CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday backed the new leader of Iowa’s human resources agency, saying he made an honest error when he misstated what his department does on his résumé. Reynolds told reporters that “people make mistakes” on their résumés, and that Department of Administrative Services Director Jim Kurtenbach is human.
“It’s not intentional, and I think we need to remember that sometimes,” she said after an appearance at an education technology event in Coralville. “It happens. I’m fine with that. I don’t think there’s anything there.”

Reynolds appointed Kurtenbach in June to lead the department, which manages human resources, buildings and several other functions for the executive branch. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Kurtenbach is working on the side as a paid expert witness for an Ames family that is seeking millions of dollars from neighbors whose opposition they blame for delaying their plan to build a campground and events venue.

Kurtenbach submitted his résumé to the court last week, claiming the department he leads is the “primary entity charged in the Code of Iowa with representing the State in legal matters,” among other duties. That’s not true. The attorney general’s office, not his department, represents the state in legal matters. Kurtenbach, a former state representative and Iowa GOP chairman, hasn’t responded to questions about how the error occurred. His department warns applicants for state jobs that intentionally misrepresenting their experience can result in disqualification.
Reynolds said she was aware of Kurtenbach’s work on the lawsuit before he was appointed and that she was comfortable with his decision to continue. She said Kurtenbach, a former Iowa State University administrator and accounting professor, was one of many people from outside of state government whom her administration has hired because of their expertise.

“It’s legal, so it’s perfectly fine, and we have to give him time to wind down some of the things he was participating in,” Reynolds said. “I’m fine with that and we’re going to continue to move forward.” Iowa law generally allows state officials to work outside jobs that do not conflict with their state duties or rely on government resources. Kurtenbach revealed in last week’s filing that he is being paid $350 per hour for his work on the lawsuit, which is set for trial in February.

(Radio Iowa) — A special investigation by the state auditor’s office indicates the office manager for a southern Iowa landfill failed to deposit tens of thousands of dollars in facility fees. Jennifer Nickell was the office manager for the Solid Waste Management Commission for Wayne, Ringgold and Decatur Counties. According to a letter from the state auditor’s office, Nickell admitted to the commission she had taken “cash collections for personal use.” She resigned rather than be fired in the middle of last year.

Auditors reviewed four years of records related to the fees charged for dropping off trash at the landfill that’s near Grand River — and identified nearly 62-thousand dollars in cash hadn’t been deposited in the commission’s bank accounts. The report indicates cash was withheld from over 90 percent of the deposits made during Nickell’s tenure.

The special investigation by the state auditor’s office has been turned over to state and local authorities.

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department reports all public park restrooms are being shut-down until next Spring, and will be winterized. The change takes effect today (Oct. 10th), so you should plan accordingly.

An Aviation Program being offered in the Atlantic Community School District was discussed during a meeting Wednesday evening of the Atlantic School Board. Aviation Program Coordinator Lisa Sonntag said the District is just getting started with their program here. The District is one of 165 schools nationwide that offer the curriculum this year. She said Clarinda and Atlantic are the only schools in Iowa to offer the program.

From left to right: Aviation Program students Chase Vogl and Corbin Logemann; Aviation Instructor Lisa Sonntag. (Ric Hanson/photo)

The need for such a program, she said, is evident in light of the number of pilots who will be retiring from Commercial airlines in the coming years. She said Boeing reports they will be about 240,000 pilots short in about 20-years. The FAA gave out only 5,500 licenses last year. UPS is also going to be looking for pilots and mechanics just to keep their fleet running. Another element of the program deals with drones. In fact, the students had a chance within the past couple of weeks to look at and operate some drones, under the guidance of Technology Director Roger Warne and Eric Miller, Industrial Tech & Ag Instructor.

Sonntag said program is set up for four-years, but only the year-one curriculum is rolled-out. This year is the test year for year-two. Each year, another year is added to the curriculum. After year two, the students should be able to take the written FAA ground test for an eventual pilot’s license. Twenty students are participating in the curriculum this year. Students each semester’s build will cover different topics, including the construction of a small scale wind tunnels. The course includes the use of two cockpit flight simulators similar to a video game, but much more technical in nature. Sonntag said she’d eventually like to have four-to six more simulators as the years progress.

The program course features two Career and Technical Education pathways: Pilot, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones). All curriculum materials are provided to schools at no cost, thanks to generous donations made to AOPA (The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) Foundation.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two people were badly injured by a house fire in Dubuque. Firefighters were sent to the home about 9 p.m. Tuesday, and the Dubuque department says the blaze was largely contained within 15 minutes. The man and woman injured were hospitalized. Their names haven’t been released. Fire Chief Rick Steines says the fire burned mostly in the basement, but there was smoke damage on all the floors. The cause is being investigated.