D.O.T.: No online driver?s license renewal system exists in Iowa; more

D.O.T.: No online driver?s license renewal system exists in Iowa

AMES ? The Iowa Department of Transportation has not established an online driver?s license renewal system; reports a system took effect July 1 are inaccurate.

Senate File 2338, an act relating to government operations and efficiency and other related matters, contained a provision authorizing the Iowa D.O.T. to begin online driver?s license renewal effective July 1; however, that bill was vetoed May 25.

Because online driver?s license renewal is more cost effective to administer and convenient for the public, the Iowa D.O.T. remains committed to establishing such a system in the future; however, no firm date has been set.

The Iowa D.O.T. is presently exploring options that may permit establishment of such a system without necessitating revisions to the Iowa Code. When a system is made available, the Iowa D.O.T. will notify the public.

The Iowa D.O.T. is making an increasing number of driver services available online. Anyone who wants to look at his or her driving record or receive an electronic reminder when it is time to renew his or her driver?s license, can sign up at: https://mymvd.iowadot.gov/.

D.O.T. needs input on interstate rest areas

AMES ? The Iowa Department of Transportation is conducting a rest area users? opinion survey in June and July to assist in planning for future rest area needs.

The same survey will be conducted in a variety of ways.

? Anyone can take the survey online at www.IowaDOTRestAreaStudy.com/ beginning through July 16.

? Rest area visitors to the Wilton, Osceola, Cedar Rapids, Onawa, Pacific Junction, Waukee and Dows facilities will be asked to participate in in-person surveys during daytime hours July 12-14.

? Surveys will be send via email or regular mail to all of the state?s registered commercial motor carriers.

? Printed surveys will be made available at all rest areas and weigh stations during the study period.

The survey has been designed to be completed in three to five minutes.

Branstad continues to fight Medicaid expansion

DES MOINES (AP) ? Gov. Terry Branstad isn?t wavering in his opposition to expanding the state?s Medicaid program calling it a federal straitjacket that the state and federal government can?t afford.

The federal Affordable Care Act recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court encourages states to cover more uninsured people. About 150,000 additional Iowans would be covered initially at federal expense. The state now has 450,000 people on Medicaid.

Branstad says he favors an Iowa-based program that requires everyone to pay something and works with insurers and medical providers to cut costs. He addressed the issue at his Monday news conference.

Democratic Sen. Jack Hatch says he?ll push the Legislature to expand Medicaid saying it would save those who pay premiums money and help hospitals by providing care for those who cannot afford it.

Family plans funeral for soldier killed in Afghanistan

EMERSON (AP) ? An Iowa soldier who was killed in Afghanistan last month will be remembered at a funeral next weekend.

The funeral for 25-year-old Army Sgt. James Skalberg will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak.

Skalberg was one of two soldiers killed on June 27 when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. The soldier killed was 24-year-old 1st Lt. Stephen Prasnicki, of Lexington, Va.

Skalberg graduated from Nishna Valley High School in 2005 and attended Peru State College in Peru, Neb. He joined the Army in 2007.

Skalberg?s wife and son live in Red Oak.

Iowa Army National Guard helicopter unit deploying

WATERLOO (AP) ? An Iowa Army National Guard helicopter unit is getting ready to deploy, but it wasn?t immediately clear how many soldiers in the Waterloo-based unit will be involved.

A send-off ceremony is being planned on July 19 for the Iowa Guard?s 211th Air Ambulance unit.

Iowa National Guard Col. Greg Hapgood says details of the deployment will be disclosed later, including the number of soldiers and their destination.

This will be the third overseas deployment in the past decade for some members of the unit.