The Iowa House of Representatives Tuesday passed a bill that supports sexual assault survivors. House File 603 would create a sexual assault forensic examiner program within the Attorney General’s office. The program will train, certify, and provide technical assistance to sexual assault forensic examiners and sexual assault nurse examiners. The Attorney General will be required to maintain a list of sexual assault examiners and sexual assault nurse examiners who have completed certain training. If passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor, two full-time equivalent positions will oversee the program, with funding to come from the state Victim Compensation Fund.
Republicans say the Biden Administration’s immigration policies are creating a crisis at the border. Democrats say there was an influx of migrants and asylum seekers at the border when Donald Trump was president, and ask why Republicans didn’t do anything then. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst has an answer for them. Sen. Ernst spoke on Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends” program yesterday morning.
Cedar Falls is celebrating the “Year of the Neighborhood”. Mayor Rob Green is encouraging community members to take part in a city-wide clean-up effort in observation of Earth Week, from April 18-24. The activity will all take place outdoors so participants can socially distance. Blue 30-gallon collection bags will be distributed at no charge starting April 12th at the Public Works Building and the Transfer Station during normal business hours. Once filled, the blue bags can be deposited near the shelter areas at a half-dozen Cedar Falls city parks.
We’ve told you about the Marion school’s efforts to change its mascot from Indians…now comes word that the Camanche school board voted 5-to-1 Monday, with one person not present, to retire the school’s Indian mascot at the end of the school year. The mascot has been around since the school opened in 1961. Most who spoke during the meeting’s public forum spoke in favor of keeping the mascot, with many citing the “pride” they felt in the nickname. Some even said the name change is a result of cancel culture. One source indicates that 11 schools in Iowa use Indian as a nickname, including Wapello. School officials there say they do not have any plans to change their nickname at this time. Camanche has yet to decide what the school’s new nickname will be.
Police in Webster City say they’re investigating after a 7-year-old boy was accidentally shot in the foot by his father. It happened this past Saturday when a father was pulling a gun out of his waistband; the gun went off and hit the boy in the foot. Officials say the boy is expected to recover. Police say the Hamilton County prosecutor is reviewing the case and will determine whether any charges will be filed.
Organizers this week made the announcement that the 2021 RUN CRANDIC race has been cancelled because of the pandemic. The annual marathon, half marathon and 10K started in 2018 and was also cancelled last year due to the pandemic, but organizers say they hope the race returns in 2022. Meanwhile, after a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Hinterland Music Festival is on for 2021. The event runs Aug. 6-8 at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa, with a lineup that includes Leon Bridges, Tyler Childers, the Old Crow Medicine Show, The Avett Brothers, Caamp, Black Pumas, The Marcus King Band, Elle King and more. Organizers said they have redesigned the music festival to be socially distanced with reduced attendance and guidelines in place to make it a safe, responsible experience.
