JAMAICA, Iowa (AP) — The Guthrie County town of Jamaica is set to appoint a new mayor after its previous mayor was arrested earlier this month on charges related to marijuana found growing in her basement. Acting mayor Tim McDermott tells the Des Moines Register that city leaders are expected to appoint a new mayor Monday. McDermott says former mayor LaDonna Kennedy submitted her resignation last week.

Kennedy and her husband, 58-year-old Randy Kennedy, were arrested Jan. 16 on various drug charges after Guthrie County Sheriff’s deputies searching for a suspect in a separate crime knocked on their door. The suspect wasn’t found, but deputies called for a search warrant after smelling an “overwhelming odor of raw marijuana” coming from the home.

Investigators say 18 marijuana plants, several bags of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found.

(Radio Iowa) — Four Republicans in the Iowa House are sponsoring legislation to erect they describe as an “abortion victims monument” on the state capitol grounds. “I saw a news article about a similar bill in Tennessee, where they had passed a bill to build such a monument, so I thought that would be a good idea for Iowa, too.” That’s Representative Dean Fisher of Montour.

There’s no spot picked out or even a design for the statue. The bill would leave those decisions to the state agency and the state commission that oversee the capitol grounds in Des Moines.  “I don’t envision something huge,” Fisher said. “Not a huge tower or anything, something a few feet tall.” Fisher emphasizes the bill calls for private funds to be used in designing, constructing and maintaining the monument.

“It will help people to remember and realize the loss that we’ve suffered by aborting thousands upon thousands of babies here in Iowa,” Fisher says. “Those are lives lost that could have been productive members of our society.” The Family Leader, a Christian conservative organization, is the only group registered TODAY in favor of the bill. The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa is registered in opposition. Connie Ryan, the group’s executive director, says the bill would set a dangerous precedent. “I don’t understand why somebody would want to use state land to push forward their political agenda,” Ryan says.

There are nearly 50 monuments and memorials on the Iowa Capitol Grounds today.

(Radio Iowa) — Marshalltown police have released more information on a teenager who was found dead after a five-day search. Police Chief Mike Tupper talked about the findings in the death of 13-year old Corey Brown: “When you look at the preliminary autopsy results coupled with the investigation facts that we’ve uncovered — it is clear that Corey Brown died from a significant head injury after he fell from a considerable distance, after climbing onto a communication tower,” according to Tupper.

Police say Brown went over a fence and climbed the tower in a secluded area where his body was found Sunday morning. Brown left his home in the evening on January 22nd — after what was reported as a typical parent-teen dispute. Police are still waiting on results of chemical tests following the autopsy — but say there is no indication of criminal activity.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman charged in the death of her baby left the courtroom sobbing during the first day of her trial when prosecutors showed photos of her lifeless son in a swing set. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports 21-year-old Cheyanne Harris caused a break in her trial Wednesday at the Plymouth County Courthouse in Le Mars.

Cheyanne Harris talks with her attorney during her court appearance on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019 in Le Mars, Iowa. Harris, the mother of a baby whose lifeless body was found in an infant swing wearing a maggot-infested diaper is standing trial in his death. Court records say Harris has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death. The trial was moved to Le Mars in Plymouth County from Chickasaw County because of publicity. (Jeff Reinitz/The Courier via AP)

Harris has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death. She was arrested in August 2017 after medics found 4-month-old Sterling Koehn dead in the swing in a dark, sweltering bedroom.

An autopsy shows he died of malnutrition, dehydration and an E. coli infection caused by being left in a maggot-infested diaper for up to two weeks. The boy’s father, Zachary Koehn, already has been sentenced to life in prison .

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of two Red Oak men following an investigation into a shop burglary in Red Oak. Deputies were responded to a burglary call at 2227 State Highway 48 at 8:00am on Tuesday, January 29th. It was discovered that someone had entered the business by forcing the shop door open and stole 8 new chainsaws and a battery power backup. The items were valued at $4,000.

Deputies were able to identify 2 male suspects and obtained a search warrant. At approximately 2:00pm 34-year-old Toby McCunn and 50-year-old Rene Valdivia, both of Red Oak, were arrested without incident. A search warrant executed at 310 Park Avenue in Red Oak resulted in the recovery of all 8 chainsaws and the battery backup. McCunn and Valdivia were charged with Burglary 3rd Degree and held on $5,000 cash bond.

