Here is the latest Iowa news from the Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials are investigating a wastewater discharge into an unnamed tributary of the Raccoon River in central Iowa. The state Department of Natural Resources says the discharge was verified Thursday following a report the day before. It’s unknown how long the discharge has been going on. DNR officials say the discharge is less than two miles from where the stream enters the Raccoon River. That’s also close to Des Moines Water Works. The property owners have been instructed to hire a contractor to the stop the discharge, which DNR officials estimate is between 5 to 10 gallons per minute.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A judge has dismissed exploitation charges against a former Waterloo teacher accused of engaging in inappropriate behavior with students. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports a short trial this week for 56-year-old Larry Twigg concluded Thursday after Judge James Coil ruled that the alleged actions did not amount to a criminal offense. He dismissed one charge Wednesday and another Thursday. The charges were in connection with Twigg’s conduct with a student in 2009.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a Council Bluffs man set his house on fire while his mother and 12-year-old brother were inside. The Council Bluffs Police Department says 21-year-old Jacob Rolfe is in custody following the early Thursday fire. The woman and child escaped the house uninjured. Rolfe is being held at the Pottawattamie County Jail. He faces two counts of attempted murder and a count of arson.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines man has been accused of breaking his 3-month-old son’s arm. Des Moines police say 26-year-old David Ronald Vargason was arrested after the incident Wednesday. The infant was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Vargason told police he grabbed the boy’s arm with too much force and heard the arm break. Vargason has been charged with child endangerment causing serious bodily injury. He remains at the Polk County Jail.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a Council Bluffs man set his house on fire while his mother and 12-year-old brother were inside. The Council Bluffs Police Department says 21-year-old Jacob A. Rolfe is in custody following the early Thursday fire. The woman and child escaped the house uninjured. Sgt. David Dawson says Rolfe later admitted to setting the fire because he was upset with his mother following an argument.

Fire officials were able to contain the blaze. The kitchen was destroyed and there was other smoke and water damage. Rolfe is being held at the Pottawattamie County Jail. He faces two counts of attempted murder and a count of arson. Court records do not list an attorney.

Poor road conditions are being blamed for a fatal accident that occurred Thursday afternoon in Pottawattamie County. The Iowa State Patrol reports 64-year old Ronald Wahl, of Edgerton, WI., died in the crash that happened at around Noon on westbound Interstate 80, just south of the -680 split.

Officials say after Wahl lost control of the 1999 Chevy Silverado pickup he was driving, the pickup entered the ditch and rolled several times. Wahl, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.

Light to moderate rain is falling in western Iowa, causing slick conditions on some of Iowa’s roadways. A few crashes have started popping up on Interstate 29, I-80 and other major roads in the area. Iowa Department of Transportation officials are urging motorists to evaluate the necessity of each trip during poor winter driving conditions, and monitor weather forecasts and road condition reports before heading out on the roads. Log on to http://511ia.org/ for the latest road conditions.

If you are driving:

•Focus your attention on the driving task and slow down.

•Do not use cruise control.

•Put your mobile phone away so you are not tempted to talk or text while driving.

•Keep a safe distance from vehicles in adjacent lanes as strong wind gusts could

push a vehicle outside its lane of travel.

•Put a safe distance between your vehicle, and the vehicle ahead in case sudden

driving maneuvers are necessary.

•Take extra care if driving a high-profile vehicle such as a truck, van, or sports

utility vehicle, or when towing a trailer, as these vehicles are more prone to be

pushed or even flipped by wind gusts.

•Your vehicle’s headlights are a valuable asset when driving in winter weather. Turn

them on to see and be seen.

•If conditions are severe enough to prevent safe driving, postpone your trip; or if

en route, identify the nearest safe place to pull off the roadway, such as a rest

area, truck stop, motel, or other traveler service until the wind subsides and road

conditions improve.

•Keep your windshield clear of ice.

•Allow extra travel time.

When the roads are icy

•If your vehicle begins to slide, take your foot off the gas pedal and shift into

neutral, or if you have a manual transmission, depress the clutch. While it may be a

natural instinct to slam on your brakes, this may cause your vehicle to slide

further and result in loss of vehicle control. Tap the brake pedal lightly.

•If you have an idea that there may be ice ahead (if you see vehicles ahead of you

sliding, for example), downshift to a lower gear before you come onto the ice. The

lower gear will force you to drive more slowly and give you better control of your

vehicle.

•If your vehicle does begin to skid on the ice, turn the wheel in the direction of

the skid. This should help to steer your vehicle back on the right track.

•Stay well behind the vehicle in front of you – this is definitely not the time to

tailgate. Even if you feel confident that you know how to drive safely on ice, that

does not mean the driver in front of you does. Be prepared in case other vehicles

start to slide.

•Do not think you are invincible just because you drive a four-wheel drive truck or

sports utility vehicle. Four-wheel drive vehicles have no advantage over other

vehicles when it comes to driving on ice.

•Make sure you and your passengers are wearing their seat belts or other safety

restraints.

Winter driving is always unpredictable, so be prepared for the unexpected.