NEW STATE VETERANS LAWS
The Plymouth County Veterans Affairs Director briefed the Board of Supervisors concerning new Iowa laws affecting veterans.
Jim Jones summarized the affects of these new laws on Iowa veterans. One change modifies the definition of veteran, so state and federal definitions are the same. This allows Iowa veterans to more easily qualify for VA benefits.
Several other laws are aimed at qualifications for Veterans Commissioners and County Veterans Officers. For example, A new law is aimed at improving the skills of county veterans affairs officers. It provides for a Service School to be held for county Veterans Commissioners, and one for county Veteran Services officers.
Another rule change allows for burial expenses to be paid by the county in which a person resides.
TORNADO STRIKES SHELDON
The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls says that a tornado caused damage near Sheldon yesterday. At 4:16 p.m., there was a report of damage from strong winds. These winds caused several recreation vehicles to be flipped at an RV dealer’s lot. A roof was also torn off a machine shed. The Weather Service later said the damage was caused by a brief tornado. Other reports indicated winds of 61 miles per hour at the Sioux County Regional Airport near Maurice.
IOWA AG FOUND PROBLEMS IN STATE VICTIM SERVICES
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says a 17-month-long review has found serious problems in state services for crime victims. Bird says she was shocked to learn the system to notify victims when a protective order is being served or is about to expire was terminated in 2019 by her predecessor, Democrat Tom Miller. Bird has hired a coordinator to revive the system and she’s doubling the pay for trained nurses who conduct sexual assault exams. Shortly after Bird took office in 2023 she stopped reimbursement for emergency contraception for sex abuse victims. She has ordered all prescriptions for Plan B — the so called “morning after” — be paid, but abortions for sexual assault victims will no longer be covered.
T-MOBILE TO ACQUIRE USCELLULAR’S ASSETS
There’s change ahead for Iowans who’re U-S Cellular customers. Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports.
There are currently 70 T-Mobile “stores” in Iowa and the company is acquiring all of U-S Cellular’s stores in the state. T-Mobile started as a regional carrier in the Pacific northwest. In 2017, T-Mobile acquired i-Wireless operations in Iowa, western Illinois and eastern Nebraska. T-Mobile is currently the country’s third largest cell phone carrier, behind AT&T and Verizon.
IOWA HOSTS FREE FISHING WEEKEND IN JUNE
If you’ve never tried fishing before, you can give it a whirl next weekend as part of the state’s annual free fishing weekend, June 7th through the 9th. D-N-R conservation officer Nate Carr says it’s a wonderful pastime, plus, you might catch dinner. Carr says the weekend is free for all Iowa residents and you don’t need a fishing license. Some Iowa law enforcement agencies are sponsoring “Cops and Bobbers” fishing events for kids and their families during the weekend.
NW IA SHERIFF ADOPTS CRITICALLY INJURED DOG HE HELPED RESCUE
Cherokee County Sheriff Derek Scott has adopted a critically injured dog he helped rescue in late March. A woman called the sheriff’s office for help after spotting the injured dog in a ditch on a county road near Quimby. The dog was taken to a vet clinic in Cherokee, then transferred to an animal rescue service in Sioux City called Noah’s Hope.
The dog’s leg had to be amputated. Animal shelter staff decided to name the dog Derek in honor of the sheriff who drove him to Sioux City for treatment, then the sheriff and his wife decided to adopt the dog. The Scotts have two other dogs in the house…. And cats.
