(Radio Iowa) — Whatever the weather, Iowa’s highways will be humming with heavy traffic next weekend as people head off to be with loved ones and to share a Thanksgiving feast. Nick Jarmusz, spokesman for Triple-A-Iowa, says they’re forecasting a near-five percent boost in travel for the long holiday weekend, what promises to be the busiest Thanksgiving since 2005.

“Building off of what’s really been a big year for travel, throughout the summer and now heading into these year-end holidays,” Jarmusz says, “about 54.3 million Americans are going to be taking a trip of 50 miles or more from home at some point between Wednesday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend.”

Gasoline prices have dipped substantially in recent weeks, which is welcome news before Iowans fill up their tanks.  “Gas prices are certainly a nice bonus for the folks who are going to be traveling, especially the 48.5 million that are going to be traveling by car, but that’s not really the reason that they’re making the trip,” Jarmusz says. “Americans love to go home for the holidays. They want to visit family and friends and we know if they have the means to do it, they will.”

Consumers have plenty for which to be thankful this holiday season, including higher wages, more disposable income and rising levels of household wealth, Jarmusz says. Plus, those lower prices at the pump.”In Iowa right now, we’re looking at a statewide price for unleaded averaging at $2.51,” Jarmusz says. “That’s down 34-cents from this time a month ago and it’s only three-cents off from where we were at this time last year.”

In most cases, he says the best days to travel will be Thanksgiving Day, Friday or Saturday. Drivers will likely see increased travel times on Sunday, Jarmusz says, as most holiday travelers will be making their way home after the long weekend.

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

WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa police say they’ve arrested a man in the death of a woman found not breathing at a central Iowa home nearly two months ago. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says in a news release that 32-year-old Zachery Bassett was arrested Wednesday in St. Joseph, Missouri, on a warrant charging him with first-degree murder in the death of 50-year-old Andrea Sokolowski. Investigators say Bassett called Webster City police on Sept. 22 to report that his girlfriend was not breathing.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines resident has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for breaking into the man’s home and stabbing him to death. Television station KCCI reports that 20-year-old Magai Anai Kur was sentenced Wednesday. He was convicted in September of robbery and first-degree murder in the September 2017 death of 77-year-old Robert Howe.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman who shared a nearly $700 million Powerball lottery jackpot has donated $500,000 to a veterans group. Lerynne West announced on the Ellen DeGeneres Show broadcast Wednesday that she gave the money to the Travis Mills Foundation. The Maine-based organization offers programs for disabled veterans. West says it’s important “that we never forget the sacrifices our soldiers and families make for our country.” Robert Bailey of New York City bought the other winning ticket.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education met in a regular session Wednesday evening in the High School Media Center. The Board approved a handful of resignations, include: Craig Fredin, 9^th Grade Girl’s Basketball Coach; Pam Russell, At-Risk Student Advocate; David Eckles, Transportation Director, and Sam Hoover, Bus Driver. They also approved several contract recommendations and/or Letters of Assignment, with one late addition: Shelby McCreedy was added as Freshman Girls Basketball Coach.

The Board approved requests for the Debate Team to compete in Marshall, MN, January 25^th and 26th, and a trip for Middle School Students to visit Washington, D.C., in June, 2019. The trip to D.C. is offered every other year for those students.

And, the Atlantic School Board approved the Early Retirement Incentive program as presented during previous discussions. It will be offered until Jan. 3, 2019 only for a select number of persons who have 10-years of service to the district and are at least 55-years of age by June 30, 2019. If selected, they would receive $25,000 over a three-year period.

Those funds would be paid into what is called a “Health Reimbursement Arrangement,” (Or, HRA), which allows the participants to continue their health insurance, as long as they pay the monthly premiums, for a maximum cost to the District of up to $250,000 over a three-year period starting in FY 2020.

More than 200 delegates from the Iowa Association of School Board’s (IASB) member school boards and area education agency (AEA) boards gathered at Delegate Assembly on Wednesday (Nov. 14), to conduct the annual meeting and determine the platform for the 2019 legislative session. Each board appoints one board member as delegate to represent their board’s views.

