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

WASHINGTON (AP) — Most economists agree that the tariffs the United States and China are preparing to slap on each other’s goods would slow growth, raise prices and force companies to scramble to replace the Chinese suppliers they now rely on. For now, optimists are clinging to tentative signals from the Trump administration that it’s prepared to negotiate with Beijing and avert a trade war. But the risks appear to be rising.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Records show that Iowa Finance Authority Director David Jamison sought to arrange a friendly get-together with longtime ally Gov. Kim Reynolds days before she fired him for alleged sexual harassment. The documents underscore how swiftly Reynolds acted to terminate Jamison, with whom she’d had a working relationship dating back two decades, once her staff learned of the allegations.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa ethanol and biodiesel producers are warning President Donald Trump that imposing restrictions on biofuels production “would be viewed as a declaration of war on rural America.” The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, representing refineries in the nation’s largest biofuels producing state, called on Senators Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst on Friday to reach out to Trump.

NASHUA, Iowa (AP) — Police arrested a Miami man in northeast Iowa after a high-speed chase and then learned he faces a murder charge in Florida. The Iowa State Patrol says a trooper tried to stop a speeding vehicle Thursday morning near Nashua. The vehicle fled at speeds up to 100 mph but finally stopped when its tires were deflated. Police arrested the driver, 21-year-old Devon Cooke, on numerous. Authorities also determined he was wanted on a 2nd degree murder charge in Dade County, Florida.

Atlantic Rising has announced the 2018 nominees for the fifth annual Awards Gala presented by the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and Megan Roberts State Farm. The event is designed to celebrate the achievements of young professionals who demonstrate excellence and innovation in their profession and within their community.

In addition to recognizing the success of area young professionals, one Chamber business will also be recognized as the YP Choice Workplace of the Year.  The YP Choice Workplace Award recognizes companies who effectively attract, retain and develop young professionals.

Nominations were received in the following categories: YP Newcomer, YP Business Leader, YP Entrepreneur, YP Public Servant and YP Choice Workplace.  The nominees are as follows:

Newcomer:

• Paul Kite, Kite Family Chiropractic
• Zack Bandow, Atlantic Dental Center P.C.

Business Leader:

• Kate Hoffmann, Atlantic Animal Health Center
• Ben Rush, Rush, CPA & Associates
• John McCurdy, Southwest Iowa Planning Council

Entrepreneur:

• Amanda Graham, Picker’s Parlor
• Kate Hoffmann, Atlantic Animal Health Center

Public Servant:

• Kelsey Smith, Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral
• Anthony Smith, First Church of Christ
• Kris Erickson, City of Atlantic
• Beth Olsen, Cass County Health System – Public Health

YP Choice Workplace

• Nishna Valley Family YMCA
• Atlantic Specialty Care – Care Initiatives

The 2018 award winners will be announced at the Atlantic Rising YP Awards Gala on Friday, April 27th, starting at noon. The event will take place at the Atlantic Golf & Country Club. Thank you to the Atlantic Rising Premier Partner, Cass County Health System.

Visit www.atlanticiowa.com to register on the Events Calendar page or call the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017. Atlantic Rising is an organization focused on connecting, engaging and attracting young leaders into the community while promoting greater Atlantic. Any interested individuals can contact ashley@atlanticiowa.com or call 712-243-3017 for information on membership.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest Wednesday, April 4th of 24-year-old Jessica Mack of Atlantic on a Cass County Warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order and False Report of Indictable Offense to Public Entity. She was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Emails show that Iowa Finance Authority Director David Jamison requested a friendly get-together with longtime ally Gov. Kim Reynolds, just days before she fired him for alleged sexual harassment.

The records released Friday underscore how swiftly Reynolds acted to terminate Jamison, with whom she’d had a working relationship dating back two decades, once her staff learned of the allegations.

But they don’t shed light on the nature of Jamison’s alleged misconduct, which the governor’s office has refused to share with the public despite mounting calls to do so.
Reynolds fired Jamison on March 24, citing “credible” allegations of sexual harassment against him by state employees. Jamison had written to the governor’s scheduler on March 19 requesting a meal or coffee meeting “to sit and visit” with his longtime colleague.

The Warren County Attorney’s Office said Friday, an Indianola woman was arrested Thursday by Indianola Police, in connection with an incident where a child was injured at her privately run day care center last October. 34-year old Heather McKasson faces felony charges that include Child Endangerment causing serious injury, Willful Injury causing serious injury, and assault causing serious injury. She posted bond and was released from custody, pending a preliminary hearing, which was set for April 16th.

Authorities began to investigate McKasson, after Indianola Police and Fire/Rescue personnel were called to her home at 1312 Detroit Avenue Oct. 31st, for a one-year old in distress. The child, referred to at “J.T.”, was transported to Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, as a result of her injuries.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Indianola Police Department at 515-961-9400.

Mike Peterson signs donation check to Northwest Missouri State

Alan Peterson signs donation check to Northwest Missouri State

The Peterson Family presenting the donation check. Pictured from left: Diana Peterson, Alan Peterson, Erin Peterson holding Brinley Peterson, Mike Peterson, Northwest Athletic Director Mel Tjeerdsma, Andrea Peterson Elba, and Mike Johnson Northwest Missouri State University Vice President of University Advancement.

