MANLY, Iowa (AP) — The owner of a northern Iowa dog breeding operation has been charged with animal neglect. Worth County court records say 66-year-old Barbara Kavars, of Manly, is charged with 17 counts. The records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for her. Court records say Kavars was holding Samoyed dogs in inhumane conditions when officials raided her operation on Nov. 12 and visited at other times. The records say the 17 dogs had fur matted by feces, skin conditions leading to fur loss, painful wounds, intestinal parasites and other maladies.

The records also say the dogs’ kennels lacked food and had water containers that were filled with ice. Kavars denied any wrongdoing and told officials she didn’t think the dogs needed additional care.

(Radio Iowa) — As temperatures gradually rise in Iowa during in springtime, so do gasoline prices. Rose White, spokeswoman for Triple-A-Iowa, says motorists across the state are shelling out more to fill the tank than they did a month ago. “Iowa motorists are paying an average of $2.56 a gallon, which is three-cents higher compared to the state average reported a year ago,” White says. “During the past month, the average price for a gallon of unleaded fuel in Iowa has increased 28-cents a gallon.”

With winter behind us, Iowans are driving more and that’s driving up demand — and prices at the pump.”We do see crude oil prices climb higher and often that is because many of the refineries are curbing production because they do have seasonal maintenance checks,” White says, “but we also see the higher demand as we start approaching the summer travel months.”Sometimes it pays to shop around for gas, as the price varies about 15-cents a gallon from one end of the state to the other. “Some of the lowest prices in the state right now can be found in Council Bluffs, where the average is currently $2.52 a gallon,” White says. “Some of the highest prices can be found in Dubuque where the average there is currently $2.67.”

The statewide average of two-56 a gallon is five cents cheaper than the national average. Triple-A says the nation’s least expensive markets are Utah and Alabama at $2.34, while the highest state average is in California where motorists are paying $3.43 a gallon.

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an Indiana man took a plea deal on the day jury selection was to begin for his Iowa murder trial. Webster County District Court records say 26-year-old Phillip Williams, of Lafayette, Indiana, pleaded guilty Monday to attempted murder, desecration of a corpse and being an accessory after the fact. He’d originally pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder, which carries a life sentence.

The records say Williams’ plea deal calls for a 32-year sentence. Sentencing is set for April 22. Prosecutors say Williams and 27-year-old Mackenzie Knigge killed 26-year-old Jessica Gomez, of Fort Dodge, in August 2017. Gomez’s burned body was found in a field near Clare. Knigge’s trial is scheduled to begin June 10.

The Atlantic ®RAGBRAI Committee is ready to “Sunday Funday” with cyclists, visitors and community members Sunday, July 21, 2019. Bailey Smith, Executive Committee member says “Atlantic is the first full day of RAGBRAI, so the committee wanted to think of a theme that would get participants excited, but also showcase how gracious and pleased we are to be a host community. ‘Sunday Funday’ was brought up and instantly stuck.”

The logo highlights things that represent Atlantic, like the City Park Monument and agriculture, acknowledges the cyclists and their support crews that will be visiting and expresses an atmosphere of fun and music to come in Atlantic. T-shirts will be printed with the new logo for sale in the community and to RAGBRAI guests.

Atlantic last hosted RAGBRAI in 2011, generating proceeds that benefited four local non-profits. This year, four local non-profits will again benefit from the success of RAGBRAI to include: the Atlantic Police Department, Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department, Atlantic Community Schools Booster Club and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

The official Atlantic RAGBRAI website, www.atlanticragbrai.com, will be live and full of information in the coming weeks. This will be the hub for local community members and for RAGBRAI riders to get information about housing, vendor opportunities, entertainment, maps, volunteering and more. If you are interested in lending a helping hand, fill out the volunteer form found on the website.

The Atlantic RAGBRAI Committee will continue to meet regularly to plan various activities for the July 21st overnight celebration. As information is available, it will be shared with the community and on the website. In the mean-time, everyone is encouraged to follow Atlantic RAGBRAI on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AtlanticRAGBRAI for all things RAGBRAI Atlantic.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, late Monday evening, reported just one arrest from the past week. 32-year old Michael Anthony Hull, of Winterset, was arrested March 21st in Boone County. Hull was wanted on Adair County felony warrants for numerous charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense.

Hull, whose cash bond was set at $10,000, was released the following day to another county to face charges.