DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa lawmaker who pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated and possession of a dangerous weapon has been given probation. Court records say Rep. Francis “Chip” Baltimore, a Boone Republican, was sentenced Monday in Story County District Court. He was granted a deferred judgment, given a year of probation on both counts and ordered to pay fees and civil penalties of at least $1,500.

Under a deferred judgment, the convictions can be wiped from Baltimore’s record if he successfully completes the terms of his probation. Baltimore was arrested last month in Ames near Interstate 35. His blood alcohol tested out at nearly twice the legal limit, and a pistol was found under the driver’s seat. He was subsequently removed as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Members of the Audubon School District’s Board of Education will meet tonight in a regular session in their Board Room, at the High School. The meeting begins at 7-p.m., and on their agenda is a Public Hearing with regard to the Fiscal Year 2019 School Calendar. Action items include receiving the initial proposal from the Audubon Education Association, and approval of the FY 2019 School Calendar, along with first reading of policies pertaining to Graduation Requirements, Payroll deductions, and the first & final readings of policies with regard to the Board of Director’s Election and Term of Office.

In other business, the Board will discuss an Early Retirement Policy. At the conclusion of regular business, the Audubon School Board will enter into closed session to discuss strategy with regard to negotiations with a collective bargaining unit.

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

MISSOURI VALLEY, Iowa (AP) — Investigators say they can’t be certain what caused a fire in downtown Missouri Valley that killed two people. The Daily Nonpareil reports that the investigation into the Thanksgiving Day blaze has ended. The bodies of 44-year-old Stacy Larsen and 44-year-old Chad Stevens were found in the CTI Electronics building. The State Fire Marshal Division says the damage where the fire started and the lack of witnesses kept investigators from concluding what sparked the blaze.

GLENVILLE, Minn. (AP) — Opponents of wind power are successfully stalling or shooting down wind-farm projects across the country. Criticism of wind turbines is nothing new, but this latest rebellion has given fresh momentum to anti-wind ideas. The movement’s success also shows that when residents put up organized opposition, they often win. When a developer sought to build dozens of turbines in southern Minnesota, hundreds of people went door-to-door, circulated petitions and packed government meetings.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities blame discarded smoking materials for an apartment fire that killed a Cedar Rapids man. Cedar Rapids Fire Department investigators on Tuesday said the smoking materials ignited a chair inside the apartment, causing the Saturday morning fire. When firefighters entered the apartment, they found 57-year-old Thomas Jones inside, near the chair. Jones was taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, where he died Saturday afternoon.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — A Chicago Bears defensive back has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors stemming from a bar fracas in northeast Iowa. Deiondre’ Hall and Green Bay Packers defensive back Makinton Dorleant were arrested last March in Cedar Falls. Court records say Hall was sentenced to six months’ probation. The records say Dorleant was given a year of probation at his sentencing last May on the same two charges. The Packers cut him in April after he failed a physical.

The Catholic Diocese of Des Moines says a priest has been suspended following an allegation of misconduct. Information from the diocese says Father Carlos Pineda Gomez was suspended indefinitely after a hearing on an allegation of what is called “a serious violation of boundary issues related to unwelcome advances toward an adult.”

The diocese says Bishop Richard Pates notified in Council Bluffs police and suspended Gomez — who serves the Corpus Christi Parish in Council Bluffs. The suspended priest may not engage in public ministry including celebrating Mass or sacraments, nor may he go to the parish office, St. Albert Catholic Schools or the parish religious education program.

The Des Moines Diocese says no further action will be taken until an investigation by the appropriate authorities.

(Radio Iowa)