SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — County officials in western Iowa have asked a judge to allow guns in some areas of the courthouse amid security questions and the likelihood of increased costs. The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors formally requested on Tuesday that Judge Duane Hoffmeyer permit weapons on the floors of the Woodbury County Courthouse without court functions. The Sioux City Journal reports that counties can seek to authorize guns in public areas of a courthouse that aren’t occupied by the court system under a supervisory order issued by the Iowa Supreme Court in December. Judges approve the requests.

The board’s request letter would change how security is handled in the courthouse. Some question whether it’ll be costly to keep the building secure, due to individuals with guns potentially moving on various floors.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A Nebraska man has pleaded guilty to threatening Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa. Court records say Robert Simet, of Omaha, entered the plea Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Council Bluffs. The charge: violent threats to a federal official. His sentencing is scheduled for May 23.

An arrest affidavit says employees of a motorcycle shop in Pacific Junction, Iowa, told an FBI agent that Simet had been there July 5. During that visit, Simet made several statements about Ernst, including that he believes she is a member of the Islamic State group and that he “could kill” her during a July 10 event at the motorcycle shop.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says three people were injured during two separate accidents Tuesday afternoon. The first accident happened at around 1:25-p.m. on 160th Street near the “12 mile parking lot,” when a 1996 Ford Taurus driven by 18-year old Evan James Skelton, of Corning, left the road at the bottom of a hill, and struck a tree. Authorities say he was driving too fast to make the turn in the road. Skelton was not injured, but two passengers in the car, 18-year old Nicole Bent, of Creston, and 23-year old James Cox, of Corning, were hurt. Bendt complained of pain, and was transported to her residence by a friend. Cox was transported by ambulance to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston for treatment of suspected minor injuries. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $3,000. Both passengers were wearing their seat belts.

And, at around 3:15-p.m. Tuesday, a 2015 Buick LaCrosse driven by 57-year old Michael Carroll White, of Rhodes, was traveling south on 130th Street in Union County, when his vehicle slid off the road on a curve and struck a tree. Authorities said he was driving too fast for road conditions. White, and his passenger, 66-year old Karen Cross, of Colfax, were transported to the hospital in Creston for observation and treatment of any injuries. Damage to the SUV was estimated at $6,000.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors heard a report this (Wednesday) morning from Guthrie County Executive Director of Health Services, Jotham Arber. After Sanitarian Steve Patterson passed away last March, Guthrie County officials decided to move all environment health services under the wing of the Guthrie County Health System, while retaining all the employees and services previously provided.

Arber explained they are updating some of the 28-E agreements for soil services, so all counties are on the same page. There are only minor changes in the way Cass County is charged for services, and the implementation of a Cost Report mechanism. The Cost Report, which will be presented once a year to the Supervisors, so they can see the costs broken down. It wraps the various elements of inspections and services into one hourly rate, such as postage, office supplies and so on. Mileage would be charged separately. Last year in Cass County, there were 35 Perc Tests, 34 Septic Systems Installed, 8 new wells, 46 water tests, 26 time of transfer inspections, 16 wells plugged and 2 well rehab’s conducted. The total number of hours of service amounted to 725, with a total of 17,632 miles driven by inspectors. After his report to the Board, Cass County Auditor/Board Secretary Dale Sunderman, read the Resolution for the 28-E agreement, which the available Board member approved unanimously, with Supervisor/Chair Gaylord Schelling and Supervisor Steve Green absent.

And, in his report to the Board, newly appointed Cass County Attorney Michael Hooper answered some Board member questions with regard to how bad checks are prosecuted in the County. Hooper said there are essentially two options that have been available for many years when a business comes in to his office with a bad check. The first is, it can be prosecuted as a Theft charge. The amount of the check determines the Degree of Theft charge.  The offender would be required to pay restitution at a rate of about $50 per month. There is also an informal way of handling such cases, a method Hooper says was in-place long before he was appointed.

He says the County Attorney’s Office collected money on the bad checks. They meet with the offender and let them know prosecution could move forward, but that they could also simply pay back the money, with the County Attorney’s Office receiving the payment and returning the funds to the affected business. In that scenario, there would be no prosecution.

A woman from Audubon County who was arrested and being held on a Pottawattamie County warrant, was picked-up by Pott. County Deputies, Tuesday afternoon, and transported to the Pott. County Jail. 27-year old Rebecca Lyn Matzen, of Exira, was wanted on a warrant for OWI/1st offense. Her bond was set at $2,000.