A traffic stop in Audubon County this (Thursday) morning, resulted in a man being arrested on a alcohol charge. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says 23-year old Michael Todd Sonntag, of Exira, was pulled over in Exira at around 12:15-a.m. and charged with OWI/1st Offense. Sonntag was brought to the Audubon County Jail and held until appearing before the magistrate, and then released.

RED OAK, Iowa (AP) – A facade project to give Red Oak’s downtown square a face-lift is set to begin. The Daily Nonpareil reports residents gathered in Fountain Square Park Wednesday for the project’s groundbreaking ceremony. Paul Griffen, the executive director for the Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association, said the gathering was a celebration of updates that are needed.

The project, which will be done in two phases, will give new awnings, paint and more to 30 buildings in the downtown square area. Both phases are expected to be completed by the end of the year. According to Griffen, the facade project will have a price tag of more than $900,000 by the time it is done.

The city has received funds for the project from a Community Development Block Grant, as well as money from Downtown Urban Renewal and building owner contributions.

A bill that has been one of Republican Governor Terry Branstad’s priorities in each of the past three years is in limbo in the Iowa House. An bill designed to address concerns about bullying in Iowa schools cleared the Iowa Senate nearly a month ago on a 43-to-seven vote, but House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, a Republican from Hiawatha who is a lawyer, hints at the problem. “I have concerns about whether or not we’re inducing more risk of lawsuits and liability with the way it’s written right now,” Paulsen says.

Democrats in the Iowa House tried to force Paulsen to bring the bill up for debate yesterday (Wednesday) and were joined in the effort by the Republican chairman of the House Education Committee, but Paulsen and 51 other Republicans in the House united to block the move. Representative Chris Hall, a Democrat from Sioux City, says it’s important to draw attention to the impasse. “It’s reaching the point of absurdity, folks,” Hall says. “Most of us agree that legislation cannot and will not resolve each and every issue of bullying, but we can also agree that our updates…can help.”

Back in January, Governor Branstad got a standing ovation from legislators during his “Condition of the State” speech when he called for passage of the anti-bullying bill. Branstad has said he and his staff have worked to address concerns raised in the past two years and the “time has come” to pass the legislation. Paulsen, the legislature’s top Republican, says the bill still has flaws.

“By us creating new standards and requirements for the schools, I’m not sure they have complete control over that side of the equation,” Paulsen says. Representative Hall, the Democrat who led the effort to try to force debate on the bill in the House, says House Republican leaders are “doubling down” on irresponsibility. “House leaders have caved to Bob Vander Plaats and the far right fringe,” Hall said. “Perhaps it’s time to accept the reality that compromise won’t come from this chamber and kids won’t be a top priority within this House.”

Bob Vander Plaats — a Republican candidate for governor in 2002, 2006 and 2010 — is president of The Family Leader, a conservative Christian organization. The group is registered as opposed to Governor Branstad’s anti-bullying bill. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition are also registered opponents of the bill. Groups that represent Iowa educators and school boards support it.

(Radio Iowa)

A central Iowa man was arrested Tuesday night in Union County. The Sheriff’s office says 39-year old Terry Lynn Phelps, Jr., of Boone, was arrested at the Law Enforcement Center on a Department of Corrections warrant for probation violation. Phelps was being held without bond in the Union County Jail until his appearance before the Magistrate.

Glenwood Police report three recent arrests. Today (Thursday), 33-year old Toby Merritt, of Glenwood, was arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication. Merritt was being held in the Mills County Jail on $300 bond.

On Wednesday, Glenwood Police arrested 18-year old Crysta Brammer, of Glenwood, for being a Fugitive from Justice. Brammer was being held without bond in the jail. And, 55-year old Alfred Barrett, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $2,000.