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

WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa police say they’ve arrested a man in the death of a woman found not breathing at a central Iowa home nearly two months ago. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says in a news release that 32-year-old Zachery Bassett was arrested Wednesday in St. Joseph, Missouri, on a warrant charging him with first-degree murder in the death of 50-year-old Andrea Sokolowski. Investigators say Bassett called Webster City police on Sept. 22 to report that his girlfriend was not breathing.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines resident has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for breaking into the man’s home and stabbing him to death. Television station KCCI reports that 20-year-old Magai Anai Kur was sentenced Wednesday. He was convicted in September of robbery and first-degree murder in the September 2017 death of 77-year-old Robert Howe.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman who shared a nearly $700 million Powerball lottery jackpot has donated $500,000 to a veterans group. Lerynne West announced on the Ellen DeGeneres Show broadcast Wednesday that she gave the money to the Travis Mills Foundation. The Maine-based organization offers programs for disabled veterans. West says it’s important “that we never forget the sacrifices our soldiers and families make for our country.” Robert Bailey of New York City bought the other winning ticket.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education met in a regular session Wednesday evening in the High School Media Center. The Board approved a handful of resignations, include: Craig Fredin, 9^th Grade Girl’s Basketball Coach; Pam Russell, At-Risk Student Advocate; David Eckles, Transportation Director, and Sam Hoover, Bus Driver. They also approved several contract recommendations and/or Letters of Assignment, with one late addition: Shelby McCreedy was added as Freshman Girls Basketball Coach.

The Board approved requests for the Debate Team to compete in Marshall, MN, January 25^th and 26th, and a trip for Middle School Students to visit Washington, D.C., in June, 2019. The trip to D.C. is offered every other year for those students.

And, the Atlantic School Board approved the Early Retirement Incentive program as presented during previous discussions. It will be offered until Jan. 3, 2019 only for a select number of persons who have 10-years of service to the district and are at least 55-years of age by June 30, 2019. If selected, they would receive $25,000 over a three-year period.

Those funds would be paid into what is called a “Health Reimbursement Arrangement,” (Or, HRA), which allows the participants to continue their health insurance, as long as they pay the monthly premiums, for a maximum cost to the District of up to $250,000 over a three-year period starting in FY 2020.

More than 200 delegates from the Iowa Association of School Board’s (IASB) member school boards and area education agency (AEA) boards gathered at Delegate Assembly on Wednesday (Nov. 14), to conduct the annual meeting and determine the platform for the 2019 legislative session. Each board appoints one board member as delegate to represent their board’s views.

Among the four priorities approved, the state penny sales tax for school infrastructure remained a priority that school boards in Iowa support and urge the legislature to extend. Atlantic School Board member Allison Bruckner and ACSD Superintendent Steve Barber were in attendance at the delegate’s meeting.

During Wednesday evening’s Atlantic School Board meeting, Bruckner said she had a chance to vote on the proposed legislative platform, and it was “A very good day. We got through 32 items that were on the agenda to vote for, and there were some really good items that came up for discussion.” There was also “A lot of healthy debate,” she said, and it was interesting to “hear from what legislative platforms are out there and what they’re looking for, to support this year.”

Superintendent Barber said “Although there was disagreement, people in that were in that room were very passionate about public education.” IASB Board President Joan Corbin said “This is the fifth year in a row that members have selected the state penny as one of our legislative priorities. Time is running out for districts who are simply trying to reliably plan budgets-they need to know this funding stream will be around past 2029.” Corbin said “Additionally, the state penny sales tax is a source of property tax relief, and if the legislature doesn’t extend it past 2029, districts may be forced to pass bond measures to fund school infrastructure projects. We strive to keep the burden of facilities maintenance from impacting taxpayers in our communities, but these bond measures will increase property taxes.”

The approved platform includes the following priorities:
* Supports repeal of the 2029 sunset of the statewide penny sales tax for school infrastructure; and supports preservation of the sales tax with no diversions or expansions of allowable uses;
* Supports changes to school funding policy that ensures equity, especially in transportation costs and district cost per pupil rates;
* Setting supplemental state aid rates in a timely way, with adequate resources to sustain world-class schools; and
* Supports efforts to establish comprehensive community mental health systems to offer preventative and treatment services and comprehensive school mental health programs that include access for students to mental health professionals.

To see the full list of beliefs, resolutions and legislative priorities for the 2019 legislative session, please visit the IASB website.  The IASB is a nonprofit organization representing Iowa’s 330 school districts, nine area education agencies and 15 community colleges.

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds, Wednesday, announced appointments to Iowa’s boards and commissions. Among the appointments of area people that are subject to Senate confirmation:

Environmental Protection Commission: Lisa Gochenour, Logan

Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board: Matthew Wyant, Crescent

The following appointments are not subject to Senate confirmation:

STEM Advisory Council: Katherine Howell, Coon Rapids; Chris Russell, Omaha

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman who shared a nearly $700 million Powerball lottery jackpot has donated $500,000 to a veterans group. Lerynne West announced on the Ellen Lee DeGeneres show broadcast Wednesday that she gave the money to the Travis Mills Foundation. The Maine-based organization offers programs for disabled veterans.

Before announcing her gift, West recounted buying the winning ticket at a convenience store in the small Iowa community of Redfield, then leaving it on the floor of her sister’s pickup. After submitting her ticket to officials, she promised to use her winnings to help others.

West says it’s important “that we never forget the sacrifices our soldiers and families make for our country.” Robert Bailey of New York City bought the other winning ticket.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday) released a report on their most recent arrests. Last Saturday, deputies arrested 34-year old Heath Austin Kroll, of Mapleton. Kroll was charged with OWI-2nd Offense, Open Container, Driving While Suspended, and Child Endangerment. The arrest stems from a traffic stop on November 10th at the intersection of Mantz St. and East Division St. ,in Audubon. He was held at the Audubon County Jail until Sunday morning, when Kroll appeared before the Magistrate and was released.

At around 3:25-a.m. Nov. 1st, 28-year old Cole Jacob Benton, of Hamlin, was arrested in Audubon County, on an outstanding warrant for unlawful possession of a prescription. The charge stems from an investigation into a traffic stop on October 24th. Benton was held at the Audubon County Jail until the following morning when he appeared before the Magistrate and was released.

And, on Oct. 27th, 22-year old Lindsey Michele Dirks, of Redding, was arrested for driving while suspended. The charge stems from a traffic stop on North Park Place in Audubon. Dirks was held in the Audubon County Jail until the following morning when she posted bond and was released.