DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Board of Regents has proposed raising tuition at the state’s three public universities by an average 3.5 percent, but the plan would give much higher increases to thousands of students.

Iowa State University officials seek to expand the practice of charging different tuition rates for certain majors, such as science, technology, engineering, business and math. The proposal would have some students paying rates up to 33 percent more than standard tuition, the Des Moines Register reported .

University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State and the University of Iowa have been employing differential tuition rates for more than a decade. Programs that involve laboratory or studio work cost more to provide. Differential tuition also puts costs where they’re incurred instead of spreading it across all programs, officials said.

Majors affected by the new proposal include athletic training, earth science, economics, meteorology and psychology. The rates would be phased in over two to three years, with some only applying to juniors and seniors. “This is going to be tough for those students because it might deter them from pursuing the majors that they are really interested in,” said Cody Woodruff, an Iowa State sophomore and vice speaker of the student government senate.

The proposed rate increases are expected to generate almost $25 million in additional revenue for the universities. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill last week authorizing $35.5 million in cuts to balance the state budget. The University of Iowa and Iowa State University’s budgets were cut by $11 million. The regents are expected to vote on the proposal in June.

Calling all parents, students, and community members- do you know a teacher who deserves recognition for going above and beyond the call of duty? The Atlantic Rotary Club is seeking nominations for the 5th Annual Rotary Club of Atlantic Outstanding Teacher Award, and would love to hear from you! The award, designed to recognize excellence in education in the Atlantic Community Schools, can be given to any certified, full-time teacher who spends at least 60% of his/her time instructing students.

The teacher selected will receive recognition at a school employee event, and will also receive a $3000 cash award.  The award may be used to enhance the educational resources of the teacher, further the teacher’s education, or for any other purpose which the selected teacher deems appropriate.

This is the fifth year for the award, which has been a “long-time goal” for the Atlantic Rotary Club, according to Ted Robinson, 2018 Rotary Teacher Award Project Chair.

“The Atlantic Rotary Club has been a dedicated supporter of education in the community for many years through senior scholarships, and annual events such as senior recognition and new teacher welcome. In addition, they are frequent contributors through funding for many school needs such as updating technology in the classroom, supporting curriculum for local preschools, and a number of other school requests. Members of our club have been continually insistent that we also recognize and support the talented educators that are the heart of our schools, and we are very happy we have been able to continue this program.”

Lisa Munsey, Atlantic Middle School math teacher was the 2017 award winner. Past award winning teachers have had “exceptional nomination forms and letters of support from the community,” according to Robinson. “We are hoping to continue the tradition of a strong pool of applicants this year. The selection process is always difficult, but we enjoy seeing the dedication to students and the art of teaching that comes through in each of the nominations.”

For teachers to be considered for the 2018 award, completed nomination forms, including letters of support, must be received by Friday April 20th. Nominated teachers will be evaluated based on their skill with students, classroom management, parent communication, peer interaction and community involvement. Teachers must be nominated by three individuals- they can be current or former students, parents of students, co-workers, or any combination of these. Forms were sent via email to all current parents through from the Atlantic Community School System in March. Application materials may be found on the Rotary Club of Atlantic website:  www.atlanticrotary.com under the Grants and Scholarship tab.  Hard copies of nomination forms may also be picked up from any school administration office, or at First Whitney Bank. Completed nominations may be dropped off, or mailed, to First Whitney Bank, Attn: Ted Robinson, P.O. Box 271, 223 Chestnut Street in Atlantic.

It is the intention of the Atlantic Rotary Club, through this award, to recognize and reward outstanding educators in our public school system who exemplify the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” through their continuous dedication to students, parents, peers and the larger community, as well as the art and practice of education. This award is funded by proceeds from the Atlantic Rotary Club’s annual auction, which is made possible by the generous donations of local businesses and community members.

A man from Cass County was arrested Monday, in Audubon County. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports 24-year old Spencer Biggs, of Atlantic, was charged with OWI 1st offense. The charge is the result of an investigation into a traffic stop on March 10th, 2018. Biggs posted a $1,000 bond, and was released.

On Tuesday (April 3rd), Audubon County Deputies arrested 27-year old Scott Nathaniel Belew, of Audubon, for Driving While Suspended. Belew was being held in the Audubon County Jail on a $566.25 bond, while awaiting an appearance before the magistrate.

Last Saturday, 47-year old JeenLee Nielsen, of Exira, was arrested for OWI 2nd Offense. JeenLee posted a $2,000 bond and was released. That same day, 44-year old Matthew Nielsen, of Exira, was arrested for Public Intoxication. He posted a $300 bond and was released. Both arrests were the result of a traffic stop, in Exira.

