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

LAWTON, Iowa (AP) — A northwest Iowa city clerk has been fired after police say he tried to meet an underage boy in Nebraska for sex. The Sioux City Journal reports that city council members in Lawton unanimously voted Tuesday to remove City Clerk Douglas Furlich. He was arrested Thursday and charged with sexual assault through the use of an electronic device.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Patty Judge opened her general election campaign against one of the most-entrenched senators in Washington by making a trip to Washington herself _ Washington, Iowa, that is. One day after the former lieutenant governor defeated three other Democrats for the nomination, she met with local supporters there over lunch. Democratic activists say that kind of ground-level politics is the only way she can pull an upset against Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, who ranks fourth in Senate seniority.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge has ruled that a Des Moines teenager accused of fatally shooting a 17-year-old boy will face trial in adult court. The Des Moines Register reports that District Associate Judge Joseph Seidlin chose to transfer 15-year-old Marvin Holmes’ first-degree murder trial from juvenile to adult district court Wednesday. Holmes is accused of shooting Kendall Foster in the back April 29.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A former employee of The Swiss Colony catalog sales company has pleaded guilty to an elaborate fraud scheme in which he stole and sold its merchandise online for years. Chad Saeugling faces a possible prison sentence after entering guilty pleas Wednesday for mail fraud and making false statements to financial institutions.

The City of Atlantic issued a notice for residents that they will begin annual spraying for mosquitoes on Thursday, June 9the and Friday, June 10th.  Spraying will be done between 4:00am-7:00am, weather permitting.  Spraying will continue every Thursday and Friday throughout the summer until further notice.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Preliminary figures show the number of voters to cast ballots in the primary election is the lowest in more than a decade. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says 187,969 voters cast ballots in the U.S. Senate primary on Tuesday, the only statewide race on the ballot. That represents 9.7 percent of the 1.9 million active registered voters. It’s the lowest number since 164,404 voters cast ballots in 2004, a year with no federal or statewide primary challenges.

Since 2000 statewide turnout has ranged from 16.6 percent in 2002 when there was a highly contested governor’s race to 9.5 percent in 2008, another year with no statewide primary races. Pate says the reason for low turnout this year may be voter apathy centered on frustration with government.

In a correction to our earlier posts and reports: Incumbent Republicans Todd Nelson and Rick Thompson received the most votes in the three-man race for the At Large seats on the Audubon County Board of Supervisors. Thompson received 711 votes (36.4%), while Nelson received 658 votes (33.7%). Doug Sorensen garnered 572 votes (29.3%).  (Earlier we had stated Nelson lost his bid for re-election. We apologize for the misunderstanding and error!)

Summer officially starts June 21st, and with it comes the need for lawn care. Officials with the Guthrie County Extension Service, say when mowing your lawn, mow at a height of 3-3 ½ inches during summer months and 2 ½-3 inches in the spring and fall.

There are two options when deciding to water your lawn.  You can do nothing and allow the grass to go dormant or you can water during dry weather to maintain a green, actively growing lawn.  If you decide to water, 5 am to 9 am is the best time to water so it soaks deeply into the soil.

To control white grubs, there are 3 approaches.  You can apply a preventive insecticide to the lawn annually, apply a curative insecticide only when damage symptoms appear, or do nothing and repair your damaged lawn when grub damage occurs.  Mid-June to late July is the best time to apply preventive insecticide.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports an investigation into an incident that took place early Monday morning at a business in Exira, has resulted in the arrest of 19-year old Jonathan Jamz Herron, of Exira. Herron was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree, Trepass and Disorderly Conduct. He was later released from the Audubon County Jail, after appearing before a Magistrate.

Officials with Sioux City’s “Operation Engage America” are inviting all area veterans, service members, military families and residents to a free open house resource fair event that takes place Saturday, June 18th, at the Long Lines Family Rec Center (401 Gordon Dr., Sioux City), from 1-until 4-p.m.

The Long Lines Center provides Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) resources, education and awareness. It brings together local veterans and their families, to connect them with resources and support for PTSD and TBI.

The open house features the Pledge of Allegiance at 1-p.m., June 18th, a musical performance by a member of the Siouxland Youth Chorus, and inspirational speakers, including Col. Timothy Glynn, Deputy Chief of Staff – Iowa Army National Guard. The afternoon will also include an optional workshop taught by local Siouxland veterans, and 12-year old Arika Hammond, who volunteers with the Puppy Jake Foundation. Approximately 30 organization vendors will also offer their resources, along with gift cards from local businesses.

For more information, go to www.operationengageamerica.org.

The forecast calls for the hottest weather of the year so far to arrive in Iowa tomorrow (Thursday), which happens to coincide with Heat Awareness Day. Meteorologist Kenny Podrazik, at the National Weather Service, says it’s not officially summertime yet, but it’ll sure feel like it. “We’ll be up into the low 90s Thursday, and then Friday and into the weekend, we’ll be well into the mid 90s on Friday, Saturday and even into Sunday,” Podrazik says. “Sunday it may be a little cooler, but it’ll be nice and hot.”

Podrazik says Heat Awareness Day is a time to remind Iowans about the steamy season ahead and how to conduct best themselves. “Never leave kids or pets unattended when the car is off,” he says. “Limit strenuous outdoor activities. Find shade. Always stay hydrated. If you work outside, the biggest thing is to take breaks in the shade.”

The first day of summer is June 20th. Find more information about Heat Awareness Day at www.weather.gov/dmx

(Radio Iowa)

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday) approved the appointment of Roger Barbero, from Atlantic, to the Cass County Veterans Affairs Commission. Barbero was one of three men who were considered for the position. The others included John Behrens, of Atlantic, and Ralph Wickey, of Massena. Barbero served in the military from Sept. 1956 to Sept. 1962. He’ll serve on the Commission for a three-year term beginning July 1^st.

The Supervisors also approved a fireworks display permit for the Laverne Ackerman family, who live south of Atlantic along Highway 71 (630^th St.). Their family event will be held July 3^rd.

And, the Board received an update from Cass County Engineer Charles Marker, with regard to various bridge construction or repair projects, including a box culvert project for a bridge on Cass County Road N-28. He said the project should be completed by the middle of July.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports one person was transported to the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, following a single-vehicle accident Tuesday night. 33-year old Jamie Sobotka-Killion, of Creston, complained of pain and possible injury, after she swerved to miss a deer that ran out in front of her. The woman’s car entered the east ditch and came to rest, sustaining only minor damage. The accident  happened on northbound Highway 25 at around 9:40-p.m., Tuesday.