Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press
FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) – A Corrections Department spokesman says a break-in at a prison construction site in Fort Madison resulted in the theft of computers and software that detail facility drawings. The theft occurred June 19 at the construction site for the new Iowa State Penitentiary. Items stolen included laptop computers and tools.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines police say they plan to keep a pilot program that lets plainclothes officers focus on burglary investigations. The Des Moines Police Department says four officers began carrying out the special duties five months ago after an increase of burglaries in the city. The burglary detail squad has made nearly 100 felony arrests for burglary, theft, forgery and wanted subjects.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) – An auto repair shop in Muscatine says an employee has died from injuries sustained during severe weather that damaged his work area. The Krieger Auto Group posted on its Facebook page that the male employee died Monday from injuries caused the weather.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican state Rep. Mark Lofgren says he will run to represent Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. The Muscatine lawmaker says he wants to bring “fiscal responsibility” to Washington. The seat covers the southeastern part of Iowa and is currently held by Democrat Dave Loebsack.

Within the past week the Atlantic Police Department and Cass County Sheriff’s Office together have arrested four people on drug charges. On June 19th, 26-year old Jacky Walters of Atlantic was charged with Delivery of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine).

On June 20th, 58-year old Blaine Buchanan of Atlantic was charged with Delivery of Controlled Substance (Heroin).

Two arrests occurred on June 21st, first was 57-year old Janice Peterson of Atlantic for Delivery of Controlled Substance (Oxycodone). The second arrest that day was 55-year old Jon Meyer of Atlantic for Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance (Morphine) and Sponsoring a Gathering where controlled substances are distributed.

They were all transported to Cass County Jail and booked in. Additional charges and arrests are pending.

Residents in the Exira-Elk Horn School Districts have their chance to vote on the reorganization of the districts today. The two districts have been sharing teachers and sports for the past few years but now they are looking at sharing the entire district. Superintendent Dean Schnoes says the reorganization stems from dropping enrollment in the two schools,

Schnoes: “Lot of this comes from dropping in enrollment and wanting to use the staff and facilities you have. And seeing what was going on, we wanted to whole grade share so we can use the staff and facilities. At the same time, it gives you the added supplemental money from the state that comes with whole grade sharing.”

He said the state was seeing smaller schools lose enrollment so they implemented the whole grade sharing and lead to reorganization for a bigger district. Another reason for the districts to reorganize is the state has said starting July 1st, 2014, no funding can be shared between districts. Schnoes says by reorganizing, residents in both districts will see a decrease in property taxes,

Schnoes: “The next thing is by reorganizing you can lower property taxes for patrons for three years. So instead of paying the normal $5.45 per thousand of a set value, it drops to $4.45 the first year. It goes to $4.85 then $5.15 and then back to the $5.45. I look at it as it is out there and the best route for us to use the incentives from the state and reorganize.”

Schnoes says one of the nice benefits is the students already see the schools as one district,

Schnoes: “These students have gotten a long real well and see it as one district. The other nice benefit is we will keep a building in each district. Students will be able to attend buildings that are well kept and continue to get a quality education. The students overall will be able to continue operating of knowing they can continue going to the two school districts we have now.”

Residents in the Elk Horn Kimballton School District can vote at the Elk Horn High School and patrons in the Exira School District can cast their ballot on the reorganization Exira Recreation Center. Polling places open from noon to 8pm today.

KNOD