Volunteers are helping Iowa DNR wildlife biologists monitor the state’s frog and toad populations. The research of the amphibians, which start “singing” around this time of year, could tell scientists more about the state’s water quality. The DNR’s Stephanie Shepherd says frogs and toads are tied to the health of their environment. “They can actually breathe through their skin and they soak up their environment,” Shepherd said. “It’s what makes them so vulnerable to toxins and pesticides and things in the water that aren’t supposed to be there.”

Field work training sessions for the frog and toad call survey were held last week in Sioux City and Ladora. The survey, conducted since 1991, is one of the longest running in the country. According to the DNR, over 13,000 call surveys have been done on more than 1,200 wetland sites in 82 of Iowa’s 99 counties.

(Radio Iowa)

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Two youths accused in the slaying of another Davenport teenager have made plea deals. Authorities say 18-year-old James Bailey Jr. and 17-year-old Joseph Howard-Rogers Jr. are scheduled to be sentenced May 30 for killing 17-year-old Akeim Hill last May. Police say the two boys met Hill in a parking lot. A fight broke out, and Hill was shot twice. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Court records say Bailey pleaded guilty last week to theft after prosecutors dropped murder and robbery charges. Howard-Rogers pleaded guilty to attempted murder after prosecutors dropped murder and robbery charges. They were prosecuted as adults, but Howard-Rogers’ plea agreement says that because he was under 18 when the crime occurred, the court can suspend all or part of his sentence.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency is asking fire stations and participating partner businesses, to place their Fire Danger placards in the “Moderate” category from today (Monday), through Thursday. While the forecast calls for rain and a rain-snow mix Tuesday night into Wednesday, the rest of the week looks to be dry, sunny and windy, which will aid in drying vegetation and crop residue in the fields. Any controlled burns should be conducted with caution. Always notify your local fire chief before conducting controlled burns on your property.

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

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The Creston Police Department reports 43-year old Michelle Snyder, of Creston, was arrested 4-a.m. Saturday at her home, on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. Snyder was subsequently released from the Adams County Jail on a Promise to Appear. A little later on Saturday morning, a Creston resident reported that sometime between the hours of 9-p.m. Friday and 8-a.m Saturday, someone threw a rock through a window at his home. The damage at the residence located in the 400 block of W. Devoe Street, was estimated at $225.

And, Friday afternoon, 41-year old Joel Gross, of Creston, was arrested on a charge of Driving While Suspended. He was later released from the Union County Jail on a $300 bond.

DAVEPORT, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man has been injured in an explosion at a Davenport apartment building. The blast occurred around 4 a.m. Saturday. A city news release says debris was found in the yards by firefighters, who quickly put out the flames inside. A man who lives in the ground-level unit was taken to a hospital. The explosion is being investigated.

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

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The Griswold School Board is set to hold their regular monthly meeting 5:30-p.m. today (Monday), in the Central Office at the Middle School/High School Building. During the meeting, the Board will receive an update on the facilities projects from representatives with KPE Architects and/or Estes Construction. Afterward, they will discuss and possibly take action on Second Grade for 2018-19. They’re also expected to act on approving: the Technology Plan and Technology charge; rate of pay for activity drivers; 2018-19 sharing agreements with Riverside, CAM, and Atlantic, with regard to an Elementary Guidance position, Elementary Art Teacher, and Transportation Director/Industrial Tech Programs, respectively.

The Audubon School Board will meet beginning at 7-p.m. in the Board Room at the High School. Action items include: Approving a Negotiated Agreement with the Audubon Education Association; Boiler Room Roof project; Personnel matters, and possible action on an Administration Early Retirement Policy. At the end of regular business, the Board will hold an Exempt session of the purpose of discussing strategy pertaining to Collective Bargaining.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say one person was hospitalized after a fire that damaged an apartment building on the southwest side of Des Moines. Firetrucks were dispatched a little after 1 p.m. Sunday. Station KCCI reports that arriving firefighters saw smoke coming from the third floor of the Wakonda West Apartments and fire and smoke blowing out of the front of the building.

One person was taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The person’s name hasn’t been released. The fire cause is being investigated.

While the Iowa Department of Public Health put out a request for proposal last week for a second company to manufacture medical marijuana — there are no plans to add licenses for more dispensaries. D-P-H deputy director Sarah Reisetter says the law only allows five dispensary licenses.  “For us to be able to offer additional dispensary licenses, the legislature would need to change the statute,” Reisetter explains.

A Cedar Rapids city council member called for more licenses after the recent awarding of licenses Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Windsor Heights, Waterloo and Davenport. He says some Iowans will have to drive a long way to get to the dispensaries. Reisetter says the Health Department will keep an eye on the situation as the products start being distributed. “We will certainly collect information and we will collect feedback. We want to be a source of information for the people in the program,” Reisetter says. “Being the regulators and being the people who maintain the patient registry, we are a natural place to hear some of those concerns and questions that a patient may have.”

She says there is another way for people in the program to provide feedback. Reisetter says the medical cannabidial board is another way for people to give input on changes in the law as she says the board makes an annual report to the Iowa Legislature on January 1st of every year. She says they will keep the board up to day and she says the board has a public comment period at every meeting. Reisetter says they want to be sure they are hearing from those involved in the program. “Certainly we will provide feedback in terms of information that we are receiving, and our advisory board might decide to make a recommendation as well,” Reisetter says.

MedPharm Iowa is required to have the medical marijuana products available by December 1st of this year.

(Radio Iowa)