AMES, Iowa  (May 8, 2018) — Landus Cooperative today (Tuesday) announced it has signed an asset purchase agreement with ADM to acquire ADM’s grain facility in Manilla, Iowa. Under the purchase agreement, Landus Cooperative gains more than 2.3 million bushels of grain capacity for its first wholly-owned Crawford County, Iowa location including

·         775,000 bushels of upright storage

·         More than 1.5 million bushels of bunker storage

·         32,000 bushel per hour receiving capacity

Pending final documentation, Landus Cooperative is slated to take possession June 1, 2018. Milan Kucerak, chief executive officer for Ames, Iowa- based Landus Cooperative said in a news release, “This Manilla, Iowa site is a strategic purchase for Landus Cooperative and farmers in western Iowa,” explained . “While this grain asset has been well cared for, we expect to improve efficiency on behalf of the customer utilizing best practices from our nearly 60 grain locations in Iowa. Our domestic and international grain end-users continue to demand high-quality corn and soybeans, and we know Crawford County, Iowa farmers can help meet that demand.”

Under terms of the purchase agreement, ADM and Landus Cooperative plan to honor all outstanding grain contracts. Landus Cooperative also plans to host a grower meeting shortly after final documents are signed, and the facility changes ownership. According to the North American Grain & Milling Annual ranking of the largest grain companies in North America based on storage, ADM ranks 2nd and Landus Cooperative ranks 6th.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State University officials say they’re making changes in how the university responds to reports of sexual violence. The university has been hit with sexual assault lawsuits alleging that the university mishandled the cases, including one settled Monday for $47,500. The woman’s attorney, Tom Newkirk, told The Des Moines Register the settlement might have been higher if he and his client had not been satisfied the university is taking action.

Officials say changes include an overhaul of the sexual misconduct policy, the start of a sexual misconduct prevention initiative, and new training for all employees. The university also has scheduled a public forum Wednesday concerning a recent “campus climate” survey. Among the findings: 11 percent of respondents indicated they had experienced unwanted sexual contact or conduct while at the university.

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County say a man who had just left his eye doctor, and had dilated eyes, was involved in a two-vehicle collision at around 3:30-p.m. Monday, just north of Red Oak. A 2015 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 62-year old Rodney Sowers, of Red Oak, whose eyes were dilated, was northbound on Highway 48, when his vehicle crossed the center line of the road and struck a southbound 2016 Chevy Silverado owned by Schildberg Construction, and driven by 39-year old Jerry Funke, of Menlo. Damage from the collision amounted to $28,000. No injuries were reported. Sowers was cited for Failure to Yield half of the road.

Red Oak Police, Monday evening, arrested 28-year old Bruce Anthony Kaimann, Jr., of Red Oak. Kaimann, Jr. was taken into custody in the 2400 block of N. 8th Street at around 7:35-p.m., for Disorderly Conduct and Domestic Abuse Assault. He was being held without bond, in the Montgomery County Jail.

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County report the arrest at around 6:35-p.m. Monday, of 48-year old Dodie Lyn Shaffer, of Knoxville. Shaffer was arrested following a traffic stop on one of two vehicles that were reportedly all over the road on Highway 34, and not letting vehicles pass. After Deputies stopped a white Buick at Highway 34 and Walnut Avenue, the owner gave permission to search the car. Located inside the trunk inside an eyeglass case, was a meth pipe and a syringe. Shaffer was subsequently arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $300.

Numerous out buildings were lost to fire Monday evening in rural Guthrie Center. According to reports, the blaze, which destroyed a barn and other buildings on a farm south of Guthrie Center, at 2471 270th Street, was reported at around 7-p.m.

The resident of the farmstead, who reportedly has lived on the property her entire life, said she woke up from a nap to find the buildings on fire. Her residence, however, was not damaged, and there were no injuries. Also, no livestock were lost.

Firefighters from Guthrie Center, Menlo and Stuart, along with the woman’s neighbors, responded to help put out the flames. Officials say the fire was started by wind rekindling sticks in a burn barrel that were ignited earlier in the day, Monday.

Members of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet during a regular session 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, in the Middle School Media Center. The meeting begins with a Public Hearing with regard to the 2017-18 Amended Certified Budget, which, as presented does not call for an increase in taxes paid in the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2018. Instead, the change in estimates of expenditures will be financed from increased receipts and balances not budgeted or considered in the current budget.

One of the action items on their agenda concerns the 2018 Master Contract Agreement with the Atlantic Education Association, which represents the District’s Certified Staff (teachers, etc.). During the meeting, Superintendent Steve Barber is expected to recommend the Board approve the tentative agreement as presented.

