DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad is creating a special division in Iowa’s public defender’s office that will focus on wrongful convictions. Branstad and State Public Defender Adam Gregg announced the new division today (Monday). The division will initially review cases that used flawed hair analysis testimony.

Earlier this year, the Justice Department and FBI announced that nearly every examiner in the FBI Laboratory’s microscopic hair comparison unit gave flawed testimony in almost all trials in which they offered evidence against criminal defendants for more than 20 years before 2000.

Gregg says that announcement was a motivation for creating the division. The state has hired Audrey McGinn, who previously worked for the California Innocence Project, to head the division. She will work with the Iowa Innocence Project and the Midwest Innocence Project.

Montgomery County Auditor Stephanie Burke says Montgomery County will be hosting a Red Oak Chamber Coffee at the Courthouse, 105 E Coolbaugh, Red Oak on Wednesday, October 28th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Burke says there is a possibility that there will be a quorum, but no official county business will be acted upon during that time.

Police in Glenwood report a local man was arrested on an assault charge, Sunday. 41-year old Michael Robbins, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail, pending an appearance before a magistrate.

Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce have announced the Chamber’s participation in the sixth annual Small Business Saturday on November 28th, to support small businesses in Atlantic. Founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday® is a day to celebrate the small businesses that help support our community. Small Business Saturday rallies shoppers, local businesses and public officials to Shop Small® and show their community pride.

On November 28th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Atlantic community is encouraged to Shop Atlantic small business. Kick off the day by fueling up before you shop at Downtowner Café & Catering, Family Table and Sweet Joy Shoppe. Support local businesses and receive Shop Small® giveaways like canvas tote bags.

American Express created the Neighborhood Champions program to help rally communities around Small Business Saturday and is working alongside numerous business organizations to support local Small Business Saturday celebrations throughout the country. Small business owners can learn more about taking part in Small Business Saturday and download free marketing materials on www.shopsmall.com. Consumers can also visit the site to find small merchants to shop at on Small Business Saturday.

Adair County Sheriff’s Jeff Vandewater, today (Monday), released a report on recent arrests. On Saturday, deputies arrested 24-year old Robert Dean Garrett, of Des Moines, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense, and Open Container. His arrest followed a traffic stop on Highway 25, during which Garrett admitted during questioning, that he had marijuana in his shoe and socks. An open container of alcohol was also found between the passenger seat and center console, of the vehicle. Garrett was later released on $1,000 bond.

Last Thursday, 37-year old Jason Dean Hauf, of Greenfield, was arrested on a charge of Domestic Abuse/Simple Assault. Hauf was released later the day on a Recognizance bond. Also arrested Thursday, was 53-year old Steven Eugene Feick, of Fontanelle. Feick was charged with Domestic Abuse/Simple Assault/1st offense, and Obstruction of Emergency Communications. He was later released from the Adair County Jail on $1,000 bond.

On Oct. 19th, 25-year old Jordan Maitlin Campbell, of Roseburg, OR., was arrested in Adair County and ordered to serve a sentence pertaining to drug charges. Campbell was found guilty June 24th on felony charges that include Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Deliver, and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp. The original offense occurred in Sept., 2014. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on $10,000 bond while fulfilling his sentence.

On Oct. 18th, 23-year old Connor Anthony Marnin, of Stuart, was arrested by Stuart Police at the Country Kitchen. Marnin was cited for Violation of a No Contact order by being with a protected party, a simple misdemeanor. Also arrested Oct. 18th, was 53-year old Steven Michael Hauter, of Center Point, and 34-year old Benjamin Austin Brown, of St. Charles. Brown was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense, and Open Container in a motor vehicle. He was also cited for driving on the right hand side of the road. Brown was later released on $1,000 bond. Hauter was arrested for OWI/2nd offense and Failure to Obey a Stop Sign. He was released later that day on $2,000 bond.

SHELLSBURG, Iowa (AP) – Iowa authorities are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found near a stolen truck that had crashed north of Shellsburg. The truck was stolen Sunday in Benton County, in eastern Iowa. Two men who were examining the truck after it was found soon noticed blood on a door handle and then saw a blood trail away from the truck. They followed the blood and found the woman’s body.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety said this (Monday) morning, that the unidentified white female died from injuries consistent with foul play. Her name was being withheld pending notification of family.