DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Agribusiness giant Monsanto is dropping a major construction project in Iowa telling state officials that market changes have led it to change course.  Documents distributed by the Iowa Economic Development Authority indicate Monsanto planned to build a $90 million seed corn plant in Independence, creating 47 jobs. Monsanto says it’s no longer pursuing the project and wants to cancel a contract for $7.5 million in job creation tax credits.

DuPont Pioneer also seeks to cancel contracts for $13 million in tax benefits tied to creating 300 jobs for three projects. Pioneer is completing the projects but will not create the promised number of jobs. Farm income is down for the third consecutive year prompting farmers to spend less pressuring seed companies like Pioneer and Monsanto to lower profit expectations.

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

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City high school band director who abruptly resigned last week has been arrested and charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee. Authorities say 34-year-old Lucas Sursely texted a 15-year-old female student in one of his classes about having sex with her and sent the girl a picture of himself in his underwear.

The Sioux City Journal reports (http://bit.ly/22d9Xu8 ) that Sursely was arrested Thursday and booked into the Woodbury County Jail. He was released after posting $500 bond. Sursely resigned from his position as Sioux City North High School band director on Dec. 11.

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund recently donated $1,300 worth of books to the Washington Elementary and Schuler Elementary libraries, in Atlantic. Trevor’s mom and fund spokesperson Melanie Petty, said promoting reading is important to the fund. She said “Trevor was an avid reader and we hope with our annual donation we can spark an interest in young children to read on a daily basis.”

Pictured are Janice Dickerson, school librarian and Trevor’s younger brother, Grant Petty. (Photo supplied by Melanie Petty)

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

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A Creston woman reported to Police Thursday, that someone had stolen a 3 1/2-foot tall statue of Jesus Christ from her yard in the 500 block of W. Prairie Street. The incident happened sometime between Dec. 15th and 17th. The loss was estimated at $200.

Creston Police said also, a man from Illinois was arrested recently on a charge of OWI/1st offense. 48-year old Cory Williams, of Cameron, IL, was later released on $1,000 bond.

And, a Clearfield man said his wallet was taken while he was shopping Dec. 10th at the Creston Wal-Mart. The loss was estimated at $70.

Officials with Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU) and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce have announced the winners of the 2015 Holiday Christmas Lighting Contest “Deck the Homes”. The contest encouraged the community to nominate their favorite merry & bright home.

Deck the Homes Contest Winners (Chamber supplied photo)

First place winners of AMU’s Annual Christmas Lighting Contest are Kevin & Amanda Maier, whose outdoor light display can be seen at 206 E. 9th Street in Atlantic. The Maier’s received a $100 credit toward their AMU utility services.

The second place winner is a resident at 1700 Lomas Circle in Atlantic. Congratulations to Tara Peterson for her spectacular outdoor light display. Peterson was awarded a $75 credit to her AMU utility services.  Third place winners are Ruth & Suzanne Meyer, residents at 1004 Chestnut Street in Atlantic. The Meyer’s will receive a $50 credit for their light display.

Delta Zeta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Donation Picture

The Chamber thanks AMU for its continued support of the Annual Holiday Christmas “Deck the Homes” lights contest. Thanks also to the Delta Zeta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi for their donation of $200. The money will be used to maintain downtown lighting. The 2016 Atlantic Area Chamber Image Builders committee will also be up-cycling the existing poles on Walnut and Poplar Street.

Two people were arrested early this (Friday) morning on assault charges, in Red Oak. Police say 25-year old Mark Alan Lear, Jr., of Council Bluffs, and 26-year old Heather Lynn Lear, of Red Oak, were arrested for Domestic Abuse/Serious Assault. The pair were taken into custody at around 1:25-a.m. in the 300 block of E. Market Street, in Red Oak. They were brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond.

Authorities in Montgomery County report two people were arrested Thursday night. Red Oak Police arrested 21-year old Eric Eugene Fichter, of Shenandoah, at around 10:15-p.m.  on a felony, Delivery of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, charge. Fichter was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond.

And, at around 8:10-p.m., deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office arrested 44-year old Dan Joseph Steyskal, of Council Bluffs, following a traffic stop just west of Stanton. Steyskal was taken into custody for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 bond.