Police in Red Oak report one person was arrested Friday night and two people were cited on alcohol-related charges. 21-year old Cole Francis Meek, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 7:30-p.m. in the 200 block of E. Oak Street. Meek was charged with Serious Assault and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $1,000.

And at around 9-p.m., Red Oak Police received a call about minors drinking alcohol in the 1500 block of N. Broadway Street. Officers subsequently issued $330 citations to  18-year old Tristin Erron Bolinger, of Red Oak, and 19-year old Keaton Ray Kephart, of Stanton, for Possession of Alcohol by a person under the age of 21. Bolinger and Kephart was released at the scene, after receiving their citations.

Main Street Iowa hosted the annual Main Street Iowa Awards celebration on Friday,
May 1st, in Des Moines. During the event, six communities were recognized for reaching significant benchmarks based on private dollar investments made in the purchase and revitalization of properties within their respective commercial districts. Manning was recognized for reaching the $1 million benchmark in the last year. The community of Greenfield received recognition for its 20 years of participation as designated Main Street community.

The event to recognize local Main Street projects, activities and volunteers was attended by approximately 500 individuals representing communities across the state. The honors were presented by Governor Terry E. Branstad and Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).

Competitive nominations were submitted for 107 projects and activities within the five categories of design, economic restructuring, organization, promotion and overall program. Twenty-one projects received winner awards recognition and nine received honorable mention. In addition to the competitive nominations, individuals, couples or co-chairs representing the 52 Main Street programs were recognized for their outstanding dedication and volunteer service. The program directors accompanied their volunteers on stage as they received their certificates.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has declared a state of emergency due to a bird flu outbreak that’s forcing farms to kill more than 17 million chickens and turkeys. Branstad’s proclamation announced Friday will remain in effect until May 31st unless it’s terminated earlier.

The proclamation activates disaster response and recovery procedures for Iowa’s homeland security and emergency management programs. It authorizes use of state money, supplies and equipment to track and monitor bird flu, establish restrictions around affected farms and rapidly detect cases.

It also allows more time to dispose of poultry carcasses. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey says it’s important to step up the response as the disease spreads. Northey announced four more farms infected — three turkey operations and a 1 million-chicken egg-laying operation in Madison County.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have charged a second teenager with murder in the death of an Illinois man at a Des Moines home. Des Moines police yesterday charged a 16-year-old with first-degree murder and robbery in the November 2014 shooting death of 24-year-old Aaron Michael McHenry, a resident of Rockford, Illinois, who had been staying in Des Moines for several months. Police charged the 16-year-old, who lives in Des Moines, while he was in custody for a separate incident.

OTHO, Iowa (AP) — A Webster County man escaped a mobile home fire but was only able to carry out a hamper full of clothing. The Fort Dodge Messenger reports the Thursday afternoon fire in Otho spread from a debris pile to a mobile home where 56-year-old Jim Kikendall was inside paying video games. Besides the home, a vehicle also was destroyed.

SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say flames from a northwest Iowa yard waste fire spread to a barn after the man tending the fire went inside for supper. Firefighters were sent to the Sergeant Bluff property a little before 7 p.m. Thursday.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Western Community College will offer lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students a new community housing option this fall. The Daily Nonpareil reports that the college has set aside a cluster of about 40 suite-style apartments to create an optional community-style living environment for LGBT students, with a focus on transgender and intersex individuals.