The Creston Police Department reports a woman in Creston reported that on Tuesday (Jan. 9th), someone stole a two-banded, white gold, marquise cut wedding ring from her grooming shop at 400 S. Chestnut Street.  The ring was valued at $6,500.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A 37-year-old man has been accused of putting the Nora Springs police chief in a chokehold at a Mason City hospital. Court records say Chief David Jesse Dugan had taken Mason City resident Daniel Tyree to Mercy Medical Center on Wednesday but didn’t say why. The criminal complaint says Tyree put his forearms around Dugan’s throat from behind while at the hospital.

Mason City Police Capt. Mike McKelvey says someone intervened to free Dugan, who did not suffer serious injuries. The records say Tyree was put on probation Jan. 2 for burglary. The new charge against Tyree is assault on persons in certain occupations. His next court date is Jan. 19.

A coalition of conservation, recreation and ag groups released a new poll Thursday, showing support for an increase in the state sales tax to fund water quality projects through the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation president, Joe McGovern, says support has been strong since the fund was created by a constitutional amendment in 2010. “But this last polling of 69 percent — and that’s 69 percent saying they support the trust fund by raising the sales tax — those are strong numbers,” McGovern says.

The proposal is to raise the sales tax by three-eights of a cent, and the amendment requires the increase to go into the fund. McGovern says two-thirds of that increase would go to water quality projects. “Right now we estimate that would put 187 million into the trust fund,” McGovern says, “over two-thirds would go directly to water quality measures to help the nutrient reduction strategies.”

The sales tax hasn’t been increased, so the there hasn’t been money put into the fund. He says tax increases are not something anyone wants — but he says Iowans have shown they support one if the money goes to a specific source. McGovern says the recent increase in the gas tax is an example. “You know when you think about the gas tax, we all knew there were needs. We knew that we had failing bridges, we knew that we had roads that needed repair. so, when those taxes are used for what they say they are going to be used for, people understand that, Iowans expect that,” McGovern says. “That’s why we went the route of the constitutional amendment. So that when this fund was created, it would be protected.”

McGovern is hopeful Iowa lawmakers will see the poll and support and approve a sales tax increase. “We know we have budget issues, we know we have tax reforms being talked about. So, if this can be part of a larger conversation, if this can be something that’s comprehensive, we know there’s some water quality needs out there. We’re thinking much bigger,” according to McGovern.

The poll was commissioned by Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy (IWILL) Coalition. The coalition executive council is comprised of leaders from the American Heart Association, Ducks Unlimited, Iowa’s County Conservation Boards, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Iowa Soybean Association, Pheasants Forever and The Nature Conservancy in Iowa.

(Radio Iowa)

Fewer Iowans bought new vehicles in 2017 compared to the previous year. Bruce Anderson is president of the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association. “Sales dipped in Iowa last year, but only by 299 cars,” Anderson said. “It was almost an identical year to 2016.”

Iowans purchased 137,702 new vehicles last year. The most popular vehicle in Iowa remains the Chevy Silverado. “And it’s neck-and-neck with the Ford F-150,” Anderson said. “Iowans just love their trucks.” Of the new vehicles sold in Iowa last year, 34,345 were cars and 103,357 were trucks and SUVs. “That’s a national trend that Iowa is following or maybe even leading – the conversion from driving passenger cars to driving trucks and SUVs,” Anderson said.

While overall sales dipped a bit compared to 2016, the Iowans who did buy new vehicles last year tended to purchase more expensive vehicles. “I think that’s true,” Anderson said. “Prices are competitive and dealers have great deals right now, but credit has eased a bit and you’re seeing banks and funding sources are lending…that has loosened up somewhat, so people are getting qualified and more into the cars they want and need, rather than just the ones they can afford.”

For example, luxury brands like Audi and Jaguar enjoyed a sales boom in Iowa last year. “Jaguar nearly doubled their new sale footprint. There were 84 new Jags sold in Iowa in 2016 and 163 in ’17,” Anderson said. Audi also nearly doubled its sales in Iowa. According to the records kept by Anderson’s group, Iowans bought 44 different brands of vehicles in 2017.

(Radio Iowa)

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

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Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says efforts to cut sexual assault in the military have been successful and similar efforts are needed for civilians. Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, is a retired Iowa National Guard soldier who has focused on efforts to end sexual harassment in the military since taking office. She says there have been more reports by soldiers while overall cases are down. “What that is saying is that more and more men and women serving in the military have greater confidence in the reporting process. They have greater confidence in their commanders that they will be protected when they come forward with allegations of any sexual assault and sexual harassment,” Ernst says. She says reporting assaults is key to addressing the issue. “That is really important because then it gives that command structure the opportunity to investigate that as well as prosecute if that is what the victim or survivor wants to do. So, I do believe it is working,” according to Ernst.

