CENTERVILLE, Iowa (AP) — A May trial has been scheduled for a man accused of killing a hunter in south-central Iowa. Court records say 27-year-old Ethan Davis entered a written plea of not guilty Monday to a charge of first-degree murder. His trial is set to begin May 1. Davis is charged with killing 31-year-old Curtis Ross, of Cedar Falls, whose body was found Dec. 2 in a remote area of Appanoose County. An autopsy report says Ross suffered several stabbing and gunshot wounds.

Officials say fingerprints on bullet casings discovered near Ross’ body led investigators to Davis. Investigators also say Davis’ fingerprints were found on a rifle that was hidden under farm equipment at Davis’ property about 3½ miles (6 kilometers) northeast of Promise City.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports three arrests took place last week in his county. On Friday, 28-year old Colleen Nicole Denton, of Greenfield, was arrested on Adair County felony warrants for Violation of Probation and Contempt of Court for failure to be fingerprinted. Denton was being held in the Adair County Jail on a total of $5,100 cash or surety bond.

On Wednesday, Jan. 17th, 46-year old Kevin Jay Giles, of Orient, was taken into custody on a warrant out of Union County. Giles was turned over to authorities in Union County. That same day, 58-year old Steven Eric Vriezelaar, of Des Moines, was arrested on Highway 25 near Greenfield, following a traffic stop. A deputy smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, a 2003 Toyota Camry.

Vriezelaar admitted marijuana and a pipe for smoking were in the car. Both were seized into evidence. Vriezelaar was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/marijuana – 2nd offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports also, two men from Creston were cited Jan. 14th and then released from the scene of their offense. Citations for Driving Under Suspension were handed out to 18-year old Alexzander Samuel Edward Stiers, and 23-year old Jeffrey Dewane Ott.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CST

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republican governor candidate Ron Corbett is receiving $185,000 in compensation from his conservative think tank even as it has largely stopped its public activities while he is campaigning. The organization, Engage Iowa, isn’t required to disclose its donors as a nonprofit research group. Some Democrats and Republicans say that arrangement is troubling because voters don’t know who funded the $150,000 annual salary and $35,000 in benefits Corbett has been receiving.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Six more Democratic representatives are joining a lawsuit that alleges Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and an aide illegally transferred $13 million to balance the state budget. Rep. Chris Hall filed the case against Reynolds and Department of Management Director Dave Roederer this month. Six more Democrats in the Iowa House joined the lawsuit Monday in an amended complaint. At issue is whether Reynolds acted legally when using $13 million from the State Economic Emergency Fund to plug a budget hole.

DELHI, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a Manchester man was driving when a vehicle broke through the ice at Lake Delhi, drowning his passenger. The body of 23-year-old Alex Salow was found in the vehicle Jan. 8. Records show 36-year-old Joshua Juengel is charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving and related crimes. It’s unclear whether he has an attorney who could comment for him.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — A state audit of the city of Johnston books has determined that nearly $14,000 collected from library fines and fees and other revenue sources has not been deposited in city accounts. City officials say some records were falsified by a former clerk who’s since been fired.