Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Democratic candidate for Iowa Secretary of State is refunding a contribution from a national political group after learning it was mistakenly given and accepted in violation of Iowa law. Deidre DeJear’s campaign said it would refund the $5,000 donation from EMILY’s List “as soon as possible” after learning of the violation from The Associated Press. Iowa law bars political action committees from donating to candidates for state office during the legislative session.

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — A sex offender from central Iowa man has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl. The Des Moines Register reports that 49-year-old Berlou Barnard, of Newton, was sentenced Monday. A jury found him guilty of four counts of second-degree sexual abuse and obstruction of justice. He was arrested after a woman accused him of sexually abusing her daughter in August 2015.

MAQUOKETA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a teacher who showed up drunk at his eastern Iowa classroom has lost his teaching license for two years. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that Brendon Good signed an agreement last month with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. Good was an industrial tech teacher for the Maquoketa Community School District. An investigation determined that, on Oct. 10, Good was under the influence of alcohol at Maquoketa High School. Good has since resigned.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Prosecutors say a West Des Moines man has been sent to prison for bank embezzlement. Brian Madison, of West Des Moines, was sentenced Friday to 18 months and ordered to pay $259,000 in restitution to his former employer, TruBank.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Democratic candidate for Iowa Secretary of State is refunding a contribution from a national political group after learning it was mistakenly given and accepted in violation of Iowa law. Deidre DeJear’s campaign said it would refund the $5,000 donation from EMILY’s List “as soon as possible” after learning of the violation from The Associated Press. Iowa law bars political action committees from donating to candidates for state office during the legislative session.

The Harlan Police Department reports three arrests have taken place. On Saturday, 25-year old Dakota James Boger, and 20-year old Madison Jae Grote, both of Denison, were arrested on charges of pedestrian failing to use a crosswalk, and carrying concealed weapons. Their arrests occurred following a traffic stop in the 800 block of Durant Street.

And, on April 17th, 41-year old James Lyle Behrens, of Harlan, was arrested for OWI and Driving While Revoked.

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — A sex offender from central Iowa man has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl. The Des Moines Register reports that 49-year-old Berlou Barnard, of Newton, was sentenced Monday. A jury found him guilty of four counts of second-degree sexual abuse and obstruction of justice. He was arrested after a woman accused him of sexually abusing her daughter in August 2015.

Barnard was listed as a sex offender in 1997 for sexual abusing two girls and a boy all under the age of 6. Barnard’s live-in girlfriend, 40-year-old Michelle Wortman, has pleaded guilty to child endangerment and interference with official acts in Barnard’s most recent case. Prosecutors say Wortman was aware of Barnard’s abuse and did nothing to protect the victim.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker says Iowa State Sheriff’s and Deputies Association (ISSDA) 2018 Honorary Membership renewal notices have been mailed to Pottawattamie County citizens.  Danker says if a letter is received in the mail, this is a legitimate solicitation.

The Sheriff notes that they never solicit members by telephone.  ISSDA only solicits new members every other calendar year. If you received this notice for a family member that has deceased, please mail the remit form back stating that they are deceased. If you have a name or address change please also correct this and return the remit form.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of two Corning residents on Tuesday. Deputies arrested Netosha Stalder and Nichole Archer of Corning for Theft (A Class D Felony) stemming from an ongoing investigation of signs being stolen from inside a storage unit in Corning. Stalder and Archer are being held pending an appearance before the Magistrate.

Officials with the AHSTW School District report the AHSTW Board of Education, working with Dr. Paul Tedesco, EDWise Educational Consultant, has chosen three applicants to interview for the AHSTW Superintendent position. The finalists are:

• Darin Jones from Montezuma, Iowa where he is currently serving as the PK-6 Principal since 2007. Mr. Jones will be interviewed on April 25, 2018.
• Mark Dorhout from Sanborn, Iowa where he is currently serving as the Middle School Principal since 2004. Mr. Dorhout will be interviewed on April 26, 2018.
• Dr. Adam Zellmer from Webster City, Iowa where he is currently serving as the Director of Teaching and Learning since 2016 and prior to that he served as the Middle School Principal at Webster City. Dr. Zellmer will be interviewed on April 27, 2018.

