Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press
FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) – A Corrections Department spokesman says a break-in at a prison construction site in Fort Madison resulted in the theft of computers and software that detail facility drawings. The theft occurred June 19 at the construction site for the new Iowa State Penitentiary. Items stolen included laptop computers and tools.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines police say they plan to keep a pilot program that lets plainclothes officers focus on burglary investigations. The Des Moines Police Department says four officers began carrying out the special duties five months ago after an increase of burglaries in the city. The burglary detail squad has made nearly 100 felony arrests for burglary, theft, forgery and wanted subjects.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) – An auto repair shop in Muscatine says an employee has died from injuries sustained during severe weather that damaged his work area. The Krieger Auto Group posted on its Facebook page that the male employee died Monday from injuries caused the weather.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican state Rep. Mark Lofgren says he will run to represent Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. The Muscatine lawmaker says he wants to bring “fiscal responsibility” to Washington. The seat covers the southeastern part of Iowa and is currently held by Democrat Dave Loebsack.

Within the past week the Atlantic Police Department and Cass County Sheriff’s Office together have arrested four people on drug charges. On June 19th, 26-year old Jacky Walters of Atlantic was charged with Delivery of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine).

On June 20th, 58-year old Blaine Buchanan of Atlantic was charged with Delivery of Controlled Substance (Heroin).

Two arrests occurred on June 21st, first was 57-year old Janice Peterson of Atlantic for Delivery of Controlled Substance (Oxycodone). The second arrest that day was 55-year old Jon Meyer of Atlantic for Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance (Morphine) and Sponsoring a Gathering where controlled substances are distributed.

They were all transported to Cass County Jail and booked in. Additional charges and arrests are pending.

Residents in the Exira-Elk Horn School Districts have their chance to vote on the reorganization of the districts today. The two districts have been sharing teachers and sports for the past few years but now they are looking at sharing the entire district. Superintendent Dean Schnoes says the reorganization stems from dropping enrollment in the two schools,

Schnoes: “Lot of this comes from dropping in enrollment and wanting to use the staff and facilities you have. And seeing what was going on, we wanted to whole grade share so we can use the staff and facilities. At the same time, it gives you the added supplemental money from the state that comes with whole grade sharing.”

He said the state was seeing smaller schools lose enrollment so they implemented the whole grade sharing and lead to reorganization for a bigger district. Another reason for the districts to reorganize is the state has said starting July 1st, 2014, no funding can be shared between districts. Schnoes says by reorganizing, residents in both districts will see a decrease in property taxes,

Schnoes: “The next thing is by reorganizing you can lower property taxes for patrons for three years. So instead of paying the normal $5.45 per thousand of a set value, it drops to $4.45 the first year. It goes to $4.85 then $5.15 and then back to the $5.45. I look at it as it is out there and the best route for us to use the incentives from the state and reorganize.”

Schnoes says one of the nice benefits is the students already see the schools as one district,

Schnoes: “These students have gotten a long real well and see it as one district. The other nice benefit is we will keep a building in each district. Students will be able to attend buildings that are well kept and continue to get a quality education. The students overall will be able to continue operating of knowing they can continue going to the two school districts we have now.”

Residents in the Elk Horn Kimballton School District can vote at the Elk Horn High School and patrons in the Exira School District can cast their ballot on the reorganization Exira Recreation Center. Polling places open from noon to 8pm today.

KNOD

w/ Marissa Hovde

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Montgomery County Law Officers conducted a traffic stop on Monday and arrested 21-year old Dustin James Danick of Red Oak. Officers stopped Danick in the 500 block of N. 7th Street and upon investigating charged him with possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while suspended. Danick was transported to the Montgomery County Law Center and held on $300 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press
MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) – Severe weather in eastern Iowa has caused significant damage in the city of Muscatine and injured one person. The National Weather Service says a spotter reported a tornado on the ground around 3:30 p.m. yesterday on the north side of the city near Highway 61. A survey team will inspect the region today to determine if the damage was caused by the reported tornado. Reported damage includes overturned semi-trailers and buildings with roofs blown off. There are no reports of fatalities.

SOLON, Iowa (AP) – There have been reports of multiple tornadoes in eastern Iowa. The National Weather Service says a confirmed tornado was located near Solon shortly before 3 p.m. yesterday. There are reports of a confirmed tornado six miles southwest of Mechanicsville as well as one near Stanwood. A tornado was later reported southeast of Olin moving northeast at 40 mph.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad is defending his decision to veto some funding for public safety pensions and mental health services. He says he vetoed a provision backed by the General Assembly to put about $91 million into the public safety retirement fund because he wants to see changes to the system. He also vetoed a plan to provide $13 million to counties for mental health services as they transition to a new regional system.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines has another option for paying off nearly $40 million the courts say it owes utility ratepayers who were charged excess franchise fees by the city. Gov. Terry Branstad last week signed a bill that permits the city to ask voters to OK an increase in the fee charged electricity and gas customers of MidAmerican Energy to 7 1/2 percent from the current 5 percent. The Legislature passed the measure as part of a larger government funding bill.

The Cass County Extension Service is inviting youngsters who have completed 4^th through 8^th grades to participate in a STEM Explore day the that YMCA in Atlantic on Thursday, June 27th.  STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.  Cass County Extension Program Coordinator Kate Olson says the youngsters will participate in several hands-on projects.   The event begins at 9:00 am and will be finished by 3:00 pm.  Olson hopes to open the eyes of children to the opportunities in the sciences.   The event is free, but registration is required by the end of the day Tuesday, June 25^th.  Lunch, snacks and a t-shirt will be provided.  Registration is limited to 50 and forms are available at the extension office or the YMCA.

Heavy rains, flooding and high winds caused a bit of damage Monday morning.  Storms packing winds of up to 70 miles per hour were reported in a number of locations.  The heavy rains have caused some low-lying areas that were already threatened by recent rains to swell as creeks and streams couldn’t hold the added water.  Flooding at the Atlantic little league complex caused a problem for those who park their cars in the lot and commute to the Menard’s Shipping Warehouse at Shelby.  You can see in the picture that people are trying to get to some of the cars in waist-deep water to move them out of harms way.  High winds were reported in several locations….58 mph at the Atlantic airport, 60 mph in Audubon and 75 mph in Harlan.  The winds caused considerable tree damage.  There was a report of a barn blown over north of Atlantic and a semi blown on its side on Highway 141 in Greene county.

Audubon County Sheriff Todd Johnson reports that deputies arrested 48 year old James Fredrick Barratt of Audubon Friday, June 21st around 10:30 pm during a traffic stop on Highway 71 and Broadway Street in Audubon.  Barratt was charged with Operating While Intoxicated, second offense.  Barratt was booked at the Audubon County Jail and released.

On Saturday, June 22nd at about 4:00 am deputies were called to a single vehicle accident on County Road M-66 neat Kimballton.  49 year old Jeffery Wear of Omaha was southbound when he started to fall asleep.  He crossed the center line and put his 2001 Kia into the ditch.  The vehicle sustained 15-hundred dollars in damage.  Wear was not injured.  He was charged with Operating without a valid license and failing to maintain control.

w/Jim Field

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