DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A real estate agents group estimates high quality crop land in Iowa is worth $11,515 an acre. The Realtors Land Institute, made up of people specializing in farm and land sales, management and appraisal, say the average value is up 9.4 percent from September 2012. The Des Moines Register reports northwest Iowa had the most expensive land, at $13,387 an acre.

Those surveyed were asked to estimate average values as of March 2013. The soaring prices are due largely to high prices for commodities, such as corn and soybeans, that have put farmers in position to buy land as well as low interest rates.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office arrested numerous persons over the past week. In their report issued today (Monday), officials said four people were arrested Sunday, including: 21-year old Kyle Jordan Brown, of Council Bluffs, and 52-year old Anthony Blaine Lee, of La Vista, NE. The men were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Their bonds were set at $1,300 each; 23-year old Dnae Christine McConahay, of Thurman, was arrested for Public Intoxication, and 29-year old Rodney Allen Schoening, of Pacific Junction, who was arrested for Harassment in the 3rd degree. Their bonds were set at $300 each.

On Saturday, Mills County deputies arrested: 40-year old Michaelle Marie Pardew, of Malvern, on a warrant for Failure to Appear on 5th degree Theft and Interference with Official Acts charges. Her bond was $800; 20-year old Dillion Lee Anderson, of Omaha, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was $300; and, 23-year old Tyler Jason Chambers, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving While Revoked. Bond was set at $2,000.

And, last Friday, four people were arrested, including: 48-year old David Bruce Grim, of Glenwood, who was arrested for Interference with Official Acts, Littering, and Open Container. Grim was also wanted on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Theft in the 1st degree. His bond was set at just under $7,000; 70-year old Ronald Lewis Grim, of Glenwood, was arrested Friday, for OWI/1st Offense, and Interference with official acts. His bond was established at $1,300; 36-year old Brian Eugene Sheets, of Glenwood, was also arrested Friday, on a warrant for Domestic Abuse. His bond was $5,000. And, 44-year old Geri Ann Potter, of Crescent, was arrested Friday for Interference with official acts, and on a Pott. County warrant for Failure to Appear. Her bond was set at $5,300.

SAC-CRAWFORD-CARROLL-GREENE-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION–TAYLOR-RINGGOLD…

347 PM CDT MON APR 29 2013

THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT: THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT…MAINLY SOUTH OF A LINE FROM ATLANTIC TO WATERLOO. SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BE STRONG TO SEVERE…WITH LARGE HAIL AND STRONG WIND THE PRIMARY THREATS. HEAVY RAIN IS POSSIBLE WITH ANY STORM.

TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY: THUNDERSTORM CHANCES WILL RETURN ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING…AND PERSIST INTO WEDNESDAY ACROSS SOUTHEASTERN IOWA. ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING SOME OF THE STORMS COULD BE STRONG TO SEVERE…WITH LARGE HAIL AND STRONG WIND THE PRIMARY THREATS. HEAVY RAIN WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH ANY STORM.

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office says the driver of a 2003 Saturn suffered possible, unknown injuries during a single-vehicle rollover accident Sunday evening, southeast of Essex. Officials say 33-year old Mongia Jane England, of Essex, was traveling north on F Avenue at around 6:20-p.m., when she lost control of her car as it entered a small “S” curve. The vehicle entered the east ditch and rolled over onto its top before rolling again and coming to rest on its wheels.

England was transported to the Shenandoah Hospital by Essex Emergency Medical Services, to be checked and treated for possible injuries. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $3,500. No citations were issued.

The third of three men involved in the January stabbing of an Atlantic man was sentenced in Cass County District Court to not more than 5-years in prison, today (Monday).

Bryce Baker

18-year old Bryce Baker pled guilty to an amended charge of Willful Injury in the stabbing of 43-year old Robert Leslie. The incident occurred January 28^th.

Judge Richard Davidson ordered Baker to pay restitution to the victim, attorney’s fees and related court costs.  He is also required to have no contact with Leslie. The man was remanded to the custody of the Department of Corrections, with Mittimus to be issued immediately, and credit for time served. His sentenced was NOT suspended. Baker had requested probation and a suspended sentence, but the State, represented by Cass County Attorney Dan Feistner, agreed to go along with what the pre-sentence investigation recommended, which ended up being a prison sentence, which was recommended by the Department of Corrections

During his sentencing, Baker’s attorney Jay Mez said his client was dating Robert Leslie’s daughter.

He  said Leslie did not agree with the relationship, and the altercation took place when Baker went to Leslie’s home to “settle things.” Baker told the judge that the stabbing occurred out of self defense because Leslie had a weapon. He said he used a pocket knife to protect himself. 

Two others involved in the altercation, 21-year-old Austin Nelson and 23-year-old Mykel Thoren, were with Accessory after the Fact and received two-year suspended prison sentences.

Officials with the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency say due to increased winds, recent area fires, and lack of rain the last few days, the  Shelby County Fire Danger Index will remain in the “Moderate Category,” until Thursday, May 2nd.

Patrons of the Exira and Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School Districts are set to head to the polls on June 25^th, for a vote on reorganization. Last week, members of the EHK Board approved setting the date for the vote. Their counterparts on the Exira School Board approved the same measure during their meeting this (Monday) morning.

The districts currently operate under a whole-grade sharing agreement. Superintendent Dean Schnoes has said the only difference the change will make if reorganization is approved by the voters on June 25^th, is a property tax deduction of one-dollar at the onset, with a gradual increase over a period of three-years to $5.45 per thousand dollars of taxable property valuation.  

Republican Governor Terry Branstad seems to be suggesting Republican Congressman Steve King either is not running or should not run for the U.S. Senate. “I really believe that Iowans want somebody that will serve in the Senate that will be an Iowa problem solver, not another congressman,” Branstad said. “You know congress is a mess. We’ve seen them spend a trillion dollars more than they take in every year and so the Democrats have decided, ‘Well, we’re going to send up another congressman.’ That’s the last thing we need is another congressman in the United States Senate.”

Democratic Senator Tom Harkin announced in January that he would not seek reelection in 2014. Democratic Congressman Bruce Braley started running for the Senate in February, but no Republican has stepped forward. Several in the G-O-P have said they’re considering it, including state Senator Joni Ernst of Red Oak and state Ag Secretary Bill Northey. “The contrast of having an Iowa problem solver versus somebody who that’s had all of their service in Washington, D.C. in the congress would be a very good thing for Republicans,” Branstad says.

Steve King served six years in the state senate before being elected to congress in 2002. While Branstad told reporters this morning that King was a “very effective” state legislator, the governor then doubled down on his anti-congressman pitch. “That last thing we need is another congressman in the United States Senate,” Branstad said. “The congress is so messed up. They are so unable to make tough decisions. They are so far out of touch with the public in terms of their spending policies that we just need somebody that’s going to come there with fresh ideas and we’ve got some of those in Iowa.”

Senator Harkin served 10 years as a congressman before he was elected to the Senate in 1984. Republican Chuck Grassley had been a congressman for six years before he was elected to the Senate in 1980.

(Radio Iowa)