ADEL, Iowa (AP) – Voters in Ankeny and in Dallas County have approved bonds for major construction projects. More than 77 percent of Dallas County voters said yes Tuesday to building a $22.9 million jail.

Voters rejected plans to build a replacement jail three times since 2013 as county officials struggle with jail overcrowding. The new facility will have 130 beds and room for expansion and be built on the east side of Adel. There also will be space for jail administration, sheriff’s office staff and inmates’ initial court appearances.

Ankeny voters Tuesday approved an $8.5 million bond measure for a library and a $2.55 million bond measure for the city’s third fire station. Officials have said the projects will not raise taxes.

The reception Governor Terry Branstad got yesterday (Tuesday) from a key U.S. senate committee seems to signal he’ll easily be confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to China. Tennessee Senator Bob Corker Tennessee Senator Bob Corker opened Branstad’s confirmation hearing by saying Branstad understands the challenges he’ll face in China.  “I wish you all the best as you embark on this exciting new venture,” Corker said. Corker later closed the hearing with this: “You’ve had an outstanding hearing,” Corker said. “I think your on-the-ground experiences with China will serve our nation well. I think your understandings of what drives the thinking within China will serve our nation well.”

Branstad emphasized his long-term “friendship” with China’s leader. President Xi’s first trip to the U.S. brought him to Iowa in 1985 and he met Branstad in the governor’s office. In addition, Branstad emphasized the six trade missions he’s led to China during his past 22 years as governor. Senator Corker thanked Branstad for giving up “a very comfortable place” in Iowa. “Apparently issues of reelection are not a problem,” Corker said. Branstad and others laughed, then Corker continued: “to go to a post that’s much more temporary and yet in many ways far more meaningful in terms of our security and the world’s security.” 

Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio also praised Branstad’s performance. “You’ve done a great job and you’ve shown today that you’ve got a grasp for what’s going on over in China and I appreciate that.” Virginia Senator Tim Kaine — the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee last year — told Branstad he was “very happy” to vote “yes” on his nomination. “I’ve got good Democratic friends in Iowa who’d give you high marks, at least as high as they’re going to give to somebody from the other side,” Branstad replied: “They keep reelecting me,” and Kaine continued: “I’m struck by that, too. I come from a state where they only give you one term (as governor)…You’ve had a pretty amazing track record.”

Kaine praised Branstad’s embrace of renewable fuels. Kaine urged Branstad to press the Chinese — and the Trump Administration — to remain committed to greenhouse gas reduction goals. Florida Senator Marco Rubio asked Branstad if he had ever challenged China’s president on a “difficult” issue, like human rights concerns. “Obviously my role as governor is different than my role is going to be as ambassador,” Branstad said.

But Branstad told senators that during a 1986 trip to “the old Soviet Union” he smuggled a book into the country and met with “a group of refuseniks” to find out what was happening in Leningrad. “I’m not bashful about meeting with dissidents or people that feel they’re being discriminated against or treated unfairly,” Branstad said. “I have a history of being willing to do that in my previous role. As ambassador, I think that’s even more important.”

You may have noticed Branstad was talking in the past tense about his days as Iowa’s governor. Much of the committee’s discussion with Branstad centered on the nuclear threat in North Korea.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CDT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska prosecutors have levied a barrage of charges against an inmate accused of killing a sheriff’s deputy while escaping from an Iowa jail. But prosecutors say the real hope is to have 24-year-old Wesley Correa-Carmenaty quickly sent back to Iowa, where he faces more serious charges stemming from his Monday escape. The prosecutor in Omaha says he’ll drop Nebraska charges if the suspect agrees during a hearing Wednesday to a quickly return to Iowa.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend in a Des Moines suburb has returned to Iowa to face charges in the case. Police say 38-year-old Abraham Roberts waived his right to an extradition hearing and was returned to Iowa on Tuesday. Roberts was arrested last month at the Canadian border. Johnston police say he killed 34-year-old Agnes Yarlee.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — One of two men accused of killing Burlington teenager Kedarie Johnson has pleaded not guilty and has waived his right to a speedy trial. The Hawk Eye reports that Jorge Sanders-Galvez waived that right at a hearing Monday as one of his attorneys withdrew because of a conflict of interest. Sanders-Galvez’s trial tentatively was scheduled to begin June 27, but the judge says a new date will be set later.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Officials are warning that Ames residents may experience rusty water and fluctuations in water pressure over the next several weeks as workers test and disinfect new water plant equipment. Rusty water would be particularly acute in areas near the new water plant on East 13th Street. Officials say rusty water is still safe to drink, but can stain laundry.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday afternoon, provided an update to the information that was released Monday afternoon, with regard to the incident that took place at the Pottawattamie County Jail. Authorities say Deputy Pat Morgan, who was injured during the shooting and escape, remained hospitalized, in stable condition. He is expected to be released soon and will make a full recovery.

An autopsy was performed on Deputy Mark Burbridge Tuesday at the State of Iowa Medical Examiner’s Office, in Ankeny. Results of the procedure will not be released, as it is part of an on-going investigation. Similarly, any video footage recorded by cameras at the jail will not be released, as it is also a part of the investigation.

A memorial fund has been set up to assist fallen Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Burbridge’s wife and three children.  Donations can be made at any Treynor State Bank location, care of The Mark Burbridge Memorial Fund. Treynor State Bank has seven locations: Council Bluffs (3 Locations); Treynor, Iowa; Macedonia, Iowa; Atlantic, Iowa; Corning, Iowa. Online donations can be made via PayPal and sending donations to email address markburbridge7810@gmail.com. The Treynor State Bank and the PayPal account are the only Burbridge family-approved donation venues.

Wesley Williams Correa-Carmenaty was being held on $10-million bond at the Douglas County Jail, in Omaha, Nebraska. Iowa law enforcement officials submitted arrest warrant applications, accusing Correa-Carmenaty of:

o Murder 1st Degree
o Attempted Murder (2 counts)
o Escape from Custody
o Robbery 1st Degree (3 counts)
o Kidnapping 2nd Degree
o Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon
o Felon in Possession of a Firearm

An arrest warrant, for all of the offenses was approved by a judge Tuesday afternoon and extradition proceedings will soon begin to have Correa-Carmenaty returned to Iowa.

Council Bluffs police detectives are still seeking any information from witnesses that were in the areas of North 16th Street and Nash Blvd, just prior to 11am on May 1st. Anyone with any information, regarding the shooting at the jail, the attempted car-jacking at 16th and Nash Blvd, or the car-jacking of a black 2015 Nissan Sentra 4-door, in the area of North 25th Street and Avenue I, is encouraged to contact Council Bluffs police detectives at 712-328-4728 or 712-328-STOP.

Below are several images of vehicles that were captured by a traffic camera at the intersection. Authorities are very interested in talking with the occupants of these vehicles, as they may have witnessed the attempted car-jacking that had just occurred.