DES MOINES – Governor Reynolds announced today that Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo is resigning.

“I want to thank Dr. Lebo for her many contributions to my administration and the Department of Education over the last three years,” Gov. Reynolds stated. “From her very first day on the job, Ann was immersed in the pandemic’s impact on education. She supported Iowa’s schools in their transition to remote learning during the spring of 2020 and developed our Return to Learn plan for the fall. I will be forever grateful for her leadership and student-centered approach during that challenging time, and I wish her much success.”

Lebo joined the Department of Education on March 13, 2020, at the early onset of COVID-19 in Iowa. Just days later, Iowa schools closed for the remainder of the school year, then led the nation in reopening in August.

“It has been a tremendous honor to work alongside the dedicated team at the Department of Education and serve Iowa schools, administrators, educators, and students,” Ann Lebo said. “The last three years have been some of the most challenging of my career, but also incredibly rewarding. I’m proud that Iowa was on the leading edge of prioritizing in-person learning throughout the pandemic and I’m thankful for Governor Reynolds’ leadership in that effort. Now, I’ve decided to explore new opportunities and I look forward to seeing where they lead.”

Lebo’s resignation is effective March 14, 2023.

(Radio Iowa) – Nursing programs around the state are asking lawmakers to create a tax incentive for nurses who agree to guide nursing students through something similar to an apprenticeship. Dr. Candace Chihak is chair of the nursing department at Briar Ciff University in Sioux City. She says these nurses are called “preceptors” and they are currently volunteering their time. “All of our students at all levels, a lot of times they will go one-on-one with a practicing nurse,” Chihak says. “…They’re working with patients on their unit with a practicing nurse, learning their skills in how to care for patients.”

Seniors at Briar Cliff who are studying for a bachelor’s degree in nursing are to spend 120 hours with a licensed nurse who agrees to be a preceptor. “That 120 hours they’re working they’re working that nurse’s shifts, they’re taking are of that nurse’s patients,” Chihak says, “but they’ve got that safety net of having that nurse there to make sure everything’s going smoothly, that they’re making good decisions before they graduate and are completely on their own.”

Chihak says it’s hard to find nurses who’ll volunteer to be preceptors and providing some sort of state financial incentive would help.  “There’s such a huge nursing shortage right now and you need to be practicing at least a couple of years before you take on the role because you’ve really got to feel confident in what you’re doing and there’s so many new nurses, but we’ve had so many leaving the field and the ones that are there so overwhelmed and burned out that we’re looking for a little extra incentive for them.”

A handful of states offer income tax credits to doctors or nurses who agree to be preceptors for medical or nursing students. A proposal to establish a one-thousand dollar Iowa income tax credit for nursing preceptors will be considered in a House committee next week.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court rules in favor of officers in a pursuit of an escaped inmate in central Iowa that led to a crash. Amber Martinez of Des Moines claimed officers were reckless for pursuing Scott Grimes on a busy street in Urbandale, and that led to Grimes hitting her car head on. She was in the hospital for six months after the crash. Grimes had escaped from the Warren County jail and went on a multi-state crime spree before officers spotted him in 2016 and began the chase. An officer called off the pursuit just before Grimes crashed into Martinez — saying the traffic was too heavy.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that no reasonable jury could find that the officer’s pursuit of Grimes meets the high bar for recklessness under Iowa law.

February 17, 2023 (DES MOINES, IA) – Today, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board approved awards for three Iowa companies, which will assist in the creation and retention of 364 jobs and result in nearly $75.5 million in new capital investment for the state. These projects are located in Elkader, Manning and Oskaloosa.

Mobile Track Solutions to upgrade Elkader facility
Mobile Track Solutions, LLC develops and manufactures quality construction-grade equipment, including tractors, scrapers and towed implements. The company plans to make improvements to their Elkader facility, which will result in the ability to manufacture additional equipment as well as make further investments in research and development. The project represents a nearly $4 million capital investment and is expected to create 30 jobs incented at a qualifying wage of $18.44 per hour. The board awarded tax benefits and a $250,000 forgivable loan through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.

Puck Custom Enterprises to make investment in Manning facility
Founded in 1979, Puck Custom Enterprises designs, develops and manufactures complete systems of equipment to pump liquid through lay-flat hose, offering products under the brands BullDog Hose, US Coupling and Light Speed. The company plans to invest in its Manning facility with new manufacturing equipment. The project represents a $3 million capital investment and was awarded tax benefits and a $150,000 forgivable loan through the HQJ program. It is expected to create 40 jobs incented at a qualifying wage of $19.75 per hour.

Clow Valve to modernize Oskaloosa facility
Clow Valve Company, with a foundation in Oskaloosa since 1909, produces valves and fire hydrants for water distribution systems throughout the U.S. The company plans to continue investing in their iron foundry by replacing outdated equipment with state-of-the-art equipment and automation. The project will allow Clow Valve to continue operations and retain 294 employees at a qualifying wage of $24.55 per hour. It represents a capital investment of $68.5 million and the board awarded tax benefits through the HQJ program.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman was arrested Wednesday evening at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Child Endangerment. 23-year-old Faith Leann Clemmons, of Emerson, faces two counts of Child Endangerment. Her bond was set at $10,000.

And, early Thursday morning, 46-year-old Sean Eugene Hicks, of Emerson, was arrested for Misuse of 911 Communications. His bond was set at $300.

The Sheriff’s Office said also, no injuries were reported following an accident Thursday morning on 310th and Noyes Avenue. A 2001 Chevy driven by 21-year-old Jamison Detrick, of Shenandoah, was northbound on 310th Street and approaching the intersection with Noyes Avenue, behind a 2011 Ford, driven by 64-year-old Valeri Albertson, of Riverton. Albertson was behind a non-contact snowplow and directly in front of Detrick’s vehicle.

Detrick failed to stop in a clear and assured distance, and rear-ended the Ford. Authorities say the roadway was slick due to a snowstorm at the time.