(Cherokee) — Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has released the identity of the ice fisherman that died Wednesday afternoon after falling through the ice on a rural pond near Cherokee. 66-year old Michael R Halder of Cherokee was recovered from the water and pronounced dead at the scene. Dive teams from Buena Vista County and Plymouth County assisted with the recovery of Halder’s body. Other assistance at the scene was provided by Cherokee Fire Department, Aurelia Fire Department, Cherokee Emergency Management, Cherokee Police Department, Cherokee Regional Medical Center and Wings Rescue.
Property Taxes Now Due
(Le Mars) –– Plymouth County Treasurer, Shelly Sitzmann, reminds property owners that Property taxes are now due. Real Estate and Mobile Home taxes can be paid in the office, online, or through the mail. Taxes must be paid by March 31st. They are delinquent April 1, 2022.
Mail must be postmarked on or before March 31st to avoid penalty.
ONLINE PAYMENT is a convenient option. This can be done by e-check or credit card at www.iowatreasurers.org. Using your credit card online does incur a service fee. However, paying by e-check online costs only 25¢ — which is less than the cost of a postage stamp.
You also have the convenient option online to schedule payments that fit your situation…..monthly, weekly, even semi-annually.
Online payment of taxes can be done up until midnight on March 31, 2022 without penalty. Delinquent interest will begin online at 12:00am on April 1st.
Anyone who needs information on property taxes can contact the Plymouth County Treasurer’s office at 546-7056.
Taylor And Wheeler To Hold Legislative Town Hall Meetings
(Sioux Center) — Republican State Senator, Jeff Taylor will hold town hall meetings today with State House Representative Skylar Wheeler. The two Sioux County Republican lawmakers will be at Sioux Center public library between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. The state legislators will be at the basement of the Orange City Public Library from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. From 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Taylor and Wheeler will appear at the Rock Valley city hall at the city council chambers. The meetings are open to the public.
Pheasants Forever To Hold Annual Banquet Saturday Evening
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Pheasants Forever chapter will hold its annual banquet this evening at Century Hall located at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. with social hour, followed by the meal to be served at 6:00 p.m. and the annual auction to get started at around 7:00 p.m. Pheasants Forever president, Bob Puetz highlights this evening’s banquet.
Tickets are selling for $60 for members and $20 for spouses.
(pheasant photograph courtesy of Don Poggensee)
Summit Carbon Solutions Holds Media Conference To Tell Its Side Of Story About Proposed Carbon Dioxide Pipeline
(Sioux Center) — Summit Carbon Solutions is one of three proposed pipelines to cross Iowa to transport compressed carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to an underground storage facility in North Dakota. Summit Carbon Solutions held a news media conference Friday morning at the Siouxland Energy Cooperative, an ethanol plant located west of Sioux Center. Jim Pirolli, the Chief Commercial Officer with Summit Carbon Solutions says Summit Carbon Solutions have three main reasons for proposing a pipeline to cross the state of Iowa.
Pirolli says Summit has already contracted with 31 ethanol plants to transport the carbon to the underground storage facility in North Dakota. Included are the Siouxland Energy Cooperative of Sioux Center, Little Sioux Corn Processors of Marcus, and the Plymouth Energy ethanol plant at Merrill. Pirolli says Summit will capture a large percentage of the carbon dioxide that normally will go into the atmosphere, and thus reducing the carbon footprint, and improving the climate.
There has been a great deal of opposition, especially in northwest Iowa, to the proposed carbon dioxide pipelines. However, Pirolli claims that when landowners are given the opportunity to listen to Summit’s ideas, they are supportive of the plans.
The Summit Carbon Solutions executive says the pipeline would be dug and placed beneath any drainage tile, or other underground utilities.
Congressional Support Growing For Ending Imports Of Russian Oil
(Washington, DC) — Congressional support from both parties is growing for ending U-S imports of Russian oil. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says this country “shouldn’t be purchasing any oil from Russia while Putin’s actively – illegally – invading a sovereign nation.” The petroleum industry estimates about three-percent of U-S crude oil imports come from Russia. Hinson says reliance on Russian oil will continue to drive up gas prices. The Iowa Republican says it is time to ramp up U-S crude oil output. Congressional Republicans are calling for energy-related sanctions against Russia.
