Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:00 a.m. CDT

NEWELL, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a Storm Lake man has died after the agricultural sprayer he was driving was hit by a train at a rural northwestern Iowa railroad crossing. The Sioux City Journal reports that the crash happened Wednesday morning, killing 33-year-old Kyle Drey. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Buena Vista County Sheriff Kory Elston says the crash happened about four miles northwest of Newell.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A 34-year-old Waterloo man who sent threatening tweets to U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst has been sentenced to six years in federal prison. Federal prosecutors say Joseph Hilton Dierks was sentenced Wednesday in Cedar Rapids’ federal courthouse. Prosecutors had said Dierks sent Ernst several threatening tweets in August, one which suggested he would shoot her and included a link to a 2010 movie in which a man shoots a woman in the head and kills her.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have launched a second investigation into the suspected misuse of public money by an employee at an Iowa soil and water conservation district. The latest investigation centers on the Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District in Newton. A similar audit and criminal investigation have been going on for months into an employee who allegedly embezzled funds while working as an assistant in the districts based in Black Hawk and Bremer counties.

DUNKERTON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say they’re investigating the death of a child in northeastern Iowa. The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office says deputies and medics were called to a Dunkerton home around 7:40 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a child not breathing. Officials say the child was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and pronounced dead. An autopsy has been ordered.

The Atlantic Community School District is looking for a few great teachers. During his report to the Atlantic School Board, Wednesday evening, Superintendent Steve Barber said there are three positions yet to fill: Industrial Tech, High School English, and Physical Education Weight Trainer. He said with regard to Industrial Tech, if someone has a teaching degree, the district can probably obtain an executive license. He said also that despite all due diligence, they have not found a person qualified for the position, which Barber said is an important piece to the program, and includes trades, drafting an engineering aspects.

To try and find suitable instructors, the District is advertising on TeachIowa.gov. If you are interested and qualified to be an Industrial Technology Instructor, or for the other positions, check out the website. Barber will also consider advertising in the local paper, and/or the Des Moines Register. In his report, Superintendent Barber said Camblin Mechanical has installed two HVAC units in the High School Gym. The classroom unit will be completed next month. Another project set to begin next month, is converting the High School Gym to LED lighting. Barber said also,they’re still waiting for the new bleachers to be installed in the Middle School. The old ones are set to be taken down yet this month, with the replacements installed by August 29^th. The district’s old copier machines, he said, will be changed out June 18^th and 19^th, and the District’s new propane bus is scheduled to arrive the first week in July . Click here to open a PDF of the available ACSD job openings: do_not_reply@atlanticiaschools.org_20180615_082451.pdf

He said by adding the new propane bus, they hope that the number of miles driven by the District’s propane-powered fleet will exceed the number of more costly, diesel miles driven. The District is also looking at replacing two rooms with new carpet. One is the High School Special Education room, the other is in the Schuler Elementary School, at a combined cost installed, of $6,930. In other business, the Atlantic School Board voted 3-to 1, with Board President Ali Bruckner absent, to approve Superintendent Steve Barber’s 2018-19 contract. Board Member Josh McLaren was the lone No vote, but it wasn’t because he had an issue with the terms of the contract. It was the wording that troubled him. He said the recommendation to approve the contract was from the Board President, when it should have said the Board as a whole.

Board Secretary Sarah Sheeder, said it probably should have been worded differently, and she acknowledged the mistake was partially her fault. Obviously, she said didn’t want it to say the Superintendent made the recommendation to approve his own contract. The Board also approved resignations, contracts and/or letters of assignment previously mentioned on our newscasts and website. The only additional resignation was for Ryan Henderson, High School PE Teacher. And the addition of Kelly Juhl, Summer Grounds person.

(Updated w/additional arrests) — Sheriff’s Deputies in Adams County, Wednesday, conducted a traffic stop at around 1:53-p.m., near the intersection of 6th and Adams in Corning. Upon further investigation, Cheyenne Haveman of Diagonal, was placed under arrest for Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs. At around 11-a.m. Wednesday, Adams County Deputies conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of 7th and Loomis Ave. in Corning. Upon further investigation, Jesse Allen Luft of Villisca, was placed under arrest for Driving Under Suspension and OWI 2nd Offense (test refusal).

On Monday, Adams County Deputies arrested Steven Michael Nutt, of Creston, on two Adams County warrants for Failure to Appear (in court), on original charges of Driving Under Suspension. Sheriff’s officials said also, that on June 10th, Deputies conducted a traffic stop near 265th and Elm Ave., in Adams County, and upon further investigation, Bruce Fitzwater of Villisca, was placed under arrest for Driving Under Suspension. Fitzwater was also cited for operating a non-registered vehicle and failure to provide proof of insurance.

On June 9th, David Marroquin Diaz, of Omaha, was arrested following a traffic stop in Adams County. Diaz was taken into custody for Operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license. He was also cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, failure to provide proof of insurance, and speeding (16-to 20-miles over the posted limit).

