Leaders of the Iowa Senate have announced plans to issue a formal letter to each of the State’s 50 Senators, calling for a special session of the Iowa Legislature. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, of Council Bluffs, said today (Tuesday) “Governor Branstad’s surprising vetoes of one-time funding for K-12 schools, community colleges and state universities continues to make no sense to a majority of Iowans.”

Gronstal added “The Governor’s vetoes are especially egregious in light of the fact that the Legislature worked in a bipartisan fashion to avoid using one-time money to fund ongoing needs and the Legislature’s overall spending level was actually below the Governor’s. In the end, it is schoolchildren, college students and Iowans needing mental health treatment who will suffer because of the Governor’s actions. I believe there will be bipartisan support for overriding the worst of Governor Branstad’s vetoes.”

Legislators may call a special session if two-thirds of the Senators and two-thirds of the Representatives agree in writing to participate in a special session.

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

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Creston Police are investigating three incidents of recent theft and/or break-in’s. Officials say a resident in the 1100 block of W. Montgomery Street reported Monday, that someone broke into his home and took three pocket knives, a hatchet, three pairs of earrings, a necklace and various CD’s. The incident happened sometime between 1:30-p.m. on July 1st and 10-p.m. on July 2nd. The loss was estimated at $4,100.

A resident in the 400 block of N. Chestnut Street in Creston reported to Police, Monday, that his wallet had been taken from Bill Sears Park, sometime around June 19th, and charges were made at various local businesses, on credit cards in the wallet. The loss was estimated at nearly $330.

On Sunday, 21-year old Desiree Banda, who resides in the 200 block of N. Maple Street in Creston, reported to Police someone took a window air conditioner from her home. The incident took place sometime between 3-and 11-p.m., Saturday (7/4). The loss was estimated at $150.

The same woman was arrested Monday evening at the Union County Jail on a warrant out of Union County, for Theft in the 5th degree. Banda was later released on $300 bond.

The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Police in Red Oak arrested a man early this (Tuesday) morning, on a felony Burglary charge. Authorities say 21-year old Dakota Seth Elmquist, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 1:50-a.m. following a burglary in the 100 block of W. Maple Street. His bond was set at $10,000.

Police say once inside the home, Elmquist allegedly pushed one of the occupants down the stairs, before he left the home and went across the street. There, he sat on a retaining wall and hollered what the victims said was “jibberish.” Elmquist got up and began walking north from the residence and when Red Oak Police approached, took off running.

Following a short foot pursuit, Elmquist was taken into custody without further incident and brought to the Montgomery County Jail.

A Red Oak man was arrested early this (Tuesday) morning on a charge of Public Intoxication. 31-year old Paul Nathaniel Falk was taken into custody at around 1:10-a.m. in the 400 block of N. 4th Street, in Red Oak. Falk was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

LOGAN, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say they’re investigating a fatal hit and run in western Iowa. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says authorities found 50-year-old Charlotte Anderson dead on the side of the road Saturday night. She was located near a mile marker on Highway 127 on the north side of Logan. DCI says an Iowa State Patrol trooper located a suspicious vehicle in the area Sunday morning that appeared to have front end damage consistent with evidence at the scene, but additional information was not provided.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an Iowa inmate managed to escape from one of the state’s most secure cells by sneaking through the building’s piping and onto the roof. The Iowa Department of Corrections SAYS Justin Kestner escaped early Sunday from a building on the Iowa State Penitentiary complex in Fort Madison. He was living in a unit for disruptive maximum-security inmates who are typically confined 23 hours per day. Hours later, he was captured near Geneseo, Illinois. The escape comes as authorities are preparing to close the prison and move prisoners into a new lockup.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democrats and Republicans in Iowa are planning to host presidential forums that focus on minority communities. Organizers of the Brown and Black Forum say the Republican Party of Iowa and the Iowa Democratic Party will host events that allow presidential candidates to answer questions concerning Latinos and African-Americans. Topics will include education, immigration and criminal justice. A forum for Republican candidates will be held Dec. 3 at Drake University. Democratic candidates will be invited to an event in Des Moines on Jan. 11.

A man wanted on a warrant stemming from an investigation into an assault that took place June 27th in Shambaugh, has surrendered to authorities in Page County. Sheriff Lyle Palmer says 26-year old Joseph Cody Foster, of New Market, turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office at around 1:30-p.m. Monday.

Foster has since posted bond and was released pending further court proceedings.