The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Adair County escaped injury during a single-vehicle accident Thursday night. Authorities say 56-year old Jimmy Alen Robertson, of Bridgewater was driving a 2014 Chevy Cruze north on Highway 25 at around 8:45-p.m., when the car hit the east shoulder. Robertson over-corrected, causing the vehicle cross the road and end up in the west ditch, on the passenger side. He was trapped in the car by his seat belt, which was cut-off by rescue personnel.

After Medics checked him out, Robertson was released from the scene. His vehicle sustained about $3,000 damage. No citations were issued.

Firefighters from Massena were called at around 7:48-a.m. to provide Mutual Aid at the scene of a structure fire in Bridgewater. The house fire was occurring at 301 N. Main Street. Additional details are currently not available.

Creston Police report two arrests: Thursday night, 30-year old Brooke Carter, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston Walmart, for Theft in the 5th Degree, and Trespassing. Carter was cited for the offense and released from the scene on a Summons to Appear in court. And, at around 4:25-p.m., Thursday, 22-year old Taylor Giles, of Creston, was arrested at a residence in the 300 block of N. Oak Street. Giles was taken into custody on a Guthrie County warrant for failure to appear on an original, Possession of a Controlled Substance, charge. He was subsequently transferred to the custody of Guthrie County.

(Radio Iowa) – House Speaker Pat Grassley says there have been years of inaction to complaints about retaliation against conservative speech on the public university campuses and that’s why House Republicans are considering a bill to end the tenure system at the universities in Ames, Iowa City and Cedar Falls.

Grassley said also….

Republican lawmakers in previous years have proposed ending tenure for professors at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa, but for the first time a bill to accomplish that goal has won approval in a committee. Three Republicans on the House Education Committee voted against the bill and Grassley says he’s heard concerns from fellow Republicans. Grassley plans to have House Republicans discuss the proposal in private to see if there are 51 “yes” votes among Republicans to pass the bill out of the full House.

During a recent statehouse hearing, the presidents of Iowa, Iowa State and U-N-I said ending tenure would prompt professors to leave and make it harder to hire staff. Ag commodity groups have expressed concern that ending tenure will be a set-back for critical research at the three state-supported universities. Earlier today (Thursday), a bill to ban tenure was approved by Republicans on a SENATE subcommittee.

A Union County man was cited Sunday, for leaving the scene of a property damage accident in Creston. In information released Thursday, Creston Police said a 2008 Chevy Equinox was legally parked in the 200 block of W. Swan Street, facing north. A 2003 Chevy Malibu driven by 26-year old Matthew Hamm, of Creston, was traveling north on N. Maple Street at around 3:30-p.m., when the vehicle ran a stop sign at the intersection with W. Swan Street.

Officials say Hamm was driving too fast for conditions, and was unable to stop. His car hit the SUV on the passenger side, causing a total of $3,600 damage. Hamm failed to report the accident within the time required, and was cited for the offense.

(Radio Iowa) Republicans at the statehouse have settled on sending Iowa’s K-through-12 public schools 36-and-a-half MILLION more in general state aid for the next academic year. Representative Cecil Dolecheck, a Republican from Mount Ayr, outlined details during House debate.

Democrats say even if there’s another batch of money later, THIS decision setting per pupil spending means property taxes will go up in 137 school districts with lower enrollment this year compared to last. Representative Eric Gjerde, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says it’s the wrong move.

Representative Molly Donahue, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says it will be a double-whammy to property owners in Cedar Rapids, Marshalltown and other school districts that were hit by the derecho and have fewer students this year.

Republicans say it would be irresponsible to withdraw money from the state’s budget surplus for schools as that money may be needed next year if the state’s economy doesn’t rebound from the pandemic. The G-O-P’s plan for general state spending on schools has cleared the House and will be taken up in the Senate next week.