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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday, January 17, 2008
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Sams Charged with Attempted Murder
by Michelle Phillips |
The Jones County Sheriff’s Office has charged Wendy Sue Sams, age 39, of Anamosa with attempt to commit murder. The arrest was made in Marion on January 11 by the Marion Police Department.
The arrest stems from an incident that occurred on January 7 at 5:16 p.m. on Pauls Court rural Anamosa, in which Jenette Gralund, age 53, of Pauls Court Anamosa was assaulted.
The Anamosa Journal-Eureka obtained a complaint and affidavit filed with the District Court of Jones County, which lists Sams as the defendant. In the document, Sheriff’s Deputy Greg Graver gave the following affidavit:
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Wendy S. Sams |
The victim, Jenette Gralund, arrived home from work and walked into her front door. Upon entering the living room, the victim was struck multiple times on the face and head with a blunt wooden object. During the struggle, the defendant attempted to suffocate the victim with a pillow. The victim was able to escape to a neighbors (sic). She identified her attacker as being the defendant.
After the incident, Gralund was treated for multiple head and facial lacerations at Jones Regional Medical Center and later transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
She has since been released.
Sams is being held in the Jones County Jail on $50,000 bond pending her initial court appearance on January 16.
Assisting the Jones County Sheriff’s Office in the case were the Anamosa Police Department, Cedar Rapids Police Department Identification Bureau, the University of Iowa, Department of Public Safety and the Marion Police Department. |
Hancock Discusses Items to Receive Attention During 2008 Legislative Session
By Michelle Phillips |
The 2008 Iowa Legislative session began on January 15, and Sen. Tom Hancock sat down last week to discuss some of the issues that will likely come up at the statehouse.
First, Hancock said the state is starting off in great shape financially.
“Under Iowa Law, the budget has to be balanced,” he started.
Hancock said at this point the state cash reserve is full at $592 million, the Economic Emergency Fund is full at $142 million and the Senior Trust Fund is two-thirds full at $200 million. Revenue in the state is also up $400 million.
“Iowa is first in the nation in ethanol production, second in biodiesel production and third in wind energy production,” Hancock included and added that the education system in the state has also improved.
“We’ve got some tough issues to deal with, though. For example, allowable growth,” he said.
Allowable growth is typically between a four to six percent increase for schools each year.
Hancock said the legislature will also take a look at eliminating the School Infrastructure Local Option (SILO) Tax. In exchange, the state would have a one-cent statewide tax. He said the hope is to be able to equal out the funding for schools and provide property tax relief.
Roads will also be of concern this session because the DOT is expected to have a $200 million shortfall.
“Gov. Culver says he won’t sign a bill raising the fuel tax,” Hancock stated.”There will have to be a discussion on where that money will come from.”
He said he thinks the state will get some help from the federal government.
“Corrections will be a huge issue,” he said. “The Prison Interim Study Committee has recommended building a new prison at Fort Madison. I supported it to get it to the floor.”
Hancock said he thinks the state needs to build within the walls of existing prisons. He added that he would like to see more mental health care for inmates and suggested using existing facilities that have few patients or no longer house them at all, for example the facility in Independence.
“If you don’t get these folks some kind of help, the problems will continue,” he added.
Hancock expects to see a boost in the state’s Drug Court Program, which was given additional funding and has been working well. The Drug Court Program helps those charged with drug related crimes through supervision and education.
“Judge Con Bower of Waterloo offered to expand the program to surrounding counties for just expenses,” he said.
The senator said there is a huge saving to the state if they can utilize the Drug Court Program. It costs about $25,000 per year to house an inmate, but the Drug Court Program costs about $5,000 per individual.
Hancock said there would be discussion concerning installation of blender pumps at gas stations throughout the state.
“They allow you to choose 10% ethanol, E-85 and so on, and it is mixed on the spot,” he explained.
He included that there would be tax incentives for retailers who chose to install the pumps.
Healthcare will also be at the forefront this session.
“Folks have issues with health insurance providers. They go to use it and find out they don’t have it, or that it doesn’t cover the procedure,” Hancock said.
The state will look at ways to improve healthcare , particularly through pooling with other small businesses and individuals.
