Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad has ordered all flags on the Capitol Complex be flown at half-staff from 8-a.m. to 5-p.m. on Friday, May 10th, 2013, in observance of the Iowa Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony which is to be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 10, 2013, at the Oran State Office Building of the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

The governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays on the capitol Complex. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

The 30-minute memorial ceremony is open to the public.

Two men from Oakland were arrested Monday night in connection with a shooting incident that arose from a confrontation between two groups of outdoor enthusiasts. Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker told KJAN News 21-year old Newberry Winfield Wright and 23-year old Alex Kinser, both of Oakland, were taken into custody at around 8:50-p.m., Monday. Wright and Kinser were arrested after the vehicle they and two other men occupied, was pulled over following an investigation into an incident at the Farm Creek Wildlife area, about five-miles east of Carson.

Danker said the incident began following a confrontation between a couple of men who were fishing, and another group of men who were target shooting. The Sheriff said one of the weapons was a Smith and Wesson .500 magnum…a very large and powerful handgun. The fishermen yelled at the shooters that they were scaring the fish. Danker said there were probably “Some unkind words said back and forth, and one group said “Hey, we’re going to call the cops.”  At that point, the target shooters loaded up their boat and proceeded to leave.

Danker says as they were leaving, two shots were allegedly fired. The fishermen claim the shots went in their direction. A Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s deputy stopped the GMC pickup the men were in, and charged Wright, who was the driver of the vehicle, with OWI, Reckless Use of Firearms and Operating While Revoked. Kinser was charged with Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, Reckless Use of A Firearm, and Shooting over Water, and Manner of Conveyance.

Both men were brought to the Pott. County Jail. Wright was later released on $2,000 bond, while Kinser remained in the jail this (Tuesday) morning. His bond was set at $10,000.

The Harlan Community School District’s Board of Education has approved the purchase of 40 teacher laptops for the next school year. In a regular board meeting held Monday, the computer request was made by technologies coordinator Lisa Swanson. The local bid from Heartland Technologies was approved by the district at a price of $35,120. The bid submitted for the purchase of laptop computers will be used to replace teacher/staff machines at the elementary, middle and high school buildings that are 4 years old or older.

This year, the Harlan Community School District has a need to refresh 27 teacher machines, and seven teacher machines for new positions or newly identified needs, while the rest of the laptops will be overstock. Funds used for the computers will come from the the PPEL (Physical Plant and Equipment) Levy.

In other business, the board accepted the resignation of Bob Hesman, who was recently hired by the district as the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) instructor. Superintendent Justin Wagner said Hesman  had a change of heart. Following the action items, Wagner reported to the board the school district will receive 60 STEM grants. The grants will help meet the Iowa Core requirements. Wagner said more details will emerge on the grants, once everything is finalized. 

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

(8-a.m. News)