Governor Reynolds Signs Broadband Bill Into Law
(Des Moines) –Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed into law a bipartisan plan for awarding grants to companies that expand broadband in Iowa.
The bill passed the House and Senate unanimously. Most of the companies getting these grants must provide broadband service that has upload and download speeds of 100 megabits per second, although companies planning to extend slower speed internet access to sparsely populated areas could qualify.
Legislators and the governor have agreed to set aside 100 million dollars in state money for the broadband grants. Reynolds expects to use at least 50 million dollars in federal pandemic relief money to reach her overall 150 million dollar goal.
Reynolds calls the plan a response to a glaring need.
Reynolds signed the bill in the Iowa Capitol rotunda in front of a large group of legislators. She plans to ask the legislature to provide another 150 million in state funds to the broadband grant program in each of the next two years. The program requires businesses that get the grants to make a matching
investment in a broadband project.
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(photo courtesy of Radio Iowa.)
Jeneary Says Investment For State-wide Broadband Internet Is A Good Investment
(Des Moines) — State Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars witnessed the signing of the broadband bill by Governor Reynolds during a ceremony held this (Wednesday) morning at the state capitol building. The Republican House member says the move is a big investment for the state, but he says it is an
important investment that is well worth it.
The state legislature was to have ended its session this coming Friday, April 30th. However, according to Jeneary it now appears it may extend until the end of next week. Jeneary says there are several bills in which the House and the Senate are far apart, more negotiations are needed before a compromise will be reached. One of those bills is the property tax reform bill which
would affect the way mental health is funded.
Jeneary says another road block in the state legislature deals with removing the provisions involving tax cuts based upon the growth of the state’s economy.
City Work Crews To Close 1st Avenue SW For Repairs
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Street Department will be closing 1st Avenue southwest just south of 12th Street southwest starting on Thursday at around 7:00 a.m. due to some street repairs. City officials hope the work will be completed and the street to re-open on Friday, May 7th with weather permitting.
Le Mars Community School Features Video Presentation Of Foundation School Awards Program
(Le Mars) — In lieu of holding the traditional Le Mars Community School Foundation and Le Mars Community School Alumni Association annual awards banquet, the school district has produced a video program which will be featured online. The program will showcase the 2021 Teacher of the Year, Distinguished Alum, Faculty and staff members with 25 years of service to the Le Mars Community School District, and the top five percent of the 2021 graduating class. The video was produced by the Le Mars Community Video Media class. The video will be available for viewing, beginning today, Wednesday,
April 28th and will remain active for several days. According to school officials, the video presentation is approximately 30 minutes in length. This year’s Teacher of the Year and recipient of the “Crystal Bell Award” is High School vocal music instructor, Randy Ewing. Alan Marty from the class of 1974 has been selected as the Le Mars Community School Alumni Association
Distinguished Alum. Six people will be recognized for their 25 years of service to the school district. They include: Kelly Collins, Renee Glenn, Eileen Harringa, Kay Michaelson, Karen Pitts, and Marlyn Renken. Ten students have achieved the distinction of being among the top five percent of the class. They include: Collin Boehmer, Ethan Hulinsky, Samantha Schiefern,
Kutter Wright, Luke Geitz, Alexander Meier, Brayden Schmidt, Bailey Goodman, Caroline Meis, and Kaden Wingert. To access the awards program video, go to the school’s website at www.LeMarscsd.org.
Lawmakers Send Governor Bill Targeting Financial Exploitation of Dependent Adults
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa legislature is sending the governor a bill to give investment advisors some legal protection for reporting suspicions that someone who cannot manage their own finances is being fleeced. Senator Tim Kraayenbrink of Fort Dodge said, “it defines financial exploitation as wrongfully depriving eligible persons of assets, properties, etc.” The
proposal is patterned after laws in 27 other states. It outlines when financial advisors can delay transactions if they suspect it’s not in the best interest of a dependent adult. Advisors who report suspicious financial activity to authorities would be shielded from lawsuits. Representative Jon Jacobsen of Council Bluffs read from a Boston College paper that said, “a 2018
report by the U-S (Securities and Exchange Commission) estimated 90 percent older adults who suffer financial abuse are exploited by trusted individuals such as neighbors, care providers, church officials or family members.”
Body Pulled From Iowa River in Iowa Falls
(Iowa Falls, IA) — The Iowa Falls Police Department says crews pulled the body of a man from the Iowa River. Authorities received a report of a man in distress after jumping into the river Tuesday night near the Washington Avenue Bridge. Searchers recovered the man’s body about three-and-a-half hours
later. The man was dead at the scene. His name hasn’t been released. Volunteers assisted Hardin County authorities with boats and sonar equipment.
Iowa Man Accused in US Capitol Attack Jailed in Washington, DC
(Washington, DC) — An Iowa man accused in the January 6th attack on the U-S Capitol in now in federal custody in Washington, D-C. Thirty-seven-year-old Kyle Young of Redfield faces a dozen charges including civil disorder, assault on an officer and robbery. New court records show photos of Young and his son entering the tunnel of the Capitol during the breach. Documents also alleged that Young used a strobe light on a police officer and threw an object at law enforcement. A Capitol police officer claims that Young tried to take his gun.
Mason City Man Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Shooting
(Mason City, IA) — A Mason City man is pleading not guilty in the shooting death of another man on March 31st. Thirty-eight-year-old Benjamin Gonzalez is charged with the first-degree murder of 36-year-old Michael Creviston.
Gonzalez was arrested after a standoff with police in Algona. Prosecutors say Gonzalez fire his gun with premeditation and hit Creviston in the torso. His trial is set for July 13th. Gonzalez remains jailed on one-million dollars bond.
