PLYWOOD TRAIL UPDATE
The Plywood Trail Foundation says the trail between Le Mars and Merrill is now open. Ryan Schaap, Executive Director of the Foundation, says a ribbon cutting for this Phase I of the project was scheduled for last fall, but circumstances beyond their control prevented completion. Now that the trail is open to cyclists, runners and walkers, they do not intend to host an official opening, as the trail is already in use. There are some pieces of work that remain to be completed on this segment this spring.
Schaap says Phase 3, which extends from Sioux City to Hinton, is under construction. It is complete to Harness Road. Project completion is expected next year.
Phase 2, from Hinton to Merrill, is under development. The Foundation applied for an Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program grant, but were not awarded any funds. They are currently applying for a Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program grant. The Foundation will also begin fundraising this summer.
HARMS FOUND GUILTY BY PLYMOUTH COUNTY JURY
A Plymouth County jury Friday found Reese Harms of Le Mars guilty of second degree murder and attempted murder in the death of Michael Gomez of Merrill. The jury deliberated less than three hours before returning the verdict, which was announced by District Court Judge Patrick Stott in Plymouth County District Court. Sentencing will take place on May 2. The maximum sentence for 2nd degree murder in Iowa is not more than 50 years in prison. Maximum sentence for attempted murder is 25 years in prison. Both sentences require a mandatory minimum of 70% of the prison term.
BILL REMOVES REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT FOR DENTAL ASSISTANTS
An Iowa House committee has unanimously approved a bill that would remove the requirement that dental assistants register with the Iowa Board of Dentistry. Representative Thomas Jeneary of Le Mars is a retired dentist.
Representative Josh Turek of Council Bluffs says none of the states that surround Iowa require dental assistants to register with the state board that oversees dentists.
The license fee for dental assistants is 40 dollars per year. The annual fee is 20 dollars higher for dental assistants with additional training to do X-rays.
GOP LAWMAKERS RELEASE PLAN FOR MASSIVE PROPERTY TAX OVERHAUL
Republican lawmakers have introduced a property tax reform bill which they say would be the biggest property tax overhaul in nearly 50 years. The plan calls for removing the current series of property tax credits the state finances. The state could then increase annual funding to schools by 400 million dollars. This would lower the amount of taxes property owners pay to their local school district by that amount. The bill caps property valuation increases at two percent. New construction would raise the value of a property. The bill also ends the rollback that controls the amount of property tax revenue raised each year. Critics say the current system has given Iowa’s growing cities an advantage, while penalizing property owners in small towns.
LIST INDICATING CLOSED FEDERAL BUILDINGS VANISHES
Two federal office buildings in Iowa are no longer on a list of facilities deemed not essential to government functions — and the list itself has vanished. The General Services Administration on Tuesday issued a list of more than 400 properties owned by the federal government that could be sold. The Neal Smith Federal Building in Des Moines and the federal building in Iowa City were on the list. National media organizations are reporting the number of buildings on the list began to dwindle. The agency removed the list from its website on Wednesday. An online message now says another list is coming soon as the agency identifies vacant or underutilized space.
WEEKEND VIGIL IN SIOUX CITY REMEMBERS VICTIM OF 1992 COLD CASE MURDER
Family and friends plan to gather in Sioux City tonight to highlight the unsolved murder of a Native American woman more than 30 years ago. Lori Ann DeCora died five weeks after she was beaten and stabbed in an attack at a house party in 1992. One person was arrested but never prosecuted. DeCora was a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. A spokesperson from the Sioux City Police Department says the case isn’t closed and anyone with new evidence should contact authorities. The gathering will be held in the area where DeCora was attacked — on the 33rd anniversary of her death.
