Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — A Marshalltown man is celebrating the memory of his wife and seeking to have a little fun by holding a “Shirley party” at the city’s senior citizens center. Shirley Ann Stecher Pille died Feb. 9, 2014, at age 77. She used to occasionally attend theme-parties where only women named Shirley were invited. With that in mind, her husband Laverne “Ray” Pille decided to hold his own party at the Marshalltown Senior Citizens Center Thursday in hopes that many Shirleys attend.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is considering a proposal to pay for water quality efforts with a portion of a sales tax designed to help schools pay for repairs and updated technology. Some lawmakers oppose the idea, saying it would pit the needs of schools against the need for clean water.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Multi-State Lottery Association officials say the Powerball jackpot is up to $450 million for Wednesday night’s drawing. It’s the largest lottery jackpot in nearly a year and the sixth-largest ever in North America.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A 28-year-old Waterloo man convicted of murder has been given 55 years in prison. Roderick Ward Jr. was sentenced in Black Hawk County District Court in Waterloo. Ward was convicted of second-degree murder and a weapons charge for the Aug. 2, 2014, shotgun slaying of 27-year-old Gary Wilson.

A man from Glenwood was injured during a collision Monday morning on Highway 34, in Mills County. Sheriff’s officials said Tuesday (today), Kelcie Oliver was transported by Glenwood Rescue to Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, following the accident that took place at around 7:30-a.m.

Authorities say a 2015 Chevrolet driven by Richard Clayton, of Creston, was westbound on Highway 34 at the same time Oliver was traveling east. The left front side of the Clayton vehicle and the left rear of Oliver’s 2000 Buick made contact, causing damage to both vehicles. Officials were not able to determine which driver was at fault.

A man and a woman were arrested on drug charges, Monday night, in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday 55-year old Terry Joe Halvin, of Red Oak, and 55-year-old Julie Ann Vore, of Council Bluffs, were taken into custody at Highway 34 and Kidd Road at around 11:50-p.m., for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with official acts. Their bonds were set at $1,600.

On Monday, 21-year old Dylan Lee Conn was arrested in Plattsmouth, NE, on a Mills County warrant for Failure to Appear. Conn was being held in the Mills County Jail on $5,000 bond. Also arrested Monday, was 28-year-old Rueben Darnell Davis, of Glenwood, who was wanted on a warrant out of Pottawattamie County. His bond was set at $1,000.

On Saturday, 46-year old Matthew James Kelleher, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. Bond was set at $1,000. And, 38-year old Michael Raymond Carver, of Omaha, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300.

And, on Jan. 1st, Mills County deputies arrested 53-year old Randy Joseph Huff, of Council Bluffs, for Driving Under Suspension. Also, 49-year-old Karen Ann Schneidewind, of McClelland, was arrested on a warrant for Harassment in the 3rd degee. Their bonds were set at $300 each.

Sheriff’s officials in Fremont County say a Hamburg man was arrested recently in connection with an assault that took place Dec. 16th at the Cubby’s gas station, located near the intersection of Highway 2 and Interstate 29. After an investigation, 62-year old John Moyer was arrested for Assault Causing Bodily Injury in Violation of Individual Rights. Moyer was later released on a $2000 cash only bond.

The incident that resulted in his arrest began after deputies made contact with 49-year old Cleo Henry, of Jonesboro, Arkansas who advised that he was parked at the diesel fuel pumps when a male approached him and began arguing with him. He stated the male (later identified as Moyer) used a racial slur and then sprayed him with diesel fuel.

(12:40-p.m. News)

Des Moines, IOWA – The Iowa Department of Public Safety reminds Iowans heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths during the winter months. Almost half of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February. Some simple steps can prevent most heating-related fires from happening.

Safety Tips

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, such as the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable heater.

• Only use heating equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.

• Never use your oven for heating.

• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.

• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.

• Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

• For fuel burning space heaters, always use the proper fuel as specified by the manufacturer.

• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room and burn only dry, seasoned wood. Allow ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container, which is kept a safe distance from the home.

• If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not attempt to light the appliance. Turn off all the controls and open doors and windows. Call a gas service person.

• Test smoke alarms at least monthly.

If you have questions about heating safety, contact the State Fire Marshal Division at 515-725-6145 or e-mail at fminfo@dps.state.ia.us.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The estimated jackpot for Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing has soared to $450 million thanks to strong sales. Multi-State Lottery Association officials on Tuesday increased the expected prize from $400 million because of fast sales for the largest lottery jackpot in nearly a year.

No one has won Powerball’s biggest prize since Nov. 4. The jackpot now is the sixth-largest ever in North America, and if there is no winner after Wednesday night’s drawing, the prize will keep climbing. The biggest jackpot was a $656 million Mega Millions prize won in 2012. The last time Powerball had grown this large was in February 2015, when three winners split a $564.1 million prize.

Powerball is played in 44 states as well as the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Water quality funding is among the topics legislative leaders are talking about in the week before the Iowa Legislature convenes. Gov. Terry Branstad is considering a proposal to fund water quality efforts by diverting a portion of a sales tax designed to help schools pay for repairs and updated technology. Some lawmakers oppose the idea that would pit the needs of schools against the need for clean water.

More attention has been focused on water quality as Des Moines Water Works had to spend $1.5 million last year to operate a system that removed record levels of nitrate from the drinking water to remain in compliance with federal regulations. The utility filed a federal lawsuit last year seeking monetary damages and clean water permits for agriculture drainage districts.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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• 1 lb. hamburger
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1/2 cup uncooked narrow noodles
• 5 to 6 cups water
• 2 beef bouillon cubes
• 1 cup finely diced carrots
• 1 cup finely diced potatoes
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Brown hamburger with onion; drain off fat.  Add noodles, water. bouillon cubes, carrots, potatoes and mushroom soup.  Bring to a boil; cover and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes.  Add salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce and simmer 5 to 10 minutes more.  Makes 6 to 8 servings.

(Diane Dea)

The area’s top news at 7:07-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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