A traffic stop Monday afternoon in Guthrie Center resulted in two people being cited on drug charges. During the traffic stop, Kenneth Stephen of Guthrie Center, was cited for Possession of Marijuana 1st Offense. Jill Dean was also cited, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Since Dean was treated as an impaired driver, additional charges are currently pending. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit assisted with the traffic stop.

And, a man from Polk County was arrested last Friday night, following a traffic stop in Guthrie Center. Marcus Austin, of Bondurant, was booked into the Guthrie County Jail for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign, Possession of Marijuana 1st Offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Authorities say additional charges are pending.

A bill co-sponsored by both of Iowa’s U-S senators that’s designed to shield American innovators from intellectual property theft passed the Senate last night (Monday). Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he was very pleased to see the Defend Trade Secrets Act be approved by the chamber on a unanimous vote of 87-to-0.

Grassley says, “That will provide new tools for businesses to fight back against bad actors and prevent thieves from disseminating valuable trade secrets.” Grassley is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee which convened a hearing on trade secret theft last December and he steered the bill to committee passage earlier this year. The measure would be a boon to many U-S companies, Grassley says, including Iowa-based DuPont Pioneer.

Grassley says, “The company was victim in a high profile 2013 trade secrets case in which six foreign nationals conspired to steal engineered corn seeds in order to benefit a foreign company.” Those seeds were said to be the product of 30-to- 40-million dollars in research. Grassley says the Defend Trade Secrets Act would create a new avenue for companies like DuPont Pioneer to pursue civil claims against trade secret thieves in federal court.

(Radio Iowa)

A pubic hearing will be held Wednesday morning, in Atlantic, with regard to an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2016 Cass County Budget. The meeting takes place shortly after the Cass County Board of Supervisor’s meeting convenes at 8:30-a.m. Following the hearing, the Board will act on adopting the amendment, and the FY 2016 Iowa DOT/Secondary Roads Dept. Budget.

In other business, the Board will act on approving a contract with Rasmussen Mechanical Services, for courthouse boiler and burner service and/or upgrades. If a candidate is available, the Board will also act on the appointment of a Grove Township Trustee to fill a vacancy term that ends Dec. 31st. 2018.

The Supervisors will also hear a report from the Engineer Candidates Interview Committee, with Board action to follow. In February, Cass County Engineer Charles Marker announced he would be retiring at the end of June. A committee has since received applications for his replacement, and interviewed the finalists.

Police in Red Oak arrested a woman this (Tuesday) morning on a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Dept. warrant for a Controlled Substance violation. 33-year old Mandy Marie Knapp, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 8:45-a.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where she was being held on a $50,000 cash bond.

The Atlantic Police Department reports three arrests. On Sunday, 24-year old Mark Fredericksen, of Atlantic, was arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Prescription. On Monday, 20-year old Tyler Osborn, of Atlantic, was arrested for 5th Degree Theft (Shoplifting), and Public Intoxication. And, on Tuesday (today), 23-year old Jason Mark, of Atlantic, was arrested for Criminal Trespassing.

All three men were booked into the Cass County Jail.