The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says an Atlantic woman was arrested this (Thursday) morning at her home, on a drug-related warrant. 51-year old Lee Ann Hansen was taken into custody at around 8:30-a.m. on an outstanding Audubon County warrant filed by the Division of Narcotics Enforcement. Hansen faces a charge of Possession with the Intent to Deliver/Heroin, following an investigation into an incident that occurred on June 6th, 2016. She was released after appearing before the Magistrate.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office assisted DNE Agents along with Homeland Security Agents, in conducting the investigation.

Slippery road conditions are apparently to blame for a non-injury accident in Creston this morning. According to Creston Police, 44-year old Tammy Lynn Case, of Creston, was driving a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo eastbound on Clark Street at around 8:20-a.m., and was turning right to head down an alley, when her vehicle slid on the road, over a curb, and struck a tractor parked in a yard.

The tractor, owned by Trevor Hackwell, of Creston, sustained about $800 damage, while damage to the SUV was estimated at $900. No citations were issued.

Creston Police say a woman complained of pain but was not transported to the hospital, following a collision this morning at S. Walnut and E. Page Streets, in Creston. A vehicle driven by Jennifer Mackey, of Clearfield, was traveling north on S. Walnut Street at around 6:50-a.m., when her 2003 Chevrolet was struck by an eastbound 2011 Chevy Impala. The driver of the Impala, 24-year old Codie James Cook, of Creston, failed to yield at the controlled intersection. Cook was charged with Driving While Suspended and Failure to have insurance.

Damage from the collision amounted to $6,000.

Creston Police report the arrest Wednesday night of 45-year old Karen Brodsack, of Creston. Brodsack was taken into custody at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a Union County warrant for Theft in the 4th Degree. Her bond was set at $1,000.

And, the Union County Sheriff’s Office reports 41-year old Dennis Michael Smith, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday night at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Smith was taken into custody on a Union County warrant for Failure to Appear in court. His bond for the offense was set at $5,000.

Republicans in the Iowa Senate have selected a handful of priority areas for quick action once the 2017 legislature convenes on Monday.  “We have four bills that I believe define us and give Iowans a clear indication of where we plan to go with policies for our state.” That’s Bill Dix of Shell Rock, the leader of Senate Republicans.

Two of the measures are proposed amendments to the state constitution and would be voted upon by Iowans. The first would limit state spending to 99 percent of available tax revenue. That’s been the practice in the legislature for about two decades, but that spending limitation is not required under the state’s constitution. The second proposed amendment has been sought by gun rights advocates and would insert the right to “keep and bear arms” in Iowa’s constitution. “Effectively accomplishing what is in our federal constitution,” Dix says.

The third priority for Senate Republicans will be legislation to forbid spending state tax dollars at Planned Parenthood. Dix says there are plenty of other clinics in Iowa that offer breast cancer screening and reproductive health exams which are covered by tax dollars for Medicaid patients. “Better options for more women and their health care,” Dix says.

The fourth and final priority area for Senate Republicans will be an effort to curb lawsuit abuse. “A measure that ensures losers in those court cases pay for the cost associated with the case,” Dix says.

Lawyers say “loser pays” laws often deter legitimate victims from getting compensation for the fraud or harm they’ve suffered. Planned Parenthood of the Heartland has been planning its lobbying campaign against G-O-P cuts, too. Dix says spending restraint, gun rights, tort reform and “protecting the unborn” were among the main promises Republican candidates made to voters in 2016.

“That sets a tone,” Dix says of the GOP’s “first four” priorities. “Obviously, there’s a lot more work that needs to be done, but those are four key measures that we want to move forward as early in the process as we can.”

Republicans will hold 29 of the 50 seats in the Iowa Senate when the legislature convenes Monday and be in control of the debate agenda. Democrats have held the majority for a decade, but with just 19 seats in Democratic hands this year, Democrats be the minority party in the state senate. Rob Hogg, of Cedar Rapids, is the new leader of Senate Democrats. He says Republicans are proposing solutions to “manufactured problems.”

(Radio Iowa)