Two people were arrested on separate charges Monday night, in Montgomery County. At around 10:15-p.m., Deputies arrested 27-year old Jeremy Todd Palmer, of Elliott, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Palmer was cited at the scene of his traffic stop, and released from custody. And, at around 11:20-p.m., 19-year old Markus Joshua Bothwell, of Griswold, was pulled over on Highway 48 at mile marker 33., in Montgomery County. Bothwell was subsequently cited for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and released at the scene.

Republicans in the Iowa Senate have given final legislative approval to a one percent increase “per pupil” state support of public schools in the next academic year. It amounts to an increase of about 32 million dollars. Due to DECLINING enrollment, not all districts will get more money. Some schools will be forced to CUT budgets. Another bill approved by the Senate last (Monday) night, provides 140 districts with more state money to cover transportation costs.

Senator Rob Hogg, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, ridiculed Senate Republicans for abandoning their long-term plan and embracing the HOUSE Republicans’ one-year proposal. “A measly little injection of money,” Hogg said. “…I think that is pathetic.”

Senator Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton, responded. “I would much rather have this be a long-term solutions, but let me tell you, Senator Hogg, $14 million is not nothing,” Sinclair said.

Legislators say they hope to address school transportation costs and the glitch in the “per pupil” formula that distributes general state funding for schools next year.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department said late Monday evening, that they were notified at around 2-p.m. Monday, a student had threatened to bring a weapon to Lewis Central High School. The student had expressed his disdain for the school then made the threat, which was overheard by a staff member, who immediately reported the incident to school administration. The students name is not being released.

Lewis Central administrators contacted police regarding the threat. An investigation into the incident was started immediately. The student’s family has been contacted and they are cooperating with the on‐going investigation. Charges are pending at this time. Officials said that while they do not believe the threats made by the student are credible, officers will be present at Lewis Central today (Tuesday).

Authorities say “Anyone who hears or sees another person making threats to shoot up a school or other location should immediately report the event to someone in authority.  Notification of law enforcement is paramount in stopping these types of events before they become tragedies.” Officials said also, “The Council Bluffs Police Department takes any threat to shoot up a school or other location very seriously. [They/We] aggressively investigate each of these claims and work with [our] prosecutors to charge those responsible.”

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa mother accused of leaving her four children home alone to travel to Europe has taken a plea deal. Johnston resident Erin Macke entered Alford pleas Monday in Polk County District Court to four counts of child endangerment. In an Alford plea, a person doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 19.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Investigators have seized a trove of electronic devices from a northeastern Iowa cabin owned by a youth basketball coach under investigation for allegedly making videos of naked boys. Greg Stephen, co-director of the Iowa Barnstormers, left the traveling youth organization Thursday after agents searched his Monticello home. Newly available documents show agents also searched a cabin in a recreation area near Lake Delhi and seized smartphones, tablets and flip phones.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a driver accused of hitting and killing a pedestrian provided a false name to officers. A news release Monday said officers expect more charges will be leveled against 22-year-old Oleaf Teoh, who provided a different name proved false by fingerprint examination. Police say a man walking west was struck from behind around 9 p.m. Sunday. He’s been identified as Des Moines resident Matthew Otto. It’s unclear whether Teoh has a lawyer.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Public Health Department says in its latest report that 157 Iowa residents have died of flu-related illnesses since Oct. 1 _ the worst flu season since the swine flu outbreak in 2009. The department says that at this point last flu season, just 50 confirmed flu deaths had been reported in Iowa.

Members of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet Wednesday afternoon in the High School Media Room, for collective bargaining sessions, and a Special meeting that includes a resignation.

The meeting begins at 4-p.m. with the Certified Staff Collective Bargaining Unit (Atlantic Education Association) Proposals. The Unit will present its initial contract proposal for the 2018-19 School Year, and, the Board of Education will present its initial proposal. Afterward, the Employees Association will present the Non-Certified Staff Bargaining Unit Proposals and the Board of Ed will present theirs. Both sessions are open to the public.

During the Special Meeting, the Board of Education will discuss upcoming dates, including: The End of the 3rd Quarter as March 2nd; March Regular Board Meeting date set for March 14th, and Spring Break March 19th-23rd.

