The good
Iowa brewers rejoice. Last week, Gov. Chet Culver signed SF 2088, which allows breweries to manufacture and sell higher proof beers up to 12 percent. Out-of-state breweries have been selling higher proof beers in the Hawkeye State, but in-state breweries were restricted to a 5 percent limit. Breweries such as Court Avenue Brewing Co. and Olde Main Brewing Co., among others, will all certainly benefit.
The Vision Iowa Board released its 2010 Annual Status Report, and statistics show that since the program’s inception in 2000, the Board has directly leveraged more than $346 million in awards into more than $1.5 billion in investments. Since 2000, investments have been made in 93 counties and 224 communities.
The bad
The problems continue for University of Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta. Most recently, the Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball team finished 10-22, including a first-round loss to Michigan in last weekend’s Big Ten Tournament. Now, among speculations of athletes transferring and the end of the Todd Lickliter era (38-58), Barta has to watch the coach he let go, Steve Alford, lead the New Mexico Lobos — a team that has been uncompetitive for years — to a 29-4 record and a No. 3 seed in this year’s NCAA tournament. Seeing Alford be one of 64 teams in the tourney has to be salt in the wound for Hawkeye fans and must leave Barta asking, “What if?” Since Alford resigned, the Hawkeyes have nearly fallen off a cliff in the Big Ten Conference, while the Lobos are on the brink of becoming the Mountain West Conference’s most feared team. With their season now over, the Hawkeyes have plenty of questions to be answered before taking the court next year.
Des Moines police have made a dent into the alleged forgery ring in central Iowa after they arrested three individuals who were passing bogus $20, $50 and $100 bills. Dennis Allison, Darla Moyer and Connie Allison were charged with forgery. Thus far, investigators have connected more than $6,000 in counterfeit money connected to the group and has been found in Des Moines and Marshalltown.
The ugly
A Florida woman caused a traffic accident recently, but it wasn’t due to texting while driving. Megan Barnes was heading out on a big date with her boyfriend and wanted to be “fresh.” So while driving to her destination, Barnes decided to shave her private parts. Charles Judy, Barnes’ ex-husband and passenger, took the wheel while she finished her business. But Judy, driving from the passenger side, became distracted by the view and rear-ended a truck, injuring the driver and two passengers. Surprisingly, even after causing an accident, the duo continued down the road. While they were being pulled over by law enforcement, Judy jumped into the driver’s seat and claimed he had been driving the whole time. The day before the incident, Barnes had her license revoked for five years, was ordered by the court to impound her vehicle and was sentenced to nine months probation. Barnes was charged with driving with a revoked license, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a wreck with injuries and driving with no insurance. Barnes may want “freshen” up before she leaves the house next time.
What’s the big fuss over a little spilled milk? Toni Tramel, 31, was originally charged with public intoxication and taken to jail, but while changing into an inmate uniform, the Kentucky woman squirted a stream of breast milk into the face of a female officer. After the officer decontaminated herself from the alleged “bio-hazard” projectile, Tramel was charged with first-degree assault, which is a felony. CV
