(DES MOINES) – Today, Ben Hammes, Communications Director for Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds released the following statement in regards to the early morning shootings involving 2 police officers:

“The governor and lt. governor have been alerted to the attacks on law enforcement this morning. Shortly after the shootings, our office was briefed by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) on the shootings. DPS is working hand in hand with local law enforcement in the investigation. We will continue monitoring and working with law enforcement in the interest of public safety.

An attack on public safety officers is an attack on the public safety of all Iowans. We call on Iowans to support our law enforcement officials in bringing this suspect to justice. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the police officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty as well as the officers who continue to put themselves in harm’s way.”

Police in Red Oak report the arrest on a drug charge Tuesday night, of 32-year old Bonnie Jean Jones, of Red Oak. Jones was taken into custody at around 10:50-p.m. at the intersection of N. 8th and E. Oak Streets, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Jones was being held at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on a $300 cash bond.

(Updated 5:28-a.m. following Dsm PD Press Briefing) — (A-P)…

Police in Des Moines, Iowa, say two officers who were killed in ambush-style attacks were both shot while they were sitting in their patrol cars. Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said Wednesday that authorities are developing suspect information but there was nothing that authorities were ready to share with the public.

Parizek was emotional during a news conference. He says there is “clearly danger” right now for police officers in the area because the officers were gunned down while sitting in their cars doing nothing wrong. He says the department has doubled up its officers to better protect them.

The first officer, an Urbandale officer, was shot about 1:06 a.m. About 20 minutes later, a Des Moines officer was found shot about 2 miles away. The suspect is a white male in a dark colored Ford F-150 pickup.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says the Iowa Youth Straw Poll held Monday, was a resounding success with more than 57,000 students from more than 250 schools across the state participating. Most of the schools cast their ballots on November 1st. Pate said “I think it was a great opportunity for them to see first-hand how the process works. It also gives them a running start for the next election cycle and also receive a little tutoring at the same time, so they’ll have a good base of knowledge for Iowa’s elections process. I hope this fired them up and will also spur them to encourage their parents, neighbors and friends to get out and vote.”

The results of the Iowa Youth Straw Poll showed:

U.S. PRESIDENT

Donald Trump-46%

Hillary Clinton-36%

Gary Johnson-7%

U.S. SENATE

Charles Grassley-62%

Patty Judge-25%

Charles Aldrich-5%

Jim Hennager-5%

U.S. HOUSE-DISTRICT 3

David Young-56%

Jim Mowrer-31%4

Bryan Jack Holder-6%

More than 13,750 votes cast

U.S. HOUSE-DISTRICT 4

Steve King-75%

Kim Weaver-25%

More than 11,950 votes cast

U.S. HOUSE-DISTRICT 1

Rod Blum-59%

Monica Vernon-41%

More than 12,200 votes cast

U.S. HOUSE-DISTRICT 2

Dave Loebsack-50%

Christopher Peters-50%

Loebsack leads 3,234-3,230

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

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five recent arrests, with three of them taking place on Monday (Oct. 31st) including: 31-year old Frank Moises Torres, of Council Bluffs, who was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail on a warrant for Probation. His bond was set at $10,000; 27-year old John Morgan Johnson, of Omaha, was arrested Monday for being a Fugitive from Justice. He was being held in the Mills County Jail without bond; and, 18-year old Tanner Lee Anthony Bailey, of Carter Lake, was arrested Monday for Possession of Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $2,000.

On Saturday, 25-year old Colby Ryan Malone, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense. His bond was set at $1,000. And, last Thursday, Mills County Deputies arrested 21-year old Mackenzey Lee Sangrait, of Minto, ND, for Possession of Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $1,000.

Sheriff’s official say there was also a non-injury accident Sunday night in Mills County. A 2002 VW Beetle driven by 33-year old Zachary Anderson, of Glenwood, was traveling south on 221st Street near Goode Avenue at around 8:30-p.m., when the car went out of control and entered the west ditch before rolling onto its driver’s side. Anderson fled the scene before authorities arrived, but was later located. He was subsequently cited for leaving the scene of an accident, and Failure to Maintain Control.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports absentee voting is still available for the November 8 GENERAL ELECTION.  IF VOTING BY MAIL: Deadline to request an absentee ballot be mailed is 5 PM on Friday, November 4.

