Police in Harlan say a complaint was filed last week with the Shelby County Clerk of Court, charging 20-year old Brittany McCord, of Harlan,  with Theft in the 5th degree, a Serious Misdemeanor. The charge was filed following an investigation into a report from the Casey’s General Store in Harlan, with regard to an alleged incident of employee theft.

Officials say also, two people were arrested on Monday, Feb. 4th:   27-year old Amanda Wicker, of Harlan, was arrested on a mittimus warrant out of Shelby County, and on a Possession of a Controlled Substance charge. Wicker is scheduled to make her initial appearance in court on Feb. 21st.  And, 48-year old Michael Durkan, of Omaha, was arrested on a public intoxication charge, after Harlan Police officers were called to Myrtue Medical Center, with regard to an intoxicated subject who needed to be removed from the Emergency Room.

Durkan posted a $600 cash bond this past Tuesday, and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 12th.

Officials with the Lenox Police Department say a vehicle which was reported stolen early last week from the Taylor County town, was located in rural Adams County. No other details have been provided with regard to the red, 1999 4-door Pontiac Grand Prix, which was stolen sometime late Sunday, Feb. 3rd and early Monday morning, Feb. 4th. The case remains under investigation, and anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact the Lenox Police Department.

(This is a vehicle similar to the one reported stolen but later recovered)

Sheriff’s officials in Union County report a pickup has been stolen from the Casey’s General Store & Texaco, in Creston. The vehicle is a white, 2009 Ford Ranger Supercab with Iowa license plate 372 AAD.

2009 Ford Ranger extended (Supercab) similar to one stolen from Creston.

If you have seen this vehicle or have any information about the theft, contact the Union County Law Enforcement Center at 1-641-782-8402.

Iowa kids wouldn’t be able to snack on corn chips and a Coke from their school vending machine under a new federal proposal. “Smart Snacks in School” would change the types of food sold in schools nationwide, according to Kevin Concannon, a former Iowan and the U-S-D-A’s Undersecretary for Food and Nutrition Services. Concannon says, “It makes sure that American kids that go to school for the snacks that they may purchase, whether they’re from vending machines or on counters during the school day, are healthier than they currently have available in many places.”

All foods sold in schools would have to meet certain guidelines, Concannon says, to make them more nutritious. Chips, candy and soda would be replaced with bagged fruits, vegetables and low-fat milk. “The snacks will have to have less sodium, less sugar,” Concannon says. “They’re more likely to have a granola bar than a typical sugar-doused candy bar.”

The proposals can be found on the Federal Register. Iowans have 60 days to comment on proposed changes and if they become policy, Iowa schools would have one year to comply. Concannon, who served as the director of the Iowa Department of Human Services from 2003 to 2008, says this change is for common sense and better health. “Let’s have more foods that we should encourage to children,” he says. “Let’s have fewer foods that we would like to discourage kids from consuming.” Snacks brought from home would still be allowed under the proposal, as well as items from school bake sales.

(Radio Iowa)

Democrats in the Iowa Senate are trying a second time to pass legislation that would give Iowa companies an advantage in selling goods and services to state government. Under their bill, if an out-of-state company is the lowest bidder, Iowa companies with bids just a bit higher would be given a chance to match the low bid and win the contract. Senator Liz Mathis, a Democrat from Robbins, is the bill’s chief sponsor. “The goal of the bill is to certainly focus on small businesses,” she says, “and to make sure that Iowa businesses are given a fair crack at state contracts.”

This new advantage for Iowa businesses would not apply on huge state government projects, like a new prison. It would apply any time the state buys under half a million dollars worth of goods or services on contract. An Iowa business within 10-thousand dollars or five percent of the winning bid from an out-of-state competitor could get the sale if the Iowa business lowers its price and matches the low bid. “And those bids are usually surrounding things like office supplies, ice machines, computers,” Mathis says. Similar legislation passed the Senate last year, but was never considered in the Republican-led House.

Republicans object to the concept, arguing Iowa taxpayers would wind up paying more to run state government because out-of-state companies with low-cost products would quit bidding for Iowa government contracts.

(Radio Iowa)