Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Rapids police say officers arrested a man who was accused of using a samurai sword to break windows at First Presbyterian Church in downtown. Thirty-four-year-old Jerrald Meek is charged with third degree criminal mischief and carrying weapons.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two Des Moines teenagers escaped a fire in their home by smashing a window and scrambling to safety. A smoke alarm that sounded early yesterday morning in the home of Butch Grimm awaked Grimm’s 13-year-old son, who rushed to wake up his 15-year-old sister

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Alcoa says it has completed a $300 million expansion of the Davenport Works plant the produces aluminum sheet products for the automotive industry. Alcoa executives made the announcement yesterday during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where manufacturers are focusing attention on increased use of aluminum in vehicles.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state panel has agreed to pay more than $1,400 to fix damage to first lady Christine Branstad’s car. The Iowa State Appeal Board approved the spending of $1,420 yesterday. Branstad’s personal car was damaged last year after a gate fell on it at the governor’s mansion in Des Moines.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former Iowa doctor has lost his appeal of an Iowa Board of Medicine disciplinary action against him. The medical board said Tuesday it found deficiencies in 71-year-old Robert Tobin’s surgical practices in 2005 and imposed certain requirements on him. The board says he failed to meet them and filed disciplinary charges against him in 2007, 2010, and again in 2011. In March 2012 the board suspended his license for six months and fined him $10,000.

Tobin sued saying he had complied with most of the requirements. He lost in district court and appealed. The Iowa Court of Appeals last week concluded the sanctions were reasonable. Tobin, an ophthalmologist in St. Joseph, Mo., previously practiced in Council Bluffs and Des Moines.

The Marne Community Club will host their Annual Chili Contest this Sunday, January 19th . At the same time, the Annual Men’s Pie Baking Contest will be held. Judging for both contests will be “peoples’ choice.” Anyone interested in entering the Chili Contest should bring a gallon crock pot of chili to the Marne Community Center by 6:00 p.m. on the day of the contest. The same goes for entering the Men’s Pie Contest. There are no fees for entering.

Trophies for both chili and pie winners are on display at the Marne Community Center, and the 2014 1st place winners’ names will be added to their respective trophy. Everyone is welcome to join the fun, either as a participant or a judge. Organizers invite you to come to Marne and share a meal. The main course will be, of course, chili. Please bring a potluck salad to share. Pie for dessert! Beverages will be provided.

The Iowa Transportation Commission on Tuesday, approved $4-million in total funding for 11 projects from Iowa’s Clean Air Attainment Program. Among them was: the East Broadway Realignment at Kanesville Boulevard (U.S. 6) (Council Bluffs), which received $474,768 in funding, and the Kanesville Boulevard (U.S. 6) Project (Council Bluffs), which will received $388,800 in funding.

The program was created in 1994 for the purpose of reducing transportation-related congestion and air pollution. This funding is available to cities, counties, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations through an annual application-based program.

Police in Harlan Tuesday (today) released a cumulative report on arrests and incidents which have occurred over the past few weeks. Among the incidents, on Jan. 5th, 29-year old Tana Reed of Harlan, was arrested for allegedly assaulting Natalie Segebart according to a complaint filed by Segebart. Reed was cited for simple assault and released.

On Jan.7th,  54-year old Michael Garrison, of Harlan, was arrested at the Shelby County courthouse when he ignored several requests from law enforcement to conduct himself in an orderly fashion. Garrison was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with disorderly conduct. That same day, two Harlan men were arrested when they were observed letting the air out of the tires of a car at 2104 Lincoln Ave.   23-year old Jeremy Bias, and 35-year old Jeffrey Simpson, were both arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail where they were charged with intoxication in public. Bias was also charged with criminal mischief.

And on Jan. 10th, 37-year old Brad Knauss, of Portsmouth, was arrested following a traffic stop. Knauss was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.