Gov. Terry Branstad has ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset tomorrow, (Thursday, April 6th), in honor of the burial of John Glenn, in accordance with the proclamation issued this afternoon by President Donald Trump, .

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state.  Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans with majorities in the Iowa Legislature have released a general blueprint for the next state budget that slashes overall government spending. GOP leaders from both chambers announced a spending plan Wednesday totaling about $7.2 billion for the budget year that takes effect in July. That’s about $14 million less than the current budget year.

David Roederer, a chief budget official for Gov. Terry Branstad, says such reduced spending is rare. It’s also unclear which areas of state government could be cut. Lawmakers this session reduced funding and dipped into cash reserves to plug shortfalls amid declining revenue. Republicans say lawmakers must make tough decisions to responsibly balance the budget.

The governor’s office agrees with the spending plan, an indication GOP lawmakers could approve a budget and adjourn within weeks.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Republican-controlled Iowa House has passed a bill that would ban most abortions in the state at 20 weeks of pregnancy. The chamber voted 55-41 Wednesday for the legislation, which provides no exception for rape, incest or fatal fetal anomalies. The bill must return to the Iowa Senate for final approval, after the House amended it to require that a woman wait 72 hours before getting an abortion. Another provision requires that a doctor offer a woman more details about an ultrasound, including hearing the heartbeat of the fetus.

Nearly 20 states have passed similar 20-week bans, which is based on the disputed premise that a fetus can feel pain at that stage. Gov. Terry Branstad has indicated support for a ban, though a spokesman says the governor reserves judgment on the legislation.

Firefighters from Brayton and Exira were called to the scene of a house fire Wednesday night, in Brayton. The call came in just after 8-p.m.  The fire was located in a home at 405 County T, just a block or two from the fire station. Brayton Fire Chief Tom McGovern told KJAN News they found smoke was inside the home when they arrived. After the house was ventilated, they investigated and found a ceiling fan in the bathroom was on fire.

Ventilation efforts continued by making a hole in the roof and removing insulation. McGovern said the fire had worked its way down the walls and burned the pipes, so the bathtub was filling. Water and electricity to the home were shut-off.

Two residents and an animal safely evacuated the home, and efforts were underway to find them a place to stay. Crews were on the scene for about an hour. The damage was estimated at about $4,000. The bathroom ceiling fan is believed to have been the cause of the fire, according to the Chief.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved a Resolution to enter into a Utility Infrastructure Easement with the Whitney Group, LLC, that will allow an electrical box to be placed on an 8-foot by 18-foot portion of a City parking lot located behind the Whitney Inn. The Whitney Group, which is renovating the old hotel into a dining, adult residential and business structure, requested the easement because they were required by AMU to relocate their power system away from the building. The City Attorney worked with the Whitney Group’s Mark Smith to hammer out the agreement. The City also recently entered into a $750,000 development agreement with the Whitney Group for their renovation project.

The Atlantic City Council also passed a Resolution setting April 19th at 5:30-p.m., as the date and time for a public hearing on the adoption of the City’s proposed FY 2018 5-year Capital Improvement Plan. In other business, the Council held the second readings of three ordinances. One was with regard to Zoning Regulations, the other pertains to separation distances and the mitigation of PCE contamination in the vicinity of 3rd Street Place, and third was for new Flood Plain Regulations. A motion was made to waive the third reading of that Ordinance, which was then passed unanimously.

The Council also approved the re-appointments to six-year terms, of Joyce Jensen and Joanne Lorence, to the Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU) Board.

Mayor Dave Jones (Left) signs the official Arbor Day Proclamation. Joining him are Dolly & Dave Bergman and Atlantic Parks & Rec Director Seth Staashelm.

They also heard a presentation from Dolly Bergman with regard to Arbor Day, and Trees Forever, whereby Atlantic has received an award for and the designation of, Tree City USA. The award will be presented on Thursday (April 6th). This marks the 21st year the City has received the honor. Mayor Dave Jones signed the official Arbor Day Proclamation as required for one of the four standards to be recognized as a Tree City USA.

