Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — When a major tech company announced recently it planned to build two data centers in Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds saw it as a clear win. She touted the deal with Apple Inc. as one that will create jobs, spur economic growth and elevate Iowa’s status. Yet the project includes a price tag of $208 million in state and local tax breaks, a detail that has Reynolds facing criticism for backing it amid a state budget crunch. It’s become political fodder for next year’s gubernatorial race.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Equipment manufacturer John Deere has hired about 250 workers in Dubuque since last fall thanks to surging demand for new products. The Telegraph Herald reports that the John Deere Dubuque Works facility employs 1,300 production workers, its highest total since 2000. There are another 1,300 employees at the plant who work in other capacities such as engineering, sales and marketing. General Manager Mark Dickson says he predicts adding another 50 workers by October.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former West Des Moines preschool employee convicted for showing up to work drunk is back behind bars after officials say she showed up drunk to her sentencing. The Des Moines Register reports that at 43-year-old Angela Hircock’s sentencing Thursday, a breath test showed her blood alcohol level at .178. The legal limit to drive is .08. Her probation sentence was then set aside and she was arrested.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Police are investigating after officials at a Waterloo mosque say four people were found setting fires in the mosque’s parking lot. Ibrahim Shehata, president of the Islamic Foundation of Iowa in Waterloo, told the Courier that four people _two adults and two children _ were found Wednesday night using an accelerant to light cans on fire in the parking lot, including near the entrance door and some vehicles. No one was injured and no damage was reported.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds sees Apple Inc.’s plans to build two data centers in the state as a clear win, but it’s come with some baggage. The new Republican governor touted the deal as one that will create jobs, spur economic growth and elevate Iowa’s status. Yet the project includes a price tag of $208 million in state and local tax breaks.

Some have criticized Reynolds for supporting the tax breaks amid a state budget crunch, and it’s become political fodder for next year’s gubernatorial race, in which Reynolds is seeking a four-year term. Democrats and even some Republicans are questioning the deal.

Although states still provide tax incentives to lure major companies, the issue has become more complicated as states grapple with budget constraints and studies raise doubts about the long-term benefits of such commitments.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports a man from Adair was arrested late Thursday morning by Adair Police, on a trio of charges. 55-year old Taylor Lee Parton faces charges of Harassment in the 3rd degree, Harassing a Public Official or Employee, and 1st offense Stalking.

His arrest was the result of an investigation into three separate incidents at an apartment complex located in the 800 block of Stuart Street, in Adair. Parton is alleged to have harassed tenants to law enforcement, for a crime he knew was not true, and by continued and constant intimidation to the point where the tenants became alarmed and unsafe in their apartments. Parton was released on his Own Recognizance early Thursday evening.

In other business, Sheriff Vandewater reports 38-year old Christopher Lee Breece, of Bridgewater, was arrested Friday afternoon in Greenfield, on a warrant out of Clarke County. He was later transferred to the custody of Clarke County authorities. 37-year old James W. Riddle, of Creston, was arrested at around 11:30-p.m. Friday, in Orient, for Driving Under Suspension. He was cited and released from the scene. And, 37-year old Michael Lynn Huddleson, of Fontanelle, was arrested Aug. 30th for Driving While License Denied or Revoked for a previous OWI. He was released the following day on $1,000 bond.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Equipment manufacturer John Deere has hired about 250 workers in Dubuque since last fall thanks to surging demand for new products. The Telegraph Herald reports the John Deere Dubuque Works facility now employs 1,300 production workers, its highest total since 2000. There are another 1,300 employees at the plant who work in other capacities such as engineering, sales and marketing.

General Manager Mark Dickson says he predicts adding another 50 workers by October. Dickson says the increasing orders and additional hires have boosted morale at the facility. The increases come a year after the company experienced layoffs and lagging sales.

The company laid off nearly 100 people in 2016. Its construction and forest division had an operating loss of $17 million at the end of fiscal year 2016.

