Police in Red Oak arrested a 16-year old male from New Market on a drug charge early this (Thursday) morning. The unidentified teen was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor, and subsequently released to the custody of his parent(s). His arrest took place a little after 3-a.m., in the vicinity of N. 3rd and Oak Streets, in Red Oak.

One of the clerks hired to work as a secretary for a member of the Iowa House was arrested yesterday (Wednesday) morning for being drunk and disorderly. Twenty-one-year-old Jessica Leeper, of Altoona, had been working as a clerk for State Representative Tom Moore.

Observers on the House floor say she appeared to be intoxicated yesterday morning. The head of state capitol police says Leeper was “definitely not cooperative” as four state troopers arrested her and escorted her out of the statehouse in handcuffs. Leeper was booked into the Polk County jail shortly before 11:30.

Leeper’s been charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and failure to maintain safety belts. That last charge is related to her conduct during the ride to the jail. Leeper has also lost her job as a clerk in the state capitol.

Each legislator hires a clerk to work for them during the legislative session in their “office space.” Office space for rank-and-file legislators like Moore is a desk, a filing cabinet and two chairs on the House floor. The only legislators who have separate office space in the statehouse are the chairmen and chairwoman of committees and legislative leaders.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa has reached an agreement with federal regulators to resolve concerns about potential disparities in opportunities provided to female athletes. The Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education found that Iowa was spending more on male athletes in areas such as equipment, recruiting and locker rooms but didn’t rule on whether that violated federal law. Instead, it negotiated a resolution in which Iowa will voluntarily take steps to demonstrate compliance.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City plans to partner with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for a project that would bring parking and commercial space to an area of downtown. The Sioux City Journal reports the proposed $11 million development would fill an empty 1.2-acre lot that sits just south of the casino. The city purchased the land in 2015 for additional parking for Tyson Events Center functions.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A Texas woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for causing a fatal Davenport crash last year. The Quad-City Times reports that 58-year-old Lauria Lee Kelly, of Alvarado, Texas, was sentenced Wednesday in Scott County District Court after being found guilty in December of vehicular homicide. Police say Kelly was speeding and had run at least two stop lights in January 2017 when her pickup truck hit a car, killing 53-year-old Cynthia Elaine Jones, of Davenport.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Firefighters in northeastern Iowa have been battling a large fire at a scrap yard northwest of Waterloo. The Courier reports that firefighters were called to Alter Metal Recycling on Wednesday morning for a fire near the facility’s shredder. Smoke from the scene could be seen billowing from miles away.

A security upgrade is in the works for the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Fair spokesperson Mindy Williamson says a 20-percent boost to the fair’s security budget has been approved and the extra money will be directed toward personnel, training and equipment. Williamson calls it a precautionary move.

“I think this is just a different world we live in today and something that’s been needed at the fairgrounds, but there weren’t any specific events or anything that happened,” Williamson said. The increase in funding will allow the fair to hire sworn police officers, both full-time and part-time. According to Williamson, the Iowa State Patrol, Des Moines Police and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department will continue to help with security during the Iowa State Fair.

“So, this is just another way to enhance that and be a little more proactive than reactive, given some of the world events that we have seen,” Williamson said. The new public safety force will oversee security for more than 350 events that happen on the fairgrounds each year, including the Iowa State Fair in August. Considering how many people attend the 11-day run of the fair, police have not had to deal with many serious issues.

“We’re thankful to have, you know, a million people who come visit the fairgrounds and less than two-percent of those people have something, an incident, where they’re working with our police officers on the grounds,” Williamson said. “So, great people come to the Iowa State Fair.” The 2018 Iowa State Fair is scheduled for August 9-19.

(Radio Iowa)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City plans to partner with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for a project that would bring parking and commercial space to an area of downtown.

The Sioux City Journal reports the proposed $11 million development would fill an empty 1.2-acre lot that sits just south of the casino. The city purchased the land in 2015 for additional parking for Tyson Events Center functions.

City officials say the project will help meet growing needs at the casino and the city’s Historic Pearl Street District, as well as replace some of the parking spaces lost at the Tyson as part of the Interstate 29 reconstruction project.

City economic development director Marty Dougherty says he expects to bring the issue before the City Council in the next 30 to 60 days.