IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union is seeking an order stopping the enforcement of Iowa laws that make it a crime to abuse the American flag. ACLU filed a lawsuit Thursday on behalf of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., whose members are known for protesting outside soldiers’ funerals with anti-gay messages. The lawsuit says police in Red Oak and Council Bluffs threatened to enforce Iowa’s flag abuse statutes against during protests between 2010 and 2012.

The lawsuit argues the laws are unconstitutional, and were invalidated by a federal judge’s ruling in 2007. Lawmakers amended one of the laws after that ruling, but ACLU attorney Randall Wilson says they remain an unconstitutional restriction on free speech. Church members drag, stand and spit on flags during protests.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey of bankers says that strong farm income continues to boost the economy in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states. The overall economic index for the region grew to 58.3 in April from March’s 56.9. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey. He says agricultural businesses and energy-producing firms continue to thrive in the region.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest this (Thursday) afternoon of  a Red Oak woman. Twenty-four year old Amanda Kate Carlson of Red Oak was arrested on a Page County Warrant for Burglary/3rd degree and unauthorized use of a credit card. She was turned over to the Page County Sheriff’s Office and her bond has been set at $4,000.

On Wednesday, April 24th the Atlantic Community School District will be conducting its bi-annual Career Day at Atlantic High School. Students from Atlantic High School and 8th grade middle school students will have an opportunity to listen to speakers throughout the day that will discuss topics related to careers in the area. Students participating in this event will gain a better understanding of expectations, needed level of education, training, and day to day operations in their field of interest. There will be 110 different careers areas that the students can choose from. Speakers from Omaha, Des Moines, Ames and SW Iowa will present to the students. The day will be kicked-off by keynote speaker, Mr. Roger Underwood, a 1976 graduate of Atlantic High School. The day will begin at 8:15 a.m. with the keynote speaker and will include four different “breakout” sessions for the students.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports two people were injured when a garbage truck drove off the side of the road and rolled onto its top. The accident happened at around 8:25-a.m. Wednesday on S Avenue near Clarinda. Palmer says the 2001 Freightliner garbage truck driven by 58-year old James Michael Muller, of Villisca, was traveling northeast on S Avenue, when the vehicle went too close to the right shoulder of the road, which was soft due to the recent rain.

When the truck drove off the right side of the road, its rear end swung around, causing the vehicle to roll over before coming to rest on its top. Muller, and his passenger, 65-year old Lawrence Melvin Currin, of Villisca, suffered non-incapacitating injuries, and were transported by private vehicle to the Clarinda Regional Health Center.  Damage to the truck was estimated at $2,000. No citations were issued.

Officials with the Iowa DNR and Alliant Energy report a popular program offering landscape quality trees at a deep discount to Alliant Energy customers, will be held at the Cass County Fairgrounds in Atlantic, on May 4^th, from 8-a.m. to 10-a.m. “Operation ReLeaf,” a residential tree planting program that promotes long-term energy and natural resource conservation, is funded by Alliant Energy and administered by the Iowa DNR Forestry Bureau with assistance from local partners, like Cass County Extension and Outreach.

Through the program, Alliant Energy residential customers may purchase high quality landscaping trees for $25 each.  These trees typically retail for between $65 and $125.  Officials say advanced orders are highly recommended and advance purchase is limited to two trees per household.  In the event there are extra trees available on distribution day, those trees will be released for purchase at that time.  Order forms are available online at www.alliantenergy.com/releaf.

The DNR is encouraging homeowners to prepare for emerald ash borer and other tree pests by planting a diverse mix of tree species. Foresters have been working with local partners to create community tree inventories that will guide future tree planting efforts to keep a healthy mix of tree species. The most recent tree survey for Atlantic finds 40 percent of the trees are maples, followed by ash at 16 percent. The DNR has a target for communities that no more than 10 percent of the trees are from any one species, and no more than 20 percent is from one genus.

Trees available at each distribution event are determined by the local tree species inventory. For Atlantic, species available include American hornbeam, American linden American sentry, bur oak, eastern redbud, hackberry, Kentucky coffeetree, serviceberry autumn brilliance and thorn-less honeylocust skyline. Shade trees are 6 to 8 feet tall in 5 to 7 gallon containers and conifers are 2 to 3 feet tall. Paul Tauke, state forester and chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry Bureau, says “All trees are purchased through a bidding process to promote local nurseries.”

A workshop lead by district forester Lindsey Barney, will discuss ways to avoid common mistakes that often result in dead trees at 9 a.m. during this tree distribution. The 45 minute workshop will cover root flare and proper planting depth, correcting encircling roots, proper mulching and watering and more.

Operation ReLeaf participants must be Alliant Energy residential customers. 

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the DNR’s Derelict Building Grant Program will award reimbursement grants amounting to $491,000, to 19 small, rural Iowa communities to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill. In our area:

 The City of Early is set to receive $45,000 to have asbestos removed, a phase I/II assessment to be completed and full deconstruction of the Payless Cashway building that was damaged by a tornado. The city is partnering with the local economic development office to market the site for commercial interests. And, the City of Malvern is receiving$80,000 to partner with the Malvern Area Betterment Association to use funds to complete asbestos inspection, abatement, structural analysis and building renovation, which will offer commercial and residential space.

The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program was instituted by statute to help rural communities with populations of 5,000 or less. DBGP funding is awarded annually on a competitive basis with cash matches required. Applications for the next funding round will be due in spring 2014.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Sioux City Entertainment will build a Hard Rock Casino in northwest Iowa’s Sioux City.  The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission awarded the license Thursday at the end of a meeting held in Council Bluffs, choosing from four proposals for land-based casinos in Sioux City.  Last month, the commission toured proposed sites and met with developers.

Penn National Gaming Co. submitted two proposals for a casino, and Ho-Chunk Inc. and Sioux City Entertainment also each bid for the rights to build a casino, which would replace the Argosy Sioux City riverboat casino.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has a $118.5 million price tag and would be at the site of the historic Battery Building in downtown Sioux City.

No injuries were reported after a full-sized pickup went into a ditch and rolled over Wednesday afternoon, in Montgomery County. According to the Iowa DOT investigative officer’s report, 42-year old Edie Chadwick McClintock, of Essex, was driving a 2001 Ford F-250 Super Duty, crew cab pickup westbound on 250th Street just off of B Avenue, when the truck caught the edge of the road after traveling about 75-feet. The pickup slid into the north ditch and rolled once, coming to rest on the driver’s side, against some trees.

The accident, which happened at around 3:50-p.m. about seven-miles southwest of Red Oak, caused approximately $12,000 damage. No citations were issued.

An Atlantic resident has bequeathed a valuable art collection, mostly sculptures and glass pieces,  to the Atlantic Public Library. During the City Council meeting Wednesday evening, Councilman Dana Halder reported on the donation from Richard Hellman, who took over a successful metalworking business that his father founded in 1919. When Richard Hellman retired, he sold the business and settled in Oceanside, California.  

Halder said Hellman, who passed away, left 51-pieces of artwork to the Atlantic Public Library and five-pieces to the Danish Immigrant Museum. The works of art are currently in California, and the library has the right to do dispense the pieces as they see fit. Officials with the Atlantic Public Library plan to sell the art, and reap the proceeds.

The appraised value of the works, which includes pieces by Oregon artist/sculptor Bill Kasper, and Georgia sculptor Jim Karg, is approximately $175,000. Halder say it’s hoped the library will receive 60-percent of the appraised value when the items are sold. Library Director Meredith Scherb told KJAN News the plan is to sell the collection to an art dealer. Halder said that’s because of the liability issue involved with storing and displaying the works.