DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Education plans to end its contract with a testing software vendor after a technical audit found the $14 million system was “unfit.” The Des Moines Register reports the 91-page audit found that the TIER testing platform, which is designed to give reading tests to students, was a “dense and disjointed” system and would likely experience technical failures in the future.

The software was created by nonprofit tech group TIES. TIES attorney Susan Mussell has disputed the audit’s findings. Mussell says the system has supported Iowa teachers and students.

The state hired a third party to investigate the TIER testing platform in the fall after teachers administering reading exams to elementary students expressed frustration with the system.  State officials plan to terminate the contract June 30.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds will take the oath of office tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10:30 in the state capitol, right after Governor Branstad resigns in the office he’s occupied for more than 22 years and is sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to China. Reynolds will deliver her first speech as governor tomorrow (Wednesday) and she gave a hint of what it may contain this (Tuesday) morning.

“I’m just going to talk a little bit about me and who I am and my journey from county treasurer to serving as lieutenant governor to now serving as the governor of the great state of Iowa,” Reynolds says. “…And, of course, some forward-looking policy as well.”

Early this month Iowa’s attorney general issued an opinion that Reynolds did not have the authority to name her replacement once she becomes governor. On Thursday, Iowa’s next governor will reveal whether she’ll name her replacement on Thursday. “I will have the opportunity to share my news about the lieutenant governor process,” Reynolds says.

Reynolds and Branstad both spoke to statehouse reporters today (Tuesday). It was Branstad’s final news conference as governor.

(Radio Iowa)

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday), released a report on arrests that have taken place over the past week or so. The report said 51-year old Michelle Renee Evans, of Bridgwater, was arrested May 15th on two Adair County warrants for Violation of Probation. She was later released on a $2,000 cash bond.

33-year old Amanda Olivia Speed, of Greenfield, was arrested May 17th on an Adair County warrant for Trespass, on a Union County warrant for Assault Causing Bodily Injury, and for Driving Under Suspension. She was released after serving time in the Adair County Jail and posting a $1,000 bond on the Union County charge.

35-year old Kristina Marie Johnson, of Greenfield, was arrested May 18th by Greenfield Police, for Interference with Official Acts by allegedly lying about who was driving a vehicle whose driver was barred. She was cited for the offense and released on the citation. In connection with the same incident, 30-year old James Robert Lyman, of Greenfield, was arrested May 18th for Driving While Barred, Failure to provide proof of insurance, and Operating a non-registered vehicle. Lyman was released Saturday on $2,000 bond.

As previously reported, on May 19th, 25-year old Marcus Anthony Terrell, of Albia, was arrested on two counts of Eluding – Speed (25mph over the limit), and two counts of Driving While Barred. His arrest was the result of an incident that took place May 15th in Casey, that resulted in two separate pursuits, and injuries to a Cass County K9. Terrell was being held in the Adair County Jail on $8,000 bond.

And, 41-year old Michael Lee Bittner, of Menlo, was arrested Saturday morning in Stuart, for OWI/1st offense. He was later released on $1,000 bond.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says last (Monday) night’s terrorist attack in England that killed at least 22 people and injured around 60 has cast a “somber” mood over this morning’s work at the U-S Capitol. ISIS is claiming responsibility for the bombing in Manchester at a concert featuring American pop star Ariana Grande.

“What was supposed to be a joyous occasion was ruined by hate,” Grassley says. “Attacks like these remind us that the war on terror is a multi-generational battle and one that is about nothing less than humanity’s values.” It’s believed a man carried the explosives into the 21-thousand-seat arena and detonated the bomb, killing himself in the blast in a large foyer following the concert’s final song. Grassley says, “These sorts of cowardly attacks on innocent civilians, many of whom were children, are an ever-present threat in this modern age.”

The apparent bomber may not have acted alone as police are holding a 23-year-old man in connection with the attack. “I plan on being briefed further on the matter as the situation develops and we learn more,” Grassley says. “Today, Barbara and I are praying for the recovery of those who survived and for the families and friends of those whose lives were lost.”

It’s the deadliest terrorist attack on British soil since the 2005 London bombings which claimed 52 lives and injured more than 700.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office report the arrest early Monday morning, of 23-year old Dakota Shawn McDonald, of Omaha. His arrest followed a stolen vehicle report out of LaVista, NE. An investigation revealed McDonald allegedly took the 1999 Chrysler 300M and drove to the home of a relative, in Harlan. McDonald was taken into custody at 1506 6th Street in Harlan and charged with Theft in the 2nd degree/Motor Vehicle theft.

