Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CST
OSCEOLA, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa judge has cited the courthouse arrest of a drunken prosecutor in dismissing charges against a man accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy. Judge Marti Mertz issued the ruling Monday, saying the Clarke County prosecutor’s unavailability at a recent hearing “was the finale” following unexplained inactivity and lack of responsiveness. The man was arrested more than a year ago. The prosecutor was arrested for being drunk just before the man was set to enter a new plea in October.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Corrections Department says a man serving a life sentence has died. The department said in a news release Tuesday that 61-year-old Charles Lasage was pronounced dead Sunday afternoon at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City. Court records say Lasage’s imprisonment began Jan. 25, 1993, after his first-degree murder conviction for killing 11-year-old Rosalyn Barnes in Polk County.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Des Moines City Council found a new approach to contain the city’s beloved community cats and address health concerns. The “trap, neuter, return” ordinance _ in effect on March 1, 2019 _ aims to help manage cat populations more humanely.
GREENE, Iowa (AP) — Two rural northeast Iowa school districts intend to offer firearms safety courses for middle school students this spring. Joel Foster is superintendent for both the Clarksville and North Butler school districts, and he says he hopes the courses will prepare students in both districts to react in the event of an active shooter situation. Students will use inoperable guns with replica ammunition. Parents can opt to have their children sit out the courses.