WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Waterloo officials have chosen a kombucha tea company over a brewery and bicycle business as the new occupant for a downtown development. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that City Council members unanimously voted Tuesday to approve a seven-year lease with Verve Kombucha. The company will operate a bistro and brewery for the fermented tea product in the RiverLoop Public Market Building.

The lease agreement says Verve will receive free rent for one year while it renovates the building. Rent will be $1,000 a month during the second year and increase to $4,000 in the seventh year. Lark Brewing Co. and Waterloo Bicycle Works had also submitted proposals to lease the facility. The city used a state grant to turn a lawn care building into the Public Market.

A man from Pottawattamie County was arrested Tuesday in connection with the theft of a stop sign. The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office says a Deputy responded Sunday evening to the area of 350th Street and Idlewood Road, after the Pott. County Roads Division received a report someone hit a stop sign at the intersection, and took the sign with them. The sign was valued at $350. An investigation resulted in the arrest of 28-year old Cody Dean Canfield, of Oakland, for 4th Degree Theft. Canfield was cited for the offense and released. And, a Council Bluffs man was arrested Tuesday morning following a traffic stop. 26-year old Antoine Deante Cox, was taken into custody for Driving While Barred.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former insurance agent in Polk County accused of fraud has been given two years of probation. Court records show 39-year-old Nicholas Menough, of Grimes, last week pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft, identity theft and fraudulent practice. He also was given a suspended prison sentence of six years and was told to pay restitution. The amount’s not yet been determined.

Prosecutors say Menough falsified insurance policy applications and altered financial documents related to the sale of insurance policies. Prosecutors say the scheme reaped him more than $10,000 in advance commission payments and bonuses.

As schools let out for the summer, tens of thousands of children could lose the free meals they eat each weekday, though sites across Iowa are gearing up to offer free lunches. Schools, libraries, community centers and other groups can apply through the Iowa Department of Education to sponsor the week-day meals. Ann Feilmann from the Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services, says some places get creative to feed as many kids as possible. In Davis County last year, she says a bus driver brought meals to rural children in a converted truck. “The kids were so excited to see him come,” Feilmann says, “and they also connected with a book program where they were able to get books to give out.”

Feilmann says Sioux City is adding a bus this year. Last June, Feilmann says more than 25-thousand children ate daily at community meal sites, adding, it’s not just for kids who are eligible for free-lunch during the school year. “There are also households where both parents are working and there’s not someone that has high cooking skills, plus it’s also a place to go and socialize with friends,” she says.

All kids are welcome. Communities throughout the state provide meals to children thanks to the federal Summer Food Service Program.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Amy Mayer, Iowa Public Radio)

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

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The driver of a pickup was cited following a collision Tuesday morning, in Red Oak. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2000 Dodge RAM 2500 pickup driven by 63-year old Lee Roy Goolsby, Jr., of Nodaway, was traveling east in the 100 block of West High Street a little after 10-a.m., when the pickup struck a legally parked 2001 Chevy Silverado pickup with an attached 2015 H&H utility trailer. The Dodge pickup hit the trailer then the driver’s side of the Chevy, causing damage to the undercarriage of the Dodge that amounted to $7,000. The Chevy and trailer sustained a combined $13,000 damage. No injuries were reported.

Goolsby, Jr. was cited for Driving while license revoked, Unsafe passing, and Failure to provide proof of financial liability (Insurance).

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

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A new aebleskiver eating contest record was set Saturday during the Tivoli Fest 2nd annual Aebleskiver eating contest. Geoffrey Esper devoured 107 aebleskiver in 8 minutes. Fellow contestant Darron Breeden ate 98 for second place during the contest.  (KNOD)

Geoffrey Esper, aebleskiver-champion-2018

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man has been found dead in a central Iowa apartment building that had high levels of carbon monoxide. Firefighters evacuated the Meadowbrook Apartments in Newton on Monday after several high readings were recorded. The man’s body was found in the apartment with the highest level of carbon monoxide. Newton Fire Chief Jarrod Wellik says the cause of the man’s death will be determined by an autopsy.

Welliks says no one else was treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. The cause of the gas buildup was unclear. The man’s name hasn’t been released.