w/ Chris Parks

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IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Police say a 45-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly intentionally drove a vehicle through a crowd of protesters in Iowa City. Michael Stepanek was charged Tuesday with intimidation with a dangerous weapon and willful injury. The protesters were struck Friday night in an intersection of an Iowa City street. No one was seriously hurt and police initially did not receive a report about the incident. Iowa City police say one of the people who was struck by the vehicle later provided a statement, leading to Stepanek’s arrest. A criminal complaint says Stepanek told police the protesters needed “an attitude adjustment.”

A Creston man died in an accident between a motorcyle and pickup on Tuesday evening. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened at about 8:36 p.m. on High and Dry Road south of 250th street.

A 2013 Harley Davidson BCN driven by 44-year-old Richard W Starlin of Creston was traveling northbound on High and Dry Road and crested a hill. The motorcyle was traveling at a higher rate of speed than a 2005 Toyota Tacoma driven by 52-year-old Thaddeus M Sickels of Creston who was also northbound just over the crest of the hill. Starlin attempted to brake but struck the rear of the truck with the front fender of the motorcycle. The bike came skidding to a stop in the northbound lane. Sickels turned around to assist Starlin but he suffered fatal injuries from the crash.

Starlin was eventually transported to Powers Funeral Home by Creston EMS. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A north-central Iowa man has been sentenced to federal prison for filing false tax returns. Federal prosecutors for Iowa say 52-year-old David Miller, of Gilmore City, was sentenced Monday to one year and a day in prison. Prosecutors say Miller ran a tax return preparing business. He pleaded guilty in February to receiving stolen government money or property.

During his plea hearing, Miller admitted to preparing fraudulent returns for clients and for himself over several years. Prosecutors say that as part of his plea, Miller agreed to pay $109,837 in restitution to victims and $16,114 to the IRS.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she is allocating $100 million in federal funds to help livestock producers, the biofuels industry, beginning farmers and small-scale meat processors recover from the coronavirus pandemic. As many Iowa farmers deal with the impact of a massive storm and continue to suffer from lower demand for corn and soybeans and extremely low prices, Reynolds says she will use money from the federal CARES Act to programs to help agriculture related businesses and farmers.

Included is $60 million to provide grants to eligible producers of pork, beef, chicken, turkeys, dairy, fish or sheep to serve as working capital to stabilize livestock producers.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State University officials say the school has taken steps to correct an English teacher’s syllabus that initially banned her students from submitting work opposing Black Lives Matter, gay marriage, abortion and other social issues. English instructor Chloe Clark’s syllabus instructed that students could not not choose a writing topic that “takes at its base that one side doesn’t deserve the same basic human rights as you do.”

The syllabus has drawn national media attention and criticism from free speech groups. ISU says in a statement that the professor was given guidance on First Amendment protections for student expression in ISU classrooms.

WOODWARD, Iowa (AP) — Before an unusual wind storm this month, Iowa corn farmers were expecting a near-record crop. About a month before corn would be fully mature and ready for harvest, a derecho blew in from the west with hurricane-force winds that cut a swath through the middle of Iowa. The Aug. 10 storm flattened corn fields and damaged grain bins, farm buildings and homes.

Millions of acres of Iowa corn are damaged to some degree. Crop insurance and other federal programs will help. And those outside the damaged area could benefit from higher prices that may result.

(KNOD) One person was injured in a two-vehicle accident around 2:40 p.m. Monday afternoon on Highway 59 south of Corley. A black 2018 RAM 2500 driven by 29-year-old Dustin Haase of Avoca was traveling northbound on Highway 59 when he stopped for traffic in the road caused by a construction asphalt paver. A 2017 Chevy Equinox driven by 85-year-old Jack Oliver of Harlan was traveling north on Highway 59 and did not observe that traffic had stopped. Oliver struck Haase in the rear causing severe damage to the SUV. Oliver ended up in the ditch and had to be extricated from the vehicle for injuries to his arm and leg. He was transported to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan by Avoca Fire and Rescue. The Oliver SUV was considered a total loss. The Haase pickup received $15,000 damage.

The City of Shelby has issued a mandatory water conservation notice. As a result of dry weather conditions across Shelby County, the City of Shelby’s public water system is currently experiencing difficulties meeting water demands and calling for citizens to limit excessive water use. No watering lawns and gardens, no filling pools, no washing cars. Officials ask residents to use water wisely. Tips to conserve water include turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, only washing your clothes when necessary, check for leaks in hoses and faucets.