DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The head of the Iowa agency overseeing the proposed closings of two state mental health facilities says officials are still finding placements for some long-term patients. Charles Palmer, director of the Iowa Department of Human Services, says up to six patients in a specialized unit for the elderly at the facility in Clarinda may not have placements by June.

Gov. Terry Branstad removed funding in his budget for facilities in Clarinda and Mount Pleasant. He supports a proposal by some Republican lawmakers to keep them open through December, but it’s unclear what support the measure will get from others. Janice Scalise told lawmakers Monday her 63-year-old sister at Clarinda has yet to be placed and DHS officials have been unclear about the process. DHS officials say they’re working hard.

Three people were arrested recently in Atlantic, on various charges. The Police Dept. reports 26-year-old Damion Selder, of Atlantic, was arrested Thursday on two counts of Burglary 3^rd, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Mischief 5^th Degree. Selder was also arrested on May 5^th for Theft 3^rd Degree.

19-year-old Tyler Osborn, of Walnut, was also arrested Thursday, He was taken into custody on an Audubon County warrant for Failure to Serve Jail Time and a second warrant from Pottawattamie County for Failure to Appear.

On Sunday, 23-year old Ashley Rollins, of Atlantic, was arrested by Atlantic Police on a warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance. That same day, 52-year-old Larry Will, of Atlantic, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 5^th degree.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a Griswold woman was arrested early this (Monday) morning on several charges, including Assault on a Peace Officer. Deputies also arrested 24-year old Morgan Kay Leeder on charges of OWI 1st Offense, and Interference with Official Acts (Simple). Leeder was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was later released on $1,000 bond.

On Sunday, Cass County Deputies arrested Russell Shearer on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear and an additional charge of Driving While Revoked. Shearer was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $2,000 bond.

This past Saturday, 36-year old Heather Marie Christensen, of Atlantic, turned herself in at the Cass County Jail on a charge from the Sheriff’s Office from earlier in the week of Driving While Revoked (Serious). At the time Christensen turned herself in, she was charged with Public Intoxication. Christensen was released on her own recognizance later that day.

And on May 7th, deputies in Cass County arrested 51-year old Richard Lee Clausen, of Adair, on a charge of Theft 3rd Degree (Aggravated). Clausen was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance.

LAKE CITY, Iowa (AP) – People are cleaning up damage after what’s believed to have been a tornado hit Lake City on Sunday. The storm tore the roof from a high school as about 150 students, family and faculty attended an awards ceremony inside. People scrambled into the basement and a locker room just minutes before the storm hit.

Dave Birks, the girls’ basketball coach at South Central Calhoun High School, says the lights went out and everyone’s ears popped.  Birks says school windows were blown out, the high jump pit from the school’s outdoor athletic complex is missing, and hurdles were scattered everywhere.

Cass County Extension and the Southwest Iowa STEM Hub are bringing science, technology, engineering and math fun to Cass County. The “Celebrate STEM” Festival is set for May 14th, from 5:00-7:00 pm, at the Cass County Community Center. Youth and families of all ages are invited to come explore STEM through hands-on learning and investigation.

Cass County Extension and the Southwest Iowa Regional STEM Hub are partnering with local community organizations and educators and host the “Celebrate STEM” Festival. Attendees will receive a “passport” at the front door to help them explore the many exhibits from throughout Cass County and southwest Iowa.

There will be opportunities to learn more about STEM programs happening for local youth, sign up for upcoming summer events in the county, and also learn about STEM in local businesses and careers. A variety of activities will also be available to spark student and parent interest with hands-on learning ranging from testing chemical reactions to learning about the science of animals.

