GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say two Iowa residents were arrested in south-central Nebraska after a state trooper found several pounds of marijuana in their car. The Nebraska State Patrol says the trooper pulled over the car around 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, just west of Grand Island on Interstate 80. The patrol says a subsequent search turned up 37 pounds of marijuana and other drug items.
The driver was identified as 26-year-old James Chase and his passenger as 25-year-old Charitie Olson. Both live in Des Moines.

They’ve been charged with possession of drugs for sale and related drug crimes. Attempts to reach his attorney Friday were unsuccessful. The next court hearing for Chase and Olson is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Two people were arrested on separate warrants Thursday, in Creston. Authorities say 32-year old Cortni Lynn White, of Creston, was arrested at her home Thursday afternoon, on a warrant for Probation Violation. White was transported to the Adams County Jail and held on a $2,000 cash-only bond. And, 39-year old Seth Jacob Preston, of Creston, was arrested Thursday morning, on an outside law enforcement agency warrant for Probation Violation. Preston was being held in the Union County Jail on a $20,000 cash-only bond.

Red Oak Police say no injuries were reported following three separate accidents Thursday night. At around 10-p.m., a two-vehicle accident happened in the 1000 block of E. Coolbaugh Street. Officials say a 2014 Nissan Sentra driven by 16-year old Ethan Stewart, of Red Oak, was traveling westbound on E. Coolbaugh, when Stewart lost control of the car. The vehicle struck a legally parked 2000 Dodge Durango, registered to William Elwood. Damage from the collision amounted to $4,000. Stewart was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. Red Oak Fire assisted at the scene.

At around 8:45-p.m., an accident occurred in the 500 block of E. Washington Street, in Red Oak. Authorities say a 2012 Nissan Altima driven by 69-year old Stephen Kling, of Red Oak, was traveling eastbound, when he lost control of his car. The vehicle hit a legally parked 2014 Ford Explorer, registered to Tara Robinson. Damage from the collision amounted to $16,000. Kling, who claimed a dog ran into the street causing him to lose control, was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. Red Oak Fire assisted at the scene.

Earlier in the day, a 2010 Buick Enclave driven by 25-year old Tamera Sutton, of Red Oak, was struck broadside by a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer, driven by 18-year old Halee Myers, of Red Oak. The accident happened at around 5:20-p.m., as Sutton was traveling southbound on 6th Street. When her SUV entered an uncontrolled intersection at Elm Street, it was hit by Myers’ SUV. Following the collision, Sutton’s vehicle struck a power pole, snapping it in-two. Damage to the vehicles amounted to $23,000. The City of Red Oak power pole sustained about $3,000 damage. Police cited Myers for Failure to Yield. Red Oak Fire and Rescue assisted at the scene, along with a Mid-American Energy crew.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A woman has been imprisoned for her role in the slaying of a Des Moines man. Polk County court records say Crystal Purdy was sentenced Thursday to 35 years. She’d pleaded guilty to burglary and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony after prosecutors dropped a murder charge for the slaying of Cody Channon on Jan. 9. Her plea deal calls for her to testify against others involved, including William Burton II. He’s pleaded not guilty to a murder charge.

Investigators say they suspect Burton, Purdy and another man who has yet to be charged went to Channon’s home to confront him, and then Burton intentionally shot Channon once in the chest. Police say Burton and Purdy told investigators the gun went off during a scuffle.

(Radio Iowa) — Dordt College in Sioux Center has placed its band director on leave following accusations of inappropriate student contact, according to an email sent to students. Dr. Bradley Miedema is an associate professor of music at the northwest Iowa college and director of instrumental ensembles. The provost of Dordt College confirms Miedema will remain on leave, pending the college Board of Trustees decision on the issue. Brandon Huisman, vice president of enrollment and marketing at Dordt, says the college recognizes the seriousness of this issue. “We’re working with those involved to move forward in ways to acknowledge the seriousness of these actions in ways that we believe will lead to Christ-centered resolution, healing and hope,” he says.

Huisman says he cannot reveal details of the allegations because it’s a personnel matter. The Dordt College Board of Trustees will review the matter at its regular meeting next week.  “We value of students’ and employees’ well-being and we are committed to ministering to those affected by this situation,” Huisman says.

