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By: Channel 9 Eyewitness NewsNews@kcautv.com The bipartisan Senate "Gang of Eight" held together despite an onslaught of amendments and some efforts to kill its comprehensive immigration reform bill. TheMore>> The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Immigration Bill 13-5, largely intact, to the full Senate for a vote.More>> By: Hollie Hojek hhojek@kcautv.com As you may imagine, working in and responding to a natural disaster like the one in Oklahoma, takes a hefty psychological toll. On Tuesday, Channel 9 spoke with anMore>> First Responders Often Suffer From "Flashbacks" after traumatic experiences.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness Sports (AP) Iowa State says that Northern Illinois transfer Abdel Nader has signed with the Cyclones. Nader, a 6-foot-7 forward from Skokie, Ill., averaged 13.1 points andMore>> Iowa State says that Northern Illinois transfer Abdel Nader has signed with the Cyclones. Nader, a 6-foot-7 forward from Skokie, Ill., averaged 13.1 points and 5.6 rebounds a game for the Huskies as a sophomore last season.More>> By: Hollie Hojek hhojek@kcautv.com There's been a surprising number of gas drive offs from one particular gas station in Sioux City. Police tell Channel 9 they're getting close to 300 calls from theMore>> Close to 300 Calls at Kum and Go on 14th Street in Sioux City, Police Say Majority are Gas Drive OffsMore>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News: Utility customers of MidAmerican Energy Company will get a chance next month to make comment concerning the companies proposed electric rate hike. According to the IowaMore>> MidAmerican is proposing a total base rate increase of approximately $135.6 million to be phased-in over three years.
MidAmerican provides electric service to approximately 641,000 customers in Iowa. Eight customer comment meetings are scheduled from mid-June into early July 2013.More>> By Staci DaSilva sdasilva@kcautv.com It was supposed to be a fun weekend trip with friends to Oklahoma City to take part in a rodeo, but for Cindy Berner-Schlite of Merrill, IA, that trip has now turnedMore>> Cindy Berner-Schlite was planning a trip to Oklahoma City this weekend, and is now bringing a trailer full of donations.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News (AP) A bill designed to attract large wind-energy farms to Nebraska is headed to a final vote in the Legislature. Lawmakers gave second-round approval Tuesday to theMore>> Lawmakers gave second-round approval Tuesday to the bill, which would extend sales tax exemptions to wind-energy companies.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News (AP) Oklahoma City area hospitals say they've treated more than 200 patients, including dozens of children, since yesterday's devastating tornado. Dozens remain hospitalizedMore>> At least 24 people, including nine children, were killed by what scientists have concluded was an EF5 tornado. That's the top of the scale for wind speed, breadth and damage.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News news@kcautv.com The Madison County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about home improvement scams happening in Northeast Nebraska. Out of state individuals do so byMore>> Madison County Sheriff's office warns residents about home improvement scams in Northeast Nebraska. More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News news@kcautv.com STORM LAKE, IOWA -- Buena Vista University is partnering with Larson Oil in Storm Lake to collect bottled water to be taken to the Oklahoma City tornadoMore>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News news@kcautv.com STORM LAKE, IOWA -- Buena Vista University is partnering with Larson Oil in Storm Lake to collect bottled water to be taken to the Oklahoma City tornadoMore>>
By: Tim Seaman
tseaman@kcautv.com
Sioux City's Police and Fire Headquarters Building is about 25 years old. A discussion over how to make repairs to the building came up during city budget hearings. There are about $200,000 dollars budgeted in 2013–14 to make annual repairs.
Instead, Mayor Bob Scott is proposing that the city fully renovate the headquarters and stop spending money on yearly repairs. Scott estimates a facelift could run about $2 million dollars.
According to Scott, it's time to bite the bullet.
"Well it's obvious they've been piecemealing this thing for the last three or four years it doesn't make sense to continue to do that and not gain from the problem, I think we ought to take a hard look at just doing it, biting the bullet and fixing that thing all in one year and getting it over with. Can we handle people having problems breathing and things like that. The answer is no so we're going to have to figure out a way," says Scott
If Scott's idea becomes reality, the project would likely catch the eye of taxpayers. The director of one watchdog group told us the city does have some options.
James Van Bruggen of the Taxpayers Research Council says, "It's important to remember that the city does have some grant funding that may help bring that cost down now if they're able to use that grant funding to lower the debt capacity to lower the cost of the building it may be prudent to replace that building."
The Sioux City City Council meets again on February 25th to discuss the building options. Until then, city staff will work on a proposal and estimated costs.
