Local & State News
www.newtondailynews.com | Thursday | Dec. 8, 2016 | 7A
1 Voters approve $14.5M bond
4 Woman found competent for trial in ex’s death
2
issue for college security
COUNCIL BLUFFS — Voters have approved a bond issue aimed at improving safety and security at Iowa Western Community College. More than 63 percent of voters in the seven core counties the college serves backed the measure Tuesday. College spokesman Don Kohler says the $14.5 million from the bonds will pay for new cameras, doors, locks and other security improvements at the main campus in Council Bluffs and four satellite sites.
4 3 5 1
3 State argues against lawsuit
over officers’ ticketing power
2 City sets election to replace
DES MOINES — The state of Iowa says it would damage public safety if the state were forced to refund traffic fines and remove wrongful convictions from motorists’ records. The state made those assertions in documents made public Wednesday as it asked the Polk County District Court to reject an effort to certify as a class action a lawsuit against the state. The lawsuit cites a judge’s ruling that the Iowa Transportation Department didn’t have authority to issue a speeding ticket to a 16-year-old driver.
mayor who quit
HARTLEY— People who want to be mayor of Hartley in northwest Iowa have until Dec. 16 to apply. The Hartley City Council has set a special election date of Jan. 10 to fill the post held by John Lyman, who resigned Nov. 16. He didn’t say publicly why he quit. The election winner will serve the remainder of Lyman’s two-year term, which began in January 2016.
DUBUQUE — A judge has determined that a Dubuque woman is now mentally fit enough to stand trial for the beating death of her ex-husband. Iowa District Court Judge Michael Shubatt ordered Wednesday that 62-yearold Dolores Flynn stand trial on a charge of second-degree murder in the January death of 72-year-old Gary Breckenridge. In April, Shubatt had found that Flynn was not competent to stand trial and ordered her to be treated at a Coralville mental health center.
5 Dental chain settles federal whistleblower lawsuit
DES MOINES — An Iowa dental office chain has settled a whistleblower lawsuit alleging Medicaid fraud. Lifepoint Dental Partners, which has five clinics in Iowa, agreed to pay $300,000 to settle the lawsuit filed in April by federal prosecutors and the company’s former chief financial officer, Todd Willson, and a former financial coordinator, Peggy Lemley. —The Associated Press
Branstad’s move to China means Iowa’s first female governor DES MOINES (AP) — The likely departure of the nation’s longest-serving governor to accept an appointment as U.S. ambassador to China means Iowa could soon be led by its first female governor, just as the state shifts to full Republican control of its Legislature. An aide to Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that the president-elect had offered to nominate Gov. Terry Branstad as China ambassador. Branstad later confirmed he had accepted the post. If Branstad is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds would become Iowa’s governor. Reynolds would hold the position until January 2019, when Branstad’s term would have ended, and she could run for governor in 2018. Reynolds, who is on vacation with her family, released a statement after news broke about the nomination. She largely praised Branstad, but she also noted her pending role. “I have been honored to be a full partner with Gov. Branstad in this Administration and know that the experience I’ve gained over the last six years has prepared me well for this next chapter of service to all Iowans,” she said. Reynolds, 57, was a first-term state senator when Branstad chose her to run as his lieutenant
Y! HURRS FILL TOUR ICKLY! QU
AP Photo In this file photo, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, left, watch early election returns in West Des Moines. An aide to President-elect Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that Trump has offered to nominate Branstad as U.S. ambassador to China. The likely departure of the nation’s longest-serving governor to accept the appointment means Iowa could be led by its first female governor.
governor. During her six years as lieutenant governor, she has focused on economic development and education. “Watching her take such a role leading the state just as lieutenant governor ... she is more than prepared to step into those shoes as governor,” said Sen. Amy Sinclair, the sole female Republican in the Iowa Senate. “I would say that whether she was a woman or a man.” Savannah Wood is the secretary for the Jasper County Republicans. “I’m thrilled to have her
as Iowa’s first female governor,” Wood said. “Not only because she is female, but because she has served well as lieutenant governor and has great ideas that I believe will bring about positive changes for Iowans.” Before meeting with Trump, Branstad was asked about Reynolds. He noted her multiple international trade missions and her involvement in key appointments in his administration. Branstad also highlighted her promotion of education efforts, especially those
involving science, technology, engineering and math. “She’s very well-prepared and has great leadership ability,” he said. Prior to being elected to the Legislature, Reynolds worked as treasurer of Clarke County, a southern Iowa county of less than 10,000 people. Branstad, 70, is in the midst of his sixth nonconsecutive term as governor. He served from 1983 to 1999 before entering the private sector. He was re-elected in 2010. With nearly 22 years at the helm of Iowa government, Branstad is the country’s longest serving governor. Before Trump offered him the ambassadorship, Branstad indicated he planned to complete his current gubernatorial term and hadn’t ruled out another four-year term. If Branstad leaves office, Reynolds would become governor just as Republicans take control of both legislative chambers in Iowa. When the next session of the legislature convenes in January, it will be the first time in 20 years that the GOP has controlled the House, Senate and governor’s office. Republican leaders have already indicated their plans to push a conservative agenda, but they made no reference of that in congratulatory remarks.
Unforgettable
Reynolds to appear at rally with Trump DES MOINES (AP) — Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds is cutting short a family vacation to appear alongside Gov. Terry Branstad at an Iowa rally for President-elect Donald Trump. Ben Hammes, a spokesman for Branstad, says Reynolds will attend a Thursday night rally in Des Moines that will feature Branstad, Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Hammes says Reynolds is traveling to Des Moines sometime between Wednesday and Thursday. Reynolds was on a vacation with her family this week when news broke that Trump had nominated Branstad to become the next ambassador to China. Branstad has accepted the offer, meaning Reynolds is poised to be the state’s next governor. ___ The head of Iowa’s agriculture department, long considered a possible contender to run for governor in 2018, is bowing out of consideration. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says he had begun to explore a run for governor under the premise there might be an open seat if Gov. Terry Branstad finished his current term and didn’t seek re-election. Branstad announced Wednesday he had accepted an offer from President-elect Donald Trump to become the next U.S. Ambassador to China, a move that has a political ripple effect. Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will take over, making her an incumbent if she chooses to run for governor. Northey says he encourages Republicans to back Reynolds and ensure her election in 2018. She will soon become Iowa’s first female governor. ___ Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds says her six years in office have prepared her for her new role as governor. Reynolds released a statement Wednesday saying “the experience I’ve gained over the last six years has prepared me well for this next chapter of service to all Iowans.” Reynolds will become Iowa’s first female governor after current Gov. Terry Branstad steps down to become ambassador to China. President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he’d appointed Branstad to the position, which requires Senate confirmation. In her statement, Reynolds lavished praise on Branstad, saying Trump’s nomination “speaks volumes about the character, talent and experience of Gov. Terry Branstad.” She called Branstad her “mentor and friend.”
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