DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court has declined to rule on the constitutionality of a state program that holds sex offenders in custody after they serve prison sentences. The court upheld Friday the civil commitment of 46-year-old David Taft who was convicted in 1987 for lascivious acts with a minor and molested two children within a week of his release from prison in 1991. He went to prison again until 2005 then was kept in custody under Iowa’s civil commitment for sexually violent predators law.

He challenged the law saying some of the requirements for release are unconstitutional. Justices concluded Taft’s challenges need not be decided because even if they ruled in his favor he doesn’t qualify for release because he’s failed treatment program progress and psychiatrists disagree on his readiness.

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa couple faces child endangerment and drug charges after police say they were caught riding in a vehicle driven by a 13-year-old. The Newton Daily News reports 51-year-old Paul Deaton and 48-year-old Jacqualine Deaton of Colfax were arrested after the vehicle was stopped around 2:15 p.m. Sunday.

Authorities say a Jasper County sheriff’s deputy noticed a heavy odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, and Paul Deaton reached behind a seat and grabbed a pipe along with four grams of marijuana.

In addition to the child endangerment charge, Paul Deaton was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jacqualine Deaton faces additional charges of possession of marijuana and permitting an unauthorized driver.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court is banning life prison sentences without the possibility of parole for juveniles convicted of first-degree murder. The court ruled 4-3 Friday that the punishment amounts to cruel and unusual punishment under the Iowa Constitution. Justices ruled in the case of Isaiah Sweet, who was 17 when he killed his custodial grandparents at their Manchester home in 2012.

A judge in 2014 sentenced Sweet to life in prison without parole, saying he was a cold-blooded murderer who had little chance of rehabilitation. Justices overturned that sentence Friday. The court says even the worst juvenile offenders should have the option of someday proving to the parole board they’re fit for release.

The court says judges simply can’t predict whether teens might be rehabilitated at the time of trial.

Officials with the Atlantic Dental Center (ADC) have announced Zackary Bandow, DDS, will begin caring for patients at the Atlantic Dental Center, on June 21st. Dr. Bandow is a board-certified general dentist and will provide comprehensive dental care.  He joins Dr. Kirk Nelson at the Atlantic Dental Center.

Dr. Zackary Bandow, DDS

Dr. Bandow grew up in Manilla, and  graduated from IKM High School in 2007.  He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Central College in Pella.  He received his Doctor of Dental Science degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, where he graduated third in his class of eighty students.

He has received several honors during his dental training. He’s experienced in all aspects of general dental care including, but not limited to, dental restorations, crown and bridge work, root canal treatment, extractions, and restoring dental implants.

Dr. Bandow is a member of the American Dental Association, the Iowa Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.  He and his wife, Mackenzie, will be moving to Atlantic in early June.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reminds residents of the County that today (Friday) is the last day to pre-register to vote for the June 7th Primary Election. That applies to registration in-person (including registration at driver’s license stations or agencies), or by mail. The Cass County Auditor’s Office is open until 5-p.m.

After today, a person may register to vote at the Auditor’s Office and vote an Absentee ballot. The last day to vote Absentee in the Auditor’s Office, is June 6th. The process is the same as for registering to vote on election day, June 7th.

The Creston Police Department says three people were arrested on warrants Thursday, and one person was arrested on drug charges. 29-year old Juan Gonzalez, of Creston, was taken into custody Thursday night, and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession with the intent to sell. Gonzalez was being held in the Union County Jail on $5,000 bond.

Arrested on warrants, was: 34-year old Timothy Hudek, of Winterset, who was wanted for Theft in the 4th Degree. He was later released on $1,000 bond; 19-year old Brandon Barrett, of Shannon City, was arrested on a warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond at the Union County Jail, was set at $5,000. And, 33-year old Erin Wallace, of Creston, was arrested Thursday evening in Creston, on a warrant for Violation of Probation. Her bond, at the Ringgold County Jail, was set at $5,000.