She still isn’t satisfied enough has been done. “I can’t say that it is ever enough,” Ernst says, “I think we have to keep moving forward. I think greater education of our young people when they are coming into the military is extremely important. So,even before they are sworn in they need to understand that this is not acceptable behavior.” The issue has taken center stage outside the military in recent weeks. “When we look on the outside of the military in our civilian population — there are problems there as well — as we have witnessed not just here in the United States Congress, in the political arena….but we see it in all the talk that has been in Hollywood and elsewhere.”

Ernst says the efforts to prevent sexual assault should be the same whether in or our of the military. “We have to keep working on this. Is this something that will be solved overnight, probably not,” Ernst says. “But I do think that it is important that our public is aware that again, it’s never okay to sexually harass someone. It is never okay to assault someone in any circumstance. We’ve got to start teaching this from a very young age, just the respect and dignity of all people.” Ernst says everyone has to take a role in making changes. “We all have a lot of work to do, not just Congress in making laws, or the administration in writing rules. We all have a responsibility in our communities to make sure we are raising people to understand that every life has dignity and we need to respect that,” Ernst says.

Ernst made her comments during a conference call with reporters.

(Radio Iowa)

Des Moines, IOWA — Iowa State Patrol Troopers and local law enforcement officers responded Thursday to a 911 call of  “shots fired” along Interstate I-80, about 20-miles east of Iowa City, and just east of the 265 mile marker at the rest area.

Officials say the suspect then drove west bound and exited at the 265 exit where he fired more rounds at motorists at the BP gas station. Troopers encountered the suspect on County RD X46 where they engaged him and exchanged gunfire. After a brief stand-off Troopers/Officers were able to take the suspect into custody. No injuries were sustained by the suspect or law enforcement.

The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating as a result of officers involved in shooting. The Officers involved and the suspect’s name will not be released at this time.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press….

TOLEDO, Iowa (AP) — A Marion kindergarten teacher has been acquitted of not reporting that a 15-year-old classroom volunteer sexually abused her students. Cedar Rapids television station KCRG reports that a Tama County jury on Thursday found 59-year-old Diane Graham not guilty of failing to report sexual abuse. Prosecutors said Graham was teaching at Starry Elementary when two students told her in August 2016 that they were being abused by the volunteer. Prosecutors said she didn’t report the abuse, as required.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge recently appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds has recused herself from a high-profile civil lawsuit. Judge Samantha Gronewald has disqualified herself from overseeing the wrongful termination case brought by former Division of Criminal Investigation agent Larry Hedlund. Gronewald didn’t elaborate on the reason. But records show she and her husband have contributed to former Gov. Terry Branstad and other Republican candidates for years.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Some eastern Iowa hospitals have announced restrictions on visitation in the wake of a vicious flu season that has strained hospitals across the country. Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque and Dyersville and UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital in Dubuque have announced patient visitation restrictions starting Friday because of the respiratory virus.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Cincinnati-based company says it’s closing a Des Moines stockroom over the next four months, affecting the jobs of about 35 workers. The Des Moines Register reports that Cintas acquired the facility when it merged with G&K Services. Cintas said Thursday that the employees are encouraged to apply for open positions at other facilities in the Des Moines market. Cintas offers uniforms, floor care products and other goods and services to its customers.

The next session of Healthy U is scheduled for noon on Thursday, January 18th, at the Cass County Health System. Wendy Hunter – Williams, RN, BSN, will present the program on how to utilize MyChart, the new patient portal available for CCHS patients. Wendy is a clinical health coach at Atlantic Medical Center.

She says “It is important that patients partner with medical providers in the healthcare process. MyChart is a valuable online tool that provides tremendous information and access for patients so they can be an active partner in improving their own health.”

Wendy Hunter-Williams

Wendy will demonstrate how patients can maximize the benefits of MyChart, including tracking health markers such as blood pressure or iron levels, reviewing visit notes and instructions after an appointment, and checking upcoming appointment schedules.

Wendy has been with Atlantic Medical Center for five years. As a clinical health coach, she assists patients with the day-to-day management of chronic illnesses, providing support between visits with their medical providers.

Healthy U is a free educational lunch series at Cass County Health System held monthly in Conference Room 2. The public is invited and welcome to attend, but reservations are required as lunch is provided for all attendees. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa City auto repair business owner has been charged with a misdemeanor after police say he repeatedly asked a customer if he was a Muslim and a terrorist. The Johnson County Attorney’s office said Thursday that 47-year-old Chad Cermak has been charged with third-degree harassment. He was arrested Tuesday after police say a person complained that he went Monday afternoon to Cermak Automotive, where Cermak repeatedly asked him if he is a Muslim, a terrorist, a suicide bomber and other questions.

Police say the customer tried several time to end the questioning. The prosecutor’s office say Cermak has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is set for Feb. 16.