A lot of auto dealerships across the state are fielding calls from concerned car owners. That’s after federal officials have increased a recall to a total of 7.8 million vehicles equipped with Takata brand airbags. Dave Wright, of Dave Wright Auto in Cedar Rapids, told KCRG-TV that his receptionists are keeping busy on the phone. “We’ve experienced several calls each day from customers with questions about how to handle the recall,” Wright said.

The recall involves cars of many makes and models, manufactured from 2000 to 2008. Three million additional vehicles are being recall than previously announced. Safety experts said the airbag can explode, shooting shrapnel into the faces of the people in the car. Now, dealerships are watching and waiting for updates, especially with the growth of that list of cars involved.  “Nissan acknowledged it a year ago and have repaired or at least had the campaign so customers had the opportunity to come in as much as a year ago and have their airbags replaced,” Wright said.

Auto companies send out a letters to everyone impacted with instructions on what to do. If your car is on that list of recalls, it’s also important to remember that it does not typically include every single car made during that time frame. “If you provide your (vehicle identification number), we’ll run it, and we will be able to tell you if you are in there and if you need the part replaced,” Wright said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the airbags are more of an urgent issue in places of high humidity and temperatures. So, it is especially urging people in warm-weather states to see that the problem is fixed quickly.

(KCRG-TV/Cedar Rapids via Radio Iowa)

Police in Creston report the arrest this (Friday) morning of 50-year old Ronald Griffin II, of Creston. Griffin was taken into custody at around 12:18-a.m. on charges that include Disorderly Conduct, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Discharge of Weapon within City Limits and Trespass. He was being held in the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond.

And, 40-year old Curtis Bunnell, of Creston, was arrested at around 8:20-p.m. Thursday, on a Union County warrant for Theft in the 2nd degree. Bunnell was taken into custody at the Union County Law Enforcement Center and held on $5,000 bond.

An attraction in Shelby County has been awarded the Iowa Tourism Office and Travel Federation of Iowa’s “Outstanding Attraction” award in the rural division. The award was presented to the Danish Windmill Thursday evening during the 2014 Iowa Tourism Conference at the Mid-America Center, in Council Bluffs.

Danish Windmill Mgr. Lisa Steen-Riggs (center) is presented with an award Thursday in Council Bluffs.

Iowa Tourism Office Manager, Shawna Lode said “The tourism conference gives us the opportunity to annually recognize the best of the best in our industry. All nominations are reviewed and scored by industry members, people who know and appreciate tourism in Iowa.”

Danish Windmill Manager Lisa Steen-Riggs was on-hand to receive the award. Steen-Riggs, who is also President of the Travel Federation of Iowa, said “The Iowa tourism industry is full of hard-working, dedicated and passionate individuals. These awards recognize their contribution to Iowa’s tourism economy.”

In other award categories, the “Outstanding Niche Marketing Initiative” in the rural division was presented to Living Loess, western Iowa. And, The Council Bluffs Convention and Visitor’s Bureau received the “Outstanding Website” award, in the Metro Division.

The annual Iowa Tourism Conference brings together more than 250 industry representatives from across the state to network, attend educational sessions and discuss emerging industry trends.

Tourism in Iowa generates more than $7.75 billion in expenditures, employs 65,400 people statewide and generates $353.9 million in state taxes. The Iowa Tourism Office is part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. For more information, visit traveliowa.com, call 800.345.IOWA or stop at any Iowa Welcome Center.