Last on his list, Economic Development. Hancock said Sen, Bill Dotzler, chair of the Economic Development Committee is looking at ways to bring commercial incentives to towns with populations of 5000 or less. The plan would include both new and existing businesses.
Hancock concluded by saying that he enjoys serving on the Senate and serving the people of Iowa. |
Council Hears Budget Requests from Tourism, Chamber
By Michelle Phillips |
The Anamosa City Council saw presentations from both Jones County Tourism and the Anamosa Chamber of Commerce on January 14 as the city begins considerations for the 2008 Fiscal Year.
Bob Hatcher of Jones County Tourism was first to address the group and provided a recent copy of the offices newsletter to council members.
Hatcher said tourism numbers were up in Jones County in 2007, particularly in Anamosa and Stone City. He credits the tourism website with helping boost the numbers.
“Our main goal is to draw more people into Jones County,” he said.
City Administrator Pat Callahan asked Hatcher about proceeds from the county’s hotel/motel tax, but Hatcher said Jones County Tourism really only gets money from the Super 8 in Anamosa as well as a few dollars from county bed and breakfasts.
Hatcher told the council that Monticello and Center Junction choose not to participate in Jones County Tourism. However, Hatcher did say that he spends some time promoting Monticello.
Hatcher added that he would address the Monticello City Council to request funds again this year.
KC Kiner, Anamosa Chamber Director, was next on the agenda. Kiner brought packets for the council, which included the Chamber newsletter.
Kiner told the council she is currently working on the Chamber’s Annual Dinner and the Home Show, and meeting are beginning for Grant Wood Art festival, which she said brought thousands of people to Anamosa. Although, she added that Pumkinfest is the largest Chamber sponsored event.
“I think we broke every record last year,” she told the men and said there were over 2500 paid admissions at the Lawrence Community Center.
The Chamber is currently in the middle of their member drive, which includes 141 businesses, 21 of which were new last year.
Other items for consideration in the 2008-2009 budget include:
• Purchase of a bucket truck. The vehicle is a 1996 with 114,000 miles. It includes a utility box and boom.
• A new roof for the LCC.
In other news, the city heard from Physical Engineer Doug Wilson concerning water detention at the proposed Jones regional Medical Center site on Highway 64 near Wal-Mart.
Wilson told the council that the hospital’s architect is proposing that 49% of the facility’s parking lot be used for water detention. According to Wilson, Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) standards recommend only 25% be used for water detention.
There are fears that during heavy rain or melting, flooding could occur, particularly in Fawn Creek where the water would ultimately end up.
Council member Brian Harmon said, “If they don’t put a retention system in, something better than they have, there will be run-off issues.”
Larry Driscoll, Public Works Director added, “There are already grading issues on Grant Wood Drive.
The council asked for additional retention proposals.
It has also been proposed that due to the large amount of soil that will be removed, a guardrail be installed on 115th Street to protect drivers.
The council discussed a second site plan, AmericInn. The city has been asked to waive the photometric plan because the hotel would have minimal downward facing lights.
The developers also asked that the city waive a traffic analysis for the site because the hotel would not generate a large amount of traffic.
The council approved these waivers.
The council discussed changing how premiums for workers compensation are paid. Callahan has proposed departments that have had more claims bear more of the premium because claims increase the premiums paid.
The council approved a letter from Callahan to the Iowa DOT regarding a solution to the dangerous intersection at Highway 151 and Old Dubuque Road. The council approved this item.
Callahan asked the council if they would be receptive to allowing meters on homes, which would verify the amount of water entering the sewer. He pointed out that he has been asked this question by a citizen, and the feeling is that people use water to fill pools, water lawns, etc., and the water doesn’t end up in the sewage system.
The council said they would be receptive to the idea if there was sufficient interest by citizens.
If installed, the homeowner would pay an annual fee for the meter.
The city also approved a waiver of the subdivision ordinance, allowing Doug and Nancy Ricklefs to divide a parcel of land into three or more parcels. The land is located North of Theresa Drive and Division Street. The council approved the waiver.
The council set two public hearings. The first will be on January 28 at 6 p.m. At the hearing, the council will discuss a general obligation loan for the TIF grant for Eagle View Land Development’s Meadow Ridge Eighth Addition.
The second hearing is set for 6 p.m. on February 11 and concerns the vacation of Meadow Ridge Drive public right of way.
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