Boyer must run in election to fill Gookin's term; Weight limit exemption granted for farm trucks; more

Boyer must run in election to fill Gookin?s term

Fairfield Mayor Ed Malloy confirmed Thursday the appointment of Connie Boyer to complete the remaining two years of at-large city councilman Myron Gookin?s term will instead need to be determined by Fairfield voters in the Nov. 8 election.

?The deadline [to fill unexpired elected office positions] was a little further out from the election than we were aware of,? said Malloy.

At-Large Fairfield City Councilman Myron Gookin?s resignation officially takes place today and the state?s deadline requiring appointments to fill unexpired elected office terms is not until Saturday, according to Jefferson County Auditor Scott Reneker.

?After the 17th there wouldn?t be enough time to put the position on the ballot,? said Reneker. ?It?s clear cut that the two-day difference forces the city to go with an election.?

Malloy said Boyer is out of town this morning and has emailed her to explain the situation.

?I hope she is interested in pursuing the seat in the election,? said Malloy. ?I expect we?ll talk sometime today.?

Boyer will have until 5 p.m. Sept. 22 to submit nomination papers if she chooses to run for Gookin?s unexpired two-year term.

Reneker explained Gookin?s unexpired council seat will be separate from incumbent Susan Silver?s at-large seat on the Nov. 8 ballot. Silvers has already returned nomination papers.

?There will be two separate at-large council seat elections,? he said. ?Anyone in the city can file to run.?

Weight limit exemption granted for trucks

JOHNSTON ? As combines start hitting the field this week throughout the state, Gov. Terry Branstad today signed into effect a proclamation granting a temporary weight limit exemption for trucks on Iowa roads.

The proclamation specifically increases the weight allowable for shipment of corn, soybeans, hay, straw and stover, by 12.5 percent per axle up to a maximum of 90,000 pounds without the need for an oversize/overweight permit.

The Branstad proclamation is an improvement over the past few proclamations, when the previous maximum per-axle limitation was the lesser of 10 percent or 88,000 pounds.

The 2011 proclamation again applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa, excluding the interstate system. Trucks cannot exceed the truck?s regular maximum by more than 12.5 percent per axle and must obey the posted limits on all roads and bridges.

The Iowa Corn Growers Association requested the proclamation and provided the governor with information on the estimated predictions of the Iowa crop.

The proclamation directs the Iowa Department of Transportation to monitor the operation of the proclamation, assure the public?s safety and facilitate the movement of the trucks involved. Farmers who are transporting grain also are required to follow their vehicle safety standards on axle weights.

The exemption will be granted for 60 days beginning today.

Iowa officials issue warning about fake IDs

AMES (AP) ? Iowa transportation officials are warning students about the consequences of having a fake ID to buy beer or sneak into bars ?it?s a crime.

Officials on Wednesday issued a reminder after a package of 24 fake driver?s licenses were recently delivered to students in Cedar Falls. Two people were arrested. Officials say more than 1,700 fake IDs, including a number heading for Iowa, were intercepted in the Chicago area in the first six month of this year.

Mark Lowe of the Iowa Department of Transportation says there are consequences to having fake IDs, including prison, jail and fines.

For example, falsifying public documents is a felony in Iowa, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $7,500.

Cougar sighting reported to police in Iowa City

IOWA CITY (AP) ?Iowa City police say someone else has spotted a cougar in the area.

A police report says someone on Wednesday reported spotting a mountain lion walking in a small wooded area near a city bike path along Ralston Creek.

Police say animal control and police officers responded and searched the area, but did not find a cougar.

Earlier this month, several reports of a mountain lion forced at least two Iowa City schools to hold recess indoors.

Police are urging residents to remain alert outdoors and call police immediately if they see a cougar.

Those who do come across a cougar should neither approach it, nor run from it. Instead, a person should make eye contact with the animal and try to make themselves appear larger than they are.