The event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend. Anyone interested in learning more about opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math in Cass County is encouraged to attend. No pre-registration is required, and attendees are invited to stop in and stay for as long as they can. Any local business or organization that would like to participate is encouraged to call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 for more information on this event.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County report two accidents occurred early Saturday morning. At around 5:30-a.m., a vehicle driven by 39-year old Jason Woods, of Lenox, left the road and rolled over in a ditch before coming to rest on its wheels. Woods was traveling on Highway 34 near the 79 mile marker, when he swerved to miss a deer. His 2001 Pontiac Bonneville was totaled in the crash, but Woods wasn’t injured.

The second accident happened at around 5:40-a.m., also on Highway 34, at about the same location. Officials say 43-year old Jason Miller, of Creston, was westbound when he lost control of his motorcycle on a curve. The 1995 Suzuki cycle went down on its side, sustaining $1,000 damage. Miller suffered minor, non-incapacitating injuries, and was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Creston for treatment.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Sen. Joni Ernst is going to treat Republican presidential hopefuls to a pig roast and a motorcycle ride. The freshman senator’s political action committee on Monday announced details for a fundraiser they are calling the “Roast and Ride.” The event will be held on June 6.

The confirmed attendees are Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former executive Carly Fiorina.

Ernst will lead a motorcycle ride from Des Moines to the event site in Boone for those who wish to participate. Tickets to the fundraiser are $30 for adults and $12 for children. Ernst says she hopes to hear “fresh ideas and vision” from the candidates.

In carnivals, a carny might tempt take your money and offer a prize for guessing your weight correctly. In the Audubon County town of Ross, you may rewarded for guessing the weight, of the last wooden grain elevator, and help to save it. Bob and Janet Nelson, owners of the 130 year old elevator have been raising money to help restore what appears to be the oldest wooden elevator still standing, in Iowa.

Photo from www.saverosselevator.com.

Bob Nelson says the elevator in Ross was built in the early 1880’s by Civil War veteran, Capt. Charles Stuart, who also founded Stuart, Iowa. Nelson says a family who has owned the elevator since the 1930’s, offered him the chance to buy the structure with hopes that it would be restored to the best possible condition. The elevator came about when the railroads were built, shortening the length of time it took to get crops to market, and making a spot where people could gather to socialize.

Wooden elevators typically were built to last 40-years, but more often than not, they were destroyed by fires created by sparks from passing railroad steam engines. They usually lasted no more than 10-years. A fundraising effort has allowed enough money begin the process. The effort began, according to Nelson, after they received a $25,000 grant from the Iowa Barn Foundation. The grant required matching funds, which Nelson has been able to accomplish.

He says they won’t be enough to completely cover the cost of restoration, so a contest is being held to guess the weight of the structure as it’s lifted off the limestone foundation, which has collapsed on three-sides. The foundation is the first thing set to be restored. The weight of the elevator roughly 25-by-30-to 60-feet high elevator will be measured by specially calibrated heavy-duty equipment.
Guess3 :16 Q:”…May 18th.”
(Nelson says people that want to guess the weight of the elevator can do so by donating when they log-on to www.saverosselevator.com. The structure is scheduled to be lifted-off the foundation next week, weather permitting.  The person with the closest guess will have a plaque with their name displayed inside the elevator, once restoration work is completed.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency reports a bridge over Mosquito Creek in the 1900 block of Ironwood Road, is now open. The bridge is located just south of 1944 Ironwood Road, between Union Township Sections 33-and 34. It had been closed since mid-April for construction.

Officials said also, that a bridge over an unnamed tributary of the Mosquito Creek along Gingko Road, will be closed effective this Wednesday, May 13th, for repairs. The bridge is located just south of 1434 Gingko Road, between Washington Township section 25 and Westphalia Township 30.

Residents and emergency responders who may normally use this road should plan to take alternate routes. Since the area has many dirt or Level-B roads, some considerable planning will be required for emergency responders, especially. If you have any questions, call the Shelby County Engineer’s Office at 712-755-5954.

Police in Glenwood report one person was taken into custody, over the weekend. 26-year old Esperanza Cadena, of Glenwood, was arrested Saturday, for
Disorderly conduct and interference with official acts. Her bond was set at $600.