The interview process for each candidate includes a welcome and introduction to AHSTW, a tour of the District’s facilities followed by interviews with the following committees–Central Office staff, Principals, Students, Support Staff, Teacher, Parent/Community Representatives and the AHSTW Board. The ASHTW Board will look to offer a contract for the new Superintendent to start July 1, 2018 late next week after reviewing the input from all of the committees.

AHSTW Superintendent Jesse Ulrich has accepted an offer to become the Superintendent of Schools at Fort Dodge Community School District.

MAQUOKETA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a teacher who showed up drunk at his eastern Iowa classroom has lost his teaching license for two years. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that Brendon Good signed an agreement last month with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. Good received a formal reprimand and must complete at least 15 hours of an ethics course in addition to losing his license.

Good was an industrial tech teacher for the Maquoketa Community School District. An investigation determined that, on Oct. 10, Good was under the influence of alcohol at Maquoketa High School.
Maquoketa Superintendent Chris Hoover said Monday that Good was sent home that day. Hoover says Good resigned after the incident.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says their personnel will release eight trumpeter swans at three locations in southwest Iowa as part of the effort to create a self-sustaining population of swans south of Interstate 80. All releases will occur rain or shine.

• Four swans will be released on the north side of Lake Icaria at the east boat ramp on May 10 at 9:30 a.m., in partnership with the Adams County Conservation Board.
• Two swans will be released at Viking Lake near the restaurant/beach area on May 10 at 1 p.m.
• Two swans will be released at Lake Anita on May 11 at 1:30 p.m., in partnership with the Cass County Conservation Board.

swans released at Lake Icaria in 2015

The releases are part of the Iowa DNR’s statewide effort to restore trumpeter swans to Iowa that began in 1993. Trumpeter swans were once common in Iowa, but were gone from the state by the late 1880s. By the early 1930s, only 69 trumpeter swans remained in the lower 48 states. It takes six years, on average, before trumpeter swans successfully nest. Last year, Iowa was home to 54 pairs of nesting trumpeter swans; however, only two of those nesting pairs were south of I-80. Dave Hoffman, wildlife research technician with the Iowa DNR, said the goal is to raise that number to seven, which would likely create a self-sustaining population.

“We are hopeful to get them nesting here in a year or two,” Hoffman said. “We had swans displaying some territorial signs last year at Lake Icaria, which is encouraging.” As the largest North American waterfowl, these all-white birds can weigh up to 32 pounds and have an 8-foot wingspan. The trumpeter swans being released are young and flightless and will imprint on the area where they learn to fly, returning each year as open water is available. The swans were donated to the project from zoos in Cleveland, Kansas City, Green Bay, Wis. and Maryland.

Each event includes a swan and wetland presentation, an opportunity to touch and view the swans up close, and a photo opportunity with the kids.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A weekend brushfire that burned 300 acres of the popular River Valley Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Park in Council Bluffs has created dangerous conditions for visitors to the area, according to DNR officials. While the OHV park’s main entrance is closed, pedestrians can still access the area from nearby walking trails. Michelle Reinig, supervisor of the DNR’s southwest state park district, is asking visitors to avoid the park until damage to the area can be fully assessed. Reinig says “Most of the trees within the park have been burned, and many are still smoldering. It’s very important for people to avoid the area while conditions are still hazardous.”

According to Reinig, the two primary concerns are the potential for damaged trees to fall and the fire reigniting. Park staff is working with area foresters to conduct a forest health assessment of the damaged trees, and also is partnering with city and county officials to minimize further damage. The DNR will provide updates as more information is gathered.