DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Only about 325 of Iowa’s 7,000 doctors have certified people for the state’s new medical marijuana program, in part because many are uneasy about their role in the system. The Des Moines Register reports that doctors certify that patients have qualifying medical conditions but don’t prescribe medical marijuana products. Instead, five dispensaries will sell to patients who have obtained specials state cards for having conditions such as intractable pain, cancer or epilepsy. Fewer than 600 patients have been approved to participate in the program to launch Dec. 1.

Des Moines oncologist Richard Deming is the director of Mercy Medical Center’s cancer center. He says he’s uncomfortable with the program because the products haven’t been proven safe and effective. Deming says he’s also concerned that there aren’t scientifically established dosing levels.

A Council Bluffs man held in the Pottawattamie County Jail faces an additional, Violation of Parole, charge.Sheriff’s officials say 22-year old Jerran Lee Baker, Jr., was presented with the warrant Friday afternoon and returned to the custody of jail staff. Baker was being held in the jail without bond. A traffic stop Saturday afternoon in Pottawattamie County resulted in the arrest of 30-year old Travis Johnathan Humbert, of Underwood. Humbert was taken into custody for Driving While Barred. And, a man being held in the Pott. County Jail for a probation violation, was served with an extraditable warrant out of Idaho. The warrant for 36-year old Jerrod Mitchell Escritt, of Council Bluffs, was for being a Fugitive from Justice. Escritt was being held in the jail without bond, pending extradition.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A Davenport man whose wife’s intellectually disabled daughter was always locked in a bedroom has been given 10 years in prison. The Quad-City Times reports that 56-year-old Eugene Harris was sentenced Friday. He’d been convicted of neglect of a dependent person, but the jury couldn’t reach an agreement on a charge of dependent adult abuse. It’s since been dropped.
Harris’ wife, 48-year-old Kimberly Williams, has pleaded not guilty to the same charges. Her trial is scheduled to begin March 4.

Authorities say officers sent to the home May 22 to check a report about a domestic disturbance were led by Harris to a bedroom locked from the outside. That’s where they found Williams’ daughter. Nearby were soiled adult diapers, a mattress on the floor and a few other items.

Police in Council Bluffs report a man was arrested Friday on kidnapping and other charges, following an incident whereby he allegedly assaulted a woman from Audubon. 44-year old Michael G. Bland, of Council Bluffs faces charges that include: Kidnapping in the 1st Degree; Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree; Domestic Abuse; and Violation of a Protective Order.His bond was set at $500,000.

Michael G. Bland

Officers were called to a hospital in Council Bluffs Friday evening to meet with a 32 year old female who reported that she had been assaulted by a former boyfriend (Michael Bland). The woman told officers that she had gone with Bland to his home in Council Bluffs on November 12th. Shortly after arriving at his house, an argument took place and Bland allegedly assaulted the woman by strangling her to the point she lost consciousness. The woman reported to officers that over the course of the following three days, Bland refused to let her leave his home, and repeatedly assaulted her.

The female victim said she was able to escape from Bland’s home Friday, after he became intoxicated to the point of passing out. As the female was being picked up by a friend, at a nearby park, Bland reportedly arrived and began another disturbance. When the victim’s friend displayed a handgun to Bland, he backed off enough for them to leave the area. After all the involved parties were interviewed by detectives, Bland was then transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail.

Red Oak Police today (Monday), said no injuries were reported following a collision Friday evening. The accident happened at around 4:50-p.m. at the intersection of W. Cherry and N. Broadway Streets. Officials say a 1999 VW Passat driven by 54-year old Cynthia Wheeler, of Red Oak, was traveling south on Broadway, when the vehicle was rear-ended by a 2005 Chevy Silverado pickup, driven by 51-year old Brian Patrick Hulsing, of Carroll, and registered to BTH Enterprises, Inc., of Carroll.

The VW had been stopping at a yellow light when it was hit. Damage from the collision amounted to $1,800. No citations were issued.

Police in Creston report a total of five arrests over the past few days. Two people were arrested on assault charges. Authorities say at around 1:25-a.m. Saturday, 23-year old Michael Ross, of Creston, was arrested on the 100 block of N Elm on the charge of Assault causing Bodily Injury. He was later released from the Union County Jail on a $1000 bond. And, at around 10:47-p.m., 24-year old Austin Jones, of Creston, was arrested at his residence on the charges of False Imprisonment and Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Flow of Air/Blood. He was later released from the Union County Jail on a $3000 bond.

Also arrested Saturday, in Creston, was 26-year old Shanda Kile, of Creston. She was taken into custody on an Adams County Warrant for the charge of Failure to Appear on Show Cause Hearing. Kile was transferred to the custody of Adams County.  Friday afternoon, 28-year old T’Lee Jones, of Creston, was arrested at her residence on a Union County Warrant for the charge of Failure to Appear on Child Support Matters. Jones was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $2000 cash bond.

And, at around 2-a.m. Sunday, 38-year old James Block, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Creston, for Driving While Suspended. He was released from the Union County Jail on a $300 bond.