(in an update to our earlier reports, the Iowa State Patrol has identified the victim of a crash in Union County, Sunday, as a woman from Taylor County. Authorities say 66-year old Merna Padilla-King, of Bedford, who was not wearing a seat belt died, when her 2017 Chrysler mini-van was struck by a pickup truck on Highway 34, at around 12:17-p.m., Sunday.

The 1998 Dodge pickup was driven by 21-year old Emily M. Haidsiak, of Creston. She was traveling west on the highway, when her vehicle went out of control on the snow and slush covered road. The pickup crossed the center line west of Creston and entered the eastbound lane, where it struck the eastbound minivan. Haidsiak, and an infant passenger in her vehicle – who were properly belted-in – were transported by ambulance to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston, for treatment of multiple, but non-life threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation.

(Radio Iowa) — A bill to get rid of permit requirements for buying and carrying a pistol or revolver in Iowa has cleared its first hurdle in the state senate. Scott Jones, a Virginia-based lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, was in Des Moines to speak at a hearing in the capitol today (Monday).  “Self-defense situations are difficult, if not impossible to anticipate and law-abiding citizens should not be required to pay government-mandated fees and navigate a licensing system in order to exercise a fundamental individual right,” he said.

Jane Robinette of Urbandale wore a t-shirt to the hearing that the read, “America Needs Gun Safety.” “Is a permit really such an onerous thing to be able to carry something that can kill someone else?” Robinette asked. “I’m a law-abiding citizen. I have to get a driver’s license. I haven’t had…a speeding ticket ever in my life.” Jim Hirschberg of Lohrville argued the fee infringes on a constitutional right to protect life and property.

“Iowa’s permit system to carry is a hold-over from Jim Crow laws designed to discriminate,” Hirschberg said. “…What is a prevent a future legislature from raising the fee from $50 to $100 or $1000 or more? Nothing.” Tim Coonan, a lobbyist for Every Town for Gun Safety, says Iowa gun laws already are among the most permissive in the country. “At this point in our country’s history, given all the events known and unknown, it’s hard to imagine a scenario pulling back on systems that have most likely and in many cases have been proven reduce or prevent gun violence,” Coonan said.

Two Republicans on a subcommittee voted to make the bill eligible for debate in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Democrat on the subcommittee said he was concerned about giving Iowans considering suicide, especially veterans, quicker access to guns.

FAIRFIELD, Iowa (AP) — A southeastern Iowa police officer has been charged with burglary after allegedly breaking into a veterinary clinic to steal powerful pain medications. The Iowa Department of Public Safety announced the arrest Monday of 31-year-old Ryan Mills, who lives in Washington, Iowa and works in Fairfield. A criminal complaint alleges Mills was caught stealing 57 tablets of Tramadol from the Veterinary Clinic in Fairfield before business hours on Jan. 1.

Later, he allegedly admitted to entering the clinic on multiple occasions to steal the opioids from a medicine cabinet. Tramadol is a controlled narcotic used to treat moderate to severe pain and is highly addictive.

The clinic began an internal investigation in November after noticing shortages of the drug in its inventory. An employee allegedly saw Mills commit the Jan. 1 theft and police were informed. The Division of Criminal Investigation and the Washington County Attorney’s Office are handling the case to avoid conflicts of interest. Mills was booked into jail Monday.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests. On Sunday, 31-year old Joshua Edward Witt, of Fremont, NE., was arrested for being a Fugitive from Justice. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

On Friday, 23-year old Michael Quincy Combs, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $1,000. That same day, 53-year old James Patrick Hiatt, of Omaha, was arrested in Sarpy County, NE., on a Mills County warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $2,000.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The state’s bill for defending a lawsuit against a former official who claims he was discriminated against because he’s gay has surpassed $1.27 million. Iowa Solicitor General Jeffrey Thompson updated the Iowa Executive Council on Monday in response to a request by Auditor Rob Sand. The council, which includes the governor and other state elected officials, approves state litigation expenses. Former Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey filed the case in 2012. It accuses former Gov. Terry Branstad , current Gov. Kim Reynolds and others of discrimination, retaliation and violation of Godfrey’s constitutional right to due process.

Branstad, a Republican, pressured Godfrey, a Democratic appointee, to resign in 2010. When Godfrey refused, Branstad cut his salary by $39,000 a year. Godfrey says he was targeted because of his sexual orientation. Branstad asserts he didn’t know Godfrey is gay. Des Moines attorney George LaMarca quit the case last September , saying he was retiring. His law firm has billed the state just over $1 million. The case is now handled by the Nyemaster Goode law firm, also based in Des Moines, which has so far billed just over $272,000.

