Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Monday, issued statements after learning of the passing of 81-year old Iowa State Representative Jack Drake. Gov. Branstad said “Jack Drake was one of the first volunteers to help organize my campaign for Lt. Governor in 1978. Representative Drake conscientiously served the citizens of southwestern Iowa for many years in the legislature. He was a true gentleman and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the Drake family during this difficult time.”

Reynolds said she “Had the pleasure of working very closely with Jack in many capacities on issues important to rural Iowa. You would be hard-pressed to find a better advocate for his constituents in the Iowa Legislature. My thoughts and prayers are with Shirley and the entire Drake family during this time.”

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst a Republican from Red Oak, said “Jack was a phenomenal voice for our agricultural community and our great state. I was honored to serve with Jack in the state legislature and always valued his hard work and in-depth knowledge on the issues most important to Iowans. Jack was a good friend and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Shirley and their family during this difficult time.”

Drake, who died from natural causes Sunday, represented House District 21, which includes parts of Pottawattamie and Cass counties and all of Adams and Union county. Governor Branstad will set a date for a special election for House District 21 at a later date.

Funeral services for Jack Drake will be held 10:30-a.m. Thursday (Oct. 15th) at the Griswold United Methodist Church, where visitation with his family is from 4:30-until 7:30-p.m., Wednesday.

Police in Council Bluffs, late Monday evening, issued a press release asking for the public’s help in locating a missing man. 23-year old Brandon Bequette, of Carter Lake, who is a mentally challenged white male, was last seen at the Lake Manawa Wal-Mart store in Council Bluffs at around 1:15-p.m., Monday. He left the store and area westbound on foot.

23-year old Brandon Bequette

His family had attempted to locate Brandon before contacting police at 4:10-p.m. Brandon may have been seen at the Council Bluffs Public Library between 4-p.m. and 5-p.m. Monday, but Police were unable to confirm that. At this time they say theyhave exhausted any possible locations for Brandon.

He was last seen wearing a gray shirt, dark blue pants and yellow “Croc style” shoes. He’s described as 5’8” tall, and weighing 310-pounds. Brandon has short brown hair and hazel eyes. (A picture of him can be found on this same story posted under the News page at kjan.com) He has family in the Council Bluffs and Carter Lake Area. If you know where he is or have seen him, call your local law enforcement agency immediately.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), Monday, awarded $924,000 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 14 communities around the state. The grants will benefit local improvement projects such as façade upgrades and restoration, upper floor rehabilitation and remodeled spaces for expanding downtown businesses. In the KJAN listening area, the City of Avoca received a $75,000 grant toward the  $280, 650 cost of restoring the Avoca Bank Building. The City will provide a $205, 650 match for the grant. The City of Manning also received a $75,000 grant toward the Manning Child Care Center project. The total project cost is $277,600. The City will put up a $202, 600 match for the grant.

Avoca Main Street grant

The grants are administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs. The funding will be distributed in the form of matching grants to the selected Main Street programs. The estimated total project cost of the 14 projects is over $8 million.

Main Street Iowa Coordinator  Michael Wagler said “Each project must provide at least a dollar-for-dollar cash-match. Overall, these projects will leverage eight times the state’s investment into bricks and mortar rehabilitation. These projects will have a significant economic impact within each district.”

The Challenge Grant program is funded through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature.  Since the first appropriation in 2002 through 2014, approximately $5.9 million in state and federal funds have leveraged over $37 million of private reinvestment into 110 projects in 43 Main Street Iowa commercial districts across the state.

A Greenfield man arrested for Probation Violation early Monday morning at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, was subsequently charged with introducing intoxicants or drugs into an institution. 25-year old Spencer Jordan Leitzel was arrested at 1:30-a.m. He was later released from the Union County Jail on $500 bond.

The Red Oak Police Department responded to a 3-vehicle accident with at least one injury in Red Oak on Monday.  At 2:57pm officers responded to the accident at the intersection of Broadway and Corning Streets in Red Oak.

After investigation it was determined that a Dodge Durango driven by 46-year-old Tammy Turek of Essex failed to stop at a red light and rear ended another vehicle which then rear ended the third vehicle.  No injuries were reported from the first two vehicles but the driver of the third vehicle complained of neck pain and was taken by Red Oak Rescue to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital to be examined.

