Republican Congressman David Young suggests the rule of law should be followed, whether it’s a so-called “sanctuary city” refusing to deport undocumented immigrants or the Kentucky clerk who has refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. “I’m sympathetic with her views and I understand there are people who feel that way about same-sex marriage,” Young says, “but at the same time she is a public official.”

Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who has refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses, has been held in contempt of court and she’s been in jail since last Thursday. Congressman Young says he’s interested to see how her case plays out in the courts. “Also interested to see what the nexus is when it comes to private institutions like churches and mosques and synagogues, if there’s ever a challenge there, how that would play out,” Young says. “So this is still fluid, this issue. It very much is.”

Young, a first-term congressman from Van Meter, represents Iowa’s third district. He made his comments during taping of the “Iowa Press” program that will air this Friday night on Iowa Public Television.

(Radio Iowa)

When voters head to the polls today in the AHST and Walnut School Districts, they’ll decide whether or not the two districts will merge into one: AHSTW. The referendum needs a simple majority to pass. Both districts have had a whole grade sharing agreement for years.

School officials have cited declining enrollment and decreased state funding as two reasons behind the reorganization. Consolidation, according to shared Superintendent Jesse Ulrich would also provide financial stability for the districts’ future.

Final informational meetings on the proposed merger took place last week at Avoca and Walnut.

The Polls open at Noon today for the School Elections. The polls will close at 8-p.m. In Cass County….

There are two voting centers in Atlantic: Those in Wards 1,4 and 5 in Atlantic will cast ballots at the Heritage House. Persons living elsewhere in the Atlantic Community School District will vote at the Atlantic Public Library.

In the CAM School District, polling sites include: the Anita Community Center (for those in Grant, Benton, Franklin or Lincoln Townships in Cass County, or in Adair and Audubon Counties); the Cumberland Community bldg. (for those in Union, Bear Grove, Noble or Edna Townships or in Adams County); and at the Massena Public Library for patrons residing in Massena or Victoria Townships in Cass County, or in Adams County.

In the Griswold School District patrons in: Director District 1 will cast ballots at the Lewis Library; in Director District 3, at the Elliott Community Bldg; and in Director Districts 2 and 4, at the Griswold Community Bldg.

If you are not certain where you should go to vote in your county, contact your County Auditor, or go to the Iowa Secretary of States website at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx

A Red Oak man was arrested early this (Tuesday) morning, on a charge of Simple Assault. 31-year old Christopher Ivan Long was taken into custody at around 1:40-a.m. in the 1800 block of E. Summit Street. Long was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.

Two boys under the age of 10 were arrested late Monday morning in Red Oak, after  one of the boys climbed a fence at 611 N. 5th Street and was found inside a fenced-in area. An investigation revealed the suspect and another youth allegedly climbed a fence at same location last Friday evening,  and broke into an RV motorhome. Inside the vehicle, the seven- and eight-year old males allegedly used an axe to cause about $10,500 damage to the RV and an antique 1948 Mack Fire Truck, along with various other items. Both boys were processed at the Montgomery County Jail and released.