Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — A Marshalltown man is celebrating the memory of his wife and seeking to have a little fun by holding a “Shirley party” at the city’s senior citizens center. Shirley Ann Stecher Pille died Feb. 9, 2014, at age 77. She used to occasionally attend theme-parties where only women named Shirley were invited. With that in mind, her husband Laverne “Ray” Pille decided to hold his own party at the Marshalltown Senior Citizens Center Thursday in hopes that many Shirleys attend.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is considering a proposal to pay for water quality efforts with a portion of a sales tax designed to help schools pay for repairs and updated technology. Some lawmakers oppose the idea, saying it would pit the needs of schools against the need for clean water.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Multi-State Lottery Association officials say the Powerball jackpot is up to $450 million for Wednesday night’s drawing. It’s the largest lottery jackpot in nearly a year and the sixth-largest ever in North America.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A 28-year-old Waterloo man convicted of murder has been given 55 years in prison. Roderick Ward Jr. was sentenced in Black Hawk County District Court in Waterloo. Ward was convicted of second-degree murder and a weapons charge for the Aug. 2, 2014, shotgun slaying of 27-year-old Gary Wilson.