DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Democrats plan to push for a $122 million boost in spending on local schools, but Republicans warn they won’t agree to a budget until legislators overhaul the school finance system.
 
     Democrats argue that local school officials need quick action so they can plan for hiring teachers and setting curriculum. Republicans counter that voters are willing to spend more on schools but want district administrators held accountable and for spending to be targeted.
 
     The stakes are high because school spending amounts to about 60 percent of the state’s $6 billion budget.
 
     Democrats say they’ll vote on a budget Tuesday, noting a law that calls for school funding decisions to be made in the first 30 days of a legislative session. Republicans say other school funding issues must be resolved first.

Two people were killed Friday during a single-vehicle crash east of Emerson, in Montgomery County. The Iowa State Patrol reports the driver of the car, 78-year old Gladys Bowen, of Imogene, and a passenger in the vehicle, 87-year old Hazel Hinkle, of Emerson, died in the crash which occurred on 200th Street (Old Highway 34), about three-quarters of a mile east of Emerson, near Avenue A.

Officials say the women were traveling eastbound, when for reasons unknown, the 1999 Lincoln Towncar they were in went out of control, entered a ditch and struck a concrete culvert and creek bank. The impact caused both women to be ejected out the right front door of the car. Neither was wearing a seat belt. Both women died at the scene. It’s not clear what time the crash occurred. The accident remains under investigation.

Police in Glenwood reported Friday, a Pacific Junction man was arrested Thursday, on drug charges. 27-year-old Bradley Ott was taken into custody on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Ott was brought to the Mills County Jail and later released on bond.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County say a Pacific Junction man is facing a burglary charge. 61-year old Daniel Lee Wick was arrested Thursday night on charges of burglary and public intoxication  Wick was being held in the Mills County Jail on $5,300 bond.

The Cass County Communications Center in Atlantic says no serious injuries were reported following a rollover accident Friday night, west of Wiota. According to the dispatch reports, the accident happened near 67404 Hamburg Road, at around 10:15-p.m.  A vehicle collided with a bridge guardrail and overturned. The male driver was not injured. A dog was reportedly traveling with him in the vehicle, as well. The accident was investigated by the Iowa State Patrol. Anita Rescue and Wiota 1st Responders were called to the scene. No other details are currently available.