DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo man who sent threatening tweets to U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst has been convicted by a jury of sending threatening communications. A federal jury in Cedar Rapids reached the verdict for 34-year-old Joseph Hilton Dierks on Wednesday after five hours of deliberations.

U.S. Attorney Peter Deegan Jr. says evidence showed Dierks sent Ernst several threatening tweets in August, one which suggested he would shoot her and included a link to a 2010 movie in which a man shoots a woman in the head and kills her.

U.S. Capitol Police contacted the Waterloo police and officers to Dierks’ home say he promised to “tone it down.” Within 24 hours he was sending more threatening tweets to Ernst.

He remains in custody and faces up to 15 years in prison.

Thousands of Iowans will be cooking their very first Thanksgiving turkeys tomorrow, and for those newbies, certain rules need to be followed when handling the big bird. While the Butterball Hotline offers some important cooking tips, so does the Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center. Registered nurse and poison center educator Joan McVoy says it’s vital to thaw frozen turkeys properly.

Take care to follow the directions on pre-heating and cooking temperatures when popping the big bird in the oven.

Food handling is also important -after- the big meal to prevent food-borne illnesses.

If you have questions, the Sioux City-based Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center is staffed around-the-clock and it’s a free call at 800-222-1222.

(Radio Iowa)

Thanksgiving weekend is easily one of the busiest periods of the year on Iowa roads. Patrick Hoye, chief of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, says the congestion increases the risk for crashes. (click on the left side of the audio bar to listen)

Over the past decade in Iowa, the state’s Department of Transportation reports the Thanksgiving weekend has produced 25-percent more fatal crashes than any other holiday weekend. The night before Thanksgiving is a particularly dangerous time because of alcohol-impaired drivers.

Last year in Iowa, five people were killed in traffic crashes over the Thanksgiving holiday period – which runs this (Wednesday) evening through Monday morning.

(Radio Iowa)

Des Moines – The Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently announced that 26 Iowa communities have received low-interest water quality loans totaling more than $82.8 million through the State Revolving Fund. Among the communities to receive the loans, is Shenandoah, which received $833,000 for Sewer treatment improvements.

State Revolving Fund Construction Loans are a low-cost construction financing option available for Iowa cities and municipalities for water quality initiatives. Planning & Design Loans are zero percent loans that assist with the first-phase of project expenses.

The State Revolving Fund has awarded Iowa communities and municipalities with more than $2.8 billion in Construction Loans and more than $175 million through Planning & Design Loans since the program’s inception.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides annual capitalization grants to states. Leveraged bonds and loan repayments expand the reach of the federal investment. More than $3 in assistance has been leveraged for Iowa water quality projects for every $1 of federal funds. More information is available at IowaSRF.com.

Officials with the Atlantic Community School District are pleased to report Atlantic Hy-Vee Manager Jon Johnson recently presented a check in the amount of $5,262.50 to the District. Johnson explained how the fundraiser worked. He said they sold muffins, cookies, Angel Food cake, etc., in an effort to help the school out. He said the funds will be used for a variety of purposes associated with the School District. The money will be used for student activities and food services.

Washington Elem. Principal Stacy Hornung receives box tops from Hy-Vee’s Steph Dagel.

Assistant Hy-Vee Director Stephanie Dagel, also presented Washington Elementary with 10,000 box tops.  Atlantic was one of three stores to win a General Mills contest. The box tops can be cashed-in by the District to purchase whatever supplies the schools may need. Superintendent Steve Barber extends a big Thank You to the Atlantic Hy-Vee, for their donations!

(Left to right) — Atlantic School District Food Service Director DeeAnn Schreiner, Hy-Vee Mgr. Jon Johnson and AHS Asst. Principal/A.D. Matt Alexander.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies today (Wednesday), arrested a man from Henderson. 55-year old James Scott Malmquist was taken into custody at around 9:35-a.m. on a warrant for Violation of Probation. His cash bond at the Montgomery County Jail was set at $4,000.