IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Three former managers at the University of Iowa police department have filed lawsuits claiming that their jobs were eliminated as part of a “culture of discrimination” against older workers. The lawsuits were filed by former UI Department of Public Safety associate director William Searls, Capt. Ian Scott and Capt. Loren Noska.

The three were notified on April 20, 2017 that their jobs were being cut by Director Scott Beckner, who cited “an organizational realignment” as the reason. All three men are in their 50s. Their lawsuits claim that their duties were given to two employees who were less qualified, had less experience with the department and were about 20 years younger.

They also claim Beckner blocked them from consideration for a sergeant’s position that was later advertised even though they were qualified and that he gave the job to a less experienced 32-year-old.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports nine people were arrested between last Friday and Christmas Day:

At around 9:40-p.m. on Dec. 25th, 57-year old Brian Lee Hanson, of Emerson, was arrested for Reckless use of Firearm. His bond was set at $300. Separately, 29-year old Bryce Franklin Simmons, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested for OWI/1st offense ( Bond: $1,000).

Three arrests took place in Mills County on Dec. 24th: 32-year old Frank B. Cates, of Clarinda, was arrested for Driving while Barred (Bond: $2,000); 23-year old Jeffery Steven Whitt, of Villisca, was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possessing Contraband and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Bond $5,300); and, 24-year old Seancody Lee Anderson, of Monroe, WI., was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance (Bond: $1,000).

At around 12:50-a.m. Saturday, 42-year old Chad Allen Fulton, of Malvern, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, and Open Container (Bond $2,000).  And, there were three arrests Friday in Mills County:  51-year Darren Keith Brooks, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Violation of Protection Order and Domestic Abuse Assault (No Bond); 54-year old Andrew Klusaw, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a Warrant for Violation of Probation (Bond $5,000); and, 51-year old Stephen Curtis Courtney, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Friday on a Warrant for Theft 1st and Ongoing Criminal Conduct (Bond $35,000).

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer, Wednesday (today), released a report on arrests dating back to Nov. 30th. Most recently, on Sunday, 27-year old Cassandra Preston Burcham-Hoagland, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on warrants for Violation of Probation and Failure to Appear. On Dec. 21st, 25-year old Joseph Ray Perkins of Audubon, was arrested by Audubon Police, for Domestic Abuse -3rd offense, Criminal Mischief -4th degree and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On Dec. 20th, 30-year old Jay Robert Edwin Pedrin, of Audubon, was arrested for Domestic Abuse.

On Dec. 19th, 24-year old Kaz Ryan Cozad, of Audubon, was arrested on a warrant for Probation Violation. On Dec. 16th, 79-year old James Lionel Wheeler, of Audubon, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. On Dec. 9th, 50-year old Paul Dana Kay, of Santee, California, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. On Dec. 5th, 40-year old Joshua Robert Sanders, of Audubon, was arrested for Domestic Abuse. And, on Nov. 30th, 19-year old Dakota Rain Toepfer, of Audubon, was arrested by Audubon Police on a Theft charge.

Police in Glenwood, Monday, arrested 43-year old Harold Seberger, of Oakland. Seberger was taken into custody for being a Fugitive from Justice. His cash or surety bond was set at $5,000. And, a Mills County Sheriff’s car was damaged when the vehicle struck a deer at around 6:50-p.m., Dec. 18th. Deputy Denise Jens, of Glenwood, was driving her assigned 2014 Dodge Charger patrol vehicle when she struck the deer on Highway 34. Damage to the cruiser was estimated at $3,000. There were no injuries reported.

(Radio Iowa) — Business leaders across the state are forecasting a solid start to the New Year for Iowa’s economy. Mike Ralston, president of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, says the latest survey of the group’s past and current board members finds almost all of them plan to invest in equipment or facility expansions during the first quarter of 2019. “Sales are up, revenues are up, and hiring is up,” Ralston said. “All those things combine to make our folks feel pretty optimistic about the coming year.”

Mike Ralston

Nearly three-quarters of the business leaders surveyed say they expect increased sales during the year and almost all of them plan to make capital expenditures. According to Ralston, the state’s shortage of skilled workers tops their list of concerns, as it has for many years. But a new worry has emerged recently. “Just in the last six months or so, another issue that has been identified is the increase in material costs and that relates to trade,” Ralston said. “So, there is some concern about trade and tariffs.”

More than half of those surveyed anticipate hiring more workers in early 2019. The Iowa ABI was founded in 1903 and has 15-hundred (1,500) members.