DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Some military groups are questioning whether a Vietnam veteran from Marshalltown earned a Silver Star presented to him in a June ceremony. The Des Moines Register reports  Sen. Tom Harkin’s office presented 64-year-old Dennis William Myers this summer with the military honor, which is awarded for courageous behavior while in action. Two military groups say Myers duped the senator’s office in providing what they say was fake certification to obtain the medal.

Military records from the National Personnel Records Center show Myers was on active duty in the Navy from 1968 to 1972.  Myers denies the allegations over the document he submitted. He says the paperwork came from a private California business that issues certificates.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa has settled a case with a state worker who had sued after being fired from the Polk County Clerk of Court’s office in 2004. The Des Moines Register says the state agreed Tuesday to pay Tina Lee more than $377,000 in back wages and post-judgment interest.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled in March that Iowa had violated Lee’s rights under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Lee was fired after she took time off to cope with anxiety. Lee sued, alleging wrongful discharge and retaliation. In 2007 a jury found in her favor and she was awarded lost earnings totaling $165,122, attorney fees and expenses.

The state had argued originally and in appeals that it had sovereign immunity against being sued for damages under the federal act.

Bella Bean Boutique specializes in girl’s one on kind clothing from newborn to 14/16. Bella Bean is located at 412 Chestnut Street with Lou Lou’s Boutique. A one stop shop for all the style minded girls and ladies in Atlantic.  “We hope to start carrying boy’s fashion soon too. Stop in often, our inventory changes so often you never know what will be new,” own/operator, Brandy Rossell said.

(Press Release/Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce)

The Iowa Department of Transportation says seven open-house public input meetings will be held to discuss and gather input regarding the Iowa Park and Ride System Plan. The Iowa DOT is developing the plan to identify ideal locations for park and ride facilities to serve commuters in the state. The public input meeting schedule includes a session Sept. 18th in Council Bluffs. The meeting takes place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus, Salvation Army Building ( 715 N. 16th St).

At each meeting, a presentation will be made and Iowa DOT personnel will be available to individually discuss the plan. The meeting rooms are accessible for persons with disabilities. To provide comments, to request special accommodations at a meeting, or to ask about transportation options to a meeting, contact the Iowa DOT, Office of Systems Planning (800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010). Call 515-239-1520 ( or email Iowa.Motion@dot.iowa.gov).

The Iowa DOT will be accepting public comments on the plan through Oct. 16th, 2014. There are several ways to provide your input on the plan. You can provide input via the open-house meetings, the online survey (www.surveymonkey.com/s/ParkAndRide2014), or both. You can view the plan online at: www.iowadot.gov/iowainmotion/park_ride.html.

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Police in Creston report two people were arrested Tuesday on separate charges. At around 5:45-p.m., 38-year old Naomi Robinson, of Creston, was arrested on a charge of 5th degree Theft. She was later released from the Union County Jail on a Promise to Appear in court.

And, just before 10-a.m. Tuesday, 46-year old Susan Lemon, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Courthouse on a warrant for OWI/1st offense. She was later released on $1,000 bond.

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Two people were arrested Tuesday night in Red Oak, while another was cited. According to the Red Oak P-D, 50-year old Tammy Renee Cerven, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 9:30-p.m. on a Trespass charge. Her bond was set at $300.  And, at around 11:10-p.m., 36-year old Jeremy Dean James, of Red Oak, was arrested for Open Container/Driver, following an incident in the Legion Park. James was also give a warning for Failure to Maintain license plates. He was later released on $465 bond.

At around the same time and place, 41-year old Christy Ann Coverdell, of Stanton, was cited for having an open container. The woman was released after receiving the citation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa wildlife officials say the pheasant population is high ahead of hunting season. The state Department of Natural Resources says the annual August roadside pheasant count recorded the highest number of birds since 2008. That’s a statewide average of about 17 birds per 30 miles. A record low 40,000 hunters pursued pheasants last year. The latest roadside index indicates hunters could harvest more than 250,000 birds.

The department says it is working to enhance the state’s habitats for pheasant and quail. That includes grant funding and a partnership with the Pheasants Forever group. The regular pheasant season is Oct. 25 through Jan. 10. The state’s youth pheasant season is set for Oct. 18 and Oct. 19.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press