The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is asking for nine new employees and seeking a ban on open burning of residential waste in all municipalities to begin addressing high levels of fine particulate pollution.

The open burning ban and funding request to staff educational programs and enhanced monitoring of PM 2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) emissions are part of a comprehensive reported submitted to the governor and legislature January 3.

First quarter earnings at Lee Enterprises, parent of the Quad City Times, were 42 cents per share, a 32 percent decline from 62 cents per share reported for the same quarter a year ago.

The company trumpeted its double-digit growth in online ad revenue in its quarterly earnings release, but the media conglomerate's overall advertising revenue fell nearly 2 percent compared to the first quarter a year ago.

National air quality standards were exceeded a record 85 times at various monitors in Iowa during 2010, including 33 instances in Muscatine, 10 in Clinton and nine in Davenport.

Four people, including a Bettendorf man and the former director of the Iowa Film Office, now face felony criminal charges in connection with state tax credits issued by the Iowa Film Office.

According to Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller those charged Monday (1/10) in Polk County Court were:

Issue similar to Bettendorf/Davenport problems

The city of Keokuk must begin addressing its raw sewage discharges into the Mississippi River under an agreement announced Wednesday (1/5) with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Under the administrative compliance order, Keokuk will develop plans and begin work to upgrade its sewer and stormwater systems to reduce sewage overflows into the Mississippi and its tributary, Soap Creek.

More than $16 million in new capital projects -- from $350,000 for more downtown "streetscaping" to $2 million for widening of Tanglefoot east of Devils Glen Road -- are being recommended by Bettendorf's city staff.

The city administration's Community Improvement Program (CIP) request is the first step in devising a capital spending plan for the coming fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011.

Bettendorf anticipates spending $7 million in fiscal 2013 as its share to expand Davenport's wastewater treatment plant to help end the regular practice of discharging untreated sewage into the Mississippi River.

The Isle of Capri, Inc., owner of Isle of Capri Casino-Bettendorf and Rhythm City Casino-Davenport, lost $1 million - 3 cents per share - in the gambling firm's second quarter ended October 24.

The loss compares to earnings of $1.5 million, 5 cents per share, for the same period in 2009 when the company recorded a large $6 million income tax benefit.

Revenues at the Isle's casino, hotel and racetrack properties remain flat totaling $246.7 million for the second quarter, compared to $246.1 million for the same three-month period in 2009.

A Bettendorf metal electroplating firm, Heartland Plating Co., has been ordered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to immediately address improper hazardous waste storage at its 2900 Elm Street plant.

The EPA's regional office in Kansas City issued the administrative order Wednesday (11/24) after inspectors last month "documented throughout the facility spilled and abandoned materials for which the company’s representatives could not provide complete and accurate hazardous waste determinations."

Faced with stagnant gambling revenue, Bettendorf officials are once again eyeing cuts to the so-called "enterprise funds" which include the city owned fitness center, golf course, swimming pool and Family Museum.