DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Motorists encounter all sorts of obstacles on the road, but a giant, bouncing inflatable rubber duck might be a first. Drivers and pedestrians in a two-block stretch near Des Moines’ East Village got a glimpse of just that Thursday evening when a 20-foot inflatable duck bounded along a street.

The duck, dubbed Quacky, is owned by the Youth Emergency Shelter and Services and is part of a promotional for the 92-bed youth shelter’s annual Duck Derby fundraiser, set for May 5.

Shelter director Stephen Quirk says Quacky “went a-fowl” after one of its tethers broke in high winds. Quirk says the 11-year-old giant inflatable duck “is back in his nest” getting some repairs so it can be ready to again display for the derby.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds rejected calls Friday for a broader investigation into problems at a state agency where the director allegedly sexually harassed female employees for years without consequence. In a brief interview with reporters at the state Capitol, Reynolds said the culture of inappropriate behavior at the Iowa Finance Authority was caused by “one individual and I fired him,” referring to former director Dave Jamison. She acknowledged other employees witnessed or experienced some of Jamison’s problematic behavior but indicated she had no plans to hold them accountable for failing to report it.

Reynolds also dismissed criticism that the current sexual harassment training in state government — which Jamison took — doesn’t work if someone commits misconduct. She said it’s about making sure employees know there’s a process for reporting abuse. “We’ll continue to look at any situation and if we can improve it, then fine,” she said about existing policies. “I can’t, you can’t dictate behavior. You can’t dictate treating people with respect. But you can lead, and you can lead by example.”

Reynolds fired Jamison last month, a day after two employees told the governor’s office that he had been sexually harassing them. Reynolds released a complaint from one of the women Thursday that alleged Jamison made unwanted sexual advances, comments about her breasts and constant crude sexual remarks and gestures.

The woman wrote that a male agency lawyer often told Jamison “that he needs to stop it or be quiet,” and that a male agency administrator had reprimanded Jamison for inappropriate comments. Reynolds said she understood that they may have feared retaliation if they stepped forward to complain, but said she hopes other state employees who witness improper behavior will do so in the future through several available avenues.

The woman said she reported the behavior to the governor because she worried Jamison would be cleared or she would be fired if she contacted a separate, existing state agency that reviews human resources issues for state employees. Democratic lawmakers have called for an independent investigation, saying it’s important to know the details of any prior complaints against Jamison and how they were handled.

Interim IFA Director Carolann Jensen said Thursday that there is no pending investigation at the agency and that the governor’s office hasn’t reached out about launching one.

The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa said Friday, a southwest Iowa couple were sentenced Wednesday in Council Bluffs, to prison, for their role in the distribution of methamphetamine. 30-year old Christopher Leroy Jordan and his spouse, 26-year old Randi Marie Jordan, both from Sidney, Iowa, were sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner.

Christopher Jordan was sentenced to 168 months of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release to follow his prison term. Randi Jordan was sentenced to 42 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.

In early November 2016, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation of Christopher and Randi Jordan for the distribution of methamphetamine. A search warrant was executed on January 31, 2017, at the Jordan’s house, resulting in the seizure of methamphetamine, marijuana plants, and related evidence, as well as the arrests of both defendants.

The investigation was conducted by Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner. Wednesday, sentenced 32-year old Ivan Antonio Cervantes to 18 months in prison,   for possession of contraband by a federal prisoner. Cervantes was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release to follow his prison term. The sentence is to be served consecutively to a prior 70 month sentence for a felony drug offense prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Cervantes and others distributed a synthetic cannabinoid while incarcerated at the Pottawattamie County Jail. On May 17, 2017, jail staff seized a substance from Cervantes’ cell with the use of a drug-detecting dog. Lab reports confirmed the substance found hidden in Cervantes’ cell tested positive for a synthetic cannabinoid. Further investigation revealed another individual brought the substance to the jail, then distributed the substance to other inmates.

The case was investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports 34-year old Reese Chatterton, of Sidney, was arrested Friday (Today), following a traffic stop near the intersection of Highway 275 and 200th Street, in Sidney. Chatterton was taken into custody in connection with a disturbance that had occurred at a residence in Sidney.

Chatterton faces charges that include Driving Under Suspension and Domestic Abuse 1st Offense, causing bodily injury. He was being held in the Fremont County Jail, pending initial appearance with a Magistrate.

Chatterton

The AHSTW School Board of Directors announced on Friday afternoon that Mr. Darin Jones has been hired to serve as the new Superintendent of Schools for the AHSTW Community School District. Jones will begin his duties officially on July 1, 2018.

For the past 11 years Darin Jones has served as the Elementary Principal for the Montezuma Community School District and prior to that he was K-12 Dean of Students in that district for 3 years. Jones also had teaching stints at Montezuma and Deep River-Millersburg.  He received his undergraduate degree at Buena Vista University in Elementary Education and went on to earn a Masters in Administration-Principal from the University of Northern Iowa and a Superintendent Endorsement Certificate from UNI.

AHSTW Schools said the interview process involved approximately 60 members of the school district including students, support staff, teaching staff, administrators, community members, parents, and the Board of Education.  ASHTW Board of Education President Bryan Simonsen said, “With an understanding of rural school challenges Mr. Jones demonstrated with passion during the day-long interview process a sincere desire to listen and involve students, staff, and community to move the AHSTW School District to the next level. His focus on students first and his instructional leadership knowledge will ensure success for AHSTW students in school and life. We are thrilled Mr. Jones has agreed to serve as our next Superintendent. I know everyone shares my excitement in bringing Mr. Jones into the AHSTW family. We all look forward to working with him to make AHSTW the number one school district in the state of Iowa.”