ANAMOSA – Officials with the Iowa Department of Correction say a correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate at the Anamosa State Penitentiary at approximately 7:40-p.m., Friday. The officer was observing the distribution of medications to inmates on a mental health unit when an inmate refused to comply with taking a required prescription.

After being verbally directed to take his medication, the inmate refused and unexpectedly struck the officer in the face with a closed-fist strike. The officer that was attacked, as well as additional officers that responded to the incident were able to place the inmate in restraints without further incident.

The officer was taken by State vehicle to the Jones Regional Medical Center to be evaluated and was found to have suffered injuries to his face and hand. The inmate did not suffer any major injuries. The incident remains under investigation.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports a recent theft arrest. At approximately 12:00pm on January 10th 62-year-old Paule Wayne Norton of Bedford was caught in the act of taking rear wheel weights from a tractor sitting at County Peddler, 2058 Hunter Trail, in Corning. Norton was arrested for Theft in the 5th Degree. No further details were released at this time.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state court judge has heard arguments on whether to dismiss a lawsuit challenging a state law passed last year that would block Planned Parenthood of the Heartland from receiving federal grant money for sex education courses. Judge Paul Scott is considering whether to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa for Planned Parenthood. It challenges the law passed on the last day of the 2019 session as a violation of free speech, due process and equal protection rights. A judge last May halted enforcement of the law until the court decides whether it’s constitutional.

OAKLAND, Iowa (AP) — A western Iowa school district will pay $4.8 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the family of 16-year-old girl who died in a 2017 school bus fire that also killed the bus driver. Riverside Community School District reached the settlement this week with the family of Megan Klindt. She died when the bus became stuck in a ditch, leading to a fire in the engine compartment that spread to the passenger compartment. The fire also killed 74-year-old Donnie Hendricks. An attorney for the school district had said Thursday that the settlement terms were confidential, but the Iowa Freedom of Information Council later released the details.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A man has been convicted of beating to death the 5-year-old son of his girlfriend in eastern Iowa. A jury found Tre Henderson guilty Thursday. The 28-year-old will be sentenced April 1 to life in prison without possibility of parole. Prosecutors say Ja’Shawn Bussell had 17 broken ribs, damage to internal organs and bruises from the top of his head to his ankles after Henderson beat him in April 2018. Henderson and the boy’s mother, Jacqueline Rambert, were charged with child abuse for failing to seek prompt medical attention for the boy. They’re both from Chicago and were living in Davenport when Ja’Shawn died.