DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has been dropped from a lawsuit that could cost the state millions of dollars in a case alleging former Gov. Terry Branstad and others singled out a former state official for a pay cut because of his political party or sexual orientation.

The lawsuit filed by former Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey in 2012 is set for a June 3 trial in Des Moines. The lawsuit names Branstad, members of his 2010-2011 staff and former Iowa Workforce Development Director Teresa Wahlert.

Godfrey, who is gay and a Democrat, says he was discriminated and retaliated against, and his constitutional rights to due process and equal protection were violated in 2011 when Branstad slashed Godfrey’s pay after he wouldn’t resign.

Documents filed Wednesday by Godfrey’s attorney, Roxanne Conlin, indicate the state could be on the hook for millions of dollars in damages and attorney fees but the final amount will be up to jurors to decide. Conlin says Reynolds had little to do with the issues of the case, and dismissing her was a strategic decision.

Red Oak Police report a 17-year old male was arrested at around 3-p.m. Wednesday, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana. The teen, who was arrested in the 2000 block of N. 4th Street, was subsequently released to his mother from the Montgomery County Jail.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Another one of the dozens of levee repair contracts expected along the Missouri River has been awarded to an Iowa company. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the $8.5 million contract to repair a levee in Mills County, Iowa, has been awarded to Newt Marine Service of Dubuque, Iowa.

The initial repairs to the breach in the levee northwest of Bartlett, Iowa, should be completed over the next 30 to 80 days. This contract is one of the first handful of repair projects approved. The Corps is reviewing damage as floodwaters subside and making plans to repair 50 breaches that occurred during the March flooding.

HAMBURG, Iowa (AP) — The southwest Iowa town of Hamburg is facing a long list of challenges as it works to recover from this spring’s flooding, and the lack of federal disaster aid is making everything harder.

Mayor Cathy Crain says Hamburg had to take out a $2 million emergency loan to help pay expenses while it works to fix its water treatment plant and waits for Congress to approve an aid package.

Before the flooding in March, Hamburg owed only $56,000 and had $560,000 in savings, but almost all of that has been spent. Crain says Hamburg has begun asking for donations online to help the town recover.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A lawsuit challenging a new Iowa law that prohibits federal funding to be used by Planned Parenthood to teach sex education has been filed against Gov. Kim Reynolds and the state.

On the last day of the legislative session, Republican legislators pushed through language in a budget bill that banned Planned Parenthood of the Heartland from receiving money from two federal grants that have been paying for youth sex education programs.

It was the latest effort by conservative lawmakers to end all streams of government funding for the organization, which as part of its family planning efforts also performs abortions. They said other organizations could provide the information.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the measure into law May 3. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed the lawsuit Wednesday in state court in Des Moines for Planned Parenthood. It seeks to block the law temporarily until a court can consider whether it’s constitutional.

The lawsuit argues the law violates the organization’s free speech, due process and equal protection rights. Reynolds spokesman Pat Garrett says, “Governor Reynolds is 100% pro-life and believes taxpayer dollars shouldn’t fund an organization that provides abortion.”

For the past six-years, the Atlantic Rotary has presented their Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award to one person each year. This year was different. Last year’s winner Gini Jordan announced today (Wednesday) that the winners this year were Justin Williams, CCEOC 9-12 Teacher, and CCEOC/Special Education Teacher Karen Vogl.

Atlantic Rotary 2019 Teachers of the Year/Atlantic Community School District (Justin Williams & Karen Vogl)

Vogl said she was “Extremely happy, appreciative and pleased” to receive the award. She credited her success to her team, which includes Justin Williams. Williams also recognized the team, and said he was humble to receive the award.

Rotary Teacher of the Year Chair Becky Schroeder said there were an outstanding pool of nominees this year. The winners she said will receive a check for $5,000 to be used however the teacher sees fit. Both also received a plaque.

Other awards were presented for years of service and to those who are retiring. The retirees honored include:

• Christi Garrett and Deb Nelson, from Washington Elementary.
• Melia Clark, from Schuler Elementary.
• Sheryl Dusenberry, Atlantic Middle School.
• Craig Fredin, Maryle Hopper-Henningsen, Pat Wiederin and Michele Lane, from the Atlantic High School.
• Maintenance retiree, Arnie Lamp.
• Transportation retirees Dave Eckles, Sam Hoover and Jan Imhoff.

Other staff received certificates for serving anywhere from 5-to 35-years with the district.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest on May 7th,  of 24-year-old Aaron Cole, of Atlantic. Cole was arrested for Theft  in the 1^{st degree,}  Burglary in the 2^nd Degree, three counts of Burglary 3^rd Degree – Motor Vehicle, two counts of Unauthorized use of a Credit Card under $1,000, Criminal Mischief 4^th Degree, Interference with Official Acts, and Ongoing Criminal Conduct – Unlawful Activity.

