recipients are:

·       Emily Beerman, Clarkson College

·       Madison Helvie, Des Moines Area Community College

·       Morgan Anstey, Iowa Western Community College

·       Tatum Heath, Morningside College

Dave Chase, CCHS Foundation Treasurer, said “We usually award two scholarships every year, but this is the second time the board has awarded four scholarships. We had a number of great applications this year. We’re very happy to be able to help these four exemplary students in their pursuit of a healthcare degree.”

The Louie and Elsie Hansen Scholarship was established through the generosity and careful planning of these two life-long Cass County residents. The Hansens believed in higher education, so much so that over 70% of their estate was bequeathed for that purpose, including a gift to the CCHS Foundation.

Under the supervision and guidance of the CCHS Foundation, scholarship opportunities are provided yearly. As per the Hansens’ wishes, scholarship candidates must have graduated from a Cass County high school and be enrolled in and accepted to an accredited nursing or medical doctor school pursing a degree as LPN, RN or MD.

The Hansens lived and farmed in the Marne area until they retired and became residents of Atlantic. Louie was a Cass County Supervisor and served on the county Agricultural Soil Conservation Committee. He is often remembered as a great story teller. Louie and Else are also remembered for their many collections. The Hansens were avid travelers, enjoying vacations throughout Europe and Hawaii. Being of Danish ancestry, their visits to Denmark allowed them the chance to discover relatives, traditions and special locations of their families’ past.

Deputies with the Mills County Sheriff’s Office engaged in the pursuit of a vehicle early Sunday morning, following an attempted traffic stop. The Mills County K9 Unit tried to stop a vehicle near 4th and Washington Streets at around 1:06-a.m., but the vehicle failed to stop and attempted to elude law enforcement for about 35 minutes, at speeds of up to 120-mph.

During the pursuit, law enforcement was able to successfully deploy multiple sets of “Stop sticks,” causing the vehicle to become disabled. The driver, 29-year old Christopher McDaniel, of Pacific Junction, and his passenger, 27-year old Shialea Cozad, of Council Bluffs, were arrested without further incident on multiple charges. The Mills County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Glenwood Police, the Iowa State Patrol, Pottawattamie and Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputies.

And, at around 10:25-p.m. Sunday, the Mills County K9 Unit was called to assist with a suspicious vehicle in Pacific Junction. Upon investigation and a search of the vehicle, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located. The driver, 55-year old Elden German, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and OWI/1st offense. He was transported to the Mills County Jail without incident.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 27-year old Matthew Whitt, of Shenandoah, was arrested at around 10:35-a.m. today (Monday), on a Fremont County warrant for Violation of Probation. Whitt was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $10,000 bond while awaiting extradition to Fremont County. At the same time Whitt was arrested, 23-year old Paige Clark, of Red Oak, was taken into custody for Possession of Drug equipment.

She was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond. Both arrests took place at 310 Park Avenue, in Red Oak.

Police in Council Bluffs, today, identified the person riding  a bicycle who was struck by a vehicle on Old Lincoln Highway near Northline Drive, early Saturday morning. He was identified as 55-year old William Shepard, of Council Bluffs. The accident happened sometime around 2:25-a.m. Saturday. Upon arrival, deputies found Shepard suffering from serious injuries.  The vehicle that struck him had left the area.  Shepard was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Later in the day, Saturday, a subject voluntarily contacted the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office and advised they had information about the bicyclist being struck.  When the subject was contacted, they admitted to being in the area and hitting something.  Their vehicle was seized as evidence.  There was damage to the vehicle.  The driver’s name will not be released unless charges are filed.

The case remains under investigation.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — School officials in Ottumwa say they’ll change how they raise money for student trips to abide by state guidelines even though the move could threaten a program that has helped thousands of children to travel around the country. Iowa Department of Education guidelines indicate the Ottumwa Educational Travel Program, which has operated since 1976, is no longer permitted to keep individual accounts for students.

The Des Moines Register reports that Evans Middle School travel program director Larry Northup says any funds raised by students moving forward will be shared and split evenly among the group. That includes the $14,500 that is currently in the students’ separate accounts. The district intends to start pooling the funds beginning next school year.

Northup noted that parents are unhappy with the rule change.