WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with the slaying of a young woman found lying in a West Des Moines road. According to KCCI, Police have charged Eliazar Montoya Gama with first-degree murder and first-degree robbery in connection with the death of Sakira Bonner.the boy with robbery and first-degree murder. Police were sent late Friday night to an area west of Interstate 35 near a busy retail district for reports of a woman lying in the road. Police say other calls about gunshots were received as officers headed to the area.

The officers found the woman in the road. She was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She’s been identified as 18-year-old Sakira Bonner. Authorities say she was from Chicago but attended high school in Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa) — Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver says based on his own experience, he has no concerns about Iowa college athletes being influenced to change a game’s outcome if sports betting is legalized in Iowa. Whitver, a Republican from Ankeny, was a wide receiver for the Iowa State Cyclones from 1999 through 2003.

“I remember we sat down with compliance (staff in the athletic department) and they would show us videos of what happens to you if you try to shave points or try to throw a game and you get sent to prison,” Whitver says. “They really scared us into saying: ‘This isn’t even something that you should consider.'”

Bills eligible for debate in the Iowa House AND in the Senate where Whitver is a leader would let the 19 state-licensed casinos collect bets on professional and collegiate sporting events through a smart phone app. The casinos “sports betting” operations then would be subject to a state tax of less than seven percent.

“If you go to an Iowa State or an Iowa game on a Saturday, there are bookies literally in the parking lot taking bets on their text or taking bets from the people at a tailgate on these games,” Whitver says. “And so the question is should we just ignore it and pretend that it doesn’t happen or should we legalize it and regulate it, so that if there are concerns and there is corruption happening, we have a better chance to find that and make sure that it doesn’t happen.”

The bills that have emerged at the statehouse would prevent bets on individual performances in college games happening IN IOWA. That means you wouldn’t be able to bet on how many touchdowns a quarterback might throw or how many free throws a basketball player might miss. Whitver says he has no problem banning those kind of wagers — called “prop bets” — if it helps get the 26 votes he needs in the senate to make sports betting legal in Iowa.

“Illegal sports betting is happening every single day in the state of Iowa,” Whitver says. “All you have to do is pop on the radio this afternoon and listen to talk radio and they’re talking about point spreads and betting lines and all that.”

Whitver made his comments during a weekend appearance on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press” program.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an 82-year-old Dubuque man was fatally struck by a vehicle being driven by his wife. Dubuque police say 84-year-old Mary Bockenstedt was backing out of a private driveway around 11:40 a.m. Saturday when the vehicle hit 82-year-old Walter Bockenstedt, pinning him underneath. Police say he was pronounced dead at the scene.

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) — Time runs out this week for the winner of a $1 million Powerball prize to claim the money. Iowa Lottery officials say the winning ticket was bought April 11, 2018, at a Casey’s convenience store in the Des Moines suburb of Nevada. The ticket matched the first five numbers but missed the Powerball. The winner has a year to claim the prize. Lottery officials say that means the purchaser will need to get to lottery headquarters in Clive by 4 p.m. Thursday.

CLARKSVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Small towns on some of the nation’s most flood-prone rivers are struggling to afford flood-protection systems. Most communities along America’s rivers have a concrete floodwall or an earthen levee. But a few places can’t afford those barriers, such as Clarksville, Missouri; Watertown, South Dakota; and Hamburg, Iowa. Even when Congress authorizes money, the local share of a major flood project is often more than a small town can pay for.

A traffic stop at around 8:25-p.m. March 31st in Greenfield, resulted in the arrest of a man on drug and other charges. 37-year old Marco Antonio Gonzalez-Bautista, of Omaha, was pulled over for speeding 44 in a 25 mph zone. Authorities say he pulled his Ford Edge SUV vehicle partially off the road and stopped momentarily, near SW Mills Extension and Highway 92.

As the Greenfield Police Officer was about to approach the vehicle, Gonzalez-Bautista pulled away and was pursued for about 15 miles before he stopped the SUV again. During the course of the pursuit, Gonzalez-Bautista drove in excess of 90 mph in a 55 zone, could not maintain his lane, and passed several pedestrian vehicles. He was finally apprehended in Massena.

