Expect to see your water bills go up by at least ten percent each year, starting this spring…at least, if your water comes from Des Moines. Des Moines Water Works’ CEO says the rates still have to be approved by the utility’s board of directors, but the double-digit increase is anticipated with the costs of nitrate removal climbing.
Farmers, businessmen and legislators will meet the governor and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack tomorrow in Des Moines for a bird flu summit. They’ll talk clean up and prevention, including a newly-tested vaccine. USDA’s Dr. John Clifford has warned, however, that some countries would object to exports treated with a vaccine.
Iowa’s ag department says propane prices are down by eight cents a gallon. Too much supply seems to be the reason for the decline. That contrasts to a year-and-a-half ago, when it was four-and-a-half dollars per gallon.
West Des Moines’ complete streets policy draft goes under the microscope tomorrow night at Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge. The city is having an open house to get public input on the policy, which caters to bicyclists and pedestrians as much as drivers.
The author of the Americans with Disabilities Act told a crowd at Drake University yesterday the act was a victory over discrimination and exclusion and fear of people with disabilities. Former Senator Tom Harkin commented via Skype at a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the act.
The deadline for candidates to register for local school board elections is this Thursday. The Register says as of Friday, just five people have registered to run for four open seats in West Des Moines, and two are incumbents. Three people in Waukee have signed up for the three seats available there.
A settlement has been reached in the suit against Des Moines Public Schools lodged by its former superintendent Nancy Sebring. Sebring blamed the district for sexually detailed emails she sent from her school computer becoming public. No word yet on what the settlement entails.
A group of Iowa moms are calling for more gun control in the wake of a deadly movie theater shooting last week in Louisiana. Members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America say they’re tired of people feeling like they need to arm themselves against their own friends and neighbors.
The World Food and Music Festival returns to the Walnut Street bridge downtown Septermber 18th through 20th. The free event features the Black Cadillacs and the 4onthefloor.
