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Iowa early News Headlines: Tue., April 21st 2015

News

April 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

AUDUBON, Iowa (AP) — Officials say a power outage in western Iowa’s Audubon County caused about 200,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater to spill into a nearby creek, in Audubon. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says Audubon lost power around 5:30 p.m. Sunday, and a backup generator at the wastewater treatment plant failed to start as a result. Power was restored about 10 p.m. Sunday, but wastewater continued to discharge to Bluegrass Creek south of Audubon until Monday morning, when an electrician repaired the generator. The DNR says it’s monitoring the situation and investigating to determine why the backup generator didn’t work. The agency has advised that those in the area stay away from the creek for the next two days.

GARNER, Iowa (AP) — Jurors went home for the day late Monday, in the trial of a former Iowa lawmaker accused of sexually abusing his wife suffering from dementia. They will continue deliberating at 9 a.m. today (Tuesday). Prosecutors say 78-year-old Henry Rayhons had sex with his wife at a nursing home May 23 after being told she was no longer mentally capable of consenting. Rayhons faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of third-degree sexual abuse. His wife, Donna Lou Rayhons, died in August.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican Jeb Bush is planning a policy trip to Europe in June, to speak on the global economy and meet with business, economic and defense leaders. Aides to the former Florida governor say the likely presidential candidate is planning to visit Germany, Poland and Estonia. He plans to speak at an economic conference in Germany and, in Estonia and Poland, meet with government and business leaders, civic groups and non-governmental organizations.

URBANDALE, Iowa (AP) — A former Des Moines police officer and a woman found at an apartment Sunday died from strangulation and police believe it’s a case of homicide and suicide. The former officer was Mersed Dautovic, who was scheduled to be re-sentenced Monday for beating a man during a traffic stop. The dead woman was Dautovic’s girlfriend.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s transportation department plans to spend a record $700 million this year on highway construction projects. A gasoline tax increase will provide about $200 million to cities and counties across the state. There are plans to fill potholes, repair aging bridges and install new concrete and asphalt pavement.