Two students who were discovered missing from the Clarinda Academy have been apprehended without incident. Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers early this (Tuesday) morning, said the students, ages 16 and 15 were last seen proceeding south from the Clarinda Academy grounds onto the Clarinda Country Club prior to a search being conducted.  At around 3:15-a.m., Brothers reported the juveniles have just been apprehended by Clarinda Police Officers and Fremont County, Iowa Sheriff’s Department K-9, “Roby” and handler, Deputy Wake.

The students were returned to authorities at the Clarinda Academy.

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa farmers Monday asked Republican lawmakers to reconsider plans to eliminate an agriculture research center they say is vital to the state’s largest industry. Farmers spoke out against the proposed elimination of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at a hearing where other citizens criticized proposed budget cuts for higher education and victims’ services as well as the loss of federal family planning money. GOP lawmakers hope to approve a roughly $7.2 billion budget this week.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — The prison that houses Iowa’s most dangerous offenders is tightening security after an infiltration of synthetic drugs that a union is calling the worst in its history. The Iowa Department of Corrections says the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison has changed procedures related to inmate mail and visiting to prevent contraband from getting inside. The announcement comes after a union said that 12 inmates have been linked to drugs such as K2 in recent days.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature has passed a bill that would cap payouts to patients in some medical malpractice lawsuits. The Senate voted 37-12 Monday to approve the legislation. The House passed it this month and it now heads to Gov. Terry Branstad. The bill would limit pain and suffering payouts at $250,000 in most cases of medical malpractice. The cap can be exceeded if a jury finds an individual suffered substantial impairment to bodily function, substantial disfigurement or death.

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — The University of Vermont Foundation is getting a new president and CEO. The foundation announced Monday that Shane Jacobson, currently the vice president for development and alumni relations at Grinnell College in Iowa, will start his new job in Burlington on May 30.

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Board Monday, received a proposal with regard to the Sunnyside Park Bandshell. The proposal from Girl Scout Jr. Troop 40116 was with regard to the raking-up and clean-up of all debris around the stage, scrape off the old paint and scrub the entire stage, powerwash all accessible surfaces, and repainting of the bandshell at Sunnyside Park with white, outdoor paint, and the donation of a recycling bin, among their many proposed tasks. The Board also gave its blessing to have the Girl Scout logo or similar silhouette painted on the back side of the bandshell. The effort, when complete, will help the troop earn the Bronze Award, the highest attainable by a junior Girl Scout.  The project will be funded by Troop 40116 through the sale of their cookies and other goodies. They hope to have it completed by the end of May.

Scale (cut-away) model of the proposed picnic shelter (by Steve Livengood)

The Board also heard a proposal from Boy Scout Dylan Litty for an Eagle Scout project that would bring a table picnic shelter or two to the Schildberg Rec Area, nearest to some prime fishing spots. The shelters will cost about $2,000 each and include a metal roof, treated lumber supports and a picnic table. Litty is in the process of raising funds from downtown businesses and others. He hopes to have the project finished by no later than the end of the summer.

In other business, the Parks Board approved acting as a $100 sponsor for the Summer Fun Bus, which, like the past  years will take young people to various recreational activities in the area, such as the swimming pool, child care, etc.

Parks and Rec Director Seth Staashelm mentioned also, there will be three “Movies in the Park” events at Sunnyside Park, with the first beginning June 17th. And, the Sunnyside Summer Block Party will be held June 2nd, with the Kiwanis offering free hotdogs, beverages and popcorn. Music will be by the 1st Church of Christ in Atlantic, and includes a wide variety, including rock and roll. There will be many other forms of entertainment as well.

And, this Saturday, April 22nd, is Earth Day. The event will be held at the Schildberg Rec Area beginning at 11-a.m. and includes hot dogs, chips and cookies at Noon. All you need to do is show-up and be willing to lend a hand in cleaning up the park for a few hours.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature has passed a bill that would cap payouts to patients in some medical malpractice lawsuits. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 37-12 Monday with bipartisan support to approve the legislation. The House passed it earlier this month and it now heads to GOP Gov. Terry Branstad.

The bill would limit pain and suffering payouts at $250,000 in most cases of medical malpractice. The cap can be exceeded if a jury finds an individual suffered substantial impairment to bodily function, substantial disfigurement or death. The legislation also creates standards for expert witnesses testifying in such cases.

