(Radio Iowa) – A coronavirus relief package worth 908-billion dollars was unveiled Monday in Congress, which has until the end of this week to pass it along with a long-term spending plan, but Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley remains skeptical. Grassley, a Republican, couldn’t say with any confidence that the massive measure would win approval in both chambers before Friday. “It should pass, that’s my opinion,” Grassley says. “People are in need and there’s so much that has bipartisan agreement, but a couple of big things that have no bipartisan agreement might hold it up and maybe we won’t get one before Christmas.”

Oct. 12, 2020 file photo, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa. (Kevin Dietsch/Pool via AP)

Grassley says there’s disagreement over issues like how much federal aid should go to state governments, and whether to squelch lawsuits some consider frivolous which were filed over COVID-19. He says there are many elements on the table that have broad, bipartisan support and they should all focus on those, starting with extending unemployment benefits. “Helping small businesses stay open and keep their employees on the payroll like we did in the spring,” Grassley says. “More (COVID) testing, more money for the distribution of the vaccines, and help for K-through-12 education.”

The measure, in its latest incarnation, does -not- include direct payments to virtually all Americans, as the initial relief package did earlier this year. “That’s right, as far as I can tell,” Grassley says. “There’s a few senators, at least one Republican, one Democrat, thinks it should have something go directly to everybody, whether they’re unemployed or not.”

Speed in passing the measure is critical. It’s estimated as many as 12-million Americans could lose their unemployment benefits on December 26th, while millions more may face eviction as protections for renters are also expiring.

Police in Glenwood report one arrest and one hit-and-run property damage accident. Authorities say 64-year old Robert Rusco, of Glenwood, was arrested Monday on four Mills County warrants for one count of Ongoing Criminal Conduct, and three counts of Fraudulent Sales Practices. His total cash or surety bond was set at $50,000.

Glenwood Police said also, a legally parked 2012 GMC Yukon was struck by an unidentified vehicle, late Monday morning. The SUV was in a parking stall on the north side of Sharp Street, and unoccupied, when a vehicle backed out of an adjacent stall and cut the turn too sharp. The unknown vehicle struck the SUV on the driver’s side rear bumper. The unknown driver of the vehicle drove-off without reporting the incident, which was caught on a business surveillance video.

The Exira-EHK School Board met Monday evening, and among the most awaited decisions they made, was one concerning the Return to learn Calendar, with regard to attendance on Wednesday’s. Superintendent Trevor Miller told KJAN News after discussion, the Board decided to go with a 1-p.m. early dismissal on Wednesday’s, beginning Jan. 13th.

Miller said they’re considering their voluntary remote learners, especially those who may be struggling.

In other business, the Board discussed the makeup of the Negotiation Committee and Approved requested modified funds.

Miller said also, the Board approved Jessica Allen as Instrumental Music Teacher. Allen who is from Woodbine, was chosen from eight qualified applicants. And, Brianna Sampson will start as an Elementary ParaEducator at Exira.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports numerous arrests over the past week:

• On Dec. 7th, a 17-year old male was arrested for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender. His name was not released.
• On Dec. 9th, 55-year old Carl Allan Race, of Council Bluffs, was served at the Pottawattamie County Jail, with a warrant for Burglary in the 1st Degree/Bodily Injury, and Sexual Abuse  in the 3rd Degree/1st offense; 37-year old Dustin Martin Thomas, of Crescent, was served Dec. 9th at the Pott. County Jail, with a warrant for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender- Failure to Appear; 71-year old Jessie James Jackson was arrested for OWI/1st offense, following a traffic stop on Dec. 9th. His arrest followed an investigation into a vehicle stuck on railroad tracks.
• On Dec. 11th, Pott. County Deputies served a warrant 36-year old Dale Lee Waldroupe with a warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree, while he was in the Pott. County Jail.
• On Dec. 12th, 28-year old Angela Mae Jens was arrested for OWI/2nd offense.
• On Dec. 14th, Pott. County Deputies arrested 40-year old Suzanne Kay Labastida, of Pacific Junction, following a pursuit. She was charged with Eluding while exceeding the speed limit by 25 mph or more; Fugitive from Justice; Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense;Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Theft in the 1st Degree/Motor Vehicle. That same day, 51-year old John Andrew Pehanich, of Council Bluffs, was served at the Pott. County Jail, with a warrant for Driving While Disqualified.