When Mike Howard visited the Danish Windmill for the first time, he watched the 15-minute video featuring Harvey Sornson, the local farmer who came up with the crazy idea of bringing the sixty foot Danish Windmill to Elk Horn. Harvey’s comment, “No one said we couldn’t do it…so we did”, made an impression on Howard. As he addressed attendees at the Annual Meeting of the Danish Windmill on January 28, Howard recounted how Harvey’s story had inspired him in his many successful business ventures. At the conclusion of his remarks, Mill manager, Lisa Steen Riggs announced that Mike and Lou Howard had donated $100,000 to the Windmill. The air filled with confetti and champagne corks popped as everyone celebrated the Howards’ generous gift.

Photo attached of Danish Windmill Board members with Mike and Lou Howard: (L-R) Tony Petersen, Vice President, Manager Lisa Steen Riggs, Past President, Jody LaCanne, Shon Andersen, Secretary, Chris Fredericksen, President, Clark Ahrenholz, Director, Andy Anderson, Director, Joni Griffin, Treasurer, Lou Howard and Mike Howard. Not pictured, Tim Andersen. Photo credit: Deb Bieker

“Mike and Lou have been incredible supporters of the Danish Windmill,” said Riggs. “They’ve been so engaged in the Windmill restoration project and rebuilding the cap frame. Recently, one day over lunch, I shared all the capital projects that are still in progress for the coming year and estimated we’d need to raise about $99,000 to complete them.” She continued, “As Harvey Sornson would have said, ‘who would’ve thought’, that Mike and Lou would come to the rescue! We are so grateful for their generosity.” During the Annual Meeting, outgoing President Jody LaCanne was presented a certificate in recognition of his service on the Board. Newly elected Board members and officers include, Chris Fredericksen, President, Tony Petersen, Vice President, Shon Andersen, Secretary, Joni Griffin, Treasurer, and Directors Andy Anderson, Clark Ahrenholz and Tim Andersen.

The Danish Windmill is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization. Charitable gifts and donations are the organization’s primary sources of funding. The Mill’s financials are published on the GuideStar® website so potential donors can review public records and non-profit reports. The Mill received the GuideStar® Gold Star of Transparency in 2018. Visit danishwindmill.com to review the 2018 Annual Report. To learn more about the Danish Windmill and how you can support the organization and about the projects, contact the Danish Windmill at 712.764.7472.

CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Some eastern Iowa students are spending their cold day off from school running a temporary food pantry. Station KCRG reports that 12-year-old Eve Buresh got the idea for the pantry and talked it over with parents. They decided to ask the Coralville Public Library to share some space as it opened Wednesday as a place to warm up.

The Coralville Community Food Pantry was among service agencies, schools, businesses and other organizations to remain closed because of the dangerously cold weather. Library officials said yes, so Eve and some friends spent much of Tuesday getting ready. She called local businesses for donations, and within hours word of the need spread across Coralville. Soon people were carting food and other items through the library doors.

Eve says, “If you really need help, then we’re going to support you.”

The Atlantic Police Department reports four arrests. Taken into custody Tuesday (1/29), was 25-year old Allyson Gardner, 37-year old Justin Lawton and 27-year old Devin Gardner, all of Atlantic. Allyson Gardner was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Violation of Probation. Lawton was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear in court. And Devin Gardner was arrested for Driving While Revoked.

On Sunday, 18-year old  Tyron Franks, of Atlantic, was arrested for Gathering Where Controlled Substance are unlawfully used. All four subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa’s two congresswomen are among the 19 rookie Democrats in the U.S. House co-sponsoring a bill that would set up a system to prevent future federal government shut-downs.  It’s called the Shutdown to End All Shutdowns Act.  Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines says it would automatically trigger funding to keep federal agencies open if congress fails to pass budget bills on time. “It prevents federal workers from being furloughed or forced to work without pay if congress and the president fail to agree on appropriations measures,”Axne says.

There’s a prod to get the warring partisans in Washington, D.C. to avoid shutting down the government. Congress, the president and anyone the president appoints in the federal government would not be paid in a shutdown if this bill becomes law. “It transfers the financial hardship from federal workers to the pockets of those of us who are creating the laws,” Axne says.

Iowa’s other congresswoman, Abby Finkenauer, of Dubuque, is also co-sponsoring this proposal. Axne says Democratic leaders have indicated this bill or something like it will be considered in the full House.