Medical malpractice victims have criticized the bill, calling it an unconstitutional abuse of power by the Legislature, while supporters say lower medical liability premiums would make Iowa appealing for physicians.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer, Monday afternoon, issued a report on recent arrests made by his officers.  On Sunday, 31 year old Jacob David Otten, of Audubon, was arrested for Criminal Mischief. Otten was held at the Audubon County Jail until making an appearance before a magistrate.

Last Friday, 26 year old Scott Nathaniel Belew, of Audubon, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. Belew was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held pending an appearance before a magistrate. On April 12th, a 17 year old juvenile was referred by Audubon Police to Juvenile Court, on charges of Harassment and Disorderly Conduct.

And, on March 28th, 30 year old Dustin Williams and 30 year old Amanda Rae Campbell, both of Audubon, were charged with Disorderly Conduct. They later pled guilty before a magistrate.

Sheriff’s officials in Cass County, Monday, reported three recent arrests. On Monday, 26-year old Joshua Robert Olwell, of Atlantic, was arrested on a District Court order for Probation Violation. Olwell was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $10,000 bond.

On Sunday, Cass County Deputies arrested 23-year old Allyson Elaine Gardner, of Atlantic, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Gardner was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on her own recognizance. And on Saturday, 45-year old Grant Robert Cramer, of Massena, was arrested on a charge of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Medication. Cramer was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of two men after investigation of an incident on Saturday in the 2100 block of 310th Street.  At 2:30am Deputies arrested 20-year-old Zachary Paul Kliefoth of Brayton and 20-year-old Drew Matthew Peppers of Exira.  Both were charged with Interference with Official Acts and Minor in Possession of Alcohol. Kliefoth was taken to the Audubon County Jail and released after posting a cash bond. He will appear in Magistrate court on Thursday, April 20th. Peppers was cited and released. He will appear in Magistrate court on Monday, April 24th.

The granddaughter of a man who was instrumental in promoting the use of hybrid corn is urging G-O-P lawmakers NOT to close an ag-related research center at Iowa State University. Liz Garst manages her family’s 35-hundred acre farm in the Coon Rapids area. She says the work of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture is not done.

Garst was among more than three dozen people who testified today (Monday) at a hearing in the state capitol held to give Iowans a chance to weigh in on G-O-P budget proposals. Several spoke against Republican legislators’ plans to cut state support of the I-S-U research center. Mills County Supervisor Mark Peterson farms about 500 near Stanton. He’s also board president of Practical Farmers of Iowa.

Another I-S-U graduate told legislators it makes Iowa “look bad” to shut down crucial efforts to improve water quality and stop soil loss. Other speakers urged Republicans to abandon their goal of “defunding” Planned Parenthood. Erin Davison-Rippey of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland targeted her remarks to Republican moderates.

The other major topic raised during today’s (Monday’s) hearing was the legislature’s proposed cut to victim services. Mary Ingham is executive director of Crisis Intervention Service in Mason City which serves 14 counties in north central and north east Iowa.

The other voice (you heard there) was Representative Pat Grassley, the Republican from New Hartford who managed the public hearing. Each speaker was limited to three minutes. A large crowd gathered around a big-screen T-V in the statehouse rotunda and cheered as speakers made their points. People seated INSIDE the hearing room waved pieces of green construction paper to signal their support for what was being said.

(Radio Iowa)

Another benefit for the Ashton Kutcher and Dallas Clark-founded Native Fund will involve metal music giants Metallica. The Native Fund is a non-profit organization designed to help Iowans during disaster relief. Metallica will headline the benefit concert at the Iowa Speedway in Newton on Friday, June 9.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday (April 21 at 10 a.m via ticketmaster.com). Last August, country singer Blake Shelton headlined a similar benefit concert for the Native Fund at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

(Radio Iowa)

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports two arrests. 39-year old John Michael Burgoyne, of Creston, was arrested April 9th at the Union County Jail in Creston, on an Adair County warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree (Less than $200). Burgoyne was later released on a $350 bond.

And, 25-year old Jennifer Rene Avey, of Casey, was arrested April 13th near Fontanelle, following a traffic stop at around 9:40-p.m. for littering, near the intersection of Etna and Highway 92. The Deputy noted in his report that the driver of the vehicle, Cam Jahnke, and passenger (Avey) were trying to switch seats. Jahnke was cited for Driving While Suspended and released. Jennifer Avey was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, after a search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of marijuana and paraphernalia on the rear floor board behind the driver’s seat. Avey admitted the drugs and paraphernalia were hers. She was released later that same evening on $1,000 bond.