MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — Some veterans are complaining about a new, more restrictive policy regarding smoking at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. The Times-Republican reports that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has required the Iowa home to implement VA policy limiting where residents can smoke. The VA provides a substantial amount of the funding to the Iowa facility for facility construction and maintenance, resident care and other activities.

The hospital commandant, Timon Oujiri, says the policy is aimed at ensuring the safety of residents who smoke as well as the safety of staffers and other residents. State Rep. Mark Smith is a longtime volunteer at the hospital, and he says he’s received several calls from World War II and Vietnam War veterans who do not agree with the new policy.

The Creston Police Department reports four arrests and one incident of vandalism. Authorities say two people were arrested Friday: 48-year old John Pace, Jr., of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Barred. He was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2,000 bond; and, 60-year old Terri Adamson, of Creston, was arrested outside of her residence, for OWI/1st Offense. Adamson was released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Two Creston residents were arrested Saturday: 38-year old Timothy Hudek was arrested at his home on a Madison County warrant for Violating a No Contact/Protective Order – Contempt of Court. He was transferred to the custody of Madison County; and, 29-year old Alex Cunningham was arrested Saturday for Driving While Revoked. He was later released on a $1,000 bond.

Creston Police said also, a Creston woman residing in the 1100 block of W. Mills Street, reported Saturday that sometime overnight Friday into early Saturday morning, someone slashed her rear, driver’s side tire, and took a large amount of gift cards and a wallet from inside the vehicle. The damage and loss was estimated at $825.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Another defendant has taken a plea deal in the slaying of a 26-year-old man in southeast Iowa. The Hawk Eye reports that Andre Harris pleaded guilty to conspiracy and other charges Friday. His deal calls for him to testify against the three remaining defendants. Five men were charged with killing Demarcus “Peanut” Chew on Sept. 10, 2017, outside his mother’s apartment in Burlington.

One of the five, Antoine Spann, also took a deal and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He, too, must testify against the three remaining defendants: Caesar Davison, Derrick Parker and Emmanuel Spann. Harris is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 26.

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have identified a man believed to have drowned while swimming at Palisades-Kepler State Park near Mount Vernon in eastern Iowa. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office identified him as 31-year-old Jairo Mejia Jimenez, of Cedar Rapids. A search began Saturday night after it was reported that a man swimming near the dam went under and didn’t resurface. The search continued Sunday along the Cedar River.

At least two RAGBRAI riders were injured, Sunday, when they fell off their bikes in Cass County. One incident happened at around 10:30-a.m. near 7th Street and Sunnyside Lane, when a 79-year old male fell and hit his head. Another incident happened near Marne on the Marne Road near Jefferson Street, where another, elderly male fell and was knocked unconscious for a time. Both riders were treated by medics. Their injuries did not appear to be serious, according to dispatch reports. In Pottawattamie County, Iowa State Patrol spokesman Sgt. Nathan Ludwig said medics treated about a dozen participants for minor injuries. He said the rain made it difficult for some riders to stop and navigate in heavy traffic.

One person was injured this (Monday) morning in a bicycling accident. According to dispatch reports, a rider suffered a head laceration on Highway 6, just past Highway 71. There was also a report of a rider possible having cardiac issues, about one-mile west of Anita, but the Ragbrai Ambulance responded to the scene. No other details are available on any of the incidents.

In a separate note, a man was arrested Sunday evening in Atlantic, after the vehicle he was driving, was involved in a property damage accident at 8th and Chestnut Streets. The man, whose name was not officially released, was reportedly taken into custody for OWI.