DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa board has approved payment of nearly $1.1 million in a lawsuit by a former state worker who said the state Natural Resources Department fired him because of a work injury. A judge had ordered the state to pay John Vetter after a jury ruled in his favor in 2015. He’d alleged that the state had not made reasonable accommodations for his work-related back injury and was fired in 2013. Vetter had worked at the agency since 1976.

The state appealed the verdict all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court, which declined in November to hear an appeal of an Iowa Appeals Court decision backing the original verdict. The Des Moines Register reports that the Iowa Appeal Board agreed Tuesday to pay nearly $1.1 million.

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson reports a two-month long investigation by the Atlantic Police Department has resulted in the arrest of 29-year old Jason Michael Anderton, of Atlantic. Anderton faces charges that include Animal Torture/1st offense, and Animal Abuse. The investigation followed a report of a deceased animal that was brought to the Police Department in early November, 2017. Atlantic Police Lt. Devin Hogue told KJAN News the animal was a mixed-breed female dog, about one and a-half years old. He would not elaborate on the injuries it suffered that resulted in its death. The A-PD was assisted in its investigation by the Humane Society of the United States.

Jason Anderton (booking photo)

The HSUS assisted by providing resources and funding that allowed the Police Dept. to complete a Necropsy exam and DNA testing, that furthered the investigation. Jessica Lauginiger, Director of Animal Crimes with the HSUS Animal Cruelty, Rescue and Response Team, said “This case is an excellent example of two different entities coming together to combat animal crime.” She said also, “We are thankful to the Atlantic Police Department and grateful to provide the resources needed to further this case.”

Jason Anderton was taken into custody on Monday, Jan. 8th, without incident. He was booked into the Cass County Jail and later released after posting bond. Atlantic Police Lt. Devon Hogue told KJAN News the P-D was extremely grateful to the HSUS and other individuals who assisted in the case.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A Missouri man with a record of robberies has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a bank heist in eastern Iowa. Court records say 60-year-old Peter Lundberg, of St. Ann, Missouri, was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Davenport. Records show Lundberg has two prior federal convictions for bank robbery and one state robbery conviction.

Prosecutors say Lundberg got less than $1,100 from a Bank of the West teller in Coralville, Iowa, when he robbed it on April 20. He and the woman driving him, Bridgette Durborow, of St. Peters, Missouri, were captured a short time later near Davenport. Durborow has been sentenced to two years in prison.

Police in Creston arrested a woman a little before 2-a.m. today (Wednesday), for Criminal Mischief in the 5th degree, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 36-year old Bobbie Sue Flynn, of Creston, was being held in the Union County Jail, on a $1,600 bond.