AMES, Iowa (AP) — A task force has voted to discontinue the current setup of an annual celebration at Iowa State University, though no decision was made on specific changes. Members of the group voted unanimously Thursday to discontinue Veishea in its current form. The Des Moines Register reports they discussed eliminating the celebration’s well-known name and spreading events throughout the year instead of a multi-day event in the spring.

The group formed shortly after a late-night crowd disturbance in early April. People are accused of overturning cars and toppling light poles. One student was injured. The task force will make recommendations about Veishea to University President Steven Leath, who will make the final decision on its future.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a Glenwood woman was arrested Thursday morning. 21-year old Lindsey Joanne Krause was arrested just before 8-a.m. on a warrant charging her with assault. Krause posted bond. Her preliminary hearing was set for June 16th.

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce’ Board of Directors has approved a merger with the Shelby County DevelopSource. In a meeting held Wednesday, the board met to discuss and act on the approval from their chamber members. On May 29th, the Chamber sent out a survey for all of their members to fill out and vote on the merger.

Of the 61 members who voted in the survey, 82 percent were in favor, 17 were against and 4 members skipped the question. Another question in the survey asked if a merger between the organizations is in the best interest and 87 percent said yes.

Two entities will combine to create one board with a total of 8 members, 4 from the Chamber and 4 from the DevelopSource boards. More information will be released once the details are hashed out on where the new organization will be located, by-laws are set in place and a new director is hired.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

(Updated 11:50-a.m.)

A motorcyclist died this morning when the cycle collided with a car in Council Bluffs. The accident occurred at around 6:45-a.m. Council Bluffs Police Sergeant Jason Bailey says the crash happened just north of the Mall of the Bluffs. “The Buick was going south making a left hand turn to turn into the business here,” Sergeant Bailey says, “the motorcycle was going north.”

The cycle was operated by 37-year old Mickie Carroll, of Council Bluffs. Carroll died at the scene. Bailey says no charges have been filed, as yet, but his initial investigation indicates the motorist, identified as 66-year old James Binns, of Council Bluffs, was at fault.  “We don’t know if he didn’t see him or what but he made a left hand turn in front of the motorcycle,” Bailey says. “He didn’t have a chance to stop and he struck the car.”

The accident remains under investigation.

(Radio Iowa/Council Bluffs P-D)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Bridge engineers in Nebraska and Iowa says the safety problems seen in Delaware with an interstate bridge are not likely to happen here. On Thursday, Delaware ordered immediate inspections of major bridges after closing a leaning bridge Monday. Officials think piles of dirt dumped near the bridge might be responsible for shifting the ground beneath the span.

Nebraska State Bridge Engineer Mark Traynowicz says a combination of inspections and laws requiring permits for any work or dumping of state rights of way would thwart similar problems in Nebraska.

Scott Neubauer, Iowa’s bridge maintenance and inspection engineer, says Iowa doesn’t plan inspections like Delaware is requiring. Neubauer says he’s never heard of an instance in Iowa with a contractor piling anything near a bridge that would interfere with its structural integrity.

A public hearing will be held Monday evening in Atlantic with regard to an Early Start Calendar Waiver for the 2014-2015 school year. The hearing will take place at 7:30-p.m. in the Atlantic High School Media Center, prior to the start of the regular Atlantic School Board meeting. During the hearing, district patrons may speak for or against the Early Start Calendar Waiver, which allows districts to request from the Iowa Department of Education, authorization to begin classes earlier than specified in the Code of Iowa.The district is required to hold a public hearing on the matter prior to July 1st if it intends to begin classes earlier than a day during the calendar week, in which the first day of September falls.

During the Atlantic School Board’s regular meeting, the Board will hear special presentations from Gary Sinclair, Finance Support Co-Director for the Iowa Association of School Boards, and, an update from the Lindamood Bell Reading and Comprehension program instructors.

The School Board will also act on: approving various staff contracts, volunteer coaching positions and/or resignations; a digital sign for the Atlantic Middle School; New teacher employment; other, administrative matter, and, the 2014-2015 Early Start Calendar Waiver.

Discussion items to follow, include an Atlantic Middle School teacher request, and a draft Honorary Diploma policy.