A trial is scheduled for June 3 in Des Moines. If the state loses, taxpayers could be forced to pay any jury verdict in addition to the fees for civil rights attorney Roxanne Conlin, who is representing Godfrey.

Sheriff’s Deputies in Page County arrested two people, following an incident Sunday, in Coin. 38-year old Jayson Daniel Hickle, of Coin, was arrested at his home on a Page County warrant for Domestic abuse assault impeding flow of air / blood. He was transported to the Page County Jail and was unable to post a $2,000 bond. Also arrested was his wife, 32-year old Kaisa Nicole Hickle, who was arrested for Interference with official acts. Kaisa Hickle was transported to the Page County Jail where she posted $300 bond and was released prior to being booked into jail.

(12-p.m. News)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Starting next year, those pork chops on a stick can be put on your card. The Iowa State Fair says it will require all food and drink vendors to accept credit and debit cards beginning in 2020. Cash has long been the dominant method of payment for the fried cheese curds, corn dogs and other foods bought by fairgoers. Thirty ATM machines are located on the fairgrounds. But the fair recently informed vendors that they will be required to use Clover cash registers starting next year that accept credit and debit payments. They can begin using them this year.

In a letter to vendors, concessions director Mike Nye says research shows people spend more per transaction when using cards and prefer cashless payment options. Fair spokeswoman Mindy Williamson says the system will still allow for cash purchases. She says the change is being implemented over two years to allow vendors to spread out expenses and train employees.

(Radio Iowa) — A Northeast Iowa man has been seriously injured in an accident involving a horse-drawn buggy and a vehicle near Cresco. It happened at about 2:15 p-m Saturday at the intersection of 45th Street and Timber Avenue in rural Howard County. A horse and buggy driven by 23-year-old Phillip Yoder of Cresco, turned left in front of an oncoming vehicle driven by 50-year-old Steven Jensen of Cresco; the vehicle struck and killed the horse. Yoder was thrown out of the buggy; he was flown to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, with serious head injuries. A condition report on Yoder was not available. Jensen and his passenger were not hurt.

(Radio Iowa) — An Iowa State University economist says after four decades, it’s time to update the state’s bottle and can deposit law. “The ‘Bottle Bill’ is falling apart. It hasn’t been updated in 40 years. It was a beautiful set of incentives when it was designed.”  Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes says the nickel deposit on plastic, glass and aluminum containers of alcohol and soft drinks should have been indexed for inflation. The deposit should be at least 17-cents today if that had happened, and the one-cent handling fee for redemption centers would be three cents. Hayes says raising the deposit to that level — and making other beverage containers subject to the deposit — would increase recycling.

“At five cents, the recyling rate is falling off. It used to be automatic and routine…Now it’s fallen to 72 percent. For water bottles — non-carbonated water bottles — it’s only 26 percent and that’s the most common variety of material and it’s 26 percent because there’s no deposit at all…and that’s ending up in the landfill,” Hayes says. Late last week, Hayes addressed members of two key legislative committees that are considering changes to the bottle deposit law. One proposal would place the five-cent deposit fee on water bottles, sports drinks and other non-carbonated and non-alcoholic beverage containers. Two other proposals would double the fee redemption centers get, in hopes of expanding the number of non-retail locations where Iowans may take their empties and get their deposit money back. Hayes is urging legislators to take action.

“The system is failing,” Hayes said. “It was a beautiful system when it was designed — and it’s not going to work much any longer.”  According to the Container Recycling Institute, more than 10-thousand TONS of plastic water bottles and other non-carbonated drink containers that could be recycled is thrown into Iowa’s landfills each year.

The Atlantic High School is hosting the District Individual Speech contest on Saturday, February 23rd, and is in need of volunteer help to work the event. Workers are needed to time the performers and to monitor the door during performances. You could also be directing traffic within the building. Trisha Niceswanger, Spanish Instructor, says “It is a great opportunity for the community to host and a chance for you to see some amazing performances from Southwest Iowa students!”

The all-day event would be split into 2 shifts: AM (7:30-Noon) and PM (12:30-5:00). If you can only work part of one of those shifts, your assistance would be welcomed. If interested, please contact Trisha Niceswanger at tniceswanger@atlanticiaschools.org or at the High School at 712-243-5358.