Sheriff’s officials in Adams County says two men who were arrested last week on murder charges remain in jail. 40-year old Antonio Valenzuela and 41-year old Francisco Valenzuela, of 2087 110th Street in Lenox, were charged with Attempted Murder. Their bonds was set at $25,000 each.

Authorities have not released any further details, except to say Antonio Valenuela was arrested June 13th after a search warrant was executed at 409 w. Dallas Street, in Lenox. Francisco Valenzuela was arrested a short time later.

Since it is an ongoing investigation, and for the safety of certain individuals, sheriff’s officials say they are withholding additional information at this time.

The suspect in the theft of a pickup truck in Cass County remained in the hospital today (Tuesday), after he crashed the vehicle during a pursuit. Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren told  KJAN News the incident began just after 2-a.m.He says they received a call about a white-colored pickup taken from a residence off of the Airport Road in Atlantic at around 2:03-a.m.  Cass County Deputy Ben Bartholomew observed the vehicle four minutes later, traveling south of Atlantic on Highway 6. He engaged in a pursuit of the pickup, which wound its way through back roads near the Lewis Cemetery before coming to an end at 582nd and Main Streets, on the eastern outskirts of Lewis. That’s where the pickup went out of control at around 2:10-a.m., and rolled several times. It was declared a total loss.

The unidentified driver of the vehicle was trapped in the pickup, which was registered to Roxanne Woolsey, of Atlantic. The man was conscious and breathing when Griswold Fire and Rescue and Lewis 1st Responders arrived on the scene. Officials had asked for LifeNet to be launched, but due to the weather conditions the chopper was grounded. The suspect was extricated from the vehicle and was transported by Griswold Rescue to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. A report on his condition is not available. McLaren said charges are pending in the incident.

The Sheriff said the suspect had recently been released from the Cass County Jail.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Sen. Jack Hatch has chosen a Cedar Rapids city councilwoman as his running mate as he seeks to unseat Gov. Terry Branstad in November. Hatch is announcing in Cedar Rapids that Monica Vernon is his choice to run alongside him for lieutenant governor.  A biography posted Tuesday on his campaign website says she is serving her second four-year term on the city council.

She is founder of Vernon Research Group, a market research firm. She has also worked as a community relations director for Mount Mercy University and was previously a reporter for the Gazette.  Vernon, who is 56, ran for Iowa’s U.S. House 1st District seat coming in second behind Iowa Rep. Pat Murphy.

She is married to an attorney, Bill Vernon, and has three adult daughters.

The Iowa Board of Social Work, last week, acted to suspend the license of a Creston man. The Board ruled on June 10th that Master Social Work practitioner Kenneth Hayes had repeatedly violated the terms of his “Impaired Practitioner Recovery Contract,” as established by the seven-member Impaired Practitioner Review Committee.

Hayes is said to have repeatedly consumed alcohol which was proven through the results of three separate tests. He also ceased participating in a chemical screening program, and was discharged from a treatment aftercare Program facilitated by Zion Recovery Services, for lack of compliance and lack of progress in rehabilitation.

Hayes’ is required to stop practicing social work and pay a total of $130 in fees associated with the proceedings in his case. Hayes has 30 days to appeal his suspension to a district court, with the cost of the appeal his sole responsibility.

Monday’s night’s meeting of the CAM School Board was the last such meeting for Superintendent Steve Pelzer.  Pelzer told KJAN News he officially retired and handed in his letter of resignation, so the district can move forward with its Superintendent sharing agreement with Nodaway Valley. His last day will be June 30th. When asked what he would do in his retirement, Pelzer joked “I think going to be a radio announcer.”

In addition to approving Pelzer’s retirement and resignation, the CAM School Board took action on a few other contracts. He says they had a resignation from Kyle Williams – Head of Maintenance, resignations from various coaching positions because of a moves to different positions, 1st grade teacher Alisha Lindquist resigned to accept a position with the Atlantic School District, and, a contract was issued to new Athletic Director, Joe Wollum.

Pelzer said also, the Board signed a sharing agreement with Nodaway Valley for a part-time counselor. He said that individual will serve the CAM District in the south Elementary and Middle School for about 40% of the contract, two days per week

And, the CAM School Board finalized an agreement with Nodaway Valley for the sharing of their Superintendent, Casey Berlau, effective July 1st.

(9-a.m. News)