WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo casino card dealer has been accused of cheating for the benefit of players. Black Hawk County court records say 27-year-old Jordan Makinster is charged with a felony: altering the outcome of a gambling game. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Makinster is accused of altering his deals during a game called Match ‘Em High Low at the Isle Casino Hotel.

The court records say he’d arrange the cards in groups of pairs and runs and then false shuffle to create a greater likelihood the groupings would remain together, giving patrons a better chance of winning.

The records say that increased his chances of being rewarded with larger tips from the happy winners.

AMES, Iowa—Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Soil Health Partnership, Iowa Corn, Iowa Soybean Association, Adams County Farm Bureau and Practical Farmers of Iowa, will host a cover crops, grazing cover crops and soil health field day Tuesday, July 9th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Ray and Elaine Gaesser’s Farm near Corning. The event is free, open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal sponsored in part by the National Wildlife Federation Cover Crop Champions Program.

Cover crops are gaining popularity among livestock and row crop producers thanks to the many benefits that can be achieved. These include expanded grazing and forage acres, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, increased soil organic matter, improved soil health and reduced soil erosion.

The field day will feature host farmer Ray Gaesser and his son, Chris Gaesser, sharing their experiences with cover crops and grazing cover crops and provide tips for successfully adding them to your operation. Jacob Ness, Soil Health Partnership Iowa Field Manager, will share soil health measurement results from an the Gaesser’s cover crop research plots and provide information on how to get a trial started on your farm. Sarah Carlson, Practical Farmers of Iowa Strategic Initiatives Director, will highlight cover crop research trial results ranging from long-term rye plots, interseeding early into cash crops, grazing cover crops and more.

The workshop will be held at Ray and Elaine Gaesser’s Farm, 2507 Quince Ave, Corning. From Corning, head east on Hwy 34 for 6.7 miles. Turn right onto Quince Ave and head south for 2.6 miles. The farm will be located on the east side of the road. The event is free and open to the whole family, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Please RSVP to 515-294-5429 or www.soilhealthpartnership.org.

Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.iowalearningfarms.org.

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (AP) — A 19-year-old Iowa woman is accused of being drunk when her vehicle fatally struck a pedestrian in northeast Nebraska and then left the scene.
Dakota County Court records say Maria Gonzalez-Diego, of Sioux City, is charged with vehicular homicide with a prior conviction for driving under the influence and with failure to stop and render aid. The records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for her.

South Sioux City police say Gonzalez-Diego’s northbound vehicle hit 62-year-old Antonia Lopez De Ramirez a little before 9 p.m. Monday as she walked east across a street. Police say the vehicle continued north. A Sioux City, Iowa, officer later made contact with Gonzalez-Diego and arrested her.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports three people were arrested in Oakland, Tuesday night. At around 9:15-p.m., a Deputy responded to a call about an Assault at a residence in the 100 block of N. Kearney Street. The victim, a 70-year old male, refused medical care. Taken into custody for Assault causing bodily injury without intent, and Public Intoxication, was 23-year old Daniel Scott Rouch, III of Oakland. His bond was set at $1,300.

At around 10:10-p.m., a Pott. County Deputy was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of Brown Street in Oakland, in reference to a domestic assault. After speaking with the female victim, 21-year old Hailey Nicole Carson, of Council Bluffs she, along with 20-year old Shane Elam Rouse, II, of Bellevue, NE., were arrested. Carson was charged with Supplying Alcohol to a person under legal age. Her bond was set at $1,000. Rouse was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault causing bodily injury/1st offense, Public Intoxication, and Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $300.

Just before 4-p.m., Tuesday, a Pott. County Deputy was called to a residence in the 500 block of Antique City Drive in Walnut, for a reported domestic situation. When he arrived, two State Troopers were already on the scene. One of the Troopers had arrested 53-year old Kivin Peck, of Walnut, for Domestic Abuse Assault causing bodily injury/1st offense. He was transported to the Pott. County Jail. At around 4-p.m. Tuesday, 26-year old Sarael Dont’e Duncan, of Council Bluffs, turned himself-in to the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office. After a warrant for Violation of Parole was confirmed, Duncan was turned over to Corrections Staff.

And, an inmate at the jail, 37-year old Nathan Duane Blue, of Council Bluffs, was served with a warrant Tuesday, for Kidnapping in the 2nd degree/armed with a dangerous weapon, Domestic Abuse Assault/strangulation/bodily injury, Harassment in the 1st degree/threatening by forcible felony, and Domestic Abuse Assault causing bodily injury.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — The Cedar Rapids City Council has agreed to buy most of Cedar Lake as part of a massive redevelopment project. The price from owner Alliant Energy? Just $1, which the council voted Monday to pay. The city has been leasing the lake since 1982. It sits in the middle of Cedar Rapids, just east of the Cedar River.

Mike McGrath is board president of ConnectCR, which has been raising money for the revitalization of Cedar Lake and the creation of a pedestrian/trail bridge south of downtown. He says city ownership of the lake qualifies his organization to apply for grants to help with funding. The improvements include kayak launches, fishing jetties and platforms.

Station KCRG reports that city officials say plans are to complete the project within five years after all $20 million is raised.