DENISON, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have identified the body found near railroad tracks in western Iowa last month as a Pennsylvania man.  But investigators are still waiting on more test results to help determine the cause of 44-year-old Jonathan Elwell’s death. Crawford County Sheriff Jim Steinkuehler says the Shillington, Penn., man’s body was found by two railroad workers near Highway 30 between Vail and Westside on June 19th. Elwell’s rented vehicle had been found in Crawford County on April 20th with his bicycle in the trunk.  Officials say foul play is not suspected in Elwell’s death, but family members have said they don’t know why he was in Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Governor Terry Branstad requested that flags be flown at half-staff from yesterday through Monday to honor a Vietnam War airman whose plane was shot down nearly 50 years ago. Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Eilers of Tipton and his crew were missing in action after their plane was shot down over Laos in 1965. A memorial service will be held today in Tipton.

GLENWOOD, Iowa (AP) – State auditors say a former county official in western Iowa embezzled fees paid by residents renewing their vehicle registration for years. A report released yesterday blames former Mills County Treasurer’s Office employee Tammy Gammon for taking $36,000 that should have been collected for government services. The county attorney said yesterday he’s charged Gammon with ongoing criminal conduct, first-degree theft, misconduct in office and forgery. 

CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) – The county has put the “Floyd” back on the courthouse in Charles City. The word was put back Thursday on the Floyd County Courthouse. The new letters are made of brushed stainless steel and styled in the original Art Deco typeface. The courthouse was built in 1940 and had the word “Floyd” carved from limestone on a parapet above the roof. The parapet was removed in 1965.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Nine people have been named to Iowa’s new Public Information Board. The board will oversee enforcement of Iowa’s open meetings and records laws, investigate alleged violations and take claims to court if necessary. The board members’ terms begin tomorrow.