Iowa’s secretary of agriculture is touting a water quality plan House Republicans advanced earlier this year. Bill Northey says the plan would dedicate “significant” state resources to address water quality concerns. “A real commitment, no new taxes…is a great pattern to work from and we’d certainly be very supportive of that.”

This past January, Republican Governor Terry Branstad proposed diverting some sales tax money levied for school infrastructure projects to water quality initiatives. House Republicans came up with their own plan, using water usage fees and gambling taxes for water quality projects. Neither idea was debated in the Senate, where Democrats controlled the debate agenda. “We recognize that there’ll be good conversations this year at the legislature this year about water quality funding,” Northey says.

Northey, a farmer from Spirit Lake, has been Iowa’s secretary of agriculture since 2007. Northey says farmers in Iowa have been “very active” in trying to control and reduce farm chemical run-off from cropland. Critics say the voluntary approach isn’t working and it’s time for the federal government or the courts to force changes in farming practices.

(Radio Iowa)

An annual report released Tuesday projects Iowa’s prison population will grow by 30-percent over the next decade if current offender behaviors and justice system policies remain in place. Steve Michael is administrator for the Iowa Department of Human Rights’ Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Plan. “This last year, we had more admissions than releases and that’s really the reason we’re projecting the increase,” Michael said.

Nearly 250 more inmates were admitted to Iowa prisons in fiscal year 2016 compared to 2015. While the forecast suggests Iowa’s prison population could grow to 10,648 inmates by 2026, Michael notes there are “major changes” in Iowa’s criminal justice system that were NOT taken into account with this projection. “For example, the criminal justice reform bill that was passed during the last legislative session, which reduced mandatory minimum (sentences) for second-degree robbery and created a new robbery third-degree, which does not have a mandatory minimum,” Michael said.

That bill was signed into law by Governor Terry Branstad and took effect on July 1.
“So, it’ll probably be five years out before we see the benefit of that,” Michael said.

The report shows Iowa’s prison population has dropped since 2011. Iowa’s prisons held a record high 9,009 inmates in April of 2011. On Tuesday, the Iowa Department of Corrections reported 8,312 inmates were being housed in nine prisons around the state.

(Radio Iowa)

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to experience the magic of Christmas at Santa’s newly renovated Cabin this Thursday, December 1st from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Atlantic City Park.  Share your holiday wishes with Santa in his newly renovated cabin. The cabin’s electrical has been updated by Brown’s Electric. Brymons Interiors, sponsor, decorated the cabin giving it a new whimsical feel. Also, Steve Livengood created a new window for everyone to sneak a peek.

Ouida Hargens, Executive Director, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, said “Atlantic Rotary owns the cabin and sponsors the cabin for Christmas in Atlantic. Their generous support, along with Brymons Interiors, allowed for all the new updates.  It was time to freshen up the cabin for Santa and he was very happy with the new changes.

Santa’s cabin is open this Thursday, December 1st from 5:30 – 7:30 pm and again on Saturday, December 3rd from 3 – 5:30 p.m. before the Annual Fireworks and Lighted Parade.  Santa will be in his cabin the following dates:

Thursday, December 1st 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 3rd 3:00 – 5:30 pm
Thursday, December 8th 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 10th 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Thursday, December 15th 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 17th 1:30 – 3:30 pm

Enjoy a stroll down Chestnut Street by horse-drawn carriage on Saturdays in December, sponsored by First Whitney Bank. December 3rd from 3- 5:30 and Dec. 10th from 1:30-3:30 p.m.  Free hot cocoa provided by Atlantic BPW, Family Crisis Support Network, MAHLE Engine Components and Meyer & Gross Real Estate. Popcorn provided by Eastside Salon and Meyer & Gross Real Estate.

For more information, contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017.

GRINNELL, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have arrested a Grinnell College student who they say started a fire on campus, broke windows and set off alarms. The Des Moines Register reports 21-year-old Rafael Estrada was arrested on campus around 1:30 p.m. Monday. He remained jailed Wednesday.

Online court records show Estrada is charged with arson and criminal mischief. Estrada’s home is in the Granada Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Campus police say Estrada set a garbage can on fire Sunday morning and later in the day activated alarms in a building and broke windows in Loose Hall.

A traffic stop Tuesday night in Red Oak resulted in the driver of a 1999 Mazda being arrested for Driving Under Suspension and failure to file SR-22 Insurance. 26-year old Patrick Neil Jack, of Emerson, was taken into custody at around 8:50-p.m. at the intersection of E. Valley and Broad Streets.  He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

He was pulled over because the license plates did not match the vehicle he was driving. Jack informed Red Oak Police officers that he knew he was suspended and did not have a valid driver’s license. In fact, records indicated he had three license withdrawls in effect. Jack stated that he was driving because he need to take his girlfriend to the hospital due to a medical issue.

