SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say they’ve charged a Nebraska woman who stole $400 on the first day she worked at Sioux City store and stole $1,000 on the last day she worked there. Woodbury County court records say 39-year-old Sandra Martinez, of South Sioux City, Nebraska, is charged with theft. The Sioux City Journal reports that Martinez worked at the Sears store from Jan. 4 through March 2. Investigators say she would place money from her cash register into a store cash bag and then secret the bag up a sweater sleeve. Investigators say she took a total of $3,200.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, approved the FY 2019-2020 Budget, adopted a 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and they passed a Resolution with regard to a 28-E cost-sharing agreement with the Cass County Landfill. The Council began their meeting by recognizing and saying farewell, to Parks and Rec Director Seth Staashelm, who is taking a similar post with the eastern Iowa City of Marion. Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Somers presented Staashelm with a placque for his years of service.

Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Somers presents an award to Seth Staashelm

His last day is March 14th. Staashelm thanked everyone for making he and his wife Morgan feel welcome in the community. Morgan Staashelm is a math teacher for the Atlantic High School. Former Atlantic Parks & Rec Foreman Bryant Rasmussen will take over March 15th as Interim Parks and Rec Department Director. Former Parks & Rec Director Roger Herring will be used on a consultant, or management adviser basis, through the end of August, as needed, and for no more than 20-hours per week.

Following a Public Hearing, and prior to approving the City’s FY 2020 CIP, City Administrator John Lund told the Council the plan includes updated long-term forecasting and costs. Many of the projects in the 10-year plan, won’t even begin until 2024, assuming there’s reasonable property growth. The Council Wednesday, following a Public Hearing, adopted a Resolution for the FY 2020 Budget. Lund said with the FY 2020 Budget, the combined property tax levy will remain the same as 2019. The rollback on residential property has gone up, however, which means there is more value subject to taxation, which will ultimately result in an increase in taxes to property.

The budget includes around $3.8 million in capital improvement projects. Lund says of the $3.8 million, $2.1 of that will be spent for improvements to the runway and taxiway at the airport. Additionally, $250,000 goes towards a new shelter and bathhouse at the Schildberg Recreation Area; and over $200,000 will be spent on equipment for the fire department. The budget also includes more than $200,000 for street repairs and maintenance.

And, the Council approved a 28-E General Obligation Solid Waste Management Loan Agreement with the Cass County Landfill, along with providing a levy to pay for the debt. The Landfill has instituted a per-capita fee of $12.00 per resident to be assessed annually. The City’s share of $85,344 is payable in four equal payments during the fiscal year. The County pays a per capita fee for all people not living inside the corporate limits. Cumberland, Massena, Anita, Griswold and Marne all pay their share as well.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge says a northwest Iowa couple owe a lawyer $2.18 million more for representing them in talks that resulted in a $7.5 million settlement with Sioux City. The judge said in her lawsuit ruling filed Monday that attorney Stan Munger’s contingency fee contract with Chad and Rosanne Plante was “reasonable and valid.” The Sioux City Journal reports that Judge Nancy Whittenburg said Munger was entitled to receive 33 percent of the settlement the city paid the Plantes to resolve claims from a 2016 bus crash that caused serious injuries to Chad Plante.

The Plantes already authorized Munger to withdraw $380,000 from the settlement. He says they told him the contingency fee agreement “is against public policy.”

Two men from Creston were arrested on separate Union County warrants, Wednesday. 29-year old Anthony Alan Short II was arrested at the Union County LEC on a warrant for Failure to Appear on an original, Driving while license denied-suspended or revoked, charge. His cash-only bond was set at $300. And, 28-year old Alex Richard Cunningham was arrested on three warrants for Pretrial Release Violation. He was being held in the Union County Jail without bond, until seen by a magistrate.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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(Radio Iowa) — The House Judiciary Committee’s chairman called it a “rare moment.” Wednesday night, Republicans and Democrats on the committee unanimously embraced a plan from Governor Kim Reynolds on felon voting rights. The proposed constitutional amendment would automatically restore the right to vote to felons who’ve completed their sentences. Backers hope the proposed amendment could be presented to voters in 2022. Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton says House Republicans will meet soon to discuss how to legally define what sentence completion means. “Because I believe the voters should know what they’re voting for,” Kaufmann says.

