Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man suspected of making a bomb threat at Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids has been taken to a hospital for evaluation and will be charged. A police spokesman says the OnStar vehicle communication service contacted police about 3 a.m. Wednesday to report that a man had just called, saying he was on an airport road and intended to blow up the airport. The man was seen driving away from the airport and soon was pulled over. No explosives were found in the car or on airport property.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Senator Chuck Grassley says a federal prosecutor should consider whether to investigate a shooting in which an Iowa officer accidentally killed a woman. Grassley has forwarded to U.S. Attorney Nick Klinefeldt a complaint by Gina Colbert, the mother of Autumn Steele.

SHERRILL, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa camp for those with special needs has opened despite a fire last month that caused extensive damage to a main building. The Telegraph Herald reports that 55 campers spent Tuesday participating in a variety of activities, including swimming and playing volleyball, at Camp Albrecht Acres in Sherrill.

JESUP, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say the carcass of a young black bear that was struck by a vehicle has been found in northeast Iowa. The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office was notified about the animal carcass around 10:15 p.m. Sunday. It was found alongside U.S. Highway 20, near Jesup.

A Pottawattamie County man was arrested Wednesday in Montgomery County, on a warrant dating back to 2013. 33-year old Benjamin Alan Franks,  of Council Bluffs, was arrested by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies for failure to appear on an original, OWI charge. Franks was being held in the Montgomery County jail on $5,000 bond, while awaiting an appearance in front of the magistrate.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones and the City Council, Wednesday evening, paid tribute to a Wastewater Treatment plant employee who’s served the City for 25-years. Ron’s mom Cheri said he actually started working for the wastewater plant through various school programs since 7th Grade, so it’s more like he’s been a public servant for 32-years.

Ron Flory (Left) jokes around as his accepts an award from Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones.

Jones presented Ron Flory with the award, which came as a complete surprise. Jones said “The City of Atlantic would like to deeply thank Ron Flory for his positive attitude, boundless energy and incredible work ethic during 25 years of dedicated to our community.”

The Mayor also recognized former 5th Ward Councilperson Lori Stuart, who was not present at the proceedings because she and her family have moved to Cedar Rapids. Stuart served on the Council for two-years. Her vacant position was filled by the appointment of Dick Casady, at least until the November General Elections. Jones displayed a plaque Stuart will receive, along with the City’s thanks for her service, as well.

And Jones proclaimed June 15th thru the 19th “Ride SWITA Transit” Week. The official proclamation stated that “Whereas Southwest Iowa Transit Agency [SWITA] is the public transportation system for Atlantic, and the surrounding region, and provides rides to school, work, shopping and medical appointments for the citizens of Atlantic…Whereas SWITA provided over 40-thousand rides last year to the citizens of Atlantic….[and] whereas SWITA employes 26 staff members and drivers in the Atlantic Community providing economic stimulus…[and since] June 15th to 19th is National Ride Transit Week…therefore let it be resolved that…June 15th through the 19th, 2015 [is] Ride SWITA Transit Week.”

SWITA Transit Director Mark Lander shakes the Mayor’s hand after he reads the proclamation.

SWITA Transit Director Mark Lander, who joined the organization in August, 2014, was present for the proclamation and recognition.

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee — the former governor of Arkansas — is standing by his defense of an Arkansas family after revelations the family’s teenage son molested underage girls. Last month Josh Duggar — one of the stars of a cable T-V reality show called “19 Kids and Counting” — confessed to molesting four of his underage sisters and a babysitter when he was a teenager after a magazine published police records of the case. In late May, Huckabee called Duggar’s behavior “inexcusable” but not “unforgivable.” Today (Wednesday), Huckabee stood by those remarks.