An Omaha man turned himself-in to the Pottawattamie County Jail, Monday afternoon. 30-year old Victor Navarro was placed under arrest on charges that include Forgery (a felony), Identity Theft, Perjury of Statement, Counterfeiting, Malicious Prosecution,  and Forgery of Records.

The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 26-year old Anthony Shane Schovanec and 25-year old Patricia Kay Irene Sopcich, both of Council Bluffs, were arrested Monday afternoon on drug charges, after the van they were in was pulled over because the registered owner (Schovanec) had a warrant. Schovanec and Sopcich were taken into custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Paraphernalia. Schovanec was also taken into custody on a warrant for Criminal Trespass.

The mild spring with frequent rains means tick-borne disease season is underway in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans to protect themselves against tick bites. Ticks can carry the organisms that cause diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichiosis.

The best way to prevent tick bites is to avoid wooded and grassy areas, where ticks are usually found. If you do spend time in these areas:

• Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
• Walk in the center of trails.
• Use repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin for protection that lasts several hours.
• Always follow product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, avoiding hands, eyes, and mouth.
• Use products that contain permethrin on clothing. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. It remains protective through several washings. Pre-treated clothing is available and may be protective longer.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an online tool to help you select the repellent that is best for you and your family at https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-insect-repellent-right-you.

If you discover a tick on your body, remove it right away. Folk remedies, such as burning the tick with a match or covering it with petroleum jelly or nail polish, are not effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following instructions for removing a tick:

• Carefully grasp the tick by using tweezers to grip the tick by its mouthparts which are close to the skin. Do not squeeze the tick’s body.
• Pull steadily directly away from your skin. Because removing the tick’s body is your main goal, don’t worry if its mouthparts break off in the process.
• Clean the wound and disinfect the site of the bite.

The most common tick-borne disease is Lyme disease; 232 cases of Lyme disease were reported to IDPH in 2016. Not everyone who gets Lyme disease will have the same symptoms, but the best and earliest sign of infection is a rash that may appear within a few days to a month, usually at the site of the tick bite. The rash will first look like a small, red bump, then expand until it begins to look like a bull’s eye, with a red center and a red ring surrounding a clear area. It is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately if you develop this type of rash or develop flu-like symptoms within a month of having a tick bite or being in an area where ticks are present.

For more information on Lyme disease, visit http://idph.iowa.gov/cade/disease-information/lyme-disease.

(Update 8:45-a.m.: No fire found. All units have returned to the fire station)

Firefighters from Griswold responded to a fire alarm at the Griswold Care Center this morning. They were dispatched at around 8:13-a.m. for a report of an alarm coming from the basement. The alarm company ordered an evacuation of the facility as a precaution.  No fire or smoke issues were found.

Care Center officials said the problem was determined to have been water leaking onto some wiring, which set off the alarm. An electrician was called to repair the wiring.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Des Moines Police and the capital city’s leaders held a news conference Monday morning, after the city recorded its 15th homicide of the year over the weekend. Mayor Frank Cownie said “Today’s conversation is about violent crime, and violent crime needs to be punished.” The city and private groups are providing additional funding to create an incentive for the public to cooperate with police. Cownie says the ultimate goal is to reduce instances of violent crime.

Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert said the unnamed program will provide police with money to offer to witnesses of violent crimes to testify. Fourteen people, mostly city and county leaders, were involved in today’s news conference. State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad of Des Moines was in attendance and said “no one from the black community” appeared to be invited. Still, Abdul-Samad said he “commends” the project and he plans to get involved with the group. He blames the recent rise in violence, in part, on cuts in funding to “programs that have worked” in the past.

“One of the things I know we did at Urban Dreams in 1999 was a ‘gun trade back’ and we took almost 150 guns off the street,” Abdul-Samad said. “We didn’t continue that in the fashion that we needed to.”

Urban Dreams is a program that aims to help inner city residents of Des Moines. It was founded in 1985 by State Representative Wayne Ford. There were 13 total homicides in Des Moines during all of last year. There have already been 15 in the first five months of this year. The man found dead early Sunday, one of four shooting victims discovered by police, was identified as 19-year-old Ruot Gach of Carroll. No one has been charged in the case. The fatal shooting is the third to happen in recent months in or just outside Des Moines’ Beaverdale neighborhood.

(Radio Iowa)

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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