Capitol Notebook: Michael Jordan rookie card sold at state auction for $5,400

DES MOINES — Michael Jordan’s unclaimed rookie card was sold at a state auction for $5,400, the Iowa Treasurer's Office reported this week.

The card was rated as being in near-mint condition by Professional Sports Authenticator.

The card was in an abandoned safety deposit box, and repeated attempts to locate the owner were unsuccessful.

The Treasurer’s Office attempts to return abandoned property to owners through the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, publishing names online and searching for known addresses. Other unclaimed property includes uncashed checks and forgotten checking and savings accounts.

The state auctions the contents of unclaimed safety deposit boxes once it runs out of room to store them, Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith's office said in a news release. Some boxes being auctioned off have been in the state's possession for 10 to 15 years.

Proceeds of the sale are retained by the state and can be claimed by the rightful owner or heir to the card, Smith said.

Iowa offering gun violence grants

Iowa communities can apply for new federal grant dollars to support community activities aimed at addressing and preventing violent crime and gun violence.

The Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy received nearly $2.5 million from the U.S. Department of Justice grant.

About $1.1 million will be available in the first year to state and local government agencies to support activities addressing gun and violent crime, according to a news release. At least 40 percent will be distributed to local communities.

State officials have identified behavioral health as a top priority, with emphasis on youth intervention programs

Programs eligible for funding include mental health partnerships, crisis centers and mobile crisis units, specialty courts, youth and jail diversion programs and substance abuse treatment and recovery programs focused on methamphetamine

Faith-based and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply in collaboration with state and local and government agencies. Indian tribes also may also apply.

The deadline for submitting online applications is Nov. 9. Grant awards will be announced by Dec. 15.

An online pre-application workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 10. Register to participate at https://bit.ly/3EKbQIu.

For more information, visit https://odcp.iowa.gov/ or contact Dennis Wiggins at (515) 805-4141 or email wiggins@dps.state.ia.us.

Reynolds recognizes Clean Energy Week

Extolling the value of renewable biofuels and wind energy, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation last week designating Sept. 25-29 as National Clean Energy Week. To date, two dozen other states have recognized the week.

National Clean Energy Week describes itself as a “bipartisan forum to recognize the numerous advantages clean energy provides to local communities.”

The organization holds a policy symposium that has been sponsored by oil and gas groups and companies, along with groups representing solar power, nuclear power and the battery industry.

“Clean energy is a vital part of America's energy future,” Reynolds' proclamation said. “It includes generation from renewable sources such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal sources, but it also includes nuclear, natural gas, and carbon capture technologies as well as energy storage.”