Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — It is a record year for Iowa and Nebraska crop farmers. The final harvest report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture says Iowa farmers brought in 2.5 billion bushels of corn, 4 percent higher than the 2009 record. Iowa has led the nation in corn production for 22 consecutive years. The average per-acre yield of 192 bushels also is a new record.

A federal judge says the Iowa Supreme Court should settle legal questions about whether farmland drainage districts can be held liable for water pollution downstream before a lawsuit filed by a Des Moines water utility can proceed. Questions such as immunity for drainage districts and which constitutional protections might apply to parties challenging drainage systems have not been decided by state or federal courts in Iowa. The drainage districts have been around since the late 1800s.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors has accepted a $15,000 grant from the State Historical Society of Iowa to study possible uses for the county’s historic jail. The grant, along with a $5,600 cash match from the county, will pay for a consultant to assess the condition of the Old Jail, which was built in 1857. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Muscatine County must also provide a $5,000 in-kind match.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa legislative committee plans to look into the jackpot-fixing scandal that started in the state and has spread to several other state lotteries. State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann said yesterday that the Iowa House committee will investigate how it was possible for an employee at the Multi-State Lottery Association to allegedly fix jackpots. The alleged scheme didn’t affect Powerball, which uses balls instead of computers to draw numbers.

A home that caught fire in Persia late Monday night and burned into the early morning hours Tuesday, was on fire again late Tuesday evening. Sources told KJAN News firefighters from Persia were back on the scene as of 7:30-p.m. Tuesday. The rekindled fire has destroyed what remained of the home at 501 2nd Street. No other details were immediately available.

Officials with the Omaha Police Department Tuesday evening said they had recovered a stolen 2003 Jeep Liberty and the tandem axle trailer that it was on. The SUV and trailer were found shortly after 2-p.m., Tuesday. The trailer and vehicle were found abandoned in Hummel Park, near the intersection of Copper Hollow Road and Pilcher Road.

The vehicle and trailer were stolen from the parking lot of the Harrah’s Casino and Hotel in Council Bluffs, sometime Monday night or early Tuesday morning. A 2005 Ford F-350 pickup with Washington State license Plate C95260, and a 2008 Yamaha R6S motorcycle with Washington license plate 1D9964, have not been located, and authorities are continuing to ask for your help in locating them.

Harrah’s Casino surveillance still photo images

Authorities are still looking for this pickup and the motorcycle pictured above.

Officials say Nicolas Craig and his wife, Rochelle, were in the process of moving from Virginia Beach, Virginia to the state of Washington. They stopped in Council Bluffs Monday evening and got a room at Harrah’s Casino Hotel. When they awoke Tuesday morning, they discovered their vehicles, a trailer and many of their personal belongings were missing.

Nicholas Craig had just retired from the Navy and the Craig family was on their way home when the theft occurred. If you have any information about the theft, call 712 328-5737, and select Option 1.

Police in Harlan issued a report Tuesday on recent arrests and incidents. Officials say on Monday (1/11), 77-year old Vincent Costanzo, of Harlan, was taken into custody following a traffic stop. Costanzo was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and violation of one-way street designation.

On Jan. 2nd, several young people were arrested in Harlan when officers were alerted to a party in the 1300 block of Durant St where persons under legal age were drinking. Referred to Juvenile Court was: 17-year old Matthew Andersen,16-year old Michael Monson, 17-year old Ross Petersen, and 16-year old Devin Kramer, all of Harlan, along with 17-year old Robert Wegner, of Panama, and 17-year old Brodrick Greer, of Westphalia. All were referred to Juvenile Court for minors in possession of alcohol.

On Dec. 31st, 34-year old David Stevens, of Harlan, was taken into custody when officers were called to a domestic disturbance. Stevens was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with assault and disorderly conduct.

And, on Dec. 29th, Harlan Police Officers were called to the 2000 block of 8th Street in regards to a back pack and wallet that were taken from a vehicle. The back pack and wallet were later recovered, however approximately $300.00 was missing from the wallet. The case remains under investigation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge says the Iowa Supreme Court should settle legal questions about whether farmland drainage districts can be held liable for water pollution downstream before a lawsuit filed by a Des Moines water utility can proceed. Questions such as immunity for drainage districts and which constitutional protections might apply to parties challenging drainage systems have not been decided by state or federal courts in Iowa. The drainage districts have been around since the late 1800s.

Judge Mark Bennett said the novel legal issues deserve the attention of the state’s highest court. The decision comes in the lawsuit that Des Moines Water filed last year against three northwest Iowa counties that oversee 10 agriculture drainage districts. Farm drainage district attorneys say Iowa’s constitution has long protected them from legal liability.

BREDA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have identified the man whose remains were found last week in a burned house in Sac County, north of Breda. The Sac County Sheriff’s Office says the man has been identified as 48-year-old Daniel Robert Mielk, who lived in the home alone. The State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the identity using dental records.

On Jan. 8 deputies and firefighters from Auburn responded to a rural home and found that it had been burned to the ground. Authorities later found human remains inside the house. The cause of death has been listed as smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. No foul play has been suspected.

The State Fire Marshal’s office is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Cass County Republican Auditor Dale Sunderman, Tuesday evening, announced that contrary to some reports, he WILL be seeking another term as Auditor. The primary election for the position will take place June 7th, 2016. Sunderman faces a challenge from Wendy Richter, who announced on Jan. 8th she intends to seek the seat held by Sunderman since 1984.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A legislative committee in Iowa plans to look into the jackpot-fixing scandal that started in the state and has spread to several other state lotteries. Rep. Bobby Kaufmann says the Iowa House government oversight committee will investigate how it was possible for an employee at the Multi-State Lottery Association to allegedly fix jackpots. He says lawmakers want to prevent it from happening again.

Kaufmann said lawmakers may seek documents and testimony from the Urbandale, Iowa-based lottery association, which runs the popular Powerball game and is governed by 37 lotteries in U.S. states and territories.

The alleged scheme didn’t affect Powerball, which uses balls instead of computers to draw numbers. That game is expected to set a world jackpot record in Wednesday’s drawing of $1.5 billion.

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says it has taken a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Guthrie County’s youth.
Known as I-PLEDGE, the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product laws.

Due to a change in Iowa law, alternative nicotine and vapor products are now considered age-restricted products and will be part of the I-PLEDGE program’s compliance initiatives this year. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 93%. By participating in the program, the Guthrie Co Sheriff’s Office has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more this year.

I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course and then pass an exam will become I-PLEDGE certified. This allows a retail establishment to use and affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale. Although not required to retake the training if currently certified, ABD encourages clerks to repeat the training after October 3rd, in order to familiarize themselves with the newly age-restricted products.

Guthrie Co Deputies and Reserve Officers will also be conducting compliance checks on local establishment as part of the I-PLEDGE program. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter illegal sale will be cited on the spot. Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative and vapor products to a minor include a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for a third and subsequent offenses. However, handing out citations is not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program.

Sheriff Marty Arganbright says “By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community. Moreover, we pledge to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Iowa’s youth.”

To take the I-PLEDGE training or search certification records go to www.iowaabd.com