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Government

‘This has been a big mess from the start’

TOLEDO – During an appeal hearing held on Tuesday, June 17, the Tama County Board of Adjustment voted 3-2 to reverse a Dec. 13, 2024 decision by then-Tama County Zoning Administrator Bob Vokoun to extend the expiration dates of Salt Creek Wind’s 61 zoning certificates – thereby setting ...

Karina Cooper murder trial set to begin next week

TOLEDO – Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Karina Sue Cooper’s first-degree murder trial will proceed as scheduled beginning July 1 in Linn County. On Friday, June 20, Karina Cooper, 47, and her attorneys Aaron Hawbaker and Nichole Watt both with the Waterloo Public Defender’s ...

Former Elberon librarian gets suspended prison sentence

TOLEDO — Judge Mark Fisher dismissed allegations of prosecutorial and juror misconduct leveled by the defense and proceeded to issue former Elberon Public Library Director Bailey Jenkins a five-year suspended prison sentence during a hearing at the Tama County Courthouse in Toledo on ...

IT is a resignation

The storm was in the air, the forecast was set, and rain was on the tip of everyone's tongues as they walked into this week's county Supervisors meeting. Between talks of upcoming inclement weather, the meeting began like usual with Ben Daleske, the Tama County Engineer. He reported that ...

‘It’s a dumb law’

Boom, bang, fizzle, fizzle, that's the sound of a state law regulating the use of fireworks. The main point of contention at this week's Toledo City Council meeting was the animosity felt over their hand being forced by the state regarding civilian use of fireworks. Since the state took away ...

Grants for 90 projects to improve consumer access to E15 in Iowa announced

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program Board recently approved an additional 90 applications from Iowa fuel retailers to support new and expanded ethanol infrastructure projects. These investments help drivers save ...

Legal fireworks, Local 4th of July opportunities

In Iowa, SF303 banned cities and counties from prohibiting the use of fireworks on July 3rd, July 4th, and December 31st. Cities must allow consumer grade fireworks from the hours of 9am to 10pm on those dates. Meaning fireworks can be ignited on those dates in Tama County. Fireworks must be ...

The Empty Chair

TOLEDO – It was business as usual on Wednesday, June 11, during the most recent meeting of the Tama County Zoning Commission save for two notable changes – Laura Wilson was now seated in the Zoning Administrator's chair, having taken over from former administrator Bob Vokoun who resigned ...