The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four recent arrests, three of which took place on Sunday. They include: 28-year old Christopher Lee Gillette, of Shenandoah, who was arrested at around 10:15-p.m. on Highway 59, on a warrant out of Pottawattamie County for Probation Violation. Gillette’s bond was set at $2,000; 26-year old Dyson Patrick Tobin, of Tabor, was arrested at around 4-p.m. Sunday on a warrant for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree. His bond was set at $2,000. And, 27-year old Christopher Marico Martinez, of Omaha, was arrested at around 3:30-a.m. Sunday on Interstate 29 in Mills County, for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

Friday evening, 44-year old Larry Steven Hutching, of Emerson, was arrested in Mills County for Driving Under Suspension, Operating a vehicle without Ignition Interlock and No SR-22 Insurance. Bond was set at $1,600.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowans are asking GOP lawmakers to reconsider proposed budget cuts they say would be devastating for the state’s farmers, students and most vulnerable citizens. Members of the public and lobbying groups spoke Monday at a Capitol hearing, criticizing proposed reductions they say will hurt vital services. GOP lawmakers hope to approve a roughly $7.2 billion budget this week as they hurry to adjourn the session.

Small agriculture groups asked the Republican-led Legislature to reconsider cutting the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. Advocates for the center say it is vital for innovation within the state’s farming businesses.

Others criticized cuts to higher education, victims’ services and conservation as well as the loss of federal family planning money. GOP lawmakers say the cuts are needed amid budget constraints.

BENNINGTON, Neb. (AP) – The current commander of the 4th Marines interviewed a World War II veteran in Nebraska to chronicle his experiences for the 75th anniversary of the surrender of Corregidor and for teaching future Marines. The Omaha World-Herald reports Col. Kevin Norton stopped by the Bennington retirement home last week and interviewed 96-year-old Warren Jorgenson about his life and experiences in the Marines.

While Iowa native Jorgenson was touring with the 4th Marine Regiment, he witnessed the departure of the “China Marines” from Shanghai in 1941, the Japanese attack on Manila after Pearl Harbor and the fall of Corregidor in 1942.

The filmed interview with Jorgenson will be shown next month during services commemorating the 75th anniversary of the surrender of Corregidor. The film will also be used to teach young Marines about the Corps’ history.

Two people were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital by Medivac Ambulance, following a single-vehicle accident Sunday evening, in Atlantic. The Atlantic Police Department reports Larry Petersen, of Audubon, and an unidentified passenger in his vehicle, were traveling north on Highway 71 at around 5:45-p.m., and approaching the intersection with 7th Street, when the vehicles’ brakes failed.

The vehicle continued through the intersection and left the road before going airborne. As a result of the front end of the vehicle impacting the ground, the vehicle rolled onto its top. Damage from the crash amounted to $15,000.

The Atlantic P-D reports also, 22-year old Thomas Bruning, of Griswold, was arrested Monday (today), for OWI. Bruning was booked into the Cass County Jail.

Recent rainfall events have dampened the fields and grassland areas to the point where the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency has reduced the field and grassland fire danger index from High to LOW.

Even though the fire danger rating is Low, you are asked to call-in and report your burning projects to Shelby County Dispatch at 712-755-2124, and, notify your local Fire Chief.

Iowa is no longer one of the most lenient states when it comes to texting and driving.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds kicked off an event outside the Iowa Department of Public Safety this (Monday) morning. Governor Branstad was joined by legislators and public safety advocates who lobbied for two bills. One sets up a new monitoring program for repeat drunken drivers and toughens the penalty to a felony for drivers on their smart phones who kill others on the road.

The other bill will let police pull a vehicle over if they suspect the driver is using their smart phone for anything OTHER than navigation or to make a phone call. Branstad had recommended a “Hands Free” law that would have completely barred the use of a smart phone while driving.

At 10 a.m. this (Monday) morning, a two-hour-long hearing began at the statehouse to give the public a chance to speak out on the budget plans Republican legislators are poised to pass this week.

(Radio Iowa)

Two people were arrested on separate drug charges recently, in Glenwood. Glenwood Police say 40-year old Travis Handley, of Glenwood, was arrested Saturday on a Mills County warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd Offense, a Controlled Substance Violation, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Handley’s total bond was set at $10,300.

On Sunday, Glenwood Police arrested 28-year old Levi Daniels, of Bellevue, NE, for Child Endangerment, Domestic Abuse Assault, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Daniels was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail, pending an appearance before a magistrate. And, 22-year old Dalton Sacca, of Glenwood, was arrested Sunday for OWI/2nd offense, Driving While Revoked, and no proof of SR-22 Insurance. His bond was set at $4,000.

Iowa City police say a body found in the Iowa River is a woman who had been missing since March. A news release from the police department says an autopsy has confirmed the body found in the Iowa River near Hills Friday is 37-year-old Katherine “Katie” Brooker. Police had requested help in finding Brooker — who had last been seen on March 10th — saying she had health issues.

Police say they investigated several leads and were unable to find Brooker, until the body was discovered in the river. Investigators are still trying to determine the circumstances surrounding Brooker’s disappearance and death, but say they do not believe there was any foul play.

(Radio Iowa)

The Iowa Department of Transportation will hold a public information meeting Thursday, April 27, to discuss proposed improvements on Iowa 141 from approximately 4 miles west of Mapleton to 170th Street north of Ute and a culvert replacement over Skunk Creek 3.8 miles east of Monona County Road L-32.

Through traffic on Iowa 141 would be detoured during bridge construction using Monona County roads L-32 and E-34. For more information, see the website listed below.

All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. at the Mapleton City Hall, 513 Main St. The meeting will be conducted utilizing an open forum format. Iowa DOT staff will be present to informally discuss the proposed improvements. No formal presentation will be made.

The meeting space is accessible for persons with disabilities. However, if you require special accommodations at the meeting, please notify the Iowa DOT contact listed below by April 24.

For general information regarding the proposed improvements or public meeting, contact Shane Tymkowicz, P.E., assistant district engineer, Iowa DOT District 3 Office, 2800 Gordon Drive, Sioux City, Iowa 51102, phone 712-276-1451 or 800-284-4368, email shane.tymkowicz@iowadot.us.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County say a man who has mental issues, was confused and off his meds, crashed his car into a pond last week. According to their report released today (Monday), 70-year old Larry Clayton, of Thayer, left his residence at around 4-a.m. April 12th to get donuts in Osceola. About five-hours later, he drove his 2001 Chevy Malibu around a residence at 1696 Highway 25. He also drove through two locked gates and into a pasture before exiting and traveling to a home at 1680 Highway 25, where he drove around a farm building and into a pasture, where he eventually became stuck in water from a pond overflow area.

His vehicle sustained about $3,000 damage. Gates owned by a woman from Creston sustained $310 damage during the incident. Clayton was transported by a Union County Deputy to the hospital in Creston for evaluation and treatment.