Police in Red Oak say a resident of the community reported on Sunday the theft of an outdoor surveillance camera and the bracket it was attached to. The theft occurred sometime over the past two-weeks, but additional details on where the camera was located prior to it being stolen and its make/model, are not available. Preliminary estimates put the loss at $60, but that may change once it becomes clearer to authorities what type of camera was stolen.  Anyone with information pertaining to the theft is asked to call the Red Oak Police Department at 712-623-6500.

The director of the Iowa Department of Education has named the 18 members of a task force that will try to come up with recommendations for a new state assessment test for students. Department spokesperson, Staci Hupp, says Iowa law requires student to be tested. The tests used to be known as the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. “What we’re doing as a state is looking at the future of state assessments in Iowa,” Hupp says. “We are doing this because schools are in the process of implementing state standards for what students should know and be able to do in kindergarten through 12th grade.”

The task force will examine the options for the assessments. “The main goal with all this is to do everything we can to make sure all students leave high school prepared for college and career training,” Hupp says. The task force will hold the first of several meetings on October 29th. Hupp says the recommendations are expected to be completed by January first of 2015. She says the task force includes a broad range of people with and interest in education.

“They come from teaching backgrounds, they’re school administrators, they represent parents, they represent the business community, they represent our education associations in the state,” according to Hupp. The task force has four criteria they are to follow in developing the recommendations. The assessments must align with the Iowa Core standards; accurately describe student achievement and growth; provide valid, reliable and fair measures of student progress toward college or career readiness and must have been part of a pilot project in schools. Hupp says the task force will explore different ways to get public input on the recommendations as they move forward.

Included among the members of the Assessment Task Force, from western Iowa, is Martha Bruckner, Superintendent of the Council Bluffs Community School District. For more information on state commissions and task forces established as part of 2013 legislation, visit the Iowa Department of Education’s website.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords made a rare campaign appearance in Iowa on behalf of U.S. Representative Bruce Braley’s race for the Senate. Giffords and her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, spoke yesterday at Braley’s annual “Bruce, Blues, and BBQ” fundraiser in Des Moines before about 1,200 Democrats. Braley of Waterloo is the only Democrat running for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Tom Harkin.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Mason City man is facing a long list of charges after stealing a truck and ramming into a house twice. The Globe Gazette reports 21-year-old Zachary Kantaris was arrested early Saturday after committing a string of crimes. He was arrested around 3 a.m. yesterday just outside Mason City.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa homeowners and shoppers were startled this weekend when deer smashed through the glass to come inside in two separate incidents. In Mason City, a deer broke through one of the glass doors to Younkers at the Southbridge Mall around 3:30 p.m. Saturday. That animal ran off. In Des Moines, a deer leapt through the front window of one family’s home and then broke another window to get out Saturday afternoon.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Some of the former homeowners have been watching their flood-damaged homes in Mason City get demolished. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports former homeowners like Sally Pressly say it’s hard to watch their homes be torn down, but they’re glad it’s over.

ROCKWELL CITY, Iowa (AP) – The death of a Rockwell City police officer killed in the line of duty last month is having a lasting impact on the community of 2,200 Jamie Buenting served.  The Des Moines Register reports Buenting’s death is especially hard on the three remaining officers of the Rockwell City police force.  The 37-year-old father of two died Sept. 13 after being shot in the neck during an eight-hour standoff.

Police Chief Larry Schoop says the experience has made him want to live every minute to the fullest with his family and let them know how much he cares for them. Lifelong Rockwell City resident John Schmit says everyone in town knows where they were when they heard about Buenting’s death just like with the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Authorities in Montgomery County say one person was arrested following an accident Sunday afternoon in Red Oak. 58-year old Rodolfo Morales, Jr., of Villisca, was taken into custody at around 2:10-p.m., on a charge of Driving While License Revoked. His bond was set at $1,000. Officials say 68-year old Marvin Perry, of Clarinda, was traveling east in the 100 block of “A” Street at around 1:40-p.m, when a pickup driven by Morales backed out of a driveway and struck Perry’s pickup on the front passenger side. Damage from the crash amounted to $3,100. There were no injuries reported.

Officials say in addition to being arrested for Driving While Revoked, Morales was also cited for having no proof of insurance and violation of his restricted license.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will hold a work session 7:30-p.m. Monday, in the Media Center at the High School. During their session, the Board will discuss Capital Improvement Projects with Design Alliance architect Jerry Purdy and Dena Goplerud. The Board is also scheduled to hear a presentation from the Math Engineering Technology and Science (METS) team at the High School, and a “State of Technology” report from District Technology Coordinator Roger Warne, with regard to the District’s technology plan.

The Audubon City Council will hold it’s regular meeting Monday evening, beginning at 7. During their session, the Council will receive open bids for the collection and disposal of residential solid wastes and recyclables. Afterward, they will act on a resolution approving a contractor for the collection of those items.

Authorities in Montgomery County report the arrest early Sunday morning of 21-year old Caleb Lee Walter, of Red Oak. Walter was taken into custody at around 2:45-a.m. . in the 100 block of East Summit Street. He faces numerous charges, including disorderly conduct, public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interference with official acts. Walter was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.

Red Oak police this weekend also arrested 43-year-old Richard Bryan Jenkins, of Red Oak, on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. Jenkins was taken into custody in the 100 block of A Street and brought to the Montgomery County jail, where he was being held on $2,000 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Senator Ted Cruz went pheasant-hunting on a western Iowa trip that fueled speculation that he might run for president in 2016. The Des Moines Register reports that the Texas senator hunted yesterday with Republican U.S. Representative Steve King. The two then headed to the Le Mars Convention Center, where Cruz spoke Saturday to a sold-out fundraising luncheon for the Iowa congressman.

SHEFFIELD, Iowa (AP) — Iowa farmers are raising concerns about a shortage of propane that’s needed to dry crops during their harvest. The Mason City Globe-Gazette reports that farmers in northern Iowa have faced delays in propane deliveries before, but usually not because of a shortage. Bruce Halvorson, petroleum manager for Five Star Cooperative, says the shortage is spread throughout the Midwest because of harvest demands.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Johnson County health officials say a parasite found in unpasteurized apple cider has put at least one resident in the hospital. The Iowa City Press-Citizen says local health officials have identified almost a dozen cases and one hospitalization from the illness. The parasitic disease is commonly known as crypto.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — C.J. Fiedorowicz caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Jake Rudock in overtime to give Iowa a 17-10 win over Northwestern yesterday. The Hawkeyes nearly blew another lead in the second half, while the Wildcats dropped their fourth straight.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz went pheasant-hunting on a western Iowa trip that fueled speculation that he might run for president in 2016. The Des Moines Register reports that the Texas senator hunted on Saturday with Republican U.S. Rep. Steve King. The two then headed to the Le Mars Convention Center, where Cruz spoke to a sold-out fundraising luncheon for the Iowa congressman.

Cruz, a Harvard-educated lawyer, received cheers and a standing ovation after his remarks to about 275 people. Cruz compared the mood of the country to the malaise experienced by Americans during the administration of Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, in the 1970s.

Cruz pledged to fight for traditional GOP principles of lower taxes, less spending and less government regulation.