IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sen. Joni Ernst says she turned down Donald Trump after interviewing to be his running mate, according to a court filing that describes an “extremely painful journey” that led to her divorce from a man she alleges was abusive.

The Iowa Republican wrote in an affidavit in her divorce proceeding that was first reported by Cityview, a Des Moines alternative newspaper. She said that after Trump interviewed her in 2016 to join his ticket, “I turned Candidate Trump down, knowing it wasn’t the right thing for me or my family.”

She doesn’t explicitly say if he offered her the job. Ernst has indicated she’ll run for a second six-year Senate term in 2020.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports four arrests occurred over the past week. On Jan. 16th, 26-year old Chiquita Cheketa Kelly, of Stuart, was arrested in Stuart on a warrant out of Delaware County, for Burglary in the 2nd Degree and Assault with intent to inflict serious injury. She was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond until being picked up by Manchester Police the following day.  On Jan. 15th, 22-year old Cody Allen VanOtterloo, of Stuart (and formerly of Des Moines), was arrested in Stuart on an Adair County warrant for Operating a vehicle without owners consent, and for Theft in the 5th Degree, for borrowing the vehicle and not returning it for several days. VanOtterloo also allegedly sold two new tires which were in the vehicle. He was released the next day on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

That same day (Jan. 15th), 18-year old Aaron John Irving, of Bagley, was arrested in Stuart for Possession of Marijuana. He was taken into custody a little after 8-p.m., following a traffic stop for driving without the vehicles’ headlights and tail lights on. As the Deputy approached the vehicle, he could smell the odor of marijuana. Irving admitted there was about 2 grams of marijuana in the vehicle. In addition to the controlled substance, various drug paraphernalia was found. Irving admitted those items belonged to him. He was cited for the offenses and released at the scene.

And, on Dec. 13th, 36-year old Warren Logan Davis, of Earlham, was arrested following a traffic stop in Fontanelle, for carrying a weapon (knife) over 8-inches in length, and Driving While License Suspended. Davis was released later that same day on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department reports three arrests took place Sunday. At around 12:40-a.m., 55-year old Clinton Roger Schmielau, of Treynor, was seen driving a 2003 Chevy pickup at 270th and Hickory Road. He was pulled over for swerving and crossing the center lane of traffic. Schmielau displayed signs of being impaired, and was placed under arrest at around 1:10-a.m., for OWI/1st offense. Later that same morning, a deputy was dispatched to locate a possible intoxicated driver traveling into Treynor on Highway 92. Dispatched advised the suspect vehicle, a 2018 Dodge Journey, struck a parked car in Treynor. The deputy located the vehicle and driver, who was identified as 24-year old Leonardo Torres, of Columbus, NE. Torres was taken into custody at around 4:20-a.m., for OWI/1st offense.

And, at around 10:30-p.m. Sunday, a Pott. County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a Mazda pickup near Interstate 29 and the South Expressway, in Council Bluffs. The vehicle had been the subject of a broadcast, and was said to have been eluding Omaha Police. 55-year old Shawn Joseph Horton, of Council Bluffs, was eventually stopped and arrested at around 10:45-p.m., for Eluding, OWI/1st offense, and on a Pott. County warrant for Felony Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $6,000.

Some of the latest area news and our funeral report, w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson. (There was a technical issue w/the 7-a.m. podcast, so this is a substitute for those & other stories)

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A winter storm dropping freezing rain and snow is tracking east across Nebraska into Iowa, prompting schools and businesses to remain closed for the day. The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories and warnings Tuesday that carry forecasts of up to 8 inches of snow for northeast Iowa. Up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) is expected to accumulate by the time the storm leaves Omaha, and as much as 5 inches is forecast to amass in the Des Moines area overnight into Wednesday.

Wind-driven snow and icy roadways are making travel hazardous. The Nebraska Transportation Department reports that Interstate 80 is partially covered with ice in central Nebraska, as are several other highways. No storm closures have been reported. Below-zero wind chill temperatures are forecast overnight.

LA PORTE CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Black Hawk County official says enough money has been secured to fix a long-closed bridge on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail in La Porte City. County conservation board executive director Mike Hendrickson says the only worry now is whether bids that will be opened in fall are low enough. The project estimate is $854,000. Grants, private donations and $77,000 from the county are paying for the project.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that work would begin in spring 2020 if all goes according to plan. The bridge over Wolf Creek was closed in September 2015 after inspectors concluded it was unsafe. The trail runs 67 miles along an old railroad line from Evansdale through Cedar Rapids to Ely.

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (AP) _ Heartland Express Inc. (HTLD) on Tuesday reported fourth-quarter earnings of $22.4 million. The North Liberty, Iowa-based company said it had profit of 27 cents per share.
The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 24 cents per share. The trucking and logistics company posted revenue of $147 million in the period, which fell short of Street forecasts. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $152.2 million.

For the year, the company reported profit of $72.7 million, or 88 cents per share. Revenue was reported as $610.8 million. Heartland Express shares have increased 9 percent since the beginning of the year. The stock has fallen 15 percent in the last 12 months.

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

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IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Officials say an eastern Iowa firefighter injured in a fiery explosion that killed a colleague is making strides in his recovery. Clinton City Administrator Matt Brooke said Monday that 23-year-old Adam Cain is listed as stable and has begun physical therapy. Brooke says Cain was able to walk about 100 feet Sunday, at University of Iowa Clinics & Hospitals in Iowa City. Brooke says Cain “is doing well and is in good spirits” and was able to receive a visit Monday from fellow Clinton Fire Department firefighters. Fire Lt. Eric Hosette died Jan. 5 while fighting the fire at the ADM grain facility in Clinton.

Two men were arrested on separate charges in Creston, Monday. According to Creston Police, 20-year old Kane Farlow, of Creston, was arrested at around 3:40-a.m. on a Union County warrant for Parole Violation, for which he was being held without bond. Farlow was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, A controlled substance violation, possession of drug paraphernalia, and for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. His bond on those charges was set at $16,000.

And, at around 12:45-p.m., Monday, 64-year old John Stephens, of Lorimor, was arrested in Creston for Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $300.