DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Senate has passed legislation that would give school educators more authority to respond to student bullying in Iowa. The Senate voted 43-7 Tuesday for the bill. It now heads to the House, where lawmakers are considering a similar measure. The bill would give school educators more authority to respond to bullying, including guidelines to respond to bullying off school grounds. It also expands language on cyberbullying to include social media.

The legislation was briefly debated on the Senate floor Monday before the vote Tuesday. Some lawmakers expressed reservation about the bill not having funding for teacher training and a student pilot program. That differs from the House bill, which has a $200,000 appropriation.

Gov. Terry Branstad, who supports anti-bullying efforts, released a statement Tuesday applauding the vote.

A Cass County man was arrested Monday on child pornography charges. Atlantic Police say 54-year old Jimmy Misner, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Federal warrant for Possession of Child Pornography, Receipt of Child Pornography and Forfeiture. Misner was brought to the Cass County Jail and later transferred to an undisclosed facility.

A reminder to property owners in Cass County: County Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall says your  second-half tax payments of real estate and mobile homes are now due.  You can go online to pay your taxes at www.iowatreasurers.org. At the Treasurer’s Office, their staff will accept Credit and Debit cards for payment.

The deadline for payments without penalty is today (Tuesday March 31st, 2015). Payments with a postmark of March 31, 2015 will be accepted without penalty. 

Audubon County Sheriff Todd Johnson today (Tuesday), released details about an accident involving one of his deputies, that took place last Friday night. The Sheriff says Deputy Shawn Young and his K-9 partner “Harry” were on patrol in a 2012 Chevy Tahoe south of Exira on Lark Avenue, when he heard a broadcast from Cass County about a fight occurring on Interstate 80 near mile marker 67. Since he wasn’t too far away, Young proceeded toward the incident in case Cass County Deputies needed assistance.

K9 “Harry”

The Deputy contacted the Audubon County dispatch center by radio, asking the dispatcher to contact Cass County Communications to advise if deputies needed assistance and if he needed to continue. Three minutes later, Young called dispatch on his cell phone to advise he just had an accident and that he needed immediate assistance because his K-9 was possibly deceased. Later, the Deputy advised, after radioing dispatch, that he had been attempting to hang up his mic, when the distraction caused him to miss the 20-mile per hour curve sign. Even though he was not traveling at a high rate of speed, Young was unable to negotiate the curve. The SUV went off the road an hit a field drive embankment.

When Exira Rescue personnel arrived on scene, Young refused medical attention, and insisted they help his K-9 partner. At about that same time, a Cass County Deputy arrived and seeing the condition of Harry, loaded the 6-year old Belgian Tervuren on his patrol vehicle for transport to the Audubon Veterinary Clinic, where their staff was waiting. Young was then transported by Exira Rescue to the Audubon County Memorial Hospital for treatment of possible leg, torso and neck injuries. He was later released after tests were performed.

The Audubon Vet Clinic staff meanwhile worked tirelessly to stabilize Harry, and by Saturday morning he was stable enough for them to begin an examination to determine the extent of his injuries. It was determined at that time that his injuries were insurmountable and euthanasia was the only humane choice to stop his suffering.

The Sheriff’s Office will hold a Memorial Service for K-9 Harry at 5-pm on Thursday, April 9th, at the Audubon City Park band shelter stage. All are welcome to attend. Sheriff Johnson says at one point or another, Harry has been cared for and lived with almost all the deputies who serve Audubon County. He says Harry “Was not only a co-worker, but became family with our law enforcement family. Harry has been responsible for recovering more than one-half pound of crystal meth (ice), four-pounds of cocaine, 10-pounds of methamphetamine, a large amount of marijuana and over $270,000 in drug money, as well as numerous drug arrests and convictions.”

Johnson says the Sheriff’s Office plans to continue with its K-9 program at a later date. The accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol and then review by the Audubon County Safety Committee.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa schools will be able to start the upcoming academic year no earlier than Aug. 23rd, under a compromise bill that is now headed to Gov. Terry Branstad for approval.  Democratic Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal on Tuesday lifted a procedural hold he placed on the bill last week. The state House and Senate both approved the legislation, but Gronstal stalled, citing concerns that high schools would be excluded from setting year-round calendars.

Gronstal says it was time to move on. Branstad promised to sign the bill into law. The state announced plans late last year to stop issuing automatic waivers to allow districts to bypass current start date rules. Many lawmakers wanted districts to have control over their calendars, but Branstad argued that early start dates hurt tourism.