DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad is authorizing the Iowa National Guard to increase security and arm additional personnel at facilities, including recruiting stations. Branstad said Wednesday he was authorizing Maj. Gen. Timothy Orr to strengthen security, but would leave the decisions to Orr’s discretion. Earlier this week, Branstad asked Orr to review the current security measures at National Guard sites.

The Republican governor also plans to ask the federal government to review the protections at all military facilities. He’ll make that request during a meeting this week in Washington for a group of governors who advise federal officials on security matters.

Last Thursday, Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez opened fire at a military recruiting office and a Navy-Marine operations center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, killing four Marines. A sailor wounded in the attack died Saturday.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Wednesday, signed a letter to be delivered to President Obama requesting a Presidential Disaster Declaration for 19 Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from damaging winds, tornadoes,
heavy rains, hail and thunderstorms from June 20-25, 2015.

The counties included in this request are: Allamakee, Appanoose, Butler, Clayton,
Dallas, Davis, Des Moines, Guthrie, Howard, Jefferson, Lee, Lucas, Marion, Mitchell, Monroe, Warren, Wayne, Winneshiek and Wright.

The governor requested funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s
Public Assistance Program, which is used to rebuild damaged infrastructure that may
include roads, bridges, culverts and other public facilities, or to cover costs of
emergency work during, and debris removal after, the storms. A joint federal, state
and local preliminary damage assessment of the 19 counties found the severe weather
caused an estimated $5.1 million worth of damage that could be eligible under the
Public Assistance Program.

The governor also requested funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the
entire state.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports six arrests. Taken into custody Tuesday (7/21), was: 36-year old Nicholas Thomas Rohrberg, Council Bluffs, for being a Felon in Possession of Firearm and Failure to File SR-22 Insurance, and, 28-year old Joshua James Elwood, of Stanton, for Criminal Mischief in the 2nd degree. Bonds for the men were set at $6,000 and $5,000, respectively.

On Monday, 55-year old Paul Francis Williams, of Lincoln, NE., was arrested in Mills County for Possession of a Controlled Substance, the bond for which was set at $1,000.

On Sunday, deputies in Mills County arrested 49-year old Stephanie Lee Hightshoe, of Villisca, for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Her bond was set at $1,000. And on Saturday, 21-year old Dakota David Kempton, of Malvern, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault and Harassment. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail. Also arrested Saturday was 50-year old Jeffrey Allen Fink, of Silver City, for Harassment in the 1st degree, Public Intoxication, and Trespass. His bond was set at $2,600.

Sheriff’s officials in Page County are asking for the public’s help in solving a theft. Deputies responded July 21st, to a report about property stolen from 2095 B Avenue. An investigation determined that sometime during the last ten days, unknown persons entered the property and took several tires and rims, a carburetor, a gas powered two man post hole auger, and an electric winch. Anyone with information about the theft, is asked to contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office, or their local law enforcement agency.

The Sheriff’s Office says also, 51-year old Terry E. Flowers, Sr., of Omaha, was arrested Sunday afternoon following a traffic stop for speeding. Flowers was wanted on a warrant out of Pottawattamie County for Operating a motor vehicle without owners consent. The man was unable to post a $2000 bond and was transported to the Page County Jail for holding until Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office personnel could transport him to their jail.

In addition to speeding, Flowers was cited for Failure to have a valid driver’s license.

An accident Monday evening in Page County resulted in non-life threatening injuries to a man from Missouri. Sheriff Lyle Palmer says 41-year old Benjamin Green, of Jefferson City, MO., was transported to the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital following the crash that happened at around 5:30-p.m., on the north edge of Shenandoah.

Green was traveling north on Highway 48 when he lost control of his 1997 Jeep Cherokee, which entered the east ditch. Shenandoah Police assisted sheriff’s deputies at the scene.

The AtlanticFest Committee has announced a new location for the Motorcycle Show at AtlanticFest this year to be held RAIN or SHINE on August 8th. Motorcycles will check-in at 7th and Chestnut Street just east of the City Park. Motorcycles will be lined along both sides of Chestnut between 6th and 7th street. Registration will be from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Judging will be from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., followed by an awards presentation at 2:30 p.m.

There are 13 Classes for motorcycles to register in, including a Future Rider class for kids. Pre-registration is $10.00 and must be paid by July 24th. Registration beginning July 25th is $15.00. Pre-registered participants will receive a free AtlanticFest T-Shirt. The first 75 entries will receive complementary goodie bag.

The AtlanticFest Motorcycle Show is sponsored by Baxter Cycle in Marne and Steffens Cycle Shop, in Atlantic. AtlanticFest presenting partner is 1st Whitney Bank & Trust.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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