27-year old Kaytie Beschorner, of Atlantic, was arrested May 9^th on Cass County warrants charging her with four counts of Forgery, two counts of Theft 3^rd Degree, fourteen counts of Unauthorized use of a Credit Card under $1,000, Theft 4^th and Ongoing Criminal Conduct – Unlawful Activity in Montgomery County.

Col and Beschorner were transported to the Cass County Jail and booked-in.

Atlantic Police also arrested 46-year-old Joseph King, of Atlantic, on May 12^th, on two Cass County warrants for Violation of Probation. 27-year old Stephanie Stuart,  of Sedalia, Missouri, was arrested May 13^th for Operating While Intoxicated.

19-year old Zachary Butler, of Atlantic, was arrested May 14^th on a Cass County warrant for Interference with Official Acts. And 57-year old Charles Burns, of Atlantic, was arrested that same day, on a Cass County warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order.

All individuals were taken to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports numerous drug-related arrests have occurred recently. On Tuesday (May 14), 27-year old Stephen Edward Ross, of Atlantic, was arrested for: OWI 1st Offense; Possession of Meth 1st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Ross was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance. And, 27-year old Jade Michael Nicholson, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Sheriff’s Office felony warrant for Possession with Intent to Deliver Meth. Upon arrest, Nicholson was additionally charged with felony Possession of Oxycodone 3rd/Subsequent Offense. He remains in the Cass County Jail on $55,000 bond.

Last Friday (May 10), Cass County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 60-year old Robert John Rasmussen, of Massena, on felony charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, Possession Marijuana 3rd or Subsequent offense, and a Drug Tax Stamp Violation. He was also charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On Tuesday, deputies served Rasmussen at the Jail with a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. He remains at the Cass County Jail on $120,000 bond. Also arrested May 10th, was 33-year old Cody Michael Johnson, of Adair, and 35-year old Lisa Marie King, of Cumberland. The pair were taken into custody after deputies responded to a report of an attempted burglary in progress at 64666 Tucson Road. Johnson and King, were each arrested on a felony charge of Burglary in the 3rd Degree, as well as Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. King was additionally charged with Possession of Meth 1st Offense, while Johnson was additionally charged with Possession of Marijuana 1st Offense. Both were being held in the Cass County Jail on $6,000 bond each.

May 5th, Cass County deputies arrested 47-year old Jack Lee Carson, Jr., of Elk Horn, for felony Possession with Intent to Deliver Meth, felony Possession of Meth 3rd/Subsequent Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Carson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $55,300 bond.

On May 9th, 28-year old Karen Dawn Hernandez, of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of Driving While Revoked. Hernandez was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on her own recognizance. On May 8th, 35-year old Ryan Mark Biensen, of Fort Dodge, was arrested in Cass County on a District Court warrant for Probation of Violation. Biensen was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $20,000 bond.

On May 4th, 48-year old Vicente Gomez, of Texas, was arrested on a charge of Interference with Official Acts. Gomez was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.

WEST UNION, Iowa (AP) — Thousands of chickens were killed when a truck crashed in northeast Iowa. KCRG-TV reports the crashed happened early Tuesday when a truck hauling about 5,000 chickens crashed on Highway 18, about a mile west of West Union. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office says the 44-year-old driver was heading west when he crashed into a ditch. He and a child passenger were treated for minor injuries.

About half the chickens were killed. The others were loaded onto another truck. The driver was cited for failure to maintain control of his vehicle.

The Iowa Board of Medicine has taken action against a northwest Iowa man accused of sexual misconduct. Officials say 47-year old Christopher J. VandeLune, D.O., who formerly practiced family medicine in Cherokee (Iowa), entered into a combined Statement of Charges and Settlement Agreement with the Board on May 9, 2019. The Board alleged that Dr. VandeLune engaged in sexual misconduct and/or sexual harassment in violation of the laws and rules governing the practice of medicine in Iowa, when he sent sexually suggestive text messages and social media messages to, and engaged in sexual relations with, two female co-workers for whom he also provided medical care in Cherokee, Iowa, in 2017.

At the direction of the Board, Dr. VandeLune completed a Board-approved comprehensive sexual misconduct evaluation on March 2, 2019. Under the terms of the May 9, 2019, combined Statement of Charges and Settlement Agreement, the Board issued Dr. VandeLune a Citation and Warning and ordered him to pay a $5,000 civil penalty. The Board also ordered Dr. VandeLune to complete a Board-approved professional boundaries program and placed him on probation for a period of five years subject to Board monitoring, including professional boundaries counseling.