Authorities in Crawford County report four people were arrested in connection with a home invasion robbery in Vail early Monday morning. Sheriff’s officials say the call about the incident at 101 Atlantic Street came in around 3:18-am. Officials say two suspects allegedly entered the home armed with a weapon appearing to be a handgun and stole cash and other personal items. The suspects fled the scene following the robbery.

A joint investigation by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and Denison Police Department was conducted and information led authorities to 909 Broadway Street in Denison. A search warrant was executed around 1pm where numerous items of evidence including property belonging to the victims of the robbery in Vail as well as a black b-b gun.

Arrested in connection with the incident was 18 year old Richard Allen Martinez, 19 year old Brandon Joel Mauricio, 19 year old Christian Pena and 24 year old Karen Yamilet Melara, all of Denison. Martinez and Mauricio were charged with robbery, 2nd degree, burglary, 3rd degree, theft, 2nd degree and assault while participating in a felony. Pena was charged with 3rd degree burglary. Melara was charged with accessory after the fact.

Upon further investigation, authorities also obtained evidence that led to believe Martinez was the participant in the two armed robberies that took place at the Denison Kum and Go store on Tuesday, December 3rd and Wednesday December 11th. Martinez was charged with two counts of 2nd degree robbery, 4th degree theft and one count of 5th degree theft.

Also arrested in connection to the Kum and Go robberies was 18 year old Alan Gualberto Ruvalcaba of Denison. He was charged with robbery, 2nd degree and theft, 4th degree. All suspects were transported to the Crawford County Jail and are waiting to appear before the magistrate. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and the Denison Police Department were assisted by the Iowa State Patrol and the Harlan Police Department’s K-9 unit.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

ONAWA, Iowa (AP) – A former Monona County auditor arrested on drug charges in July has been sentenced to two days in jail.  Brooke Kuhlmann, of Onawa, pleaded guilty Monday in Monona County District Court to a serious misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance. A charge of possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed.

The Sioux City Journal reports Kuhlmann’s sentence includes $450 in fines and fees, plus a revocation of her driver’s license for six months. She will report to the county jail on Jan. 10th.  Investigators say the 28-year-old Kuhlmann bought methamphetamine from an undercover Iowa State Patrol officer in late July. She was later arrested during a traffic stop.

Kuhlmann, a Democrat elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2012, resigned in December.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Education officials in Iowa are hoping the state will support a pilot program aimed at helping students learn before and after school.  The state Department of Education says the extended learning pilot project could boost Iowa’s graduation rate. The department submitted a proposal for the $1 million program in November, but Gov. Terry Branstad hasn’t said whether he will support it.

The Des Moines Register says a report commissioned by the state and prepared by a consulting firm recommends that the proposed program focus on high-need students. Proponents of such programs say the measure is further evidence that support for out-of-school learning is growing in Iowa.