WEEK 11 March 26, 2015
Disorderly Conduct at Funerals House File 558 relating to disruptive and disorderly conduct at services for deceased military service members passed out of the House unanimously. This bill includes a misdemeanor for showing disrespect for the American Flag and increases the distance allowed for any disturbance or noise from 500 to 1,000 feet of the location of a funeral or memorial service. As a funeral director this bill is very close to my heart and I am very pleased to see this bill move to the Senate for consideration.
Water Quality Demonstration Projects Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced this week that nine Urban Conservation Water Quality Initiative Demonstration Projects have been selected to receive $655,194.00 in funding. Partners and landowners participating in the projects will provide $2.43 million to support urban conservation efforts. “This is an exciting next step for the Iowa Water Quality Initiative as we work together with communities, businesses and homeowners in our towns and cities,” Northey said. “Expanding the Water Quality Initiative to include these projects builds on the important partnership of urban and rural areas working together to protect and improve water quality.” Projects will focus on conservation measures that capture and allow stormwater to be absorbed into the ground and reduce a property's contribution to water quality degradation, stream flows and flooding. Practices included in the projects are bioretention cells, native landscaping, permeable pavement, soil quality restoration, bioswales, wetlands and other practices. The communities participating in the projects are Ames, Calmar, Cedar Falls, Des Moines, Granger, Storm Lake, Webster City, West Des Moines and three sites in Calhoun County. Riverside Storm water Wetlands in Webster City was awarded a grant for $100,000. The total project is expected to cost $273,000. Webster City plans to divert their storm water runoff from a 70 acre urban area to a wetland instead of directly into the Boone River. The wetland will help by slowing and filtering storm water generated from the urban streets and parking areas.
Turkey Season Begins The spring season begins April 4th in Iowa. On the 4th, Iowa youth can participate in a youth turkey season that covers two weekends. This allows hunters younger than 16 to participate in the season. The youth hunters must hunt with a mentor that is 18 or older. The mentor must have a valid turkey hunting license for one of the spring seasons. The youth season ends April 12. The first regular spring turkey season is April 13 - 16. The second season is April 17 - 21. The third season is April 22 - 28. The fourth turkey season is April 29 - May 17. Hunters are required to report their harvest at www.iowadnr.gov. If you have any questions, please contact me at
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