Numerous out buildings were lost to fire Monday evening in rural Guthrie Center. According to reports, the blaze, which destroyed a barn and other buildings on a farm south of Guthrie Center, at 2471 270th Street, was reported at around 7-p.m.

The resident of the farmstead, who reportedly has lived on the property her entire life, said she woke up from a nap to find the buildings on fire. Her residence, however, was not damaged, and there were no injuries. Also, no livestock were lost.

Firefighters from Guthrie Center, Menlo and Stuart, along with the woman’s neighbors, responded to help put out the flames. Officials say the fire was started by wind rekindling sticks in a burn barrel that were ignited earlier in the day, Monday.

Members of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet during a regular session 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, in the Middle School Media Center. The meeting begins with a Public Hearing with regard to the 2017-18 Amended Certified Budget, which, as presented does not call for an increase in taxes paid in the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2018. Instead, the change in estimates of expenditures will be financed from increased receipts and balances not budgeted or considered in the current budget.

One of the action items on their agenda concerns the 2018 Master Contract Agreement with the Atlantic Education Association, which represents the District’s Certified Staff (teachers, etc.). During the meeting, Superintendent Steve Barber is expected to recommend the Board approve the tentative agreement as presented.

The agreement, as proposed, calls for a $480 increase on the base, with no step movement. The total package increase is 1.90%, for a total cost to the District of $139,367. In other business, the Board will act on the resignations of High School Para-educator Brian Thompson, and Middle School ELA Teacher Jennifer Hartwig.

The Board will also act on approving bids for Milk, bread and trash collection, along with 70/30 Sharing Agreement for Atlantic’s Business Manager, with the CAM School District CAM receiving the services of Atlantic School District Business Manager Sarah Sheeder 30% of the time. In return, CAM will provide 30% of the cost associated with the shared position. Since the business manager position is one that fits under the Operational Sharing legislation, each district will receive additional revenue.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 2:00 a.m. CDT

MILFORD, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say four people killed in a crash on Interstate 80 in Nebraska were from eastern Iowa. The victims were identified as 49-year-old Susan Selser, 20-year-old Cody Richardson, 20-year-old Troy Wanzek and 19-year-old Cole Austin, all of Clinton, Iowa. Authorities say the driver, 20-year-old Madison Selser-Smith, of Clinton, lost control and crossed the center median. The car was struck by a 2010 Buick Lacerne driven by 75-year-old Anna Richert, of rural Gresham, Nebraska.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Although spring storms initially slowed spring planting progress in Iowa and Nebraska, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports farmers have nearly caught up to five-year averages in the past week. Iowa farmers have 40 percent of the corn crop planted which is three days behind the average at this point in the season. Farmers in Nebraska have 42 percent of the corn planted, near the 46 percent average.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a semitrailer struck and killed a pedestrian along Interstate 680 on the north side of Omaha. The trucker called 911 around 4:40 a.m. Monday to report the accident. Omaha police identified the pedestrian as 25-year-old Zachary C.L. Crinklaw of Omaha. The trucker driver was 52-year-old Michael J. Stone, of Rockwell City, Iowa.

MONONA, Iowa (AP) — A man has been sentenced to prison after being arrested during a failed attempt to rob a northeast Iowa bank by sending notes from a drive-up window. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 21-year-old Tyler Koehler, of Monona, was sentenced Monday to three years in prison after pleading guilty Nov. 16, 2017, to attempted bank robbery. Koehler admitted trying to rob a Monona bank last June by passing repeated notes via a drive-up window. A teller stalled Koehler until police arrived and arrested him.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports 47-year old Andre Lamont Sewell, of Greenfield, was arrested Friday afternoon on numerous charges, by Greenfield Police. His bond cash or surety bond was set at $10,000. Sewell was charged with Felon in control of a Firearm, after knowing a .22 caliber revolver was under the bed mattress that he was sitting on, and having been previously convicted on a felony, was not allowed to possess a weapon. He was also charged with Assault Causing Serious Injury, and Willful Injury/bodily injury, in connection with a Domestic Abuse Assault that occurred May 1st, and involved his significant other.

Sewell was charged with Possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, after a search warrant executed at his apartment on May 4th, resulted in the recovery of two glass smoking pipes which contained a white residue believed to be meth. And, he was charged with Obstructing Emergency Communications, when, on May 1st, Sewell would not allow the alleged victim of the domestic assault access to her keys, so she could get help.

