14 percent of court-ordered restitution collected in 2011
The state collected more than $3.5 million in court-ordered restitution from offenders in 2011 — less than 14 percent of the $26 million ordered by judges in Iowa’s eight judicial districts.Restitution...
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Prostitution investigations aimed at rescuing minors
The Internet makes it easier for those in the sex trade to hide their identities and harder for investigators to track them down. The technology is also making it easier for minors to be ensnared in...
View ArticleHealth department closures of pools and hot tubs
In Linn County since July 1, 2010:In Johnson County since July 1, 2010:
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Common waterborne pathogens that can make swimmers sick
Cryptosporidium (Crypto)This parasite can cause diarrhea in animals and humans. Cryptosporidiosis is usually mild for most people but can cause severe, potentially fatal gastrointestinal illness in...
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How pool inspections work in Iowa
Pool inspections are not a moneymaker for health departments.Annual inspection fees range from $50 for a small wading pool to $270 for a large swimming pool or waterslide. These fees bring in about...
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Gazette investigation: Corridor pools repeatedly closed for health, safety...
Linn County environmental health specialist Kayla Sweeney checks that a ladder is secure at Bender Pool in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, during a routine yearly inspection. (Cliff...
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Iowa wineries’ ag designation means thousands in tax breaks
Jasper Winery co-owner Jean Groben of Newton talks about the barrels of wine that are aging on racks in one of the rooms at the business Monday, April 30, 2012 in Des Moines. The winery, which is...
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Emails shed light on process leading to Cedar Rapids school closings
Polk Elementary School fifth grader Trent Cox (right) walks with his mother, Dawn Kearney (from left), father Clinton Buress and older brother CJ Buress as he leaves on the second-to-last day of school...
View ArticleIowa law shields businesses’ names in pool-related illnesses
An Iowa law that allows public health officials to keep secret the name of a business involved in a disease investigation puts business interests before public safety, say citizens who were sickened in...
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Revenue director’s relocation package raises questions about state perks
Courtney Kay-Decker, executive director, Iowa Department of RevenueOne state director’s relocation expenses, which included closing costs on a Des Moines condo, have raised questions about executive...
View ArticleBranstad defends relocation pay for Revenue director
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad told reporters in an Aug. 6 news conference that nearly $8,000 in relocation expenses for Courtney Kay-Decker, director of the Iowa Department of Revenue, is warranted, despite...
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Disgruntled Iowans form own governments
Rodney Lange, owner of Wheatland Grocery & Meats, has a "Don't Tread on Me" flag as well as the U.S. and the Iowa state flags hanging on the wall over his meat counter. Langle is the newly elected...
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Sales tax exemptions bite into Iowa coffers
Paul Remington of Swisher washes his car at Edgewood Car Wash in Cedar Rapids. After decades of lobbying, carwash owners received a sales tax exemption following action by the Iowa Legislature this...
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Soldier’s family believes cancer death tied to Army burn pits
Kristi Casteel stands next to a portrait of her late son Joshua Casteel at her in Cedar Rapids on Tueday, October 2, 2012. The photo was taken in 2006 or 2007 while Joshua spoke with peace activist Jim...
View ArticleBranstad gives directors bonuses that raise pay beyond caps
Bonuses paid to two state directors raising their pay beyond state salary caps have caused several Iowa legislators to question whether Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has overstepped his authority.Courtney...
View ArticleFees eat into limited income for “unbanked”
CORALVILLE – Nick Birtcher closed his bank account because he needed the $7 that was keeping it open.“It was a decision to cancel my account and utilize the funds or keep the $7 in there and not have...
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UI Hospitals sends $180,000 in food waste to landfill
Table to Table volunteer Dan Nidey (right) delivers donated food items to Four Oaks Iowa City office manager Marcia Steckly of Wellman (left) as he works his route Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, in Iowa...
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Branstad: University of Iowa Hospitals could do more to reduce food waste
Food waits to be purchased in the Melrose Dining Room at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013 in Iowa City. (Brian Ray/The Gazette)University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics,...
View ArticleUniversity of Iowa Hospitals makes changes to reduce food waste
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics said this week it will change procedures to reduce food waste, following a Gazette investigation about the hospital throwing away $181,000 worth of prepared...
View ArticleEconomic development aid owed to Iowa ‘relatively small,’ Branstad says
As he heads off to the “happy hunting grounds” of California to stalk economic development prospects, Gov. Terry Branstad says the $7.5 million owed the state by companies that failed to meet their job...
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