(Radio Iowa) — Morningside College President John Reynders has announced he’ll retire in the summer of 2021 — after a record 22 years at the helm of the Sioux City school. Reynders and his wife will move to Florida. “We love Sioux City. I’ve never lived anywhere, nor has Robin, that we have felt is more home than Sioux City, Iowa,” Reynders says. “…But I’ve got to give the next president space.” Reynders just led a 70-million dollar fundraising campaign for the school and is launching a new effort to raise even more over the next seven to 10 years. “So the commitment for the next president isn’t just a year or two — it’s a seven-to-ten year commitment. My goodness, I wish I was 45 because I’d want this challenge in the worst way,” Reynders said, laughing, “but I’m not.”

When Reynders arrived in Sioux City in 1999, Morningside facilities were outdated, enrollment was dropping and the college had been operating in the red. With 15 months left in the job, Reynders plans to keep raising money for the college. “There’s the last piece to this remarkable transformation of the physical space of the campus, which involves creating an entrance off of Morningside Avenue…that I would love to see happen,” he says.

About two-thousand full-time students are enrolled at Morningside today. Its board of directors will immediately begin searching for a new president and the board hopes to announce Reynders’ successor early next year. Morningside College was founded in 1894 and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge has ruled incompetent for trial a woman accused of hate crimes in the Des Moines area, including intentionally running over a girl she thought was Mexican. Nicole Poole is charged with assault in violation of individual rights for an incident at a convenience store and with attempted murder. Police have said she intentionally ran over two children with her sport utility vehicle. Both children survived. The judge ruled Tuesday after hearing evidence and arguments on the matter that Poole is suffering from a mental disorder. She ordered state treatment for Poole so she can be restored to competency.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Police in Creston report 35-year old Michael J. Davis, of Creston, was arrested Tuesday morning, on a Buchanan County, Mo., warrant for Non-Support/Neglect of a Child. Davis was being held in the Union County Jail, while awaiting extradition to Missouri.

Sheriff’s Deputies from Taylor and Ringgold Counties, along with deputies with the Nodaway County, MO. Sheriff’s Department, and the Taylor County K9 “Ciba,” executed a search warrant Tuesday at a residence in Bedford. The search warrant was conducted in connection with an on-going narcotics investigation. Two people were taken into custody:

37-year old Cynthia Butler and 44-year old Elmer Harwell, both of Bedford, were charged with Controlled Substance Violations, and (Felony) Possession of more than five grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Butler and Harwell were being held without bond pending an appearance before the Magistrate

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – An electric scooter rental program will resume this spring in Cedar Rapids with more scooters to share. The Gazette reports that the plan is station 80 scooters around the city — up from 30 — and hold steady on bikes at 150. The devices cost $1 to unlock and 15 cents per minute for renting over a smartphone app. Last fall city officials weighed whether to continue with the scooters after hearing reports of improper use. A city planner has justified the scooters’ return because of their popularity, new safety controls and a tightly run program.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – Opening statements are expected today (Wednesday), in the trial of a man charged with killing a high school girl in Iowa more than 40 years ago. Jury selection was completed Tuesday for the trial of 66-year-old Jerry Burns, of Manchester. He’s accused of fatally stabbing 18-year-old Michelle Martinko on Dec. 19, 1979, in Cedar Rapids. Her body was found the next day inside her family’s car at a Cedar Rapids mall. The trial was moved to Scott County District Court in Davenport because of pretrial publicity in Cedar Rapids. The trial is expected to last about two weeks.

CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say an inmate attacked a guard at the Iowa Medical Classification Center in Coralville. The Iowa Corrections Department says the inmate approached the guard around 10:25 a.m. Tuesday and began punching him. Other guards quickly responded and subdued the inmate. The guard was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics to be assessed for facial injuries. The department said the inmate didn’t suffer serious injuries. The names of those involved haven’t been released.

(Radio Iowa) — The National Weather Service is predicting a polar plunge for temperatures later today (Wednesday). Meteorologist Cory Martin says it’ll be a big swing by the time you are heading home from work. “We’re going to see a strong cold front move through the state, probably during the afternoon and evening hours,” Martin says. “So the day is probably going to start out not too bad — but then when the front comes through we’re going to see temperatures dropping very quickly — with brisk northwest winds.”

Those brisk winds are really going to have an impact. “Our windchill temperatures overnight Wednesday will possibly be 20 to 30 below zero by the time you wake up Thursday morning,” he says. Martin says we shouldn’t have to deal with the extreme cold for very long. “By Friday we should start to see a steady rebound, and by the time we get into the weekend we’re looking at high temperatures across the area back in the 30’s and 40s,” according to Martin.

He says these types of quick cold fronts happen this time of year and it could bring some issues for people who have to be on the road. “It’s typical for this time of year, just rolling though. We may see some light snow with it as well that could lead to some areas of slick travel and reduced visibility — especially given how fast the temperatures are looking to fall as the front moves through,” Martin says. “So, that is something to keep in mind as well if you have travel plans over the second half of the day on Wednesday.”

He advises you to keep up with the latest weather forecasts and road conditions if you plan on being out.