Among the four priorities approved, the state penny sales tax for school infrastructure remained a priority that school boards in Iowa support and urge the legislature to extend. Atlantic School Board member Allison Bruckner and ACSD Superintendent Steve Barber were in attendance at the delegate’s meeting.

During Wednesday evening’s Atlantic School Board meeting, Bruckner said she had a chance to vote on the proposed legislative platform, and it was “A very good day. We got through 32 items that were on the agenda to vote for, and there were some really good items that came up for discussion.” There was also “A lot of healthy debate,” she said, and it was interesting to “hear from what legislative platforms are out there and what they’re looking for, to support this year.”

Superintendent Barber said “Although there was disagreement, people in that were in that room were very passionate about public education.” IASB Board President Joan Corbin said “This is the fifth year in a row that members have selected the state penny as one of our legislative priorities. Time is running out for districts who are simply trying to reliably plan budgets-they need to know this funding stream will be around past 2029.” Corbin said “Additionally, the state penny sales tax is a source of property tax relief, and if the legislature doesn’t extend it past 2029, districts may be forced to pass bond measures to fund school infrastructure projects. We strive to keep the burden of facilities maintenance from impacting taxpayers in our communities, but these bond measures will increase property taxes.”

The approved platform includes the following priorities:
* Supports repeal of the 2029 sunset of the statewide penny sales tax for school infrastructure; and supports preservation of the sales tax with no diversions or expansions of allowable uses;
* Supports changes to school funding policy that ensures equity, especially in transportation costs and district cost per pupil rates;
* Setting supplemental state aid rates in a timely way, with adequate resources to sustain world-class schools; and
* Supports efforts to establish comprehensive community mental health systems to offer preventative and treatment services and comprehensive school mental health programs that include access for students to mental health professionals.

To see the full list of beliefs, resolutions and legislative priorities for the 2019 legislative session, please visit the IASB website.  The IASB is a nonprofit organization representing Iowa’s 330 school districts, nine area education agencies and 15 community colleges.

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds, Wednesday, announced appointments to Iowa’s boards and commissions. Among the appointments of area people that are subject to Senate confirmation:

Environmental Protection Commission: Lisa Gochenour, Logan

Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board: Matthew Wyant, Crescent

The following appointments are not subject to Senate confirmation:

STEM Advisory Council: Katherine Howell, Coon Rapids; Chris Russell, Omaha

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman who shared a nearly $700 million Powerball lottery jackpot has donated $500,000 to a veterans group. Lerynne West announced on the Ellen Lee DeGeneres show broadcast Wednesday that she gave the money to the Travis Mills Foundation. The Maine-based organization offers programs for disabled veterans.

Before announcing her gift, West recounted buying the winning ticket at a convenience store in the small Iowa community of Redfield, then leaving it on the floor of her sister’s pickup. After submitting her ticket to officials, she promised to use her winnings to help others.

West says it’s important “that we never forget the sacrifices our soldiers and families make for our country.” Robert Bailey of New York City bought the other winning ticket.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday) released a report on their most recent arrests. Last Saturday, deputies arrested 34-year old Heath Austin Kroll, of Mapleton. Kroll was charged with OWI-2nd Offense, Open Container, Driving While Suspended, and Child Endangerment. The arrest stems from a traffic stop on November 10th at the intersection of Mantz St. and East Division St. ,in Audubon. He was held at the Audubon County Jail until Sunday morning, when Kroll appeared before the Magistrate and was released.

At around 3:25-a.m. Nov. 1st, 28-year old Cole Jacob Benton, of Hamlin, was arrested in Audubon County, on an outstanding warrant for unlawful possession of a prescription. The charge stems from an investigation into a traffic stop on October 24th. Benton was held at the Audubon County Jail until the following morning when he appeared before the Magistrate and was released.

And, on Oct. 27th, 22-year old Lindsey Michele Dirks, of Redding, was arrested for driving while suspended. The charge stems from a traffic stop on North Park Place in Audubon. Dirks was held in the Audubon County Jail until the following morning when she posted bond and was released.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines official says a failed apartment-rehabilitation project by acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker was a missed opportunity to preserve affordable housing in a gentrifying neighborhood. Chris Johansen, the city’s community development director, says the city didn’t lose money on the project that Whitaker abandoned in 2016.