Police in Red Oak, Wednesday evening, arrested a man wanted on a Mills County warrant. 33-year old Christopher Allen Lundgren, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 5:15-p.m. on the warrant charging him with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Lundgren was transported to the Mills County Jail, where his bond was set at $300.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A 34-year-old Waterloo man who sent threatening tweets to U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst has been sentenced to six years in federal prison. Federal prosecutors say Joseph Hilton Dierks was sentenced Wednesday in Cedar Rapids’ federal courthouse. A judge noted at the sentencing Dierks’ criminal history, which included a prior conviction for harassing a Waterloo police officer and carrying weapons.
Prosecutors had said Dierks sent Ernst several threatening tweets in August, one which suggested he would shoot her and included a link to a 2010 movie in which a man shoots a woman in the head and kills her.
U.S. Capitol Police contacted the Waterloo police and officers sent to Dierks’ home say he promised to “tone it down.” Within 24 hours he was sending more threatening tweets to Ernst.

NEWELL, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a Storm Lake man has died after the agricultural sprayer he was driving was hit by a train at a rural northwestern Iowa railroad crossing. The Sioux City Journal reports that the crash happened Wednesday morning, killing 33-year-old Kyle Drey. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Buena Vista County Sheriff Kory Elston says the crash happened about four miles northwest of Newell.
A preliminary investigation showed that Drey had been driving east in the sprayer and had turned north to cross the railroad tracks on 170th Avenue when he was struck by the eastbound CN Railroad train. The sprayer rolled into the ditch, and Drey was ejected. Elston says the crash is still being investigated.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports 37-year old Dylan Ron Drake, of Exira, was arrested June 7th on an arrest warrant for 2 charges of Sex Offender Registry violations. Drake was seen by the magistrate and is currently being held on a $5,000 bond. On June 9th, 31-year old Aaron Lee Ihnken, of Atlantic, was arrested in Audubon County for Operating While Intoxicated and Operating without Owner’s Consent. He was released following an appearance with the magistrate.

Last Sunday, 21-year old Melinda Kay See was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Pottawattamie County. She was held in the Audubon County Jail until she was transferred to the Pottawattamie County Jail.
33-year old David Lee Nelson, of Exira, was arrested Monday for 2 counts of Reckless Use of Firearm, 2 counts of Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon and 10 counts of Shooting over water, highway or railroad. He posted a cash bond and was released.  That same day, 48-year old Heather Lynn Lund, of Exira, was arrested for Interference with Official Acts, 2 counts of accessory to a misdemeanor and 2 counts of accessory to a felony. She posted a cash bond and was released.

And, 21-year old Andrew Malloy, of Audubon, was arrested Tuesday on two outstanding warrants for violation of probation. He appeared before the magistrate and is currently being held on a $20,000 bond.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have launched another investigation into the suspected misuse of public money by an employee at an Iowa soil and water conservation district. The latest case involves the Jasper County district in Newton. A spokesman for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship tells The Associated Press the agency was notified May 25 about concerns involving a district employee’s use of funding, which were discovered during an audit of the district’s financial records. State Auditor Mary Mosiman and law enforcement officials are now looking into the case.

A similar audit and criminal investigation have been going on for months into an employee who allegedly misused funds while working as an assistant in the soil districts based in Black Hawk and Bremer counties.
A 2014 audit found that an employee in the Mahaska County district embezzled $280,000.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig reported today (Wednesday), that many strawberry growers across the state are now reaching the peak season for many varieties of this delicious crop. Naig encouraged Iowans to visit a local strawberry grower or shop for strawberries at one of Iowa’s many farmers markets. Strawberries go from bloom to fruit in about 30 days and are best eaten within a few days of being picked. Strawberry harvest season only lasts about 4 weeks in Iowa and harvest times vary across the state. Most strawberry growers in the state offer pre-picked and u-pick options at their farms.

“Locally grown, fresh strawberries are a delicious and versatile treat that can be eaten alone or enjoyed as an addition to many recipes. They’re a great crop to kick-off the growing season of purchasing and consuming fresh, Iowa grown fruits and vegetables,” Naig said. As a favorite fruit among many Iowans, strawberries are low in calories and fat-free. One cup of unsweetened strawberries only has 55 calories. Strawberries are also a good source of vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, and fiber.

A family trip to the strawberry patch is a great way to support a local farmer and make memories that will last a lifetime. If visiting a strawberry patch, be sure to call or check the website for their harvest information. Many growers also offer other fruits and vegetables for sale to consumers. You can find strawberry growers by visiting the Fruit and Vegetable Farms Directory at https://www.idalsdata.org/fmnp/index.cfm or on the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association “farm search” page at http://www.ifvga.org/en/about_us/farm_search/.

Police in Council Bluffs have identified the body of a man who was found near the riverbank just north of the Ameristar Casino, Saturday afternoon. Authorities say he was 22-year old Abdilatif B. Abdi, of Omaha. At this time, cause of death is still under investigation.

Officers were called to the scene at around 3:30-p.m., Saturday. Upon arrival, the Council Bluffs Fire Department located Abdi deceased in the river and brought him to shore.