DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Senate Republicans are considering an education funding bill that Democrats and some educators say is inadequate and will hurt schools. The GOP-controlled chamber is expected to vote on the legislation today (Thursday). It has support in the Republican-led House, where a vote is scheduled Monday.

The bill would add about $40 million to the roughly $3 billion K-12 education budget that goes into effect in July. It would add $73 to what’s spent on each Iowa student, which is currently just below $6,600. Republicans say the amount is all the state can responsibly afford amid budget constraints. Gov. Terry Branstad has recommended more education spending.

Democrats say Republicans are not prioritizing students. Some educators say the proposal doesn’t account for increased operating costs at school districts, and would result in cuts.

A traffic stop Wednesday afternoon in Pottawattamie County resulted in two men from Wisconsin being cited for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana. The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office says 30-year old Antonio M. Spears and 25-year old Stefhano S. Towers-Young, both of Milwaukee, WI., were cited and released following the traffic stop for speeding on Interstate 80 westbound near mile-marker 10, a little after Noon, Wednesday. The deputy who spoke with the men as they were in a 2014 Chevy Impala, detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A probable cause search of the car was conducted, which resulted in the recovery of a gram of pot.

And, a man from Council Bluffs was arrested Wednesday evening on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order. A Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a pickup occupied by 35-year old Anthony Joseph Quandt and a 23-year old woman from Council Bluffs. Quandt produced evidence the warrant had been quashed by the court, but Pott. County Dispatch verified a separate warrant for Violating a No Contact Order was valid. Because Quandt was unable to produce any evidence the other warrant was not valid, he was taken into custody and brought to the Pott. County Jail.

A man from Des Moines was also arrested Wednesday in Pottawattamie County. The Sheriff’s Office says 36-year old James George Murdock was arrested for Violation of a Protective Order, after a Deputy called to the 42 mile marker of Interstate 80 to assist a motorist checked the vehicle’s registration and learned Murdock was with a 37-year old woman who had a protective order against him.

Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) said Wednesday, CCHS began a new affiliation with Diagnostic Radiology, PC., on Feb. 1st.  Carrie Schmitt, Director of Diagnostic Imaging, said “When patients have diagnostic imaging tests done here, like x-rays or CT scans, those tests are reviewed by radiologists. As of February 1st, we are changing the radiology firm that we work with so that we can offer more services to our patients without having to travel to another city.”

Diagnostic Radiology, PC is a group of radiologists serving the Omaha metro, western Iowa, Siouxland, and northwest Missouri. With more than 8 physicians and several advanced practice providers, Diagnostic Radiology, PC is well equipped to provide remote and weekly on-site services in Atlantic.

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

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Police in Creston report the arrest Wednesday afternoon, of 39-year old John Burgoyne, of Creston. Burgoyne was taken into custody on a Union County warrant for Theft in the 4th Degree. He was later released on $1,000 bond.

And, CHS, Inc., in Creston, reported Wednesday morning, that someone had thrown a rock through the window of the weigh station located in the vicinity of Division/Union Streets. The incident happened sometime between 8-a.m. Jan. 25th and 8:30-a.m. Feb. 1st. Damage was estimated at $250.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Voters in Montgomery County will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in a Special Red Oak School District Election. On the ballot, is Public Measure “A,” a renewal of the 10-year Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL), and a PPEL income surtax. If approved, the 10-year Levy would authorize a tax of not more than $1.34 per $1,000 of taxable property valuation within the Red Oak School District, beginning June 30^th 2021, and a tax on personal income starting December 31^st for each calendar year, and commencing with the 2020 calendar year.

Friday (tomorrow), Feb. 3^rd, at 5-p.m., is the last date/time to request an Absentee ballot from the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office. Voters may vote absentee in-person on Election Day (Tuesday, Feb. 7^th), at the Auditor’s Office, from 8-a.m. until 11-a.m. The polls will open at Noon, Tuesday, and close at 8-p.m.

The polling site is the Montgomery County Gold Fair Building for those Red Oak residents residing in City of Red Oak Wards 1,2 and 3; Coburg City; Garfield, West, Red Oak, Grant, Frankfort, Lincoln, Sherman, and Pilot Grove Townships in Montgomery County, Fremont Township in Page County, and Grove Township in Pottawattamie County.

If you have any questions about the Red Oak School District Special Election, call the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office at 712-623-5127, 8-a.m. until 4:30-p.m., Monday through Friday’s.

A traffic stop Wednesday night in Adams County resulted in one person being arrested on a drug charge. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports 18-year old Cheyenne Goodnight, of Corning, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, 1st offense.

She was taken into custody at around 11:50-p.m., after being pulled-over near the intersection of Corning-Carl Road and Nodaway River Road. Goodnight was being held in the Adams County Jail on $1,000 bond.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) – Operators of a northwest Iowa nursing home that authorities ordered to close have agreed to pay $100,000 to settle allegations that they provided worthless care. Federal prosecutors said in a news release Wednesday that The Abbey of Le Mars Inc. violated the federal False Claims Act by submitting Medicaid claims when the care provided residents was “grossly substandard.”

The facility’s Iowa license has been revoked. Prosecutors say the facility’s staff let skin conditions go untreated, used unnecessary physical restraints and medications and provided inadequate nourishment and bathing and toileting care. The allegations relate to care provided for 16 residents between January 2009 and February 2015.

The City Council in Walnut will meet this evening at their City Hall Council Chambers. During the 5-p.m. session, the Council will receive information concerning the installation of Fiber to the Home (FTTH), from Janell Hansen and Leanne McCarthy, with Walnut Communications.

The Council will also discuss the Streetscape Enhancement Project, streetscape and building facade improvements. Other discussion will revolve around operation of the Walnut Welcome Center, School Property, and the Well Project, as well as a possible amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan. They’ll also hold a preliminary review the FY 2017-18 City of Walnut Budget, and consider the adoption of a Resolution scheduling the time and place for a Public Hearing, to solicit written and oral comments on the proposed FY 2017-18 Budget.