He says Whitaker sold the building to another developer who assumed the $165,000 public loan and later paid it back. Johansen says all 22 units in the apartment building today are being rented at market rates.
When the city council awarded Whitaker’s company the loan in 2012, the agreement called for half the units to be for low-income residents for five years.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that the city terminated the deal in 2016 after Whitaker stopped making progress toward completion.

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — A man has been convicted of killing an acquaintance in central Iowa’s Jasper County. Court records say 53-year-old Randy Linderman was found guilty Tuesday of first-degree murder in the March 2017 slaying of Jose Ramirez Berber. A family member found Berber’s body inside a rural Newton home. Autopsy results determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. DNA evidence taken from Berber’s body and clothing matched that of Linderman, of Charles City. Investigators say Linderman acknowledged that he’d been to Berber’s home several times.

Linderman’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8. First-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors met 10-a.m. Tuesday, in Atlantic. According to the agenda minutes, during their session, the Board heard from County Conservation Director Micah Lee, who presented a quarter ending (Sept. 30th) report of activity with regard to county recreational sites (maintenance at Cold Springs, West Nodaway Area, Pellett Memorial Woods and Outdoor Classroom) and naturalist Lora Kanning’s environmental education activities (She presented 67 programs to 1,115 persons).

The Board and representatives from ISU extension, Cass Co. Memorial Hospital, Harrisdale Homestead, Cass Co. Conservation, and others, discussed the concept of a Wellness Coordinator for Cass County. The Coordinator would be a connector and bridge builder, between various working groups around community health initiatives.  Projects involved in could include community events promotion, infrastructure and implementation projects, food systems development, applying for grants and educational programming.

Considered was a part time county-based position with the county providing a portion of the salary plus other non-salary expenses such as an office in the courthouse.  Other funding partners could include ISU Extension, YMCA, and CCMH to start.  Considered also, was an annual wage of $20,000, with each funding partner (minimum of four) contributing $5,000 per year.  Since Soc. Sec. and IPERS would be over 17% additional, a higher contribution may be requested.  Proposed, was a possible 28E agreement and intent to commit to five years.  Also discussed was a one year renewable agreement.  After due consideration, the consensus of the board was to proceed with work plan with goal of having something in place by end of calendar year.

After their regular meeting was adjourned, the Cass County Board of Supervisors met again at 11:35-a.m. Tuesday, to serve as Board of Canvassers to proceed with the official canvass of the November 6, 2018 General Election. After examination of the tally books submitted by the precinct election officials, the total votes received by all candidates were ascertained. County Auditor Dale Sunderman was directed to draw up the abstracts of the election to be submitted to the Secretary of State and to be filed in the office of County Auditor and to notify all local candidates who were declared elected in the General Election. Certified canvass was prepared and placed on file in the office of the County Auditor.

SUMMARY OF LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS (that is, candidates declared elected):

COUNTY OFFICIALS                             Votes:

County Treasurer      Tracey J. Marshall (R)  5,005

County Recorder       Mary Ward          (R)  4,859

County Attorney       Michael Donn Hooper(R)  4,645

Bd. of Supr. (2nd)    Mark T. O’Brien    (R)    614

Bd. of Supr. (3rd)    John Hartkopf      (R)    695

NW Hosp. Trustee      Roger Herring           4,545

NE Hosp. Trustee      Julie Pollock           4,282

AG. EXTENSION COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Chad Becker       3,183  Kristi Plagman       3,138

David York        2,407  Bradley J. Pellett   3,153

Todd Weppler      3,188

SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS:

John J. Hansen                                2,888

Greg Zellmer                                  4,413

TOWNSHIP CLERKS:                              Votes

Edna                   Travis Erickson         52

Union                  Cheryl R. Christensen   93

TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES

Edna                   Patrick Erickson        52

Edna                   Kevin A. Stender        44

Union                  Daryl Schrier           84

Union                  Richard Hoffman         62

Board Chair Gaylord Schelling then declared canvass completed and all vote totals to be Official.