Gonzalez-Bautista admitted to having methamphetamine in the vehicle, hidden under the stereo. The substance also tested positive for meth. The man was charged with Eluding (25 mph over the limit), Possession of Meth, Reckless Driving and speeding 20+ mph in a 55 zone. He was also cited for Failure to have a valid license. Gonzalez-Bautista was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $2,000 cash or surety bond, and on a detainer from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports also, that on April 5th, 48-year old Scotty Lee Coe, of Stuart, was arrested by Greenfield Police, for Driving While Barred and a citation for Operating a Non-registered vehicle. His cash or surety bond was also set at $2,000.

Atlantic Firefighters were called to the scene of a structure fire southeast of town, at around 7:11-p.m., Monday. A passing motorist saw what appeared to be a large shed on fire at 64651 Jackson Road, and reported it. Firefighter/inspector Wayne Brosam said late Monday evening, it wasn’t clear what caused the fire, which began to spread to an adjacent field and grassy area, and necessitated the call for additional grass units.

Ric Hanson (Photos)

It appeared the property, which included the foundation of a former house, or an earth earth berm-style home, was vacant. Crews were still on the scene for a little more than an hour. No other information is available at this time.

The Iowa Farm Bureau is offering free informational meetings to help Iowans navigate their options in the new 2018 Farm Bill. Farmers should attend to gain a better understanding of the programs and the risk management they offer over the next 5 years. The meetings are about 1 hour in length and copies of the visuals are provided.

Topics will include: Higher Marketing Loan Rates, Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) improvements, ARC or PLC Election Flexibility, Base Yield Updating,

The meeting in Griswold begins 10-a.m. Thursday, April 11th at the Griswold Community Center, 601 2nd Street, Griswold, and at 2-p.m. Thursday (4/11) at the Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum, 122 West Clark Street, in Clarinda.

Space is limited, so register today for more information on this program.  Pre-registrations are encouraged at https://tinyurl.com/18farmbill to help organizers plan for the workshop; registrations will also be taken at the door as space allows.

Three people have been arrested on drug charges in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Office reports 42-year old Regina Jolene Meyers, of Glenwood, was arrested Friday evening for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 55-year old Dawn Marie Kinsley, of Glenwood, was arrested Friday for Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance, Drug Offense with Firearm and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both women were taken into custody after the Mills County Sheriff’s K9 Unit conducted a narcotics search warrant at 802 Townsend, in Glenwood. Arrest warrants were issued for other involved persons. Glenwood Police assisted the K9 Unit at the scene.

Late Saturday night, 28-year old Kyle Alexander Walline, of Leawood, KS, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance, Drug stamp and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His arrest occurred when the Mills County K9 Unit assisted a stranded motorist at Deacon Road and Hawley Road outside of Glenwood. During the investigation and a search of the vehicle, nearly 70 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found.

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County, Friday, arrested 23-year old Lindsay June Droz, of Essex, on an Iowa felony Probation Violation. Droz was arrested at the Page County Sheriff’s Office, where she was unable to post the $15,000 bond. She is currently being held in the Page County Jail pending further court proceedings.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of a Red Oak man on Monday morning. At 10:17am Officers arrested 59-year-old Robert Roy Woodard of Red Oak for Disorderly Conduct (Fighting) in public. Woodard was arrested in the 1600 block of North Broadway Street and taken to the Montgomery County Jail and booked in on $300 bond.

The Mills County Emergency Management Agency reports the City of Malvern has issued a Bottled Water Advisory effective immediately (4/8/19). They have experienced a failure of one of their wells and the remaining well that is operating has a high nitrate level. Water can be safely used for all household tasks except drinking/cooking. High nitrate is of significant concern to infants; therefore, this advisory has been issued until further notice. Boiling intensifies nitrates so is not a solution for drinking water. If additional information is needed, please contact 712.624.8282.