The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports 46-year old Randy Lee Rudolph, of Audubon, was arrested Monday evening (4/14), on a charge of Animal Neglect causing death. The charge is the result of an investigation into animals found in cages in Brayton. The animals had no food or water. Rudolph turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office, was cited and released. He’s scheduled to appear in court Monday, April 21st.

And, an arrest has been made in connection with an incident that occurred last week in Hamlin. Sheriff’s officials say 54-year old Jeffrey Dennis Spencer, of Brayton, was arrested Friday evening, on a charge of Public Intoxication/3rd or subsequent offense. His arrest stems from an incident in the 4900 block of Highway 44 in Hamlin. Spencer was brought to the Audubon County Jail and released the following day. He’ s scheduled to appear in court Thursday (4/17).

Police in Red Oak report one person with a long history of arrests was taken into custody again, Tuesday night. 29-year old Kenton Jarvis Schooling, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 9:35-p.m. at a residence in the 200 block of North 2nd Street. Schooling was wanted on a Mills County warrant for OWI/1st Offense. Schooling was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on $1,000 cash bond.

And, the Red Oak P-D reports 35-year old Helen Louise Malone, of Red Oak, was cited for Driving While Suspended, Tuesday. She was pulled over at around 11:45-p.m. in the 1800 block of North Broadway Street, issued the citation and released.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa courthouses have a variety of security features, with about half banning guns and fewer providing secure areas for judges and staff to work outside courtrooms.     A gun incident in March at the Madison County Courthouse has sparked another push from the Iowa State Bar Association for upgraded security procedures at courthouses statewide. The group published a report on the issue in 2005.

The Des Moines Register reports a review show a majority of courthouses lack safety features recommended by the bar association. Those features include metal detectors or entryways that are monitored by deputies.

Guy Cook, a Des Moines attorney and president of the bar association, says a lack of basic security such as restricted entrances has the potential to create dangerous situations.

SIDNEY, Iowa (AP) – A southwest Iowa pastor has pleaded not guilty to charges he sexually abused a 5-year-old girl. The Omaha World-Herald reports 66-year-old Roger C. Kissel, of Sidney, pleaded not guilty to second-degree sexual abuse, lascivious acts and indecent exposure.

When he was arrested in February, Kissel was a pastor at the nondenominational Sidney Cowboy Church. Sidney Police Chief Austin Richardson says the allegations aren’t connected with the church. The crimes are alleged to have occurred over several months in 2013.

Kissel posted bond and has been released from the Fremont County Jail.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

MERRILL, Iowa (AP) – A company has purchased a former corn oil plant in northwest Iowa with the intention of starting it up again. Prairie Sun Foods LLC purchased the former Plymouth Oil plant for $3 million. The sale includes all the equipment in the plant and the acreage on which it sits. Company officials say the plant will produce food-grade corn oil and gluten-free corn germ flour. Up to 30 employees will be hired, including some former Plymouth Oil workers.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Public Radio is asking for additional funding from the state’s three public universities, a departure from a plan to become financially independent of them. Documents released Tuesday show IPR is asking the Board of Regents to approve $945,000 in funding for the budget year beginning July 1. The regents will consider the request next week.

SIDNEY, Iowa (AP) – A southwest Iowa pastor has pleaded not guilty to charges he sexually abused a 5-year-old girl. Sixty-six-year-old Roger C. Kissel of Sidney pleaded not guilty to second-degree sexual abuse, lascivious acts and indecent exposure. The crimes are alleged to have occurred over several months in 2013.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) – An Alliant Energy official says the utility has received the necessary permits for a power plant in Marshalltown and expects to begin construction this summer. Alliant, with Iowa operations based in Cedar Rapids, previously said its planned natural gas-powered plant will cost roughly $750 million and generate about 600 megawatts of electricity.