DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — More veterans would be eligible to receive financial assistance when purchasing a home under a bill approved by the Iowa Senate. The Senate unanimously approved a measure Monday meant to expand eligibility requirements for veterans seeking grants through the Military Homeownership Assistance Program. The legislation, which coincides with Gov. Terry Branstad’s initiative to better support veterans in Iowa, now goes to the House.

Current law limits grant eligibility to veterans who served beginning on or after Sept. 11, 2001. The bill would extend eligibility to veterans who served during the Persian Gulf conflict, beginning Aug. 2, 1990, and ending April 6, 1991.

Democratic Sen. Jeff Danielson says expanding eligibility would hopefully further the program’s success. Similar legislation being considered in the House would allocate more money to the program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has passed a bill that would make it illegal for landowners to allow drinking on their property by anyone under 21. The bill, which passed 48-0, makes it a simple misdemeanor for the first violation and imposes a $200 fine. A second offense and future offenses carry $500 fines.

The bill also holds juveniles responsible by making it a simple misdemeanor for anyone aged 18, 19, or 20 to drink alcohol in violation of the bill and imposes a fine of $200. A second offense carries a fine of $500 and a third offense carries a $500 fine and the loss of a driver’s license.

Sen. Robb Hogg, a Cedar Rapids Democrat, says the bill sets expectations for parents and communities. It moves to the House.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers, Monday, released a report on his department’s most recent arrests and incidents. In the report, Brothers said on Saturday, 53-year old Kevin R. Lindahl, of Clarinda, was arrested for Aggravated Assault.

Last Thursday, 76-year old Kenneth Lee Polsley, of Blanchard, was arrested for first offense operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. On Feb. 25th, a 15-year old female from Council Bluffs was picked up as a runaway from Council Bluffs. On Feb. 23rd, a 16-year old male from Clarinda was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and on Feb. 11th, 39-year old Christopher Paul Hamm, of Clarinda, was arrested on warrant for violation of probation/parole.

Sheriff’s officials in Cass County say one person was injured during one of two separate accidents Sunday morning. The first happened just before 5-a.m. on White Pole Road, in Wiota. Authorities say a 2005 Jaguar owned and driven by 19-year old Bryson Thomas West, of Atlantic, was eastbound on White Pole Road when the car hit a large snow drift in the road and went out of control before running through a fence. West was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital by Medivac ambulance. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $3,500, while damage to the fence was estimated at $500.

The second accident happened at 7:50 a.m. on 710th Street. Officials say a 2004 Ford F150 pickup owned and driven by 22-year old Joshua Brian Behnken, of Massena, was southbound on 710th Street when the driver lost control. The vehicle rolled once into the east ditch and landed on its wheels. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $7,000. Behnken was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested Sunday on Theft and other charges, following a traffic stop on a vehicle reported stolen out of Pottawattamie County. 43-year old Joseph K. Pardew, of Omaha, was charged with Theft in the 2nd Degree, and 31-year old Benjamin Lee Foote, of Crescent, was charged with Theft in the 2nd Degree, Driving While Barred, and Driving Under Suspension. Both men were taken to the Cass County Jail, where Pardew was being held on $5000 bond, and Foote’s was  held on $7000 bond.

The Sheriff’s Office reports also the arrest last Thursday, of 37-year old Aimee Jo Nicholson, of Des Moines. Nicholson was taken into custody on a District Court warrant for Ongoing Criminal Conduct. She was brought to the Cass County Jail, and subsequently transported to Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale.

And on Saturday, deputies in Cass County arrested 23-year old Sinead Lea Edwards, of Oakland, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Edwards was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released later that day on her own recognizance.

Atlantic resident Jess Ehrman, today (Monday) announced she’s running for Cass County Recorder.  Ehrman currently serves as the Guidance Secretary for the Atlantic High School. She is also serving her third year as secretary for Atlantic Junior Sports Association and is also on the Atlantic Booster Club Board.

Jess Ehrman

In announcing her candidacy, Ehrman said “The reason I have decided to run for office is because I enjoy working with the public and I know with my experience and my educational background, I am very capable of this position of Cass County Recorder.”

Ehrman grew up in the Anita area where she graduated from CAM High School. She attended AIB College of Business where she received an Associate’s degree in Accounting and Financial Services and currently is working for a double major in Accounting and Business Administration which will be completed at the end of June. Ehrman has 10 years of accounting and bookkeeping experience. She lives in Atlantic with her three sons, Chase, Steele and Garrett.

The Cass County Recorders position became open when current Recorder Joyce Jensen announced in December, her plans to retired at the end of her term in office.