Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:00 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Early voting would be reduced under a bill approved by a House subcommittee that also requires voters to show identification at the polls. Rep. Ken Rizer, a Marion Republican, on Monday announced several changes he’d made to a voter identification bill, including a shortening of early voting from 40 days to 29 days. The panel later sent the bill to the full House State Government Committee.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa could effectively ban abortions under a GOP bill approved Monday that would declare life at conception, though it’s unclear if the bill has the necessary backing to clear the Senate. The legislation supported by 20 GOP senators and 1 independent would recognize “personhood” protection for fertilized eggs, effectively making abortions illegal in Iowa. The bill would not prohibit the use of contraception nor criminalize miscarriages.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An investigation by a state agency finds that Iowa’s professional licensing boards have become unaccountable to the citizens they are supposed to protect from misconduct. An Office of Ombudsman report says the boards enjoy a culture of secrecy that produces “lackadaisical investigations, apathetic board members, poor documentation of deliberations, and questionable outcomes.” The report examined the system of 36 boards responsible for regulating trained workers, from doctors to barbers.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man, who allowed his teenage child to invite several friends to his house for a party, provided them alcohol and then had sex with one of them after she was drunk, has been ordered to pay $127 million to the victim and her family. Polk County court records show 47-year-old James Lee Hohenshell of Bondurant pleaded guilty to lascivious acts with a child and providing alcohol to minors connected to his actions in August 2013. The girl he molested was 13.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A so-called personhood bill that would effectively ban abortion in Iowa has passed out of a legislative subcommittee, though it’s unclear if it has the necessary backing to clear the Senate. The measure was approved Monday as dozens gathered at the Capitol to support or oppose the bill. It now heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The measure would recognize that life is protected from the moment of conception, effectively making abortions illegal. The bill would not prohibit the use of contraception. The legislation is co-sponsored by 20 Republicans and 1 independent in the Senate. It will need more support to pass out of the GOP-majority chamber.

If approved, the measure would likely be challenged in court. It’s among several bills seeking to restrict abortions in Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Early voting in Iowa would be reduced under a bill approved by a House subcommittee that also requires voters to show identification at the polls. Rep. Ken Rizer, a Marion Republican, on Monday announced several changes he’d made to a voter identification bill, including shortening early voting from 40 days to 29 days. The panel later approved the bill with only Republican support and sent it to the full House State Government Committee, which Rizer also heads.

The amended bill would also eliminate the option of voting straight party with a single mark on a ballot. The bill was initially drawn up by Secretary of State Paul Pate, who declined to comment on whether he supported the changes. His spokesman says Pate hopes lawmakers will pass his original bill.

Think Spring! The Cass County Master Gardeners are excited to present their annual Spring Garden Seminar, on Saturday, March 18 at the Atlantic High School. Registration begins at 8:30 AM, with the program beginning at 9 AM. Featured keynote speaker for the day is Kelly Norris- Director of Horticulture at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. 10 workshop topics are lined up for the day, with participants able to attend three breakout sessions of their choice. The day will also feature rolls and coffee to start the morning, a sandwich luncheon, garden vendor show and a great opportunity to network with old friends and new as we prepare for the 2017 gardening season!

The seminar is open to all interested gardeners no matter the level of experience! Participants are not required to have completed Master Gardener training to attend, but Master Gardeners who attend the full day will be given 5 credit hours toward their continuing education requirements. The morning will kick off with Norris sharing tips for adding “Plants with Style!” to the home garden. After lunch, he will also provide the second keynote presentation on “Native Plants in the American Garden”- highlighting plants and plans to incorporate natives beautifully into the landscape. Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to attend 3 different breakout workshops on topics including succulents, rock gardens, mini hostas, iris, herbs, trees and more! Several of the workshop sessions are hands-on, where participants will make and take an item to enjoy at home.

The cost for this day of fun and learning is $35, including all meals and keynote materials. Some hands-on workshops may have an additional materials fee, which is payable on the day of the seminar.  A full list of all breakout sessions, a schedule for the day and printable registration form are all available online at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass or can be picked up at the Cass County Extension Office. Brochures are also available at many local businesses with a full schedule and registration form.

The early registration deadline is Friday March 10; registrations must be postmarked or dropped at the Cass County Extension Office by this date to be eligible for door prizes. In addition, organizers encourage attendees to register early for best selection of breakout sessions, as the sessions fill on a first-come basis. Registrations are also welcome after this date, and up to the day of the Garden Seminar, including walk-in registrations at the door.

For more information on the Spring Garden Seminar or the Cass County Master Gardener Program, call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132, email keolson@iastate.edu, or stop by the Extension Office at 805 W. 10th St in Atlantic.

The Young Professionals of Atlantic (YPA) organization will be hosting the 4th Annual Awards Luncheon and Dessert Gala on April 28th, 2017, and are seeking community-wide nominations for the awards. The awards are designed to recognize the achievements of young professionals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and innovation in their profession and within the community.

The awards are open to any Young Professional that meets the following criteria: the professional is between the age of 21-41 years old as of January 1, 2017, and the professional either works or resides within Cass County.

Young Professionals will be nominated for their excellence in four different categories: YP Newcomer, YP Entrepreneur, YP Business Leader and YP Public Servant. There will also be one YP Choice Workplace Award given. The YP Choice Workplace Award recognizes a company who effectively attracts, retains and develops young professionals. Individuals can either nominate their company or another company. Companies must be Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce members. You can check the membership directory at www.atlanticiowa.com for eligibility.

The winners for the Young Professional Awards in 2016 included: Christina Bateman – Public Servant of the Year, Nick Harris – Newcomer of the Year, Megan Roberts – Entrepreneur of the Year, Tim Cappel – Business Leader of the Year, and TS Bank – Choice Workplace of the Year.

