Sioux County Authorities Investigate Vandalism To Dakota Access Pipeline
(Orange City) — The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two reports of vandalism to the Dakota Access Pipeline. The two locations are just south of Hospers. During the prior 24 hours, someone had apparently attempted to burn
holes into the above ground valves at these two locations. Deputies responded and secured both locations. The F-B-I was contacted and is conducting the investigation of the incidents in Sioux County, as well as similar incidents in South Dakota and Iowa. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity near any of the pipeline sites. If anyone has information regarding the damage to the pipeline, they should contact the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office or send an anonymous tip through to the Text-A-Tip program.
Representative Holz Introduces Bill In Iowa House
(Des Moines) — Republican State Representative Chuck Holz introduced a bill in the Iowa House on Wednesday. Holz says the bill deals with the Iowa Finance Authority, and the annual rent subsidy program. He says he wanted to see changes to the law as to how often qualified people would need to sign up for
the subsidies.
Holz says the qualifications for people would be based upon Medicare income.
Holz says he is uncertain as to whether the Iowa Senate has a companion bill dealing with the same topic. Earlier this week Representative Holz was honored
with the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee’s “Outstanding Service to Agriculture” award. Holz spoke to KLEM news about how appreciative he is for receiving the recognition.
Iowa Senate Reduces The Number Of Days To Vote
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Senate Republicans have amended a voter identification bill to reduce the number of early voting days.
Lawmakers voted 26-21 Thursday in support of the bill. It includes a provision to reduce early voting before a general election from 40 days to 29 days.
The bill also would require people to show acceptable identification at the polls. The state would send identification to people who need it.
Democrats have argued the bill would make it harder for people to vote, and reducing early voting would prevent even more people from participating. GOP Sen. Roby Smith, of Davenport, says 29 days gives people enough time to vote.
The House passed a similar bill without the early voting language. They will have to vote again now that the Senate has approved the measure.
Lawmaker Wants To Investigate Human Services Department
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Republican lawmaker who leads a legislative oversight committee says he’s launching an investigation into how Iowa handles child protective services following the October death of a 16-year-old girl.
Rep. Bobby Kaufmann announced Thursday the House Government Oversight Committee will question the Iowa Department of Human Services on how it handles child placement, including abuse allegations.
Kaufmann says the effort is inspired by the death of Natalie Finn, a West Des Moines teenager. A Democratic lawmaker who has met with state officials says the girl was starved to death. The girl had been involved in the state’s foster care and adoption program.
Kaufmann says he wants DHS to attend hearings, but the questions will not be specific to Natalie’s case.
Gov. Terry Branstad and Republican lawmakers have criticized Senate Democrats for launching an informal investigation into child protective services.
Officials for DHS and Branstad say they support an effort by lawmakers to learn about the state’s child welfare system.
Democrat Lawmaker Announces He Will Run For Governor
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Democratic state lawmaker has filed paperwork to consider running for Iowa governor in 2018.
Rep. Todd Prichard of Charles City announced Thursday that he’s formed an exploratory committee for the upcoming gubernatorial race.
Prichard, an attorney and veteran, says in a press release that he’s considering a run because he disagrees with the current Republican administration’s efforts on jobs and wages.
One Democrat, former Iowa Department of Natural Resources director Rich Leopold, already has announced a run for governor.
Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds is widely expected to launch a formal gubernatorial campaign. Records show she has more than $1 million in campaign funds. If Gov. Terry Branstad is confirmed by the U.S. Senate as ambassador to China, Reynolds will be sworn in as governor.
Siouxland Garden Show This Weekend
(Sioux City) — You know that spring can’t be too far away when the Siouxland Garden Show is happening. The 11th annual Siouxland Garden Show takes place today and tomorrow at the Sioux City Convention Center. Molly Hewitt, Woodbury
County Director of Iowa State University Extension, who co-sponsors the event, says the theme this year is “Grow With Us”.
More than 50 vendors will be at the show and Hewitt says there are a lot of “hands-on” demonstrations and “Make and Take” projects.
Admission is five dollars a person with ages 12 and younger, admitted for free.
The hours of the garden show are from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, and 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.
DCI Helping To Investigate Death Of Two Boone People
BOONE, Iowa (AP) – State agents are helping local officers investigate the deaths of two people whose bodies were found inside a home in Boone.
The Boone Police Department says someone called around 10 p.m. Wednesday to report a dead person. Officers found the second body after entering the home.
Authorities haven’t released the names of the two people or said how the two died. Autopsies have been ordered. Neighbors say a woman and her son lived in the home.
Leath To Leave Iowa State For Auburn
UNDATED (AP) – Despite some impressive achievements, Iowa State University President Steven Leath mixed personal, political and professional interests in ways that could land him in hot water. Leath has been named the next Auburn University president, and he’s known as a prolific fundraiser and engaging academic. His 5 1/2-year tenure at Iowa State included booming enrollment and growth but also scandals that involved questionable business dealings and travel.