A Pottawattamie County man suspected of carjacking a man in Council Bluffs, Saturday morning, was arrested later, in Omaha. Council Bluffs Police say Officers in Omaha located the suspect, 21-year old Ahmed Ibar, of Council Bluffs, and the vehicle, in the vicinity of 24th and Cuming, in Omaha. Ibar is currently in police custody at the Douglas County Jail awaiting extradition back to Iowa.

Authorities say at around 12:10-a.m. Saturday, Council Bluffs Police say Officers were dispatched to 3400 block of Avenue C for a male party reporting a carjacking. While en route to the call an officer observed the vehicle just stolen Westbound on the I-480
Bridge at a high rate of speed going into Omaha. The officer was not in position to catch up to the vehicle, but broadcast the information to the Omaha Police Department.

Ahmed Ibar

Upon arrival officers spoke to the victim, 36-year old Michael McNeil, of Lincoln, NE, who told officers that while parked in the area he was approached by a black male displaying a handgun. The suspect pointed the handgun at McNeil and told him “Get out of the car or I’ll shoot you”. The suspect fled the area in the McNeil’s vehicle.

Criminal Investigations responded to Omaha and interviewed Ibar.

Authorities in Montgomery County say three people were arrested at around 7:30-p.m. Saturday, in Red Oak. 33-year old Jared Alan Gresham, of Omaha, and 27-year old Mildred Helenora Douglas, of Red Oak, were taken into custody at 7:30-p.m. on the 100 block of Grimes Street. The were charged with Public Intoxication and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where bond was set at $300 each.

A few minutes later, 31-year old Brian Paul Anderson, of Red Oak, was taken into custody in the 200 block of E Grimes Street, for Disorderly Conduct by fighting or violence. His bond was also set at $300.

A man died and two women were injured, during a collision Saturday morning in eastern Iowa’s Jackson County. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened north of Andrew on Highway 62 at around 7:40-a.m., when a van crossed the center line of the road and struck an SUV head-on.

Officials say the driver of the van, 60-year old Marjorie Louise Hendrickson, and the driver of the SUV, 40-year old Tina Marie Kelchen, were injured. A passenger in Kelchen’s SUV, 40-year old Mitchell Roy Kelchen, died from his injuries. All of the victims are from Bellevue, Iowa.

The women were flown by helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. The accident, which occurred on Highway 62, remains under investigation.

AURORA, Iowa (AP) — A 55-year-old Aurora man has been sentenced to prison for shooting at Buchanan County sheriff’s deputies while holding his wife hostage in their mobile home in October.

The Courier reports that Dennis Edgar Chamberlain was sentenced earlier this week to up to 25 years in prison after being convicted by a jury in July of attempted murder, second-degree kidnapping and weapons counts.

Buchanan County sheriff’s deputies were called to Chamberlain’s house on Oct. 8. Officials say Chamberlain fired a handgun next to his then-wife following an argument and then fired into a door when deputies and state troopers tried to contact him. An Iowa State Patrol negotiator eventually talked Chamberlain into releasing his wife and surrendering.

Chamberlain’s defense attorney argued at trial that Chamberlain was only trying to harm himself.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says a fish kill in a northwestern Iowa stream has been traced to a Le Mars ice cream making plant. The department says ammonia from the Wells Enterprises plant, which makes Blue Bunny ice cream, found its way into the Plymouth County stream, killing a large number of minnow and chubs.

Officials say the ammonia was in cooling water discharge from the plant. The department said Friday it will continue to look for and verify the spill source and send water samples for laboratory analysis. DNR fisheries staff also planned to do a fish kill count Friday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey has been nominated for an administrative role in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The White House announced President Donald Trump’s nomination of Northey on Friday. The 57-year-old Northey has been picked to serve as the Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation. A news release says the position was created in May as part of a re-organization at USDA.

Northey, a Republican, is in the midst of his third term as Iowa’s ag secretary. Northey graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Agricultural Business and received his master’s in business from Southwest Minnesota State University.

He must first be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before he can take over the USDA post.