SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A magistrate says critical letters a Sioux City schoolteacher sent to her superintendent and others are free speech, not harassment. The Sioux City Journal reports that Woodbury County Magistrate Jessica Noll dismissed the six counts of misdemeanor harassment filed against West Middle School teacher Julie Fischer. Fischer had been placed on paid leave last summer after she was charged.

Noll said in her ruling Monday that those who received Fischer’s letters “may have interpreted the messages as offensive and insulting. However, criticizing colleagues is a legitimate purpose.” The letters to Superintendent Paul Gausman and other administrators and teachers were critical of their competency and actions. Woodbury County Attorney Patrick Jennings says the ruling is disappointing and says his office is reviewing it to determine whether to appeal.

District spokeswoman Mandie Mayo says the district hasn’t made a final decision on Fischer’s employment.

A Shelby County man wanted on a first-degree, premeditated murder charge in Pottawattamie County, was transported Tuesday morning from the Polk County Jail to the Pott. County Jail. Police in Des Moines last Friday arrested 20-year old Nicholas Haner, of Harlan, on a Pott. County warrant for suspicion of 1^st degree Murder.  Haner was wanted in connection with the death in January, of 38-year old Adam Angeroth, whose body was found in Angeroth’s Council Bluffs apartment. Haner remains in the Pott. County Jail without bond.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 27-year old Samantha Sue Wehrli, of Atlantic, was arrested this (Wednesday) morning on Felony charges in Neola, after a Deputy on patrol at around 2:15-a.m., was dispatched to the Neola Kum-and-Go Store, for a female sitting at the pumps in a dark colored car. Wehrli was later arrested for Theft in the 2nd degree/Possession of a Stolen vehicle, and Possession of a controlled substance inside a correctional facility. Her bond was set at $10,000 altogether.

A Glenwood man was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the Douglas County, NE., Jail, and transported to the Pott. County Jail. 45-year old William Joseph Weis was wanted on a Pott. County felony warrant for Violation of Probation. An Omaha man was also transported from Douglas County to the Pott. County Jail. 54-year old Richard A. Dee was wanted on warrants for Theft in the 1st Degree and ongoing criminal activity.

26-year old Stephanie Ann Maggio, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Tuesday at the Pott. County Courthouse, on warrants for Theft in the 5th Degree.  42-year old Jeremy Todd Casteel, of Carter Lake, was transported Tuesday from the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility to the Pottawattamie County Jail, to address a warrant for two counts of Conspiracy to Manufacturer/Deliver False Meth over 5 grams but under 5 kilograms. His bond was set at $100,000. And, 39-year old Jesus A. Jaramillo was transported from the Sarpy County, NE. Jail to Pott. County, on warrants for Conspiracy to Manufacturer/Deliver False Meth over 5 grams but under 5 kilograms, and, Attaching used tax stamp – 42.5-grams or more of medical cannabidoil.

Grant, Ia. – The Grant United Methodist Church recently welcomed a new pastor, Jessica Jacobsen of Atlantic, Ia. Jacobsen, who also serves the Villisca Methodist Church, was officially appointed to serve at Grant on Feb. 1st. With Jacobsen’s appointment, Grant UMC has changed its Sunday morning worship service to 9 a.m. During the school year, children’s Sunday School is offered during the second half of worship service. Additionally, Grant offers a 3-5 p.m. after-school program on Wednesdays.

The Grant United Methodist Church, founded in 1855, is a multi-generational church focusing on concern for its neighbors and providing a center of worship for all ages.  Worship services are celebrated at 9 a.m. each Sunday.

Officials with the City of Atlantic report a Public Hearing will be held 5:15-p.m. April 1st at City Hall, with regard to the proposed plans, specifications, Form Of Contract (FOC), and cost estimate for the Schildberg Recreation Area Restroom/Shelter Facility, in Atlantic. The hearing is set to take place during a regular meeting of the City’s Parks and Rec Dept. Board of Directors.

The project is located on the east side of the Schildberg Rec Area, and involves the construction of a split face masonry unit block wall with poured foundation restroom/shelter. It will have a steel roof, underground utilities, doors, vents, electrical, plumbing, ventilation (including fixtures), site grading, a concrete sidewalk, water service, gravity sanitary sewer service, finish grading, seeding and other features as state in the plans and specs.

The Board will consider the proposed plans, specs, FOC and estimate of cost during their meeting. More detailed information and a complete description of the proposed improvements are on file for review at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall. The Board will receive and consider any comments or objections to the project, during their meeting.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency reports C Ave/Boxelder between 150th and 170th, will be closed due to water over the roadway. Please avoid the area and find an alternate route of travel. A reminder, when you see water over the road, “Turn around. Don’t Drown.”

The National Weather Service says 6-inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. 12-inches of water will float many vehicles. Two-feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.

ADAIR, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa State Patrol trooper is being hailed for good police work in warning California law officers about a possible threat to Google headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mountain View, California, police say 33-year-old Kyle Long, of Waterville, Maine, was upset because his YouTube channel had been shut down. He allegedly told his hometown police that he’d get violent if his Google confrontation didn’t go well. Google owns YouTube. Mountain View police arrested Long on Sunday on suspicion of making criminal threats.

Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Nathan Ludwig told Des Moines television station KCCI that Trooper Ryan Zenor talked to Long on Friday while Long’s car was being towed from a ditch he’d slid into along Interstate 80 about 53 miles west of Des Moines. Ludwig says Zenor grew suspicious as Long talked about his plan to pitch an idea to Google executives. Ludwig says Zenor called the Mountain View police after his encounter with Long, shared his concerns and told them Long was headed their way.

Police in Creston, Tuesday afternoon, arrested a man for Tampering with a vehicle. 32-year old Brodie Lee Pingree, of Creston, was also charged with Criminal Mischief. He was arrested at around 1:45-p.m. and later released on a $600 bond.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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(Radio Iowa) — Fire heavily damaged a farm and construction equipment dealership in northwest Iowa early this (Wednesday) morning. Sioux County Sheriff’s Deputy Nate Huisingasays the call came in about 3:20 A-M at Hawke and Company Ag on the outskirts of Alton. “There was flames coming through the roof of the building and as the morning went on, they got that under control,” Huisinga says. “Five fire departments are here assisting and at this point, it looks like they have the fire contained.”

The business was closed at the time the fire broke out. No injuries are reported. Deputy Huisinga says the rain showers weren’t exactly a benefit. “At this point, it’s probably more of a hindrance than it is helping as the conditions aren’t real nice out here,” Huisinga says. “Looks like we’ll have another rain shower go through and hopefully get a little break in the rain.”

There’s no word yet on what may have caused the fire.