Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

GRAETTINGER, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two boys have died after a northern Iowa house fire. Palo Alto County firefighters say they went in and found 5-year-old Gavin Hasbrouck and 7-year-old Collin Reed, who were taken to Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg with their mother. Authorities say the boys were pronounced dead at the hospital.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A jury has begun deliberations in the case of an eastern Iowa man who tried to use his rare cancer condition as a defense to marijuana-growing charges. Attorneys for both sides in the Benton Mackenzie case gave closing arguments Tuesday. The jury began deliberations but was sent home a short time later. They will resume Wednesday. The 48-year-old Mackenzie and his wife Loretta, both of Long Grove, are charged with manufacturing marijuana and other drug charges.

MOULTON, Iowa (AP) — Officials say remains found in Germany in 2012 have been positively identified as belonging to a WWII airman from Iowa who went missing more than 69 years ago. The Iowa National Guard says Staff Sgt. Robert “Bobby” E. Howard, of Moulton, Iowa, was 21 years old in April 1945 when his aircraft was shot down over Germany. He and four other crew members were officially declared dead, though their remains were never recovered.

HUDSON, Iowa (AP) — Firefighters battled a fire at a rural hog confinement operation in northeast Iowa. Officials say a structure at the confinement in Hudson caught fire Tuesday before spreading to an adjacent building. Heavy smoke and impaired visibility was reported. The second structure contained hogs, and some are believed to have died in the fire. It is unclear how many hogs were inside.

A truck driver from Clarinda was arrested Tuesday evening in Cass County on suspicion of drug trafficking. Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Shiels told KJAN News that around 6:46-p.m., he initiated a traffic stop on a semi that was traveling 70-miles per hour in a 55 zone. The semi, driven by 37-year old Nathan Allen Johnson, of Clarinda, was stopped on Highway 71 near the intersection with Denver Road, just south of Interstate 80.

Shiels said upon making contact with the driver, probable cause was established to search the vehicle, during which the initial investigation resulted in approximately 5-grams of methamphetamine being seized, along with drug paraphernalia (Scales), two handguns and an unspecified amount of cash, leading authorities to believe the Johnson may have been involved in distribution and sale of narcotics.He was arrested on the possession, along with intent to deliver, charges.

Johnson was released from the jail on Wednesday. Assisting with the investigation was Cass County Deputy Josh McClaren, and an Iowa Department of Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division officer. Shiels said with regard to the meth bust, “It’s good to be able to get that stuff off the road. That’s what we’re out there looking for, and hopefully prevent

An arrest has been made in connection with the death of a central Iowa teenager over one year ago. Seventeen-year-old Aaliyah West died on June 22, 2013 after spending the night partying with friends at a mobile home in Grimes.

Patrick Glade

An autopsy found West died from an overdose of the prescription drug methadone. Police say the investigation led them to 25-year-old Patrick Glade, who was living in Guthrie Center. He was arrested Tuesday on a warrant for involuntary manslaughter.

Glade is being held in the Polk County Jail on a $20,000 cash-only bond.

MOULTON, Iowa (AP) — Officials say remains found in Germany in 2012 have been positively identified as belonging to a WWII airman from Iowa who went missing more than 69 years ago. The Iowa National Guard says Staff Sgt. Robert “Bobby” E. Howard, of Moulton, Iowa, was 21 years old in April 1945 when his aircraft was shot down over Germany. He and four other crew members were officially declared dead, though their remains were never recovered.

Officials say in a news release Tuesday that a research and analysis group concluded earlier this year that human remains found near the possible aircraft crash site belong to Howard.

SSgt. Robert Howard

A memorial service for Howard will be held in Moulton on July 19 with full military honors.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A disaster proclamation has been issued for three Iowa counties affected by recent severe weather. Gov. Terry Branstad says a proclamation was issued Tuesday for Polk County, following a proclamation Monday for Scott and Shelby counties.

The governor’s office says the proclamations are in response to ongoing flooding and severe weather that began June 26. They are aimed at helping the counties recover with the help of state resources. The proclamations will also allow residents in Scott and Shelby counties to utilize the state’s individual assistance program. That offers grants of up to $5,000 to certain low-income households.

The Cass County Sheriff’s office reports an Anita woman was arrested last Thursday, following an investigation into an accident. Authorities say at around 11:30 p.m., deputies responded to a report of a single-vehicle accident at Richland Road and Main Street in Massena. Upon arrival, deputies found a 2002 Ford Escape in the ditch.

The owner and driver, 42-year old Michelle Lynn Namanny, of Anita, was not injured. Damage to her vehicle was estimated at $4,000. Upon further investigation, Namanny was arrested on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. She was also cited for Failure to Maintain Control. The woman was brought to the Cass County Jail where she was released the following day on her own recognizance.

A public hearing will be held Wednesday morning in Atlantic, with regard to a change in zoning classification. The change affects a parcel of land (Parcel H of the northeast 1/4, northeast 1/4 of Section 9) in Noble Township, and if approved, would rezone the land as Light Industrial instead of Rural Residential. Zoning Administrator Rich Hansen told KJAN News Corey Sindt is looking to move his automotive repair business into Lyman, from the rural area. There were no objections to the plan at an earlier Zoning Board meeting. The hearing takes place at 8:40-a.m. as part of a regular meeting of the Cass County Board of Supervisors.

The Board will also review and possibly act on approving a “Regionalization” of the Mental Health Transition Plan, the aforementioned zoning classification change, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Department changes, with regard to GIS services.

The Board of Supervisor’s meeting begins in their Board Room at the Cass County Courthouse, at 8:30-a.m., Wednesday.

The City of Atlantic’s Planning and Zoning Commission will meet this evening in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. On their agenda under “Old Business,” is a letter of transmittal from the City Council with regard to the vacating of an alley, and a review or setting of the timetable for a final Zoning Ordinance Review/Update.

The meeting begins at 5:30.

Sheriff’s officials in Audubon County report a Kimballton man was arrested Monday evening. 47-year old Denver Duane Hansen was taken into custody on a Simple Assault charge, following an investigation into an incident that allegedly occurred at his home, Saturday.

Hansen posted a cash bond and was released, with instructions to appear before the magistrate on July 14th.

(9-a.m. News)

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will be held this evening at the high school, due to several scheduling conflicts that prevented the meeting from being held on Monday, as would normally have been the case.  The Board will gather in the Media Room at the high school beginning at 7:30-p.m. Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein says on their agenda, is approval of: General Education/Special Ed contracts; other contracts and/or Letters of Assignment

Amstein says they’re trying to finish finish-up the hiring process for the upcoming school year. Josh Rasmussen will provide a recommendation for the FCS – Family and Consumer Science – position at the Middle School. He says last year they had position open, but just couldn’t fill it.

The Board will also act on Volunteer Coaches positions and any Resignations. They’re also expected to act on approving: The contract with Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein for the 2014-15 school year, and the 1st reading of a new policy with regard to Honorary Diplomas.

Amstein said there was a request made to the Board for that, and since there was none in-place, that topic is up for discussion and possible action. The Atlantic School Board will talk about their financial planning program assumptions for Fiscal Year 2015. Prior to adjourning for the night, the Board will enter into a closed session for a formal evaluation of Superintendent Amstein.