WASHINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in southeastern Iowa say they are  investigating a person’s death described as suspicious. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says in a news release that police in Washington, Iowa, were called to an apartment complex just before 8 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a person found dead.

Soon afterward, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation was called to help with the investigation. Police have not released the name of the person found dead, and no additional details about the death have been released.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Police in eastern Iowa are looking for members of a mob of up to 40 people that swarmed into a Cedar Rapids convenience store, stealing items and destroying property in just seconds.

The Des Moines Register reports that the incident happened around 10:30 July 3 following a nearby fireworks show. Police say surveillance video of the Casey’s General Store shows a large group of young people entering the store, grabbing items from shelves and refrigerated coolers and rushing back out of the store’s doors — knocking over displays on the way out. From start to finish, the incident took less than 90 seconds.

The store’s two clerks appeared powerless to stop the crowd. Police say one juvenile has been arrested, but they’re seeking the public’s help in identifying others involved.

Red Oak Police say two people were arrested this (Wednesday) morning, on assault charges. 34-year old Natasha Suzanne Loftesness, of Red Oak, was arrested just before 7-a.m., after allegedly entering a residence in the 1200 block of N. Highland Avenue, and allegedly assaulting a person who had allegedly assault her juvenile child. Lofteness was charged with Simple Assault, and was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 cash bond. And, 24-year old Theron Roderick Pace, II, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 7-a.m. in the 1200 block of N. Highland Avenue, in connection with the alleged assault of a juvenile in the 600 block of N. Miller Avenue. Pace was arrested for Simple Assault and held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 cash bond.

The women of Xi Beta Phi were proud to support the Atlantic Children’s Theatre group’s 2018 summer production of Tom Sawyer with a $1300 donation.   The funds were raised from the group’s annual sale of holiday wreaths and greens.  Sara Nelson made the presentation to a few of the over 70 children who are participating in the theatre’s production this week.  Tom Sawyer will be performed Friday, July 13 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, July 14 at 2:00 pm. Admission is free, but free-will donations are encouraged.  To order holiday greens this fall, contact Nelson at 712-243-4409. All proceeds go to local organizations.

DEWITT, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa factory plans to lay off workers, reduce production and delay expansion plans in response to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration on steel imported from Canada. The Quad-City Times reports that the Black Cat Wear Parts factory in DeWitt has confirmed temporary layoffs of 10 of its 17 production employees this week. Plant Manager Josh Daniel says he hopes to rehire the employees, depending on future negotiations within the trade dispute.

Daniel says the factory has also scaled back about 80 percent of its production capacity. The facility will send around 90 tons (82 metric tons) of monthly steel manufacturing to Canada, where the company is headquartered. He says the tariffs have halted the company’s expansion plan. The DeWitt branch had purchased another location this year.

The Glenwood Police Department reports 41-year old Michael Carver, of Glenwood was arrested Tuesday, for driving While barred, unlawful possession of prescription drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Carver’s bond was set at $3,300. 

AtlanticFest, presented by First Whitney Bank, will be held Saturday, August 11th, rain or shine. AtlanticFest is an annual festival that serves as a fundraiser for the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Atlantic will be filled with fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Come early and enjoy a pancake breakfast, or start the day off with a run through the Schildberg Recreation Area in the “Annual Road Race,” with chip timing coming back this year. The Annual Tractor Ride will also be taking place, kicking off at the Cass County Fair Grounds at 8-a.m.. There will be crafters from all over Southwest Iowa, as well as some of the best food vendors to help satisfy any appetite. New this year, kids and families can enjoy a Carnival or jump in the bounce houses. The 20th Annual Car Show and Motorcycle Show will be taking place once again this year. And, there’s free entertainment throughout the day.

Pre-Registration for the Car Show, Motorcycle Show, Road Race and Tractor Ride is going on now through July 27th, at noon. Registration for Craft and Food Vendors is happening now through August 1st at noon. If you are interested in being a part of AtlanticFest, please visit www.atlanticiowa.com or call the Chamber at 712-243-3017.

Interviews were held Tuesday at the Cass County Community Center to help determine who will be the 2018 Cass County Fair Queen and King. Seventeen area youth appeared before the judges individually and in group settings, in hopes of being selected. Fair Royalty (King, Queen, Prince and Princess) will be chosen during the Fair on July 26th, beginning at 7:30-p.m., just before the Little Miss and Little Mister contest at 7-p.m.

Pictured are 2018 candidates for the Cass County Fair King and Queen (front row, left to right) Madison Mills, Claire Smith, Nicole Eilts, Katie York and Alyssa Brockob; (second row) Tyler Comes, Haley Becker, Emily Saeugling, Teaguen Sothman, Sidney Aupperle, Myra Rubio and Nathan Behrends; and (third row) Cale Pellett, Mitchell Williamson, Caleb Schmidt, Kaleb Venteicher, and Tate DenBeste. ** Photo by Sue Fischer used with permission.

Among the male candidates, was  Cale Pellett, Mitchell Williamson, Kaleb Venteicher, Cale Schmidt, Nathan Behrends, Tate DenBeste, Teaguen Sothman, and Tyler Comes. Female candidates included Myah Rubio, Madison Mills, Haley Backer, Nicole Eilts, Claire Smith, Katie York, Emily Saeugling, Sidney Aupperle, and Alyssa Brockob. Last year’s Fair Royalty included: Princess – Paige Henderson; Prince – Cody McCreedy; King – Riley Smith, and Queen – Mariah Murphy. The title of Little Miss went to Leah Ohms, and Cooper Anderson was named Little Mister during the 2017 Cass County Fair.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report a Deputy on patrol in Treynor Tuesday afternoon, arrested a man following a traffic stop. 48-year old Thomas Shawn Johnson, of Stanton, was arrested for Driving While Barred. The report said Johnson was allegedly under the influence of narcotics at the time of his arrest. Tuesday evening, 68-year old Franklin Dean Jensen, of Neola, was arrested in Neola for Driving while barred. His arrest was the result of a deputy being dispatched to 309 Front Street, in Neola for a possible intoxicated many. Dispatch advised a male was on scene who had driven to the location and did not have a driver’s license. Upon arrival, the deputy could see the vehicle parked at the Donovan Oil gas station. As the driver of the vehicle (Jensen) left the area , a traffic stop was initiated.

A man was transferred from Harrison County to the authority of a Pottawattamie County Deputy Tuesday night. 50-year old Jack Tacner, of Magnolia,  was wanted on a Pott. County warrant for Failure to Appear. He was transported to the Pott. County Jail and turned over the Corrections staff. And, Tuesday morning, an inmate at the Pottawattamie County Jail was presented with a warrant for Violation of Probation. 24-year old Devon Seth Hunt, of Council Bluffs, was read the warrant and then returned to his cell.