Turek’s Durango was towed from the scene and had an estimated $3,500 damage. The second vehicle received $3,000 damage and the third $500. Red Oak police were assisted by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at the scene.

A Nebraska woman was arrested on a charge of OWI/1st Offense, following an investigation into an accident early Friday morning on Interstate 80, in Cass County. The Sheriff’s Department says deputies responded at around 2:40-a.m.  to the single-vehicle accident on I-80 eastbound, near mile marker 68 (or, just west of the Anita Highway 148 Exit).

Officials say a 2006 Ford Taurus driven by 18-year old Kayla Ann Richmond, of Omaha, left the road and entered the north ditch. No injuries were reported. Upon investigation, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Richmond on the OWI charge. She was also cited for Minor in Possession and Failure to Maintain Control. Richmond was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released later that day on her own recognizance.

And on Saturday, deputies in Cass County arrested 20-year old Russell Logan Barker, of Council Bluffs, on two District Court warrants for Failure to Appear. Barker was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $1,500 bond.

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees reports Cass County Fire Chiefs have been discussing a possible Burn Ban for Cass County. The Chiefs contacted Cass County Emergency Management Director Mike Kennon, after receiving some concerns by local residents. McNees says at this time, the overall consensus is to remind residents that conditions today (Monday) are very dangerous and ANY open burning should not be conducted. All precautions should be taken by farmers harvesting their crops to clean and maintain their equipment to help prevent equipment fires that could easily result in a large out of control field fire.

Atlantic Chief Mark McNees says also, “ At this moment it seems to be a typical fall harvest season with a large fuel load of unharvested crops. However, there are still reasonably green areas surrounding fields and some areas that are fairly wet in parts of the county. At the current pace, and with the two week outlook in the forecast, it appears much of the harvest will be completed within 2 to 3 weeks. I would not encourage any open burning until later in the fall or early winter when the crops are out and there may have been some more precipitation. It would be best to wait as long as possible. If conditions worsen greatly a ban may be issued and residents will be advised.”

Grassland Fire Danger Index 10/12/15

It is best always to contact your local fire department chief before any burns are conducted to get their advice and to give notice that a burn is being planned. Cass County has been very successful the past few years in keeping wildland fires from occurring by communicating with residents in this regard.

McNees added, “Several area departments have specifically trained to conduct prescribed burns for CRP mid management burns, and have instituted programs to do other planned, controlled burns for landowners in their districts. This provides a much safer and timely outcome for everyone. Fire departments can train, plan, and conduct land burns at times when they have personnel, and landowners benefit from the control of such burns.”

Landowners are encouraged to contact their departments now if they would like to discuss such burns, including the timing, areas, and costs. McNees says “ last year Atlantic began a program for prescribed burns and it became difficult to get them all done when several waited until late to make requests. Departments want to stay within their districts, but will aid neighboring departments if necessary, which is another reason to contact your department to see if they have such a program instituted and can assist the landowner.”

A woman from Page County turned herself-in to authorities Saturday afternoon. Officials say 24-year old Taylor Paige Mulkins, of Clarinda, was wanted on a Page County District Court warrant issued Oct. 7th for Probation Violation. The warrant was issued in connection with an OWI charge in 2013. Mulkins was able to post the $1000 cash bond, and was released pending court proceedings.

Two people were arrested over the weekend on drug charges, in Shenandoah. According to the Police report, 45-year old Laura Esser, of Farragut, was taken into custody at around 2:30-a.m. Saturday, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Open Container. At around 11:50-p.m., Saturday, 44-year old Anja Hummel, of Sidney, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense, Open Container, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Early this (Monday) morning, officers with the Shenandoah P-D arrested 31-year old Matthew Magers, of Shenandoah, on two Page County warrants, Operating a non-registered vehicle, and Driving While Suspended. And, last Friday, 35-year old Daniel Martin, of Shenandoah, was arrested on a Page County warrant for Probation Violation.

All four subjects were released after posting bond, and given a date to appear later, in court.