Sheriff Vandewater said also, 50-year old Todd Richard Eble, of Bridgewater, was arrested May 3rd, on an Adams County warrant for Driving While License Suspended, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The latter was with regard to a marijuana pipe visible in plain view, to a Deputy who went to Eble’s home to serve the arrest warrant. The pipe contained a partially burned, green, leafy substance. Eble was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $300 cash or surety bond.

Also arrested May 3rd, was 35-year old Luke Allan Mullen, of Bedford. He was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense involving his spouse, and Trespass by injury or damage, after he refused to leave the residence when asked several times to do so. His cash only bond was set at $1,000. And, on May 2nd, 44-year old Christopher Paul Stielow, of Des Moines, was arrested at the Polk County Jail, on Adair County warrants for Harassment in the 1st Degree, and Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. His cash or surety bond was set at $4,000.

MONONA, Iowa (AP) — A man has been sentenced to prison after being arrested during a failed attempt to rob a northeast Iowa bank by sending notes from a drive-up window. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 21-year-old Tyler Koehler, of Monona, was sentenced Monday to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty Nov. 16, 2017, to attempted bank robbery.

Koehler admitted trying to rob the Freedom Bank in Monona on June 9, 2017, by passing repeated notes via a drive-up window that threatened to “blow this place up” unless given cash.

A teller stalled Koehler until police arrived and arrested him.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Although spring storms initially slowed spring planting progress in Iowa and Nebraska, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports farmers have nearly caught up to five-year averages in the past week.

Iowa farmers have 40 percent of the corn crop planted, about three days behind the average at this point in the season. Three percent of corn plants have emerged, a slower pace than the five-year average of 9 percent.

The USDA said Monday in its weekly crop update that Iowa soybean planting is at the average of 12 percent completed. Farmers in Nebraska have 42 percent of the corn planted, near the 46 percent average. About 2 percent of the plants emerged behind the five-year average of 10 percent. Soybean planting is slightly ahead of schedule with 16 percent completed.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a semitrailer struck and killed a pedestrian along Interstate 680 on the north side of Omaha. The trucker called 911 around 4:40 a.m. Monday to report the accident. Traffic was routed off the westbound lanes as authorities investigated.

Omaha police identified the pedestrian as 25-year-old Zachary C.L. Crinklaw of Omaha. The trucker driver was 52-year-old Michael J. Stone, of Rockwell City, Iowa.
Police say the truck hit Crinklaw when he walked from the shoulder and into a freeway lane.

MILFORD, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say four people killed in a crash on Interstate 80 in Nebraska were from eastern Iowa. The victims were identified Monday as 49-year-old Susan Selser, 20-year-old Cody Richardson, 20-year-old Troy Wanzek and 19-year-old Cole Austin, all of Clinton, Iowa.

Authorities say 20-year-old Madison Selser-Smith, of Clinton, was driving westbound in a 2005 Chevy Equinox when she hit rumble bars on the north shoulder,  overcorrected, crossed the center median and entered the eastbound lanes. The car was then struck by a 2010 Buick Lacerne driven by 75-year-old Anna Richert, of rural Gresham, Nebraska.

Selser-Smith and Richert were flown to a Lincoln hospital with life-threatening injuries. Authorities say Richert, Selser and Selser-Smith were wearing seat belts. Richardson, Wanzek and Austin were not, and were ejected from the car’s back seats.

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (AP) — A North Liberty man has pleaded guilty in a murder for hire scheme involving a business associate and the person’s family. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports 38-year-old Justin DeWitt submitted guilty pleas Monday to two counts of attempted murder and two counts of solicitation to commit murder His sentencing is set for July 16.

Police arrested DeWitt in June 2016 on charges he tried to hire a hit man to kill a former business associate, his wife and their two children, then aged 2 and 4. Police say DeWitt paid an undercover agent $1,000 and agreed to pay an additional $8,000.
DeWitt also faces charges of trying to arrange hits from jail of people planning to testify against him.

ANTIGO, Wis. (AP) — The enthusiastic television pitchman who told viewers they could “save big money” at Wisconsin-based home improvement chain Menards has died. Ray Szmanda was 91. Szmanda’s son, Charles Szmanda, says his father died Sunday in home hospice care in Antigo, Wisconsin, of congestive heart failure.

Ray Szmanda was featured in advertising for Eau Claire-based Menard Inc. starting in 1976 until his retirement in 1998. He was known as “The Menards Guy.” A Milwaukee native and World War II Navy veteran, Szmanda founded a broadcasting school in Wausau. He also narrated a recording of the Bible.

Menards said Szmanda’s “friendly, enthusiastic and fun loving personality have made a lasting impression” on the family-owned company and its customers. Menards has stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.