Sheriff’s deputies in Page County are investigating a burglary that was reported at around 2-p.m. Wednesday, at a residence located about eight-miles east of Shenandoah along Highway 2. The resident reported that sometime between 10-a.m. and 2-p.m., someone broke into her residence while she was gone.  Numerous items were taken during the burglary.

A Crimestopper’s reward is being offered for information leading to the indictment of persons responsible for the burglary and theft.  The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193 or their local Law Enforcement agency.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office is reporting three people were arrested Wednesday. 34-year old Ashley Dawn Helm, of Omaha, was arrested on a warrant out of Crawford County for a Controlled Substance Violation. Her bond was set at $25,000.

24-year old Calvin Michael Sharp, of Auburn, NE., was arrested in Mills County for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

And, 39-year old Amy Dawn Clemmons, of Emerson, was arrested Wednesday for Driving Under Suspension. Her bond was set at $300.

Federal records show a circus that owns four elephants that were briefly stranded on an Oklahoma roadway had a pachyderm escape its enclosure and roam free through a Wisconsin residential neighborhood last summer.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection report shows a Carson & Barnes Circus elephant got free from restraints in June at Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The female elephant was loose for a few hours before her trainer led her back to her barn.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals criticized Hugo, Oklahoma-based Carson & Barnes after the floor began falling out of a trailer hauling the four elephants Wednesday, leaving them stalled for about two hours awaiting another ride. A statement from PETA urges people to avoid the circus’ shows.

Carson & Barnes spokeswoman Jennifer Wisener said Thursday a veterinarian examined the four elephants and that they appeared to be fine.

Ray “Bubba” Sorensen, II (R)-Greenfield

Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II (R-Greenfield) announced today (Thursday), his candidacy for the Iowa House. The 38-year old Sorensen is running for Iowa District 20, which is currently represented by Clel Baudler and who recently announced his retirement. The district includes the counties of Adair, Guthrie, and portions of Dallas and Cass.  Sorensen said in a press release, “My priorities are to work for the district by providing good constituent services and giving a voice to constituents in our legislative process. As a small business owner and lifelong resident of the district, I can be a voice for rural Iowa with a common-sense approach.”

Bubba is a life-long resident of Adair County where in Greenfield he operates his business, Sorensen Studios, with his wife Maria. They are the parents of two children. A graduate of Bridgewater-Fontanelle (now Nodaway Valley), he was active in sports and showing cattle in 4H. Engaged in local, state, and national politics, Sorensen served as an intern for former Iowa State Senator JoAnn Johnson and clerked for former Representative Steve Olson.

Sorensen is well known for painting the Freedom Rock® just south of Interstate 80 near Menlo, Iowa. Painting the original Freedom Rock® each year as a volunteer effort, he is now commissioned to paint the smaller Freedom Rocks® in every county in Iowa. He currently has sixty-nine of the county Freedom Rocks® completed.  In announcing his candidacy, Sorensen said “I want to thank Representative Baudler for his many years of service to the state of Iowa. Running for State House is an honor and extension of how I can serve my community. With the support of my family and friends, I will be a strong voice for House District 20.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Senate Republicans have proposed $50 million in mid-year cuts to Iowa’s roughly $7.2 billion state budget, including a reduction of more than $24 million in higher education spending. A Senate budget committee is expected Thursday to vote on the cuts, which impact the budget year running through June. The full Senate must still consider them before several votes in the House.

Leaders in the Republican-controlled chambers had indicated they would cut beyond the nearly $30 million spending reductions proposed by GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds. They say it’s to avoid extra cuts if future budget projections are down. There’s disagreement between Republicans over the reductions, though lawmakers declined to offer specifics.

The Senate plan released Thursday cuts about $19.3 million from Iowa’s three public universities and $5.4 million from community colleges.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Doctors say a Burlington man accused of using an electric guitar to kill his mother remains incompetent for trial. Thirty-year-old Garret Selters is charged with first-degree murder in the October slaying of 56-year-old Linda Selters. In November doctors concluded he was incompetent for trial. At a follow-up hearing Tuesday, a judge read through reports that said Selters still was unable to assist in his defense but remained “a candidate for restoration.”

The Hawk Eye reports that the judge set another review hearing for Feb. 19. Police say Garret Selters struck his mother in the back of her head Oct. 17. She’d called for help that day, saying her son was having an “episode.” Officers found Garret Selters outside, pacing and stating that he’d killed his mother.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say the man whose body was recovered from the Des Moines River was being sought by police on robbery and assault charges. Des Moines police said Thursday in a news release that the body was identified as that of 20-year-old Des Moines resident Phillip Philavanh. He’d been reported missing by his family on Dec. 12.

The Police Department says the body was reported around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, south of the Grand Avenue bridge. Police say he assaulted a family member and later attempted to steal a car on Nov. 5. The death investigation is continuing.