Iowa Supreme Court Rejects Appeal Filed For Man Convicted Of Sex Crime
(Des Moines, IA) — Attorneys for an Iowa man convicted of a sex crime say the judge in his case should have held a competency hearing for him. Dantreon Newman was 22 years old when he was arrested in Des Moines in 2019. A 13-year-old girl told investigators that he forced her to have sex with him in an abandoned apartment. The Iowa Supreme Court has rejected an appeal filed on Newman’s behalf. The state court ruled he was competent at the time of his trial, he had a lucid conversation with the judge about his guilty plea, and he appreciated the consequences of that plea.
Man Injured In Sunday Fire In Davenport Dies
(Davenport, IA) — Authorities say a 59-year-old man who was injured in a Sunday fire in Davenport has died. The Davenport Fire Department says an autopsy will be done on Gordon Dobbs’ body. The fire is still being investigated. K-W-Q-C Television reports firefighters had rescued Dobbs from a window in the vacant building that was on fire. He was taken to a local hospital, then later airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Authorities say no other victims were found. Dobbs’ death was reported Thursday.
Domestic Abuse Suspect Tasered To End 4-Hour Standoff
(Center Point, IA) — Authorities in Linn County say a domestic abuse suspect was tasered Thursday to end a four-hour standoff. C-B-S-2-Iowa Television reports a woman has been hospitalized for treatment of the injuries she suffered during the alleged domestic incident. Authorities were called when she showed up at an emergency room seeking medical help. Deputies say they arrived at the home in Center Point to find 38-year-old Edgar Gafford barricaded inside. He refused to talk to deputies and – at one point – tried to escape the house through a basement window.
Jeneary Journal
Greetings from the Statehouse,
It is a great week to be an Iowan. Governor Kim Reynolds signed historic tax cuts on Tuesday which provided a tax cut for all Iowans. This bill gives every Iowan with a tax cut putting the state income tax rate at 3.9%, flat and fair. Then later Tuesday evening, Governor Reynolds addressed the nation in response to President Biden’s State of the Union. She was able to share our success story.
The tax cuts that were discussed last week are now law. Governor Reynolds signed the historic bill which will put more money in your pocket. This is a tax cut for all Iowans. The 3.9% flat tax rate will put Iowa at the 4th lowest tax rate in the country. This new law further exempts retirement income from being subject to the state income tax. All people are paying the same rate, and everyone is paying less than what they paid prior to this historic law.
This tax plan ensures that our government is properly funded for the foreseeable future. It ensures everyone pays their share and not a penny more. I would like to express gratitude to my colleagues in the House of Representatives and Senate along with Governor Reynolds’ leadership for their hard work to make this happen.
This week, Iowa House Republicans passed HF 2298. This bill forbids licensed child care centers, elementary, secondary, or postsecondary schools from requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for enrollment. Iowans have been concerned about their children being required to take a COVID-19 vaccine. The House stood on the side of parental choice with this bill. Parents know what is best for their children, and this will empower them to be able to choose the best education for their children without having to worry about a mandated vaccination for enrollment.
Another top priority this session is addressing the workforce crisis. This week the House passed two bills to grant parents access to affordable child care. House File 2127 allows parents to pay the difference between Child Care Assistance (CCA) rates and the rates charged to families who do not receive CCA. This bill will allow flexibility between parents and child care providers to help raise the income of child care providers, and it will allow more providers to accept CCA. We also passed House File 2198. This allows 16 and 17-year-olds to provide child care to school-aged children in a child care center without supervision. This bill can help fill the workforce gap facing our child care industry. This is not a requirement, but an additional option for our child care providers. Many 16-year-olds are more than capable of caring for school-aged children, and it will permit them to gain valuable experience at a young age.
