The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests.At around 4-p.m. Tuesday, 42-year old Earl Fletcher Edds, of Glenwood, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphenalia, Driving Under Suspension and Operating a vehicle without the Interlock Device. Bond was set at $900.

At around 12:15-a.m. Tuesday, 23-year old Alexis Grace Elizabeth Beck, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. Her bond was set at $300. On Monday, 34-year old Linze Elaine Camarillo, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Violation of Probation, the bond for which was set at $1,000, and Fugitive from Justice (No Bond). And, 39-year old Penny Marie Griggs, of Red Oak, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant fore Failure to Appear. Her bond was set at $300.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Two students have been taken to a hospital for treatment after a welding accident at a community college facility in Davenport. An Eastern Iowa Community Colleges spokesman says one student was injured Tuesday at the Blong Technology Center when a spark flew into her clothing and burned her. The second student was burned when he tried to help her. Their names and the extent of their injuries have not been released.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man who ran a tax return preparation business in north-central Iowa has pleaded guilty to helping file false returns. Prosecutors also say 52-year-old David Miller, of Gilmore City, pleaded guilty to receiving stolen government money or property. His sentencing hasn’t been scheduled yet. Miller admits in his plea agreement to preparing fraudulent returns for clients and himself over several years. Prosecutors said Tuesday in a news release that he’s agreed to pay restitution of nearly $157,000 to the Internal Revenue Service.

(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa Senate has approved legislation designed to address difficult and violent student behavior in Iowa schools. Senator Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton, says the problem is more widespread than many imagine. “This bill is truly about creating a safe learning space for all students and all teachers,” Sinclair said. Senator Julian Garrett, a Republican from Indianola, says disruptive students are causing big problems in Iowa schools. “We heard about teachers who were really having problems,” Garrett says, “….some even thinking about quitting….because of the stress of these situations.”

All 50 senators voted for the bill. However, Democrats like Senator Liz Mathis of Cedar Rapids complained more money is needed to address mental health and other needs to students now, before they wind up in the criminal justice system. “The clock is ticking,” Mathis said. “We need to get serious about this.” Senator Jackie Smith, a Democrat from Sioux City, says it’s become clear some of Iowa’s youngest students lack the social and emotional skills necessary to function in a classroom. “The largest percentage of removals for behaviors has occurred in grades K-through-2,” Smith said. “It’s gone up 82 percent.”

Parents have complained teachers trying to calm a disruptive student have had to resort to clearing classrooms of all the OTHER students. The bill makes it clear that is not the option schools should be choosing on a regular basis. The legislation would set up a new state grant program for schools to establish “therapeutic” classrooms for disruptive students. The bill also includes new liability protections for teachers who have to use “reasonable force” to restrain a student.

Three adults were arrested and two juveniles cited, following the execution of a search warrant late Tuesday afternoon, in Corning. According to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, 28-year old Netosha Stalder and 38-year old Nichole Archer, both of Corning, were arrested on felony charges that include Possession with the intent to distribute/methamphetamine,  Possession w/the intent to distribute/marijuana, and Gathering where controlled substances are used, along with a misdemeanor Possession of Paraphernalia, charge. Archer was additionally charged with Unlawful possession of prescription drugs. 18-year old MacKenzie Archer, also of Corning, was arrested and charged with Possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia.

Two juveniles were cited, and released to their parents.

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

SPENCER, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in northwestern Iowa have identified a man whose body was found inside a burning home. Spencer Fire Department Deputy Chief Mark Stover said Tuesday in a news release that 70-year-old Larry Classon died on Feb. 13 in a fire at his Spencer home. The Sioux City Journal reports that the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Stover says Classon died of smoke inhalation. Classon’s body was found the morning of Feb. 13 after firefighters were called to his house and arrived to find the home in flames.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The amount of water being released into the Missouri River from Gavins Point Dam will be increased again to free up more space in the reservoirs upstream before spring. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Tuesday that the amount of water flowing out of Gavins Point on the Nebraska-South Dakota border will be increased later this week to 41,000 cubic feet (1160.99 cubic meters) per second. That is up from the current 35,000 cubic feet (991.09 cubic meters) per second. The Corps is working to clear out as much space as possible in the reservoirs ahead of what is expected to be another wet year.