Police asked the woman if she needed an ambulance, but the woman said she could wait.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — As trials near for two brothers accused of conspiring to fix lottery games in five states, details are emerging about an additional Colorado game a prosecutor says was rigged and software found on computers that could have enabled more game rigging. Assistant Iowa Attorney General Rob Sand is preparing to take to trial early next year Eddie Tipton, a former lottery computer technology official, and his brother Tommy.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Ankeny father has been charged with first-degree murder after the death of a toddler he is accused of injuring earlier this year. The Des Moines Register reports that 29-year-old Michael Anthony Lourens was arrested Monday on the murder charge and a count of child endangerment causing death. Police say the 9-month-old baby suffered a traumatic brain injury while in Lourens’ care on Jan. 20. Officials say the girl later died, leading to the new charges against Lourens.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A sixth felon from Waterloo has been convicted and sentenced for voting in the 2012 presidential election. Robert Earl Anthony entered an Alford plea, acknowledging he could be convicted of election misconduct but not admitting guilt. A judge fined him $750 and ordered him to complete community service. Anthony was one of eight Waterloo residents with prior felonies who were charged with illegally voting in the November 2012 election.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Meteorologists say warmer weather has brought unusual November weather to the central Midwest: tornadoes. The National Weather Service says as many as four tornadoes were reported Monday afternoon in central and northeast Iowa, while three were spotted Sunday in south-central Nebraska. A meteorologist says warmer weather allowed a typical late-fall storm track to move north.

A traffic stop early Tuesday morning in Fremont County resulted in the arrest of a Nebraska woman on numerous drug charges. Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports his K9 Unit stopped a vehicle driven by 28-year old Jaimi Buchholz, of Cook, NE. During the course of a routine investigation, deputies found Buchholz to be in possession of methamphetamine, butane hash oil, marijuana and marijuana edibles, and drug paraphernalia. She was also found to be unlawfully in possession of prescription medication. Buchholz was transported to the Fremont County Law Enforcement Center, where she was awaiting her initial court appearance.

Jaimi Buchholz

The Iowa State Patrol says a truck and trailer hauling soft drink products crashed Tuesday morning in Greene County about five-miles southwest of Jefferson, injuring a man from Carroll County. 34-year old Bradley Edward Ruhnke, of Carroll, was driving a 2002 International tractor trailer westbound on E-57 at around 9:30-a.m., when the semi went out of control, crossed the center line of the road and hit the corner of a bridge before rolling over and coming to rest mostly hanging over the bridge, with the trailer in Greenbriar Creek. The truck was owned by the Pepsi-Cola Company, out of Carroll.

Ruhnke was transported by ambulance to the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson and later flown to a hospital in Des Moines. A report on his condition was not available. Officials with the Iowa DNR say the crash caused an estimated 200 gallons of diesel fuel and other fluids to be released into the creek. Emergency responders placed absorbent booms into the creek to catch and absorb the petroleum products.

The spill was contained. The DNR was monitoring clean-up activities as the trucking company and contractors worked to remove the diesel fuel. The DNR says it will consider appropriate enforcement action.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man shot by police during a standoff in Sioux City earlier this year has been sentenced to 10 days in jail after pleading guilty to two counts. The Sioux City Journal reports that 44-year-old Lee Fischer pleaded guilty Tuesday to intimidation with a dangerous weapon and domestic abuse assault. In exchange, prosecutors dropped a charge of assaulting a police officer.

Fischer also received a suspended five-year prison sentence, three years’ probation and an order to continue substance abuse treatment. Police were called March 5 about a man firing a gun inside his home while his ex-wife was there. Fischer emerged from the home hours later with a gun and was shot by an officer when he refused to drop it. The woman was not injured.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says two people were arrested on burglary and other charges, last week. 25-year old Alan Wayne Shomaker, and 45-year old James LaFayette Belback II, both of Council Bluffs, were taken into custody Thanksgiving Day at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office. Both face charges that include: Ongoing Criminal Conduct; two counts each of Burglary in the 3rd degree; Theft in the 2nd Degree; Possession of Burglar’s tools and two counts each of Trespassing. Their bonds were set at $44,000 each.

Early Thanksgiving morning, 22-year old Samuel Raymond Lee, of Omaha, was arrested at a location off I-29, for Possession of Controlled Substance, and OWI 1^st  offense. His bond was set at $2,000.

And today (Tuesday), 34-year old Tammy Jean Hammers, of Malvern, was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs and Driving Under Suspension. She was also arrested on a Fremont County warrant for Probation Violation. Hammers’ total bond was set at $6,300.  20-year old Dakota Lane Liddell, of Pacific Junction, was arrested today (Tuesday) as well, on a warrant for Probation Violation. Liddell was arrested at the Omaha Corrections Center. His bond was set at $10,000.