DES MOINES, Iowa(AP) — Senate Democrats are pushing to reopen some unemployment offices that closed amid a shift to offering more services by computer, but they acknowledge the governor’s opposition will likely stop their effort. The Democrats, who hold a majority in the state Senate, have included $2.7 million in their economic development budget to reopen unemployment offices in Ames, Atlantic, Clinton, Denison and Newton. Supporters of the effort say those areas need extra attention to help unemployed people.

Officials with the Donna Reed Foundation say their “8th Annual Wine and Beer Tasting fundraiser” will be held Friday, May 3rd, at the Donna Reed Theater located at Broadway and Main in Denison.

Actress Donna Reed

Proceeds will benefit programs of the Donna Reed Foundation, including the upcoming centennial celebration plans for the century old theater building. Doors for the event open at 5:30 p.m., with  entertainment being provided by “Happy Tunes.”

Those in attendance will have the opportunity to join in the karaoke fun beginning at 6:00 p.m. A karaoke contest will be held from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. and judges will award singers cash prizes at 9:00 p.m. – 1st place wins $50, 2nd & 3rd win $20. All who attend will also be entered into a drawing for a wine basket, donated by ThermalFab and presented at 9:00 p.m. That person must be present to win. Title sponsors for the event are Hy-Vee, Black Hills Energy, and the Omaha Eye and Laser Institute.

Tickets are $20 per person, available at the Donna Reed Foundation office, 712-263-3334, open Monday through Friday, 10-2, by e-mailing info@donnareed.org, from board members – Roy Voggesser, Pat Fleshner and Donna Meinen or at the Denison Hy-Vee.

The mission of the Donna Reed Foundation is to: Promote continuous excellence in education, the performing arts, and community to students of all ages through her upstanding values; Memorialize her story, achievement, and leadership through the preservation of historical assets, including personal archives and a landmark opera house; and Inspire service and commitment within the communities served by the foundation, membership, and partnerships, that sustain a momentum well into the twenty-first century.

The Lenox Police Department reports 28-year old Ruben Serrano Rivera, of Lenox, entered a voluntary plea of guilty on two felony counts of forgery earlier this week.

Ruben Rivera

His sentence of two-years of probation plus a fine, court costs and other fees, was handed down on Tuesday, in Taylor County District Court. Rivera was arrested March 7th on felony charges of Possession of a controlled substance with the Intent to Distribute a schedule I drug within 1000 feet of a school, and for being in possession of a firearm. He was also charged with forgery, identity theft and failure to affix a drug tax stamp.The judge sentenced him to 5-years in prison, with the jail time suspended.  The charges were the result of an investigation and charges filed on March 7th by the Lenox Police Department.

Another man, 45-year old Rosaria Rivera, of Lenox, was arrested March 5th on warrants for Identity theft and Forgery.

Rosario Rivera

Rivera posted a $10,000 cash bond shortly after his arrest and was released from custody. On March 7th Officers conducted a search warrant at Rivera’s home and discovered drugs and a stolen firearm. Rivera failed to show for scheduled court appearances. He is currently wanted on a number of arrest warrants. Anyone having information about his location is asked to contact the Lenox Police Department at 641-333 -2929.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Johnny Carson’s foundation is donating more than $571,000 for renovations at the theater named in his honor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  The University of Nebraska Foundation on Friday announced the gift from the John W. Carson Foundation.

The project includes a redesigned entrance and lobby and a new theater floor. The theater is used for smaller productions, rehearsals, receptions and UNL dance classes. It can accommodate up to 250 people.

Carson was the longtime host of television’s “The Tonight Show.” He was born in Corning, Iowa, grew up in Norfolk, Neb., and attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He died in California in 2005.

As the soil temperatures continue to rise, farmers are preparing to get into the fields as soon as the weather allows. Adding these vehicles to the mix on Iowa roadways will call for increasing patience on the part of motorists who will be sharing the road with slow-moving farm equipment. The Iowa Department of Transportation is urging both motorists and farm vehicle operators to exercise caution during the busy spring planting season.

Data for 2012 shows a total of 170 crashes involved farm equipment. Those crashes resulted in 12 fatalities, 11 major injuries, 35 minor injuries and 40 other possible injuries. Of the 170 crashes, 96 resulted only in property damage.

Tips for motorists

• Be alert and always watch for slow-moving vehicles, especially during planting and harvest seasons.
• Be patient and do not assume the equipment operator can move aside to let you pass. The shoulder may not be able to support a heavy farm vehicle.
• Slow down as soon as you see the triangular-shaped, red and fluorescent orange slow-moving vehicle emblem.

Tips for farm vehicle operators

• Make your intentions known when you are turning by using signal lights or the appropriate hand signal in advance of the turn.
• Drive slow-moving vehicles in the right-hand lane as close to the edge of the roadway as safely possible. Traveling partially on the shoulder may cause motorists to risk passing in a dangerous situation.
• Avoid encouraging or signaling motorists to pass. Pull over where it is safe, and let the traffic go by.
• Do not get trapped on the tracks; proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing only if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, the train extends 3 feet beyond the tracks on both sides.

w/ Ric Hanson

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The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office reports bridge construction work continues on eastbound Interstate 80 over the Indian Creek between Pottawattamie County Road M-47 (exit 46) and Cass County Road M-56 (exit 51) 2 miles east of Walnut. Starting Wednesday, May 1, traffic will be operating in a two-lane, two-way traffic pattern in the westbound lanes of I-80 in the work zone. The open lanes will have a 12-foot-6-inch width lane restriction in place. The project is expected to be completed by Aug. 15th.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts.

A Clarinda boy was listed in serious, but stable condition, Thursday, after he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle. Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports 8-year old Brandon Cales was riding a bike across west Tarkio Street at around 6:40-p.m., when he was hit by a 2001 Saturn, driven by 48-year old Carl Race, of Coin, as Race was traveling west in the 800 block of west Tarkio.

The boy, who was ejected from his bike during the collision, landed on the roadway. He was transported to Children’s Hospital in Omaha. An investigation revealed Carl Race was driving under suspension.

(7-a.m. News)

A report in the Daily NonPareil says an Atlantic man has lost his coaching authorization after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student at the Missouri Valley High School. Former Mo. Valley girls soccer Coach Jason Dulberg’s coaching certificate was revoked by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. Dulberg served only as a coach, and not a teacher, for the Missouri Valley Community School District.

Dulberg began working for the Mo.Valley Schools in January 2012. A complaint was filed with the board that September, about the same time Dulberg resigned his position with the district. State documents cited by the paper, said the board found evidence that Dulberg and the girl communicated via text messages and cellphone and that he took her on an overnight, out-of-state trip. Dulberg voluntarily surrendered his coaching authorization April 4. The next day, the board permanently revoked it.