(Coralville, Iowa)  – The Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) reported Friday afternoon, that Ali Abdelkarim Ali, convicted of Robbery 2nd Degree in Johnson County, failed to report to the Hope House Residential Center as required, Thursday.

Ali is a 26-year-old white male, height 5’3″, and weighs 136 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on February 15, 2023.

Ali Abdelkarim Ali

Persons with information on Ali’s whereabouts should contact local police.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests:

On May 1st, 2023, 28-year-old Bill Stockwell, of Atlantic, was on the charges of Driving While Barred, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and a weapons violation.  Stockwell was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

and…

On April 29th, 2023, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 46-year-old Amanda Bashor, of Atlantic, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Bashor was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

May 5, 2023 (DES MOINES) – At yesterday’s (Thursday’s) meeting, the Enhance Iowa Board awarded $1.8 million in Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grants to pool projects in Keota and Washington, park improvements in West Okoboji and a clubhouse in Marcus. In addition, the Board awarded two Sports Tourism grants totaling $22,570 to events in Carroll and Des Moines.

Details for the projects receiving CAT grants follow:

Project Name: Keota Pool & Aquatic Project, Keota
Total Project Cost: $1,702,044
Amount Awarded: $500,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a heated pool with zero-depth entry, an agricultural-themed splash pad for toddler play, a diving board, four-lane lap swim area, bath house and a meeting place for private parties. Planned amenities include a rock climbing wall, zip line, basketball hoops and a volleyball net.

Project Name: YMCA of Washington County, Washington
Total Project Cost: $8,245,466
Amount Awarded: $500,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of an indoor aquatic center with a six-lane competition length lap pool, a recreation pool, two saunas, a whirlpool and spectator seating area.

Project Name: Terrace Park Beach & Alex Danbom Memorial Park Project, West Okoboji
Total Project Cost: $ 1,822,137
Amount Awarded: $500,000
Project Description: This project includes improvements to beach access, additional parking, signage, restroom enhancements, a new playground and a pedestrian crosswalk.

Project Name: Marcus Community Golf Clubhouse and Recreation Center
Total Project Cost: $1,200,000
Amount Awarded: $300,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a new clubhouse and recreation center that will serve as an event venue, restaurant, and virtual sports facility.

Details for the projects receiving Sports Tourism Marketing grants follow:

The City of Carroll was awarded $2,570 toward marketing the Kick It Up youth soccer tournament on June 10, 2023, for boys and girls U10, U12 and U14. The City plans to expand its existing marketing to Sioux City, Des Moines, Ames, Council Bluffs and Omaha.

Polk County and Downtown Events Group were awarded $20,000 to promote RAGBRAI’s overnight stop in Des Moines on July 26, 2023. Funds will be used for print materials, social media marketing and signage.

The Enhance Iowa Program provides financial incentives to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. To date, 127 CAT grants have been awarded by the board, totaling $42,040,023. The next Enhance Iowa Board meeting is scheduled for June 1, 2023.

(Radio Iowa) – A so-called “MEGA” package of state tax incentives — to try to lure a major business development to Iowa — stalled in the House on the final day of the 2023 legislative session. The “Major Economic Growth Attraction” or MEGA program would have been for a project that covers at least 250 acres and involves at least a BILLION dollar investment from a business engaged in research, bioscience or advanced manufacturing. The plan cleared the Senate on a 45-to-two vote Wednesday, but House Speaker Pat Grassley says there were too many unanswered questions.

“I’m not convinced the proper legwork went into selling the program to the House members,” Grassley says, “obviously not even enough that on the last day of session they were comfortable to bring it up.” Under the proposed MEGA program, a business based in a foreign country that’s an ally of the U.S. would be allowed to buy farmland for the project. House Republicans were wary of granting foreign ownership of farmland — and Grassley suggests the size of the tax rebate — nearly 93 million dollars over the next seven years — was a concern.

Grassley says lawmakers might reconsider the package next year. “I think it was a lot of factors at play,” Grassley says, “and if it were to move forward, I think we got some pretty good guidance from the membership what they would want to see as part of it.” Grassley made his comments during taping of this week’s episode of “Iowa Press” which airs on Iowa P-B-S. Lawmakers who led debate of the package in the Senate said it would help Iowa be competitive with other states are offering bigger incentives for large projects.

The MEGA program would have been limited to two projects over the next two years.

(Radio Iowa) – Two fallen officers were recognized today (Friday) at the annual ceremony at the Peace Officers Memorial east of the Iowa State Capitol. Department of Public Safety Commissioner, Stephen (Steven) Bayens says it is important to take time to honor those who protect us.

He says law officers also want to send a message.

Bayens also thanks the families of officers for their support of their loved ones and for allowing them to protect others. Bayens recognized the two officers who died in the line of duty in the past year.

Deputy Austin “Melvin” Richardson

Fremont County Sheriff Deputy Austin “Melvin” Richardson died June 14th, 2022 after his patrol car hit a combine on the highway.

Coralville Police Department Sergeant John Karl Williams died on July 3rd of 2022.

Coralville Police Sergeant John Karl Williams

He went into cardiac arrest after returning from investigating the shooting of a child.

Deputy Richardson and Sergeant Williams’ names will be added to the memorial. Bayens says their efforts as peace officers will live on with their departments and communities.

(Radio Iowa) – Some of the governor’s health care related proposals cleared the 2023 legislature before it adjourned this week, but others — like expanded access to birth control — stalled. Governor Kim Reynolds has introduced a bill to make birth control available behind the counter at a pharmacy for the past five years.

Reynolds wanted to triple state funding for privately-run crisis pregnancy resource centers and add programming for prospective fathers in at-risk households. The facilities haven’t spent all the 500-thousand dollars in state spending approved last year.

The legislature also failed to approve the governor’s call to provide paid parental leave to state employees. A bill did get approved that creates four, state-funded scholarships for training in obstetrics — if the doctor agrees to practice family medicine in Iowa for at least five years. Democrats unsuccessfully lobbied for changes in the state’s Medicaid program which provides insurance to low income Iowans. Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says women who deliver a baby or have a miscarriage should have a year’s worth of follow-up visits to the doctor covered.

Medicaid covers nearly half of all births and pregnancy care in the United States. Missouri’s Medicaid program, like Iowa’s, has covered pregnancy-related doctor’s visits for 60 days after the pregnancy ends, but the Missouri legislature is moving to extend coverage to a full year. Heart problems and other conditions that are heightened by a pregnancy often lead to serious complications in the months after delivery.