An investigation into a marijuana operation in Clarinda netted two arrests. Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports a little after 4-p.m., Monday, officers investigated the illegal use of marijuana at 200 W. State Street. Authorities encountered several individuals gathered at the residence and seized approximately eighty grams of processed plant material believe to be marijuana.

Charges are pending against 25-year old Preston Lynn Sichling, and 26-year old Jacob Allen Thomsen, for possession of marijuana, and gathering where illegal drugs are kept and/or used. Both Sichling and Thomsen reside at 200 W. State Street.

Investigative reports have been forwarded to Page County Attorney Carl M. Sonksen for review and consideration of the filing of formal charges.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Smoke Free Homes Registry, which was launched in 2012, has reached 1,000 properties. In order to be entered in the registry, a property must have at least one building that is 100 percent smoke free and must have this specified in the lease language.

“The best way to protect against exposure to secondhand smoke is to make sure the places we live and work are smoke free,” said IDPH Division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Director Jerilyn Oshel. “Globally, 6 million people die each year due to tobacco-related causes and 600,000 of those are people die from secondhand smoke.”

Benefits of becoming a smoke free property include:

• Free signage
• Lower cleaning and maintenance costs
• Property listing on the free Smoke Free Homes Registry
• Assistance with implementation, including sample lease language

More than 80 percent of all Iowans are non-smokers and generally prefer to rent from non-smoking properties. Residents of a smoke free property who use tobacco are given information about Quitline Iowa to help them quit smoking.

All Iowans can take advantage of the program by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visiting www.quitlineiowa.org to enroll. Registration specialists and Quit Coach® staff members are available 24 hours a day. To learn more about smoke free properties in Iowa visit https://smokefreehomes.iowa.gov.

For assistance in having your property go smoke free, email smokefreehomes@idph.iowa.go or call 515-281-6225.

The Shenandoah Police Department says Law enforcement in the area are on the lookout for a man wanted in connection with an investigation, and on outstanding warrants out of Centerville. Aryon Goodman of Moulton,was last seen along the river between Shenandoah and Essex. He was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Goodman goes by the alias of (Ryan Hurt). He’s described as being white, five-feet seven inches tall, about 165-pounds, with tattoos on his arms and neck. If you have any information as to where he is located, contact the Shenandoah Police Department at 712-246-3512. You should not approach the man, as he is  considered dangerous.

Updated photo provided by Shenandoah PD Tuesday night

Aryon Goodman (aka Ryan Hurt) (original image posted by Shenandoah PD)

Atlantic Police, Monday, arrested a Treynor man on drug and alcohol charges. 18-year old Isaiah Lagassie was booked into the Cass County Jail on charges of OWI/1st offense, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana.

Des Moines, May 23, 2017— Due to state budget cuts, all Iowa Judicial Branch offices, including clerk of district court offices, the office of the clerk of the supreme court, and juvenile court services offices, will be closed Friday, May 26, 2017. Offices will remain closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 29, 2017, and reopen on Tuesday, May 30, 2017.

All court personnel, except judges and magistrates, will be required to take unpaid leave on Friday, May 26, affecting approximately 1,446 employees for a statewide reduction of $364,573. The initial Fiscal Year 2017 appropriation for judicial branch operations was $5 million less than the amount needed to maintain the same level of service to all Iowans as in Fiscal Year 2016. In January 2017, the Iowa Legislature passed and the Governor signed Senate File 130, de-appropriating an additional $3 million from the Fiscal Year 2017 operating budget of the Iowa Judicial Branch.

The order closing judicial branch offices is posted on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at:

http://www.iowacourts.gov/wfData/files/Budget/2018/supervisory%20order%2005-09-17.pdf

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Education plans to end its contract with a testing software vendor after a technical audit found the $14 million system was “unfit.” The Des Moines Register reports the 91-page audit found that the TIER testing platform, which is designed to give reading tests to students, was a “dense and disjointed” system and would likely experience technical failures in the future.

The software was created by nonprofit tech group TIES. TIES attorney Susan Mussell has disputed the audit’s findings. Mussell says the system has supported Iowa teachers and students.

The state hired a third party to investigate the TIER testing platform in the fall after teachers administering reading exams to elementary students expressed frustration with the system.  State officials plan to terminate the contract June 30.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds will take the oath of office tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10:30 in the state capitol, right after Governor Branstad resigns in the office he’s occupied for more than 22 years and is sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to China. Reynolds will deliver her first speech as governor tomorrow (Wednesday) and she gave a hint of what it may contain this (Tuesday) morning.

