The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest at around 2:10-a.m. today (Thursday), of 30-year old Montana Wayne Kroupa. The Essex man was taken into custody on a Montgomery County warrant for Probation Violation. Kroupa was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 cash bond. Deputies with the Page County Sheriff’s Office assisted in conducting the arrest.

A recently released study by the Marine Corps found all-male squads were safer, more efficient and more lethal that squads the included women. Iowan Joni Ernst is the only female combat veteran in the U-S Senate, and says she is aware of the study, but hasn’t read the full report. “It is very interesting — I do think we have a number of challenges as we move into integrated combat roles for men and women. It is fascinating as we go through this,” Ernst says.

The Republican from Red Oak says she wants more information on the performance of women in the military. “I would like to see more than just a Marine Corps study,” Ernst says. “I would like to see across the board how we are integrating females into those combat roles in all branches, whether it is through the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, etcetera.”

Ernst says the role of women in the military has been changing rapidly. “Going back to several weeks ago, we did have two females who graduated from the Airborne Ranger Training Brigade at Fort Benning, they completed Ranger school,” according to Ernst. “They are showing that women can compete and complete these types of courses. We need more information as actually move into integrating within the combat role, on the ground in combat.” She is anxious to see how the role of women in the military develops.

“I think many of us agree that certainly there are roles for women in combat. We want to make sure that no standards are lowered to enable women to participate. Certainly we have women who can meet those standards,” Ernst says. She says we need to do “what is right and best for all of our troops.” Ernst is lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard and did a tour of duty in Iraq.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Tyson Foods is adding 60 jobs at ones of its Council Bluffs plants a month after closing a beef plant in Denison. Company officials say the Council Bluffs plant would add jobs to help produce pork chops and roasts. Plant manager Doug Griffin says he’s excited to be creating more jobs in Council Bluffs.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Two more University of Iowa presidential search committee members met eventual pick Bruce Harreld during his campus visit several weeks before his name was released as a candidate. Business school dean Sarah Gardial and Faculty Senate President Christina Bohannan confirmed Wednesday they attended a speech Harreld gave in July and had lunch with him. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Harreld also met Board of Regents President Bruce Rastetter and search committee chair Jean Robillard.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A Colorado man has waived his right to a speedy trial on a murder charge in Black Hawk County. Thirty-seven-year-old Steve Fordyce Jr. is accused of shooting 43-year-old Donald Harrington in Waterloo last month. Fordyce had been scheduled to stand trial in November, but waived his right to the speedy trial at an arraignment hearing Tuesday.

RAYMOND, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a motorcyclist and a car driver have died in a head-on collision in Black Hawk County. The accident occurred Wednesday morning on a road between Jesup and Raymond. Names of the victims have not been released.