Kaufmann says he’s interested in keeping felons who’ve done time for murder, rape or child sex abuse from voting. “I don’t think that certain classes of criminals should ever have the opportunity to get these rights back,” Kaufmann says. Other Republicans have discussed requiring felons to pay any restitution to their victims before they’d be allowed to vote.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa lawmakers are considering proposals that would let nurse practitioners and physicians assistants as well as doctors recommend medical marijuana for patients suffering from chronic pain or other ailments. The plan that has emerged in the Iowa House also would increase the potency of the cannabis products now being sold legally in Iowa. Dane Schumann is a lobbyist for MedPharm Iowa, the company producing and selling cannabis products in Iowa — and he thanked lawmakers who’re suggesting the limit on the chemical T-H-C in those products should be increased. “It’s something we’ve been asking for and a discussion we’ve been having up here for a long time,” Schuman says.

Representative Jarad Klein of Keota says he’s seeking a compromise that can get broad approval in the legislature. “We’re never going to end up in a perfect place,” Klein says, “but we can continue to take steps to provide relief to sick Iowans.” Klein says lawmakers have gotten advice from medical experts about what level of the chemical T-H-C is most appropriate in cannabis oils, creams and pills. The House bill Klein has been working on is scheduled for debate in a committee today (Thursday). A similar bill cleared a Senate panel earlier this week.

Police in Red Oak say one person was injured during a collision Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of 2nd and Oak Streets. Authorities say a passenger in a 2007 Buick Lucerne, 92-year old Ruby Darlene Godfrey, of Emerson, said she felt disoriented after the collision. She was transported by Red Oak EMS to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. The accident happened when the Buick, driven by 94-year old Donald Walter Godfrey, of Emerson, was struck broadside by a 2006 Jeep Liberty, driven by 16-year old Maci Jo Graber, of Red Oak.

Authorities say the accident occurred when Godfrey failed to stop or yield at the posted intersection. He was cited for Failure to Obey Stop sign and Yield the Right of Way. Neither driver was injured in the collision. Damage to the vehicles amounted to $12,000.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent arrests. On Monday, Deputies arrested Patrick Farlow of Creston, and Gary Snyder, of Corning. Both were taken into custody on Adams County warrants for Failure to Appear. And, on Tuesday, Adams County Deputies arrested Joleen Most, of Corning, on charges of Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, Disorderly Conduct, and Trespassing.

And, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office released details today (Thursday) about an incident that took place Feb. 16th. Authorities say at approximately 4:30-p.m. Adams County Deputies were dispatched to the area of John Street for a vehicle accident. The individuals that called the Sheriff’s Office advised that the driver of the vehicle failed to stop at numerous stop signs and nearly collided with numerous vehicles. The vehicle then collided into the ditch near 10th and John St. at a high rate of speed where it came to a stop. The caller then advised Adams County Dispatch that they had identified the driver as William Coleman. When the deputies arrived to the scene, the vehicle was unoccupied. Deputies contacted Coleman via phone; however Coleman refused to inform Deputies of his whereabouts or cooperate with the accident investigation.

Later in the evening, Adams County Deputies initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle that had a taillight out. It was then discovered that William Coleman was a passenger of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was Barbara Coleman. During the investigation, William Coleman continuously refused to cooperate with the previous accident investigation and refused to exit the vehicle. Both individuals refused to unlock the vehicle and eventually Barbara Coleman put the vehicle in drive in an attempt to leave. During that time, William Coleman struck an Adams County Deputy with his fist. After the assault, Adams County Deputies removed William Coleman from the vehicle and placed him under arrest.

William Coleman was charged with Interference with Official Acts Causing an Injury, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Operating a Vehicle without Insurance, Failure to Maintain Control and Failure to Obey a Stop sign. Barbara Coleman was also arrested and charged with Accessory after the Fact.