Weather Forecast Calling For A Return Of Arctic Cold Temperatures
(Des Moines) — More wicked weather is snarling traffic and freezing fingers across much of Iowa. The entire state is under a Winter Weather Advisory, an Ice Storm Warning is in effect for southeast Iowa, while a Blizzard Warning
is posted for northwest and north-central Iowa. Meteorologist Mindy Beerends (BEER-ends), at the National Weather Service in Johnston, says only a few inches of snow are predicted but the winds will be whipping up whatever falls, potentially causing white-out conditions.
Another round of frigid, arctic air will arrive in Iowa shortly.
The long-range forecast calls for more chances for snowfall on Sunday and again on Monday night and into Tuesday.
Tim Paul Is Honored By Le Mars Police Department
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department awarded its “Citizen of the Year” to the Floyd Valley Healthcare’s chief engineer. The short ceremony took place this morning (Thursday) at Floyd Valley. Tim Paul says he was surprised by the honor.
Paul explains as to reasons why the police department chose to honor him with its “Citizen of the Year” award.
The Floyd Valley staff person says his curiosity led to an even deeper investigation of the suspicious man’s background.
Paul says he is humbled by the honor, and appreciates the cooperative connection between Floyd Valley Healthcare and the Le Mars Police Department.
Northwestern College’s Nursing Program Ranks Among Top 25
ORANGE CITY, Iowa—Northwestern College’s online RN to BSN program has been ranked among the nation’s top-25 programs of its kind by www.NursingSchoolHub.com.
The website ranks Northwestern of Orange City, 24th on its list of the Top 25 Online RN to BSN Programs for 2019. Northwestern is the only Iowa school on the list. The ranking is based on cost, student reviews, institutional outcomes and accreditation. The website collected its data from Niche.com
reviews, College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics and institutions’ websites.
Several features are included in the website’s write-up about Northwestern’s online RN to BSN program, including that it can be completed in two years or less with customizations based on students’ schedules; that faith-based learning is an integral part of the education; and that students have the opportunity to transfer existing credits and work experience to the program.
The website also adds that Northwestern’s program features “optimal affordability.”
Northwestern’s online RN to BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
“With that in mind, students can trust that they’re receiving the best possible education for their money,” adds NursingSchoolHub.com.
Northwestern’s program is also a National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements-approved institution.
More information on Northwestern’s online RN to BSN program can be found at www. nwciowa.edu/rn-bsn.
Man Accused Of Killing Hunter Goes To Trial
CENTERVILLE, Iowa (AP) – The first-degree murder trial has begun for a man accused of killing a hunter in south-central Iowa.
Appanoose County Attorney Susan Scieszinski said in her opening statements Wednesday that there is no known motive for the November 2017 killing of 31-year-old Curtis Ross. The Daily Iowegian reports that Ross was shot 10 times with a high-powered rifle, stabbed more than 26 times and his neck, abdomen and legs gashed open. A sheriff’s deputy found Ross’ naked body in a creek on public hunting grounds.
Scieszinski said the evidence will show Davis perched from a hilltop, using an AR-15 to shoot Ross. Officials say Davis’ finger and palm prints found on ammunition in the area connected him to the killing, and a search of his family farm turned up a hidden AR-15 that forensics determined was used in the shooting.
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Alliant Energy Told Not To Charge Customers Without Smart Meters
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa regulatory board won’t let Alliant Energy charge customers who decline to have smart meters used to track how much electricity they use.
The Iowa Utility Board voted Wednesday to reject Alliant’s request to charge $15 a month to customers who opt out of the smart meter program. The board told Alliant to file a revised rate request that allows customers to opt out without facing a fee. The board says Alliant already charges customers for meter reading in its current rates.
The board didn’t bar Alliant from seeking a future charge in a broader rate case.
Alliant says its smart meter system uses two-way wireless communication to retrieve meter data and funnel it through a secure and proprietary network.
Iowa Legislature Moving Ahead On Sports Betting Bills
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Legislature is moving forward a series of bills that would legalize sports betting.
Lawmakers discussed four bills Wednesday in a Senate subcommittee, and the bills are on the calendar for discussion Thursday by House members.
The bills offer opportunities for competing groups, including state-licensed casinos, a horse racing group, the Iowa Lottery and professional sports organizations, to run sports gambling operations.
Rep. Bobby Kaufmann drafted the bills to give the various gambling interests a chance to argue why they’d offer the best sports betting platform.
Legislative leaders say they plan to support a single plan that allows one or more organizations to run sports gambling.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission would regulate operations run by casinos, professional leagues or horse groups while the Iowa Lottery would oversee such betting if its plan is approved.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last May that states can legalize sports betting. Eight states accept bets and several others are considering laws that would enable sports betting.
Fort Dodge Man Accused Of Fraud With Iowa Lottery
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – A Fort Dodge man has been accused of scheming to defraud the Iowa Lottery.
Webster County court records say 39-year-old Nicholas Hanson is charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit lottery fraud, extortion and marijuana possession. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call Thursday from The Associated Press.
Authorities say Hanson wanted to redeem a winning lottery ticket but didn’t want his winnings taken by various creditors, including the state of Iowa. The court records say he enlisted the aid of another person, who went with him to claim the lottery winnings. The criminal complaints don’t say exactly how much money Hanson and the other person picked up at Iowa Lottery
headquarters, describing it only as “a substantial amount of U.S. currency.”
Judge Says University of Iowa Was Wrong To Strip Status Of Christian-based Organization
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A federal judge says the University of Iowa was wrong to strip a Christian student group of its registered status after the organization barred a gay student from a leadership position.
The Des Moines Register reports that U.S. District Judge Stephanie M. Rose granted a permanent injunction banning the university from rejecting the status of the group, Business Leaders in Christ.
Rose says the university unevenly applies its human rights policy by allowing other groups to limit membership based on religious views, race, sex and other protected characteristics.
Business Leaders in Christ said it denied the student’s request
because the group requires leaders to affirm a statement of faith rejecting homosexuality.
The university says it plans to follow the court’s decision.
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