Representatives of six Iowa communities met in Des Moines Wednesdayafternoon to discuss their strategies for reducing juvenile delinquency.Woodbury County Juvenile Court Officer John Calhoun says the U-S Departmentof Justice sponsored the year-long planning process. Calhoun believes the strategies will keep kids out of trouble.He says the communities are already starting to implement the plans. Calhounsays the one thing they need is financial and technical support from stateand federal authorities.U-S Attorney General Janet Reno was supposed to have attended Wednesday’smeeting, but had to cancel due to a change in her schedule.
Poll shows Iowa Republicans interested in the envrionment
September 9, 1999 By
A new poll shows most Iowa Republicans consider themselves environmentalists– and nearly 91 percent review a candidate’s record on environmental issueswhen deciding how to vote. Pollster John Zogby says voters were asked toname issues that were important to them.Zogby conducted the survey for the National Environmental Trust. National Environmental Trust President Phillip Clapp says it’s clearRepublican primary voters are moving to the center on a number of issues,including the environment.Clapp says Republican party leaders who ridicule new environmental standardsdo so at their own peril.
Harkin says report on V-A hospitals confirms complaints
September 9, 1999 By
Iowa Senator Tom Harkin says a report from the Veterans Administrationmedical inspector confirms stories he heard about problems at the V-Ahospitals in Iowa City and Knoxville. He said the preliminary reportconfirms the diversion of patients from the Des Moines facility to otherhospitals, a lack of bedspace. The report also concludes that the staff isoverburdened and employee moral is low, there is a lack of specialtyphysicians, the patient-to-nurse ratio is too high — and patient monitoringand education are inadequate. Harkin, a democrat, says the source of theproblems is clear: questionable management from the VA, and a lack ofsupport from congress. Harkin says this should not be happening to Iowaveterans. Harkin says he will push to see that the problems are corrected.Harkin asked for the investigation of the V-A hospitals after reports fromveterans and their families.
Drake meets St. Ambrose in football
September 9, 1999 By
Drake plays host to St. Ambrose this weekend in the Bulldogs’ home opener.Drake opened with a win last week at Morningside but coach Rob Ash does notknow what to expect from St. Ambrose because this will be the Bees’ seasonopener. Ash thinks St. Ambrose may have the advantage if they watched theDrake tapes at Morningside. St.Ambrose scored a last minute touchdown todown Drake 24-18 last year. Ash says they need to do a better job preparingthis time around. Ash says without question the players have respect forSt.Ambrose going into the game, knowing that anything can happen.St.Ambrose coach Todd Sturdy says rebuilding an offense that lost sevenstarters has been their top priority. Sturdy says his team is ready for agame, but from a coaching standpoint there are question marks. Sturdy saysthe Drake game is a good way to start the season.
ISU receives record gift
September 9, 1999 By
Iowa State University announced today the largest gift ever given to acollege or university in the state. The 80-million dollar gift comes fromthe estate of an Iowa couple who asked to remain anonymous. I-S-U PresidentMartin Jischke announced the gift today. He said ISU intends to build thebest agronomy program in the world. State Board of Regents President OwenNewlin says the gift goes beyond its impact on Iowa State, making a strongstatement about Iowa’s role in the next century. A published report in theDes Moines Register says the gift is from the estate of Raymond and MaryBaker. Raymond Baker is an I-S-U alum and the former director of research atPioneer Hi-Bred. The gift is believed to be the eighth largest to a U.S.public university.
Governor Vilsack appoints three task forces to deal with minority issues
September 9, 1999 By
Governor Vilsack has appointed a task force to examine what he terms adisturbing problem in Iowa’s prison system. Vilsack says one-in-12 blackIowans are under court-order supervision or in prison, while just one-in-110white Iowans are in the same circumstance. Iowa’s numbers rank second justbehind the District of Columbia. He said this cannot continue if we are toprovide a value-added economy. Vilsack has appointed state RepresentativeWayne Ford — Iowa’s only black legislator — to head the task force.Also today, Vilsack created an equal opportunity in employment task force. Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson says one goal is to recruit and retainmore minority workers within state government.And finally, the Governor appointed a task force on targeted smallbusinesses — those owned by women and minorities. Vilsack says it’s in thestate’s self-interest to be welcoming to and supportive of minorities.
Bradley starts Iowa tour
September 9, 1999 By
Democrat Bill Bradley brings his presidential campaign caravan to Keokukthis afternoon. Bradley officially kicked off his bid for the White Houseyesterday in his hometown: Crystal City, Missouri. He wants to see citizensbecome active and make this country the best place it can be. Bradley, aformer U-S Senator from New Jersey, was once a pro-basketball player for theNew York Knicks. He described his presidential campaign as a “joyousjourney” — but a journey with a purpose, such as universal health carecoverage, noting that care isn’t widely available to those who need it. Hesaid he’s running for president to restore trust in public service andconfidence in our public will. Bradley visits Ottumwa, Newton, Grinnell andDes Moines Friday. He has scheduled stops in Ames, Spencer and Sioux Cityon Saturday.
