WILLIAMSBURG, Iowa (AP) — Iowa farm equipment maker Kinze Manufacturing says it must lay off 121 workers as low grain prices have slowed farmer purchases. The Des Moines Register reports the Williamsburg-based company announced Monday that office and factory worker cuts will be effective June 18. The eastern Iowa company makes planters and grain carts.

The company released a statement Monday that says it implemented a 30-hour work last year and started “aggressive marketing campaigns” to address market conditions, but the current demand for farming equipment doesn’t support the company’s staff size. Kinze also cut 215 workers last June also citing slowed business and the farm downturn.

The Red Oak Police Department announced additional charges Monday on two current Montgomery County Jail Inmates.  Officers arrested 40-year-old Misty Schalome Currin of Red Oak and 32-year-old Gordon Leroy Currin III of Red Oak on valid Polk County Warrants for Unauthorized Use of Credit Cards.  Both were already being held in Montgomery County Jail on other charges and will be held on no bond pending an initial appearance in Polk County.

WALNUT, Iowa (AP) — The city of Walnut is debating how to best preserve a historic school building as it prepares to launch a new school district this summer. The Daily Nonpareil reports that it’s unknown what will happen to the building when the Walnut Community School District merges with the Avoca-based AHST district July 1st.

The reorganization was prompted when Walnut saw the second largest enrollment decline in the state. It became unfeasible to operate the more than 100-year-old school. The Walnut school board would like to give the building to the city, which could then decide how to best use the space.

If a decision isn’t made by the time the Walnut district ceases to exist independently on June 30, the school board of the new district, called the AHSTW Community School District, would be responsible for the building.

Police in Council Bluffs are asking for your help in locating a man who robbed a check-cashing business late this (Monday) morning. Authorities say at around 11:37-a.m., a man walked into Check ‘n Go, located at 1702 West Broadway, and displayed a black semi-automatic handgun before he demanded money from the two clerks on duty.

After receiving an undisclosed amount of money, the man left the store and walked toward the west. No one was injured during the incident. The suspect was described being as a white male in his late twenties or early thirties, approximately 5’10” to 6’0” and 170 to 185 lbs. He was wearing a dark green hoodie, blue jeans, black shoes, gray gloves, baseball cap and a white surgical mask.

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to call 712 328-STOP. Your tip/information could be eligible for a cash reward and you can remain anonymous.

Still-frame from Surveillance video of the suspect.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following two, recent accidents. This (Monday) morning, at around 5:15-a.m., Cass County deputies responded to a report of a two-semi accident on Interstate80 westbound at the 59 mile marker. Officials say a 2016 Volvo semi driven by 46-year old James Keith Sullwold, of Waukee, was westbound on I-80 in the left lane when the front driver’s side tire blew out, causing the semi to veer into the right lane, where it hit a 1995 Kenworth, driven by 42-year old Kirika J. Robinson, of Chicago, IL. Damage from the collision amounted to $18,500.

And, at around 7:35-p.m. Sunday, Cass County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a one-vehicle accident on Great River Road. A 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by 14-year old Benard McGee, of Atlantic, was southbound on Great River road when the teen lost control going around a curve. The car entered the east ditch and came to rest on its top. McGee and a passenger left the scene of the accident prior to law enforcement arrival. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $2,500. McGee was cited for No Valid Driver’s License and Failure to Maintain Control.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports four recent arrests. On Sunday (April 17th), 20-year old Sarah Jo Porter, of Cumberland, was arrested on charges of Illegal Possession of Prescription Medication/2^nd Offense, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Driving While Revoked. Porter was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released later that day on $1,000 bond. Also arrested Sunday, was 24-year old Christi Lynn Carpenter, of Omaha. Carpenter was taken into custody on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Theft 5^th Degree. She was released later that day on $300 bond.

Last Friday, deputies in Cass County arrested 62-year old Scott Terrill Remington, of Greenfield, on a felony OWI 3^rd or Subsequent Offense, charge. Remington was also cited for Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident, Reckless Driving, Improper Use of Lanes, Following too Closely, and two counts of Open Container. Remington was taken to the Cass County Jail and released Saturday on $5,000 bond.

And, last Thursday, 27-year old Andrew Gaston Nickum, whose last known address was listed as Cumberland, was arrested in Cass County on a felony charge of OWI 3^rd or Subsequent Offense. Nickum was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released Friday on $5,000 bond.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission heard requests for hardship payments at their meeting last week for those who say they are being impacted by the transition of greyhound racing from two tracks to one.  Racing and Gaming administrator, Brian Ohorilko, says they commission originally had six requests for hardship payments.

He says one person withdrew their claim, so they reviewed five claims and each one was a little bit different. Three of the five claims were approved, and two were denied. Ohorilko says once they approved a claim, they then had to decide a dollar amount.

The maximum claim allowed is 100-thousand dollars. The commission approved a claim for 50-thousand dollars for Doctor George Darnell, a 30-thousand-dollar claim for trainer Lori Fortune, and a 100-thousand dollar claim for Eric Pelto. The commissioners denied a claim for Kennel Supply, L-L-C, and one from trainer Jeana Wilhite.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Glenwood arrested a man Saturday, on assault and child endangerment charges. 33-year-old Timothy White, of Glenwood, was being held in the Mills County Jail on $4,000 bond. And, officers with the Glenwood P-D arrested 32-year-old Nathan Evans, of Glenwood, Sunday, for driving while revoked. He was held on $1,000 bond.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports one arrest over the past week. 26-year old Colleen Nicole Denton, of Greenfield, was arrested April 10th for Serious Domestic Abuse Assault. She was released later that same day on $1,000 bond. According to charging documents, Denton and 31-year old Cole John Daughenbaugh, also of Greenfield, were in an argument, when she allegedly struck Daughenbaugh several times in the face, causing injury.

Both parties allegedly assaulted each other, but neither claimed responsibility for their actions, according to the documents. As we reported last week, Daughenbaugh was also arrested in connection with the incident. He too was charged with Serious Domestic Assault, and later released.

In other news from the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, 19-year old Clinton James Henry Hansen, of Atlantic, and 26-year old Shelli Dawn Moffitt, of Osceola, were cited last week for Driving Under Suspension. Both were released from the scene of their citations. Sheriff Jeff Vandewater said he and his deputies conducted more traffic stops than ever before last week, at least since he began keeping records over the past couple of years.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following a collision Saturday afternoon, north of Essex. Officials say 20-year old Harley Collier, of Omaha, was traveling north on Avenue D at around 2:35-p.m., about two-miles north of Essex, near the intersection with 130th Street, when she ran into the rear of a trailer hauling a boat. The trailer was being pulled by a 2012 Ford F-150 pickup.

The driver of the pickup was identified as 64-year old Michael Dean Hecker, of Silver City. Authorities say due to the dust from Hecker’s vehicle Collier was unable to see his vehicle and trailer.  Damage to the outboard engine on the boat was estimated at $1500.

Collier was cited for Failure to maintain control and Failure to prove security against liability.