Supervisors Question Northwest Iowa Development Dues And Organizational Structure
(Le Mars) — The PLymouth County Board of Supervisors heard from Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Neil Adler during yesterday’s meeting at the Courthouse Boardroom. Adler appeared before the county governing board to ask for their consideration of participating in the Northwest Iowa Development. Plymouth County’s dues for the economic development organization is set at seventy-five cents per person. The Northwest Iowa Development consists of Sioux, Lyon, Osceola, O’Brien, Cherokee and Plymouth counties. However, Supervisor Don Kass voiced his concern over the fact the Northwest Iowa Development does not allow an elected official to serve on the executive committee. Kass said because of the money that Plymouth County is investing, he wants to see a Plymouth County government official serve on the executive committee of the Northwest Iowa Development. Kass says it should be a requirement in order to be accountable to the people of Plymouth County. Currently, Supervisor Jack Guenthner serves as a member of the Northwest Iowa Development Board of Directors, but is not on the executive committee. Neal Adler is the Plymouth County representative to the NWID executive committee. Kass did not want to pay the full dues amount without an elected official from Plymouth County to serve on the executive committee for the economic development organization. Supervisor Guenthner made the motion that Plymouth County pay its full share of dues to the development organization. A long pause occurred before Supervisor Mark Loutsch seconded Guenthner’s motion. When the vote was taken, the supervisors were split with Kass and Craig Anderson voting against the measure and Guenthner and Loutsch voting in favor of paying the full dues to the organization. Chairman Jim Henrich cast the deciding vote and sided with Guenthner and Loutsch.
Supervisors Approve Sub-division Development Proposal
(Le Mars) — In other action at the Supervisor meeting, the board heard from Plymouth County Planning and Zoning administrator, Alan Lucken. Lucken had shared a new development plan that was introduced to the County’s Planning and Zoning Commission. It is to be located in the southern most part of the county, near county road C-80, and would be a part of Sioux City. The supervisors approved the new sub-division development plan, but not before hearing from Jack Martin of Sioux City voice his concern over the drainage issue for the new development area. Martin, who mentioned he himself has invested in other development programs, was not against the development proposal, but rather could see some issues for when it would rain causing a load of water to drain in a small area which could cause some erosion concerns.
City Council Approves K-N-S Addition
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council held a public hearing during its meeting on Tuesday regarding the proposed K-N-S Addition which is to be located in the southern portion of town near 6th Avenue Southwest. The city’s planning and zoning board met on Monday to discuss the issue, and they approved the measure. City administrator Scott Langel explained some of the ordinances for the new proposed development.
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Councilwoman Irhke asked if the ordinance stipulated as to the type of species that would be allowed, and Langel confirmed her question. Councilman John Leonard then suggested the council consider changing the ordinance for future proposed developments, of which Langel agreed with the suggestion, and offered his comment to the council they should consider the change for all new developments, and not one by one as they appear before the council. Langel mentioned how trees planted within the area between the street and sidewalk can often times create problems for utility companies.
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The council did approve the final plat and proposal for the K-N-S addition, but for only on 13th Street.
Warren County Rejects Casino
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Voters have rejected a proposal that would have allowed casino gambling in south-central Iowa’s Warren County.
The Des Moines Register (https://dmreg.co/ZFMqzA) reports that unofficial results show more than 60 percent of voters rejected the measure.
Warren County Citizens for Good Jobs and Wild Rose Entertainment had proposed building a casino, hotel, events center and bowling alley in northwest Norwalk, near Iowa Highways 5 and 28.
The Register says state law now prohibits Warren County voters from considering another gambling bill before 2021.
Nearly a third of eligible voters in the county cast ballots on the question.
Jury To Deliberate Teen Killer’s Trial
CLARION, Iowa (AP) – A jury is scheduled to begin deliberations in the murder trial of an Osage teenager accused of shooting his mother to death.
The panel of seven women and five men will meet Wednesday morning in the Wright County Courthouse in Clarion to deliberate the trial of 14-year-old Noah Crooks. He is charged with
first-degree murder and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse in the March 24, 2012, killing of his 37-year-old mother, Gretchen.
The Mason City Globe Gazette reports (https://bit.ly/10nic91 ) the jury received the case Tuesday after closing arguments concluded. They selected a foreperson and went home.
A prosecutor says Noah was not insane during the shooting. Defense attorneys say Noah suffers from a disorder characterized by periods of extreme rage and violence.
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DNA Bill Goes To Branstad
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill that would require people convicted of certain aggravated misdemeanors to submit DNA samples now heads to the desk of Gov. Terry Branstad for review.
The Iowa House approved the Senate’s changes to the bill Tuesday on an 84 to 15 vote. The measure would require adults convicted of crimes like aggravated misdemeanor assault and theft to submit DNA samples to the federal DNA database.
Currently, only convicted felons and sexual offenders must submit samples.
The Senate changed the initial bill last week to exempt deferred judgment cases and misdemeanors related to hazardous waste, agricultural production and gambling. Traffic offenses are also exempt unless a person has three operating while intoxicated
convictions in 12 years.
The Senate passed a similar bill last year, but it died in the House
Public Schools Will Conduct Background Checks On All Employees
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Public school districts would be required to conduct background checks on all employees under a bill approved by the Iowa House.
The measure that unanimously passed Tuesday requires districts to pre-screen job applicants to see if they are listed on the state sex offender registry and registries for child abuse and dependent
adult abuse. That includes part-time and substitute employees.
Current law requires federal and state criminal checks for licensed teachers and state checks on bus drivers.
Under the measure, districts would recheck employees every five years after their hiring date.
Republican Rep. Megan Hess of Spencer amended the bill to require businesses to conduct criminal history and abuse registry checks on motorized food vendors, such as ice cream truck drivers.
The bill returns to the Senate for review.
Livestock Producers Have Easier Provisions To Downsize Operations
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa House has backed a bill making it easier for livestock producers to downsize, and the measure now goes to Gov. Terry Branstad.
In an 85 to 14 vote Tuesday, the House approved the bill that would allow livestock producers to close barns and be reclassified as small operations. Then they would no longer need to file plans
for manure disposal with the state.
Critics say the measure could allow farms to avoid environmental oversight. Supporters say the bill will help farmers who want to temporarily shutter some operations.
The proposal was amended in the Senate to require producers who want to store manure in idled barns to seek permission. The House voted on the measure for a second time to endorse the amendment and send it to Branstad.
Ames Teacher Wins EPA Award
AMES, Iowa (AP) – An Ames teacher is one of 11 educators nationally to win an EPA award for teaching environmental stewardship and civic responsibility in the classroom.
Ames High School science teacher Mike Todd gets $2,000 to further his professional development in environmental education. The school also gets $2,000 to help continue environmental
educational activities.
The Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators is given by the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency. Winners were announced Tuesday.
It recognizes teachers for integrating environmental education into their lessons and connecting students with their communities and the natural world.
Todd, a biology and environmental science teacher, has received $20,000 in grant funds over five years to buy equipment students use to monitor a local pond and manage a prairie.