Other faculty are teaching Miedema’s classes and overseeing rehearsals. Concerts will go on as scheduled. Dordt College is associated with the Christian Reformed Church. It and has a student body of about 15-hundred and 85 full-time faculty.

(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa Farm Bureau’s Health Benefit Plans that go on sale November 1st are getting a thumbs down from Republican Congressman David Young AND Cindy Axne, his Democratic opponent for Iowa’s third district seat. The Farm Bureau plans were designed as a cheaper option for Iowans who buy their own insurance, but the Farm Bureau will be able to deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions.  “I do not like that fact that they do not protect those with pre-existing conditions, so I have a real problem with that bill,” Young says.

Young’s fellow Republicans in the state legislature and Republican Governor Kim Reynolds approved the sale of these so-called “skinny” plans that may not be available to Iowans with pre-existing conditions.Young says he doesn’t like it, but he’ll leave it up to state officials to decide how to proceed.  “But at the federal level I’m doing what I can at the federal level to make sure those with pre-existing conditions are protected,” Young says.

Axne says the Farm Bureau’s “skinny” insurance option is “unfortunate.” “A lot of plans are out there that provide very little coverage and don’t do much to help people,” Axne says, “and this is another one that does that.”

Young has voted to repeal President Obama’s Affordable Care Act which has provided federal subsidies so low income Americans may buy insurance. Axne says she’d vote to “shore up” the Affordable Care Act and keep provisions like letting young people stay on their parent’s insurance until age 26. “I would like to see a public option, so that everybody has an opportunity for an effective, affordable plan,” Axne says.

Axne and Young appeared together on Iowa Public Television last (Thursday) night for an hour, answering questions on issues like raising the federal minimum wage. Young says states should set the wage floor for their areas. Axne supports raising the federal minimum wage. Young opposes raising the gas tax to finance infrastructure like roads and bridges. “I think it’s a tax on working Iowans. I would like to see some parity and equity, though, in how we pay for our roads and bridges. We have a lot out there who are driving on our roads and bridges who aren’t paying into it, necessarily, with electric vehicles, propane, different kind of fuels, flex-fuel vehicles,” Young says. “I think if you’re going to play on those roads, you’ve got to pay.”

Young says federal officials are investigating how a “per mile driven” tax might work. Axne says the nation’s infrastructure is crumbling and “multiple options” should be CONSIDERED, including a per mile tax. “I’m not going to say yes or no right now to that,” Axne says. “We haven’t seen a gas tax (increase) in a heck of a long time. We need to look at what might be an opportunity for us to find those funds.”

The two took to their partisan corners when it comes to the G-O-P tax cut package Young voted for in December. Young says constituents tell him it’s putting more money in their pockets. Axne says it’s primarily helping upper income Americans and corporations.

(Radio Iowa) — Thousands of people are expected in Winterset this weekend for a celebration of the area’s famous covered bridges. Heather Riley, executive director of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, says this is the 49th year for the Covered Bridge Festival. It’s usually the busiest weekend of the year for visitors to the county’s six historic bridges – some of which are over 140 years old. “We have all kinds of maps and information here in our office and everyone is welcome to go out on their own to visit the covered bridges, but a better idea is to hop on one of the buses hosted by our local Rotary club and get a bridge tour that way,” Riley said.

The Madison County Covered Bridge Festival, scheduled for 9 am to 5 pm both Saturday and Sunday, typically draws around 20,000 people over the two days. The bridges inspired a 1992 best-selling novel that was adopted into a movie starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. “Around the time the book and movie were so popular, we just had massive amounts of motor coaches here for the festival. We don’t really see that so much, although we do see some motor coaches, they aren’t coming by the dozens like they did 25 years ago when the book and movie were very fresh,” Riley said.

Fundraising continues for the effort to rebuild one of the county’s covered bridges. The Cedar Bridge has been destroyed by arson twice, with the most recent fire about a year-and-a-half ago. “Our hope is that we’ll be cutting the ribbon on the rebuilt Cedar Bridge this time next year, in time for our 50th celebration of the Covered Bridge Festival,” Riley said. I

n addition to tours of the famous overpasses, the Covered Bridge Festival includes a parade, arts and crafts vendors, demonstrations, kid’s activities, and live music — all centered around the Madison County Courthouse in downtown Winterset.