June is one of Iowa’s most popular months for weddings and if you’ve gotten an invitation to attend someone’s nuptials in a few weeks, you can expect the unexpected. Wedding planner Adelaide Polk-Bauman says many Iowa couples are mixing things up. “When you look at the trends for 2012 there is certainly a theme,” Polk-Bauman. “There are modern twists on the very traditional, classic wedding ideas.” The location is one big change. Many Iowans aren’t getting hitched in churches but instead, they’re tying the knots in mansions and country clubs — or in backyard gardens of their own homes.  “Brides are pushing the envelope,” she says. “They’re getting married in modern art museums and refurbished barns that kind of capture that vintage, old world feel but maybe with more of a contemporary look.”

Polk-Bauman says one tradition has returned — in the wedding dress itself.  “The royal wedding really influenced a lot of brides’ decisions for their dress,” she says. “Everybody saw Kate Middleton choosing a very classic, traditional white wedding dress, long lace sleeves, with the train and the veil, the works, but she made a point of going with a very contemporary designer. Alexander McQueen is known for really mixing things up in the fashion space.” Polk-Bauman says the traditional hand-tied wedding bouquet is also making a comeback.  “Brides we’re seeing are choosing white flowers, the traditional but smaller bouquets,” she says. “If you have a particular flower in mind, you may want to try to plan you wedding in season of the flower so your budget doesn’t go through the roof.”

Polk-Bauman says many brides are jazzing the flowers up by adding sparkling ribbons or gemstones. When it comes to the reception, some Iowa brides are skipping the three-tier wedding cakes for cupcakes. Also, instead of a sit-down dinner, some are opting for a specialty buffet like a taco bar.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Guthrie County say five people were arrested over the past couple of weeks, on drug charges. On Sunday (June 3^rd), 52-year old Kevin Dale Ross, of Manning, was arrested for possession of marijuana first offense and possession of drug paraphernalia following a routine traffic stop on Highway 141 approximately three miles east of Coon Rapids. 

On Friday (June 1^st), 19-year old Jacob Ryan Scherer, of Grimes, was arrested on a charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, after a search warrant was issued for a residence in Panora. The warrant was issued as a follow-up to a traffic stop which occurred the previous day. Online court records indicate Scherer pled not guilty. His Pre-Trial hearing will take place on July 5^th, with trial set for July 26^th. 

On Thursday, May 31^st, 31-year old Ryan Carl Koester, of Ankeny, was detained by Guthrie County authorities on two Polk County warrants for failure to pay child support, following a routine traffic stop east of Guthrie Center, on Highway 44. Koester was also arrested for possession of marijuana first offense and possession of drug paraphernalia. Also arrested during the traffic stop was 28-year old Cory Michael Dawkins, of Clive. He was taken into custody on two counts of Possession of Controlled Substances/Marijuana.

And, on May 25th, 20-year old Holly Joelle Jensen, of Menlo, was arrested for possession of Xanax, first offense, following a traffic stop west of Stuart, on White Pole Road. Jensen was released on $1,000 bond. Court records show her arraignment will take place July 2^nd.

LOGAN, Iowa (AP) – A former western Iowa school principal accused of pulling down the pants of a student has been found guilty of simple assault.  Online court records say 35-year-old Mike Loftin was given a year of unsupervised probation after his conviction on Wednesday. He also was given a deferred judgment, which means the conviction could be removed from his record if he successfully completes probation.
 
Loftin, who lives in Omaha, Neb., was principal for the West Harrison Community School district junior-senior high school in Mondamin.  Loftin also coached the girls’ basketball team. Authorities say he pulled down a girl’s warm-up pants before a game on Jan. 20. She wasn’t wearing uniform or gym shorts underneath.  He was fired in late January.

Five men, two from Adams County, two from Cass County and one from Adair County, were arrested Thursday night on warrants for Assault with Willful Injury. Taken into custody by Adams County Sheriff’s Deputies at around 9:45-p.m., was: 21-year old Zachary Bagshaw, of Cumberland; 33-year old Douglas Alan Stirek, of Massena; 31-year old Eric Michael Bradley, of Greenfield; and 35-year old Aaron Jon Greenwalt, along with 28-year old Shawn Michael Buffington, both of Corning. Eric Bradley’s cash only bond was set at $10,000, while the other suspect’s cash only bonds were set at $5,000, each.

Sheriff’s officials say the men were arrested following a fight at the local bar that resulted in one person being seriously injured. The fight was reported by the unidentified victim, who was treated for their injuries at the hospital, and released. Officials have declined to comment on what started the incident, and other details.