Harlan Police report three people were arrested recently. On Tuesday, 28-year old Jeremy Kane Johnson, of Harlan, was arrested following a call about an argument in the 1600 block of Pine Street. Johnson was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault and Obstruction of Emergency Communications. Last Saturday, 23-year old Brian Joseph Arkfeld, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop, and charged with OWI, Open Container, and dark windows. Two passengers, 18-year old Devin Nicole Kramer and 19-year old Bailey Judith Hansen, both of Harlan, were cited for open container. And, on March 29th, 21-year old Cody James Varnes, of Harlan, was arrested following a call about an argument. Varnes was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

On April 1st, Harlan Police cited 27-year old Skye Mishele Hauger, of Harlan, for Driving While Suspended. On March 23rd, 40-year old Jason Neil Andrews, of Harlan, was cited for Possession of drug paraphernalia.

(12-p.m. News)

Red Oak Police this (Wednesday) morning, arrested 20-year old Keldon Dean Stiner, of Red Oak. Stiner was arrested at around 9:35-a.m., for Driving Under Suspension. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $566 cash or surety bond.

The parents of a Council Bluffs woman who was killed by a drunk driver in Omaha two years ago watched Tuesday’s debate in the Iowa House on an anti-sanctuary cities bill. Twenty-one-year-old Sarah Root who was killed hours after she graduated from college by a drag-racing drunk driver who was in the country illegally. He was released on bail and disappeared. Republican Representative Jon Jacobsen of Council Bluffs talked about the case during House debate. “This gentleman was a two-time repeat offender,” Jacobsen said. “He had not shown for two previous criminal hearings. Had he been detained or been deported, had ICE and the locals worked together, Sarah probably would be alive.”

The Iowa House voted 55-to-45 in favor of the bill supporters say will assure local authorities in Iowa cooperate with federal immigration officials, as state tax dollars would be withheld from cities and counties with “sanctuary” policies for immigrants under threat of deportation. All three legislators from Council Bluffs voted for it — Republican Mary Ann Hanusa, Democrat Charlie McConkey and Jacobsen.

Jacobsen offered this response to critics of the bill. “You say: ‘Well, we don’t have sanctuary cities in Iowa.’ Really,” Jacobsen said. “…To sacrifice innocent Americans on the pire of ‘political correctness’ is unjust.”

The Republican-led Iowa Senate is expected to take up the same anti-sanctuary cities bill soon, approve changes made by the House and send the bill to the governor. Governor Reynolds said in February that individuals who have come here illegally and decided to break the law “should be held accountable.”

(Radio Iowa)

A Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy attempting to make a traffic stop just before 10-p.m., Tuesday, ended-up in a pursuit. The traffic stop was on a vehicle traveling south on Highway 173 from Elk Horn. The vehicle failed to yield to the Deputy and attempted to flee.  When the vehicle later became high centered in a field near the area of 100^th Street and Timber Road, the driver fled on foot. Assistance was received from the Cass County Sheriff’s Department and their K9, which led to the apprehension of 24-year old Joseph Riesberg, from Audubon.

Riesberg was transferred to the Shelby County Jail and was being held on a $10,000-dollar bond. He is currently being charged for Eluding, Driving While Barred, Interference with Official Acts, Reckless driving, numerous traffic violations, and failure to maintain control. Riesberg had active warrants out of Cass County at the time of the pursuit. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was also assisted by the Iowa State Patrol.

A traffic stop on N. 8th Street and Park Wild, Tuesday afternoon in Pottawattamie County, resulted in the arrest of two Council Bluffs men. Sheriff’s officials say 48-year old Ricky Allan Howland and 45-year old Troy Lynn Holder, both of Council Bluffs, were arrested at around 1:45-p.m. Howland was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Two grams of meth were recovered at the scene. Holder was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. A large, fixed-blade knife was seized into evidence.

A Pott. County Deputy was dispatched to a residence in Avoca, Tuesday, in reference to a Trespassing incident. Upon arrival, he made contact with 33-year old Jeremy Theron Harriman, of Avoca. A records check showed Harriman was wanted on an active warrant out of Avoca, for Trespass. He was also arrested for possession of meth, after about 1.3 grams of meth was found in a clear plastic baggie. Harriman was taken to Pott County Corrections and booked in on his warrant.

And, a transient, 33-year old Jesus Everardo Medina, was charged Tuesday night with aggravated assault, following an incident at the Pott. County Jail involving other inmates. 29-year old Bradley Levi Petermann, of Omaha, was charged with Simple assault, as a result of the same incident that involved a 33-year old male.