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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A record number of Iowa women are seeking political office, a surge driven by female Democratic candidates who like women across the country appear to be motivated in part by the election of President Donald Trump. Data shows 98 women in Iowa are expected to have their names on the ballot for the June 5 primary. That’s a 44 percent increase from when 68 women ran in the 2016 primary. The data was compiled by 50-50 in 2020, a nonpartisan organization that works to elect more women in Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Demolition of the fire-damaged remains of a Des Moines bowling alley is nearly complete, and the business owners say they’re ready to rebuild. The Des Moines Register reports that a massive fire engulfed the former Plaza Lanes Family Sports Complex in Des Moines in December 2017. Fire officials determined the blaze was accidental. Randy Thompson’s father built Plaza Lanes in 1957. Thompson says the soon-to-be cleared site will be home to a new family entertainment center.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican authorities say autopsies indicate an Iowa couple and their two children died from inhaling toxic gas at a rented condo on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, but there was no sign of foul play or suicide. The prosecutors’ office in the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo said Saturday that the type of gas and its source had not yet been identified. Photos released by the office showed investigators in anti-contamination suits examining gas connections to a stove in the condo in Tulum.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s governor has announced that she’s fired the director of the Iowa Finance Authority over a sexual harassment complaint. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Saturday in a news release that Dave Jamison has been fired, effective immediately. The written release says Reynolds’ office was made aware Friday night of “credible allegations of sexual harassment against Director Jamison.” Reynolds has named IFA Chief Programs Officer Carolann Jensen as interim director.

The City of Atlantic’s Personnel and Finance Committee will meet 5:30-p.m. Monday, in the City Council’s Chambers at City Hall. On their agenda is:

• A review of the EDR Loan Fund
• Discussion with regard to Infill Housing and the Housing Policy
• Discussion and review of Downtown Revitalization, Historic Districts and Business Incentives.
• An update of Health Insurance Brokers.
• and discussion with regard to Storm Water Ordinance & Billing.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will hold a work session Monday afternoon in the High School Media Center. The session begins at 4:30-p.m.

On their agenda is discussion with regard to the Levy Rate/Debt Service, and 2018-19 Certified Budget. No action is expected on those matters.

Some upcoming dates for Public Hearings:

• April 11th, 5:30-p.m.: 2018-19 School Calendar
• April 11th, 5:45-p.m.: 2018-19 Certified Budget

The Public Hearings on April 11th will be followed by the Board’s regular monthly meeting on that date.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Demolition of the fire-damaged remains of a Des Moines bowling alley is nearly complete, and the business’ owners say they’re ready to rebuild. A massive fire engulfed the former Plaza Lanes Family Sports Complex in Des Moines in December 2017. Fire officials determined the blaze was accidental.

Randy Thompson’s father built Plaza Lanes in 1957. Thompson told the Des Moines Register that the soon-to-be cleared site will be home to a new family entertainment center, fit with a restored neon sign that’s signature to their former bowling alley. The new center would include such entertainment as an escape room, laser tag, a larger arcade, bowling lanes and a new sports restaurant and bar. It’ll also be placed in a different spot on the property to accommodate more parking, Thompson said.

He wants the new facility to be a place where “people can go and do all kinds of entertainment for hours.” Thompson estimated the fire damage at $7.5 million. The price tag for the new entertainment center could reach $9 million, he said.

Dan DeCarlo, owner of DeCarlo Demolition, said crews first had to remove asbestos before the rest of the building could be torn down. He anticipates several weeks of work left at the site. Thompson said they plan to open their new center by September 2019.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A record number of Iowa women are seeking political office, a surge driven by female Democratic candidates who like women across the country appear to be motivated in part by the election of President Donald Trump. Data shows 98 women are expected to have their names on the June 5 primary ballot. That’s a 44 percent increase from when 68 women ran in the 2016 primary.

The figures include female incumbents running for re-election. It accounts for women seeking election to the state Legislature, Congress and statewide offices like governor. It was compiled by 50-50 in 2020, a nonpartisan Iowa organization that works to elect more women.

The jump in female candidates is propelled by Democrats. Of the 98 women on the ballot this year, 70 are Democrats. Republicans have 27 women on the ballot, and there is one libertarian.

Officials with the Shenandoah Police Department said on their social media page, Sunday (Today), that they are currently looking for 34-year old Kyle William Chase, of Red Oak. He stands about 6-feet tall and weighs 180 pounds.

Kyle Chase

Chase has an active warrant out of Polk County and has allegedly been following teenage girls around and or harassing them while at the library in Shenandoah. Chase is most likely on foot and was last seen wearing a dark hoodie, blue jeans, and a white or gray fanny pack.

If anyone sees Chase, please call 911 immediately or the Shenandoah Police Department at 712-246-3512. Citizens are NOT advised to attempt to apprehend any individuals on their own.

Red Oak Police report officers arrested 25-year old Dahlton Briggs, of Bellevue, NE., at around 1:30-a.m. today (Sunday). Briggs was taken into custody in the 400 block of E. Reed Street, for Disorderly Conduct, and Public Intoxication. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 cash bond. And, at around 1:55-a.m., 24-year old Krystal Justine Briggs, of Red Oak, was arrested at the same location, for Public Intoxication. She was also being held in the Montgomery County Jail, on a $300 cash bond.