All BALLOTS MUST BE RETURNED whether they are voted or not voted.  A postage paid return envelope is provided with each absentee ballot mailed out.  As of Tuesday, November 1st, 303 ballots mailed out before today had not yet been returned.

IF VOTING AT THE COUNTY AUDITOR’S OFFICE:

Deadline to vote in the Cass County Auditor’s office is Monday, November 7 at 5 pm. The absentee voter may come to the CASS COUNTY COURTHOUSE during the regular office hours of 8 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday thru Friday, and cast a ballot. In addition to regular office hours, the office of Cass County Auditor will be open Saturday, November 5 from 9 AM to 5 PM and open until 5 PM on Friday, November 4 and Monday, November 7.

VOTER REGISTRATION: A voter may register to vote and then vote an absentee ballot on the same day. In order to vote in Iowa a person must be registered in the person’s current county of residence, under the person’s current name, and at the person’s current address.

To register to vote on the day you vote, you must:

Provide proof of Identity (photo ID),

Provide proof of Residency (your current address in Cass County), and

Sign an oath (attesting that the information you give is true)

The address for the Cass County Auditor / Election Commissioner is: CASS COUNTY AUDITOR, COURTHOUSE, 5 W 7TH ST, ATLANTIC, IOWA 50022 (Phone:712-243-4570;   Email: auditor@casscoia.us)

The Atlantic Public Library will host a number of Community Meetings in the coming weeks to share a conceptual design for the new Memorial Reading Garden that is expected to be installed on the east side of the library building. The project will serve to highlight the original library entrance and changing the landscape of the front lawn.

The garden will include seven different levels of Memorial options. Pavers, planters, benches and tables are all available for memorial purchase.

Memorial Reading Garden concept

The Atlantic Rotary Club is also raising money for the garden through raffle ticket sales. The raffle drawing will be held at the Rotary Auction in Saturday, Nov. 19th.

During the Community Meetings, community members are welcome to share their feedback and see how you can be involved in the project. If you have any questions, call Atlantic Public Library Director Natalie Struecker at 712-243-5466, or e-mail atlanticpubliclibrary@gmail.com.

The Community Meetings will take place:

• Nov. 3rd, at 10-a.m.
• Nov. 7th at 1:30-p.m.
• Nov. 9th at 4:30-p.m.
• Nov. 15th at 6-p.m.
• Dec. 8th at 5-p.m.
• Dec. 14th at 2-p.m.
• Dec. 20th at 6-p.m.

The Harlan Police Department reports a Pottawattamie County man was arrested last week on assault and drug charges. 25-year old Hans Cox, of Walnut, was arrested Oct. 26th, when officers were dispatched to a domestic situation in the 600 block of Dodge Street.  Cox was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with domestic abuse assault, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of  drug paraphernalia.

On Oct. 27th, 49-year old Timothy Turner, of Harlan, was taken into custody after Harlan Police were dispatched to investigate a burglary alarm at 706 Victoria.  Upon arrival, officers found Turner on the ground.  Turner was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with intoxication in public, 3^rd offense.

Last Saturday, Harlan Police arrested 28-year old Charlie Hadfield, of Earling, following a traffic stop.  Hadfield was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with driving under suspension. That same day, 62-year old James Todd, of Harlan, was taken into custody when officers were dispatched to the Durant Street Country Store for a subject who had been banned from the property and would not leave.  Todd was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with trespassing.

And, on Oct. 3rd, a Harlan resident reported to police that three of the tires on her car had been sliced.  The case remains under investigation.

The Audubon County Emergency Management Agency says beginning Wednesday, and lasting approximately one week, Audubon County Secondary Roads crews will be replacing a culvert in the 3200 block of Lark Ave. The culvert is located just south of the intersection of Lark Ave. & 320^th Street. The road section runs between Exira Township sections 21 and 22.

A building site at 3225 Lark Ave. will only be accessible from the south. The County Engineer recommends using Kingbird Ave to gain Access.  If you have any questions, please call the county engineer at 712-563-4286.