The Creston Police Department reports two men were arrested on Valentine’s Day. 24-year old Jacob Alan Shinn, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County LEC for Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order. Shinn was released on a promise to appear in court. And, 42-year old Shawn Jason Parmenter, of Creston, was arrested at his home for Theft in the 4th Degree. Parmenter was later released on a $1,000 bond.

A Creston woman reported to Police Thursday, that sometime overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning, someone stole an HP laptop computer and book from her vehicle. The loss was estimated at $210.

(Radio Iowa) — New requirements for welfare recipients in Iowa are being considered — and some are being shelved — in the Iowa Senate. Senator Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, has sponsored four bills on the subject. “I hear constantly from constituents who are frustrated,” Schultz says. “They feel that they’re going to work every day, paying taxes, these taxes are going to people who are not going to work and could.”  One bill eligible for committee action would stop food stamp benefits for some adults who are currently exempt from work requirements. Bill backers say it’s aimed at parents with school-aged children. The other proposal would require welfare recipients to report their income every three months to confirm they’re still eligible for benefits. Karla Fultz McHenry is lobbying for a Florida-based non-profit called the Opportunity Solutions Project.

“This is our bill. We brought this forward because we believe strongly that welfare fraud does exist,” she said. “…Ten other states have passed this legislation and found that there were significant people that were fraudulently on the rolls.” Charlie Wishman of the Iowa Federation of Labor suggests there’s a better approach to moving people off welfare. “If the state of Iowa is serious about addressing its workforce issues, the way to do it is not by punching down at people who need help,” Wishman said. “Maybe we can look at raising the minimum wage.”

Jack Reardon of Des Moines is a member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, a group that opposes these bills. He told lawmakers his family is on the brink of financial collapse. “My mom’s car broke down and it’s going to cost $600 to fix it,” he said. “…To see people like you come in here and introduce a bill that will take money from my family makes me physically sick.” Two other welfare-related proposals in the Iowa Senate have been tabled. One attempted to require food stamp recipients to show some sort of photo identification at the store. The other would have imposed new work requirements on adult Medicaid recipients who live above the poverty line — but state officials can’t say how many of the 170-thousand that would have been affected aren’t already working.

BRITT, Iowa (AP) — A northern Iowa teacher has again been accused of driving while intoxicated. Hancock County court records say 27-year-old Raylea Hepker is charged with operating while intoxicated, third offense.  Britt police say Hepker was taken into custody after an officer stopped her on Jan. 28. Police had received a complaint about a vehicle with its license plate covered was being driven on the wrong side of a road.

Police say a breath test later showed a blood alcohol level of more than three times the legal limit. The West Hancock Community School District website lists her as an English language teacher.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of killing his former girlfriend in a Sioux City hotel room and setting it aflame has pleaded not guilty. Woodbury County court records say 29-year-old Jordan Henry entered the pleas Wednesday to charges of first-degree murder and arson. His trial is scheduled to begin July 9. Police say an autopsy showed 40-year-old Elizabeth Bockholt, of Hinton, was strangled. Firefighters found her unresponsive Jan. 24 in a Wingate Hotel room, and she was pronounced dead later at a hospital.

A criminal complaint says Henry is a transient living in Sioux City. The complaint says he was identified on surveillance video and by witnesses who saw him leaving the area just after the room fire was discovered.