Other discussion items include IASB Updated Board Policies and 400 Series Board Policies. The Action item on their agenda includes a Resignation, which is likely related to the hiring of Matt Alexander by the OA-BCIG School Board.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa mother accused of leaving her four children home alone to travel to Europe has taken a plea deal. Johnston resident Erin Macke entered Alford pleas Monday in Polk County District Court to four counts of child endangerment. In exchange prosecutors will drop a charge of making a firearm available to a person under age 21. In an Alford plea, a person doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 19.

Police were called to her home in September by the children’s father, who said the kids — two age 12, one 7, one 6 — had been left alone. Police say Macke failed to make child care arrangements before leaving Sept. 20 for a 10-day Germany vacation.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports three arrests. On Feb. 18th, 32-year old Skielynn Laverne Stephens, of Audubon, was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication, Possession of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possessing a Controlled Substance in a Detention Facility.  Stephens was transported to the Audubon County Jail and released the following day after appearing before a magistrate.

On Feb. 20th,  20-year old Jay Robert Edwin Pedrin, of Audubon, was arrested on an active Cass County Warrant, and was released to Cass County authorities. And, on Feb. 23rd, 23-year old Collin Jacob Wernimont, of Carroll, was arrested for Driving While Revoked.  Wernimont was transported to the Audubon County Jail where he later posted bond and was released.

(12:40-p.m. News)

DELHI, Iowa (AP) — Investigators have seized a trove of electronic devices from a northeastern Iowa cabin owned by a prominent youth basketball coach under investigation for allegedly making videos of naked boys. Greg Stephen, co-director of the Iowa Barnstormers, left the traveling youth organization Thursday after agents searched his Monticello home.

Newly available documents show agents also searched a cabin in a recreation area near Lake Delhi. Investigators say Stephen occasionally spent weekends there and used it for summertime group gatherings with players. Agents seized smartphones, tablets, flip phones, hard drives, thumb drives, memory cards and digital video cassettes.

Stephen hasn’t been charged and his father says he’s done nothing wrong. The searches came after a source gave police a device from Stephen’s home that contained video clips of underage males disrobing in a hotel bathroom.

Several Barnstormers players have gone on to play Division I college basketball.

Atlantic Rising, a civic-minded social group for networking and social events, will host their 5th Annual Awards Luncheon and Dessert Gala on April 27th, 2018 and are seeking community-wide nominations for the awards. The awards are designed to recognize the achievements of young professionals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and innovation in their profession and within the community. The awards are open to any Young Professional that meets the following criteria: the professional is between the age of 21-45 years old as of January 1, 2018, and the professional either works or resides within Cass County.

Young Professionals will be nominated for their excellence in four different categories: YP Newcomer, YP Entrepreneur, YP Business Leader and YP Public Servant. There will also be one YP Choice Workplace Award given. The YP Choice Workplace Award recognizes a company who effectively attracts, retains and develops young professionals. Individuals can either nominate their company or another company. Companies must be Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce members. You can check the membership directory at www.atlanticiowa.com for eligibility. Nominees for Newcomer, Entrepreneur, Business Leader, and Public Servant do not need to be members of Atlantic Rising to be eligible for nomination.

The winners for the Young Professional Awards in 2017 included: David Wiederstein – Public Servant of the Year, Brian Ruge – Newcomer of the Year, Nate Robinson – Entrepreneur of the Year, Brad Henningsen – Business Leader of the Year, and Rolling Hills Bank – Choice Workplace of the Year. To submit a nomination, go to www.atlanticiowa.com for a nomination form or pick one up at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Office (102 Chestnut, Atlantic, IA 50022). All nomination forms must be submitted by Tuesday, March 20th, 2018 by 5 PM. The 2018 Atlantic Rising Dessert Gala & Awards is sponsored by Megan Roberts, State Farm.

The Atlantic Rising nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee including: an AR Representative, an Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Board Representative, a member of CADCO, an Atlantic City Official and an out of town guest. The mission of Atlantic Rising is to connect, engage and attract young leaders into the community while promoting the greater Atlantic area.  Members are young professionals between the ages of 21-45. Any interested individuals can contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017 for more information on joining.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports that at around 3-p.m. February 23rd, 24-year old Dominic Douglas Aistrope, of Randolph,  was arrested on a Page County Warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault. Aistrope turned himself in at the Page County Sheriff’s Office in Clarinda. Aistrope bonded out of jail once he was seen by a Magistrate.

Aistrope