To submit a nomination, go to www.atlanticiowa.com for a nomination form or pick one up at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Office (102 Chestnut, Atlantic, IA 50022). All nomination forms must be submitted by Tuesday, March 21st, 2017 by 5 PM.

The YPA nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee including: a YPA Representative, an Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Board Representative, a member of CADCO, an Atlantic City Official and an out of town guest.

The Young Professionals of Atlantic is a social group with no membership dues or required meetings. Their mission is to connect, engage and attract young leaders into the community while promoting the greater Atlantic area.  Members are young professionals between the ages of 21-41. Any interested individuals can contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017 for information.

The YPA Dessert Gala & Awards is sponsored by Megan Roberts, State Farm.

Sheriff’s Deputies in Mills County Sunday night arrested an Audubon County man on a warrant out of Audubon County. 44-year old Verlyn Duane Richardson, of Audubon, was arrested at around 8:45-p.m. in Glenwood, on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault, Interference with Official Acts and Disorderly Conduct. His bond was set at $5,000.

And, 45-year old Troy Robert McCain, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Pacific Junction Sunday afternoon, for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, today (Monday), released his weekly arrest report. Taken into custody at around 3:15-a.m. Saturday morning, was 39-year old John Michael Burgoyne, of Creston, who faces charges that include Theft by Credit Card, Attempted Burglary/2nd degree (associated with the theft of property from a vehicle), and two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance (marijuana and meth). Burgoyne was later released on $5,000 bond.

At around 4:40-a.m., Saturday, 27-year old Colleen Nicole Denton, of Greenfield, was arrested in association with Burgoyne, on two counts each of Joint Criminal Conduct and Possession of a Controlled Substance (marijuana and meth). Denton was later released on $5,000 bond, as well.

30-year old Alfredo Ruvalcaba Nunez, of Columbus Junction was arrested following an investigation into a single vehicle accident on Interstate 80, at around 6-a.m., Saturday. He was charged with OWI/1st offense, Failure to have a valid license, Open Container in a motor vehicle, and Failure to Maintain Control. Nunez was later released on $1,000 bond.

Thursday evening, 37-year old Elijah Daniel Davis, of Fontanelle, was arrested on two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense. The drugs (Hash oil & marijuana) were recovered from his bedroom at a home where children were located, following a visit by a DHS worker He was cited and released.

Vandewater says 18-year old Justice Guy Myers, of Villisca, was arrested Feb. 22nd for Burglary in the 3rd degree, and Theft in the 2nd degree, after he allegedly entered a garage in Greenfield and a vehicle in the garage, where it is alleged he took a loaded handgun without permission, and with the intent to sell the weapon. Myers was being held in the Adair County Jail on $10,000 bond.

An investigation into the theft of a vehicle from Adair resulted in the arrest Feb. 21st, of 26-year old Samantha Lynn Bullington, of Des Moines and 25-year old Haley Nicole Hamler, of Knoxville. Bullington was charged with Theft in the 2nd Degree in association with the stolen vehicle, which had broken down near Adair. She was also taken into custody on a Polk County warrant for Failure to Appear on a charge of Theft in the 4th Degree. Hamler was arrested for Theft in the 2nd Degree in Association with the theft from the vehicle of a laptop computer and carrying case, which she tried to ditch at a restaurant in Adair. Bullington was being held in the Adair County Jail on $5,000 bond, while Hamler was later released on $5,000 bond.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a resident of Kent reported Sunday night, that sometime during the day, Sunday, someone took his purple, 1990 Chevy 1500 pickup from his property. The vehicle, valued at $1,500, was later recovered in Taylor County.

Iowa’s 118 hospitals add nearly $6.8 billion to the state’s economy, according to a new report from the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA). Scott McIntyre is spokesman for the IHA. “Iowa hospitals also have 72,000 employees. That’s a little higher than it’s been in recent years,” McIntyre says. “We’re seeing a good recovery from the recession and we’re seeing a little bit of growth as well.”

Those employees, by themselves, spend more than $1.8 billion on retail sales and contribute more than $111 million in state sales tax revenue, according to the report. The economic impact report is compiled each year to demonstrate the importance of the industry to the state. “A lot of what the state does, what the federal government does, has a big impact on our hospitals — the regulations, legislation can serious impact our hospitals. So, we want folks to realize that you’re talking about an asset with some 72,000 employees and billions of dollars of economic impact,” McIntyre says.

The study shows Iowa’s hospitals provide $4.5 billion in salaries and benefits and generate another $2.3 billion through other jobs that depend on hospitals.

(Radio Iowa)

Atlantic Community Schools are closed for the day this Friday, March 3rd, but there will be plenty of opportunities for learning and fun at a day-long camp sponsored by Cass County Extension and Cass County Conservation. Youth in 3rd-5th grades are invited to register for SNOW day camp, held from 9 AM to 4 PM on Friday at the Cass County Community Center.

“While there may not be snow on the ground, we will still have plenty of fun making our own snow, learning about the structure of snow and how animals adapt to their surroundings in the winter,” shares Shelby Williams, Cass County Extension Youth Coordinator. “This free camp is a fun way to spend a no school day. We will have snacks, hike outdoors and learn through games and hands-on activities.”

There is no cost to attend the SNOW Day Camp on March 3rd, but pre-registration is requested by Wednesday March 1. Campers are asked to bring a sack lunch and weather appropriate clothing for an outdoor hike. To register, or for more information, call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 or stop by the office at 805 West 10th Street in Atlantic to fill out a registration form.