Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Sen. Charles Grassley says he doesn’t think he’ll be condemned for moving quickly on a Donald Trump nominee for U.S. Supreme Court after refusing last year to hold hearings on President Barack Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland. Grassley says the opposition expected from Democrats makes it more important that Trump does as promised and selects a nominee who received strong Senate support when named to a federal court.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Outgoing Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says he doesn’t think tax cuts are feasible during the upcoming session, a position that seems to put him at odds with fellow Republicans who will control both chambers of the Legislature. Branstad told reporters at the annual Associated Press legislative seminar that although he generally supports tax reform, immediate cuts aren’t sustainable amid the state’s financial climate.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State officials say six employees workers have been fired from a southwestern Iowa disability treatment center after an investigation revealed numerous cases in which patients had been physically or verbally abused. The Department of Human Services said Wednesday that six other workers at the Glenwood State Resource Center have resigned and five were otherwise disciplined. One case is still pending.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that an unconscious inmate was beaten to death by a fellow prisoner at Iowa’s maximum-security penitentiary. It is believed to be first homicide at an Iowa prison since 2010, and has prompted a union to accuse the state of trying to cover up safety lapses. Documents show the deadly assault at the Iowa State Penitentiary continued despite a correctional officer’s failed attempt to get the assailant to stop.

In other business, the City Council held a Public Hearing on a Development Agreement with Whitney Group, LLC, authorizing an annual appropriation of Tax Increment payments and pledging certain revenues to the payment of the agreement. The only comment came from Pat McCurdy, Chairman of the Cass Atlantic Development Corporation’s Housing Committee. McCurdy said he supported the project “100 percent.”

The Council did not take any action on the agreement, as a final wording is being hammered out. A vote on passing the agreement is expected during the next regular Council meeting on January 18^th. Mark Smith, along with a group of investors purchased the three-story Victorian-era Boss Hotel that was built in 1890, and is on the list of the National Register of Historic Places. Smith has previously stated that plans for the structure includes commercial space and a restaurant on the first floor, along with a community room. The top two floors will be remodeled into eight apartment units on each floor for “mature adults.” The project is expected to cost $4-million.

The Council, Wednesday, passed a Resolution for matching funds amounting to $100,000, in support of an Enhance Iowa CAT grant for the Schildberg Recreation Area Campground improvement and bathhouse projects. Atlantic Parks and Rec Department Director Seth Staashelm said the Resolution was necessary because the previous application had been submitted to the now defunct Vision Iowa Board. The old application was rescinded and is being updated before being submitted to the Enhance Iowa Board for review and action, which is likely to occur later this summer.

The City’s share of the matching funds will come from the Local Option Sales Tax Recreation Improvement Reserve and the Hotel-Motel Tax.

Atlantic officially has a new Chief of Police and a new Police Officer. Mayor Dave Jones, Wednesday night administered the Oath of Office to Chief Dave Erickson, who formerly served as a Lieutenant under Chief Steve Green, who retired at the end of December. Erickson began his duties as Chief on January 1st, but the title wasn’t official until he was sworn-in.

And, the Oath of Office was administered to Officer Cameron Ward, from Griswold. Ward’s family looked on as the young man became the latest Police Officer to serve the City. He comes from a family of law enforcement officers. The new Chief is in the process of interviewing candidates to fill one more position on the Atlantic Police force created by the resignation of Cody Eckles, who left to become a sheriff’s deputy in Shelby County. The new officer is expected to be hired by the first week in March, bringing the total police force to 12 full-time officers.

Dave Erickson is sworn-in as Chief of Police.

Mayor Dave Jones issues the Oath of Office to Police Officer Cameron Ward.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday, said a Council Bluffs woman was arrested Tuesday morning for Violation of Probation. 40-year old Veronica Lynn George was arrested at the Pottawattamie/Mills County line and brought to the Mills County Jail, where her bond was set at $2,000.

(Update from Council Bluffs P-D clarifies the Council Bluffs Fire Investigator, during the course of his investigation found the mentioned explosive to be a Commercial Grade Firework, not a Homemade Explosive.)

Police and Firefighters in Council Bluffs, Wednesday afternoon, responded to a report of a small explosion in the lunchroom of the Lewis Central High School (3504 Harry Langdon Blvd.) The incident happened at around 12:45-p.m. Authorities say an investigation revealed a Commercial Grade Firework was detonated under a table in the lunch room, where several students were seated during lunch. (In an earlier statement, authorities has said the device was a homemade explosive)

As a result of a joint investigation conducted by the Police Department, Fire Department and School Security, two students were taken into custody for their involvement in the incident. One juvenile is charged with Arson 1st Degree and the other is charged with Possession of an Explosive or Incendiary Devise. The suspects’ names were not released.

The school quickly returned to normal activities and no students appeared to have been injured as a result of the explosion.

Officials with the Cass County Health System report Rebecca Jenkins, Doctor of Osteopathic medicine, will be providing care at Atlantic Medical Center through the end February. Beth Spieker, Chief Clinic Administrator., says Dr. Jenkins will be available Monday – Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm, to provide general family medical care for patients of all ages.

Spieker said “With the recent retirement of Dr. Wilcox, we find ourselves a little short-staffed right now. We want to be sure we are able to meet our patients’ healthcare needs so we are very pleased to be able to bring Dr. Jenkins in to help out for a while.”

Dr. Jenkins is a board-certified family medicine physician.  She graduated from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences (now Des Moines University) in 1990.  She completed a family medicine residency with an additional one year gynecological/obstetrical fellowship at St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center in Youngstown, Ohio in 1994.

Dr. Jenkins has provided general family medical care for over 20 years, and has practiced in Mason City, Iowa since 1998. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jenkins, call Atlantic Medical Center at 712-243-2850.

Dr. Jenkins (Photo submitted by CCHS)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) ” Six employees of a southwest Iowa state facility that treats clients with intellectual or developmental disabilities have been fired and six others resigned after state officials investigated complaints of physical and verbal abuse. Disciplinary action has been taken against five other staff members and one action is pending.

The Iowa Department of Human Services said Wednesday its investigation found seven clients at the Glenwood State Resource Center were physically abused and 13 were subjected to verbal abuse or neglect.

DHS spokeswoman Amy McCoy says no one required medical treatment. Some clients were hit while others were subjected to abusive talk or teasing. Other cases involved aggression among clients and neglect of personal care needs.

McCoy says the agency began investigating in September. The center provides services for 230 clients.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad says he doesn’t plan to recommend tax cuts this session, dealing a potential blow to a key priority for the new Republican-majority Legislature.

Branstad says he generally supports tax cuts, but he told reporters Wednesday at the annual Associated Press legislative seminar that immediate tax cuts or other reforms are not sustainable amid the state’s financial climate. The current $7.3 billion state budget has a shortfall of about $100 million. Projections for the next budget year don’t include a surplus.

Republicans have been vocal about changing Iowa’s tax rules when the Iowa Legislature convenes Monday. They haven’t released details but have expressed interest in reducing taxes. The Republican governor notes the current shortfall will require immediate cuts in state spending, and agencies may lay off employees.