Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Voters in Ames have rejected a proposal to borrow up to $19 million to pay the city’s share of a convention center at Iowa State University. Results showed the measure failed yesterday 62 percent to 37 percent. The center would have been jointly owned by the city and university.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Voters in Des Moines have overwhelmingly approved an increase in a fee charged on their utility bills to repay $40 million the city borrowed to pay a court-ordered refund of previously over-collected franchise fees. More than 85 percent of the nearly 10,000 votes cast Tuesday were in favor of the fee increase. City residents had little choice. Either they had to approve the increased fee, or the city would be forced to increase property taxes to repay the money.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say at least six people have been arrested in connection to an investigation into the sale of synthetic marijuana. Authorities say the people were taken into custody yesterday morning following the completion of several simultaneous search warrants at stores and homes.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Nina Davis scored 26 points to help Number 9 Baylor clinch a share of the Big 12 title by beating Iowa State 70-54 last night. Nikki Moody had 17 points and Hallie Christofferson scored 14 for Iowa State, which was outrebounded 48-32 in Ames.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports there will be a race between at least two Republicans for the County Recorder’s job. As we mentioned Monday, Jess Ehrman, of Atlantic, officially announced her candidacy and filed nomination papers Tuesday with the Auditor’s office. On Monday, Mary Ward, also of Atlantic, filed her nomination papers. Current Cass County Recorder Joyce Jensen is not seeking re-election.

The only other potential race entering the June 3rd Primary Election, would appear to be for Cass County Attorney, where Republican David L. Wiederstein, of Atlantic, has filed nomination papers. Wiederstein serves as Attorney for the City of Atlantic and as interim Attorney in Audubon, in addition to being a private practice lawyer. Cass County Attorney Dan Feistner had not yet filed papers to run for re-election, as of 5-p.m., Tuesday.

The Harlan Police Department says no injuries were reported following a collision Tuesday at the intersection of 12th and Chatburn Avenue. Authorities say a 2010 Lincoln driven by Monica Wilke, of Panama, was traveling southbound on 12th Street and turning west onto Chatburn Avenue. A 2002 Pontiac driven by Cameron Renkly, of Harlan, was westbound on Chatburn Avenue., when Wilke proceeded through the red light and her vehicle hit the  passenger side of the Pontiac. Damage to the vehicles amounted to $1,250. Police say Wilke was cited for failure to obey a traffic control device.

And, Harlan Police say there were no injuries reported following an accident Monday at the intersection of Chatburn Avenue and College Place. Officials say a 2003 Buick driven by Ann Bieker, of Harlan, was westbound on Chatburn Avenue, as a 2005 Ford driven by Roger Andersen, of Harlan,  was turning east onto Chatburn Ave from College Place.

The Ford proceeded through the stop sign and collided with the Buick in the middle of Chatburn Avenue, causing a total of $5,500 damage.

Police in Harlan report three people were charged with harassment last Thursday, following complaints to authorities. Officials say 19-year old Megan Hunt of Earling, 18-year old Anthony Meier of Irwin, and 17-year old Dominique Hampton of Harlan, were all cited for harassment for allegedly sending threatening texts and trying to prevent persons from leaving a gas station.  All three subjects were cited and released.  Hampton was released to her parents.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, is expected to act on a recommendation from Snyder and Associates Engineers, with regard to the adding of streets to the City’s contract with Precision Concrete Services (PCS), of Atlantic. The change order would include the following projects and streets:

• The reconstruction of 17th Street from Redwood Drive to the east dead end.

• The Milling, Patching and overlay of: 9th Street from Palm to Cedar; 9th Street from Elm to Plum; 13th Street from Cherry to a dead end east of Plum; Locust Street from 8th to 10th Streets, & Maple Street from 7th to 10th Streets.

Henningsen Construction of Atlantic is the subcontractor for the asphalt overlay portion of those street projects. Snyder’s Dave Sturm has said locking in last year’s prices for the 2013 Street Improvement Projects (SIP)…which are not yet complete due to the weather…would save the City time and money. And, while the Council is expected to approve the change order option as opposed to going out for bids for the aforementioned projects, the 2014 Street Seal coat and micro-seal projects will be sent out to bid, because those projects were not included in the 2013 SIP word order.

In other business, the Council, Wednesday, is expected to approve a Resolution accepting improvements to the Atlantic Senior Center, as well as a Resolution accepting improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Their meeting, in the Atlantic Senior Center, begins at 5:30-p.m., Wednesday.

More than 100 firefighters from Des Moines and across Iowa will climb 66 floors and 1,179 steps as part of a three building stair climb in downtown Des Moines while wearing 80 pounds of full fire turnout gear on Sunday morning, March 16th, as part of the American Lung Association in Iowa’s “2014 Fight for Air Climb.” 

Sixteen firehouses in all, including those from the Adair and Creston Fire and Rescue Departments, as well as the Casey and Winterset Fire Departments, will be represented at the event taking place at the EMC Insurance Companies, Hub Tower and the Des Moines Marriott Downtown (700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309).

All will climb in honor or memory of a fallen firefighter, loved one, lung disease survivor or to support the Lung Association. In addition, the firehouse with the best finish time will receive the coveted traveling Firehouse Fight for Air Trophy.

Two law enforcement teams will also climb and four local gyms will compete in the Gym and Fitness Center Challenge. They will join thousands of Des Moines area residents and Iowans from across the state. The Fight for Air Climb is a unique fundraising event for the American Lung Association in Iowa. Climbers help improve the lives of patients across the country and locally in Iowa. Ninety cents of every dollar raised goes directly to education, research and advocacy.

For more information, surf to: www.lung.org/pledge-events/ia/des-moines-climb-fy14/

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Monday night of a Glenwood woman. 35-year old Wendy Lynn Meadows was arrested for Violating the terms of her Probation. Meadows was taken into custody at the Pottawattamie County Jail and held on $25,000 bond.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports a Braddyville man wanted on a warrant out of Clarinda, turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office Monday afternoon. 19-year old Skyler William Shane, was wanted on a warrant charging him with two counts for Theft in the 3rd Degree/Forgery. The incidents allegedly occurred on Feb. 2nd. Shane was booked into the  Page County Jail and held on $2,000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has passed a bill requiring school districts to test for the presence of radon gas. The Democratic-led bill passed 35-14 after Sen. Matt McCoy, a Democrat from Des Moines, criticized it as watered down “like a warm bucket of spit.”

McCoy supports the bill but is unhappy with changes that remove the requirement of certified testers and plans to reduce radon if found. McCoy says fewer than 10 percent of Iowa schools are tested. Sen. Tod Bowman, a Maquoketa Democrat, says the bill isn’t perfect but will identify how many schools have radon.

Republican Sen. Mark Chelgren, of Ottumwa, says the bill which moves to the House, is improved because it removes mandates that were undue burdens. The EPA recommends building testing for the radioactive gas.