(Des Moines, Iowa) – Gov. Kim Reynolds, today (Friday), signed a bipartisan vaccine mandate bill (HF902). The bill that outlines how workers may claim a religious or medical exemption from a private employer’s Covid vaccination mandate, without a doctor or cleric signing off on the document. Afterward, she said “I am proud to sign this bipartisan piece of legislation today. This is a major step forward in protecting Iowans’ freedoms and their abilities to make healthcare decisions based on what’s best for themselves and their families. This legislation also gives employees the assurance that they will still receive unemployment benefits despite being fired for standing up for their beliefs.   

Reynolds said also, “As I’ve stated publicly numerous times, I believe the vaccine is the best defense against COVID-19 and we’ve provided Iowans with the information they need to determine what’s best for themselves and their families, but no Iowan should be forced to lose their job or livelihood over the COVID-19 vaccine.  This is only the first step. We will be taking other legal actions against the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate.” 

The bill that passed the House and Senate Thursday says workers are eligible for unemployment if they’re fired for failing to get vaccinated. Senator Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, says it’s a partial answer to looming federal vaccination mandates. “I don’t want to have to do this. Nobody does,” he said. “We’re reacting to authoritarianism.” Representative Henry Stone, a Republican from Forest City, says there are fast-approaching deadlines for Iowans faced with taking a vaccination they don’t agree with or getting fired. “We needed to take this action now,” Stone says. “January will be too late for Iowans. That’s why we have to act today.”

Democrats who voted for the bill said they did so to ensure Iowans who lose their jobs get unemployment. But Senator Tony Bisignano, a Democrat from Des Moines, voted for the bill, but accused Republicans of trying to buy off Iowans who don’t want to get a Covid shot. “All this bill says if you lose your job — which you’re going to, because you’re not dealing with the mandate,” Bisignano said, “you’re going to give them their measly weekly unemployment check.”

Business groups say the bill puts Iowa businesses in the terrible position of trying to figure out if they must follow state or federal regulations when it comes to Covid vaccinations among employees. Representative Steve Hanson, a Democrat from Sioux City, says Republicans had months to craft a bill and would up with a bill that creates too many unanswered questions. “Rather sloppy legislation,” he says. “…It’s very loosey goosey.”

Opponents of vaccine mandates who rallied at the Capitol yesterday called the bill unacceptable. Representative Jeff Shipley, a Republican from Fairfield, says while there is more work to do on the issue, the bill is a good first step. “There are people in Illinois, in New York and in every other Democratic cesspool in the United States that would love to have these legal protections,” Shipley says. Governor Reynolds says she’s committed to doing more on the topic. Last week the governor said she may join a lawsuit challenging federal Covid vaccine mandates.

(Parts of this story are courtesy Radio Iowa)

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two separate arrests. Thursday night, 39-year-old Chad Michael Gerren, of Sgt. Bluffs, was arrested in Woodbury County, on a Mills County warrant for Pre-Trial Revocation. His bond was set at $5,000. And, Wednesday afternoon, 34-year-old Myles Dustin Longcor, of Henderson, was arrested in Mills County for Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $1,000.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors met with Lavon Eblen & Steve Livengood on Thursday, October 28th, 2021, to view the newly renovated kitchen and other miscellaneous improvements to the American Legion Memorial Building.

The American Legion Memorial Building is a National Historic Site and former National Guard Armory. It is now home to Memorial Hall, Military Museum, Military Library, Atlantic History Center, and flag room. The building’s every day happenings are overseen by members of ARISE (Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise) and volunteers. The building houses many veteran organizations and provides the members a meeting space and a few offices. ARISE hosts frequent educational and remembrance-based programs in Memorial Hall that are open to the public.

Ambassadors Left to Right: Colt Doherty, Jim Kickland, Scott Bennett, Donnie Drennan, Lana Westphalen, Dolly Bergmann, Dave Bergmann, Dawn Marnin, Dr. Keith Leonard, Kennedy Freund, Hailey Kickland, Steve Livengood, Lavon Eblen, Bob Boots, Mike Cook, Grace Garrett, Rachel Czaja, Hector Vela and Kelsey Beschorner.

The building also acts as rental space for the community. Memorial Hall has an open concept that allows for many options for setting up tables and chairs for any occasion. The organization has completed many renovation projects such as adding spacious restrooms, placing new tile throughout the building, and renovating the kitchen with bright lights and countertops. The kitchen has multiple entrances along with a serving counter and window which makes it perfect to bring in food or accommodate a caterer.

The American Legion Memorial Building is located at 201 Poplar Street in Atlantic. Visit https://ariseatlantic.org to view the rental calendar and contract.

To tour the American Legion Memorial Building, please contact Bob Boots at 712-243-2694.

