Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer, Monday afternoon, issued a report on recent arrests made by his officers.  On Sunday, 31 year old Jacob David Otten, of Audubon, was arrested for Criminal Mischief. Otten was held at the Audubon County Jail until making an appearance before a magistrate.

Last Friday, 26 year old Scott Nathaniel Belew, of Audubon, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. Belew was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held pending an appearance before a magistrate. On April 12th, a 17 year old juvenile was referred by Audubon Police to Juvenile Court, on charges of Harassment and Disorderly Conduct.

And, on March 28th, 30 year old Dustin Williams and 30 year old Amanda Rae Campbell, both of Audubon, were charged with Disorderly Conduct. They later pled guilty before a magistrate.

Sheriff’s officials in Cass County, Monday, reported three recent arrests. On Monday, 26-year old Joshua Robert Olwell, of Atlantic, was arrested on a District Court order for Probation Violation. Olwell was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $10,000 bond.

On Sunday, Cass County Deputies arrested 23-year old Allyson Elaine Gardner, of Atlantic, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Gardner was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on her own recognizance. And on Saturday, 45-year old Grant Robert Cramer, of Massena, was arrested on a charge of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Medication. Cramer was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of two men after investigation of an incident on Saturday in the 2100 block of 310th Street.  At 2:30am Deputies arrested 20-year-old Zachary Paul Kliefoth of Brayton and 20-year-old Drew Matthew Peppers of Exira.  Both were charged with Interference with Official Acts and Minor in Possession of Alcohol. Kliefoth was taken to the Audubon County Jail and released after posting a cash bond. He will appear in Magistrate court on Thursday, April 20th. Peppers was cited and released. He will appear in Magistrate court on Monday, April 24th.

The granddaughter of a man who was instrumental in promoting the use of hybrid corn is urging G-O-P lawmakers NOT to close an ag-related research center at Iowa State University. Liz Garst manages her family’s 35-hundred acre farm in the Coon Rapids area. She says the work of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture is not done.

Garst was among more than three dozen people who testified today (Monday) at a hearing in the state capitol held to give Iowans a chance to weigh in on G-O-P budget proposals. Several spoke against Republican legislators’ plans to cut state support of the I-S-U research center. Mills County Supervisor Mark Peterson farms about 500 near Stanton. He’s also board president of Practical Farmers of Iowa.

Another I-S-U graduate told legislators it makes Iowa “look bad” to shut down crucial efforts to improve water quality and stop soil loss. Other speakers urged Republicans to abandon their goal of “defunding” Planned Parenthood. Erin Davison-Rippey of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland targeted her remarks to Republican moderates.

The other major topic raised during today’s (Monday’s) hearing was the legislature’s proposed cut to victim services. Mary Ingham is executive director of Crisis Intervention Service in Mason City which serves 14 counties in north central and north east Iowa.

The other voice (you heard there) was Representative Pat Grassley, the Republican from New Hartford who managed the public hearing. Each speaker was limited to three minutes. A large crowd gathered around a big-screen T-V in the statehouse rotunda and cheered as speakers made their points. People seated INSIDE the hearing room waved pieces of green construction paper to signal their support for what was being said.

(Radio Iowa)

Another benefit for the Ashton Kutcher and Dallas Clark-founded Native Fund will involve metal music giants Metallica. The Native Fund is a non-profit organization designed to help Iowans during disaster relief. Metallica will headline the benefit concert at the Iowa Speedway in Newton on Friday, June 9.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday (April 21 at 10 a.m via ticketmaster.com). Last August, country singer Blake Shelton headlined a similar benefit concert for the Native Fund at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

(Radio Iowa)

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports two arrests. 39-year old John Michael Burgoyne, of Creston, was arrested April 9th at the Union County Jail in Creston, on an Adair County warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree (Less than $200). Burgoyne was later released on a $350 bond.

And, 25-year old Jennifer Rene Avey, of Casey, was arrested April 13th near Fontanelle, following a traffic stop at around 9:40-p.m. for littering, near the intersection of Etna and Highway 92. The Deputy noted in his report that the driver of the vehicle, Cam Jahnke, and passenger (Avey) were trying to switch seats. Jahnke was cited for Driving While Suspended and released. Jennifer Avey was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, after a search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of marijuana and paraphernalia on the rear floor board behind the driver’s seat. Avey admitted the drugs and paraphernalia were hers. She was released later that same evening on $1,000 bond.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four recent arrests, three of which took place on Sunday. They include: 28-year old Christopher Lee Gillette, of Shenandoah, who was arrested at around 10:15-p.m. on Highway 59, on a warrant out of Pottawattamie County for Probation Violation. Gillette’s bond was set at $2,000; 26-year old Dyson Patrick Tobin, of Tabor, was arrested at around 4-p.m. Sunday on a warrant for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree. His bond was set at $2,000. And, 27-year old Christopher Marico Martinez, of Omaha, was arrested at around 3:30-a.m. Sunday on Interstate 29 in Mills County, for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

Friday evening, 44-year old Larry Steven Hutching, of Emerson, was arrested in Mills County for Driving Under Suspension, Operating a vehicle without Ignition Interlock and No SR-22 Insurance. Bond was set at $1,600.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowans are asking GOP lawmakers to reconsider proposed budget cuts they say would be devastating for the state’s farmers, students and most vulnerable citizens. Members of the public and lobbying groups spoke Monday at a Capitol hearing, criticizing proposed reductions they say will hurt vital services. GOP lawmakers hope to approve a roughly $7.2 billion budget this week as they hurry to adjourn the session.

Small agriculture groups asked the Republican-led Legislature to reconsider cutting the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. Advocates for the center say it is vital for innovation within the state’s farming businesses.

Others criticized cuts to higher education, victims’ services and conservation as well as the loss of federal family planning money. GOP lawmakers say the cuts are needed amid budget constraints.

BENNINGTON, Neb. (AP) – The current commander of the 4th Marines interviewed a World War II veteran in Nebraska to chronicle his experiences for the 75th anniversary of the surrender of Corregidor and for teaching future Marines. The Omaha World-Herald reports Col. Kevin Norton stopped by the Bennington retirement home last week and interviewed 96-year-old Warren Jorgenson about his life and experiences in the Marines.

While Iowa native Jorgenson was touring with the 4th Marine Regiment, he witnessed the departure of the “China Marines” from Shanghai in 1941, the Japanese attack on Manila after Pearl Harbor and the fall of Corregidor in 1942.

The filmed interview with Jorgenson will be shown next month during services commemorating the 75th anniversary of the surrender of Corregidor. The film will also be used to teach young Marines about the Corps’ history.

Two people were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital by Medivac Ambulance, following a single-vehicle accident Sunday evening, in Atlantic. The Atlantic Police Department reports Larry Petersen, of Audubon, and an unidentified passenger in his vehicle, were traveling north on Highway 71 at around 5:45-p.m., and approaching the intersection with 7th Street, when the vehicles’ brakes failed.

The vehicle continued through the intersection and left the road before going airborne. As a result of the front end of the vehicle impacting the ground, the vehicle rolled onto its top. Damage from the crash amounted to $15,000.

The Atlantic P-D reports also, 22-year old Thomas Bruning, of Griswold, was arrested Monday (today), for OWI. Bruning was booked into the Cass County Jail.