Atlantic natives and Northwest Missouri State University alumni, Alan and Mike Peterson presented a donation of $100,000 today (Friday), to Northwest Director of Athletics Mel Tjeerdsma and Vice President of University Advancement Mike Johnson. The donation is in support of the Hughes Fieldhouse, which is under construction on the Northwest campus in Maryville, MO. (More information about the project can be found at www.nwmissouri.edu/HughesFieldhouse/ )

Mike Peterson is a former Bearcat football player and member of Northwest’s M-Club Hall of Fame. The family made the gift, in part, as a way to show their gratitude for Northwest and Tjeerdsma, who led the Bearcat football program for 17 years and coached Peterson.

Alan Peterson said “It’s an honor for our family to present this donation. It’s a great honor to honor the past and future champions on the field and in the classroom. We’ve had a lot of fun at Maryville and we’ll continue to have a lot of fun in Maryville.”

The Hughes Fieldhouse is a 21 million dollar project for Northwest Missouri State. Peterson said “This new Fieldhouse is going to be a great addition to the campus because of the things it will do for the community, the college, and the whole Northwest region and even into Southwest Iowa. It’s one of the premier projects in the school’s history. We just felt like we wanted to give back.”

Northwest Missouri State Vice President of University Advancement Mike Johnson said a donation like this “Means everything. We call ourselves a Bearcat family and when you play it out in the way the Petersons have, we benefit because of the love of family. Bearcats can’t do things like the largest public-private partnership project of 21 million dollars without pulling on all the great things of its people.”

The Hughes Fieldhouse is 138,000 square feet and will have a 100 yard turf field and a 6-lane 300 meter track. Athletics Director Mel Tjeerdsma said all sports on campus will benefit from the facility, along with every Northwest student, and the community. He said 14 million dollars of the project has come from private funding. The facility is scheduled to be completed in mid-August and will be dedicated during Northwest’s Homecoming week.

The Iowa State Patrol Friday afternoon, released details concerning a fatal accident that took place at around 9:22-a.m. on Interstate 80 in Cass County. The Patrol says a 2008 Ford F-250 driven by 59-year old Scott Hawke, of Rigby, ID., was pulling a fifth-wheel camper was traveling east on I-80 near the 72 mile marker, when the vehicle went out of control on an ice covered bridge.

The truck and trailer jackknifed into the median before hitting a fixed metal guard rail. The collision resulted in the pickup rolling over before it came to rest in the right lane of westbound traffic. The camper came to rest on the guardrail in the median.

Hawke, who was wearing a seat belt, died at the scene of the crash, which caused traffic to be backed up for nearly two-hours.

The Iowa State Patrol reports an attempt to stop a vehicle, at around 9:30-a.m Thursday on Highway 218 near Nashua, resulted in the arrest of a man wanted on a murder charge. The driver, 21-year old Devon Cooke, of Miami, Florida, fled at speeds over 100-mph and drove at oncoming traffic.   He was apprehended after a short foot pursuit when his tires became deflated from a set of stop sticks deployed by officers.

Cooke was charged with OWI 1st degree, felony eluding, assault on a peace officer, possession with intent to deliver, fail to affix tax stamp, possession of drug paraphernalia and multiple traffic violations.  He was being held in the Chickasaw County Jail on these charges and awaiting extradition to Dade County Florida where is wanted for 2nd degree murder.

Assisting in the pursuit was Iowa DOT Enforcement, Bremer County Sheriff’s Department. Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Department, Blackhawk County Sheriff’s Department and Janesville Police Department.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa ethanol and biodiesel producers are warning President Donald Trump that imposing restrictions on biofuels production “would be viewed as a declaration of war on rural America.”

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, representing refineries in the nation’s largest biofuels producing state, called on Sens. Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst on Friday to reach out to Trump. The refiners use corn, soybeans and animal fat to make biofuels and want the senators to tell Trump limiting biofuel production is a “complete abdication of his repeated promises” to protect biofuels.

The group says it’s heard that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt plans to push Trump on Monday for a proposal that would cut biofuel demand. Farm states, already stinging from Trump’s tariff fight with China, are alarmed he could further hurt ag markets.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested Thursday morning. Deputies arrested 30-year old Lance Allen Pfeifer, of Prairie Village, KS, at around 2:35-a.m., for OWI/3rd offense, Improper use of lanes, and Use of an electronic communication device. His bond was set at $5,000. And, at around 8:50-a.m., 45-year old Ray Leslie Knipe, of Glenwood, was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear on a Possession of Controlled Substance charge. His bond was set at $5,000.

The Sheriff’s Office said also, no injuries were reported, after a strong gust of wind blew a 1992 Ford truck off the road, April 3rd. The vehicle was traveling north on 315th Street at around 4:50-p.m., when it went off onto the right shoulder of the road. The driver, Trent Stillwell, of Malvern, over corrected, sending the truck across the road and into the west ditch, where it rolled over and came to rest on its wheels.