“I never regret standing with friends of mine, in this case someone that I knew since serving in the legislature,” Huckabee said. “You know, I just feel for his sisters who have been unfairly been paraded through a living hell because the media’s not interested in truth. They’re interested in exploiting a very unfortunate situation.”
Huckabee is campaigning in southwest Iowa today (Wednesday). Huckabee says the country “is in more trouble now than it was eight years ago” when he won the Iowa Caucuses and is “hurting” for new leadership.

“In the history of the Caucus no one has ever received more votes in a Republican Caucus win that we did in 2008,” Huckabee said. “But I’m mindful of the fact that we can’t count on any of that being automatic. We have to go back and win it and earn it just like we did eight years ago and that’s why I am, will be and can be depended upon to spend a lot of time in Iowa between now and February.” Huckabee met with about 50 people at a cafe in Clarinda this morning (Wednesday) for nearly 90 minutes, with a stop this afternoon in Red Oak and early this evening in Creston — the same type of retail campaigning he engaged in during his 2008 run.

“Not everybody will come out of Iowa alive,” Huckabee said. “…We need to come out of here like a rocket and that’s our goal, to win the Caucus.” Reporters asked Huckabee for his thoughts on Donald Trump’s entry into the Republican race. Huckabee noted Trump has indicated he’ll use his own wealth to finance his campaign. Huckabee joked that anyone who had thought about contributing to Trump’s campaign now is more than welcome to donate to the “Huckabee for President” effort.

(Radio Iowa)

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – A federal appeals court says a Waterloo officer was justified in stopping a drug suspect who was driving just barely over the speed limit. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 on Tuesday that the officer’s belief that the car was speeding was reasonable based on the circumstances.

An analysis of dash cam video shows Geoffrey Gaffney drove an average speed of 35.8 miles per hour in a 35 zone during the nine seconds the officer observed him. During the stop, police found methamphetamine in Gaffney’s car. He later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute and was sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Dissenting Judge Kermit Bye says the officer didn’t have sufficient basis for the stop and lacked credentials to visually estimate the car’s speed.

A bomb threat shut down the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids for two hours early this (Wednesday) morning. Police were alerted by OnStar at 3 a.m. about a man claiming to have an explosive at the airport. A suspect was taken into custody a short time later near the airport, which was placed on lockdown.

Emily Dudley of Cedar Rapids told KCRG-TV she arrived at the airport and nearly missed her flight. “We came in and there were cop cars everywhere. We had to wait in line. Then they told us we had to go around. We waited for about 40 minutes. Then, finally, they let us through,” Dudley said.

Bomb technicians searched the terminal and the parking lot. No explosives were found and the lockdown was lifted around 5 a.m. The man who was taken into custody was transported to a hospital for an evaluation.

(KCRG/Radio Iowa)

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday) approved fireworks permits for four rural residents. Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman said there were six applications filed, but two were within City limits, with those two being referred to the Cities for approval. The other permits filed include those on behalf of the Marsh family, with the event taking place near the Old Walnut Grove Research Farm southwest of Atlantic.

The second permit was for the Abild family at 66610 610th Street, which is southeast of Lewis. The third permit approved by the Board was for Chad Williams 62495 690th, north of Cumberland. The final permit was for Karen Ackerman at 61211 690th, which is south of Wiota.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors heard from Griswold City Manager Nick MacGregor and Assistant Cass County Attorney Jamie Arnold, with regard to the annexation of a parcel or parcels of land owned by Rick Conry. MacGregor said at this point, he wanted to inform the Board about recent action taken by the Griswold City Council, and no action was needed by the Board. He said the Council recently passed a Resolution for voluntary annexation of property near 6 Union Street, just off of Highway 48.

Dale Sunderman explained that if annexed, the property taxes will be levied by the City, instead of the County. The County has maintained a road on the property, but whose jurisdiction it would fall under if annexation is approved, is a subject of debate.

The County Engineer’s Office says the road appears to be under private ownership, according to Sunderman. In any event, there are still several “hoops” to jump through before annexation takes place, including at least one public hearing.