The Creston Police Department says a man from Orient reported last Friday that various tools were stolen from the back of his truck while is was parked at 211 N. Pine Street, in Creston. The loss was estimated at $350.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Jurors have begun deliberating a verdict in the sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a former Iowa Senate Republican Caucus aide. Kirsten Anderson contends she was fired in 2013 as caucus communications director because she complained that she had been subjected to sexual harassment by male aides and lawmakers for years. In his closing statement Monday afternoon, her attorney said Anderson’s supervisors and elected Republican leaders ignored her concerns, fearing a disruption of the status quo at the Statehouse.

Republican officials deny she was harassed and say she was fired because of poor job performance. The case went to the jury Monday afternoon. The deliberations are expected to resume Tuesday.

Body armor plates manufactured in Centerville, Iowa, were exhibited in Monday’s “Made in America” event at the White House. R-M-A Armament C-E-O Blake Waldrop is featured in a video on the company’s website. “I started this business to help better protect the end user, my fellow Marines, my fellow police officers,” Waldrop says in the video. “I lost a friend in Iraq January 1, 2005. The same plates that were issued then (to soldiers) are issued now. We got in this business to make a better product, to make a superior product.”

The company’s ceramic body armor plates are inserted in what are often called “bullet proof vests.” The factory in Centerville makes about a thousand units a week and they’re sold to police departments throughout the country. One manufacturer from each state was invited to exhibit their product at yesterday’s (Monday’s) event in Washington, D.C.

(Radio Iowa)

There were two fatal accidents in Iowa, Monday, one of which, in Tama County, happened just two days after another fatal accident in the same county. The Iowa State Patrol reports the most recent crash in Tama County took place at around 8:20-p.m. in the 2800 block of 320th Street, in Chelsea. A 2011 Dodge Ram pickup driven by 46-year old Rodney Purk, of Montour, failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the road. The pickup struck a utility pole and rolled onto its top, pinning Purk, and his passenger, 47-year old Grant L. Forrester, of Indianola, inside the vehicle. Both men were wearing their seat belts. Forrester died from his injuries. Purk was transported to a hospital by helicopter. The accident remains under investigation.

The other accident took place at around 3-p.m. Monday, in Fayette County. The State Patrol says a City of West Union Police SUV driven by 23-year old Bryson Hennigar, of West Union, was northbound from the intersection of Highways 159 and 18, while in Emergency status. A 2003 GMC Sonoma, driven by 83 year old Willys Henry Fritz, of West Union, failed to yield the right of away from a stop sign leaving the Quillans parking lot and traveling east across Highway 150. The vehicles collided in the northbound lane of Highway 150. Fritz, who was not wearing a seat belt, died from his injuries. Hennigar, who was also not wearing a seat belt, was treated for injuries and released at the scene.

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa businessman Fred Hubbell has made it official: He’s in the running for governor next year. The Democrat released a video Monday announcing a formal campaign for the state’s top job. He launched an exploratory campaign in May. Hubbell has never been elected to public office, though he served as interim director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development. He’s a well-known philanthropist and campaign donor whose family has been involved in multiple business ventures in the state.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the names of two men who were shot _ one fatally _ in Waterloo. Police say the men were shot in a sport utility vehicle around 3:55 p.m. Friday. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that the 33-year-old passenger, Fredrick Webber, was taken to an Iowa City hospital and pronounced dead there. The wounded driver’s been identified as 20-year-old Robert Coffer. No arrests have been reported.

EARLVILLE, Iowa (AP) — A former official accused of making unauthorized payments of her debts from the account of a youth sports organization has pleaded not guilty. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that Kimberly Snyder, of Earlville, is charged with fraudulent practice. A state audit says the more than $8,500 in improper disbursements including more than $4,000 in utility and loan payments for Snyder’s personal residence or personal vehicle. She’d been secretary/treasurer of the Earlville Athletic Association.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — A judge has delayed a decision about the Muscatine mayor’s removal from office until receiving transcripts of private City Council meetings and other information. The Muscatine Journal reports that at a hearing Monday, Mayor Diana Broderson’s lawyers requested additional documents, including the minutes of seven of the council’s private meetings held to discuss whether to remove the mayor. After the submission of the documents, Judge Mark Cleve will decide the mayor’s appeal of her removal.