The agreement, as proposed, calls for a $480 increase on the base, with no step movement. The total package increase is 1.90%, for a total cost to the District of $139,367. In other business, the Board will act on the resignations of High School Para-educator Brian Thompson, and Middle School ELA Teacher Jennifer Hartwig.

The Board will also act on approving bids for Milk, bread and trash collection, along with 70/30 Sharing Agreement for Atlantic’s Business Manager, with the CAM School District CAM receiving the services of Atlantic School District Business Manager Sarah Sheeder 30% of the time. In return, CAM will provide 30% of the cost associated with the shared position. Since the business manager position is one that fits under the Operational Sharing legislation, each district will receive additional revenue.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 2:00 a.m. CDT

MILFORD, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say four people killed in a crash on Interstate 80 in Nebraska were from eastern Iowa. The victims were identified as 49-year-old Susan Selser, 20-year-old Cody Richardson, 20-year-old Troy Wanzek and 19-year-old Cole Austin, all of Clinton, Iowa. Authorities say the driver, 20-year-old Madison Selser-Smith, of Clinton, lost control and crossed the center median. The car was struck by a 2010 Buick Lacerne driven by 75-year-old Anna Richert, of rural Gresham, Nebraska.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Although spring storms initially slowed spring planting progress in Iowa and Nebraska, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports farmers have nearly caught up to five-year averages in the past week. Iowa farmers have 40 percent of the corn crop planted which is three days behind the average at this point in the season. Farmers in Nebraska have 42 percent of the corn planted, near the 46 percent average.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a semitrailer struck and killed a pedestrian along Interstate 680 on the north side of Omaha. The trucker called 911 around 4:40 a.m. Monday to report the accident. Omaha police identified the pedestrian as 25-year-old Zachary C.L. Crinklaw of Omaha. The trucker driver was 52-year-old Michael J. Stone, of Rockwell City, Iowa.

MONONA, Iowa (AP) — A man has been sentenced to prison after being arrested during a failed attempt to rob a northeast Iowa bank by sending notes from a drive-up window. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 21-year-old Tyler Koehler, of Monona, was sentenced Monday to three years in prison after pleading guilty Nov. 16, 2017, to attempted bank robbery. Koehler admitted trying to rob a Monona bank last June by passing repeated notes via a drive-up window. A teller stalled Koehler until police arrived and arrested him.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports 47-year old Andre Lamont Sewell, of Greenfield, was arrested Friday afternoon on numerous charges, by Greenfield Police. His bond cash or surety bond was set at $10,000. Sewell was charged with Felon in control of a Firearm, after knowing a .22 caliber revolver was under the bed mattress that he was sitting on, and having been previously convicted on a felony, was not allowed to possess a weapon. He was also charged with Assault Causing Serious Injury, and Willful Injury/bodily injury, in connection with a Domestic Abuse Assault that occurred May 1st, and involved his significant other.

Sewell was charged with Possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, after a search warrant executed at his apartment on May 4th, resulted in the recovery of two glass smoking pipes which contained a white residue believed to be meth. And, he was charged with Obstructing Emergency Communications, when, on May 1st, Sewell would not allow the alleged victim of the domestic assault access to her keys, so she could get help.

Sheriff Vandewater said also, 50-year old Todd Richard Eble, of Bridgewater, was arrested May 3rd, on an Adams County warrant for Driving While License Suspended, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The latter was with regard to a marijuana pipe visible in plain view, to a Deputy who went to Eble’s home to serve the arrest warrant. The pipe contained a partially burned, green, leafy substance. Eble was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $300 cash or surety bond.

Also arrested May 3rd, was 35-year old Luke Allan Mullen, of Bedford. He was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense involving his spouse, and Trespass by injury or damage, after he refused to leave the residence when asked several times to do so. His cash only bond was set at $1,000. And, on May 2nd, 44-year old Christopher Paul Stielow, of Des Moines, was arrested at the Polk County Jail, on Adair County warrants for Harassment in the 1st Degree, and Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. His cash or surety bond was set at $4,000.

MONONA, Iowa (AP) — A man has been sentenced to prison after being arrested during a failed attempt to rob a northeast Iowa bank by sending notes from a drive-up window. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 21-year-old Tyler Koehler, of Monona, was sentenced Monday to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty Nov. 16, 2017, to attempted bank robbery.

Koehler admitted trying to rob the Freedom Bank in Monona on June 9, 2017, by passing repeated notes via a drive-up window that threatened to “blow this place up” unless given cash.

A teller stalled Koehler until police arrived and arrested him.