The Red Oak School District’s Board of Education, Wednesday night, approved the hiring of Tom Messigner as their new Superintendent. The vote to hire Messinger took place during a Special Meeting.

Messinger currently serves as the High School Principal in Burlington, a position he’s held for 11 years. He has also worked for the Eddyville-Blakesburg Community School District as High School Principal, Activities Director/Assistant High School Principal, and High School math teacher.

Tom Messinger received his Specialist and Master of Science Degrees from Drake University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Iowa. School Officials say Messinger was selected from a very competitive field of applicants. Final interviews were conducted by four focus groups (administrators, support staff, classroom teachers, and parent/community members) and the Board of Education.

In a statement, Red Oak School Board President Lee Fellers said “The Board was very pleased with the selection process, the quality of applicants and from input received from our four focus groups. We are looking forward to welcoming Tom to the Red Oak Community and helping him with the transition in his new role as Superintendent.”

Witnesses say a motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed before leaving the road and crashing Wednesday evening, in Council Bluffs. According to Bluffs Police, 53-year old Daniel G. Sample, of Council Bluffs, was operating a motorcycle that went out of control at around 6:30-p.m., in the area of Interstate 80 eastbound, just west of the Exit 4 Interstate 29 south/I-80, split.

The cycle flipped over and landed on Sample, who was transported by Council Bluffs Fire and Rescue personnel to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Sample was last reported to be in critical, but stable condition, and in a coma.

The accident remains under investigation.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials say there’s another probable case of bird flu in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship said yesterday it’s responding to a probable case of bird flu at a commercial laying operation in Wright County in northern Iowa. More than 26 million birds have been affected by bird flu in the state.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s unemployment rate has dropped from 4 percent in March to 3.8 percent in April. Iowa Workforce Development announced the rate yesterday, noting that despite a decrease of 1,700 nonfarm jobs in sectors like manufacturing, government and trade and transportation, 23,700 more people are working in the state than a year ago. There are currently about 1.6 million people employed in Iowa.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — A 19-year-old convicted of shooting to death a man in Marshalltown has been given 50 years in prison. The Marshalltown Times-Republican reports that Jose Enrique Morales of Marshalltown was sentenced Tuesday in Marshall County District Court. He’d been convicted last month of second-degree murder for killing 20-year-old Dedrikk Fisher, also of Marshalltown.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Twelve Waterloo schools are using art to help promote peace following a recent rash of shootings and stabbings. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports the idea behind the Stop the Violence project began with art teacher Will Overstreet, who wanted to do something after learning of three gunfire incidents in a 24-hour period last month.

Police in Harlan say a man from Audubon County was arrested today (Wednesday), on drug and other charges. 21-year old William Dunlap Jr., of Exira, was taken into custody following a traffic stop. Dunlap was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with driving while revoked, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, prohibited acts penalties, speeding and failure to prove security against liability.

A Harlan woman was arrested Tuesday on a 3rd Degree Harassment charge. Authorities say 53-year old Dovie Slechta was taken into custody after officers were notified that Slechta continued to phone and text Jennifer Birch, of Harlan, after having received a certified letter from Birch that she was to have no contact with her.

On Monday, 44-year old Ishmael Evans, of Denison, was arrested following a traffic stop in Harlan. Evans was cited for driving while suspended, given a court date and released.

And on May 21st, 33-year old Tacy Bruck,of Panama, was arrested following a traffic stop in Harlan. Officials say Bruck was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and speed.