WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials say at least six former Shopko locations across Iowa will reopen as Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh stores. Hy-Vee announced purchase agreements Monday for Shopko buildings in Cresco, Dyersville, Hampton, Oelwein, Vinton and Waukon. Hy-Vee intends to open the stores by late summer, after some construction work. The sale terms were not disclosed. The Dollar Fresh stores are designed for smaller communities. Wisconsin-based Shopko filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2019, citing “excess debt.” The company announced two months later that it would liquidate its remaining stores, because executives had been unable to find a buyer.

Members of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, in the Middle School Conference Room. During their Work Session, the Board will discuss a “District Protocol for Transportation Incidents.”  The discussion falls on the heels last week, of an incident whereby a school bus slid into a ditch southwest of Atlantic, as the vehicle was backing out of a rural driveway. No injuries were reported.

In other matters, the Board will discuss a Needs Assessment/Culture & Climate District Survey, and a 2019-20 Amended Budget. A Public Hearing on the 2019-20 Amended Certified Budget is set to take place 6-p.m., Wednesday Feb. 12th, followed by the regular Board meeting. Immediately following tomorrow night’s (Jan. 28) Work Session, the School Board will enter into an exempt (closed) session, for the purpose of negotiating sessions, strategy meetings of public employers or employee organizations.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Cedar Rapids police are increasing their presence at a high school where a student was robbed of her cellphone by a young male with a handgun. The robbery was reported a little after 3:30 p.m. Monday in a parking lot at Kennedy High School. Police say the 18-year-old student was nearing her vehicle when confronted by the robber, police said. He took only her cellphone, and she was not injured. No arrests have been reported. Police are encouraging students and staff members to walk to their vehicles in pairs or small groups.

Police in Red Oak arrested 30-year old Dylan Thomas Griffeth, of Red Oak, late Monday night. He was taken into custody at around 10:55-p.m. on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault – causing injury/1st offense. Griffeth was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.

The leading candidates in the 2020 Democratic presidential race are speaking with Radio Iowa about their closing arguments for Caucus-goers. Here’s Radio Iowa news director O. Kay Henderson (click on the left side of this audio bar to play):

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CST

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — With just one week left until the caucuses, the candidates’ Iowa organizations are more important than ever. Hundreds of staffers and volunteers have fanned out across the state, knocking on doors and making calls to ensure their candidate’s supporters turn out on caucus night. Bernie Sanders’ campaign is canvassing voters in unusual locations, like trailer parks and outside CVS pharmacies. Elizabeth Warren has had some of the most seasoned staffers organizing in Iowa since the spring, and she’s hoping they’ll help her make up for lost ground in the polls. Meanwhile, Joe Biden is facing questions about how robust his organization is in smaller counties around the state.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Angered by a flag observing Transgender Day that briefly flew over the Iowa Capitol, Republican lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would limit the types of flags state and local governments can display. Republicans on Monday moved the bill from a subcommittee to a full committee for consideration. It would allow only the flag of the United States, state of Iowa, a prisoner of war/missing in action flag and a flag of the city, county or school district from being flown at government buildings. A flag observing Transgender Day flew over the Capitol for less than five minutes in November.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Woodbury County supervisor has agreed not to attend a meeting Tuesday due to a dispute over where he is registered to vote. Supervisor Jeremy Taylor said he would not attend the weekly Board of Supervisors meeting after a decision by the county auditor over which of his two homes he could use for voter registration purposes. The Sioux City Journal reports Sioux City resident Maria Rundquist had filed a legal challenge over Taylor’s use of a home as a primary residence in the city’s District 2 when he and his wife also spent time at a home in another district. Taylor accused auditor Pat Gill of partisanship in his decision.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Angered by a flag observing Transgender Day that briefly flew over the Iowa Capitol, Republican lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would limit the types of flags state and local governments can display. Republicans on Monday moved the bill from a subcommittee to a full committee for consideration.

It would allow only the flag of the United States, state of Iowa, a prisoner of war/missing in action flag and a flag of the city, county or school district from being flown at government buildings. A flag observing Transgender Day flew over the Capitol for less than five minutes in November.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Woodbury County supervisor has agreed not to attend a meeting Tuesday due to a dispute over where he is registered to vote. Supervisor Jeremy Taylor said he would not attend the weekly Board of Supervisors meeting after a decision by the county auditor over which of his two homes he could use for voter registration purposes.

The Sioux City Journal reports Sioux City resident Maria Rundquist had filed a legal challenge over Taylor’s use of a home as a primary residence in the city’s District 2 when he and his wife also spent time at a home in another district. Taylor accused auditor Pat Gill of partisanship in his decision.

Beginning Monday, February 3rd, 2020, voters in Adair County may request an absentee ballot be mailed to you for the 2020 Primary Election to be held June 2, 2020. Absentee ballots will be made available (in-office or by mail) no sooner than Monday, May 4, 2020.

If you have any questions regarding the Primary Election or absentee voting please contact the Adair County Auditor’s Office at (641) 743-2546.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a burglary and theft that occurred at the Exira Car Wash. The burglary occurred on the evening of Friday, January 24th, 2020. The suspect(s) took a larger amount of quarters as well as causing thousands of dollars in damage to the property.

Anyone with any information about this incident or that may have seen any suspicious activity in this area is urged to contact the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office at 712-563-2631 or Audubon County Crimestoppers at 712-563-2234.