DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Drake University has removed more than a dozen students from its Des Moines campus, saying they violated coronavirus safety and prevention guidelines at gatherings both on and off campus. Television station KCCI reports that 14 Drake students were asked to leave campus for two weeks. Drake University asks undergraduate students to sign a compact in which they agree to social distance, self-monitor for symptoms and wear face coverings in campus buildings.

The compact states that students will be disciplined if they host or attend parties on or off campus. Students who repeatedly violate the compact could be suspended or expelled.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) and more than $2 million in funds to Iowa counties to utilize for the November 3 general election. The PPE includes face shields, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and social distancing markers for use at the polls on Election Day. Additionally, more than $2 million from the CARES Act will be made available to counties. “Making sure Iowans can safely cast their ballot is vital. It is your choice whether you want to vote absentee or at the polls,” Secretary Pate said. “Polls will be open on November 3. We are providing the materials necessary to protect voters and poll workers and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.”

The CARES Act funds that will be distributed to each county include a base amount of $5,000, along with an additional $850 for each precinct. Counties can use the funds to purchase additional PPE, polling place supplies such as pens and secrecy folders, training materials for poll workers, and for disinfecting polling places.

The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office plans to mail all active registered voters an absentee ballot request form near the end of August.

CEDAR RAPIDS – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections say 22-year old Derek Keith Morrison Jr., who was convicted of Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury and other crimes in Linn County, failed to report back to the Larry A. Nelson Residential Center as required this (Wednesday) morning.

Derek Morrison, Jr.

Morrison is an African-America male, 6-feet one-inch tall. He weighs 164-pounds. Morrison was admitted to the work release facility on June 3, 2020.  Persons with information on Morrison’s whereabouts should contact their local police.

Sheriffs Deputies in Pottawattamie County, late Saturday night, arrested a Nebraska man following a pursuit. The incident began with a broadcast about a man driving a car with no license plates. The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday), says a little after 11-p.m. Saturday, the vehicle was seen exiting Interstate 80 westbound at Madison Avenue in Council Bluffs. When a Deputy tried to initiate a traffic stop at the Bucky’s gas station, the car sped-off from the parking lot. The chase ended with 33-year-old Tony Collins, of Omaha, being arrested for Eluding While Exceeding the posted Speed Limit by 25 mph or more, and Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree. He remained in the Jail today on a total of $12,000 bond.

The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office says also, 46-year old Sandra Annette Graham, of Omaha, was arrested Tuesday for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)/1^st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $1,300.   64-year old Jon Craig Sorensen was arrested following a traffic stop, Sunday, at the intersection of Railroad Highway and Road -L34. Sorensen was charged with Driving While License Suspended or Revoked.

Authorities say 47-year old Michael James Gregg, of Carter Lake, turned himself-in to the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office, Monday. Gregg was wanted on a warrant for Violation of Probation. He remained in the jail today (Wednesday).  26-year old Ryan Thomas O’Doniel, of Council Bluffs, was taken into custody Monday at the Pottawattamie County Courthouse, on a warrant for Child Endangerment/Abandonment. He was being held in the jail on a previous misdemeanor Escape from Custody charge. Bond was set at $3,000.

And, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s officials say an 11-year-old male faces charges that include Going Armed with Intent, and Harassment 1^st Degree. Deputies were dispatched to a report of an armed person (with a cutting instrument) at a residence located along 410^th Street, near Shelby.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County arrested 33-year old Jeffrey Donald Drake, of Afton, Tuesday evening. Drake was taken into custody at the Union County Law Enforcement Center for Driving While Barred, and on a Union County warrant for the same offense. He was later released from the Union County Jail on a $2,000 bond, along with a Promise to Appear in court.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports 20-year old River Jordan Studey, of Glenwood, was arrested Tuesday night, on two-counts of Violation of Probation. Studey was being held in the Mills County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal magistrate judge in North Dakota has sentenced an Iowa man to a year of probation for unlawfully bringing two black bear hides into the United States from Canada. Manitoba licensing laws prohibit more than one big game license of the same type in the same hunting year. Prosecutors say Louis Floden Jr. admitted he shot the second bear and knew it was illegal.

He agreed to forfeit the hides that he brought through the Pembina Port of Entry in North Dakota. Magistrate Judge Alice Senechal also fined the 69-year-old Floden $7,500 Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to unlawful transport of wildlife in foreign commerce.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – August 19, 2020 – Track repairs to the BNSF Railroad Co.’s crossing on U.S. 18, west of Hull, will require an emergency road closure on U.S. 18 beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, August 24, until 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 26, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 3 Office. While the crossing is closed, traffic will be detoured on Sioux County roads K-42 and B-30.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts. For traveler information anytime, visit www.511ia.org, call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide), or follow us on Twitter @StatewidelA511 for all alerts.

Students in the Exira-EHK School District began classes under the new normal of Coronavirus safety last Friday, and Superintendent Trevor Miller says the School Board, Monday discussed during their meeting, how things were going so far.

Today (Wednesday) is Professional Development (PD) collaboration day, where the students aren’t in the building but some distance learning is being conducted.

Miller said “It’s going well, but at any given time we could have an outbreak (Of COVID-19).”

Trevor Miller says the younger students are amazing at adapting to the new norm where face masks and social distancing is expected.

In other business, Mr. Miller said there was one new hire: Beth Lauritsen, who will be a part-time cook in the Exira building. He said they are looking to hire a couple of paraeducators, also. And, Miller said there will be some coaching changes for junior high, that will be added next month.

The Atlantic Police Department reports nine arrests occurred over a little more than the past two weeks:

• On Aug. 17th, 27-year old Jason Mark, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI.
• Aug. 16th, 42-year old Monty Casteel, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense.
• Aug. 15th, 39-year old Mitchell Mullins, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense.
• There were three arrested on Aug. 14th: 29-year old Devin Garnder, of Atlantic, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree. He turned himself in on the charge and was later released on bond; 33-year old Jenny Clark, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI; and, 18-year old Dante Watkins, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Aug. 14th, on two Cass County warrants for Violation of Probation.
• On Aug. 10th, 19-year old Noah Mienders, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree.
• On Aug. 7th, 43-year old Timothy Snyder, of Kimballton, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order.
• And on Aug. 1st, 22-year old Kolby Fulk, of Walnut, was arrested for Fraudulent use of registrations, False report of an indictable offense, interference with official acts, and driving while barred.

Each of the defendants were booked into the Cass County Jail. The Atlantic Police Department said also: 53-year old Paul Prall, of Atlantic, was cited into court for Harassment in the 3rd Degree, and provided with a court date. And, on Aug. 9th, 28-year old T.J. Anderson, of Atlantic, was cited into court for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.