Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:20 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district and his wife are opening their home to a 17-year-old Guatemalan immigrant whose parents were forced to leave the U.S. because they weren’t in the country legally. Jennifer Galdames applied for legal residency before her stepfather and mother were detained in October. The high school junior didn’t want to move to New Jersey to live with a relative she hadn’t met, so Des Moines Schools Superintendent Tom Ahart and Jami Bassman Ahart took her in.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Fire has destroyed a popular Des Moines bowling alley that dates to the 1950s. A fire department spokesman says firefighters were called to Plaza Lanes just after 5 a.m. Monday after a passerby reported smoke and small flames. Firefighters opened up the roof in an effort to douse the flames but the fire moved quickly through the structure, with the roof collapsing about a half hour later. In a message on the business website, the owners promised to rebuild the bowling alley.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A judge has sentenced a Chicago man to life in prison for the 2015 shooting death of a man during an argument in Burlington, Iowa. The Hawk Eye newspaper reports 24-year-old Earl Booth-Harris was sentenced Monday following his November conviction of first-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old Deonte Carter. Police say Booth-Harris shot Carter three times on Feb. 16, 2015, after arguing over stolen shoes. Later, Booth-Harris was charged with attempted murder in an attack on a jail officer.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The funeral service for former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s brother has been held in northern Iowa. Monroe “Monte” Branstad, who was 67, died last Wednesday at a Mason City hospital after a recent illness. Terry Branstad, now ambassador to China, returned to Iowa for the Monday funeral.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones, Monday evening, administered the Oath of Office to one new and one returning Parks Board members. John Krogman and Jolene Smith were elected on during the City Elections on Nov. 7th. Both ran unopposed. Smith was re-elected. For Krogman, who once served as Mayor, it was his first time on the Board.

Afterward, the Board nominated and elected Erin McFadden as Vice-Chair. In his report to the Board, Parks and Rec Director Seth Staashelm said plans for the playground at the Schildberg Rec Area are going well. He said the playground plans are in-place and he’s working with the Rotary still to with the financing for the shelter and plans, the bids for which will let in January or February 2018. He’s hoping a local company will place bids for the shelter, the budget for which is $45,000, but they’re hoping for closer to $42,000 to $43,000.

Staashelm said also, many of the Schildberg projects will be kicking off in the Spring, and some projects will be wrapped-up. John Krogman said however, that the roof on top of the fishing pier may be installed this winter, much to the surprise of Staashelm and the Board. An Eagle Scout will also work on picnic tables in the Spring. Staashelm said there are currently 15 campers on the pads at Schildberg, and five empty spots, but the numbers seem to stay current. As soon as person leaves another takes their place. Work on the Lake #3 Trail will be conducted in the Spring, but it’s perfectly solid enough right now in its natural form to walk on.

As far as the Public Gardens at Mollett Park off East 3rd Street Place and Cedar Park, Staashelm says they received feedback on their website, social media, and Harvest Markets, as to what should be featured at those sites. Rentable spots at Mollett Park are possible for gardening there. The area could also feature edible landscaping, such as fruit and nutbearing trees and shrubs. There are hopes, too, of running a trail from Mollett Park to 7th Street, along with improved parking.

The feedback was also positive for public gardens and edible landscaping at Cedar Park, along with a splash pad. A basketball court was also deemed a priority. Restrooms were also requested. Staashelm said he will present the preliminary plans to the City Council on January 17th.

In other business, the Board approved offering members of the Nishna Valley YMCA a combo pass to Sunnyside Pool. And, Staashelm said they will be setting up the ice rink Tuesday and Wednesday for use later this week, weather permitting.

Marne Fire and Rescue, Atlantic Rescue and Medivac have all been paged to a rollover accident on Interstate 80 this evening. The accident occurred at around 4:50-p.m. at the 49.85-mile marker westbound. Injuries have been reported. No further details are available at this time.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Fire has destroyed a popular Des Moines bowling alley that dates to the 1950s. A fire department spokesman says firefighters were called to Plaza Lanes just after 5 a.m. Monday after a passerby reported smoke and small flames.

Firefighters opened up the roof in an effort to douse the flames but the fire moved quickly through the structure, with the roof collapsing about a half hour later. Fire crews remained at the building for hours.

In a message on the business website, the owners promised to rebuild the bowling alley. Plaza Lanes opened in November 1957.

ATLANTIC – The Cass County Health System Foundation has announced their 2018 Campaign to raise $250,000 for new endoscopy equipment for Cass County Memorial Hospital (CCMH). CCMH uses endoscopy equipment for two common procedures: EGDs and colonoscopies. An endoscope is a tiny camera attached to a long, thin tube. Doctors use an endoscope to perform an EGD, which inspects a patient’s esophagus, stomach, and the first portion of the small intestine. The endoscope is also used to perform a colonoscopy, a procedure in which doctors examine the large intestine. Dr. Chad McCance, General Surgeon, says “Nearly half of our county’s population is age 50 or older, which means nearly half of this county should be having routine colonoscopies to screen for colon and rectal cancer. This is equipment that will benefit thousands of patients across southwest Iowa.”

Starting routine colonoscopies at 50 is very important. More than half of the people diagnosed with these types of cancer have no symptoms, and often by the time symptoms appear, the disease is in more advanced stages. During a colonoscopy, if a doctor sees a suspicious polyp, the endoscopy equipment allows the doctor the ability to remove that polyp right then. Dr. McCance says “We can literally stop the cancer before it has a chance to start.”

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 17,000 people in Iowa will be diagnosed with colorectal cancers this year, and about 6,400 will die from it. Iowans also have the second highest incidence rate of colorectal cancer, which means Iowans are more likely to develop these cancers than people in other states. Nationally, the incidence rates have also been increasing for every generation born since 1950. Dr. McCance emphasized the importance of updating equipment and technology for patient care. “We know that colorectal cancers are on the rise. We know that routine screening can save lives. By keeping our equipment up-to-date and utilizing new technology, we have a better chance of detecting polyps at an earlier stage, which is so important in preventing cancer.”

For more information about the CCHS Foundation or 2018 Campaign, visit casshealth.org or call Dawn Marnin, Foundation Director, at 712-243-7409.