Governor Terry Branstad is not giving many hints about whether he’ll approve or veto two high-profile bills that cleared the legislature in the past week. Both the Senate and House overwhelmingly approved a bill that would legalize possession of an oil derived from the marijuana plant, as treatment for severe epilepsy. Branstad says he’s against allowing patients to smoke marijuana as treatment for ailments like glaucoma, arthritis or post traumatic stress, but this bill only deals with a non-intoxicating oil.

“A lot of work went into this in the closing weeks of the session and I have talked to both the governors of Alabama and Utah that passed similar, very limited pieces of legislation,” Branstad says. Another bill, with millions of dollars at stake, would see the casinos in Council Bluffs and Dubuque pay 72 million dollars to get out of the greyhound racing business. The track in Council Bluffs will close if Branstad signs the bill, but Iowa’s greyhound industry can either tap into that pot of money to retire from greyhound racing or use it to run the Dubuque track on their own.

“Obviously, this is something that’s been negotiated between the different groups and I feel my responsibility is to protect the prople of Iowa and the intregrity of the state,” Branstad says. “I will carefully review and consider it. I’ve not made any decision on this.” The cash comes from the casinos. No taxpayer dollars are involved, but Branstad says it’s a “huge” pay-out for the Iowa greyhound industry. “There was very little discussion on this during the legislative process,” Branstad says. “I also believe that Racing and Gaming Commission wil have an important role to play in how these huge amounts of resources are allocated.” The casinos in Council Bluffs and Dubuque have complained they’re providing an annual subsidy of 13-million dollars to keep greyhound racing going at the two tracks, while few patrons wager on or attend the races.

(Radio Iowa)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests over the weekend. Early Friday night, 42-year old Roy Thomas Seeley, Jr., of Glenwood, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $300.

And, deputies in Mills County arrested two people on Saturday. 24-year old Maung Myat Mon, of Omaha, was arrested at around 1:50-a.m., for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000. And, 52-year old Karen Marie Coates of Malvern, was arrested at around 4:10-p.m. on an Assault charge. Her bond was set at $300.

Officials with Atlantic Municipal Utilities have announced workers with the utility will be flushing the water mains and checking fire hydrants later this week in Atlantic and Marne. The work is expected to take place Thursday, May 8th, and Friday, May 9th. As a result, customers may temporarily experience some rusty-colored water on those days.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were injured during a rollover accident Saturday afternoon, west of Tennant. Authorities say a 2003 Buick Century driven by Kyle Tearney, of Tennant, was traveling east on Shelby County Road F-58 at around 4:50-p.m., when the car topped a hill and went out of control before rolling over, just east of Dogwood Avenue. A rear seat passenger in the vehicle, 36-year old Eric Lidgett, of Harlan, was ejected during the rollover. He landed in the north ditch and was subsequently transported by Medivac Ambulance to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, before being flown by Life Flight to Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, where he was reported to be in stable condition this (Monday) morning.

Tearney suffered an injury to his head, and was transported by Shelby Rescue to the hospital in Harlan He and two other passengers in the car had left the scene prior the arrival of law enforcement, but were later located and interviewed.

The car sustained extensive damage. An investigation into the accident was ongoing. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Iowa State Patrol, officers with the Harlan Police Department and sheriff’s deputies from Harrison County.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday), released a report on recent arrests. Officials say on April 29th, 36-year old Kerri Lynn Beran, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 5th degree. On April 28th, 69-year old Jimmie George Parker, of Tabor, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order. And there were two arrests in Fremont County on April 27th: 29-year old Ashley Renee Miles, of Omaha, was arrested for Theft in the 5th degree, and 25-year old Jeffrey Dean Fuller, of Sidney, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 2nd degree, and Trespassing.