DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State agricultural officials say an insect that’s killed millions of ash trees has been found in three more Iowa counties. Officials said in a news release Wednesday that the emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Crawford, Delaware and Page counties. That brings Iowa’s total to 64 counties.

People are urged to report any suspected infestation. Mike Kintner with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says tracking the whereabouts of emerald ash borers across the state helps in formulating treatment recommendations. Infected trees usually lose leaves at the top of the canopy and the die-off spreads downward. The trees usually die within four years.

The bugs are native to Asia and were first reported in the U.S. in Michigan in 2002 and in Iowa in 2010.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence has scheduled a Des Moines visit to promote tax cuts. He is scheduled to appear at 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center’s grand ballroom. The doors open at 11 a.m. The event is being promoted by America First Policies, a nonprofit group established to support Trump’s policies.

The speech is open to the public. Reservations can be made at the American First website. Pence talked about taxes and other topics on July 11 when he visited Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids.

Two Decorah teens are now accused of attempted murder for what authorities called a “brutal” beating. Eighteen-year-old Dalton Adam and 17-year-old Jacob Taylor Seelinger are both charged with willful injury causing serious injury and attempted murder. The charges are in connection to a July 12th incident in rural Decorah. Seelinger’s trial is scheduled to begin on December 12th. Adam has requested his trial be moved out of Winneshiek County. No start date has been scheduled.

Police have released no information on the victim or a possible motive.

More area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) — Voters have approved a bond measure to finance construction of a replacement courthouse and jail in southern Iowa’s Warren County. The measure was passed with nearly 70 percent of the votes Tuesday. The $29.9 million facility will be more than twice as big as the old facility. Voters rejected a similar proposal two years ago.

The state had ordered the county to close the jail earlier this year. Among its problems: failing a state fire marshal’s inspection, inadequate water supplies, inmate escapes, mold, inadequate food storage, cleanliness. The jail is on the third floor of the courthouse in Indianola.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State University has paid $125,000 to settle two lawsuits brought by a former university administrator who accused the school of blocking her efforts to investigate sexual assault reports. The university says the State Appeal Board approved the settlement with Robinette Kelley on Monday. The settlement resolves two lawsuits Kelley filed. She was the university’s equal opportunity and Title IX director who was fired in October 2015. She now works for North Carolina State University.

She alleged in the lawsuits that she knew Iowa State was not complying with Title IX, the federal law that requires public schools to provide equal opportunities to students regardless of sex. Kelley alleges the university tried to intimidate her and coerce her into ignoring her compliance concerns. The university denied her allegations.

Creston Police say one person was arrested, Tuesday. 49-year old Victor Thatcher, of Creston, was taken into custody at around 4:06-p.m., on a charge of Public Intoxication/2nd offense. Thatcher was being held in the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

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

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The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Connect-A-Dock, will host their annual Road Race this Saturday, August 11th, beginning at 8-a.m. The 2018 Road Race will be held on 6th Street across from City Park. The race will begin at 8:00 AM with a 2 or 5 mile run and a 2 mile walk. The route can be found on www.atlanticiowa.com and will be similar to last year; enjoying a route through Schildberg Recreation Area. Racers can register online at atlanticiowa.com until August 9th.

Day-of registration is at 7 AM at the Atlantic City Park, with the race beginning at 8 AM. Following the race, Atlantic Hy-Vee will provide fruit to all racers and Southwest Iowa Crystal Clear will be filling re-usable water bottles for all participants to enjoy. ATI Physical Therapy will also be on site offering pre and post-race stretching. For more information about the Road Race, or additional AtlanticFest information visit www.atlanticiowa.com or call the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at (712)243-3017.

A Democrat from Maryland who is running for President – in 2020, will visit a farm near Atlantic, Thursday morning. Maryland 6th District Representative John Delany will visit with Democratic Iowa House District 21 Candidate Denise O’Brien at her home located at 59624 Chicago Road, from 10-until 10:30-a.m., Thursday, as part of his tour of the State that continues through Sunday. The tour marks his 14th campaign trip to Iowa, which also includes the Des Moines Register’s State Fair Soapbox and Iowa Democratic “Wing Ding,” on Friday.

MD-6 Democratic Pres. candidate John K. Delany.