Le Mars City Council To Hold Special Meeting To Vote On City Employee Collective Bargaining Contract
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council will hold a special meeting scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 30th to be held at the city council chambers. There will only be one item on the agenda, and that is to approve the Le Mars city employee bargaining unit contract.
There Could Be a Push to Ban Smoking in Iowa Casinos Next Year
(Des Moines, IA) — Smoking has been banned in public places in Iowa since 2008, but there’s been an exception that has allowed smoking in the gaming areas of Iowa casinos. Democratic Senator Janet Petersen of Des Moines notes the state’s tribal casinos and some state-licensed casinos temporarily moved to ban smoking to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Petersen says that may be one silver lining of the pandemic and “it is time for the legislature to just put that policy in place.” She chaired the Iowa House Commerce Committee in 2008 and led the effort to pass the Iowa Smokefree Act. But Iowa Gaming Association C-E-O Wes Ehrecke says “casinos probably have some of the best filtration and ventilation systems around. We have to accommodate both smokers and non-smokers in a very acceptable and quality indoor environment and we do that.” Ehrecke claims it’s not a workplace safety issue — and he says adults should be allowed to make adult decisions in adult venues.
Dickinson County Supervisors Oppose Eminent Domain For Carbon Pipelines
(Spirit Lake, IA) — Another county in northwest Iowa opposes the use of eminent domain to build two carbon dioxide pipelines. Dickinson County Supervisor Steve Clark said Tuesday that he’s not against the pipelines going in, but he is against landowners being forced by eminent domain to have the lines run through their property. The Dickinson County board voted unanimously to send a letter to the state opposing the use of eminent domain. The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors also told the Iowa Utilities Board that it should be up to landowners to decide if they want the carbon pipelines on their property. Ex-Governor Terry Branstad is lobbying for the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline.
Charles City Woman Charged in Drunken Driving Crash That Killed Mason City Couple
(Charles City, IA) — A Charles City woman is charged in a September drunken driving crash that left two people from Mason City dead. Floyd County prosecutors say 28-year-old Casey Jo Lindahl is facing two counts of homicide by vehicle operating under the influence. State troopers said Lindahl had a blood alcohol content nearly twice the legal limit when she crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a vehicle, killing 77-year-old Chris Andersen and 76-yeaar-old Anita Andersen. Lindahl and her three-year-old son were hurt in the crash. She has her first court hearing on Monday.
Teen Arrested For Ankeny Crash and House Fire
(Ankeny, IA) — A teen is under arrest for a car crash that caused a house fire last week in Ankeny. records show 18-year-old Miguel Reyes crashed into a home December 20th and the house caught fire. Reyes is charged with several counts including willful injury causing serious injury and leaving the scene of an injury accident. The home was destroyed by fire and the homeowner was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
