Three people were arrested Monday on separate charges, in Creston. According to Creston Police, 52-year old Richard Beam, of Boonville,  was arrested at the Law Enforcement Center on a Union County Warrant for the charge of Failure to Appear on the original charge of Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Flow of Air/Blood. He is being held in the Union County Jail on a $2000 bond. 30-year old  Christopher Woollums, of Creston, was arrested on the 100 block of S Stone on the charge of Driving While Suspended. He was released from the Union County Jail on a $300 bond. And, 50-year old Ricardo Hernandez Ortiz, of Sergeant Bluff,  was arrested Monday in the 800 block of W Taylor St., in Creston, on the charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance – 1st Offense. He was released from the Union County Jail on a $1000 bond.

The Panorama Community School District is hosting an Adult Career Fair on Thursday, March 8th from 4-until 7-p.m., in the High School Varsity Gym.   Students will be participating in the event that afternoon, and then it’s open to the public from 4-until 7-p.m.  If you, or anyone you know is looking for a local employment opportunity, organizers say this will be great resource! If you are a business owner/manager with current job openings, part time, full-time, or season positions coming available and would like a booth at the career fair at no cost, please register at https://midwestpartnershipedc.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/DLbMAYP7

The event is sponsored by: Iowa Works, of Carroll; Midwest Partnership of Stuart, and the Panorama Community Schools. To learn more, check out the website http://www.midwestpartnership.com/panorama-career-fair-registration.cfm

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former Des Moines hospital pharmacy worker accused of stealing painkillers from hundreds of patients has pleaded guilty to product tampering. The Des Moines Register reports that 29-year-old Victor Van Cleave entered the plea Monday. In exchange, prosecutors will drop a charge of obtaining fentanyl by misrepresentation, fraud, deception and subterfuge. His sentencing is scheduled for July 10.

Officials say Van Cleave was a pharmacy technician at Iowa Methodist Medical Center who used a syringe to steal fentanyl and other powerful painkillers from vials, then replaced the painkillers with sterile water. Many of the painkillers were to be used for patients undergoing surgery or giving birth. Several lawsuits subsequently were filed against the hospital by former patients who say they suffered needless pain because of the theft of their medications.

Two people were arrested on separate charges Monday night, in Montgomery County. At around 10:15-p.m., Deputies arrested 27-year old Jeremy Todd Palmer, of Elliott, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Palmer was cited at the scene of his traffic stop, and released from custody. And, at around 11:20-p.m., 19-year old Markus Joshua Bothwell, of Griswold, was pulled over on Highway 48 at mile marker 33., in Montgomery County. Bothwell was subsequently cited for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and released at the scene.

Republicans in the Iowa Senate have given final legislative approval to a one percent increase “per pupil” state support of public schools in the next academic year. It amounts to an increase of about 32 million dollars. Due to DECLINING enrollment, not all districts will get more money. Some schools will be forced to CUT budgets. Another bill approved by the Senate last (Monday) night, provides 140 districts with more state money to cover transportation costs.

Senator Rob Hogg, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, ridiculed Senate Republicans for abandoning their long-term plan and embracing the HOUSE Republicans’ one-year proposal. “A measly little injection of money,” Hogg said. “…I think that is pathetic.”

Senator Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton, responded. “I would much rather have this be a long-term solutions, but let me tell you, Senator Hogg, $14 million is not nothing,” Sinclair said.

Legislators say they hope to address school transportation costs and the glitch in the “per pupil” formula that distributes general state funding for schools next year.

(Radio Iowa)