The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports they’ve taken a pledge to keep tobacco out of the hands of Montgomery County youth.  Iowa Pledge (“I-Pledge” for short) is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division (ABD) to educate local retailers, and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco laws. Officials say the program has helped increase statewide tobacco compliance to a rate of 93-percent since it began in the year 2000. By partnering with the ABD, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says it will do its part to continue the upward trend.

Clerks who successfully complete an online training program and pass an exam, will be I-pledge certified, and the retail establishment will receive an affirmative defense against a civil penalty, of the certified clerk makes an illegal sale. To take the training, or search I-Pledge certification records, go to http://ipocp.iowaabd.com:8080/portal.

Officials say the I-Pledge retailer program is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco sales. As part of the I-Pledge program, deputies will be conducting compliance checks on local establishments. Criminal penalties resulting from the sale of tobacco to a minor during the unannounced checks using underage customers, include fines from $100 for the first offense, to as much as $500 for the third and subsequent offenses.

Sheriff Joe Sampson says handing out citations is not the intent of the I-Pledge program. He says the hope is to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in communities within Montgomery County. More importantly, according to Sampson, is the “Pledge to help keep tobacco out of the hands of Iowa youth.”

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County say a Villisca man was arrested Thursday afternoon. 23-year old Charles Albert Mace, Jr, was arrested at around 12:40-p.m. on charges of providing false information to a peace officer, and driving while suspended. Mace was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and later released on $300 cash bond.

Audubon Police report three people were arrested over the past week. On Sept. 2nd, officers arrested 38-year old James Raymond Nottingham Jr., of Wadsworth, Illinois, for violation of a no contact order. Nottingham was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held to be seen by a magistrate.

On September 4th, 33-year old Shanda Jolene Tews, of Audubon, was arrested for violation of a no contact order. Tews turned herself in at the Audubon County Jail and was released.

And on Sept. 5th, officers with the Audubon Police Dept. arrested 22 year old Christopher Allan Campeau, of Audubon, for Public Intoxication. Campeau was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held to be seen by a magistrate.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Officials say three teenagers accused of bringing airsoft pistols to a Dubuque middle school face disciplinary action. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that a 14-year old and two 13-year-olds have been suspended and charged as juveniles in violation of a city ordinance that prohibits carrying concealed weapons without a permit. The ordinance includes air guns. Washington Middle School was briefly placed on precautionary lockdown Thursday morning after an airsoft pistol was found in a student’s backpack. Two more were later found.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Officials say a fire the killed a southeast Iowa man in his mobile home was accidental. Burlington Fire Marshal Mark Crooks told The Hawk Eye newspaper Wednesday that the fire that killed 75-year-old Jerry Hensen started in his kitchen. Crooks says Hensen apparently tried to extinguish the fire early Tuesday, but he was overcome by smoke.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A Davenport man has been accused of selling heroin to a man who later died from an overdose. The Quad-City Times reports 50-year-old Cornel Miller was arrested yesterday in connection with the Wednesday death of 53-year-old Daniel Charles Hansen, also of Davenport.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has a stable of talented running backs and an impressive line. The Hawkeyes also have issues in the receiving corps and a sophomore quarterback, Jake Rudock, who will be making his road debut tomorrow at Iowa State. Saturday’s matchup in Ames kicks off at 5 p.m.