AKRON POOL
Ground was broken this week on a project to build a new aquatic center for the city of Akron. City administrator Dan Rolfes says the city has had a swimming pool since 1954, but it had to be torn down last year, leaving them without a pool for this year.
Realizing that they had to replace their old pool, Akron residents have been carrying on fundraisers for a new pool for the past couple of decades, but the fundraising intensified about seven years ago.
Fundraisers are ongoing, but Rolfes says they are now looking forward to a new facility that will be much more than just a swimming pool.
Rolfes says it’s important for Akron to have a cool place to go in the summer.
The 3.2 million dollar aquatic center is to be ready for use in June of next year. Fundraising and appeals for donations continue. The city of Akron will be providing some of the financing, and they’ve applied for a CAT grant from Iowa Economic Development.
CARBON PIPELINE
One of the carbon pipeline companies routing a line through Iowa says it has agreement from nearly 40 percent of the landowners along the route. The pipeline would stretch almost 670 miles across the state on its way to North Dakota – where the captured carbon from Midwest ethanol plants would be stored underground. A spokesperson for Summit Carbon Solutions says the goal is to start construction by next year and be in operation by 2024. Their lines in northwest Iowa would extend through Woodbury, Plymouth, Sioux, Lyon, Cherokee and O’Brien Counties. Two other companies are working on similar projects that would affect parts of eastern Iowa.
PROPANE SHORTAGES
The head of the nation’s largest agricultural cooperative is encouraging Iowa farmers to prepare for liquid propane shortages this fall. C-H-S C-E-O Jay Debertin says the foreign export market for propane has grown by leaps and bounds.
He says farmers can’t afford to wait until they know with certainty what propane drying needs are going to be at harvest.
Debertin is more confident about fall fertilizer supplies but says prices could remain elevated.
CHS has retail operations in more than 450 communities in 16 states serving more than 140,000 customers.
POLITICS AND JOB APPLICANTS
A University of Iowa study finds businesses that take public stands on political issues may drive away potential job applicants who don’t share the same views. Chad Van Iddekinge, a U-I professor of management and entrepreneurship, says when a corporation makes a statement on topics ranging from abortion to gun control, it’ll impact public perception.
With “Help Wanted” signs hanging in so many windows, companies may have to walk a fine line on social issues. If they don’t take a stand, they may be seen as insensitive, but if they do pick sides, they may turn off potential employees.
As part of the research, people were asked if they’d consider applying for jobs at six major companies. Three are identified as being more conservative, Home Depot, State Farm Insurance and Exxon Mobil, and three are more politically progressive corporations, Apple, Facebook and Google.
In one part of the study, people were asked to identify the political leanings of the six companies. Van Iddekinge says they were more accurate in identifying the liberal-leaning organizations which, he suggests, means there’s more awareness of the political stances of those organizations and less awareness of those that are more conservative.
SIOUX CITY SENTENCING
A Sioux City man convicted of killing a 19-month-old girl will be sentenced next month. Tayvon Davis was found guilty of first-degree murder, plus several counts of child endangerment. reports Davis will return to the Woodbury County District courtroom for sentencing August 26th. He faces an automatic sentence of life without parole for first-degree murder and an additional 50 years for each child endangerment count.
RED FLAG LAW
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller is calling on the Iowa Legislature to support a “red flag” law that he says would help reduce gun violence. Red flag laws involve reporting concerns to the police who can temporarily take a gun away from someone. Miller, a Democrat, says such laws work and that Iowa should take advantage of 750 million dollars allocated to states to develop and implement red-flag laws. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, says adding another law doesn’t end the problem. She points out that Illinois has a red flag law in place and people were still killed by a gunman in the July Fourth Highland Park shooting.
