(Danville, Iowa) – An 18-year old pedestrian died Monday, after they were struck by an SUV in southeast Iowa. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2010 Ford Escape driven by 24-year-old Kaitlyn M. Boyer, of Weldon, was traveling east on Highway 34 south of Danville, at around 8:55-p.m., when a pedestrian ran in front of her vehicle and was struck. The accident happened near the intersection with Danville Road.

The pedestrian came to rest on the shoulder of the road and died from their injuries at a hospital in Burlington. Their names was withheld pending notification of family.

(Radio Iowa) – Republicans in the Iowa Senate have voted to let 16 and 17 year olds be in charge of school age children at child care centers, without direct adult supervision. Senator Craig Johnson of Independence, a Republican, says Iowa teens are already allowed to work as lifeguards and certified nursing assistants. “When I was a young kid back in the ’70s, we had many lifeguards that were at the pool that I know they weren’t seniors yet. I don’t remember their age, but they had to have been just old enough to drive themselves to work,” Johnson says. “That’s in rural Iowa at our local pools.” The bill also raises staffing ratios, so one adult child care worker could oversee up to 10 three-year-olds.

Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says these changes could become a nightmare for parents. “Iowa is ranked one of the worst states in the country for child abuse…we should be fixing that, not making matters worse with a bill that takes away regulations that are put in place to secure the safety of our future generation.” If the bill becomes law, one adult could oversee a room of seven two-year-olds. The upper limit under current law is six two-year-olds per child care staffer. Democrats opposed the bill. Senator Claire Celsi of Des Moines says better pay and benefits are the answer to Iowa’s child care crisis.

“It’s not as easy as it looks. You have to pay attention every second,” Celsi says. “…It’s not just warehousing kids in a child care center. They need…quality attention from the person who’s watching them.” Senator Jeff Edler, a Republican from State Center, says these proposed staffing ratios would not be requirements, but options. “I trust in our day care providers that they can make the proper decisions…And, you know, how are all the other states doing it? I mean, we’ve 33 other states that are one-to-seven up to 35 months (and) 41 other states doing a one-to-10 ratio on three year olds,” Edler asked. “You know Iowa is behind.”

The bill now goes back to the House for consideration of Senate changes.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Vandals hit two Atlantic Parks restrooms over the weekend. Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen informed the Parks Board Monday evening.

He said the Camblin Addition restroom was spray painted with a swastika and a racial epithet. Bryant asks park patrons to “If you see stuff or know stuff,” please let the parks department and/or Atlantic Police know. A few weeks ago, someone went through and vandalized the signs at the Atlantic Dog Park.

There are cameras near the waterless restroom, so they’re hoping the footage will reveal some clues as to who the vandal or vandals are. In other business, Rasmussen said tree removal along Bull Creek has wrapped-up before the migratory bird treaty kicked-in. That means anywhere from 130-to 140 trees were removed to the stumps. Those will be removed by the contractor in the near future.

He said there are still some Community Gardens on raised beds available in Mollett Park, in association with the Lion’s Club. There are currently 10 in place, with five having been spoken for. The remaining beds are available for $35 each, and three more are on the way. Anyone wanting to grow their own vegetables in a mulch garden, should contact Bryant Rasmussen at 712-243-3542.

A rendition of an inclusive piece of playground equipment

He said also, the Parks and Rec Department has been working with Landscape Structures for “inclusive playground” equipment for children with special needs. That includes a “ring the bell” piece of equipment. Another panel deals with a more verbal aspect of entertainment. Two pieces will be installed at the Schildberg Recreations Area, with more to be installed in other parks.

And, in keeping with the theme of incorporating art into the City’s athletic facilities, such as the tennis courts, Hunter Oliver has been working on a mural for one side of the Tennis Wall. The rendering of “Fiona the Finch” is near completion.

Tennis wall (currently unfinished) rendering of Fiona the Finch by Hunter Oliver

A collision Monday morning in Sac County resulted in a death and one person injured. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2000 BMW Z3 driven by 54-year-old Jan Gentry, of Shawnee, KS, was traveling south on Highway 39, south of 340th, as a 2012 Chevy Equinox driven by 19-year-old Clay Roberts, of Dunlap, was traveling northbound.

The BMW lost control on slushy patch of highway from blowing snow, and moved into the northbound lane. The car was struck on the right side by the SUV. Gentry died at the scene. The crash happened at around 10:22-a.m.

Roberts suffered non-life threatening injuries and transported by Odebolt Ambulance to the Crawford County Hospital, in Denison.

Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.