LINN COUNTY eNEWS
May 2015
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Fight crime: Invest in kidsNationwide, almost seven in 10 inmates in state prisons failed to graduate from high school. Iowa law enforcement leaders link the Iowa Core and “deeper learning” to reductions in future crime. Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden, Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner, Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa Kevin Techau, and Instructional Services Director for the Cedar Rapids Community School District Karla Ries held a joint news conference May 19 to release a report that spotlights how continued implementation of the Iowa Core education standards and assessments will reduce future crime.
The report, Doing Well Prevents Doing Time, shows that while many Iowa educators view the Iowa Core education standards as a driving force for academic achievement, law enforcement leaders see another benefit: reductions in future crime.
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Supervisor Rogers a panelist on mental health in IowaLinn County Supervisor Ben Rogers was a panelist on a recent episode of Ethical Perspectives on the News discussing the state of mental health care in Iowa. Mental health has been and continues to be a top priority for Linn County. Watch and listen to the important discussion. |
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Linn County Correctional Center first jail in Iowa to obtain full compliance under the Prison Rape Elimination ActThe Linn County Correctional Center is the first jail in the State of Iowa to obtain full compliance under the Prison Rape Elimination Act. The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was passed unanimously by the U.S. Congress and was signed into law by President George W. Bush on September 4, 2003. On June 20, 2012, the PREA national standards were published and became binding on correctional facilities. PREA is a federal law seeking to detect, prevent, and respond to incidents of sexual abuse and sexual harassment in correctional facilities. More... |
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Iowa mowing laws designed to protect roadside habitatsThe Linn County Secondary Road Department reminds county residents to protect roadside habitat for nesting game birds and song birds this spring and early summer.
According to Iowa Code 314.17, mowing roadside ditches is restricted until July 15 to protect young pheasants and other ground-nesting birds until they are ready to fledge. The law, which applies to county secondary roads as well as state primary and interstate highways, also protects habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects, including crop-pest predators.
Exceptions for visibility and weed control are built into the law, but non-essential mowing – including cutting for hay – is prohibited
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Linn County Sheriff’s Office taking applications for deputies until June 3The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is currently taking applications for the position of deputy sheriff. Applications are due June 3, 2015 by 5 p.m. Physical fitness testing and the written examination will occur on Saturday, June 20, 2015, at 8 a.m. at Linn-Mar High School in Marion. |
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Sections of Cedar Valley Nature Trail to close during utility workPortions of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail from the north edge of Center Point to Urbana will be closed periodically through July 1. Utility companies are preparing for utility line upgrades later this fall and are working on the trail to prepare the site for the upgrade. Sections of the trail will close when work is in progress and will re-open when work activity ends for the day. Additional closings may occur periodically through the end of 2015, as utility work continues through that time. For up to date information on trail conditions, call the Linn County Conservation Department at (319) 892-6450.
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2015 summer meal sites for Linn CountyThe summer meal sites for 2015 in Linn County have been selected. The summer meals program provides FREE nutritious meals to kids (18 and younger) over the summer. The program starts June 1, 2015. Call 2-1-1 (or 319-739-4211) to find your closest location. |
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Click It or Ticket in Linn CountyThe Linn County Sheriff’s Office is participating in the national Click It or Ticket campaign through May 31. This mobilization across Iowa and the entire United States is created to heighten seat belt enforcement 24-7, but focused enforcement efforts will take place between the nighttime hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. due to the significant number of violators and fatal crashes during this time. Crash data shows that passenger vehicle occupants are buckling up more during the day than at night.
Buckling up in the back seat is just as important. Half of all front-seat occupants killed in crashes in 2012 were unrestrained but 61 percent of those killed in back seats were unrestrained. Keep in mind that those fatalities aren’t just statistics; they are someone’s family member or friend.
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Learn how to use Iowa native plants for home landscaping on May 30You can learn how to use Iowa native plants in your yard with free seminars, displays, information and design advice. Native and prairie plants are a great addition to our landscapes from prairie plantings to native trees like Oak and Serviceberry. Learn why incorporating natives into your yard makes sense and get advice on how to choose the best plants for your yard. This free event will be held May 30 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at 125 W. Forevergreen Rd. Coralville, Iowa.
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Women farmers and landowners from Linn County learn about farming conservation practicesThe Indian Creek Watershed Management Authority (ICWMA) and Linn Soil & Water Conservation District (Linn SWCD) sponsored a “Women Caring for the Land” event in April at the Prairiewoods Spirituality Center in Hiawatha, facilitated by the Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN). The goal of the event was to provide women farmers and landowners with information and contacts to assist with conservation efforts.
Women own or co-own close to half of all the farmland in Iowa. Hosting this type of event is recognition that women landowners are a vital resource for conservation practices and watershed protection.
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Nicki Finger sworn in as Deputy TreasurerNicki Finger was sworn in as Linn County Deputy Treasurer in the property tax division on April 27. She has worked in the Linn County Treasurer’s Office for 16 years. |
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Linn County Public Health joins World No Tobacco Day recognitionLinn County Public Health joins the Iowa Department of Public Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) in recognizing World No Tobacco Day. As part of the event, which is held every May 31, Quitline Iowa is offering eight weeks of nicotine patches, gum or lozenges to eligible participants enrolling in the no-cost program. Iowans can take advantage of the program by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), or visiting www.quitlineiowa.org to enroll. Registration specialists and Quit Coach® staff members are available 24 hours a day. To learn more about Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative, visit www.iowahealthieststate.com. |
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Want to know about upcoming road construction in Linn County?Some secondary roads in Linn County are already under construction and more work is slated to start in the coming months. Sign up for Construction Project Updates to know about these construction projects or road closures by receiving alerts in your email. You can also sign up to receive notification about specific road projects. |
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