“I’m just going to talk a little bit about me and who I am and my journey from county treasurer to serving as lieutenant governor to now serving as the governor of the great state of Iowa,” Reynolds says. “…And, of course, some forward-looking policy as well.”

Early this month Iowa’s attorney general issued an opinion that Reynolds did not have the authority to name her replacement once she becomes governor. On Thursday, Iowa’s next governor will reveal whether she’ll name her replacement on Thursday. “I will have the opportunity to share my news about the lieutenant governor process,” Reynolds says.

Reynolds and Branstad both spoke to statehouse reporters today (Tuesday). It was Branstad’s final news conference as governor.

(Radio Iowa)

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday), released a report on arrests that have taken place over the past week or so. The report said 51-year old Michelle Renee Evans, of Bridgwater, was arrested May 15th on two Adair County warrants for Violation of Probation. She was later released on a $2,000 cash bond.

33-year old Amanda Olivia Speed, of Greenfield, was arrested May 17th on an Adair County warrant for Trespass, on a Union County warrant for Assault Causing Bodily Injury, and for Driving Under Suspension. She was released after serving time in the Adair County Jail and posting a $1,000 bond on the Union County charge.

35-year old Kristina Marie Johnson, of Greenfield, was arrested May 18th by Greenfield Police, for Interference with Official Acts by allegedly lying about who was driving a vehicle whose driver was barred. She was cited for the offense and released on the citation. In connection with the same incident, 30-year old James Robert Lyman, of Greenfield, was arrested May 18th for Driving While Barred, Failure to provide proof of insurance, and Operating a non-registered vehicle. Lyman was released Saturday on $2,000 bond.

As previously reported, on May 19th, 25-year old Marcus Anthony Terrell, of Albia, was arrested on two counts of Eluding – Speed (25mph over the limit), and two counts of Driving While Barred. His arrest was the result of an incident that took place May 15th in Casey, that resulted in two separate pursuits, and injuries to a Cass County K9. Terrell was being held in the Adair County Jail on $8,000 bond.

And, 41-year old Michael Lee Bittner, of Menlo, was arrested Saturday morning in Stuart, for OWI/1st offense. He was later released on $1,000 bond.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says last (Monday) night’s terrorist attack in England that killed at least 22 people and injured around 60 has cast a “somber” mood over this morning’s work at the U-S Capitol. ISIS is claiming responsibility for the bombing in Manchester at a concert featuring American pop star Ariana Grande.

“What was supposed to be a joyous occasion was ruined by hate,” Grassley says. “Attacks like these remind us that the war on terror is a multi-generational battle and one that is about nothing less than humanity’s values.” It’s believed a man carried the explosives into the 21-thousand-seat arena and detonated the bomb, killing himself in the blast in a large foyer following the concert’s final song. Grassley says, “These sorts of cowardly attacks on innocent civilians, many of whom were children, are an ever-present threat in this modern age.”

The apparent bomber may not have acted alone as police are holding a 23-year-old man in connection with the attack. “I plan on being briefed further on the matter as the situation develops and we learn more,” Grassley says. “Today, Barbara and I are praying for the recovery of those who survived and for the families and friends of those whose lives were lost.”

It’s the deadliest terrorist attack on British soil since the 2005 London bombings which claimed 52 lives and injured more than 700.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office report the arrest early Monday morning, of 23-year old Dakota Shawn McDonald, of Omaha. His arrest followed a stolen vehicle report out of LaVista, NE. An investigation revealed McDonald allegedly took the 1999 Chrysler 300M and drove to the home of a relative, in Harlan. McDonald was taken into custody at 1506 6th Street in Harlan and charged with Theft in the 2nd degree/Motor Vehicle theft.

An Omaha man turned himself-in to the Pottawattamie County Jail, Monday afternoon. 30-year old Victor Navarro was placed under arrest on charges that include Forgery (a felony), Identity Theft, Perjury of Statement, Counterfeiting, Malicious Prosecution,  and Forgery of Records.

The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 26-year old Anthony Shane Schovanec and 25-year old Patricia Kay Irene Sopcich, both of Council Bluffs, were arrested Monday afternoon on drug charges, after the van they were in was pulled over because the registered owner (Schovanec) had a warrant. Schovanec and Sopcich were taken into custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Paraphernalia. Schovanec was also taken into custody on a warrant for Criminal Trespass.