DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Senate panel has approved a measure allowing the state’s two greyhound tracks to stop holding races, but it’s still not a sure bet the measure will clear the Senate. The bill approved today (Wednesday) would allow Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs and Mystique Casino in Dubuque to pay the state a combined $70 million over seven years to end a requirement to run dog races.
 
 The measure’s supporters say the industry is dying out across the nation and costing casinos millions to prop up. Others say ending the requirements would cost hundreds of jobs, including track workers and people who breed and train the dogs.  A similar measure discussed last year did not reach the Senate floor, and lawmakers say they’re unsure of this measure’s prospects this year.

Police in Red Oak are looking for a man who reportedly broke into a woman’s home early this (Wednesday) morning, and assaulted her before taking off with an undetermined amount of money. Red Oak Police say they received a call at around 12:23-a.m. about the incident which took place in the 300 block of East Elm Street. When officers arrived, they found 27-year-old Tasha Renee Smith, of Red Oak, suffering from cuts, bruises and abrasions. Smith was taken by Red Oak Rescue to Montgomery County Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Authorities say an investigation determined that a white man in his late 20’s or early 30’s assaulted the woman after she answered the door, and he forced his way in. He also ransacked a bedroom in the home before leaving with some money.  Police said the suspect was about 5- feet 8- inches tall, with a heavy build and very short hair. He was last seen wearing a gray zip-up type hoodie, black pants and brown work-type boots.

The incident remains under investigation. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s K-9 unit and Red Oak Fire and Rescue assisted Red Oak Police at the scene.

Sheriff’s officials say no injuries were reported following a rollover accident this (Wednesday) morning, near Elliott. Authorities say a 1999 Ford F-150 pickup operated by 16-year old James LeRoy Bourn, of Red Oak, was traveling north on J Avenuem about one-quarter of a mile south of Highway 48, when he looked down, looked back up, and saw the vehicle was about to enter the west ditch.

Bourn overcorrected, and lost control of the pickup, which entered the ditch and flipped end-over-end before landing on its top. The accident happened just after 8-a.m.  The vehicle sustained $4,000 damage. No charges were filed in connection with the crash.

While three southwest Iowa counties (Mills, Montgomery & Pottawattamie) have instituted a burn ban, or plan to do so, Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNeese said there are no immediate plans to call for a burn ban in Cass County. McNeese said Cass County Emergency Management Director Mike Kennon has consulted with the district fire chiefs, and has determined there is no need to call for a ban on burning right now. McNeese said that doesn’t mean residents in the county shouldn’t take the necessary precautions before conducting any open burning. He says if the fires start to get out of hand or if there are a rash of uncontrolled burns, then a ban might be put into effect, but that’s not something they want to do right now. McNeese asks residents to use common sense and contact their district fire chief or department ahead of time, so crews know where to respond if the need arises.

The Iowa Fire Marshals Office has granted a request by Mills County Emergency Management, for the issuance of a burn ban. The ban on opening burning takes effect at 10-a.m Thursday, Feb. 2nd, and will remain in place until further notice.

Authorities in Page County are investigating recent incidents of theft and Criminal Mischief. Sheriff’ Lyle Palmer says an Essex man reported Sunday, someone stole about 40-gallons of fuel from his property in rural Page County, after damaging a padlock. Jim Long, of Essex, said the fuel was valued at $160, while the padlock had an approximate value of $10.

And, Braddyville Mayor Kelvin Kirchner reported Sunday, someone broke the door knob off of the east door to the Braddyville City Hall. The incident occurred sometime between January 23rd and the 28th. The culprit did not gain entry to the building, however. Damage was estimated at $40.  Both incidents remain under investigation.

Two people were arrested in Atlantic, Tuesday. According to the Police Department, 21-year old Dean Stevens, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Simple Assault with Injury. And, 18-year old Curtis McCoy, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for OWI/1st Offense. Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

The Atlantic P-D says also, no injuries were reported following an accident Tuesday morning at West 6th and Palm Streets. Officials say vehicles driven by Kenneth Kelly and Matthew Prall, both of Atlantic, collided when Kelly attempted to go around Prall’s vehicle, while Prall was making a left hand turn into a driveway near the intersection. Both vehicles were traveling east on West 6th Street. Kelly was given a verbal warning for prohibited passing. Damage from the collision amounted to $2,500.

An Atlantic man was one of 30 people appointed today by Governor Terry Branstad, to the Judicial Nominating Commission. Robert Camblin and H. David Boettger, of Harlan, were appointed to the Judicial Nominating Commission for District 4. And, Bill Horan, of Rockwell City, along with Ann Trimble-Ray, of Early, were appointed to the J-N-C, in District 2-B.  The appointments take effect today (February 1, 2012), and are not subject to Senate confirmation. The State Judicial Nominating Commission interviews applicants and selects nominees for appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court as well as the Iowa Court of Appeals.

The commission is comprised of:   A chair, who is the senior justice of the supreme court, other than the chief justice; Seven Lawyer commissioners elected by lawyers; and Seven non-lawyer commissioners appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Iowa Senate.  All commissioners, but the chair, serve for a term of six years.  Within sixty days of receiving the notice from the secretary of state, the commission must submit the names of nominees to the governor. The commission selects three nominees for appointment to the Supreme Court, and three nominees for appointment to the Court of Appeals.