BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two eastern Iowa correctional officers were sent to the hospital with injuries after they were attacked by inmates at the Des Moines County Correctional Center. The Des Moines County sheriff’s office says authorities were called to the jail shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday on a report that a correctional officer was pinned down in a maximum security area for male inmates.

Authorities say the unidentified correctional officer was attacked by three inmates and was later pulled out of the cell by another staff member. The officer was admitted to a local hospital with unspecified injuries. Authorities say a second correctional officer was also taken to the hospital for injuries sustained in the attack. The entire jail remains on lockdown.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge says the state doesn’t have to honor a contract negotiated with a union representing University of Iowa nurses before the new anti-collective bargaining law was signed. District Judge Jeffrey Farrell ruled Thursday that the contract with Service Employees International Union isn’t binding because the Board of Regents never voted to ratify it.

The union represents 3,500 nurses and other workers at UI Hospitals and Clinics. The union voted to accept the regents’ last offer in February, days before Gov. Terry Branstad signed the law cutting the ability of most public-sector unions to negotiate benefits and workplace conditions. But the regents then refused to formally approve the contract, which guaranteed two-percent raises in each of the next two years and flexible schedules.

On Nov. 28, Judge Michael Huppert ruled the state must honor a similar last-minute contract with the Iowa United Professionals union.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Emergency medical technicians might charge patients who receive on-scene care but don’t require transportation to the hospital in a western Iowa city next year. The Sioux City Council will vote Monday on a proposal to introduce a $186 to $327 fee for services received from paramedics at a scene. The Sioux City Journal reports that the new fee structure comes as the Sioux City Fire Rescue takes over 911 ambulance services from nonprofit Siouxland Paramedics in January. The nonprofit previously didn’t charge for on-scene care.

Under the proposal, basic on-scene life support will cost $186 and advanced on-scene life support will cost $327. The city’s fire chief says the move is intended to cut down on the subsidy that is paid by taxpayer dollars for the new division.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Some Iowa residents who face steep health insurance bills are turning to faith-based ministries in which religious Americans help each other pay medical bills. The Des Moines Register reports that the arrangements count as coverage under the Affordable Care Act, even though they aren’t exactly insurance.

Some of the groups’ monthly costs are much lower than what insurance would run, but there are limits on the types of bills they will cover. Outside health policy experts warn that the “health sharing ministries” have little oversight, and plans are not required to cover pre-existing health problems, such as diabetes or cancer. And unlike health insurers, the groups are not regulated by state officials.

An Audubon County man was arrested Sunday night on drug and alcohol charges. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports 19-year old Chandler Joel Behrens, of Audubon, was pulled-over on Highway 71 and Chicago Street in Audubon. An investigation resulted in him being taken into custody for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Alcohol/2nd offense. He later posted bond and was released, with a court appearance set for Dec. 14th.

Late Saturday night, 56-year old Dwight Dean Elm, of Coon Rapids, was arrested for Driving While Barred, Open Container, and for Violation of a Restricted License. The charges are the result of a traffic stop near Highway 71 and Highway 44. Elm was later released on bond and is set to appear in court on Dec. 18th.

Friday night, Audubon County Deputies arrested 30-year old Laura May Pepple, of Manning. Pepple was charged with OWI/2nd offense, Open Container, No Insurance and Failure to carry a Registration Card. The charges are the result of a traffic stop near Bluebird Avenue and 130th Street. Pepple was later released after appearing before a magistrate. Her next appearance in court was set for Dec. 28th.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County say a man and his mother were arrested Saturday night for Domestic Assault with injury. 34-year old William Joseph Bullock, and 54-year old Diana L. Bullock, both of Avoca, were arrested at around 8:20-p.m., following an argument that turned physical. The report indicated Diana Bullock had been drinking, while William Bullock was sober. Both suffered minor injuries.

