AMES, Iowa (AP) — Two Ames men were jailed for several days for a robbery that new evidence shows they didn’t commit. Ames police spokesman Geoff Huff said Tuesday investigators no longer believe 21-year-old Gony Bijiek and 20-year-old Ngong Garang were involved in the Oct. 15 robbery at a luxury apartment complex near Iowa State University. A resident reported he’d been assaulted by several black men and women who stole his XBOX and other items. Bijiek, Garang and 18-year-old Pouk Kang were arrested after police said they matched descriptions provided by the victim.

Garang, who lives in the complex, spent 17 days in jail until prosecutors dropped charges against him and Bijiek on Nov. 2. Bijiek was released Oct. 20 after posting bond. Kang remains charged with assault. Huff declined to explain the evidence that freed the suspects, noting the case remains under investigation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded more than $12 million to Iowa’s drinking water revolving loan program to help finance improvements to water projects around the state. The funding will be used for projects that will improve municipal drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, as well as help protect public drinking water systems. The funding may also be used to make projects more sustainable by increasing water and energy efficiency and to reduce water pollution.

The money is an annual capitalization grant awarded to Iowa’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says Senate GOP officials should release information to the public about an internal investigation into alleged sexual harassment in the caucus if there’s more to share. Reynolds told reporters Tuesday the office, which is run in part by Senate Majority Bill Dix, should disclose any information not discussed during a recent trial, in which jurors sided with a former staffer who reported harassment. Jurors awarded former Senate GOP communications director Kirsten Anderson $2.2 million. The state later agreed to drop an appeal and pay Anderson $1.75 million.

Senate Republicans promised to investigate harassment issues. They announced recently their inquiry was complete, but no information would be made public due to privacy concerns. Reynolds says there’s a way to share information and protect privacy.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold a special session 7-p.m. Wednesday in the courtroom at the Adair County Courthouse. Auditor Mindy Schaefer said the meeting is with regard to Contract Law Enforcement between the Sheriff’s Office and cities located in Adair County. No decision will be made during the meeting. Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater told KJAN News that at a previous meeting, he presented a cost analysis breakdown with regard to how much it would cost to hire another deputy, along with the required equipment. The costs were broken down to a per capita basis (Each unincorporated town), etc.

He said the towns have several options when it comes to law enforcement coverage, not just using Sheriff’s Deputies. He said they can band together with another, nearby town, or hire their own full-or-part-time officer. Vandewater said the Mayor and Council are required by State Law to provide law enforcement in some form, for their city, if not from the Sheriff’s Office. He said they were getting to the point where they [His deputies and himself] were getting so busy and didn’t want to neglect those persons in the unincorporated areas. He added no one disagrees more deputies are needed, it just comes down to how they will be paid for, if they are to offer protection the cities deserve.

Officials with the Harlan Police Department report three recent arrests. On Monday, 51-year old Jeffrey Allen Rowland, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant. And, 45-year old Richard Eugene Green, of Harlan, was arrested following a call in reference to a robbery at the Settle Inn. Green was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Theft in the 4th Degree and making false reports.

On Nov. 10th, 32-year old Amber Lea Nelson, of Harlan, was arrested following a possible domestic situation in the 1800 block of Lincoln Avenue. Nelson was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault, and Possessing Contraband.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and Cass County Health System are now accepting nominations for the 2017 Angel(s) of Christmas. The Angel of Christmas is a tradition in Atlantic recognizing and thanking area residents who symbolize the true meaning of the season. Angels exemplify the true holiday spirit all year long – putting others first, spreading generosity and sharing the holiday spirit with everyone they meet. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said “Sometimes we forget the true meaning of the season and I think celebrating people who put others first and spread holiday spirit all year long deserve to be recognized.”

In 2016, Pastor Leon Hodges was named the Angel of Christmas, demonstrating the true meaning of the season by offering his time and talents as a caregiver to the community. Pastor Hodges volunteers his time as a chaplain for UnityPoint Hospice, providing care and concern to the deceased’s family members, has conducted many services when the deceased doesn’t have a religious affiliation and volunteers his time installing and maintaining Lifeline emergency devices for residents throughout Southwest Iowa.

Please nominate the Christmas Angel you know to the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce by November 28th at noon. This year’s angel will be announced at the Holiday Concert, sponsored by Bonnesen’s Five & Ten Store, on December 3rd at 3 PM. Nominate by submitting brief comments about this person to the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com. You can find a nomination form on www.christmasinatlantic.com.

Pick up your Christmas Brochure from area retails businesses, “Like” the Chamber on Facebook, or follow on Twitter to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.christmasinatlantic.com.

(UPDATE) Officials with the Atlantic High School and Atlantic Police Department investigated a social media threat, this (Tuesday) morning. Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson reports that at around 8:54-a.m., Officers were notified of an anonymous SnapChat that indicated a shooting was going to occur at the Atlantic High School at 10-a.m. or at Noon today (Tuesday). Following a lengthy investigation, a 16-year old male was arrested for Threats of Terrorism, a Class-D Felony. The teen was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs.

Authorities determined there was no credible threat and that no weapons were found. Officers and faculty believe that there was no real danger to the school.

An eastern Iowa company is recalling 231 pounds of chicken, pork, and beef products. Pride of Iowa Sandwiches, based in Marengo, makes ready-to-eat products for convenience stores and vending machines. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service reports Pride of Iowa made some products between November 2nd and 6th that did not undergo federal inspection and were shipped to retail vending machines in Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The agency notes there have been no reports of anyone getting sick after eating the products.

The following products are subject to the recall:
11.2-oz. clam shell packages of “Deli Fresh CAESAR SALAD” with “FRESH THRU” dates through 11/13.
6.2-oz. tray packages of “Deli Fresh SOUTHWEST CHICKEN FAJITA TOMATO BASIL WRAP” with “FRESH THRU” dates through 11/16.
8.5-oz. tray packages of “Deli Fresh BBQ/BACON/CREAM CHEESE ROAST BEEF ON JALAPENO CHEESE WRAP” with “FRESH THRU” dates through 11/16.
6.3-oz. tray packages of “Deli Fresh RANCH CHICKEN FAJITA SPINACH WRAP” with “FRESH THRU” dates through 11/16.
7.8-oz. tray packages of “Deli Fresh BISCUITS & GRAVY” with “FRESH THRU” dates through 11/16.

(Radio Iowa)