Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s office announced today (Thursday), the Governor has made several appointments to Iowa’s various boards and commissions. Included among the more than one-half dozen appointees, is Kathleen Parris, of Audubon (to the Health Facilities Council), and Timothy Carmody, of Council Bluffs (to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Council).

The appointments are effective today (Nov. 20th), are unpaid positions, and are subject to Iowa Senate confirmation in the 2015 legislative session.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Anti-smoking activists are launching a campaign calling on Iowa’s largest grocery store chain to end tobacco sales at locations with pharmacies and clinics. The Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance said Thursday that Hy-Vee, Inc. should stop selling cigarettes, chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes at those locations to demonstrate its commitment to its customers’ health.

The alliance noted that Hy-Vee is a leader of Iowa’s “Healthiest State Initiative” and has taken many steps to focus on health and wellness. Executive director Jeneane Moody said selling tobacco products is inconsistent with those values.

She said the group went public with its campaign after Hy-Vee didn’t respond to a letter requesting a meeting to discuss the issue. CVS ended tobacco products at its stores earlier this year.

Firefighters from Audubon and Templeton were on the scene of a hog confinement facility fire this (Thursday) morning, in Audubon County. Sheriff’s officials told KJAN News the blaze at the private hog confinement facility near 150th and Quail Avenue, northeast of Audubon, was reported at around 7:20-a.m.

No other details are currently available.

A Montgomery County man was injured during a rollover accident early this (Thursday) morning in Pottawattamie County. Pott. County Chief Deputy Sheriff John Reynolds told KJAN News 22-year old Dominic Tilson, of rural Elliott, suffered from a head injury and was transported by LifeNet helicopter to Creighton University Medical Center’s Trauma Unit, following the crash that happened at around 5:10-a.m.

Reynolds said Tilson was traveling southbound on 500th Street near the intersection of County Road M-47, when a deer ran in front of his vehicle.  Tilson swerved to miss the animal, causing his 1988 Toyota Camry to go out of control. The car rolled multiple times, coming to rest in a ditch.

Tilson was found in the front yard of his girlfriend’s home about a mile away. He told authorities he doesn’t remember how he got there. When rescuers arrived, he told them he could not feel his hands. A report on his condition was not immediately available.

One person is in custody, another is being sought following a high-speed chase early this (Thursday) morning. WOWT in Omaha reports the chase, that went from Carter Lake into Omaha, began around midnight, when someone stole a car. Police say the suspect allegedly tried to run over a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department deputy during the pursuit, which was called off when speeds topped 90 mph.

Omaha police eventually found the car abandoned in an alley near North 24th and Lothrop streets. A woman believed to be a passenger during the pursuit was inside and was taken into police custody.

The man who was driving has not been located.

A residential break-in Wednesday in Creston resulted in a loss of about $700. Authorities say a man reported to Creston Police someone broke into his apartment in the 600 block of New York Avenue, and stole an H-P laptop computer and a 42-inch flat screen t-v. The incident occurred sometime between 10-am and 5-pm, Wednesday.