IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge has denied an Iowa drug kingpin’s requests to delay his execution, which is scheduled for Friday. U.S. District Judge Leonard Strand wrote Tuesday that he would not intervene to delay Dustin Honken’s execution date due to the coronavirus pandemic.

FILE – In this Aug. 18, 2004 file photo, Dustin Honken is led by federal marshals to a waiting car after the second day of jury selection in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa. A federal judge has denied the Iowa drug kingpin’s requests to delay his execution, which is scheduled for Friday, July 17, 2020. U.S. District Judge Leonard Strand wrote Tuesday, July 14 that he would not intervene to delay Honken’s execution date due to the coronavirus pandemic. He said the Bureau of Prisons was in the best position to weigh the health risks against the benefits of carrying out the execution. (Tim Hynds/Sioux City Journal via AP, File)

He said the Bureau of Prisons was in the best position to weigh the health risks against the benefits of carrying out the execution.

Strand also denied Honken’s motion to declare his execution void due to an alleged procedural error by the government. He affirmed the executive branch’s power to set the date for executions.

The Creston Police Department reports 45-year old Lance England, of Creston, was arrested at around 2:35-a.m. today (Wednesday), on a Union County warrant for the Purchase/Possession of Depiction of a Minor in a Sexual Act/1st offense. England was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center and later released on $2,000 bond.

Tuesday evening, 35-year old Charlie Brown, of Gravity, was arrested in Creston for a Sex Offender Registry Violation. He was later released on $2,000 bond.

And, Tuesday morning, Creston Police arrested 28-year old Brandon Haley, of Clarinda, on a Union County warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense. Haley was arrested at the Union County LEC and later released on a $300 bond.

The Cass and Audubon County Community Foundations report applications are now being accepted from organizations providing charitable services in either Cass or Audubon County. As part of this fall grant cycle, $30,375 is available to support Cass County nonprofit organizations and community projects, and $46,500 is available for nonprofits and community organizations in Audubon County. The deadline to apply for funds through the online application process is September 1.

Of the total allocated funds in Cass County, $1,000 is restricted to the community of Griswold, and $29,375 is available to support projects throughout the county. Of the total allocated funds in Audubon County, $2,650 is restricted to the Exira area, $2,220 is designated for the community of Audubon, and $41,630 is available to support projects throughout the county.

Beginning July 15, application details, a fact sheet, and a link to the application form can be found online by selecting Cass (or Audubon) County under the County Listing at www.swiowafoundations.org. Applications will only be accepted through the online system. Only those organizations providing services in Cass or Audubon County are eligible to apply IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTY ONLY. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and be an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) Public Charity, a local municipality, or a fiscally sponsored project.

Both Community Foundations aim to improve the quality of life in their counties, by supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. The objective of the grant program is to fund projects that will have a permanent impact on, and in, the two counties. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, for Fall 2020, both the Cass County Community Foundation will entertain requests for program and operating support, in addition to the historic focus on items of permanence.

The grant funds are made possible by the generosity of Cass and Audubon County Community Foundation donors. To inquire about donating to either the Cass County or Audubon County Community Foundation, please contact the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa staff or any board member listed below.

Gifts to permanently endowed funds through the Cass County Community Foundation may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

Board members of the Cass County Community Foundation are Chair, Kristi Burg of Massena; Vice Chair, Gary Maas of Anita; Secretary/Treasurer, Roland K. Landsness, Esq. of Atlantic; Royal Bierbaum of Griswold; Sue Hunt of Atlantic; and Mark D. Kyhnn, CPA of Atlantic. Board members of the Audubon County Community Foundation are Chair, Genelle Deist of Audubon; Vice Chair, Joel Hoegh of rural Brayton; Secretary/Treasurer, Megan Wagner of Audubon; Gina Benton of Exira, Bob Blomme of Audubon; Steven B. Hansen of Audubon; and Donna Olson of Kimballton.

Please contact Stacey Goodman (stacey@omahafoundation.org) or Tess Houser (tess@omahafoundation.org) at 800-794-3458 with application-related questions. All completed grant applications will be considered at the October Board meeting, with applicants being notified of funding decisions by the end of October.