SAINT LUCAS, Iowa (AP) – It seems residents of Saint Lucas are doing their part to boost the tiny northeastern Iowa town’s population. Television station KCRG reported that the town of about 150 is experiencing a baby boom. Resident Courtney Schott said 19 babies were born to town residents from August 2018 to October 2019, and several families have announced that they’re expecting again. The boom follows about 10 years of more young families settling in the Fayette County community. Resident Eric Dietzenbach says the town has “completely changed from, you know, a bunch of retired people a bunch of young families.”

(Radio Iowa) — With recreational marijuana now legal just over the Mississippi River in Illinois, Iowa officials are warning residents to comply with state law. Iowans can now buy pot in Illinois but it’s still illegal to transport the drug across state lines or to drive under the influence. Sergeant Alex Dinkla, with the Iowa State Patrol, says troopers may be more vigilant, especially in eastern Iowa. “They’re going to be probably a little extra awareness on that side of the state as they are working,” Dinkla says. “But as the state as a whole, we take a very strong stance against it, that, if you have any marijuana in your vehicle, on your person, you will be charged with that.”

The long list of Illinois dispensaries includes facilities in Rockford, Fulton and in the Quad Cities area. Dubuque County Sheriff Joe Kennedy echoes the warning from the state patrol. Kennedy says, “We just want people to understand, when they go over to Illinois and they buy it, even if they may buy it legally over there, as soon as they cross the state line it is no longer legal and we are going to enforce it as such.”

When it comes to driving under the influence of marijuana, it’s notoriously difficult to test for impairment caused by the drug. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, there’s no national standard for drugged driving.

(Reporting by Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports 45-year old Bobby Jo Haley, of Creston, was arrested Tuesday night at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Haley was taken into custody on a Union County warrant for OWI/1st offense. Haley was later released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman was arrested on drug and child endangerment charges early this (Wednesday) morning, following a traffic stop in Bedford. Deputies stopped a 2019 GMC Acadia at around 2:30-a.m., for speeding. The Taylor County K9 “Ciba” arrived, and indicated to the presence of narcotic odor in the vehicle. Following a search of the vehicle, Deputies located approximately one pound of marijuana and one-half pound of methamphetamine.

CORALVILLE– The Iowa Department of Corrections reports several security staff members were assaulted by an inmate at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center at approximately 11:20-a.m, Tuesday.  Authorities say an inmate attempted to leave his unit without authorization. As additional security staff responded, the inmate became combative and landed several closed-fist strikes on the responding correctional officers. Officers quickly gained control of the combative inmate, and placed him in restraints.

The staff members that were assaulted by the inmate were treated by institution medical staff. The inmate appears to have not suffered any injuries. The incident remains under investigation.