Bergman said “The Atlantic Trees Forever” group was started March 17th, 25-years ago, so we as an organization will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary in the community this year.” She said they’re planning on planting 25 trees in different locations beginning later this spring through this fall.

Mayor Dave Jones reminded people the grass is growing quickly, and that if your grass becomes too tall, you will receive only one notice. Lawns must be mowed when the vegetation reaches a height of more than 12 inches by the first and the fifteenth day of the month in May, June, July, August, September, and October. The City will mow your lawn at cost, if you do not comply after receiving the first notice.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A former Iowa fire academy administrator could avoid jail time after falsifying test scores that were used to improperly certify hundreds of firefighters.

Court records show that former Fire Services Training Bureau certification manager John McPhee has agreed to plead guilty to misconduct in office at a hearing set for April 26 in Nevada, Iowa. Sentencing would be expected at a later date.

Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence of two years’ probation, restitution and 100 hours of community service. But Judge James Malloy could opt for a different sentence. The felony charge carries a maximum of five years in prison and a $7,500 fine.

McPhee was charged in January. Investigators say he falsified test scores for years, allowing up to 2,400 firefighters to earn certifications despite failing exams.

Grant Petty of the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund has been busy making donations. Fund spokesperson Melanie Petty, says Grant Petty presented Kellie Jimerson of Atlantic Specialty Care, with a check for $200 for their annual Easter Egg Hunt which will be held on Saturday, April 15th. Over 15,000 eggs are ready to be found by children from age 1-10 in four age groups. It’s a fun family event and the Easter Bunny will arrive via the Atlantic Fire Department.

A $1,300 donation was made to the Atlantic Schools for new books at both Washington and Schuler Elementary. Melanie Petty says the Frederickson fund feels very strongly about reading and because it was something Trevor enjoyed it has become a yearly donation. Shown here are just some of the books that were ordered in.

The fund’s only fundraiser each year is an annual golf tournament. This year the tournament will be held on Saturday, August 12th. Plans have already started and organizers say they are hoping for another great turnout so they are able to continue to give back in Trevor’s memory.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a Pottawattamie County man was arrested March 29th on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for felony Robbery in the 1st Degree. 19-year old Jesse Aron Shipley, of Council Bluffs was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $100,000 bond.

On March 31, 2017, Cass County Deputies arrested 20-year old Kyle Nicholas Krueger, of Atlantic, after Krueger turned himself  on two Cass County Sheriff’s Office felony warrants for Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana. Krueger was booked in a the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $10,000 bond.

Also on March 31st, 39-year old Matthew David Blair, of Jefferson, was arrested on a Cass County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Blair was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $2,000 bond.

On April 3rd, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 52-year old Bobbykines F. Taylor, of Aurora, CO, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Taylor was cited to appear in District Court at a later date. On April 4th, 21-year old Tyler Ray Osborn, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Osborn was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $5,000 bond.

AMES, IOWA – Three Iowa high school seniors are receiving scholarships from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation. Winners Madelynn Green of State Center, Megan Pansegrau from Gilman, and Macy Evans of Creston, each receive $1,000 from the Youth Beef Team (YBT) program for their knowledge of beef and cattle production, as well as their communication skills.

Macy Evans

Macy is the daughter of Rob and April Evans. She plans on attending Iowa State University where she will major in Agricultural Education. She chose this field of study because she wants to inspire students to achieve and promote agriculture and make an impact on the industry. It will also allow Macy to continue her passion, her cow herd. Her presentation focused on using social media to reach out to people about what we really do to care for our livestock and how important that personal connection can be to eliminate false information.

All three will also each receive an additional $500 because they completed an online course called Masters of Beef Advocacy, a program that provides additional training on communications and beef production.

Each scholarship candidate provided a written application, and took part in a personal interview and made a presentation on a beef industry issue during the final judging process in Ames on April 1st.

With these awards, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation has provided over $81,000 in scholarship support to Iowa youth since 1994. Show your support for the industry and its future by making a tax-deductible donation to the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation to ensure the continuation of our youth programs.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest Tuesday on a warrant and drug charge, of an Atlantic woman. 22-year old Maisie Williams was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, and on a Cass County warrant for Probation Violation. Williams was booked into the Cass County Jail.