And, 51-year old David Nickolas Paulson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested early Saturday morning for Stalking, and two counts of Violation of a No Contact Order. His arrest took place following a traffic stop. The arrest was the result of an ongoing investigation where Paulson was believed to be causing Criminal Mischief and violating no contact orders against his girlfriend.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater today (Monday), released his report on arrests and other activities. In the report, it was noted that 56-year old Brian Ray Kunkle, of Fontanelle, was arrested Friday evening following a traffic stop. Authorities had received complaints from another motorist that Kunkle’s 2012 Chevy Silverado was swerving all over Interstate 80. The other driver followed Kunkle as he exited the Interstate at the 88  mile marker and turned south onto Pinewood. The caller said Kunkle pulled off onto the side of the road and turned his lights off at 110th and Pinewood. A State Trooper located the vehicle and Kunkle. The truck’s motor was still running and the lights were off. An investigation and Field Sobriety Test indicated Kunkle had a Preliminary Breath Alcohol Content of .239-percent, or nearly three times the legal limit. Kunkle refused a couple of other tests at the scene and was brought to the Adair County Jail, where chemical tests showed a blood alcohol level of .207-percent, still more than twice the legal limit. He was charged with OWI/1st offense and released a few hours later on $1,000 bond.

Other individuals who were being held in the Adair County include:

• 23-year old Alex Lee Buckner, of Casey, who was arrested Dec. 8th. He was being held in the Adair County Jail until early Sunday morning, for failure to serve time on an earlier sentence, and then released.
• 45-year old Jason Edward Caldwell, of Stuart, was arrested Dec. 6th for failure to serve his full sentence.  He remains held until completion of time served.
• 45-year old Manuel Urbina-Mejia, of Adair, was arrested Dec. 6th on a warrant out of Polk County. He was transferred to their custody Dec. 6th.
• 38-year old Joseph Allen Bloom, of Des Moines, was arrested Dec. 5th. He was being held on a Department of Corrections warrant out of Polk County for being an escapee. Bloom was transferred to the custody of Polk County Deputies.
• 27-year old Dakota Shane Gaulden, of Orient, was arrested Dec. 5th on a Union County warrant, and held in the Adair County Jail until being transferred to Union County.
• And, 38-year old Joshua Michael Escritt, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Dec. 3rd and held in the Adair County Jail on a warrant for Pottawattamie County. He was released to their custody Dec. 4th.

Officials with the Omaha Foundation reports the Chairs of the Cass and Audubon County Community Foundations, have announced grant funds are available separately, for Cass County and Audubon County non-profit organization, and that the deadline to return applications is no later than February 1st, 2018.  In both counties, approximately $117,000 in grant funds are available. Detailed application procedures, fact sheets, and a link to the application form can be obtained online beginning December 15th at http://omahafoundation.org/swiowa. Applications will only be accepted through the online system.

Contact any board member for additional information. Please contact Dennis Nissen at 800-794-3458 or dennis@omahafoundation.org or Denise Cardos at denise@omahafoundation.org with grant application-specific questions. All completed applications will be considered at the March board meeting with notification of results in early April. Only organizations providing charitable services in their respective counties (Cass or Audubon) are eligible. Those organizations must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and be an IRS approved 501(c)(3) Public Charity. Requests for general operational funds will not be considered.

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Board members of the Cass County Community Foundation are Chair, Nicholas Hunt of rural Atlantic, 243-5485; Vice Chair, Gary Maas of Anita, 762-3434; Secretary/Treasurer, Roland K. Landsness, Esq. of Atlantic, 243-4154; Royal Bierbaum of Griswold, 778-2586; John Curry of Massena, 779-0216; and Mark D. Kyhnn, CPA of Atlantic, 243-1800.

Board members of the Audubon County Community Foundation are Chair, Genelle Deist of Audubon, 563-4288; Vice Chair, Joel Hoegh of rural Brayton, 249-3692; Secretary/Treasurer, Barbara Johnson of Audubon, 773-5732; Shelley Burr of Audubon, 563-2644; Steven B. Hansen of Audubon, 563-2065; Daryl Olsen, DVM of Audubon, 563-2080; and Joseph T. Rasmussen of Exira, 268-6357.