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Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., Aug. 13th 2014

News

August 13th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A woman was charged with theft after police found her driving a motorized shopping cart along a road, miles from the supermarket where she had started. Police stopped 49-year-old Julie Cae Briggs while she was driving a cart taken from a Hy-Vee. Police say Briggs claimed the store allowed her to take the cart because she didn’t have a ride home, about four miles away. She was about two miles from the store when stopped by the officer.

DUNKERTON, Iowa (AP) — The Dunkerton City Council has placed the northeast Iowa city’s police chief on leave until an investigation is completed. The council voted unanimously to take the action after a private meeting. Police Chief Tim Schultz will remain on administrative leave pending an investigation and hearing. Schultz and Mayor Edward Jessen declined to discuss the matter.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad is removing Iowa from an organization created to develop an assessment system for the Common Core education standards. The consortium, which is comprised of states, has been working to establish a testing program. Branstad says a state task force is reviewing Iowa’s assessment needs and will provide recommendations in January. Out of respect for that work, he says the state will not continue in the consortium.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa man has been crowned the top auctioneer of an annual bid calling contest at the Iowa State Fair, and he says he will donate the prize money to the families of four teenage boys killed earlier this month. Tim Markham, of Holy Cross, was named the winner of the Iowa State Champion Auctioneer Contest. Markham, a full-time auctioneer, says he will donate his $1,000 prize to the families of four boys killed in a utility vehicle accident in Dubuque County on Aug. 2.