DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa board has approved payment of nearly $1.1 million in a lawsuit by a former state worker who said the state Natural Resources Department fired him because of a work injury. A judge had ordered the state to pay John Vetter after a jury ruled in his favor in 2015. He’d alleged that the state had not made reasonable accommodations for his work-related back injury and was fired in 2013. Vetter had worked at the agency since 1976.

The state appealed the verdict all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court, which declined in November to hear an appeal of an Iowa Appeals Court decision backing the original verdict. The Des Moines Register reports that the Iowa Appeal Board agreed Tuesday to pay nearly $1.1 million.

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson reports a two-month long investigation by the Atlantic Police Department has resulted in the arrest of 29-year old Jason Michael Anderton, of Atlantic. Anderton faces charges that include Animal Torture/1st offense, and Animal Abuse. The investigation followed a report of a deceased animal that was brought to the Police Department in early November, 2017. Atlantic Police Lt. Devin Hogue told KJAN News the animal was a mixed-breed female dog, about one and a-half years old. He would not elaborate on the injuries it suffered that resulted in its death. The A-PD was assisted in its investigation by the Humane Society of the United States.

Jason Anderton (booking photo)

The HSUS assisted by providing resources and funding that allowed the Police Dept. to complete a Necropsy exam and DNA testing, that furthered the investigation. Jessica Lauginiger, Director of Animal Crimes with the HSUS Animal Cruelty, Rescue and Response Team, said “This case is an excellent example of two different entities coming together to combat animal crime.” She said also, “We are thankful to the Atlantic Police Department and grateful to provide the resources needed to further this case.”

Jason Anderton was taken into custody on Monday, Jan. 8th, without incident. He was booked into the Cass County Jail and later released after posting bond. Atlantic Police Lt. Devon Hogue told KJAN News the P-D was extremely grateful to the HSUS and other individuals who assisted in the case.

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

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DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A Missouri man with a record of robberies has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a bank heist in eastern Iowa. Court records say 60-year-old Peter Lundberg, of St. Ann, Missouri, was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Davenport. Records show Lundberg has two prior federal convictions for bank robbery and one state robbery conviction.

Prosecutors say Lundberg got less than $1,100 from a Bank of the West teller in Coralville, Iowa, when he robbed it on April 20. He and the woman driving him, Bridgette Durborow, of St. Peters, Missouri, were captured a short time later near Davenport. Durborow has been sentenced to two years in prison.

Police in Creston arrested a woman a little before 2-a.m. today (Wednesday), for Criminal Mischief in the 5th degree, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 36-year old Bobbie Sue Flynn, of Creston, was being held in the Union County Jail, on a $1,600 bond.

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

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Chicago woman accused of killing her sister in Des Moines has been found incompetent to stand trial. The Des Moines Register reports that a judge issued the ruling last week for 31-year-old Ieisha McDuffy. Judge Health Lauber says McDuffy suffers from a disorder that prevents her from appreciating the charges against her or aiding her lawyer. Lauber ordered McDuffy to be treated while in state custody so her mental competency for trial can be restored.

Police say Ieisha McDuffy and her sister, Lakeisha McDuffy, were visiting another relative’s home Sept. 10 when Ieisha stabbed Lakeisha.

Police say foul play is NOT suspected in the death of an infant at a northern Iowa in-home day care. A news release from the Manly Police Department stated Worth County dispatchers received a 911 call on December 28 at 3 p.m. about a baby not breathing. The 7-month-old girl was later pronounced dead at a Mason City hospital.

Manly Police Chief Aaron Pals calls it “a tragic event and a delicate time for all involved.” He noted an autopsy has been conducted, but for now, the results are not being released. Pals provided an update late Tuesday afternoon – confirming foul play is NOT suspected in the case. No charges have been filed.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says there are no new developments in the impasse between corn-state and oil-state senators over possible changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Grassley says there have been no discussions, since before Christmas, regarding Texas Senator Ted Cruz’s concerns with the RFS. “We have asked the two segments to sit down and talk and get some understanding of each other’s position, as a next step,” Grassley told reporters on a conference call Tuesday.

Cruz has proposed helping oil refiners by placing a 10-cent cap on Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). But Grassley says biofuels industry groups have made their position very clear to him. “The industry tells us that such a cap on RINs would be just catastrophic to ethanol, that it would be a no-go,” Grassley said, “and Senator (Joni) Ernst and I expressed that to Cruz.” As for Cruz’s continued hold on Iowa ag secretary Bill Northey’s U.S.D.A. nomination, Grassley said it’s time to take a different approach. “We’re going to have to proceed separate from anything dealing with the RFS on Northey,” Grassley said. “Northey is entitled to an answer of when is he going to be dealt with in the United States Senate.”

Cruz has blocked a Senate vote on Northey’s nomination to be U.S.D.A. Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation. According to Grassley, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has committed to clearing the way for a Senate vote on Northey’s nomination. But there’s still no indication of when that might happen.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Ken Anderson, Brownfield Ag News)

The 2018 inductees for the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are being announced. Cindy Stanbro (STAN-broh), executive director of the Iowa Rock and Roll Museum in Arnolds Park, says it’s a long list of bands, musicians, singers, deejays and others, which includes: “David Ellefson, The Nadas, Marilyn Maye, The Bushmen, Rob Lumbard, Buckeye, Crusin’, Rick Hillyard, A Stitch ‘n Tyme, The Torkays, Lavendar Hill Band, The El Riadas and Dean Davis, who’s getting a Lifetime Achievement Award.”

More than 320 artists have been inducted into the Iowa Hall since its inception more than 20 years ago. Stanbro explains how inductees are picked, once they’re nominated. “They have to have at least 25 years experience in the industry and have made a significant impact,” Stanbro says. “The board of directors gets together and we review all the submissions and we look at the influence they’ve had on other artists, their length of career, regional and national tours, success of recordings, and how they’ve impacted rock-n-roll music in Iowa.”

Tickets for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction celebration will go on sale in March. The event is scheduled for September 1st and 2nd in Arnolds Park. Learn more at www.iowarocknroll.com.

(Radio Iowa)