DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Board of Psychology has decided against adopting a policy that bans Iowa-licensed psychologists from counseling gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender children to change their sexual orientation in a practice known as conversion therapy. The board on Friday denied a petition that would have prohibited state-licensed mental health providers from trying to reverse a patient’s sexual orientation.

Board spokeswoman Sharon Dozier declined to discuss reasons saying the board will release its full written decision later. Also on Friday, an Iowa Board of Medicine committee said it needs further study after hearing from doctors who said conversion therapy can be harmful to children and a religious group that says such a ban may infringe on religious rights.

Five states have passed laws banning conversion therapy for minors.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office says a reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a burglary Wednesday, at the College Springs Cafe. An investigation determined a person or persons unknown gained entry to the restaurant and took merchandise along with an unspecified amount of cash.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193, or their local Law Enforcement agency. There is a Crime stoppers reward being offered of up to $1000.00, for the arrest and indictment of person(s) involved in this crime.  Tipsters can remain anonymous and will be given a # when a tip is given and a contact number for the tipster.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports a Pottawattamie County man suffered possible, unknown injuries during a motorcycle accident Thursday afternoon, on Highway 44. 76-year old James Russell Wharton, of Avoca, was transported to the Audubon County Memorial Hospital by Audubon Rescue, after the 2014 Yamaha motorcycle he was driving westbound on Highway 44, left the road on a curve. The cycle entered a ditch and traveled for about 100 yards before hitting a street sign post. Wharton was ejected from the motorcycle during the crash.

The accident happened at around 3:30-p.m.  Damage to the cycle was estimated at $1,500.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A report says 2,300 patients at Veterans Affairs hospitals in Iowa and South Dakota were assigned to “ghost panels,” or primary care doctors who no longer worked there. Critics say the practice is a way some VA hospitals have made caseloads appear artificially small. It can be disruptive for patients, who have to see different doctors if they need care and may face longer wait times.

Federal auditors investigated the use of ghost panels at the request of Rep. Timothy Walz of Minnesota. A report issued Thursday found two panels at the Iowa City VA and two at the Blacks Hills VA. The report says the practice violates department policy, which requires patients to be reassigned when doctors leave employment. But it found no evidence that patients were negatively affected.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County say a report of a motorist driving erratically in a pickup truck Thursday evening, resulted in the arrest of a Nebraska man on OWI and drug charges. 58-year old Michael Ray Starks, of Omaha, was arrested at around 5:45-p.m. on Dogwood Road, about a mile east of Highway 59. Starks was charged with OWI/1^st offense, and Possession of a Controlled Substance, after he was found to be in possession of about 4.6-grams of marijuana. Starks was booked into the Pott. County Jail.

The Sheriff’s Office said also, 55-year old Curtis Fletcher, of Underwood, was arrested Thursday morning on a charge of Harassment by intimidation in the 1^st degree, after he allegedly threatened to shoot a male acquaintance, if he came knocking on his apartment door again. The incident, which took place at 311 3^rd Street, was witnessed by the apartment manager.

And, a Shelby man was arrested at around 2:30-a.m. today (Friday), following an accident on Interstate 80. A van driven by 63-year old John Francis Berry, of Shelby, rear-ended a semi near mile marker 30. After an investigation, Berry was charged with OWI/1^st offense after he tested over twice the legal limit for intoxication. Berry was also cited for various other traffic offenses. He was booked into the Pott. County Jail. No injuries were reported.