DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill that would prohibit abortion after 20 weeks has cleared a Senate subcommittee, joining several GOP-led legislative efforts to restrict abortion in Iowa. The legislation passed the Senate human resources subcommittee Tuesday amid a tight legislative deadline that demands policy bills pass full committees before the end of the week.

Sen. Mark Chelgren, an Ottumwa Republican, says multiple abortion-restriction bills provide greater options in case one is struck down by a court challenge. Joan Thompson, a spokesperson for the Iowa Catholic Conference, calls the GOP majority a “rare opportunity” to restrict abortions in Iowa.

Critics say the bill is unconstitutional and poses a danger to women’s health. Several women testified to the subcommittee about their own experiences with abortion, urging them to reject the bill.

A reminder for residents of Bridgewater and the area who are concerned about the prevalence of methamphetamine in the community: A “Take Back Bridgewater, Iowa” meeting is planned fore tonight from 7-until 8-p.m., at the Bridgewater Community Building (605 N. Main Street – the old elementary school). Initiative spokesperson and organizer Douglas Miller, of Bridgewater, says the meeting was prompted by the discovery last Thursday morning, of the spray painted word “Meth” and an arrow pointing to the town of Bridgewater, on the side of a county road rock storage pile at the intersection of Highway 92 and Bridgewater road.

County Road rock pile near Bridgewater (Photo submitted)

Miller started a Facebook page “Take Back Bridgewater, Iowa,” which he says has received thousands of hits since its recent inception. The initiative Mission Statement, according to Miller, is: Working in partnership with citizens to address criminal activity and improve the quality of life in and around Bridgewater.

Tonight’s organizational meeting is to essentially organize and strategize for the initiative. A later, public meeting, will be held to moderate discussion and further plan actions for the initiative.

For more information, including this evening’s agenda, visit initiative’s Facebook page.

A joint investigation into illegal narcotics and the distribution of those substances in Harlan, resulted in the execution of a search warrant Monday night at 508 Dodge Street, in Harlan, and the arrest of five people on drug charges. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says after the search was executed at around 11:30-p.m. , 47-year old Michael Schuemann, 26-year old Kaleigh Turner, 30-year old Brian Schueman, 51-year old George Hadfield, and 52-year old Randall Hess, all of Harlan, were taken into custody.

Michael Schuemann and Kaleigh Turner were being held in the Shelby County Jail on charges that include: Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Illegal Gathering and Prohibited Acts. Michael Schueman faces additional charges of Distribution of Controlled substances, Assault on a Peace Officer and Interference with Official Acts. Bond for Michael Schuemann was set at $50,000. Turner’s bond was set at $5,000.

Brian Schuemann was being held in the Shelby County Jail on charges of Illegal Gathering and Prohibited Acts. George Hadfield and Randall Hess were being held on a charge of Illegal Gathering. Their bonds were set at $5,000 each.

The search warrant was conducted by officers with the Harlan Police Department, Shelby and Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Harlan Fire Department Tactical Medic team.

(9-a.m. News)

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold a Public Hearing Wednesday morning in Greenfield, during their regular weekly meeting. During the session, which begins at 9-a.m. in the Supervisors’ Board Room at the courthouse, there will be “Years of Service” awards and coffee, followed at 9:30-a.m. by a Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2018 Adair County Budget.

Other discussion and/or action items on their agenda include Resolutions with regard to Compensation, Budget approval, and the SICOG (Southern Iowa Council of Governments). The Board will also act on Signing the FY 2018 Budget, FY 2018 Fund Balances, a Capital Project Plan, a Transfer Resolution, Courtyard Use Permit, Township Clerk wages and Health Insurance renewal.

At 9:45-a.m., Tom McGovern, Assistant to the Engineer, will present to the Board approval for two new hires as Motor Grader Operators, his resignation as Assistant to Engineer, and a report on maintenance and activities.

An investigation into a burglary Friday at the Neola Area Community Center has resulted in an arrest. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office says 22-year old Lucas Scott Brooks, of Missouri Valley, was arrested just before Noon, Friday, in Missouri Valley, for Burglary in the 3rd Degree and Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree/destruction of property. Authorities say Brooks admitted to committing both crimes.

(DES MOINES) – U.S. News & World Report today (Tuesday) released their 2017 “Best States” ranking and ranked Iowa as the 6th “Best State” in the country. “Best States” is a unique rankings and news analysis platform designed to inform citizens, business leaders and policymakers alike about what’s working and what needs improvement across the country.

The site includes rankings that measure the 50 states overall and across seven different categories: education, health care, government, infrastructure, economy, opportunity and crime & corrections. The rankings are derived from 68 metrics and tens of thousands of data points.

Among a few highlights, Iowa ranked:

• No. 1 for health care affordability
• No. 1 for high school graduation rate
• No. 1 for power grid reliability
• No. 6 for opportunity
• No. 7 for labor force participation

The rankings are provided by McKinsey & Company’s Leading States Index. In calculating the rankings, categories were weighted based on a national “citizen experience” survey, conducted by McKinsey, that asked people to prioritize each subject in their state and provide their levels of satisfaction with government services.

More information about how the states were ranked can be found here: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/methodology?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday), said a Nebraska man was arrested Sunday evening following a traffic stop. 28-year old Anthony Ricko Rhoades, of Omaha, was stopped for speeding, and found to be Driving While license Suspended, with seven withdrawals in effect. He also was wanted on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Probation Violation. Rhoades was being held in the Montgomery County Jail for Pott. County. His bond was set at $2,000.