This session we will be sending another historic bill to the governor’s desk. The Senate has agreed to protect women’s sports. Girl’s deserve the chance to play sports just as anyone else, and this bill provides that level of protection. Nationwide biological men have been dominating women’s sports which has belittled the game and been an insult to competition. That should not happen here in Iowa, and it will never happen in Iowa. Thank you to all who have reached out to me and other legislators to ensure this bill passed. This was a controversial topic, but your support played an integral part to bring this vote to the floor. I proudly voted yes.
Governor Reynolds’ leadership was on display this week as she addressed our nation that is going through difficult times. She proudly spoke about our tax cut, our persistent support of law enforcement, getting kids back in the class room and empowering parents in education, responsible budgetary practices, and most importantly defending your liberty. Governor Reynolds likes to say “Believe in Iowans, and Iowans will not let you down.” It is by the effort of Iowans like you that we are able to be such a powerful example of liberty to the nation.
I mentioned earlier in the session that I planned to run for re-election. This week I filed with the Secretary of State to begin my campaign for the 2022 election. I hope that I have earned your vote from my hard work and voting record.
As always, if there are any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at my email: tom.jeneary@legis.iowa.gov.
Taylor Times
The Taylor Times by Senator Jeff Taylor 3-4-22
Week Eight of the Legislature was busy but exciting. We watched the governor sign historic tax relief into law and then watched her tell Iowa’s story on a national stage. We passed common-sense bills to help Iowans and met with constituents on things that are important to them, including biofuels and community colleges.
It was fun to be at a watch party in Des Moines, on Tuesday night, to view Governor Kim Reynolds deliver the Republican response to President Biden’s State of the Union address. She did a great job explaining how Iowa is a national leader in pandemic recovery, personal freedoms, and parental rights. She recognized the pain families feel due to rising inflation and called out the president for decisions that cause Americans to face such high costs for day-to-day living. We are proud of Governor Reynolds for representing Iowa and giving our nation an example of quality leadership.
One of the bills the Senate passed this week was Senate File 2022, which passed unanimously. This bill allows individuals with a cosmetology or barbering license to practice at any location requested by a customer and expands options for mobile salons. This was a freedom-based piece of legislation that removes a governmental burden for individuals who are taking initiative to work and meet the needs of their clients.
We also debated Senate File 2356, which authorizes individuals with proper credentials to serve without compensation as substitute teachers. This bill gives individuals the freedom to donate their time in meeting the needs of their community. It is another tool to help address the workforce shortage and support our schools.
Historic Tax Relief Signed into Law
Tuesday was a day to remember as Governor Reynolds signed House File 2317, this year’s historic tax relief bill, into law. A central goal of ours this year has been tax reform, motivated not only by billions of dollars in overpayments by Iowans but also by a desire to make the state more competitive with neighboring states as a place to live and retire.
Although the tax bill of 2018 took a big step in cutting income tax rates, it was just getting a foot in the door in comparison to other states. With its 3.9% flat tax for all Iowans, HF 2317 takes the next step for the state.
Protecting Athletic Opportunities for Iowa Girls
Wednesday I gave my first floor debate speech of the 2022 session, in support of House File 2416, legislation that says, in regard to a non-coed team context, girls should be competing against other girls in K-12 athletics and women should be competing against other women in college athletics. I backed the bill because I believe in the integrity of female sports, honest application of Title IX, and fairness during competition.
The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association and some school districts have asked for guidance on the issue of boys who identify as girls (“transgender”) participating in sports with biological girls. For the past five years, the Iowa Senate has not shied away from difficult issues and this time was no different. HF passed on a vote of 31-17.
Physiological differences between boys and girls, between men and women, are significant. Men typically have more testosterone, lung capacity, and other physical advantages to give them a substantial competitive edge. Evidence of these advantages is clear in differences between winning race times for males and females in sports like track and swimming. These differences are why boys and girls sports have been separated for so many years. Girls competing against other girls ensures a level playing field. It keeps them safer and ensures their hard work is rewarded with a fair and equal opportunity to succeed.
Surrounded by female athletes, Governor Reynolds signed the bill into law the next day. I was glad to be present for the ceremony. I had an opportunity to thank the governor afterwards, as she and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg were leaving.
