(Des Moines, Iowa) – Southwest Iowa Republican Representative Tom Moore, of Griswold, reports, week three of the Iowa General Assembly, kept him busy with Committee meetings, sub-committee meetings and floor action on bills, as they begin the process of moving through debate. Moore, who represents House District 21, covering Adams, Union, parts of Cass and Pottawattamie Counties, says during the Health and Human Services Committee meeting Tuesday, his bill, HF13 passed unanimously with an amendment.

Moore said also, House Bill 9, which revises the mental health loan forgiveness program established last year, to add prescribing practitioners, and provides preference to Iowans and those willing to serve in a mental health shortage area, passed in the HHS Committee. It appropriates $1.5-million in the 2024 Fiscal Year.

The Education Committee, Moore said, also met Tuesday afternoon. A bill, HF11 passed with an amendment.

Two other bills in the committee also passed, but Moore says he voted against both. One requires within social studies requirements, United States Government, which includes a comparative discussion of political ideologies, including communism and totalitarianism, that Moore says “conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy that were essential to the founding of the United States.” Moore says he voted no because he is against increased mandates on schools.

(R) Rep. Tom Moore

The other bill he voted against, but still passed, deals with open enrollment transportation. It would allow school buses from the receiving district to enter in the district of residence, without both districts having to agree.

In the Economic Growth and Technology Committee, Representative Tom Moore says they passed bills defining ransomware, and creates penalties for the crime when used against certain entities. Another bill establishes a cybersecurity training center at ISU, that will conduct and sponsor research and activities that enable persons to develop strategies to count cybersecurity threats and mitigate the damage resulting from an attack.

Moore invites constituents with questions or comments, to reach out to him at  tom.moore@legis.iowa.gov

You can also call 712-789-9954. You can subscribe to Moore’s newsletter through those options.

(Radio Iowa) – The number of Iowa casinos that float on a boat will soon be sinking. Iowa Racing and Gaming Administrator, Brian Ohorilko, says plans were approved Thursday for the Casino Queen operation in Marquette to move to land. “So they’re proposing to invest 12 million dollars into a land based facility that would connect with their current barge area. They would add a sports book, a new restaurant,” he says.

The first gambling in the state was at horse and dog tracks, and then the Iowa Legislature approved casinos on riverboats in 1989. The regulations changed quit a bit through the years and the trend now has been for casinos to move to land. “With casino Queen moving gaming to their to a land-based area that will lead just Lakeside and Ameristar Casino (Council Bluffs) as the two remaining gaming licenses that still have casino gambling on on a boat,” he says.

Casinos in Davenport and Sioux City are some of the others to move the move to solid ground. Ohorilkoh says they have seen an immediate improvement in gaming revenue and attendance in operations that move from a boat to a land.  “The reasons for that are very simple — in that it typically on a land base facility –, there is more space to offer, not only additional gaming, but most importantly, additional non gaming amenities,” Ohorilko says.

The Racing and Gaming Commission also approved a 31 million-dollar remodeling plan for Harvey’s in Council Bluffs that he says will include several upgrades. “A new Celebrity Chef Restaurant, a Guy Fierie restaurant, renovation of all of their hotel rooms, some additional space for gaming, just to allow for a more comfortable experience for those guests,” he says.

And the Commission approved phase one of a multi-million dollar renovation plan for the Q Casino in Dubuque. Ohorilko says the upgrades are needed in part due to new competition from others states. He says Harvey’s is a good example of that. “Nebraska has gaming, we’re starting to see some construction there, particularly in the Omaha market. And so, it’s really important for those Iowa facilities to put their best foot forward,” Ohorilko says.

He says the non-gaming amenities have become an important part of the casinos widening their draw and competing with other states.

(Corning, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Adams County have released a report on arrests taking place from January 6, 2023 through the 25th. On Wednesday (1/25), Deputies arrested 67-year-old Jeff Mendenhall, of Corning, for Driving While Revoked, and Failure to have an ignition interlock device. He was being held in the Adams County Jail on $1,300 bond. On Sunday, Deputies responded to a report of a man threatening people at the Cenex gas station, in Corning. Upon further investigation, Denny Moore, of Corning, was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was released from the scene with a summons to appear in court.

A traffic stop last Saturday (1/21) in Adams County, resulted in the arrest of 58-year-old Robbie Allen Dohrn, of Creston, for Driving While Suspended. There were two arrests on the 18th: Deputies responding to a burglary call in the 1200 block of Corning Carl Road arrested 26-year-old Andrew Malloy, of Council Bluffs, for Burglary in the 3rd Degree and Interference with official acts. The Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol and Adams County EMA; and, Adams County Deputies arrested Joey Donald Shires, of Corning, on the 18th of January. Shires was arrested for Simple Assault in connection with an incident that occurred January 15th.

There were two arrests January 17th, in Adams County: 38-year-old Kimberly Bloom was arrested in Corning for Domestic Abuse Assault, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense (marijuana), and Interference with Official Acts. She was being held without bond in the Adams County Jail; And, 62-year-old Marvin Baker and 57-year-old Kathleen Baker, were arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. Both were being held without bond in the Adams County Jail.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports 29-year-old Joshua Ghale, of Greenfield,was arrested Jan. 16th, for OWI/1st offense, Driving While Revoked, and Failure to have SR-22 Insurance. His bond was set at $2,000. On the 14th, 54-year-old Ronnie Lee Fuller, of Clarinda, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense and Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $2,300. Separately, James Alfredo Sanchez III, and Alexis Emerald Rain Sanchez, were arrested on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (marijuana), PCS with the Intent to Deliver (marijuana), Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, Child Endangerment, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. They were being held on $13,300 bond.

33-year-old Katherine Coleman, of Corning, was arrested Jan. 8th, for Burglary/2nd Degree, Harassment/1st Degree, Criminal Mischief/3rd Degree, Trespassing, Assault w/intent to inflict serious injury, and Assault on a Peace Office. Her bond was set at $21,300. And, on Jan. 6th, Deputies in Adams County responded at around 10:50-p.m. to a vehicle in the ditch at 190th & Quince, in Prescott. Upon further investigation, 20-year-old Cody Robertson, of Creston, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, PCS/Marijuana – 1st offense, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, and for being a Minor in Possession of Alcohol. His cash bond was set at $2,300.