IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Police are investigating what officers say is the suspicious death of a cabdriver found in a cab at an Iowa City motel. Officers found the body early Wednesday morning at the Alexis Park Inn. They soon learned that another cabby, checking on his colleague, had found the body before the officers.

The names of the two cabdrivers have not been released. No arrests have been reported.

The third time is a charm for a Tuesday’s vote to merge the Battle Creek-Ida Grove school district with Odebolt-Arthur.  The two school districts had been in a whole grade sharing agreement for eight years. Twice before, voters had voted down the proposed consolidation of the two school districts.

In the two previous votes, the merger of the school districts was approved in the Battle Creek-Ida Grove school district, but failed in the Odebolt-Arthur school district. The school with the whole grade sharing had been referred to as OA-BCIG. This time the vote count was 540 in favor from Battle Creek and Ida Grove with 70 voters opposed to the school district merger.

Odebolt-Arthur voters approved the measure this time around with a vote of 418 yes votes, and 163 no votes.

(Radio Iowa)

A Union County teen was taken to the hospital in Creston to be checked-out, following a single-vehicle accident late Tuesday night. The Union County Sheriff’s Office says 16-year old Taylor Jean Buxton, of Creston, was traveling westbound in the 1100 block of 170th Street at around 11:50-p.m., Tuesday, when she lost control of the SUV she was driving. The 2006 Chevy Equinox came to rest on its passenger side in the south ditch. Authorities say loose gravel on the road played a role in the crash. There were no citations issued.

The damage was estimated at $6,000. Buxton, who was wearing her seat belt, was transported by her parents to the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report a Council Bluffs woman already being held at the Pott. County Jail, was served with an arrest warrant for Theft in the 4th Degree. 23-year old Amber Nicole Ross was served with the warrant at around 8:30-a.m. Tuesday and returned to the custody of jail staff.

And, a Nebraska man turned himself-in to the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday. 41-year old David N. Baker, of Omaha, surrendered to authorities and was transported to the Pott. County Jail, where he was being held on a Black Hawk County warrant for Identity Theft and Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with First Whitney Bank to continue the Shop Local Initiative to educate community members about the importance of shopping local. The Chamber, in partnership with local businesses, kicked off the Shop Local Passport Program in June 2016 to reward shoppers for shopping local. The Chamber says it is excited to announce the continuation of the program.

Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said “The Shop Local Passport Program is a year-long incentive that not only helps educate community members, but rewards them for shopping local. In only ten months, 4,200 passports have been turned in, totaling $735,000 spent at participating businesses. This number shows the community is excited about this program and we are thrilled to partner with First Whitney Bank again and continue this incentive.”

How it works:

• Passports are available for pick up at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce or participating businesses.
• Shoppers receive stamps in the amount of purchases at participating businesses.
• Once your passport is complete, you have the option to return the completed passport to the Chamber or participating businesses to be entered into a monthly drawing to win Passport Bucks, redeemable at participating businesses.

To learn more and how to be a winner, please visit www.atlanticiowa.com.

Participating Locations: Aunt B’s, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Brymons Interiors, Cappel’s Ace Hardware, Complementary Care Health & Wellness, Howard’s Clothing, Interior Touch, Olsen Fuel Supply, Renew Ag Supply, The Picker’s Parlor, Robinson True Value, Something for You, Sweet Joy Shoppe, The Upper Cut & More Boutique and Weitzel’s Restaurant & Bar.