(Updated 11:15-a.m./Radio Iowa) – The state legislature has returned to Des Moines to vote on bills that outline state spending, but the governor’s plan to provide state scholarships to private school students is NOT on the list. House Speaker Pat Grassley spoke to reporters this (Monday) morning. “When it comes to the school choice bill that the governor proposed, it doesn’t look like we’re going to be able to put the votes together in the House this year to pass that,” Grassley says. “Obviously, we want to continue to work with the governor to get something achieved, that’s been a big priority of hers, moving towards next session and we’ll work on that in the off-season.”

At the end of March, Republicans in the Senate approved 55-hundred state scholarships to send 10-thousand K-through-12 students to private schools, but a group of House Republicans objected to the idea, saying it would divert state money from rural areas since 42 counties do not have a private school. Legislators are in private meetings this (Monday) morning. Grassley says some details are still being worked out in the eight-point-two BILLION dollar plan for the state budgeting year that begins July 1st. “Not everything is resolved or drafted at this point, but we’re getting good momentum and I think we’ll be able to wrap up fairly quickly this week,” Grassley told reporters.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver is offering a bit of optimism about making final budget decisions in the next few days. “We’re hoping to have a very productive week and hopefully we can wrap up session,” Whitver says.

Republicans hold firm majorities in the House and Senate. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has not yet commented on the decision to table her private school scholarship plan, but she has begun endorsing Republican candidates for the Iowa House who support the proposal. That includes a Republican who’s running against an assistant G-O-P leader in the Iowa House.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – Deputies with the Page County Sheriff’s Office, on Friday, arrested a man at the Omaha Correctional Center (OCC). Officials say 37-year-old Seth William Rogers was arrested on two Page County Warrants for Violation of Probation. Rogers was transported to the Page County Jail and held on $20,300 bond, pending further court proceedings.

Rogers

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests occurred on the 20th of May, and there were two accidents on that same date. Authorities say 46-year-old Patrick Lee Amburn, of Glenwood, was arrested on a warrant for Assault w/intent to inflict serious injury. Amburn was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail. And, 34-year-old Myles Dustin Longcor, of Henderson, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300.

No injuries were reported following an accident Friday morning in Mills County. Officials say 21-year-old Lathon Sutton, of Glenwood, was traveling west on Eastman Road at around 9:18-a.m., Friday, and claims another vehicle was coming in his direction, in the middle of the road. Sutton swerved and lost control of his 2006 Pontiac. The vehicle came to rest in the south damage. Damage was estimated at $2,000.

The second accident happened at around 2-p.m. Friday, at the Interstate 29/Highway 34 on ramp west. The Sheriff’s Office says a 2015 Mercedes-Benz driven by 57-year-old Matthew Newkirk, of Chesterfield, VA., was traveling southbound on I-29 near mile marker 35, when a 1998 Peterbilt semi driven by 69-year-old Larry Oberhauser, of Lake Anders, SD, attempted to merge into the car’s lane. In doing so, the vehicles made contact. No injuries were reported.

(Radio Iowa) – Authorities say one person is in custody after hitting three pedestrians on a biking and walking path that connects Iowa and Illinois. Police in Bettendorf and Moline say an SUV drove onto the new bike/pedestrian trail that’s attached to the Interstate 74 bridge in the Quad Cities early Sunday. One of the three people who were hit has died while the other two were reportedly hospitalized in life-threatening condition. No names were released.

The driver is facing a list of charges including reckless homicide and aggravated DUI causing death. The I-74 bridge fully opened to traffic in December while the path was dedicated just last week.

(Bedford, Iowa) – The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports today (5/23), the arrest on May 10th, of 27-year-old Jesus Alvarez-Diaz, from Council Bluffs. Alverez-Diaz was arrested in the 100 block of south Walnut Street in Lenox, on charges that include: Going armed with intent; 1st Degree harassment; Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon; Assault; disorderly conduct; public intoxication, and interference with official acts. Alvarez is being held in the Taylor County Jail on $10,300 bond.

Des Moines, Iowa — A man who served more time than any other Iowan as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War died this weekend. Naval aviator Larry Spencer was 82. Commander Spencer grew up in Earlham. He joined the Navy in 1963.

During a reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam, Spencer was captured. He spent nearly seven years as a prisoner.

Larry Spencer

During his Naval service, Commander Spencer was awarded many military honors including: two Silver Stars, Legion of Merit with Combat “V”, four Bronze Stars, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with six strike flights, two Purple Hearts and the Prisoner of War Medal. He was a member and past officer of the Military Officers Assn. of America and Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Funeral services for Larry Spencer will be held next Tuesday at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. Read his full obituary HERE.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report two separate arrests took place early Saturday morning. At around 2:14-a.m., 36-year-old Dulce Estrella Pantoja, of Lenox, was arrested on an Assault charge. She was cited and released from the scene. And, and around 5:43-a.m., 18-year-old Colby Wayne Burg, of Creston, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.