(Radio Iowa) – One person was killed in a single-vehicle accident in rural Webster County early Thursday. Webster County Sheriff Luke Fleener reported a 2008 Chrysler Aspen operated by Jeremy Bruns, of Fort Dodge, left the road at 120th Street near U.S. Highway 69 north of Fort Dodge. The vehicle struck a utility pole ejecting Bruns from it. Bruns died at the accident scene. The accident remains under investigation.

(Radio Iowa) – State Auditor Rob Sand is calling on his fellow Democrats to think carefully about how they talk about politics and be focused on having reasonable conversations. “When was the last time you got convinced that you were wrong because somebody yelled at you about it?” Sand asks. Sand was among the speakers at this week’s Progress Iowa virtual fundraiser that was, in part, a training session for activists in how to create social media content that gets positive online reactions.

Sand says needling and yelling aren’t ways to get people to consider a different point of view. “I like the TV show Ted Lasso and I’m going just to be totally honest I didn’t know that Walt Whitman said to be curious, not judgmental until I heard about it from Ted Lasso,” Sand said, “but I really like that quote.”

Rob Sand

Sand says most of the people scrolling through Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites aren’t posting comments, they’re reading what others have typed.  “I’m not saying that we can’t be mad. I’m not saying that we don’t get angry at times,” Sand says. “I’m not saying any of that, but we have to be careful if we really care about this world and about making people’s lives better as opposed to just ourselves and expressing ourselves.”

Sand has not yet announced whether he will seek a second term as state auditor in 2022 or run for governor.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests and two, non-injury accidents took place over the past couple of weeks. On Thursday (10/28), Cass County Deputies arrested 34-year-old Adam Allen Roth, of Council Bluffs, for OWI 1st offense.  Roth was transported to Cass County Jail and was later released after posting bond. And, on Oct. 23rd, Deputies arrested 35-year-old Christopher Anthony J Castillo, of Atlantic, for driving while barred.  Castillo was transported to Cass County Jail and later released after posting bond.

On Wednesday (10/27), Deputies responded to an accident near 502 Walnut St., in Anita.  Authorities say Lisa Joanne Squibbs of Anita, was driving a 2011 Cadillac STS and traveling southbound on Walnut St. When she attempted to turn east onto Fifth St., her car struck a 2011 Chevy Malibu, driven by Cavan Ray Murphy, of Wiota.

On October 16th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an accident on Highway 148 and White Pole Road/Main St., in Anita.  An investigation determined Linda Sue Johannes, of Corning, was traveling southbound on Highway 148 when she ran a stop sign at White Pole Rd/Main St..  Her vehicle entered private property and struck a building owned by Kenneth Ray Harrison, of Anita.

Johannes’s vehicle entered through the building’s garage door and struck a 2017 Ford Explorer that was parked inside, pushing it through the south side of the structure.  Johannes then left the scene.  Her vehicle was later found about one-half mile east, in the ditch near 75304 White Pole Rd.  Johannes was arrested for OWI 1st offense, and issued a citation for failure to maintain control.

CRESTON, Iowa – Oct. 29, 2021 – A project to mill and resurface portions of the ramps and U.S. 169 at the U.S. 169/Interstate 80 interchange (exit 110) in De Soto requires closure of the off-ramps from 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, until 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office.

Detour Route:

• Eastbound I-80 to U.S. 169 traffic will travel east on I-80 to Dallas County Road R-16/Veteran’s Memorial Drive (exit 113), then turn west onto I-80 before exiting onto northbound U.S. 169 (exit 110).

• Westbound I-80 to U.S. 169 traffic will travel west on I-80 to Dallas County Road F-90 (exit 100), then turn east on I-80 before exiting onto U.S. 169 (exit 110).

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

(Creston, Iowa) – In an update to our report on Thursday, Creston Police today (Friday), said 36-year-old John Lyle Vanscoy, of Lorimor, faces additional charges following his arrest Wednesday afternoon. In addition to the previously announced Controlled Substance Violation and other drug charges, Vanscoy is now charged with Unauthorized Possession of Offensive Weapons, Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness, Interference with Official Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Controlled Substance – 3rd Offense, and Driving While Barred. Vanscoy was being held in the Union County Jail without bond, on two outside agency warrant, and because of a parole violation.

Thursday afternoon, 56-year-old Gary Lee McDougal, of Afton, was arrested at the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston. McDougal was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault – 1st Offense. He was cited and released from the scene on a Promise to Appear (in court). Thursday night, 30-year-old Quinton Lee Kimball, of Creston, was arrested at his residence. Kimball was charged with Probation Violation. He being held without bond in the Union County Jail, until seen by judge.

Creston Police said also, a woman reported to Police Thursday morning, that she had left her purse in the Creston HyVee restroom sometime last week. When she returned to look for it, it was gone. The loss was estimated at $50.