SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A sex offender who failed to return to a work-release program in Sioux City has turned himself in to law enforcement. The Sioux City Journal reports 25-year-old Michael Euchner II turned himself in to the Sioux City Police Department Thursday. According to the Iowa Department of Corrections, Euchner had removed his GPS monitoring bracelet while working on July 21 and then left his job.

Euchner is serving a lifetime sex offender special supervision sentence following the completion of a 10-year prison term for a 2009 sexual abuse conviction. Euchner is being held in the Woodbury County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad has appointed a new chief of staff. Thirty-two-year-old Michael Bousselot, current legal counsel for the governor’s office, will begin his new role on August 8th. The announcement Thursday comes one day after current chief of staff Matt Hinch said he was resigning from the top post for a career in the private sector.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Police data show Dubuque is on pace to see more reports of gunfire this year compared to 2014. But some residents tell the Telegraph Herald that they still feel safe despite the rising number of gunfire reports. Police received two calls of shots fired on Tuesday. No arrests have been made in either incident.

COUNCIL BLUFF, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a man whose body was recovered from the Missouri River at Council Bluffs. Local police identified the man as 37-year-old Jeffrey Kahler of Omaha, Nebraska. His body was spotted a little before 5:30 p.m. Sunday just south of the Veterans Memorial Bridge, which connects Council Bluffs with south Omaha.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Nicki Gross has been named an assistant coach with the Iowa Energy, making her the only female to fill that role in the NBA D-League. The Memphis Grizzlies and Energy announced Gross’ appointment Thursday. The Grizzlies are Iowa’s NBA affiliate.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, voted for the Senate transportation bill today (Thursday). Ernst talked with reporters before the vote, and says she decided to move ahead after addressing some questions with Iowa groups. “With the assurances that have come from the various groups in Iowa — they are okay with the measures that are in the bill — so, I am going to support it. I think we have to have a multi-year bill,” Ernst says.

Ernst was asked about concerns raised by some over 18-year-olds being allowed to drive trucks. “I haven’t seen any studies to contradict that. I think younger that drivers are fine,” according to Ernst. “We have laws in place already that will be followed, so I feel very confident.” Ernst says the bill isn’t perfect, but she says they needed to take action. “I look at this as a good bill, again a multi-year bill, that’s what we are striving for, and hopefully we can find a consensus on it,” Ernst says. She says the six-year bill gives more certainty to state transportation departments as they set their schedules.

“We have it fully funded for three of those years. It’s not the perfect solution, but it is a multi-year solution,” Ernst says. “It will considerably help our states and make sure that they have funding available for the projects.” Iowa’s other U-S Senator, Republican Chuck Grassley, also voted for the bill. The U-S Senate also passed a three-month extension of the current funding bill to keep transportation money available until a long-term bill is passed. The U-S House has left for its August recess, so a long-term bill would not move forward until the fall.

(Radio Iowa)

The Atlantic FFA, CAM FFA, and Griswold FFA chapters are working in cooperation to build a new FFA Food Stand at the Cass County Fair. Kevin Blair, Agricultural Education Teacher at the Griswold High School, says “As we all know, the FFA Food Stand is in dire need of repair. The building has long served its purpose and we are looking at replacing the entire structure.”

Over the past 3 years the FFA Chapters have raised over $12,000 through the operation of the old Food Stand during the Cass County Fair. With the generous help of outside organizations, the FFA is close to its goal of $45,000. Blair says they need your help to reach their goal of building a new, attractive, and safe FFA Food Stand.

All proceeds raised will go towards the building of the new FFA Food Stand, which include new equipment, fixtures and seating. This will continue to allow FFA members to serve the Fair-goers and help keep the Cass County Fair free for everyone as we donate 25% of our profits back to the Cass County Fair Board.

Several individuals and businesses have already donated towards the new Food Stand and the FFA will recognize all sponsors permanently in the new building. The sponsorship levels are: over $5,000 are Platinum Sponsors; $1,000 to $4,999 are Gold Sponsors; and $100 to $999 are Blue Sponsors. If you would like to donate to the FFA Food Stand you may contact any of the FFA Advisors in Cass County or you can send your donation payable to the Griswold Schools, which is where the account is held.

Please send your donations to: Kevin Blair, FFA Advisor; Griswold Comm. Schools; 20 Madison St; Box 280; Griswold, IA 51535.