WASHINGTON (AP) — For a majority of Democratic voters, going back to the days before Donald Trump isn’t good enough. In Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, the first three states to weigh in, voters have elevated the candidate promising the biggest departure from the politics of the past — not necessarily the clearest path to defeating President Donald Trump or a restoration of the Obama era. After fighting to a draw in Iowa, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who bills himself as the leader of a revolution, bested candidates in New Hampshire and Nevada promising a restoration of the pre-Trump era and those who focus mainly on their electability.

CLINTON, Iowa (AP) — Nestlé Purina has announced it will expand operations at its Clinton plant and create about 60 new jobs. A company news release says the $140 million investment will add processing and packaging lines for dry pet food, which has grown about 7% in the past year. Purina first opened in Clinton in 1969 and now employs 360 workers. The company says the Clinton factory plays a unique role in the company’s network of 21 factories across the country. It’s a a hub for innovation and design of new products, in addition to producing flagship food brands.

SPENCER, Iowa (Sioux City Journal) — Authorities in northwestern Iowa have identified a man whose body was found inside a burning home. Spencer Fire Department Deputy Chief Mark Stover said Tuesday in a news release that 70-year-old Larry Classon died on Feb. 13 in a fire at his Spencer home.

The Sioux City Journal reports that the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Stover says Classon died of smoke inhalation. Classon’s body was found the morning of Feb. 13 after firefighters were called to his house and arrived to find the home in flames.

The Villisca Fire Department reports a barn in rural Villisca was destroyed by fire early Tuesday morning, and a number of livestock were lost. Officials say crews were dispatched to Gale Fisher’s property at 2778 265th Street around 6:32-a.m., following a report of a barn on fire. When crews arrived, they found a large barn was fully engulfed in flames. Additional help was called for from the Stanton and Grant Fire Departments for the use of their tankers.

Photo via the Montgomery County Emergency Mgmt. Agy.

Authorities say the owners were unable to get a small number of livestock out of the barn and the animals perished in the fire. While the barn was a total loss, firefighters were able to keep the flames from spreading to a nearby second barn and a house.

No injuries were reported. Official said it’s believed that an alternative heat source for the livestock may have started the fire. Crews were on the scene for about 3 1/2 hours.

Villisca Fire was assisted at the scene by Villisca Rescue, the Grant…Stanton and Red Oak Fire Departments, Montgomery County Sheriff’s office, and Montgomery County EMA. The Villisca Fire Department also thanked the Fisher family for their assistance at the scene.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Pottawattamie County man was sentenced Monday tot two-years in prison for being a Prohibited Person in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. A District Court Judge also sentenced 29-year old Jacob Allen Washburn, of Council Bluffs, to a three-year term of supervised following the completion of his sentence.

On July 3, 2019, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint that Washburn was sitting in a vehicle parked in a homeowner’s driveway. When law enforcement responded, Washburn produced a valid Iowa Driver’s License and identified himself, however, he did not have any registration or ownership paperwork for the vehicle. Authorities say Washburn appeared to be disoriented, and did not know where he was when questioned. While investigating, deputies saw a digital scale in the vehicle and Washburn was detained.

A pistol was found in Washburn’s left front pocket. The vehicle also contained a Remington Model 870 Express 12-gauge shotgun, and a Marlin Model 60 .22 LR semiautomatic rifle. Additionally, a bag containing 5.3 grams of methamphetamine was found in Washburn’s pocket, and a bag containing 17.4 grams of methamphetamine was located in the vehicle. Washburn admitted that he had a prior felony conviction.

The case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotic Enforcement and the Cass County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Atlantic, IA — As part of an effort to make Cass County Health System’s building more secure for patients, families, and employees, officials with CCHS announced today (Tuesday) that two exterior doors will be closed for public use beginning March 1, 2020.

“We have an obligation to our patients and staff to do everything we can to protect their safety and privacy,” said Lee Wyman, Plant Operations Director. “We are locking two doors on the southeast and southwest sides of our building, which are generally used only by staff. We recognize that several long-term patients occasionally use these doors so we do want to let people know about this change.”

All patients and visitors should use one of three public entrances:
· The Main Entrance located next to parking lot A.
· The Emergency Department entrance located next to parking lot C.
· The Rehabilitation Services entrance located next to parking lot C.

“We also feel that it is safer for the public to use only these three entrances. In case of emergencies, these entrances are more likely to have staff close at hand or monitoring them via cameras,” said Wyman.

With the addition of AMC Rapid Care, the previous Evening Clinic entrance is now closed. All Atlantic Medical Center and AMC Rapid Care patients should use the Main Entrance.