Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers appear close on a budget deal for the state’s judicial branch. The state House approved a budget yesterday that gives the judiciary a budget of more than $167 million for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. That’s an increase of nearly $6 million over the current year.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Republican-majority Iowa House has approved legislation that would change collective bargaining rules. House lawmakers included the provision in a broad spending bill they approved yesterday. State employees would have to pay 20 percent of their health insurance premiums under the proposal.

MONTICELLO, Iowa (AP) — A snowstorm has delayed repair on a ruptured propane line in eastern Iowa that caused the evacuation of several homes. Crew and equipment hired to fix the line were delayed in Minnesota by poor road conditions. The strong winds are helping disperse the spewing gas. Authorities say a farmer on a tractor struck the above-ground pipeline Wednesday near Monticello.

CLARKSVILLE, Iowa (AP) — One man has been killed and two others injured in a two-vehicle crash in northern Iowa. The roadway was wet with slush at the time of the accident yesterday on Highway 188 near Clarksville. Edward Eilers died after his northbound SUV was struck by an oncoming van. The accident is being investigated.

Atlantic Fire and Medivac Ambulance were called to the scene of what was initially thought to be a structure fire at 200 Oak Street. Fire Chief Mark McNees said Atlantic Police Officer Dave Erickson saw flames coming from what he thought was the building, owned by R&B Feeds, at around 9:08-p.m.

Atlantic Fire on the scene at 200 Oak St. Thursday night, near R & B Feeds.

McNees said when the first fire crews arrived, the saw a diesel pickup truck with its engine block plugged in to a core heater, in preparation for use on Friday. He said the electrical cord to the core heater apparently shorted out and caught the engine compartment on fire.

The truck was parked between a delivery truck and some bulk tanks, somewhat hidden from view. McNees credits Officer Erickson for noticing the flames when he did, before the fire spread to the building, approximately four-feet away. McNees said a City of Atlantic Maintenance worker also saw the flames and reported them to 9-1-1, at about the same time. He said when firefighters  first arrived, all the crews could see was a large glow and smoke.  It wasn’t clear at the onset, exactly what was on fire.

Some loud bangs heard shortly after firefighters arrived were the sounds of the front tires of the truck exploding from the heat and flames.The full-sized Ford truck was a total loss.

Firefighters from Griswold and Elliott were called to the scene of a house fire at 305 4th Street Thursday afternoon. The call came in at around 3:36-p.m.

House fire at 305 4th St. in Griswold. (Ric Hanson/Photo)

Griswold Fire Chief Jim Wyman says he was working in his nearby shop when the call came in. He said he looked out and saw black smoke rising from the house, which was owned by one of his firemen, Severin Ritter. Wyman got to the fire station and told his crews to expedite their arrival.

Wyman said Ritter was standing outside, looking very upset, but there was nothing that could be done expect to try and put out the flames. Wyman said while the cause of the fire remains to be determined, it was clear it had been smoldering for at least three or four hours. The house sustained severe damage, but a dollar amount was not immediately available.

Neither Ritter, nor his wife and twin sons were home at the time, but two family pets, a cat and a dog were inside the home. Ritter, who has been a member of the Griswold  Fire Department for the past four-years, managed to rescue the animals before he went to the fire station. They appeared to be in shock and suffering from smoke inhalation.

Family pets rescued from the home of Griswold Firefighter Severin Ritter.

The cat’s fur was apparently singed as well. None of the fire fighters or anyone else was injured during the blaze. The family was expected to stay with relatives in the area until a more permanent housing situation can be found. Wyman says the house has been undergoing remodeling since it was purchased about four or five-years ago.

Following the investigation into an accident that occurred on March 21st, the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office has charged 19-year old Benjamin Gerard Irlmeier of Audubon with Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident, Failure to Report a Personal Injury Accident, Possession of Alcohol, Failure to Maintain Control, and No Inusrance. The accident had occurred on Quail Avenue south of Exira near Littlefield Drive. Irlmeier appeared before the magistrate Thursday, and pled not guilty. A preliminary hearing is set for May 20th.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is requesting public input on the proposed improvement of Iowa 92 from Iowa 25 in Greenfield east to 1.3 miles east of Madison County Road P-53 in Adair and Madison counties.

The proposed project provides for widening, resurfacing and installing subdrains from Greenfield east to the Adair/Madison county line. From the county line east to 1.3 miles east of Madison County Road P-53, the proposed improvement provides for milling and rubblizing the existing surface, and widening and resurfacing the roadway.

Through traffic on Iowa 92 would be detoured during the construction phase in Madison County using Iowa 25, Interstate 80 and U.S. 169. The project is scheduled to be let in September 2013. For general information or to make a comment regarding the proposed improvements, contact Don Stevens, assistant district engineer, Iowa DOT District 4 Office, 2210 E. Seventh St., Atlantic, Iowa 50022, telephone 712-243-3355 or 800-289-4368, email donald.stevens@dot.iowa.gov.

Comments must be received by May 16th, to be considered.