DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — For drivers in Midwestern farm country, the growing season brings a special danger on the roads: tall corn that can obscure other vehicles until it’s too late. The plant’s broad leaves and thick stalks can stand up to 12 feet high, forming a wall of foliage that turns rural roads into long, narrow corridors of green, yellow and brown. Many intersections have no stop signs.

The peril is especially pervasive in Iowa, the nation’s top corn producer, where crops cover more than 90 percent of the land. At least five people have been killed so far this season in crashes blamed on corn.

Authorities issue warnings, but they can do little more than plead with drivers to use caution. The problem is also widespread across Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota and Indiana.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

WELLMAN, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are investigating after a Washington County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a suicidal man. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says the confrontation between deputies and 39-year-old Martin Hammen happened early Sunday at Hammen’s rural home near Wellman. Deputies were responding to a report of a suicidal man. Authorities say Hammen refused to drop a handgun, so the deputy shot Hammen.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A 31-year-old man is charged in a 2014 shooting that killed two people. Cedar Rapids police say Kendu Ray Petties was charged with first-degree murder after he was returned to the state on Friday after being arrested in Arizona last month. Police say 22-year-old Quintrell Perkins and 20-year-old Sierrah Simmons were shot and killed in April 2014.

PERRY, Iowa (AP) — Inspectors say a nursing home in Perry mishandled the treatment of three patients that were transferred there this summer after a state mental hospital closed. The Perry Health Care center faces up to $13,500 in fines after one of the patients died and another suffered a broken leg. The manager of the nursing home company, Bruce Mehlhop, says he disagrees with the inspectors’ findings and plans to appeal.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is announcing changes to the federal college aid system that are intended to help students get a better handle about whether they can afford school. President Barack Obama plans to announce the changes Monday when he meets with Iowa high school students. The White House says requiring students to wait until January to fill out the federal aid form makes it harder for them to qualify for private scholarships and figure out whether they can pay for college.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Council Bluffs police hope the city will investigate a significantly larger headquarters for the department. Police Chief Tim Carmody tells the Council Bluffs Nonpareil that his department is doing the best it can with its current 19,000-square-foot building, but more space is needed.

Currently, three lieutenants share the same desk on different shifts. And investigators have to be careful when interviewing suspects because everything said can be overheard in a neighboring interview room. Carmody says that for a department the size of Council Bluffs with 113 officers and 25 civilians, experts recommend an office with between 45,000 and 55,000 square feet.

The city council will discuss hiring a firm to assess the department’s needs at its meeting on Monday.

PERRY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa inspectors say a nursing home in Perry mishandled the treatment of three patients that were transferred there this summer after a state mental hospital closed. One of the patients died and another suffered a broken leg. The Perry Health Care Center faces up to $13,500 in fines.

The Des Moines Register reports relatives of those patients are unhappy with the nursing home and the state’s decision to move their loved ones there. State officials defend the decision to close the Clarinda hospital and a similar program at Mount Pleasant. A spokesman for Gov. Terry Branstad says private agencies can provide care more efficiently than the state.

The manager of the nursing home company, Bruce Mehlhop, says he disagrees with the inspectors’ findings and plans to appeal.

The Audubon Police Department, Sunday, released a report detailing several arrests that took place over the past two weeks. On Sunday (9/13), 42 year old Chad Eric Deist, of Hamlin, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 5th degree. Deist was released on promise to appear later, in court.

On Thursday, Sept. 10th, Audubon Police arrested 35 year old Jason Arthur Malloy, of Audubon, for Driving Under Suspension.That same day, 28 year old Dustin Douglas Williams, of Audubon, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. Williams and Malloy were released on promise to appear later in court.

On Sept. 7th, Audubon Police arrested 20 year old Shawn Alexander Jensen, of Anita, for Public Intoxication and (2) counts of Interference with Official Acts. Jensen was transported to the Audubon County Jail where was held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

On Sept. 5th, 42 year old Brian Lee Schwab, of Audubon, was arrested for Disturbing the Peace. And on Sept. 3rd, 31 year old Justin Lynn Heires, of Carroll, was asrrested for Theft in the 5th Degree.  Both men were released on a promise to appear later, in court.

On Sept. 1st, 28 year old Jerod Dwayne Joyce, of Atlantic, was arrested by Audubon Police on an Audubon Police Department warrant for Disorderly Conduct. Joyce appeared before a magistrate and pled guilty. The same day, 54 year old Robert Charles Atkinson, of Audubon, was arrested for Public Intoxication – 3rd or subsequent offense. Atkinson was released on promise to appear later, in court.

Members of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will hold their regular, monthly meeting Monday night, in the Media Center at the High School. The session begins at 7:30 with the retiring Board (which includes Dennis Davis, Phil Hascall and Rod Hartwig), along with the remaining board consisting of President Kristy Pellet and Josh McLaren, acting on approving a canvass of the Sept. 8th elections, the 2014-Certified Annual Report and Special Education Supplement, prior to adjourning.

Afterward, new School Board members Alison Bruckner, Keith Swanson and Jenny Williams, will be sworn-in by Board Secretary Mary Beth Fast, and an election will be held for Board President and Vice President. A Board Treasurer and Secretary will also be appointed.

The new Board will then handle some administrative matters before FFA Coordinator Eric Miller makes a presentation to the Board with regard to the 2015 National FFA Convention. The Board act on approving the 2015 FFA Convention Trip to Louisville, KY, and a 28-E agreement with the Griswold School District for a Fiscal Year 2016 Industrial Technology class.

Other action items include the contracts and letters of assignment for: Jackie Sheeder, Para Educator at Washington Elementary; Vanessa Proehl and Jenny Schinker, Food Service workers at Schuler and Washington Elementary (respectively); Derek Bair, Morgan Staashelm, Marcus Upchurch, and Eric Miller, as Homecoming Float Sponsors for the Senior, Junior, Sophomore and Freshman classes, respectively; and the Co-Head Sponsors for Drama/Thespian Society, Speech and Debate.

The Board will also act on approving the resignations of Andrea Waters as Middle School Cheerleading Sponsor, and Kathy Somers as Flag Auxiliary Sponsor, and amended contracts for several individuals. Discussion items following regular business include Full Work Sessions/Policy Review, and a review and discussion of the Employee Handbook.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of a woman on a Mills County warrant on Saturday.  Officers arrested 34-year-old April Marie Watson in the 300 block of Grimes Street in Red Oak on a Mills County warrant for Larceny from Banking and 5th Degree Theft.  Watson was taken into custody and transported to Mills County where she was held on $300 cash bond.

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County say a man from Nebraska was arrested late Saturday night on a felony charge of introducing contraband into a jail facility. 40-year old Floyd Robert Johnson, Jr., of Omaha, was arrested at the jail located at 106 W. Coolbaugh Street, at around 8:30-p.m. Johnson, Jr., was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond.