FOREST CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa school district is considering installing solar panels on land it recently bought near its high school. The Forest City school district is evaluating several options for the 17.3 acres of land it purchased near its high school. Superintendent Darwin Lehmann says using the land to generate solar power would help power the high school and save the district money on utility bills.

Another option being considered would be to create several test plots that students in Future Farmers of America could use. The district has time to research options because it plans to keep the land in the Conservation Reserve Program through 2021.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Sioux City airport must close several times in the next month because of a runway construction project. The Sioux City Journal reports the airport is working on rebuilding a secondary runway, and the closures are needed because of work on the areas where that secondary runway intersects the main one.

The airport closed to flights Thursday and is scheduled to reopen Sunday at 8 p.m. The next two closures are Aug. 23 through Aug. 25 and Sept. 14 through Sept. 15.
The overall $24 million runway project is scheduled to be completed next spring.

The Federal Aviation Administration is paying 90 percent of the cost.

A traffic stop early this (Sunday) morning in Taylor County, escalated into a pursuit. Sheriff’s officials say 28-year old Jacob Allen Thomsen, of New Market, was pulled over by Page and Taylor Counties deputies at around 12:15-a.m., at the corner of 7th and Main Streets, in New Market.

Thomsen then attempted to flee Deputies. During the attempt to flee, a Deputy was struck in the arm by Thomsen’s vehicle. Thomsen was subsequently stopped after a short pursuit. He was taken into custody and charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol (2nd Offense) – an Aggravated Misdemeanor; Eluding – a Class D Felony; Driving While License Suspended; Interference with Official Acts Causing Bodily Injury; and Assault While Participating in a Felony – a Class D Felony.

Thomsen was additionally cited for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, Failure to Use Seat Belt, and for having an Open Container as a Driver. He was being held on $13,000 cash only bond at the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office.

And, 48-year old Jamie Peterson, of Lenox, was arrested following a traffic stop Saturday, in Lenox. Peterson was charged with Driving While License Suspended. He was additionally cited for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability and Expired Registration. Peterson posted a $300 bond, and was released from the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office.

(Radio Iowa) — A Massachusetts congressman’s appearance at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday marked the conclusion of nearly two dozen presidential candidates speaking at the Des Moines Register’s Political Soap Box. Forty-year-old Seth Moulton warned the crowd beating President Trump won’t be as ease as Democrats may think. “What I’m hearing from Americans is that they want people who are willing to stand up to the Washington establishment and not just talk about a new generation of leadership in our country but actually fight to bring it.”

Moulton highlighted his service as a Marine Corps Captain and his ability to lead a diverse group of soldiers. His message of unity extended to economic policy. “You’re not evil, if you’re rich. You should aspire to be successful. We’re not pitting rich people against poor people, but we are making sure everyone pays their fair share.”

Moulton referenced his low polling numbers early on in his Massachusetts race and joked about being unknown. Moulton, however, has remained undeterred by his “underdog” status.  “It’s when our values are under attack, that we need to step up and fight for them. It’s when our country lets us down, that we need to step up and serve.”

His policy positions include support for the Green New Deal, a national service plan for young Americans and a single payer healthcare system. Moulton got his biggest burst of applause from the audience when he called for President Trump’s impeachment.

The Audubon School District’s Board of Education will hold a regular meeting 7-p.m. Monday, in their Boardroom at the High School. Action items on their agenda include (But are not limited to): Approving a Transportation Committee recommendation; Approve quotes from – Carroll Glass, for door repairs, & chimney repair; Approve ILO Physics, and action on Personnel matters. The Board will also discuss the upcoming School Board Elections, including who is up for re-election, important dates and processes. And, they will receive updates on Summer projects and the PPEL/SILO Budget.

The Griswold School Board will hold their regular meeting following public hearings on proposals to sell the Lewis and Elliott properties. The hearings in the Middle School/High School Library begin at 5:30-p.m. with the presentation of a proposed sales agreement for the Lewis property, followed at around 5:35-p.m. by a proposal of the sales agreement for the Elliott Property. Once the Public Hearings are closed, the Griswold School Board will open their regular session, which includes action on approving: Change Orders; Resolutions authorizing the execution of Deed for the Lewis and Elliott Facilities, and Resolutions approving the Deeds as well as authorizing delivering for those properties.

The Board will also hold discussion with regard to Daycare.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

ELDORA, Iowa (AP) — A man and woman who confined the man’s son in a basement in central Iowa have each been sentenced to 30 years in prison. The Des Moines Register reports that 31-year-old Alex Shadlow and his girlfriend, 40-year-old Traci Tyler, were sentenced Friday. Prosecutors say Tyler and Shadlow in the summer of 2017 locked his 8-year-old son in a space beneath the basement stairs of their Ackley home, where he had no access to a bathroom and food was withheld.

IDA GROVE, Iowa (AP) — A man Iowa authorities say was intoxicated when his vehicle crashed into another, killing three men, has pleaded not guilty to charges in the case. The Sioux City Journal reports that 21-year-old Ryan Childers, of Odebolt, entered the written plea Friday in Ida County District Court to three counts of vehicular homicide and one count of serious injury by motor vehicle. Authorities say Childers was driving a pickup truck the wrong way in March when he hit a car head-on.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A homeless shelter in downtown Des Moines is building a 24-unit, $4.3 million apartment building made out of shipping containers for the chronically homeless. The Des Moines Register reports that Central Iowa Shelter and Services was recently awarded $2.7 million from the National Housing Trust Fund program and the Iowa Finance Authority to complete the project. It will be built in the water retention basin just south of the shelter, where homeless have frequently set up tents.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Elizabeth Warren and at least six other Democratic White House hopefuls are due to meet with tribal leaders and members in Iowa next week on issues of concern to Native American voters. Warren has sought to mend relations with these voters since apologizing to the Cherokee Nation early this year. That was after she pointed to DNA test results as evidence of her tribal heritage. Warren is expected to face scrutiny at the Sioux City forum over how she addresses that issue.