News
Set It and Forget It!!!
By Eric Schares, Roadside ManagerSo you’ve planted your tree and now all you have to do is sit back and
wait 30 years to enjoy the shade, right? Wrong, there are still many
things you can do to maximize the quality and longevity of your tree.“But Eric, you are the Roadside Manager, why are you talking about
trees?” Although that is true and usually in the roadside setting you are
removing trees instead of planting them, I still have a passion for trees
and tree care. "Team Dave and Rick" and Co. settle Lawsuit
This article will attempt to lay out the facts of the case and try to condense the lawsuit. You will see numbers inside of parentheses, these indicate the page where the information can be found. Following the intro, the majority of this is pulled directly from the filing. The 56-page lawsuit will be attached at the end, I'd suggest no you read it. Here is a summary of the lawsuit.
Iowa House votes to increase penalties, training for open records, meetings laws
By Robin OpsahlThe Iowa House passed legislation Monday to increase training for local officials on open meetings and information laws and raising penalties for violations.It’s the second year the House has moved on this issue — a similar measure passed in 2024 and made it to the governor’s desk, but was ultimately vetoed after an amendment was attached at the last minute that public records advocates said was counterproductive.
Iowa Secretary of State’s audit of voter registration finds 277 noncitizens
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced today that his office has completed additional audits of Iowa's voter registration lists and identified 277 confirmed noncitizens who have voted or are registered to vote. After gaining access to the federal SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) program, the agency compared its data with the self-reported noncitizen data received from the Iowa Department of Transportation last fall.
Securing Property Tax Relief in Iowa
The Future of Iowa Foundation, a 501(c)(3) research affiliate of the Iowa Taxpayers Association, has released a new publication produced by the Tax Foundation in Washington, D.C. The report, commissioned by the Future of Iowa Foundation, was unveiled this morning and provides key insights into progress in property tax reform, ongoing concerns about property taxes, a comprehensive approach to property tax relief, and a path to a more competitive Iowa.
2025 Congressional Art Competition Open to IA-02 Students
The Office of Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) is now accepting submissions for the Spring 2025 Congressional Art Competition The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide high school arts competition that provides a unique opportunity for students to showcase their artistic talents. "The Congressional Art Competition is a wonderful opportunity for young Iowa artists to showcase their talent and creativity.
From Extirpation to Restoration: The Return of Wild Turkeys
By Cara Harrill, Conservation TechnicianSpring turkey season is right around the corner! Let’s take a look back at the history of wild turkey in Iowa,
and how the once extirpated, or locally extinct, population has recovered. When the first settlers crossed the
Mississippi into what would later become Iowa, they found an abundance of wild turkeys, which soon became
a main food source. Convicted Killer Tacoa Talley Seeks Post-Conviction Relief in Iowa Court
Tacoa Talley, who was convicted in 2023 for the murder of Jodie Bevans, has filed an application for post-conviction relief under Iowa Code Chapter 822.Post-conviction relief allows those convicted of crimes to challenge the fairness of their trial or sentencing. Talley’s filing suggests he believes there was a legal or procedural issue with his conviction, such as inadequate legal representation or other factors that may have affected the outcome of his case. Iowa Senate advances constitutional amendment on remote testimony
By Robin OpsahlThe Iowa Senate unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday to start the process of amending the state constitution to allow child victims to testify remotely against their alleged abusers.Senate Joint Resolution 9 is a proposed constitutional amendment stating that the right of an accused party to confront their accuser can be limited by law in situations where a witness is a minor or has a mental illness, intellectual or other development disability.
Vinton Community Foundation Accepting Grant Applications One hundred percent
Photo: From left to right: Kyle Koeppen representing the Vinton Shellsburg Community School District, Cyanna Boggess representing Vinton Unlimited, Deb Wilberg representing Farmers Savings Bank & Trust and Anne Williams representing the Vinton Area Ministerial Association. Absent: Tami Stark representing Vinton City Council. ---One hundred percent of your tax-deductiblecontributions are used for the betterment of the Vinton community.