The state the Division of Criminal Investigation has released a few more details on the fatal shooting in Chariton Wednesday. The D.C.I. issued a news release that says the 9-1-1 call came in about the shooting just about 5:30 Wednesday.
TSA says officers becoming more visible at airports
February 11, 2010 By
Officials with Iowa’s eight commercial airports are trying to alleviate any concerns customers might have with an increased security presence. Jay Brainard is Iowa’s Federal Security Director for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). He says the number of security officers at the airports remain the same, but they’ve recently become more visible.
“One of the things we want to do is inspire confidence in the traveling public,” Brainard said. “We want people to know we’re front and center. We’re here for the safety of the traveling public and we want people to know we’re out doing this.” The effort involves a partnership between the TSA and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Brainard says officers are conducting operations that go beyond bag screening.
Recently, the security initiative helped officers identify a suspicious individual at the airport in Cedar Rapids. “He was found to be in possession of four commercial drivers licenses, which is highly unusual, and some 20 credit cards with different names,” Brainard said. “He also had in his possession military orders showing him on deployment in Afghanistan. The problem is he wasn’t ever in the military. So, it’s those kinds of contacts, things like that…those are the things we’re interested in.”
Brainard says 200 TSA inspectors and bomb appraisal officers are working with local authorities on security detail at airports in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Burlington, Sioux City, Mason City, Fort Dodge and Dubuque.
Toyota repair shops stay busy with recall
February 11, 2010 By
Toyota dealers across Iowa have been receiving inquiries from owners of the cars and trucks being recalled due to accelerator problems on certain models. The service manager at the Toyota dealership in Fort Dodge, Nick Johnson, says his staff has been busy in recent days.
He says they’ve done about 140 recalled vehicles in the span of about one week. Johnson says the fix is fairly simple and doesn’t take too long. He says you don’t have to wait to get a recall letter, you can call in and they will run your vehicle’s identification number to see if the recall applies. Johnson said owners should be aware of whether the vehicle was made in America or Japan.
Johnson says if the vehicle was built in Japan, it has a different pedal on it. The vehicles built in America have the pedals that have caused the recall. Complete information on the recall can be found on line at: www.toyota.com.
By Pat Powers
Legislators contemplate new campaign rules for corporations
February 11, 2010 By
Senator Jeff Danielson
Democrats in the Iowa legislature say they’ve advancing what would become the country’s toughest law restricting corporate donations to campaigns for statewide office and the state legislature.
A recent U.S. Supreme Court opinion opened the door to direct corporate contributions to political campaigns. Senator Jeff Danielson, a Democrat from Waterloo, says it’s important for Iowa to retain its reputation as a state that runs “clean” elections because Iowa is the first caucus state in the presidential selection process.
“We tend to be a testing ground for these new political activities. There’s a lot of interest in Iowa politics,” Danielson says. “And we have to lead when it comes to strengthening our laws so that the average, everyday citizen’s voice can still be heard in that process.”
Former Hawkeye Dwight promotes renewable energy
February 11, 2010 By
Former Iowa Hawkeye and N.F.L. football player Tim Dwight visited the state capitol Wednesday to show support for renewable energy bills. Dwight, an Iowa City native, now owns a small solar energy company in California.
“Renewable energy is here to stay, and it’s something that I think the state of Iowa needs to jump on here,” Dwight says. He says he drove from Iowa City to Des Moines and thought on the way how much energy it takes to grow corn with the, wind, sun and water. Dwight says the state has incredible resources and all it takes are a few incentives to get the renewable projects moving. Dwight says he’s seen the increase in renewable technology in California and says it can also happen here.
He says Iowa and the midwest can be an exporter of renewable energy, there just needs to be a commitment. Dwight says new jobs are created from renewable energy, and he says the investment brings down the cost and a whole new economy is created. Dwight says Iowa needs to get involved as renewable energy is moving ahead worldwide.
“It’s the biggest opportunity, I think, in the history of mankind,” Dwight says. He says he sees the industry on a massive scale, with China investing billions of dollars into it and the builders of modules revving up. Dwight says Iowa needs to look at not only creating jobs to put the renewable energy resources in, but to build them. Dwight says Iowa needs to take advantage of the job creation and production potential that’s out there.
Dwight says you can tell a module manufacturer there are many farmers who want to use their product, but you also want them to build a plant or two to build the modules for the industry here in Iowa and supply the farmers. There are several different bills in the works in the Iowa House and Senate.
One would establish an incentive program for small businesses and families that invest in renewable fuel. Another would allow property owners to buy renewable- energy equipment for their homes and then pay back the investment through their property taxes. Lawmakers are not sure which bills will make it through this year, but say it’s important to start publicizing them and building interest.
UNI captures a share of MVC title
February 11, 2010 By
U.N.I. used a late 15-0 run to take command as the 18th ranked Panthers won at Drake 57-48 to clinch at least a share of the Missouri Valley Conference title.
The Panthers made seven of 12 from three point range in the second half. U.N.I. coach Ben Jacobson says Drake does a good job of keeping the ball out of the paint, as they wanted to get it in there, but the Bulldogs would surround them when they got it inside.
U.N.I. is 13-1 in the Valley and 22-2 overall. Ryan Wedel and Josh Young each had 11 points for the Bulldogs who fell to 6-8 in the Valley and 11-15 overall.
Iowa downs Northwestern, ISU falls at Missouri
February 11, 2010 By
The Iowa Hawkeyes snapped a four game losing streak and dealt a severe blow to Northwestern’s NCAA Tournament hopes with a 78-65 win over the Wildcats in Iowa City. Matt Gatens had 16 points to lead the Hawks who also got a boost from Devan Bawinkel who finished with a season high 15 points on five of eight from behind the arc.
Bawinkel says he was getting open because of the Northwestern zone defense and his teammates got him the ball. The Hawks are 3-9 in the Big Ten and 9-16 overall.
Iowa State could not get over the hump and Missouri pulled away in the final minnutes for a 65-56 win over the Cyclones in Big 12 play. ISU got to within one on five different occasions but could not get the lead.
Iowa State coach Greg McDermott says they had an opportunity at the start of the second half, but could not get the lead.
