An annual report released Tuesday projects Iowa’s prison population will grow by 30-percent over the next decade if current offender behaviors and justice system policies remain in place. Steve Michael is administrator for the Iowa Department of Human Rights’ Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Plan. “This last year, we had more admissions than releases and that’s really the reason we’re projecting the increase,” Michael said.

Nearly 250 more inmates were admitted to Iowa prisons in fiscal year 2016 compared to 2015. While the forecast suggests Iowa’s prison population could grow to 10,648 inmates by 2026, Michael notes there are “major changes” in Iowa’s criminal justice system that were NOT taken into account with this projection. “For example, the criminal justice reform bill that was passed during the last legislative session, which reduced mandatory minimum (sentences) for second-degree robbery and created a new robbery third-degree, which does not have a mandatory minimum,” Michael said.

That bill was signed into law by Governor Terry Branstad and took effect on July 1.
“So, it’ll probably be five years out before we see the benefit of that,” Michael said.

The report shows Iowa’s prison population has dropped since 2011. Iowa’s prisons held a record high 9,009 inmates in April of 2011. On Tuesday, the Iowa Department of Corrections reported 8,312 inmates were being housed in nine prisons around the state.

(Radio Iowa)

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to experience the magic of Christmas at Santa’s newly renovated Cabin this Thursday, December 1st from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Atlantic City Park.  Share your holiday wishes with Santa in his newly renovated cabin. The cabin’s electrical has been updated by Brown’s Electric. Brymons Interiors, sponsor, decorated the cabin giving it a new whimsical feel. Also, Steve Livengood created a new window for everyone to sneak a peek.

Ouida Hargens, Executive Director, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, said “Atlantic Rotary owns the cabin and sponsors the cabin for Christmas in Atlantic. Their generous support, along with Brymons Interiors, allowed for all the new updates.  It was time to freshen up the cabin for Santa and he was very happy with the new changes.

Santa’s cabin is open this Thursday, December 1st from 5:30 – 7:30 pm and again on Saturday, December 3rd from 3 – 5:30 p.m. before the Annual Fireworks and Lighted Parade.  Santa will be in his cabin the following dates:

Thursday, December 1st 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 3rd 3:00 – 5:30 pm
Thursday, December 8th 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 10th 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Thursday, December 15th 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 17th 1:30 – 3:30 pm

Enjoy a stroll down Chestnut Street by horse-drawn carriage on Saturdays in December, sponsored by First Whitney Bank. December 3rd from 3- 5:30 and Dec. 10th from 1:30-3:30 p.m.  Free hot cocoa provided by Atlantic BPW, Family Crisis Support Network, MAHLE Engine Components and Meyer & Gross Real Estate. Popcorn provided by Eastside Salon and Meyer & Gross Real Estate.

For more information, contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017.

GRINNELL, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have arrested a Grinnell College student who they say started a fire on campus, broke windows and set off alarms. The Des Moines Register reports 21-year-old Rafael Estrada was arrested on campus around 1:30 p.m. Monday. He remained jailed Wednesday.

Online court records show Estrada is charged with arson and criminal mischief. Estrada’s home is in the Granada Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Campus police say Estrada set a garbage can on fire Sunday morning and later in the day activated alarms in a building and broke windows in Loose Hall.

A traffic stop Tuesday night in Red Oak resulted in the driver of a 1999 Mazda being arrested for Driving Under Suspension and failure to file SR-22 Insurance. 26-year old Patrick Neil Jack, of Emerson, was taken into custody at around 8:50-p.m. at the intersection of E. Valley and Broad Streets.  He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

He was pulled over because the license plates did not match the vehicle he was driving. Jack informed Red Oak Police officers that he knew he was suspended and did not have a valid driver’s license. In fact, records indicated he had three license withdrawls in effect. Jack stated that he was driving because he need to take his girlfriend to the hospital due to a medical issue.

Police asked the woman if she needed an ambulance, but the woman said she could wait.

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — As trials near for two brothers accused of conspiring to fix lottery games in five states, details are emerging about an additional Colorado game a prosecutor says was rigged and software found on computers that could have enabled more game rigging. Assistant Iowa Attorney General Rob Sand is preparing to take to trial early next year Eddie Tipton, a former lottery computer technology official, and his brother Tommy.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Ankeny father has been charged with first-degree murder after the death of a toddler he is accused of injuring earlier this year. The Des Moines Register reports that 29-year-old Michael Anthony Lourens was arrested Monday on the murder charge and a count of child endangerment causing death. Police say the 9-month-old baby suffered a traumatic brain injury while in Lourens’ care on Jan. 20. Officials say the girl later died, leading to the new charges against Lourens.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A sixth felon from Waterloo has been convicted and sentenced for voting in the 2012 presidential election. Robert Earl Anthony entered an Alford plea, acknowledging he could be convicted of election misconduct but not admitting guilt. A judge fined him $750 and ordered him to complete community service. Anthony was one of eight Waterloo residents with prior felonies who were charged with illegally voting in the November 2012 election.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Meteorologists say warmer weather has brought unusual November weather to the central Midwest: tornadoes. The National Weather Service says as many as four tornadoes were reported Monday afternoon in central and northeast Iowa, while three were spotted Sunday in south-central Nebraska. A meteorologist says warmer weather allowed a typical late-fall storm track to move north.