Photo’s courtesy Brian Hamman, Montgomery Co. EMA

Montgomery County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hamman reports Red Oak and Elliott Fire Departments were paged to a barn fire in northern Montgomery County just before 1-p.m., Thursday. Upon their arrival at 2402 100th Street, the barn was fully involved in fire, and a car inside the structure was also on fire.

Mutual aid was requested from Grant Fire Dept for additional tankers and man power. The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes and crews remained on scene for roughly an hour completing salvage and overhaul. At this time, the cause of fire is under investigation and the barn and vehicle are considered a total loss.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce’ Image Committee has presented Complementary Care Health & Wellness with a Community with Improvement Award. The award recognizes the successful efforts to improve a property in the Atlantic Area.

Pictured: Doug Gifford, Ouida Wymer, Gene Fischer, Gerald Brink and Dr. Kerry Sauser.

Ouida Wymer, Executive Director, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, said “Dr. Kerry Sauser, ARNP, ND PhD, dedicates a lot of time and passion to her building and garden to create a welcoming environment for her patients and beautiful façade in the community.“ Susan Retz, CCHW Marketing Director, said she encourages everyone to “Stop in and see the many ways we can help them feel their best, look their best and live their best naturally. Our health food store is open to the public, and besides Dr. Kerry’s practice, we offer massage, reflexology, ortho-bionomy, healing touch and more.”

The Community Improvement Award is given to a business that takes pride in making Atlantic a welcoming and beautiful community by continuing to improve its appearance. If you would like to nominate a business or community member for a Community Improvement Award please contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce: 712-243-3017 or chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports two people have been arrested on Disorderly Conduct charges. 17-year old Adam Richard Finley, of Audubon, was arrested July 19th, while 19-year old Zachary James Ratliff, of Audubon, was arrested on July 26th. Ratliff was held in the Audubon County Jail pending an appearance before a magistrate. Finley was cited for the offense and referred to Juvenile Authorities.

Finley was arrested again on July 23rd, for allegedly Harboring a Runaway. Finley was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center where he is being held on both charges.

On July 28th, Audubon Police arrested 24 year old Justin Dean Fowble, for Trespassing. Fowble was cited and released on promise to appear.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation say an arrest has been made in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in Harrison County. The body of 50-year old Charlotte Anderson, of Logan, was discovered by a Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputy. She was found on the north side of Logan, off to the side of Highway 115, at around 11-p.m., July 4th.

Anderson’s body was transported to the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner  in Ankeny, where an autopsy was performed by the Chief State Medical Examiner Julia Goodin, MD, on July 5, 2015.  The woman’s death was ruled a homicide.

Austin Arndt

On July 5th, 2015, at approximately 7:00 AM, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper located a suspicious vehicle in Logan that appeared to have front end damage consistent with evidence located at the scene of the hit and run.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, July 29th, an arrest warrant was issued for 25-year old Austin Arndt, of Logan. Arndt was charged with Homicide by Vehicle (B Felony) and Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death (D Felony).  Early this (Thursday) morning, Arndt turned himself in to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, where he was booked in.  Arndt has since posted $25,000 bond, and was released.

Several agencies are working on the investigation to include the Logan Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Harrison County Attorney’s Office, Harrison County Medical Examiner, Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner, Logan Fire and Rescue, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Iowa State Patrol (ISP) and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

An Elk Horn (IA) man faces charges stemming from an investigation into an incident that allegedly took place July 1st. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says 21-year old Dylan Michael Jager was arrested by Shelby County Deputies on an outstanding Audubon County warrant charging him with Providing Alcohol to Persons Under Age, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. Jager has appeared before a magistrate and was released from custody. No information is currently available on a court date.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports  a man wanted on an outstanding warrant on numerous charges has turned himself in. 18-year old Jalen Dean Nelson, of Audubon, faces charges that include: 2 counts of Invasion of Privacy; 4 counts of Possession Depiction of a Minor in a Sex Act; 4 counts of Telephone dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor, and 2 counts of Harassment in the 3rd degree.

The charges stem from an investigation into an incident reported to the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office in Nov., 2014. Nelson appeared before the magistrate and was released from custody. His preliminary hearing was set for Aug. 17th.

Audubon Police assisted in the investigation.