Buena Vista, Sac, And Calhoun Counties Deny Contributing To High Nitrate Levels
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The three rural Iowa counties targeted in a federal lawsuit by a Des Moines water utility have filed a response denying that they contribute to high nitrate levels in rivers.
Buena Vista, Calhoun and Sac counties submitted the response on May 22.
The lawsuit filed earlier this year says the three counties should be required to obtain federal water pollution discharge permits because they release nitrate pollutants into rivers much like regulated factories. The nitrate comes from fertilizer and manure from 1.2 million hogs and a million turkeys that is spread on the fields in the counties.
Water Works also seeks $900,000 it spent in 2013 and $540,000 this year to operate an expensive treatment system to remove nitrates from water.
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New Sioux City Park Is Dedicated
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Organizers of a long-planned Christian-themed park in Sioux City have dedicated the newly opened green space, thanks to private donations.
The Shepherd’s Garden has opened with plants, walkways, plaques bearing Bible verses and three crosses. It fills what had been an empty lot where an abandoned YWCA had once stood.
A dedication ceremony was held inside the neighboring First Presbyterian Church on Thursday. Representatives with The Shepherd’s Garden Foundation expressed gratitude to the more than 100 donors who funded the $900,000 project.
The group turned down a $140,000 state Vision Iowa grant last year after the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation complained. The group said awarding public money to a project intended for religious worship violated the U.S and Iowa constitutions.
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Trucking Firm Donates Police Body Cameras
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa trucking company founder’s donation of nearly $140,000 will go to help outfit Des Moines and Waukee police with body cameras.
Rod French, founder of Kenworth Mid-Iowa Inc., gave $14,000 to Waukee Police Chief John Quinn to equip the entire department with 18 cameras. He also donated $125,000 toward Des Moines’ goal of 250 cameras, which will cost $500,000 overall.
French said Friday that he wants police to know “we’re firmly behind them all the way.” He says the cameras could save lives.
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Council Bluffs Man Arrested For Stabbing
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A Council Bluffs man has been arrested, accused of stabbing another man in the back at a local homeless shelter.
The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil says 52-year-old Bernard Lucas is accused of stabbing 40-year-old Alphonso Wesley in the back three times at the Joshua House. Police say the attack occurred Thursday evening.
Police say both men are homeless and know each other. Police say they were in the sleeping area at Joshua House when Lucas allegedly pushed Wesley. Police say that as Wesley walked away, Lucas pulled out a folding knife and stabbed Wesley in the lower back.
Wesley was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
Lucas remained jailed Saturday on $25,000 bail and could not be reached for comment.
Blowtorch Burglaries
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Police have arrested an Iowa City man accused of using a blowtorch to cut locks in two separate burglaries.
30-year-old Brent Matthew Lothridge was arrested Thursday. Police say he entered a construction site on May 8 and used a blowtorch to cut into a tool chest. More than $7,500 worth of tools were stolen from the site, and police say the tools were later found in Lothridge’s truck. Police also say April 21st surveillance video from local store showed Lothridge using a blowtorch to cut into a donation lock box that held only $5.
The blowtorch caused $560 worth of damage.
Lothridge is charged with theft and other counts. He was being held Saturday at the Muscatine County Jail on $10,000 bail.
Jeb Bush Says Senator Rand Paul Is Wrong On Patriot Act
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush says Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul is “wrong” on his efforts to cause post-Sept. 11 surveillance laws used against suspected spies and terrorists to expire.
Bush said at a Tennessee Republican Party fundraiser in Nashville on Saturday called for the reauthorization of the Patriot Act enacted under the presidency of his older brother George W. Bush.
Jeb Bush, a likely Republican presidential candidate, said he most admires his brother because “he kept us safe” during his presidency. Bush said he does not consider the collection of domestic phone metadata a violation of civil rights.
Bush declined to respond to Paul recently blaming foreign policy hawks in his own party for the rise of the Islamic State group, saying he wanted to “stay out of trouble.”
Wisconsin Governor Standing Firm Against Abortion
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is standing firm on recent comments about abortion and ultrasounds in the face of criticism.
Asked by a New Hampshire woman during a 2-day swing through the early voting state, Walker defended a Wisconsin law that requires doctors to conduct ultrasounds before performing abortions. Speaking about abortion on a talk radio show recently, Walker touted the law, then said ultrasounds are “just a cool thing out there.”
He said in his Concord stop: “I’m pro-life, but if someone’s pro-choice don’t you want an informed choice?”
Walker says his decision to hold firm on his stance despite criticism is an important quality for a future president.
His trip to New Hampshire also includes speaking slots at two county Republican party events.
Maryland Governor O’Malley Visits Iowa After Declaring Himself A Presidential Candidate
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – Martin O’Malley promptly brought his Democratic presidential campaign to Iowa, offering himself to voters in the leadoff caucus state as a leader who will create jobs and opportunity. He announced his bid for the presidency earlier in the day in Baltimore.
O’Malley spoke to more than 50 people crowded into a union hall in Davenport Saturday afternoon. He touted his record as governor of Maryland and mayor of Baltimore, talking about raising the minimum wage and investing in education.
O’Malley has made several appearances in Iowa this year, has two paid staffers in the state and plans to add more. He made four trips last year and dispatched 14 staffers to work on state campaigns. He was scheduled to speak in Des Moines later in the day.
O’Malley supporters hope Iowa can help him become the main alternative to front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton.
