FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — A proposed plan to remove two dams across the Des Moines River in central Iowa could cost more than $4 million and be completed next winter. The Messenger reports that the proposal presented to the Fort Dodge City Council Monday calls for the removal of the Hydroelectric Dam and the Little Dam during the winter of 2018-19.

Wade Greiman is a project manager with engineering firm Snyder & Associates. He says the Hydroelectric Dam removal will cost about $3.6 million and the Little Dam removal will cost about $750,000. The dams would be replaced with structures to direct water and reduce stream bed erosion. The funding will be included in a $9 million general obligation bond issue proposal, which the council will consider on March 12.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa City man accused of sexually assaulting numerous students and employees on the University of Iowa campus has been sent to prison. Court records say 35-year-old Adam Weinstein was sentenced Monday to seven years. He’d entered an Alford plea to assault with intent to commit injury and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. In an Alford plea, a person doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction. Prosecutors dropped several other charges in exchange for Weinstein’s pleas.

Police say Weinstein sexually assaulted, groped and harassed at least eight women on the campus during a 15-hour period on Nov. 10, 2015. Police say the incidents took place at the university hospital, near residence halls and the law school.

A District Court Judge, Monday, threw out a Voluntary Manslaughter charge against a Red Oak man arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that took place last year. 39-year old Kevin Duane Staley, of Red Oak, whose trial was to have begun Monday, had earlier pleaded not guilty to shooting 27-year old Devin Alexander Davis, of Villisca, during the early morning hours of Oct. 11th, in Red Oak.

Red Oak Police Davis say suffered from a single gunshot wound to the chest.  Investigators determined that Staley and Davis “had been in a confrontation” earlier that morning, which resulted in Staley shooting Davis.

According to online court records, Judge James Heckerman granted Staley immunity under the “stand your ground” law approved by lawmakers in the 2017 Legislative Session. The judge also ordered prosecutors to cease prosecuting the case, and for Staley to be set free. Staley remained in the Page County Jail, however, on pending traffic charges.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A jury has ordered a prominent Iowa City landlord to pay $5.6 million to the widow of a maintenance worker who fell to his death. The Johnson County jury returned the verdict late Monday against Jeffrey Clark, the manager of Apartments Downtown, Inc. The case stems from the 2014 death of 40-year-old husband and father Bronson Ganka, a handyman for the apartments company.

Ganka fell from a ladder while trying to drill a hole above an awning to a downtown Iowa City business. He suffered serious injuries after landing on the sidewalk, went into a coma and died 11 days later. Ganka’s widow, Kara, alleged that Clark was grossly negligent because he told Ganka he couldn’t use an available boom truck that had safety guardrails to perform the work.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests have taken place. Arrested last Friday, were the following individuals: 41-year old A-J Miller, of Mount Ayr, who was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center (LEC), on a warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. Miller was later released on $300 bond; 44-year old Patrick Albert Baker, of Lorimor, was also arrested Feb 9th at the Union County LEC, for two counts neglect of child, possession of controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, and failure to affix drug tax stamp. Baker was released from the Union County Jail on $10,000 bond.

And, arrested Feb. 8th in Union County, was: 26-year old Tyler Lee Brammer, of Thayer. Brammer was arrested at the Union County LEC on a Palo Alto County warrant for 2 counts sex offender-area/activity violation. Brammer was transferred to the Palo Alto County Jail where he is being held on $15,000 bond; and 22-year old Calli Marie Brumbaugh, of Thayer, was also arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a Palo Alto County warrant for 2 counts child endangerment. Brumbaugh was transferred to the Palo Alto County Jail where she is being held on $6,500 bond.

The Sheriff’s Office reports also, an Adair County woman complained of pain and was transported by Law Enforcement to the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, following an accident Saturday night. 19-year old Jenna Marie Vanderpluym, of Greenfield, who was wearing her seat belt, was driving a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am southbound on Highway 25 at about 9:50-p.m., when she lost control of the car on the snow covered road. The vehicle crossed over into the northbound lane and entered a ditch. Damage to the car was estimated at $3,000. No citations were issued.

Cass County Public Health is hosting the second session of their 3-part parenting series just for dads and kids (up to age 18) called “Building Up Dads” on Saturday, February 24th. Nancy Gibson, Parents as Teachers Coordinator, said that the topic for this session is communication. Gibson says “In the parent-child relationship, good communication is really essential.”

Each session includes a meal, separate activities for dads and kids, and then time together. The series is free for families to participate in thanks to grants from Boost 4 Families and DECAT. Gibson said “We had a great turnout at our first session, and if you weren’t able to make the first one – that’s okay – you can still join us now. Our goal is to give dads the tools and confidence they need to be a great parent, while also giving them time to build their relationships with their children.”

As an added bonus, participants who attend all three sessions will have their name entered in a drawing for a free family zoo membership to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo. The second session will be held at 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA. Please RSVP by February 22nd by calling 712-243-7475.